January 2: The Bhaktapur Municipality has adjusted the entry fee for foreign visitors as per the rise in the value of the US…
January 2: The Bhaktapur Municipality has adjusted the entry fee for foreign visitors as per the rise in the value of the US…
Nepal witnessed increase in paddy production this year compared to the last year. However, the country still faces short of 4, 80,000 metric tons of rice to meet national…
Tavisi The Story Private Limited recently launched its website…
January 2: The private sector has complained that the local government has increased the business tax, scrap tax and road tax excessively.…
January 2: Laxmi Bank has launched a scholarship program targeting female…
January 2: The hotels from Nagarkot, a major tourist destination in Bhaktapur, to Ranikot were full of domestic tourists on the first day of New Year…
January 2: The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on Sunday sent a new list of fuel prices to the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC). As per the fortnightly price list, the prices of all petroleum products except kerosene have…
January 2: Dairy entrepreneurs who recently hiked the price of milk citing the rise in production cost of milk have taken back their decision to increase the…
January 1: With the inauguration of the International Airport in Pokhara on Sunday, the tourist city has achieved its dreams cherished for some five…
January 1: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday inaugurated the Pokhara Regional International Airport amidst a grand…
January 1: The accumulated public debt of the Government of Nepal stands at Rs 2007.84 billion in the first quarter of the current fiscal year (FY…
January 1: Biratnagar Metropolitan has set the aim of collecting Rs 870 million in revenue in the current fiscal…
January 1: October to March is the best season to visit Lumbini, the birth place of Lord…
January 1: Light rain is likely to occur in some parts of the country with partial to normal change in the weather in most parts of the…
December 31: The government has initiated the process to bring booster dose in the wake of growing cases of coronavirus in the neighbouring…
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The increment has already come into effect from January 1, 2023.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the municipality’s tourism information center chief Gautam Lasiwa, the entry fee was adjusted bearing in mind the rising value of the US dollar.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The entry fee of Rs 500 each for a visitor from the SAARC countries remains as it is while the fee for the people from other nations has been increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,800 per person.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Now the price of US dollar 1 is around Rs 130. Those wishing to pay in dollar have to pay US$ 15 as per the previous rate, but those wishing to pay in the Nepalese currency will be charged Rs 1,800 each, he added. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16386', 'image' => '20230102073157_20220901112926_Nepal-Heritage-Tour-IV.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 19:31:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16644', 'article_category_id' => '277', 'title' => 'Despite Increase in Paddy Production, Domestic Production Fails to Meet National Rice Demand ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' Nepal witnessed increase in paddy production this year compared to the last year. However, the country still faces short of 4, 80,000 metric tons of rice to meet national demand.', 'content' => '<p>January 2: Nepal witnessed increase in paddy production this year compared to the last year. However, the country still faces short of 4, 80,000 metric tons of rice to meet national demand.</p> <p>Nepal requires around 4 million metric tons of rice in a year. But, the domestic production provides only 3.5 million metric tons of the rice.<br /> One individual consumes 121 kg of rice on average in a year. Import of rice and paddy slumped by 6.3 per cent in the current fiscal year compared to the last year.</p> <p>The import of rice and paddy plummeted by 38.2 per cent in the first five months of the current fiscal year. </p> <p>The data at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development show that paddy including summer paddy and early autumn paddy is grown in 14,47,789 hectares of the field across the country. </p> <p>Paddy is Nepal’s major food crop. The country’s paddy productivity stands 3.79 metric tons per hectare while total national production of the food crop is 54, 86,472 metric tons. </p> <p> Compared to the last fiscal, total paddy area has shrunk by 2 per cent, while productivity has gone up by 6.94 percent.<br /> Hardinath, Khumal, Radha, and Sworna Sab are some of famous paddy varieties cultivated in Nepal.</p> <p>For self-sufficiency in paddy, the ministry has been conducting various programmes to promote paddy productivity in collaboration with local and province governments. </p> <p>The government has set up the provision to purchase the paddy at minimum support price through cooperatives. The ministry provides Rs 112 management expense per quintal of paddy to each cooperative for paddy’s storage. </p> <p>Province-wise, Sudurpaschim Province witnessed 33.33 per cent rise of paddy production this year. Unseasonal rainfall had caused massive damage to paddy in Kailali and Kanchnapur last year.</p> <p>Likewise, Lumbini Province, Province 1, Karnali and Madhes Province witnessed 15.2 per cent, 5.72, 3.46 and 0.18 per cent growth respectively in the current fiscal compared to the last fiscal. </p> <p>However, paddy production plummeted by 1.45 per cent and 3.74 per cent in Bagmati and Gandaki Province respectively. </p> <p>Availability of chemical fertilizers, increasing use of improved seeds and farmers’ access to agriculture technicians have led to the rise of paddy produce, according to the ministry.</p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16385', 'image' => '20230102053729_collage (25).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 17:34:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16643', 'article_category_id' => '266', 'title' => 'Tavisi: New e-commerce platform curated for women launched', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Tavisi The Story Private Limited recently launched its website www.tavisinepal.com.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p>January 2: Tavisi The Story Private Limited recently launched its website www.tavisinepal.com. The website www.tavisinepal.com is a collaborative and inclusive e-commerce platform and digital magazine company determined to transform the online retail and media space in Nepal. <br /> <br /> A Sanskrit word, Tavisi, denotes strength, power and courage. Tavisi aims at promoting honest, candid, and open conversations. It aims to build a community of like-minded individuals - one purchase, one story at a time. </p> <p>Co-founded by Palas Joshi, and Sahara Joshi, Tavisi integrates an e-commerce website ‘Tav the Shop’ with a digital magazine ‘Tav the Story’. Tav the Shop is a one-stop solution for women enhancing ease of access to curated quality products and authentic information helping customers to make an informed decision. </p> <p>Especially curated for women, currently, Tav The Shop provides an assorted collection of quality products from 11 local and 34 international brands. The e-commerce website consists of products from different segments, including beauty, fashion, mom and baby, healthy living and home and décor as well as gifts from we love section. <br /> One of the major attractions of Tavisi is the jute packaging along with delivery. <br /> Motivated by the circular economy model, Tav packaging embraces sustainable packaging methods with the intention to elongate the lifespan of the material, and decrease the demand for new packaging product. <br /> Customers have two options: either to return the jute bag to the delivery person so Tavisi can continue reusing the bag for their deliveries or to buy the jute bag for a price of Rs. 260 and reuse it for further shopping. </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16384', 'image' => '20230102050458_collage (24).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 16:59:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16642', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Widespread Anomalies in Taxes Charged by Local Governments', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: The private sector has complained that the local government has increased the business tax, scrap tax and road tax excessively. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">January 2: The private sector has complained that the local government has increased the business tax, scrap tax and road tax excessively. In the past, the central government used to collect such taxes through the local bodies, but after adopting federalism, all the responsibilities in this regard have been given to the local level.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Birgunj Chamber of Commerce demanded an immediate amendment to the constitution, arguing anomalies in these taxes after being placed under the jurisdiction of the local governments. President of the chamber Subodh Kumar Gupta says that in the past, taxes were collected according to the laws of the central government, but now there is widespread chaos in the name of tax collection because the local government are collecting such taxes at their whims.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“Business tax, scrap tax and road tax were under the central government initially and were levied in accordance with the central law. According to the concept of federalism, now the business tax is the responsibility of the local government. The local authorities are charging these taxes arbitrarily,” said Gupta. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> The chamber alleges that when the federal government delegates authority to the local government, the local government makes laws and collects taxes in an arbitrary manner. Tax payers have demanded that the federal government should make laws for collection of taxes at the local units. The suggestion of the private sector is that the federal government should monitor whether or not the laws and regulations made by the federal government are being followed.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The private sector made such a demand after the local governments including Birgunj Metropolis, which is located in the main industrial and commercial hub, started charging such taxes haphazardly.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Medanta Construction, the tax contractor of Birgunj metropolis, was found to be collecting tax contrary to the agreement.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">An official of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that even after finding the evidence of the contractor collecting scrap tax on industrial raw materials imported from India and cement produced by local industries, the metropolis did not take any action.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It was found that Birgunj metropolis and Jitpursimra sub-metropolis collected scrap tax on coal imported from India through Nepal's ICP customs. Even though the taxpayers have been complaining that the local governments set arbitrary rates on business, property and road management taxes, they have not been heard.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The concerned officials of the local government have said that action will be taken if the contractor is found to have collected tax arbitrarily. However, the private sector has been complaining that the leadership of the local level seems to be apathetic towards taking action against the contractor even after providing them with evidence.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Suresh Rungta, coordinator of the tax committee of the chamber, says that the local levels have been abusing the authority given by the Local Level Operation Act 2074. He said, “Although there is a legal provision to take into account the tax payer's ability to pay tax while determining the tax rate, the local level completely ignored this provision. Their only intention is to squeeze from the taxpayers.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the past, the government had canceled the scrap tax due to the movement of traders in Birgunj. “Reinstating the tax that was abolished a decade ago is a regressive step in the tax system,” said Hari Gautam, vice president of the chamber .</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><br /> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16383', 'image' => '20230102034004_taxxxxx.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 15:39:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16641', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Laxmi Bank Launches Scholarship for Women at KU', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: Laxmi Bank has launched a scholarship program targeting female students.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">January 2: Laxmi Bank has launched a scholarship program targeting female students. Issuing a statement, the bank confirmed that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kathmandu University (KU) for the scholarship programme as a part of its 20th anniversary commitments.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As per the agreement, women who wish to pursue a Master’s or a Ph D degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM subject) at Kathmandu University (KU) Nepal can avail the scholarship.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">CEO of Laxmi Bank Ajaya Bikram Shah and Prof Dr Bipin Adhikari, coordinator of Endowment Drive at Kathmandu University, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Laxmi Bank said it will help talented and economically disadvantaged women to pursue advanced studies in any STEM-related fields at Kathmandu University under this scholarship programme. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The selection process for the scholarship will be overseen and administered by KU, while Laxmi Bank will help fund and promote the scholarship programme, added the statement.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">To ensure the sustainability of the scholarship program, Laxmi Bank has set up an endowment fund of Rs 10 million with 50 percent of the annual interest earned added back to the principal amount each year and 50 percent utilized for funding the students.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“Laxmi Bank hopes to implement one of the key components of its CSR strategy – Advancement of Gender Equity through this initiative thereby ensuring women are equipped with the support, confidence and skills they need to pursue meaningful, in-demand careers -- regardless of background - to pave way for a more equitable society.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The statement added that the bank believes empowerment of women, who constitute more than half of the population, is essential for achieving a truly ‘Prosperous Nepal’.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16382', 'image' => '20230102023025_Photo.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 14:29:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16640', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nagarkot full of Domestic Tourists on New Year Day', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: The hotels from Nagarkot, a major tourist destination in Bhaktapur, to Ranikot were full of domestic tourists on the first day of New Year 2023.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">January 2: The hotels from Nagarkot, a major tourist destination in Bhaktapur, to Ranikot were full of domestic tourists on the first day of New Year 2023.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Hoteliers, who have suffered losses for almost three years due to Covid-19, are excited about the increase in number of domestic tourists.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Hotels in Nagarkot were full of locals and foreign tourists coming to see the first sunrise of 2023. A large number of tourists came to Nagarkot to watch the sunrise and the Himalayan range after staying overnight on Saturday evening. Tourism and hotel entrepreneur Ashok Thapa said that the tourism business of Nagarkot has declined due to Covid-19 and the dilapidated road condition.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Thapa, who is also the owner of Nagarkot Base Camp Resort, said, "Though the number of foreign tourists has decreased, the number of domestic tourists has increased significantly.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Gokul Lamichhane, the owner of Hotel Marigold, Nagarkot, said that the hotels in Nagarkot are now full of domestic tourists rather than foreigners.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">He said the current influx of domestic tourists has raised a lot of hope.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The owner of Hotel Chawtari, Nagarkot said that the business affected by the earthquake and Covid-19 have observed positive signs with the arrival of domestic tourists. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Padmalal Shrestha from Baneswar, Kathmandu, who was returning from Nagarkot, said that he had booked a hotel room a week in advance. He said that 11 people, including his family and relatives, went to Nagarkot on Saturday and returned on Sunday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Dhan Bahadur Lama, ward chairman of Changunarayan Municipality-6 and former secretary of Nagarkot Naldum Tourism Business Association, said that there is an influx of domestic tourists in Nagarkot to welcome the New Year 2023. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On Saturday, hotels had full occupancy while some people did not get a room, he said on Sunday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Jeevan Khatri, the mayor of Changunarayan Municipality, informed that the municipality will celebrate Nagarkot visit year in 2082, targeting internal and external tourists.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the data provided by the Nepal Tourism Board, 614,148 foreign tourists visited Nepal in the past year. It is 39.75 % more than in 2021 and 166.92 % more than in 2020.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16381', 'image' => '20230102011327_nagarkot.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 13:12:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16639', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NOC not to Increase Fuel Prices', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on Sunday sent a new list of fuel prices to the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC). As per the fortnightly price list, the prices of all petroleum products except kerosene have increased.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">January 2: The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on Sunday sent a new list of fuel prices to the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC). As per the fortnightly price list, the prices of all petroleum products except kerosene have increased. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Although the IOC has increased the fuel prices, NOC has made it clear that it will not increase the prices of petroleum products for the time being. Issuing a public notice on Sunday, NOC said it will not hike the fuel prices immediately.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the state-owned oil monopoly of Nepal, the IOC has increased the price of petrol by Rs 2.54 per litre, diesel by Rs 0.95 per litre, aviation turbine fuel (ATF) by Rs 4.13 per litre and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by Rs 78.22 per cylinder. However, the NOC did not mention the new price of kerosene.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The NOC said that it has to bear a loss of Rs 359.5 per cylinder with the new adjustment in prices. The NOC estimates that it will have to bear losses worth Rs 464.4 million in the next 15 days.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Meanwhile, the NOC will make profit of Rs 990 million through the sales of petrol, diesel, kerosene and ATF in the next 15 days.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The NOC is yet to pay dues worth Rs 18 billion to the IOC.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16380', 'image' => '20230102122351_petroo - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 12:23:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16638', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Stakeholders ‘Agree’ not to Increase Price of Milk', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: Dairy entrepreneurs who recently hiked the price of milk citing the rise in production cost of milk have taken back their decision to increase the price. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">January 2: Dairy entrepreneurs who recently hiked the price of milk citing the rise in production cost of milk have taken back their decision to increase the price. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A meeting held recently at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) among the stakeholders reached the decision not to increase the price. </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"">Rajendra Prasad Yadav, executive director of the National Dairy Development Board, shared MoALD secretary, the board and the concerned bodies agreed to roll back the decision to recently hiked price of milk. The meeting decided to conduct a scientific study considering the production cost of milk, inflation in market price and purchasing power of the consumers for the price adjustment, informed Yadav. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Although the board has already written letters to the MoALD, Dairy Development Corporation, Nepal Dairy Association among other stakeholders about the decision to roll back the price hike on Sunday, Dairy Industry Association Chairperson Raj Kumar Dahal shared that there was no such agreement during the meeting. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"We agreed to disagree on the conclusion of the meeting. We will take back the increase in milk price if the board appraises us about the criteria to hike price," Dahal asserted. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Essential Commodities Control (Authorization) Act-2017 BS has listed milk as an essential food. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Some milk businesspersons hiked the price of milk by Rs 14 per litre since last Saturday. They had cited the rise in production cost and high cost while purchasing milk from the farmers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Nepal Dairy Association and some umbrella organizations of farmers and consumer rights had protested the act of some limited dairy entrepreneurs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The board is entrusted with the responsibility to formulate policies to fix the price of milk and to recommend the revised price to the government in case of need. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16379', 'image' => '20230102112619_milkkkkkkk.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 11:22:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16637', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Pokhara Fulfills its 5-Decade-Long Dream with New Int'l Airport ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: With the inauguration of the International Airport in Pokhara on Sunday, the tourist city has achieved its dreams cherished for some five decades. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">January 1: With the inauguration of the International Airport in Pokhara on Sunday, the tourist city has achieved its dreams cherished for some five decades. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the airport amid a grand ceremony that was attended by thousands of local residents to high-level politicians and ministers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel, Gandaki Province Chief Prithvi Gurung, Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Krishna Chandra Nepali and others were present in the ceremony. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Stretched in 3,900 ropanis of land, the airport was constructed with a total investment of Rs 22 billion, which was received as loan assistance from China’s EXIM Bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In his inaugural speech, PM Dahal expressed hopes that the airport would make outstanding contribution to the country’s economic development, not merely of Gandaki Province and added that the airport would now link Pokhara to the international cities. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Deputy Prime Minister Poudel and Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Krishna Chandra Nepali expressed their confidence that the airport would be crucial for economic development and prosperity of the province. With the construction of the airport, Pokhara is directly linked to the international cities and its tourism activities are expected to grow exponentially, thanks to the added infrastructures. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had laid the foundation stone of the airport in May 2016 and the Chinese company CMCE was entrusted with the responsibility of its construction. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara and nearby areas have expressed their hope for tourism boom, adding that the operation of the airport in the New Year was really meaningful. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the government data, as high as 45 per cent of the total tourists visiting Nepal arrive in the Lake City of Pokhara. -- RSS</span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16378', 'image' => '20230101084513_Pro-KTM-Pokhara-Prachandab.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 20:44:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16636', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'PM Dahal Inaugurates Pokhara Regional International Airport ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday inaugurated the Pokhara Regional International Airport amidst a grand ceremony. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">January 1: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday inaugurated the Pokhara Regional International Airport amidst a grand ceremony. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, the Prime Minister Dahal unveiled a plaque marking the official inauguration of the airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">PM Dahal arrived in Pokhara on Sunday morning to attend the inauguration ceremony. He is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Bishnu Poudel. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The airport was built with an investment of Rs 22 billion.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The construction of the airport – a national pride project – which started in 2010 was set to be completed in 4 years. However, the construction started only after the loan agreement between the Government of Nepal and the Government of China in February 2016. Although the target was to complete the works by the year 2020, it was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16377', 'image' => '20230101035146_RD-POKHARA-17-RSS2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 15:46:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16635', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Public Debt is More Than Rs 2000 Billion', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: The accumulated public debt of the Government of Nepal stands at Rs 2007.84 billion in the first quarter of the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">January 1: The accumulated public debt of the Government of Nepal stands at Rs 2007.84 billion in the first quarter of the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to a report published by the Public Debt Management Office of the Government of Nepal, the country’s public debt declined by 0.27 percent in mid-October compared to mid-July this year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The total public debt of the government was Rs 2013.29 billion in mid-July.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the Public Debt Management Office, the country’s outstanding foreign debt in the first quarter of the current fiscal year is Rs 1050.23 billion while the internal debt is Rs 957.61 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Comparing this figure with the data of mid-July, the country’s external debt has increased by Rs 24.38 billion while the internal debt has declined by Rs 29.83 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the first three months of the current fiscal year, the government has received foreign loans worth Rs 24.7 billion. The government has not collected any internal loan during this period. Meanwhile, the government paid back foreign loans worth Rs 5.84 billion during the first quarter. The government also paid back internal loans and interest worth Rs 29.83 billion during the review period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Public Debt Management Office said that the government has to pay an additional amount of Rs 5.52 billion in the review period because of the change in foreign exchange rate. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at present is Rs 4851.62 billion. Compared to the GDP, Nepal’s public debt stands at 41.38 percent.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16376', 'image' => '20230101020340_20220907103815_public debt.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 14:02:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16634', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Company Registration Compulsory to get Bank Loans in Biratnagar', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: Biratnagar Metropolitan has set the aim of collecting Rs 870 million in revenue in the current fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">January 1: Biratnagar Metropolitan has set the aim of collecting Rs 870 million in revenue in the current fiscal year. To attain this target, the metropolis has requested the banks to make it mandatory for company registration and renewal while disbursing loans. The bankers of the region have complied with this request of the metropolis. The metropolitan city believes that the revenue is bound to increase when those who apply for loan register their company or renew in case of registered companies.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Under this campaign of strengthening the internal income, the metropolis called for the chiefs of provincial offices of 21 commercial banks operating in the region for discussion. During the discussion, the chiefs of the provincial offices of the commercial banks pledged to mandatorily check for the status of registration and renewal of the companies while disbursing the loans. They also stated that they were eager to contribute to the development and prosperity of Biratnagar.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The chiefs of the commercial banks also agreed for collaboration and cooperation with the metropolis for the expenditures made under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Mayor Nagesh Koirala informed about the revenue collection campaign for the increment of internal income. Stating that Biratnagar belongs to all, he requested everyone to join hands for the campaign. He mentioned that the banks can help with the beautification of Biratnagar under (CSR) and stated, “Biratnagar is yours as well. You can help with its beautification along with ambulances and hearse as well.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Deputy Mayor Shilpa Karki stated that the problem in parking has emerged in the area due to the lack of management by the banks and requested to manage the parking lots as soon as possible. The chief administrative officer of the metropolis, Bishnu Prasad Koirala said that there is a lack of resources in the metropolis. He said that after discussing with the Internal Revenue Office, arrangements have been made to collect taxes from the metropolis itself. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Saroj Gautam, head of the revenue division of the metropolis informed that a special tax collection campaign is being conducted in 5 wards of the metropolis He said that the tax will be collected at the doorsteps of all taxpayers. The metropolis, which collected Rs 497.8 million internal revenue during the last fiscal year, aims to collect Rs 870 million in the current fsical year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16375', 'image' => '20230101012932_Banks.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 13:28:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16633', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Flights to and from Gautam Buddha Int’l Airport Halted for Lack of ILS ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: October to March is the best season to visit Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">January 1: October to March is the best season to visit Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">For this year, tourism entrepreneurs of Lumbini Province were also excited to welcome tourists but their excitement did not last long as flights are unlikely to take place in this peak season for lack of Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the Gautam Buddha International Airport. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The flights have been affected in the airport citing unfavourable weather conditions. International flights here have been affected due to poor visibility following thick fog in winter season. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">General Manager of the Gautam Buddha International Airport Govinda Prasad Dahal confirmed that Himalayan Airlines has suspended its flights since December 20 and Jazeera Airways since December 21. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Jazeera has informed that its flights would be suspended until the December-end but the flights could be suspended for more days due to unfavourable weather condition. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">ILS has been installed at the airport but it has not been brought into use. The ILS is a radio navigation system which helps aircraft in landing during nighttime and unfavourable weather conditions. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Officials say that Indian sky should also be used while implementing the ILS. “For this, Indian government’s approval is required,” Dahal said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Generally, visibility of 1,500 metres is required for the landing of a plane but the plane could be landed even in the visibility of 800 metres if ILS was brought into use, Dahal shared. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Constructed with an investment of Rs 35 billion, the airport was inaugurated on May 16, 2022. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">So far, the airport made 154 international flights and received 13,593 passengers and bade farewell to 18,025 passengers. --- </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16374', 'image' => '20230101114857_Gautam Buddha.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 11:48:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16632', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Possibility of Light Rainfall Today, Tarai Districts Witnessing Thick Fog ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: Light rain is likely to occur in some parts of the country with partial to normal change in the weather in most parts of the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">January 1: Light rain is likely to occur in some parts of the country with partial to normal change in the weather in most parts of the country. Due to impact of the westerly winds, the weather will be partly cloudy to normal in the hill areas of the country and partly cloudy to generally clear in the rest of the country, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. There is also a possibility of light snowfall in one or two places in the mountainous region of the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Later tonight, the weather will remain generally clear with light rain in one or two places in the hill areas of Province 1 and mountain areas of Province 1, Gandaki and Karnali provinces. There is also a possibility of light snowfall. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> At present, parts of the western Terai and few parts of the central and eastern Terai districts are experiencing fog. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the latest information of the department, the minimum temperature of Kathmandu Valley today was recorded at 3.8 degrees Celsius and the maximum temperature is likely to be around 15.5 degrees Celsius. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16373', 'image' => '20230101112125_SureshAcharya_Surkhet_RSS_17_IMG-4776.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 11:20:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16630', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Requests GAVI for Booster Dose ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 31: The government has initiated the process to bring booster dose in the wake of growing cases of coronavirus in the neighbouring countries. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 31: The government has initiated the process to bring booster dose in the wake of growing cases of coronavirus in the neighbouring countries. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Health and Population wrote to the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) in a bid to import the booster dose. Chief of the Immunization Department at the Family Welfare Division under the Department of Health Services, Sagar Dahal, informed that a letter was sent to the GAVI on Thursday for brining in 1.5 million doses of anti-COVID vaccines under the COVAX facility </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"COVAX will share information on sending anti-COVID vaccines in a week," Dahal added. The government has decided to bring in Pfizer vaccine which is being used only as the booster dose. The Immunization Department wrote letter to the GAVI after the Department of Drug Administration (DDA) granted permission for the 'emergency use' of the vaccine. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Ministry has also urged all people to take booster dose because the new variant of coronavirus, BF7, has been spreading fast in the neighbouring countries -- India and China. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-31', 'modified' => '2022-12-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16372', 'image' => '20221231120029_pfizer.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-31 11:59:44', '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 ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16645', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Bhaktapur Municipality Adjusts Entry Fee for Tourists in Line with Dollar Price', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: The Bhaktapur Municipality has adjusted the entry fee for foreign visitors as per the rise in the value of the US dollar.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">January 2: The Bhaktapur Municipality has adjusted the entry fee for foreign visitors as per the rise in the value of the US dollar.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The local government charges certain fees from people from outside the country who visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a world heritage site, and other tourist sites in the locality. The increment has already come into effect from January 1, 2023.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the municipality’s tourism information center chief Gautam Lasiwa, the entry fee was adjusted bearing in mind the rising value of the US dollar.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The entry fee of Rs 500 each for a visitor from the SAARC countries remains as it is while the fee for the people from other nations has been increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,800 per person.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Now the price of US dollar 1 is around Rs 130. Those wishing to pay in dollar have to pay US$ 15 as per the previous rate, but those wishing to pay in the Nepalese currency will be charged Rs 1,800 each, he added. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16386', 'image' => '20230102073157_20220901112926_Nepal-Heritage-Tour-IV.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 19:31:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16644', 'article_category_id' => '277', 'title' => 'Despite Increase in Paddy Production, Domestic Production Fails to Meet National Rice Demand ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' Nepal witnessed increase in paddy production this year compared to the last year. However, the country still faces short of 4, 80,000 metric tons of rice to meet national demand.', 'content' => '<p>January 2: Nepal witnessed increase in paddy production this year compared to the last year. However, the country still faces short of 4, 80,000 metric tons of rice to meet national demand.</p> <p>Nepal requires around 4 million metric tons of rice in a year. But, the domestic production provides only 3.5 million metric tons of the rice.<br /> One individual consumes 121 kg of rice on average in a year. Import of rice and paddy slumped by 6.3 per cent in the current fiscal year compared to the last year.</p> <p>The import of rice and paddy plummeted by 38.2 per cent in the first five months of the current fiscal year. </p> <p>The data at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development show that paddy including summer paddy and early autumn paddy is grown in 14,47,789 hectares of the field across the country. </p> <p>Paddy is Nepal’s major food crop. The country’s paddy productivity stands 3.79 metric tons per hectare while total national production of the food crop is 54, 86,472 metric tons. </p> <p> Compared to the last fiscal, total paddy area has shrunk by 2 per cent, while productivity has gone up by 6.94 percent.<br /> Hardinath, Khumal, Radha, and Sworna Sab are some of famous paddy varieties cultivated in Nepal.</p> <p>For self-sufficiency in paddy, the ministry has been conducting various programmes to promote paddy productivity in collaboration with local and province governments. </p> <p>The government has set up the provision to purchase the paddy at minimum support price through cooperatives. The ministry provides Rs 112 management expense per quintal of paddy to each cooperative for paddy’s storage. </p> <p>Province-wise, Sudurpaschim Province witnessed 33.33 per cent rise of paddy production this year. Unseasonal rainfall had caused massive damage to paddy in Kailali and Kanchnapur last year.</p> <p>Likewise, Lumbini Province, Province 1, Karnali and Madhes Province witnessed 15.2 per cent, 5.72, 3.46 and 0.18 per cent growth respectively in the current fiscal compared to the last fiscal. </p> <p>However, paddy production plummeted by 1.45 per cent and 3.74 per cent in Bagmati and Gandaki Province respectively. </p> <p>Availability of chemical fertilizers, increasing use of improved seeds and farmers’ access to agriculture technicians have led to the rise of paddy produce, according to the ministry.</p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16385', 'image' => '20230102053729_collage (25).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 17:34:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16643', 'article_category_id' => '266', 'title' => 'Tavisi: New e-commerce platform curated for women launched', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Tavisi The Story Private Limited recently launched its website www.tavisinepal.com.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p>January 2: Tavisi The Story Private Limited recently launched its website www.tavisinepal.com. The website www.tavisinepal.com is a collaborative and inclusive e-commerce platform and digital magazine company determined to transform the online retail and media space in Nepal. <br /> <br /> A Sanskrit word, Tavisi, denotes strength, power and courage. Tavisi aims at promoting honest, candid, and open conversations. It aims to build a community of like-minded individuals - one purchase, one story at a time. </p> <p>Co-founded by Palas Joshi, and Sahara Joshi, Tavisi integrates an e-commerce website ‘Tav the Shop’ with a digital magazine ‘Tav the Story’. Tav the Shop is a one-stop solution for women enhancing ease of access to curated quality products and authentic information helping customers to make an informed decision. </p> <p>Especially curated for women, currently, Tav The Shop provides an assorted collection of quality products from 11 local and 34 international brands. The e-commerce website consists of products from different segments, including beauty, fashion, mom and baby, healthy living and home and décor as well as gifts from we love section. <br /> One of the major attractions of Tavisi is the jute packaging along with delivery. <br /> Motivated by the circular economy model, Tav packaging embraces sustainable packaging methods with the intention to elongate the lifespan of the material, and decrease the demand for new packaging product. <br /> Customers have two options: either to return the jute bag to the delivery person so Tavisi can continue reusing the bag for their deliveries or to buy the jute bag for a price of Rs. 260 and reuse it for further shopping. </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16384', 'image' => '20230102050458_collage (24).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 16:59:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16642', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Widespread Anomalies in Taxes Charged by Local Governments', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: The private sector has complained that the local government has increased the business tax, scrap tax and road tax excessively. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">January 2: The private sector has complained that the local government has increased the business tax, scrap tax and road tax excessively. In the past, the central government used to collect such taxes through the local bodies, but after adopting federalism, all the responsibilities in this regard have been given to the local level.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Birgunj Chamber of Commerce demanded an immediate amendment to the constitution, arguing anomalies in these taxes after being placed under the jurisdiction of the local governments. President of the chamber Subodh Kumar Gupta says that in the past, taxes were collected according to the laws of the central government, but now there is widespread chaos in the name of tax collection because the local government are collecting such taxes at their whims.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“Business tax, scrap tax and road tax were under the central government initially and were levied in accordance with the central law. According to the concept of federalism, now the business tax is the responsibility of the local government. The local authorities are charging these taxes arbitrarily,” said Gupta. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> The chamber alleges that when the federal government delegates authority to the local government, the local government makes laws and collects taxes in an arbitrary manner. Tax payers have demanded that the federal government should make laws for collection of taxes at the local units. The suggestion of the private sector is that the federal government should monitor whether or not the laws and regulations made by the federal government are being followed.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The private sector made such a demand after the local governments including Birgunj Metropolis, which is located in the main industrial and commercial hub, started charging such taxes haphazardly.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Medanta Construction, the tax contractor of Birgunj metropolis, was found to be collecting tax contrary to the agreement.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">An official of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that even after finding the evidence of the contractor collecting scrap tax on industrial raw materials imported from India and cement produced by local industries, the metropolis did not take any action.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It was found that Birgunj metropolis and Jitpursimra sub-metropolis collected scrap tax on coal imported from India through Nepal's ICP customs. Even though the taxpayers have been complaining that the local governments set arbitrary rates on business, property and road management taxes, they have not been heard.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The concerned officials of the local government have said that action will be taken if the contractor is found to have collected tax arbitrarily. However, the private sector has been complaining that the leadership of the local level seems to be apathetic towards taking action against the contractor even after providing them with evidence.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Suresh Rungta, coordinator of the tax committee of the chamber, says that the local levels have been abusing the authority given by the Local Level Operation Act 2074. He said, “Although there is a legal provision to take into account the tax payer's ability to pay tax while determining the tax rate, the local level completely ignored this provision. Their only intention is to squeeze from the taxpayers.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the past, the government had canceled the scrap tax due to the movement of traders in Birgunj. “Reinstating the tax that was abolished a decade ago is a regressive step in the tax system,” said Hari Gautam, vice president of the chamber .</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><br /> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16383', 'image' => '20230102034004_taxxxxx.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 15:39:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16641', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Laxmi Bank Launches Scholarship for Women at KU', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: Laxmi Bank has launched a scholarship program targeting female students.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">January 2: Laxmi Bank has launched a scholarship program targeting female students. Issuing a statement, the bank confirmed that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kathmandu University (KU) for the scholarship programme as a part of its 20th anniversary commitments.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As per the agreement, women who wish to pursue a Master’s or a Ph D degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM subject) at Kathmandu University (KU) Nepal can avail the scholarship.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">CEO of Laxmi Bank Ajaya Bikram Shah and Prof Dr Bipin Adhikari, coordinator of Endowment Drive at Kathmandu University, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Laxmi Bank said it will help talented and economically disadvantaged women to pursue advanced studies in any STEM-related fields at Kathmandu University under this scholarship programme. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The selection process for the scholarship will be overseen and administered by KU, while Laxmi Bank will help fund and promote the scholarship programme, added the statement.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">To ensure the sustainability of the scholarship program, Laxmi Bank has set up an endowment fund of Rs 10 million with 50 percent of the annual interest earned added back to the principal amount each year and 50 percent utilized for funding the students.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“Laxmi Bank hopes to implement one of the key components of its CSR strategy – Advancement of Gender Equity through this initiative thereby ensuring women are equipped with the support, confidence and skills they need to pursue meaningful, in-demand careers -- regardless of background - to pave way for a more equitable society.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The statement added that the bank believes empowerment of women, who constitute more than half of the population, is essential for achieving a truly ‘Prosperous Nepal’.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16382', 'image' => '20230102023025_Photo.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 14:29:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16640', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nagarkot full of Domestic Tourists on New Year Day', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: The hotels from Nagarkot, a major tourist destination in Bhaktapur, to Ranikot were full of domestic tourists on the first day of New Year 2023.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">January 2: The hotels from Nagarkot, a major tourist destination in Bhaktapur, to Ranikot were full of domestic tourists on the first day of New Year 2023.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Hoteliers, who have suffered losses for almost three years due to Covid-19, are excited about the increase in number of domestic tourists.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Hotels in Nagarkot were full of locals and foreign tourists coming to see the first sunrise of 2023. A large number of tourists came to Nagarkot to watch the sunrise and the Himalayan range after staying overnight on Saturday evening. Tourism and hotel entrepreneur Ashok Thapa said that the tourism business of Nagarkot has declined due to Covid-19 and the dilapidated road condition.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Thapa, who is also the owner of Nagarkot Base Camp Resort, said, "Though the number of foreign tourists has decreased, the number of domestic tourists has increased significantly.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Gokul Lamichhane, the owner of Hotel Marigold, Nagarkot, said that the hotels in Nagarkot are now full of domestic tourists rather than foreigners.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">He said the current influx of domestic tourists has raised a lot of hope.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The owner of Hotel Chawtari, Nagarkot said that the business affected by the earthquake and Covid-19 have observed positive signs with the arrival of domestic tourists. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Padmalal Shrestha from Baneswar, Kathmandu, who was returning from Nagarkot, said that he had booked a hotel room a week in advance. He said that 11 people, including his family and relatives, went to Nagarkot on Saturday and returned on Sunday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Dhan Bahadur Lama, ward chairman of Changunarayan Municipality-6 and former secretary of Nagarkot Naldum Tourism Business Association, said that there is an influx of domestic tourists in Nagarkot to welcome the New Year 2023. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On Saturday, hotels had full occupancy while some people did not get a room, he said on Sunday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Jeevan Khatri, the mayor of Changunarayan Municipality, informed that the municipality will celebrate Nagarkot visit year in 2082, targeting internal and external tourists.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the data provided by the Nepal Tourism Board, 614,148 foreign tourists visited Nepal in the past year. It is 39.75 % more than in 2021 and 166.92 % more than in 2020.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16381', 'image' => '20230102011327_nagarkot.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 13:12:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16639', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NOC not to Increase Fuel Prices', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on Sunday sent a new list of fuel prices to the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC). As per the fortnightly price list, the prices of all petroleum products except kerosene have increased.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">January 2: The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on Sunday sent a new list of fuel prices to the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC). As per the fortnightly price list, the prices of all petroleum products except kerosene have increased. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Although the IOC has increased the fuel prices, NOC has made it clear that it will not increase the prices of petroleum products for the time being. Issuing a public notice on Sunday, NOC said it will not hike the fuel prices immediately.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the state-owned oil monopoly of Nepal, the IOC has increased the price of petrol by Rs 2.54 per litre, diesel by Rs 0.95 per litre, aviation turbine fuel (ATF) by Rs 4.13 per litre and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by Rs 78.22 per cylinder. However, the NOC did not mention the new price of kerosene.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The NOC said that it has to bear a loss of Rs 359.5 per cylinder with the new adjustment in prices. The NOC estimates that it will have to bear losses worth Rs 464.4 million in the next 15 days.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Meanwhile, the NOC will make profit of Rs 990 million through the sales of petrol, diesel, kerosene and ATF in the next 15 days.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The NOC is yet to pay dues worth Rs 18 billion to the IOC.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16380', 'image' => '20230102122351_petroo - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 12:23:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16638', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Stakeholders ‘Agree’ not to Increase Price of Milk', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: Dairy entrepreneurs who recently hiked the price of milk citing the rise in production cost of milk have taken back their decision to increase the price. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">January 2: Dairy entrepreneurs who recently hiked the price of milk citing the rise in production cost of milk have taken back their decision to increase the price. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A meeting held recently at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) among the stakeholders reached the decision not to increase the price. </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"">Rajendra Prasad Yadav, executive director of the National Dairy Development Board, shared MoALD secretary, the board and the concerned bodies agreed to roll back the decision to recently hiked price of milk. The meeting decided to conduct a scientific study considering the production cost of milk, inflation in market price and purchasing power of the consumers for the price adjustment, informed Yadav. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Although the board has already written letters to the MoALD, Dairy Development Corporation, Nepal Dairy Association among other stakeholders about the decision to roll back the price hike on Sunday, Dairy Industry Association Chairperson Raj Kumar Dahal shared that there was no such agreement during the meeting. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"We agreed to disagree on the conclusion of the meeting. We will take back the increase in milk price if the board appraises us about the criteria to hike price," Dahal asserted. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Essential Commodities Control (Authorization) Act-2017 BS has listed milk as an essential food. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Some milk businesspersons hiked the price of milk by Rs 14 per litre since last Saturday. They had cited the rise in production cost and high cost while purchasing milk from the farmers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Nepal Dairy Association and some umbrella organizations of farmers and consumer rights had protested the act of some limited dairy entrepreneurs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The board is entrusted with the responsibility to formulate policies to fix the price of milk and to recommend the revised price to the government in case of need. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16379', 'image' => '20230102112619_milkkkkkkk.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 11:22:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16637', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Pokhara Fulfills its 5-Decade-Long Dream with New Int'l Airport ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: With the inauguration of the International Airport in Pokhara on Sunday, the tourist city has achieved its dreams cherished for some five decades. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">January 1: With the inauguration of the International Airport in Pokhara on Sunday, the tourist city has achieved its dreams cherished for some five decades. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the airport amid a grand ceremony that was attended by thousands of local residents to high-level politicians and ministers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel, Gandaki Province Chief Prithvi Gurung, Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Krishna Chandra Nepali and others were present in the ceremony. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Stretched in 3,900 ropanis of land, the airport was constructed with a total investment of Rs 22 billion, which was received as loan assistance from China’s EXIM Bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In his inaugural speech, PM Dahal expressed hopes that the airport would make outstanding contribution to the country’s economic development, not merely of Gandaki Province and added that the airport would now link Pokhara to the international cities. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Deputy Prime Minister Poudel and Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Krishna Chandra Nepali expressed their confidence that the airport would be crucial for economic development and prosperity of the province. With the construction of the airport, Pokhara is directly linked to the international cities and its tourism activities are expected to grow exponentially, thanks to the added infrastructures. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had laid the foundation stone of the airport in May 2016 and the Chinese company CMCE was entrusted with the responsibility of its construction. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara and nearby areas have expressed their hope for tourism boom, adding that the operation of the airport in the New Year was really meaningful. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the government data, as high as 45 per cent of the total tourists visiting Nepal arrive in the Lake City of Pokhara. -- RSS</span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16378', 'image' => '20230101084513_Pro-KTM-Pokhara-Prachandab.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 20:44:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16636', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'PM Dahal Inaugurates Pokhara Regional International Airport ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday inaugurated the Pokhara Regional International Airport amidst a grand ceremony. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">January 1: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday inaugurated the Pokhara Regional International Airport amidst a grand ceremony. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, the Prime Minister Dahal unveiled a plaque marking the official inauguration of the airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">PM Dahal arrived in Pokhara on Sunday morning to attend the inauguration ceremony. He is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Bishnu Poudel. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The airport was built with an investment of Rs 22 billion.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The construction of the airport – a national pride project – which started in 2010 was set to be completed in 4 years. However, the construction started only after the loan agreement between the Government of Nepal and the Government of China in February 2016. Although the target was to complete the works by the year 2020, it was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16377', 'image' => '20230101035146_RD-POKHARA-17-RSS2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 15:46:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16635', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Public Debt is More Than Rs 2000 Billion', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: The accumulated public debt of the Government of Nepal stands at Rs 2007.84 billion in the first quarter of the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">January 1: The accumulated public debt of the Government of Nepal stands at Rs 2007.84 billion in the first quarter of the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to a report published by the Public Debt Management Office of the Government of Nepal, the country’s public debt declined by 0.27 percent in mid-October compared to mid-July this year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The total public debt of the government was Rs 2013.29 billion in mid-July.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the Public Debt Management Office, the country’s outstanding foreign debt in the first quarter of the current fiscal year is Rs 1050.23 billion while the internal debt is Rs 957.61 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Comparing this figure with the data of mid-July, the country’s external debt has increased by Rs 24.38 billion while the internal debt has declined by Rs 29.83 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the first three months of the current fiscal year, the government has received foreign loans worth Rs 24.7 billion. The government has not collected any internal loan during this period. Meanwhile, the government paid back foreign loans worth Rs 5.84 billion during the first quarter. The government also paid back internal loans and interest worth Rs 29.83 billion during the review period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Public Debt Management Office said that the government has to pay an additional amount of Rs 5.52 billion in the review period because of the change in foreign exchange rate. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at present is Rs 4851.62 billion. Compared to the GDP, Nepal’s public debt stands at 41.38 percent.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16376', 'image' => '20230101020340_20220907103815_public debt.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 14:02:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16634', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Company Registration Compulsory to get Bank Loans in Biratnagar', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: Biratnagar Metropolitan has set the aim of collecting Rs 870 million in revenue in the current fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">January 1: Biratnagar Metropolitan has set the aim of collecting Rs 870 million in revenue in the current fiscal year. To attain this target, the metropolis has requested the banks to make it mandatory for company registration and renewal while disbursing loans. The bankers of the region have complied with this request of the metropolis. The metropolitan city believes that the revenue is bound to increase when those who apply for loan register their company or renew in case of registered companies.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Under this campaign of strengthening the internal income, the metropolis called for the chiefs of provincial offices of 21 commercial banks operating in the region for discussion. During the discussion, the chiefs of the provincial offices of the commercial banks pledged to mandatorily check for the status of registration and renewal of the companies while disbursing the loans. They also stated that they were eager to contribute to the development and prosperity of Biratnagar.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The chiefs of the commercial banks also agreed for collaboration and cooperation with the metropolis for the expenditures made under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Mayor Nagesh Koirala informed about the revenue collection campaign for the increment of internal income. Stating that Biratnagar belongs to all, he requested everyone to join hands for the campaign. He mentioned that the banks can help with the beautification of Biratnagar under (CSR) and stated, “Biratnagar is yours as well. You can help with its beautification along with ambulances and hearse as well.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Deputy Mayor Shilpa Karki stated that the problem in parking has emerged in the area due to the lack of management by the banks and requested to manage the parking lots as soon as possible. The chief administrative officer of the metropolis, Bishnu Prasad Koirala said that there is a lack of resources in the metropolis. He said that after discussing with the Internal Revenue Office, arrangements have been made to collect taxes from the metropolis itself. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Saroj Gautam, head of the revenue division of the metropolis informed that a special tax collection campaign is being conducted in 5 wards of the metropolis He said that the tax will be collected at the doorsteps of all taxpayers. The metropolis, which collected Rs 497.8 million internal revenue during the last fiscal year, aims to collect Rs 870 million in the current fsical year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16375', 'image' => '20230101012932_Banks.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 13:28:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16633', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Flights to and from Gautam Buddha Int’l Airport Halted for Lack of ILS ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: October to March is the best season to visit Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">January 1: October to March is the best season to visit Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">For this year, tourism entrepreneurs of Lumbini Province were also excited to welcome tourists but their excitement did not last long as flights are unlikely to take place in this peak season for lack of Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the Gautam Buddha International Airport. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The flights have been affected in the airport citing unfavourable weather conditions. International flights here have been affected due to poor visibility following thick fog in winter season. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">General Manager of the Gautam Buddha International Airport Govinda Prasad Dahal confirmed that Himalayan Airlines has suspended its flights since December 20 and Jazeera Airways since December 21. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Jazeera has informed that its flights would be suspended until the December-end but the flights could be suspended for more days due to unfavourable weather condition. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">ILS has been installed at the airport but it has not been brought into use. The ILS is a radio navigation system which helps aircraft in landing during nighttime and unfavourable weather conditions. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Officials say that Indian sky should also be used while implementing the ILS. “For this, Indian government’s approval is required,” Dahal said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Generally, visibility of 1,500 metres is required for the landing of a plane but the plane could be landed even in the visibility of 800 metres if ILS was brought into use, Dahal shared. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Constructed with an investment of Rs 35 billion, the airport was inaugurated on May 16, 2022. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">So far, the airport made 154 international flights and received 13,593 passengers and bade farewell to 18,025 passengers. --- </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16374', 'image' => '20230101114857_Gautam Buddha.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 11:48:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16632', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Possibility of Light Rainfall Today, Tarai Districts Witnessing Thick Fog ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: Light rain is likely to occur in some parts of the country with partial to normal change in the weather in most parts of the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">January 1: Light rain is likely to occur in some parts of the country with partial to normal change in the weather in most parts of the country. Due to impact of the westerly winds, the weather will be partly cloudy to normal in the hill areas of the country and partly cloudy to generally clear in the rest of the country, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. There is also a possibility of light snowfall in one or two places in the mountainous region of the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Later tonight, the weather will remain generally clear with light rain in one or two places in the hill areas of Province 1 and mountain areas of Province 1, Gandaki and Karnali provinces. There is also a possibility of light snowfall. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> At present, parts of the western Terai and few parts of the central and eastern Terai districts are experiencing fog. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the latest information of the department, the minimum temperature of Kathmandu Valley today was recorded at 3.8 degrees Celsius and the maximum temperature is likely to be around 15.5 degrees Celsius. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16373', 'image' => '20230101112125_SureshAcharya_Surkhet_RSS_17_IMG-4776.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 11:20:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16630', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Requests GAVI for Booster Dose ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 31: The government has initiated the process to bring booster dose in the wake of growing cases of coronavirus in the neighbouring countries. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 31: The government has initiated the process to bring booster dose in the wake of growing cases of coronavirus in the neighbouring countries. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Health and Population wrote to the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) in a bid to import the booster dose. Chief of the Immunization Department at the Family Welfare Division under the Department of Health Services, Sagar Dahal, informed that a letter was sent to the GAVI on Thursday for brining in 1.5 million doses of anti-COVID vaccines under the COVAX facility </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"COVAX will share information on sending anti-COVID vaccines in a week," Dahal added. The government has decided to bring in Pfizer vaccine which is being used only as the booster dose. The Immunization Department wrote letter to the GAVI after the Department of Drug Administration (DDA) granted permission for the 'emergency use' of the vaccine. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Ministry has also urged all people to take booster dose because the new variant of coronavirus, BF7, has been spreading fast in the neighbouring countries -- India and China. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-31', 'modified' => '2022-12-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16372', 'image' => '20221231120029_pfizer.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-31 11:59:44', '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 ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16645', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Bhaktapur Municipality Adjusts Entry Fee for Tourists in Line with Dollar Price', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: The Bhaktapur Municipality has adjusted the entry fee for foreign visitors as per the rise in the value of the US dollar.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">January 2: The Bhaktapur Municipality has adjusted the entry fee for foreign visitors as per the rise in the value of the US dollar.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The local government charges certain fees from people from outside the country who visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a world heritage site, and other tourist sites in the locality. The increment has already come into effect from January 1, 2023.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the municipality’s tourism information center chief Gautam Lasiwa, the entry fee was adjusted bearing in mind the rising value of the US dollar.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The entry fee of Rs 500 each for a visitor from the SAARC countries remains as it is while the fee for the people from other nations has been increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,800 per person.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Now the price of US dollar 1 is around Rs 130. Those wishing to pay in dollar have to pay US$ 15 as per the previous rate, but those wishing to pay in the Nepalese currency will be charged Rs 1,800 each, he added. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16386', 'image' => '20230102073157_20220901112926_Nepal-Heritage-Tour-IV.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 19:31:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16644', 'article_category_id' => '277', 'title' => 'Despite Increase in Paddy Production, Domestic Production Fails to Meet National Rice Demand ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' Nepal witnessed increase in paddy production this year compared to the last year. However, the country still faces short of 4, 80,000 metric tons of rice to meet national demand.', 'content' => '<p>January 2: Nepal witnessed increase in paddy production this year compared to the last year. However, the country still faces short of 4, 80,000 metric tons of rice to meet national demand.</p> <p>Nepal requires around 4 million metric tons of rice in a year. But, the domestic production provides only 3.5 million metric tons of the rice.<br /> One individual consumes 121 kg of rice on average in a year. Import of rice and paddy slumped by 6.3 per cent in the current fiscal year compared to the last year.</p> <p>The import of rice and paddy plummeted by 38.2 per cent in the first five months of the current fiscal year. </p> <p>The data at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development show that paddy including summer paddy and early autumn paddy is grown in 14,47,789 hectares of the field across the country. </p> <p>Paddy is Nepal’s major food crop. The country’s paddy productivity stands 3.79 metric tons per hectare while total national production of the food crop is 54, 86,472 metric tons. </p> <p> Compared to the last fiscal, total paddy area has shrunk by 2 per cent, while productivity has gone up by 6.94 percent.<br /> Hardinath, Khumal, Radha, and Sworna Sab are some of famous paddy varieties cultivated in Nepal.</p> <p>For self-sufficiency in paddy, the ministry has been conducting various programmes to promote paddy productivity in collaboration with local and province governments. </p> <p>The government has set up the provision to purchase the paddy at minimum support price through cooperatives. The ministry provides Rs 112 management expense per quintal of paddy to each cooperative for paddy’s storage. </p> <p>Province-wise, Sudurpaschim Province witnessed 33.33 per cent rise of paddy production this year. Unseasonal rainfall had caused massive damage to paddy in Kailali and Kanchnapur last year.</p> <p>Likewise, Lumbini Province, Province 1, Karnali and Madhes Province witnessed 15.2 per cent, 5.72, 3.46 and 0.18 per cent growth respectively in the current fiscal compared to the last fiscal. </p> <p>However, paddy production plummeted by 1.45 per cent and 3.74 per cent in Bagmati and Gandaki Province respectively. </p> <p>Availability of chemical fertilizers, increasing use of improved seeds and farmers’ access to agriculture technicians have led to the rise of paddy produce, according to the ministry.</p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16385', 'image' => '20230102053729_collage (25).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 17:34:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16643', 'article_category_id' => '266', 'title' => 'Tavisi: New e-commerce platform curated for women launched', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Tavisi The Story Private Limited recently launched its website www.tavisinepal.com.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p>January 2: Tavisi The Story Private Limited recently launched its website www.tavisinepal.com. The website www.tavisinepal.com is a collaborative and inclusive e-commerce platform and digital magazine company determined to transform the online retail and media space in Nepal. <br /> <br /> A Sanskrit word, Tavisi, denotes strength, power and courage. Tavisi aims at promoting honest, candid, and open conversations. It aims to build a community of like-minded individuals - one purchase, one story at a time. </p> <p>Co-founded by Palas Joshi, and Sahara Joshi, Tavisi integrates an e-commerce website ‘Tav the Shop’ with a digital magazine ‘Tav the Story’. Tav the Shop is a one-stop solution for women enhancing ease of access to curated quality products and authentic information helping customers to make an informed decision. </p> <p>Especially curated for women, currently, Tav The Shop provides an assorted collection of quality products from 11 local and 34 international brands. The e-commerce website consists of products from different segments, including beauty, fashion, mom and baby, healthy living and home and décor as well as gifts from we love section. <br /> One of the major attractions of Tavisi is the jute packaging along with delivery. <br /> Motivated by the circular economy model, Tav packaging embraces sustainable packaging methods with the intention to elongate the lifespan of the material, and decrease the demand for new packaging product. <br /> Customers have two options: either to return the jute bag to the delivery person so Tavisi can continue reusing the bag for their deliveries or to buy the jute bag for a price of Rs. 260 and reuse it for further shopping. </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16384', 'image' => '20230102050458_collage (24).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 16:59:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16642', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Widespread Anomalies in Taxes Charged by Local Governments', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: The private sector has complained that the local government has increased the business tax, scrap tax and road tax excessively. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">January 2: The private sector has complained that the local government has increased the business tax, scrap tax and road tax excessively. In the past, the central government used to collect such taxes through the local bodies, but after adopting federalism, all the responsibilities in this regard have been given to the local level.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Birgunj Chamber of Commerce demanded an immediate amendment to the constitution, arguing anomalies in these taxes after being placed under the jurisdiction of the local governments. President of the chamber Subodh Kumar Gupta says that in the past, taxes were collected according to the laws of the central government, but now there is widespread chaos in the name of tax collection because the local government are collecting such taxes at their whims.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“Business tax, scrap tax and road tax were under the central government initially and were levied in accordance with the central law. According to the concept of federalism, now the business tax is the responsibility of the local government. The local authorities are charging these taxes arbitrarily,” said Gupta. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> The chamber alleges that when the federal government delegates authority to the local government, the local government makes laws and collects taxes in an arbitrary manner. Tax payers have demanded that the federal government should make laws for collection of taxes at the local units. The suggestion of the private sector is that the federal government should monitor whether or not the laws and regulations made by the federal government are being followed.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The private sector made such a demand after the local governments including Birgunj Metropolis, which is located in the main industrial and commercial hub, started charging such taxes haphazardly.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Medanta Construction, the tax contractor of Birgunj metropolis, was found to be collecting tax contrary to the agreement.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">An official of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that even after finding the evidence of the contractor collecting scrap tax on industrial raw materials imported from India and cement produced by local industries, the metropolis did not take any action.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It was found that Birgunj metropolis and Jitpursimra sub-metropolis collected scrap tax on coal imported from India through Nepal's ICP customs. Even though the taxpayers have been complaining that the local governments set arbitrary rates on business, property and road management taxes, they have not been heard.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The concerned officials of the local government have said that action will be taken if the contractor is found to have collected tax arbitrarily. However, the private sector has been complaining that the leadership of the local level seems to be apathetic towards taking action against the contractor even after providing them with evidence.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Suresh Rungta, coordinator of the tax committee of the chamber, says that the local levels have been abusing the authority given by the Local Level Operation Act 2074. He said, “Although there is a legal provision to take into account the tax payer's ability to pay tax while determining the tax rate, the local level completely ignored this provision. Their only intention is to squeeze from the taxpayers.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the past, the government had canceled the scrap tax due to the movement of traders in Birgunj. “Reinstating the tax that was abolished a decade ago is a regressive step in the tax system,” said Hari Gautam, vice president of the chamber .</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><br /> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16383', 'image' => '20230102034004_taxxxxx.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 15:39:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16641', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Laxmi Bank Launches Scholarship for Women at KU', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: Laxmi Bank has launched a scholarship program targeting female students.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">January 2: Laxmi Bank has launched a scholarship program targeting female students. Issuing a statement, the bank confirmed that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kathmandu University (KU) for the scholarship programme as a part of its 20th anniversary commitments.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As per the agreement, women who wish to pursue a Master’s or a Ph D degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM subject) at Kathmandu University (KU) Nepal can avail the scholarship.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">CEO of Laxmi Bank Ajaya Bikram Shah and Prof Dr Bipin Adhikari, coordinator of Endowment Drive at Kathmandu University, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Laxmi Bank said it will help talented and economically disadvantaged women to pursue advanced studies in any STEM-related fields at Kathmandu University under this scholarship programme. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The selection process for the scholarship will be overseen and administered by KU, while Laxmi Bank will help fund and promote the scholarship programme, added the statement.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">To ensure the sustainability of the scholarship program, Laxmi Bank has set up an endowment fund of Rs 10 million with 50 percent of the annual interest earned added back to the principal amount each year and 50 percent utilized for funding the students.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“Laxmi Bank hopes to implement one of the key components of its CSR strategy – Advancement of Gender Equity through this initiative thereby ensuring women are equipped with the support, confidence and skills they need to pursue meaningful, in-demand careers -- regardless of background - to pave way for a more equitable society.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The statement added that the bank believes empowerment of women, who constitute more than half of the population, is essential for achieving a truly ‘Prosperous Nepal’.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16382', 'image' => '20230102023025_Photo.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 14:29:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16640', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nagarkot full of Domestic Tourists on New Year Day', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: The hotels from Nagarkot, a major tourist destination in Bhaktapur, to Ranikot were full of domestic tourists on the first day of New Year 2023.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">January 2: The hotels from Nagarkot, a major tourist destination in Bhaktapur, to Ranikot were full of domestic tourists on the first day of New Year 2023.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Hoteliers, who have suffered losses for almost three years due to Covid-19, are excited about the increase in number of domestic tourists.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Hotels in Nagarkot were full of locals and foreign tourists coming to see the first sunrise of 2023. A large number of tourists came to Nagarkot to watch the sunrise and the Himalayan range after staying overnight on Saturday evening. Tourism and hotel entrepreneur Ashok Thapa said that the tourism business of Nagarkot has declined due to Covid-19 and the dilapidated road condition.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Thapa, who is also the owner of Nagarkot Base Camp Resort, said, "Though the number of foreign tourists has decreased, the number of domestic tourists has increased significantly.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Gokul Lamichhane, the owner of Hotel Marigold, Nagarkot, said that the hotels in Nagarkot are now full of domestic tourists rather than foreigners.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">He said the current influx of domestic tourists has raised a lot of hope.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The owner of Hotel Chawtari, Nagarkot said that the business affected by the earthquake and Covid-19 have observed positive signs with the arrival of domestic tourists. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Padmalal Shrestha from Baneswar, Kathmandu, who was returning from Nagarkot, said that he had booked a hotel room a week in advance. He said that 11 people, including his family and relatives, went to Nagarkot on Saturday and returned on Sunday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Dhan Bahadur Lama, ward chairman of Changunarayan Municipality-6 and former secretary of Nagarkot Naldum Tourism Business Association, said that there is an influx of domestic tourists in Nagarkot to welcome the New Year 2023. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On Saturday, hotels had full occupancy while some people did not get a room, he said on Sunday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Jeevan Khatri, the mayor of Changunarayan Municipality, informed that the municipality will celebrate Nagarkot visit year in 2082, targeting internal and external tourists.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the data provided by the Nepal Tourism Board, 614,148 foreign tourists visited Nepal in the past year. It is 39.75 % more than in 2021 and 166.92 % more than in 2020.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16381', 'image' => '20230102011327_nagarkot.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 13:12:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16639', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NOC not to Increase Fuel Prices', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on Sunday sent a new list of fuel prices to the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC). As per the fortnightly price list, the prices of all petroleum products except kerosene have increased.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">January 2: The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on Sunday sent a new list of fuel prices to the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC). As per the fortnightly price list, the prices of all petroleum products except kerosene have increased. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Although the IOC has increased the fuel prices, NOC has made it clear that it will not increase the prices of petroleum products for the time being. Issuing a public notice on Sunday, NOC said it will not hike the fuel prices immediately.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the state-owned oil monopoly of Nepal, the IOC has increased the price of petrol by Rs 2.54 per litre, diesel by Rs 0.95 per litre, aviation turbine fuel (ATF) by Rs 4.13 per litre and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by Rs 78.22 per cylinder. However, the NOC did not mention the new price of kerosene.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The NOC said that it has to bear a loss of Rs 359.5 per cylinder with the new adjustment in prices. The NOC estimates that it will have to bear losses worth Rs 464.4 million in the next 15 days.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Meanwhile, the NOC will make profit of Rs 990 million through the sales of petrol, diesel, kerosene and ATF in the next 15 days.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The NOC is yet to pay dues worth Rs 18 billion to the IOC.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16380', 'image' => '20230102122351_petroo - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 12:23:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16638', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Stakeholders ‘Agree’ not to Increase Price of Milk', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: Dairy entrepreneurs who recently hiked the price of milk citing the rise in production cost of milk have taken back their decision to increase the price. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">January 2: Dairy entrepreneurs who recently hiked the price of milk citing the rise in production cost of milk have taken back their decision to increase the price. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A meeting held recently at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) among the stakeholders reached the decision not to increase the price. </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"">Rajendra Prasad Yadav, executive director of the National Dairy Development Board, shared MoALD secretary, the board and the concerned bodies agreed to roll back the decision to recently hiked price of milk. The meeting decided to conduct a scientific study considering the production cost of milk, inflation in market price and purchasing power of the consumers for the price adjustment, informed Yadav. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Although the board has already written letters to the MoALD, Dairy Development Corporation, Nepal Dairy Association among other stakeholders about the decision to roll back the price hike on Sunday, Dairy Industry Association Chairperson Raj Kumar Dahal shared that there was no such agreement during the meeting. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"We agreed to disagree on the conclusion of the meeting. We will take back the increase in milk price if the board appraises us about the criteria to hike price," Dahal asserted. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Essential Commodities Control (Authorization) Act-2017 BS has listed milk as an essential food. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Some milk businesspersons hiked the price of milk by Rs 14 per litre since last Saturday. They had cited the rise in production cost and high cost while purchasing milk from the farmers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Nepal Dairy Association and some umbrella organizations of farmers and consumer rights had protested the act of some limited dairy entrepreneurs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The board is entrusted with the responsibility to formulate policies to fix the price of milk and to recommend the revised price to the government in case of need. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16379', 'image' => '20230102112619_milkkkkkkk.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 11:22:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16637', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Pokhara Fulfills its 5-Decade-Long Dream with New Int'l Airport ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: With the inauguration of the International Airport in Pokhara on Sunday, the tourist city has achieved its dreams cherished for some five decades. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">January 1: With the inauguration of the International Airport in Pokhara on Sunday, the tourist city has achieved its dreams cherished for some five decades. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the airport amid a grand ceremony that was attended by thousands of local residents to high-level politicians and ministers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel, Gandaki Province Chief Prithvi Gurung, Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Krishna Chandra Nepali and others were present in the ceremony. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Stretched in 3,900 ropanis of land, the airport was constructed with a total investment of Rs 22 billion, which was received as loan assistance from China’s EXIM Bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In his inaugural speech, PM Dahal expressed hopes that the airport would make outstanding contribution to the country’s economic development, not merely of Gandaki Province and added that the airport would now link Pokhara to the international cities. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Deputy Prime Minister Poudel and Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Krishna Chandra Nepali expressed their confidence that the airport would be crucial for economic development and prosperity of the province. With the construction of the airport, Pokhara is directly linked to the international cities and its tourism activities are expected to grow exponentially, thanks to the added infrastructures. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had laid the foundation stone of the airport in May 2016 and the Chinese company CMCE was entrusted with the responsibility of its construction. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara and nearby areas have expressed their hope for tourism boom, adding that the operation of the airport in the New Year was really meaningful. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the government data, as high as 45 per cent of the total tourists visiting Nepal arrive in the Lake City of Pokhara. -- RSS</span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16378', 'image' => '20230101084513_Pro-KTM-Pokhara-Prachandab.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 20:44:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16636', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'PM Dahal Inaugurates Pokhara Regional International Airport ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday inaugurated the Pokhara Regional International Airport amidst a grand ceremony. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">January 1: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday inaugurated the Pokhara Regional International Airport amidst a grand ceremony. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, the Prime Minister Dahal unveiled a plaque marking the official inauguration of the airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">PM Dahal arrived in Pokhara on Sunday morning to attend the inauguration ceremony. He is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Bishnu Poudel. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The airport was built with an investment of Rs 22 billion.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The construction of the airport – a national pride project – which started in 2010 was set to be completed in 4 years. However, the construction started only after the loan agreement between the Government of Nepal and the Government of China in February 2016. Although the target was to complete the works by the year 2020, it was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16377', 'image' => '20230101035146_RD-POKHARA-17-RSS2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 15:46:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16635', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Public Debt is More Than Rs 2000 Billion', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: The accumulated public debt of the Government of Nepal stands at Rs 2007.84 billion in the first quarter of the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">January 1: The accumulated public debt of the Government of Nepal stands at Rs 2007.84 billion in the first quarter of the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to a report published by the Public Debt Management Office of the Government of Nepal, the country’s public debt declined by 0.27 percent in mid-October compared to mid-July this year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The total public debt of the government was Rs 2013.29 billion in mid-July.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the Public Debt Management Office, the country’s outstanding foreign debt in the first quarter of the current fiscal year is Rs 1050.23 billion while the internal debt is Rs 957.61 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Comparing this figure with the data of mid-July, the country’s external debt has increased by Rs 24.38 billion while the internal debt has declined by Rs 29.83 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the first three months of the current fiscal year, the government has received foreign loans worth Rs 24.7 billion. The government has not collected any internal loan during this period. Meanwhile, the government paid back foreign loans worth Rs 5.84 billion during the first quarter. The government also paid back internal loans and interest worth Rs 29.83 billion during the review period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Public Debt Management Office said that the government has to pay an additional amount of Rs 5.52 billion in the review period because of the change in foreign exchange rate. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at present is Rs 4851.62 billion. Compared to the GDP, Nepal’s public debt stands at 41.38 percent.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16376', 'image' => '20230101020340_20220907103815_public debt.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 14:02:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16634', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Company Registration Compulsory to get Bank Loans in Biratnagar', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: Biratnagar Metropolitan has set the aim of collecting Rs 870 million in revenue in the current fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">January 1: Biratnagar Metropolitan has set the aim of collecting Rs 870 million in revenue in the current fiscal year. To attain this target, the metropolis has requested the banks to make it mandatory for company registration and renewal while disbursing loans. The bankers of the region have complied with this request of the metropolis. The metropolitan city believes that the revenue is bound to increase when those who apply for loan register their company or renew in case of registered companies.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Under this campaign of strengthening the internal income, the metropolis called for the chiefs of provincial offices of 21 commercial banks operating in the region for discussion. During the discussion, the chiefs of the provincial offices of the commercial banks pledged to mandatorily check for the status of registration and renewal of the companies while disbursing the loans. They also stated that they were eager to contribute to the development and prosperity of Biratnagar.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The chiefs of the commercial banks also agreed for collaboration and cooperation with the metropolis for the expenditures made under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Mayor Nagesh Koirala informed about the revenue collection campaign for the increment of internal income. Stating that Biratnagar belongs to all, he requested everyone to join hands for the campaign. He mentioned that the banks can help with the beautification of Biratnagar under (CSR) and stated, “Biratnagar is yours as well. You can help with its beautification along with ambulances and hearse as well.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Deputy Mayor Shilpa Karki stated that the problem in parking has emerged in the area due to the lack of management by the banks and requested to manage the parking lots as soon as possible. The chief administrative officer of the metropolis, Bishnu Prasad Koirala said that there is a lack of resources in the metropolis. He said that after discussing with the Internal Revenue Office, arrangements have been made to collect taxes from the metropolis itself. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Saroj Gautam, head of the revenue division of the metropolis informed that a special tax collection campaign is being conducted in 5 wards of the metropolis He said that the tax will be collected at the doorsteps of all taxpayers. The metropolis, which collected Rs 497.8 million internal revenue during the last fiscal year, aims to collect Rs 870 million in the current fsical year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16375', 'image' => '20230101012932_Banks.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 13:28:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16633', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Flights to and from Gautam Buddha Int’l Airport Halted for Lack of ILS ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: October to March is the best season to visit Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">January 1: October to March is the best season to visit Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">For this year, tourism entrepreneurs of Lumbini Province were also excited to welcome tourists but their excitement did not last long as flights are unlikely to take place in this peak season for lack of Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the Gautam Buddha International Airport. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The flights have been affected in the airport citing unfavourable weather conditions. International flights here have been affected due to poor visibility following thick fog in winter season. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">General Manager of the Gautam Buddha International Airport Govinda Prasad Dahal confirmed that Himalayan Airlines has suspended its flights since December 20 and Jazeera Airways since December 21. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Jazeera has informed that its flights would be suspended until the December-end but the flights could be suspended for more days due to unfavourable weather condition. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">ILS has been installed at the airport but it has not been brought into use. The ILS is a radio navigation system which helps aircraft in landing during nighttime and unfavourable weather conditions. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Officials say that Indian sky should also be used while implementing the ILS. “For this, Indian government’s approval is required,” Dahal said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Generally, visibility of 1,500 metres is required for the landing of a plane but the plane could be landed even in the visibility of 800 metres if ILS was brought into use, Dahal shared. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Constructed with an investment of Rs 35 billion, the airport was inaugurated on May 16, 2022. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">So far, the airport made 154 international flights and received 13,593 passengers and bade farewell to 18,025 passengers. --- </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16374', 'image' => '20230101114857_Gautam Buddha.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 11:48:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16632', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Possibility of Light Rainfall Today, Tarai Districts Witnessing Thick Fog ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: Light rain is likely to occur in some parts of the country with partial to normal change in the weather in most parts of the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">January 1: Light rain is likely to occur in some parts of the country with partial to normal change in the weather in most parts of the country. Due to impact of the westerly winds, the weather will be partly cloudy to normal in the hill areas of the country and partly cloudy to generally clear in the rest of the country, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. There is also a possibility of light snowfall in one or two places in the mountainous region of the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Later tonight, the weather will remain generally clear with light rain in one or two places in the hill areas of Province 1 and mountain areas of Province 1, Gandaki and Karnali provinces. There is also a possibility of light snowfall. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> At present, parts of the western Terai and few parts of the central and eastern Terai districts are experiencing fog. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the latest information of the department, the minimum temperature of Kathmandu Valley today was recorded at 3.8 degrees Celsius and the maximum temperature is likely to be around 15.5 degrees Celsius. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16373', 'image' => '20230101112125_SureshAcharya_Surkhet_RSS_17_IMG-4776.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 11:20:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16630', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Requests GAVI for Booster Dose ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 31: The government has initiated the process to bring booster dose in the wake of growing cases of coronavirus in the neighbouring countries. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 31: The government has initiated the process to bring booster dose in the wake of growing cases of coronavirus in the neighbouring countries. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Health and Population wrote to the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) in a bid to import the booster dose. Chief of the Immunization Department at the Family Welfare Division under the Department of Health Services, Sagar Dahal, informed that a letter was sent to the GAVI on Thursday for brining in 1.5 million doses of anti-COVID vaccines under the COVAX facility </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"COVAX will share information on sending anti-COVID vaccines in a week," Dahal added. The government has decided to bring in Pfizer vaccine which is being used only as the booster dose. The Immunization Department wrote letter to the GAVI after the Department of Drug Administration (DDA) granted permission for the 'emergency use' of the vaccine. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Ministry has also urged all people to take booster dose because the new variant of coronavirus, BF7, has been spreading fast in the neighbouring countries -- India and China. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-31', 'modified' => '2022-12-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16372', 'image' => '20221231120029_pfizer.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-31 11:59:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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The increment has already come into effect from January 1, 2023.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the municipality’s tourism information center chief Gautam Lasiwa, the entry fee was adjusted bearing in mind the rising value of the US dollar.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The entry fee of Rs 500 each for a visitor from the SAARC countries remains as it is while the fee for the people from other nations has been increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,800 per person.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Now the price of US dollar 1 is around Rs 130. Those wishing to pay in dollar have to pay US$ 15 as per the previous rate, but those wishing to pay in the Nepalese currency will be charged Rs 1,800 each, he added. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16386', 'image' => '20230102073157_20220901112926_Nepal-Heritage-Tour-IV.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 19:31:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16644', 'article_category_id' => '277', 'title' => 'Despite Increase in Paddy Production, Domestic Production Fails to Meet National Rice Demand ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' Nepal witnessed increase in paddy production this year compared to the last year. However, the country still faces short of 4, 80,000 metric tons of rice to meet national demand.', 'content' => '<p>January 2: Nepal witnessed increase in paddy production this year compared to the last year. However, the country still faces short of 4, 80,000 metric tons of rice to meet national demand.</p> <p>Nepal requires around 4 million metric tons of rice in a year. But, the domestic production provides only 3.5 million metric tons of the rice.<br /> One individual consumes 121 kg of rice on average in a year. Import of rice and paddy slumped by 6.3 per cent in the current fiscal year compared to the last year.</p> <p>The import of rice and paddy plummeted by 38.2 per cent in the first five months of the current fiscal year. </p> <p>The data at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development show that paddy including summer paddy and early autumn paddy is grown in 14,47,789 hectares of the field across the country. </p> <p>Paddy is Nepal’s major food crop. The country’s paddy productivity stands 3.79 metric tons per hectare while total national production of the food crop is 54, 86,472 metric tons. </p> <p> Compared to the last fiscal, total paddy area has shrunk by 2 per cent, while productivity has gone up by 6.94 percent.<br /> Hardinath, Khumal, Radha, and Sworna Sab are some of famous paddy varieties cultivated in Nepal.</p> <p>For self-sufficiency in paddy, the ministry has been conducting various programmes to promote paddy productivity in collaboration with local and province governments. </p> <p>The government has set up the provision to purchase the paddy at minimum support price through cooperatives. The ministry provides Rs 112 management expense per quintal of paddy to each cooperative for paddy’s storage. </p> <p>Province-wise, Sudurpaschim Province witnessed 33.33 per cent rise of paddy production this year. Unseasonal rainfall had caused massive damage to paddy in Kailali and Kanchnapur last year.</p> <p>Likewise, Lumbini Province, Province 1, Karnali and Madhes Province witnessed 15.2 per cent, 5.72, 3.46 and 0.18 per cent growth respectively in the current fiscal compared to the last fiscal. </p> <p>However, paddy production plummeted by 1.45 per cent and 3.74 per cent in Bagmati and Gandaki Province respectively. </p> <p>Availability of chemical fertilizers, increasing use of improved seeds and farmers’ access to agriculture technicians have led to the rise of paddy produce, according to the ministry.</p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16385', 'image' => '20230102053729_collage (25).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 17:34:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16643', 'article_category_id' => '266', 'title' => 'Tavisi: New e-commerce platform curated for women launched', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Tavisi The Story Private Limited recently launched its website www.tavisinepal.com.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p>January 2: Tavisi The Story Private Limited recently launched its website www.tavisinepal.com. The website www.tavisinepal.com is a collaborative and inclusive e-commerce platform and digital magazine company determined to transform the online retail and media space in Nepal. <br /> <br /> A Sanskrit word, Tavisi, denotes strength, power and courage. Tavisi aims at promoting honest, candid, and open conversations. It aims to build a community of like-minded individuals - one purchase, one story at a time. </p> <p>Co-founded by Palas Joshi, and Sahara Joshi, Tavisi integrates an e-commerce website ‘Tav the Shop’ with a digital magazine ‘Tav the Story’. Tav the Shop is a one-stop solution for women enhancing ease of access to curated quality products and authentic information helping customers to make an informed decision. </p> <p>Especially curated for women, currently, Tav The Shop provides an assorted collection of quality products from 11 local and 34 international brands. The e-commerce website consists of products from different segments, including beauty, fashion, mom and baby, healthy living and home and décor as well as gifts from we love section. <br /> One of the major attractions of Tavisi is the jute packaging along with delivery. <br /> Motivated by the circular economy model, Tav packaging embraces sustainable packaging methods with the intention to elongate the lifespan of the material, and decrease the demand for new packaging product. <br /> Customers have two options: either to return the jute bag to the delivery person so Tavisi can continue reusing the bag for their deliveries or to buy the jute bag for a price of Rs. 260 and reuse it for further shopping. </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16384', 'image' => '20230102050458_collage (24).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 16:59:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16642', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Widespread Anomalies in Taxes Charged by Local Governments', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: The private sector has complained that the local government has increased the business tax, scrap tax and road tax excessively. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">January 2: The private sector has complained that the local government has increased the business tax, scrap tax and road tax excessively. In the past, the central government used to collect such taxes through the local bodies, but after adopting federalism, all the responsibilities in this regard have been given to the local level.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Birgunj Chamber of Commerce demanded an immediate amendment to the constitution, arguing anomalies in these taxes after being placed under the jurisdiction of the local governments. President of the chamber Subodh Kumar Gupta says that in the past, taxes were collected according to the laws of the central government, but now there is widespread chaos in the name of tax collection because the local government are collecting such taxes at their whims.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“Business tax, scrap tax and road tax were under the central government initially and were levied in accordance with the central law. According to the concept of federalism, now the business tax is the responsibility of the local government. The local authorities are charging these taxes arbitrarily,” said Gupta. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> The chamber alleges that when the federal government delegates authority to the local government, the local government makes laws and collects taxes in an arbitrary manner. Tax payers have demanded that the federal government should make laws for collection of taxes at the local units. The suggestion of the private sector is that the federal government should monitor whether or not the laws and regulations made by the federal government are being followed.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The private sector made such a demand after the local governments including Birgunj Metropolis, which is located in the main industrial and commercial hub, started charging such taxes haphazardly.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Medanta Construction, the tax contractor of Birgunj metropolis, was found to be collecting tax contrary to the agreement.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">An official of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that even after finding the evidence of the contractor collecting scrap tax on industrial raw materials imported from India and cement produced by local industries, the metropolis did not take any action.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It was found that Birgunj metropolis and Jitpursimra sub-metropolis collected scrap tax on coal imported from India through Nepal's ICP customs. Even though the taxpayers have been complaining that the local governments set arbitrary rates on business, property and road management taxes, they have not been heard.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The concerned officials of the local government have said that action will be taken if the contractor is found to have collected tax arbitrarily. However, the private sector has been complaining that the leadership of the local level seems to be apathetic towards taking action against the contractor even after providing them with evidence.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Suresh Rungta, coordinator of the tax committee of the chamber, says that the local levels have been abusing the authority given by the Local Level Operation Act 2074. He said, “Although there is a legal provision to take into account the tax payer's ability to pay tax while determining the tax rate, the local level completely ignored this provision. Their only intention is to squeeze from the taxpayers.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the past, the government had canceled the scrap tax due to the movement of traders in Birgunj. “Reinstating the tax that was abolished a decade ago is a regressive step in the tax system,” said Hari Gautam, vice president of the chamber .</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><br /> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16383', 'image' => '20230102034004_taxxxxx.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 15:39:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16641', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Laxmi Bank Launches Scholarship for Women at KU', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: Laxmi Bank has launched a scholarship program targeting female students.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">January 2: Laxmi Bank has launched a scholarship program targeting female students. Issuing a statement, the bank confirmed that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kathmandu University (KU) for the scholarship programme as a part of its 20th anniversary commitments.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As per the agreement, women who wish to pursue a Master’s or a Ph D degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM subject) at Kathmandu University (KU) Nepal can avail the scholarship.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">CEO of Laxmi Bank Ajaya Bikram Shah and Prof Dr Bipin Adhikari, coordinator of Endowment Drive at Kathmandu University, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Laxmi Bank said it will help talented and economically disadvantaged women to pursue advanced studies in any STEM-related fields at Kathmandu University under this scholarship programme. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The selection process for the scholarship will be overseen and administered by KU, while Laxmi Bank will help fund and promote the scholarship programme, added the statement.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">To ensure the sustainability of the scholarship program, Laxmi Bank has set up an endowment fund of Rs 10 million with 50 percent of the annual interest earned added back to the principal amount each year and 50 percent utilized for funding the students.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“Laxmi Bank hopes to implement one of the key components of its CSR strategy – Advancement of Gender Equity through this initiative thereby ensuring women are equipped with the support, confidence and skills they need to pursue meaningful, in-demand careers -- regardless of background - to pave way for a more equitable society.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The statement added that the bank believes empowerment of women, who constitute more than half of the population, is essential for achieving a truly ‘Prosperous Nepal’.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16382', 'image' => '20230102023025_Photo.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 14:29:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16640', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nagarkot full of Domestic Tourists on New Year Day', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: The hotels from Nagarkot, a major tourist destination in Bhaktapur, to Ranikot were full of domestic tourists on the first day of New Year 2023.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">January 2: The hotels from Nagarkot, a major tourist destination in Bhaktapur, to Ranikot were full of domestic tourists on the first day of New Year 2023.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Hoteliers, who have suffered losses for almost three years due to Covid-19, are excited about the increase in number of domestic tourists.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Hotels in Nagarkot were full of locals and foreign tourists coming to see the first sunrise of 2023. A large number of tourists came to Nagarkot to watch the sunrise and the Himalayan range after staying overnight on Saturday evening. Tourism and hotel entrepreneur Ashok Thapa said that the tourism business of Nagarkot has declined due to Covid-19 and the dilapidated road condition.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Thapa, who is also the owner of Nagarkot Base Camp Resort, said, "Though the number of foreign tourists has decreased, the number of domestic tourists has increased significantly.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Gokul Lamichhane, the owner of Hotel Marigold, Nagarkot, said that the hotels in Nagarkot are now full of domestic tourists rather than foreigners.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">He said the current influx of domestic tourists has raised a lot of hope.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The owner of Hotel Chawtari, Nagarkot said that the business affected by the earthquake and Covid-19 have observed positive signs with the arrival of domestic tourists. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Padmalal Shrestha from Baneswar, Kathmandu, who was returning from Nagarkot, said that he had booked a hotel room a week in advance. He said that 11 people, including his family and relatives, went to Nagarkot on Saturday and returned on Sunday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Dhan Bahadur Lama, ward chairman of Changunarayan Municipality-6 and former secretary of Nagarkot Naldum Tourism Business Association, said that there is an influx of domestic tourists in Nagarkot to welcome the New Year 2023. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On Saturday, hotels had full occupancy while some people did not get a room, he said on Sunday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Jeevan Khatri, the mayor of Changunarayan Municipality, informed that the municipality will celebrate Nagarkot visit year in 2082, targeting internal and external tourists.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the data provided by the Nepal Tourism Board, 614,148 foreign tourists visited Nepal in the past year. It is 39.75 % more than in 2021 and 166.92 % more than in 2020.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16381', 'image' => '20230102011327_nagarkot.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 13:12:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16639', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NOC not to Increase Fuel Prices', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on Sunday sent a new list of fuel prices to the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC). As per the fortnightly price list, the prices of all petroleum products except kerosene have increased.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">January 2: The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on Sunday sent a new list of fuel prices to the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC). As per the fortnightly price list, the prices of all petroleum products except kerosene have increased. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Although the IOC has increased the fuel prices, NOC has made it clear that it will not increase the prices of petroleum products for the time being. Issuing a public notice on Sunday, NOC said it will not hike the fuel prices immediately.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the state-owned oil monopoly of Nepal, the IOC has increased the price of petrol by Rs 2.54 per litre, diesel by Rs 0.95 per litre, aviation turbine fuel (ATF) by Rs 4.13 per litre and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by Rs 78.22 per cylinder. However, the NOC did not mention the new price of kerosene.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The NOC said that it has to bear a loss of Rs 359.5 per cylinder with the new adjustment in prices. The NOC estimates that it will have to bear losses worth Rs 464.4 million in the next 15 days.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Meanwhile, the NOC will make profit of Rs 990 million through the sales of petrol, diesel, kerosene and ATF in the next 15 days.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The NOC is yet to pay dues worth Rs 18 billion to the IOC.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16380', 'image' => '20230102122351_petroo - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 12:23:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16638', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Stakeholders ‘Agree’ not to Increase Price of Milk', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 2: Dairy entrepreneurs who recently hiked the price of milk citing the rise in production cost of milk have taken back their decision to increase the price. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">January 2: Dairy entrepreneurs who recently hiked the price of milk citing the rise in production cost of milk have taken back their decision to increase the price. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A meeting held recently at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) among the stakeholders reached the decision not to increase the price. </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"">Rajendra Prasad Yadav, executive director of the National Dairy Development Board, shared MoALD secretary, the board and the concerned bodies agreed to roll back the decision to recently hiked price of milk. The meeting decided to conduct a scientific study considering the production cost of milk, inflation in market price and purchasing power of the consumers for the price adjustment, informed Yadav. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Although the board has already written letters to the MoALD, Dairy Development Corporation, Nepal Dairy Association among other stakeholders about the decision to roll back the price hike on Sunday, Dairy Industry Association Chairperson Raj Kumar Dahal shared that there was no such agreement during the meeting. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"We agreed to disagree on the conclusion of the meeting. We will take back the increase in milk price if the board appraises us about the criteria to hike price," Dahal asserted. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Essential Commodities Control (Authorization) Act-2017 BS has listed milk as an essential food. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Some milk businesspersons hiked the price of milk by Rs 14 per litre since last Saturday. They had cited the rise in production cost and high cost while purchasing milk from the farmers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Nepal Dairy Association and some umbrella organizations of farmers and consumer rights had protested the act of some limited dairy entrepreneurs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The board is entrusted with the responsibility to formulate policies to fix the price of milk and to recommend the revised price to the government in case of need. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-02', 'modified' => '2023-01-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16379', 'image' => '20230102112619_milkkkkkkk.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-02 11:22:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16637', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Pokhara Fulfills its 5-Decade-Long Dream with New Int'l Airport ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: With the inauguration of the International Airport in Pokhara on Sunday, the tourist city has achieved its dreams cherished for some five decades. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">January 1: With the inauguration of the International Airport in Pokhara on Sunday, the tourist city has achieved its dreams cherished for some five decades. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the airport amid a grand ceremony that was attended by thousands of local residents to high-level politicians and ministers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel, Gandaki Province Chief Prithvi Gurung, Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Krishna Chandra Nepali and others were present in the ceremony. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Stretched in 3,900 ropanis of land, the airport was constructed with a total investment of Rs 22 billion, which was received as loan assistance from China’s EXIM Bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In his inaugural speech, PM Dahal expressed hopes that the airport would make outstanding contribution to the country’s economic development, not merely of Gandaki Province and added that the airport would now link Pokhara to the international cities. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Deputy Prime Minister Poudel and Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Krishna Chandra Nepali expressed their confidence that the airport would be crucial for economic development and prosperity of the province. With the construction of the airport, Pokhara is directly linked to the international cities and its tourism activities are expected to grow exponentially, thanks to the added infrastructures. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had laid the foundation stone of the airport in May 2016 and the Chinese company CMCE was entrusted with the responsibility of its construction. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara and nearby areas have expressed their hope for tourism boom, adding that the operation of the airport in the New Year was really meaningful. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the government data, as high as 45 per cent of the total tourists visiting Nepal arrive in the Lake City of Pokhara. -- RSS</span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16378', 'image' => '20230101084513_Pro-KTM-Pokhara-Prachandab.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 20:44:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16636', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'PM Dahal Inaugurates Pokhara Regional International Airport ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday inaugurated the Pokhara Regional International Airport amidst a grand ceremony. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">January 1: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday inaugurated the Pokhara Regional International Airport amidst a grand ceremony. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, the Prime Minister Dahal unveiled a plaque marking the official inauguration of the airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">PM Dahal arrived in Pokhara on Sunday morning to attend the inauguration ceremony. He is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Bishnu Poudel. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The airport was built with an investment of Rs 22 billion.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The construction of the airport – a national pride project – which started in 2010 was set to be completed in 4 years. However, the construction started only after the loan agreement between the Government of Nepal and the Government of China in February 2016. Although the target was to complete the works by the year 2020, it was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16377', 'image' => '20230101035146_RD-POKHARA-17-RSS2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 15:46:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16635', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Public Debt is More Than Rs 2000 Billion', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: The accumulated public debt of the Government of Nepal stands at Rs 2007.84 billion in the first quarter of the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">January 1: The accumulated public debt of the Government of Nepal stands at Rs 2007.84 billion in the first quarter of the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to a report published by the Public Debt Management Office of the Government of Nepal, the country’s public debt declined by 0.27 percent in mid-October compared to mid-July this year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The total public debt of the government was Rs 2013.29 billion in mid-July.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the Public Debt Management Office, the country’s outstanding foreign debt in the first quarter of the current fiscal year is Rs 1050.23 billion while the internal debt is Rs 957.61 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Comparing this figure with the data of mid-July, the country’s external debt has increased by Rs 24.38 billion while the internal debt has declined by Rs 29.83 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the first three months of the current fiscal year, the government has received foreign loans worth Rs 24.7 billion. The government has not collected any internal loan during this period. Meanwhile, the government paid back foreign loans worth Rs 5.84 billion during the first quarter. The government also paid back internal loans and interest worth Rs 29.83 billion during the review period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Public Debt Management Office said that the government has to pay an additional amount of Rs 5.52 billion in the review period because of the change in foreign exchange rate. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at present is Rs 4851.62 billion. Compared to the GDP, Nepal’s public debt stands at 41.38 percent.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16376', 'image' => '20230101020340_20220907103815_public debt.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 14:02:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16634', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Company Registration Compulsory to get Bank Loans in Biratnagar', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: Biratnagar Metropolitan has set the aim of collecting Rs 870 million in revenue in the current fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">January 1: Biratnagar Metropolitan has set the aim of collecting Rs 870 million in revenue in the current fiscal year. To attain this target, the metropolis has requested the banks to make it mandatory for company registration and renewal while disbursing loans. The bankers of the region have complied with this request of the metropolis. The metropolitan city believes that the revenue is bound to increase when those who apply for loan register their company or renew in case of registered companies.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Under this campaign of strengthening the internal income, the metropolis called for the chiefs of provincial offices of 21 commercial banks operating in the region for discussion. During the discussion, the chiefs of the provincial offices of the commercial banks pledged to mandatorily check for the status of registration and renewal of the companies while disbursing the loans. They also stated that they were eager to contribute to the development and prosperity of Biratnagar.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The chiefs of the commercial banks also agreed for collaboration and cooperation with the metropolis for the expenditures made under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Mayor Nagesh Koirala informed about the revenue collection campaign for the increment of internal income. Stating that Biratnagar belongs to all, he requested everyone to join hands for the campaign. He mentioned that the banks can help with the beautification of Biratnagar under (CSR) and stated, “Biratnagar is yours as well. You can help with its beautification along with ambulances and hearse as well.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Deputy Mayor Shilpa Karki stated that the problem in parking has emerged in the area due to the lack of management by the banks and requested to manage the parking lots as soon as possible. The chief administrative officer of the metropolis, Bishnu Prasad Koirala said that there is a lack of resources in the metropolis. He said that after discussing with the Internal Revenue Office, arrangements have been made to collect taxes from the metropolis itself. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Saroj Gautam, head of the revenue division of the metropolis informed that a special tax collection campaign is being conducted in 5 wards of the metropolis He said that the tax will be collected at the doorsteps of all taxpayers. The metropolis, which collected Rs 497.8 million internal revenue during the last fiscal year, aims to collect Rs 870 million in the current fsical year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16375', 'image' => '20230101012932_Banks.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 13:28:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16633', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Flights to and from Gautam Buddha Int’l Airport Halted for Lack of ILS ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: October to March is the best season to visit Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">January 1: October to March is the best season to visit Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">For this year, tourism entrepreneurs of Lumbini Province were also excited to welcome tourists but their excitement did not last long as flights are unlikely to take place in this peak season for lack of Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the Gautam Buddha International Airport. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The flights have been affected in the airport citing unfavourable weather conditions. International flights here have been affected due to poor visibility following thick fog in winter season. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">General Manager of the Gautam Buddha International Airport Govinda Prasad Dahal confirmed that Himalayan Airlines has suspended its flights since December 20 and Jazeera Airways since December 21. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Jazeera has informed that its flights would be suspended until the December-end but the flights could be suspended for more days due to unfavourable weather condition. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">ILS has been installed at the airport but it has not been brought into use. The ILS is a radio navigation system which helps aircraft in landing during nighttime and unfavourable weather conditions. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Officials say that Indian sky should also be used while implementing the ILS. “For this, Indian government’s approval is required,” Dahal said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Generally, visibility of 1,500 metres is required for the landing of a plane but the plane could be landed even in the visibility of 800 metres if ILS was brought into use, Dahal shared. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Constructed with an investment of Rs 35 billion, the airport was inaugurated on May 16, 2022. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">So far, the airport made 154 international flights and received 13,593 passengers and bade farewell to 18,025 passengers. --- </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16374', 'image' => '20230101114857_Gautam Buddha.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 11:48:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16632', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Possibility of Light Rainfall Today, Tarai Districts Witnessing Thick Fog ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 1: Light rain is likely to occur in some parts of the country with partial to normal change in the weather in most parts of the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">January 1: Light rain is likely to occur in some parts of the country with partial to normal change in the weather in most parts of the country. Due to impact of the westerly winds, the weather will be partly cloudy to normal in the hill areas of the country and partly cloudy to generally clear in the rest of the country, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. There is also a possibility of light snowfall in one or two places in the mountainous region of the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Later tonight, the weather will remain generally clear with light rain in one or two places in the hill areas of Province 1 and mountain areas of Province 1, Gandaki and Karnali provinces. There is also a possibility of light snowfall. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> At present, parts of the western Terai and few parts of the central and eastern Terai districts are experiencing fog. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the latest information of the department, the minimum temperature of Kathmandu Valley today was recorded at 3.8 degrees Celsius and the maximum temperature is likely to be around 15.5 degrees Celsius. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-01', 'modified' => '2023-01-01', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16373', 'image' => '20230101112125_SureshAcharya_Surkhet_RSS_17_IMG-4776.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-01 11:20:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16630', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Requests GAVI for Booster Dose ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 31: The government has initiated the process to bring booster dose in the wake of growing cases of coronavirus in the neighbouring countries. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 31: The government has initiated the process to bring booster dose in the wake of growing cases of coronavirus in the neighbouring countries. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Health and Population wrote to the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) in a bid to import the booster dose. Chief of the Immunization Department at the Family Welfare Division under the Department of Health Services, Sagar Dahal, informed that a letter was sent to the GAVI on Thursday for brining in 1.5 million doses of anti-COVID vaccines under the COVAX facility </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"COVAX will share information on sending anti-COVID vaccines in a week," Dahal added. The government has decided to bring in Pfizer vaccine which is being used only as the booster dose. The Immunization Department wrote letter to the GAVI after the Department of Drug Administration (DDA) granted permission for the 'emergency use' of the vaccine. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Ministry has also urged all people to take booster dose because the new variant of coronavirus, BF7, has been spreading fast in the neighbouring countries -- India and China. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-31', 'modified' => '2022-12-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16372', 'image' => '20221231120029_pfizer.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-31 11:59:44', '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
