June 3: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has slashed the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene by Rs 10 per litre effective from June…
June 3: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has slashed the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene by Rs 10 per litre effective from June…
June 2: Nepal’s telecommunication giant Ncell launched the ‘Monsoon Dhamaka’ offer under which Ncell customers can now avail unlimited and attractive ‘data and voice+SMS bundle all-net’…
June 2: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has claimed that budget is a guiding document for every…
June 2: The government has issued the land-use regulation that has a provision of slapping individuals with a fine of up to Rs 100,000 for keeping arable land fallow for three consecutive…
June 2: The government has issued the Land Use Regulations, dividing land into 10 zones based on their…
June 2: Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) has launched a campaign to get rid of disposable plastics in hotel…
June 2: Although the private sector has warmly welcomed the budget announced by the government on May 29, the energy sector seems to be dissatisfied with the…
June 2: Increasing river pollution and haphazard mining have posed a threat to white water rafting in Nepal, said tourism…
May 31: The International Relations Committee of the Parliament has directed the government to expedite the construction of Nijgadh International Airport by getting rid of the legal…
May 31: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has claimed that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year has been brought with restraint.…
May 31: The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has welcomed the budget announced by the government for the upcoming fiscal…
May 30: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has announced a 15 per cent hike in the salary of government employees for the new fiscal…
May 31: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (CNN) has said that it is quite challenging to meet the economic growth target set by the government for the next fiscal…
May 31: Much to the relief to middle-income people, the government has widened the income tax…
May 30: The government has increased cash subsidies for exports in the budget of the upcoming fiscal year with the aim of giving priority to import substitution by increasing domestic production and exports.…
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 3: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has slashed the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene by Rs 10 per litre effective from June 3. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">With the price adjustment, petrol will now cost Rs 170 per litre while diesel and kerosene will cost Rs 153 a litre each. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government had directed the NOC to adjust the price equal to infrastructure tax on petroleum products after the price hike in the last few weeks badly affected people of all walks of life. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NOC, however, said that the prices of cooking gas (LPC) and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) will remain unchanged. A present, the price of a cooking gas cylinder is Rs 1,800 while the price of aviation turbine fuel for domestic flights is Rs 166 per litre. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-03', 'modified' => '2022-06-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15126', 'image' => '20220603081851_845791-fuel-istock-070819.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-03 08:17:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15383', 'article_category_id' => '266', 'title' => 'Ncell Brings Unlimited Data and Attractive All-Net Voice and SMS Bundle Packs', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: Nepal’s telecommunication giant Ncell launched the ‘Monsoon Dhamaka’ offer under which Ncell customers can now avail unlimited and attractive ‘data and voice+SMS bundle all-net’ packs.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">June 2: Nepal’s telecommunication giant Ncell launched the ‘Monsoon Dhamaka’ offer under which Ncell customers can now avail unlimited and attractive ‘data and voice+SMS bundle all-net’ packs.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The company said in a statement that the offer has come into effect from Thursday (June 2). The three new one-day data packs launched are tailor made to meet the daily needs of customers seeking worry-free mobile data usage. The price of the packs ranges from Rs 29 to Rs 48 including applicable taxes. According to the company, its customers can now subscribe to any of the one-day data packs by dialling *17123#.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In addition, customers who subscribe to these packs can make daily calls and SMS to any local network at most attractive prices, the statement added.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“Customers can subscribe to any of the packs as per their daily requirement of voice and SMS service. They can choose 30 min talk time and 30 SMS for Rs 12 including taxes, 100 min talk time and 100 SMS at Rs. 14 or 290 min talk time and 290 SMS at just Rs. 29. Customers can subscribe to any of the all-net voice + SMS packs by dialling *17118#.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the company, these data packs and all-net voice + SMS packs can also be subscribed via Ncell App, Ncell website, and wallets such as eSewa, Khalti, and IME Pay.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15125', 'image' => '20220602091214_ncellll.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 21:10:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15382', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Budget a Guiding Document for Every Sector: Finance Minister', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has claimed that budget is a guiding document for every sector.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">June 2: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has claimed that budget is a guiding document for every sector. Responding to the queries raised by the lawmakers in the National Assembly meeting on Wednesday, Minister Sharma informed that budget was increased by 9.68 percent this year. Generally, the budget is increased by 10 percent every year. <br /> “Resources must be mobilized well for boosting production and productivity,” he said, adding that budget has focused well on commercialization of agriculture <br /> However, cooperation from all three layers of government is imperative to fully explore agricultural potential, the minister argued. <br /> The priority to agriculture is given both in policies and programmes and the budget, he said, adding that time has come for us to increase industries to prop up national economy. <br /> Moreover, the minister said that the government would provide incentives for export but not grant. <br /> He argued that budget was focused on creation of employment and solution of present problems relating to it. “The scheme of pension to farmers was raised for respecting farmers and agriculture,” he added. <br /> As the COVID-19 subsided, there is huge potential of tourism, said the minister. If the infrastructures were set up in Everest region, it would help boost tourism, he asserted. <br /> Similarly, he informed that the budget had incorporated the issues of distributing land ownership certificates to the landless and prioritizing cooperatives to link with production. <br /> According to Finance Minister Sharma, adequate and utilizable budget was allocated to the national pride projects. The budget to be sent to the lower tiers of government was increased by 11 percent, minister Sharma clarified. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15124', 'image' => '20220602052434_fin min sharma.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 17:23:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15381', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government to Fine up to Rs 100,000 for Keeping Land Fallow', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: The government has issued the land-use regulation that has a provision of slapping individuals with a fine of up to Rs 100,000 for keeping arable land fallow for three consecutive years.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 2: The government has issued the land-use regulation that has a provision of slapping individuals with a fine of up to Rs 100,000 for keeping arable land fallow for three consecutive years.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The regulations approved after two years of debate will be published in the Nepal Gazette in one or two days. Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Shashi Shrestha said that the land use regulations have been approved by dividing the total area of Nepal into 10 categories. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The new regulations are against plotting of land after it was found that the land dealers were involved in acquiring agricultural land in throw-away prices and selling them at high price after plotting the land.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Now, the government had decided to fine the land plotter Rs 100,000 if they are found involved in such act.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Secretary at the Ministry, Ram Prasad Thapaliya, said that this decision of the government would further reduce the real estate business and reduce the price of land other than the residential areas. Aftter the land use regulations will be implemented from the day it is published in the Nepal Gazette, it will not be possible to build a house on the land purchased on agricultural land.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">However, the government will not demolish the houses already built, said Janak Raj Joshi, joint secretary and spokesperson of the ministry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that since the Land Use Act was enacted two years ago, it has not been possible to build houses on agricultural land. Now no one get away with the excuse that they didn’t know that land plot was for agricultural purpose.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has a policy of connecting the agricultural sector with the road network and encouraging farming by circling the fields. Spokesperson Joshi said that the ministry will closely monitor the implementation of the regulations at the local level. The ministry is now preparing to set up a separate mechanism to be monitored by the land management department and the ministry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It took almost three years to issue the regulations of the Land Use Act, which was issued by the parliament in August 2018. The purpose of the regulations is to classify the entire land of the country into different land-use areas, to formulate land use plans at the federal, state and local levels, to use land according to land use classification and plan, and to determine the land tax based on the use.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15123', 'image' => '20220602044214_Agri.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 16:41:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15380', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Issues Land Use Regulations, Classifies Land into 10 Zones ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: The government has issued the Land Use Regulations, dividing land into 10 zones based on their features. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 2: The government has issued the Land Use Regulations, dividing land into 10 zones based on their features. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Shashi Shrestha issued the regulations amid a press conference on Wednesday (June 1) and informed about the classification of land. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the government’s decision, the country’s land has been categorized as agricultural zone, residential zone, commercial zone, industrial zone, area of mines and minerals, forest zone, public use zone, area of cultural and archeological importance, and others based on topographic features, efficiency and utility of land, its existing use and necessity. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The minister said that the regulations prohibit commercial land plotting and its sale in areas except in classified areas for residential purposes. She was hopeful of the implementation of the regulations as it was issued in coordination with the stakeholders. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The regulations have the provision that the federal level will deal with the land use mapping procedures across the country and hand it to the local level which can revise and update the mapping as per its needs and implement it. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similar, one land zone may have sub-zones such as grains production sub-zone and fruits production sub-zone, according to the minister. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The regulations grant the right to land owner to go to a court if the party finds the classification unconvincing. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the minister, federal, province and local levels will prepare land use plans and the province should not to prepare a plan that contradicts with the federal plan and the local levels’ plans should not go against the provincial plan.</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"">Likewise the regulations do not entertain the use of a land classified into one category for another purpose and the land use classification is changeable through a due process. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, the federal government can alter the land use if valuable minerals are found in the land use zone, if priority projects were to be operated on it or for any other plausible reason like the land falling in the international border security area, development, tourism, world heritage sites etc. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The local level can change the land use for the purpose of disaster risk management, shifting the insecure settlements, prepare the basis and criteria required for regulating and checking the land plotting and demarcation. Provision has also been made for implementing the land pooling programme for the purpose of mechanization of agricultural land. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Shrestha said that an action plan would be prepared for the implementation of the Land Use Regulations. A meeting of the Council of Ministers had on May 23 approved the Regulations. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, Minister Shrestha said that the land bank has not been revoked. She said it has only been suspended for the time being. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15122', 'image' => '20220602035828_CKK_KTM_MantriSashiShreshta(2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 15:57:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15379', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Plastic-Free Hotels in Nepal by 2024: HAN', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) has launched a campaign to get rid of disposable plastics in hotel rooms.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 2: Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) has launched a campaign to get rid of disposable plastics in hotel rooms. HAN aims to get rid of plastics and other disposable materials that are used once but not used again. HAN has set a target of achieving this objective within the next two years, i.e., by 2024.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">HAN informed about the campaign at a press conference organized in Kathmandu on Wednesday. Speaking on the occasion, President of HAN, Sirjana Rana said that the campaign was launched with the aim of reducing and eliminating the use of plastic items in hotel rooms and gradually replacing them as much as possible in the long run.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“This will contribute to the protection of the Nepali hotel industry and the environment of the nation as a whole. Everything we do must be environmentally friendly,” said Rana. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">She informed that the campaign has been launched to encourage the tourism that is returning back to normalcy from the impacts of Covid-19. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Recent report published by various booking portals such as Booking.com show that 68 percent of the guests seem to prefer eco-friendly hotels nowadays,” said Rana.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">HAN also introduced long-term use of reusable materials that are used in large quantities in hotel rooms. The umbrella body of hotels in Nepal informed that it is possible to make immense contribution to sustainable development through the use of environment-friendly technology.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">HAN's general secretary Sajan Shakya said that the plastic products used in the room as well as the bathroom, including tooth brush will also be replaced under this campaign.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shakya informed that the alternatives include bamboo materials, recycling of plastic bottles, and paper covers in soap. The campaign is expected to contribute to sustainable tourism in Nepal through competitive branding globally as a promoter of green tourism.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15121', 'image' => '20220602014245_Hotel.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 13:42:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15378', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Energy Sector not Happy with New Budget', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: Although the private sector has warmly welcomed the budget announced by the government on May 29, the energy sector seems to be dissatisfied with the budget.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">June 2: Although the private sector has warmly welcomed the budget announced by the government on May 29, the energy sector seems to be dissatisfied with the budget. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Energy producers say that the budget has taken the private sector into confidence and considers it to be an “engine” to achieve economic development. However, they argue that the budget has not addressed the concerns of the energy sector.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">They said that although the provisions related to energy sector in the budget are praiseworthy, they are not adequate. Chairman of the National Hydropower Company Kumar Pandey says that the budget did not address their major concerns. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Whatever arrangements have been made for the energy sector, they are commendable. However, the budget has not addressed the issue of major problems faced by the energy sector,” said Pandey, adding, “The energy sector has been badly affected due to the rise in interest rate and inflation. The government did not announce any policy to address this issue. Overall, the government seems to be less interested in energy sector.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Pandey said that the government did not address the issues that need immediate attention.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15120', 'image' => '20220602125334_Energy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 12:52:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15377', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'White Water Rafting under Threat from River Pollution: Tourism Entrepreneurs', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: Increasing river pollution and haphazard mining have posed a threat to white water rafting in Nepal, said tourism entrepreneurs. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 2: Increasing river pollution and haphazard mining have posed a threat to white water rafting in Nepal, said tourism entrepreneurs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Participants of the 33rd AGM of Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA) on Wednesday expressed concerns over an increasing threat to the rafting business. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Director General of the Department of Tourism, Taranath Adhikari, said they were working seriously to address the issues in the entire tourism sector. </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"">“Tourism entrepreneurs are primarily responsible for exploring ways to deal with the existing problems in the business and the department is ready to collaborate with them towards that end,” said Adhikari. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Vice Chairperson of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Chandra Prasad Rijal talked about the potentials of expanding rafting business in Nepal and the role of government for protection of rivers and streams in the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chairperson of Nepal Association of Tours and Travels Agents (NATTA ) Ramesh Thapa said rafting has contributed to the promotion of Nepal’s adventurous tourism, but those involved in this sector are now faces a challenge to sustain their business.</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"">Meahwhile, Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) chair Khum Bahadur Subedi stressed on the need of collaboration and cooperation among tourism entrepreneurs for recovery of tourism industry largely affected by COVID-19 pandemic. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">National Tourism Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal chair Deepak Mahat and Nepal Tourism Entrepreneurs Organisation chair Nawaraj Dahal said that the construction of hydropower projects in the areas having potential for rafting business had its adverse effects on the industry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">NARA chair Ganga Prasad Nepal, vice chair Mekh Bahadur Ale and general secretary Shishir Khanal urged the government to rescinding its decision to increase the amount of authorised capital required for registering a rafting company from Rs 500,000 to Rs 5 million. The AGM will elect a new leadership for the Association. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15119', 'image' => '20220602111929_white-river-rafting-nepal (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 11:17:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15376', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'House Panel tells Govt to go Ahead with Construction of Nijgadh Int’l Airport', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 31: The International Relations Committee of the Parliament has directed the government to expedite the construction of Nijgadh International Airport by getting rid of the legal hurdles.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 31: The International Relations Committee of the Parliament has directed the government to expedite the construction of Nijgadh International Airport by getting rid of the legal hurdles. A meeting of the committee held at Singha Durbar on Monday issued such directive even if it requires changing the law. The committee remarked that the decision to stop the construction of Nijgadh International Airport, which was initiated after a long study and huge investment, is not appropriate from any point of view.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The directive of the committee mentions, “It has been decided to direct the Government of Nepal to take necessary legal, administrative and practical action to expedite the construction of the airport, which is essential for the national interest, security and economic development.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chairperson of the committee Pabitra Niraula Kharel informed that the decision has been taken to immediately move ahead with the construction of the airport which is a project of national pride to strengthen the economy in line with the national interest of Nepal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Supreme Court last Thursday ordered to discontinue the construction of Nijgadh International Airport, which put the construction of airport in a state of uncertainty. Meanwhile, the government's annual policies and programmes and the budget announcement states that the construction process of the airport will continue to move forward. The budget states that the development of the project will move forth through the Investment Board by determining the investment structure. Meanwhile, members of the committee demanded the government to immediately move ahead with the construction of the airport. They emphasized that the project, which cost a lot of money from the state treasury and is linked to the future of the country, should be moved forward even if it means changing the law.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal expressed that the construction process of Nijgadh Airport, which was considered appropriate in all respects after a long study and research, should not be obstructed. Indicating that the issue of forest has been unnecessarily raised to fulfill the personal interests of some groups, he said that there will be no deforestation during the construction of the airport.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">At the meeting, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale said that he was embarrassed by the Supreme Court's order. Stating that the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal already spent Rs 3 billion on the airport and more than 8,050 hectares of land has been already acquired in the name of the airport, he emphasized that there is no alternative other than moving the project forward. He said that the Supreme Court's order disappointed the stakeholders as the preparation of master plan of the airport and the environmental impact assessment as well was already done.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Maheshwar Neupane, said that there is no alternative other than to move ahead with the construction process as the airport, which has been under discussion for almost 28 years, is suitable in all respects.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Pradip Adhikari said that if the construction process of the airport is halted, there will be loss to the overall economy of the country in the long run. He said that the Tribhuvan International Airport with a capacity to handle 9.2 million people annually will not be able to accommodate the annual increase of 10 percent of air passengers. The number of air passengers visiting Nepal has been increasing by one million every year. He stated that it is necessary to build the Nijgadh International Airport at any cost.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15118', 'image' => '20220531033349_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 15:33:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15375', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'We have brought Budget with Restraint, the Goals will be Achieved: Finance Minister', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 31: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has claimed that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year has been brought with restraint. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 31: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has claimed that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year has been brought with restraint. Speaking at a press conference at the ministry on Monday, a day after the budget for the Fiscal Year (FY 2022/23) was made public, he claimed that he had brought a restrained budget instead an election-oriented budget. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He urged everyone not to doubt that the topics mentioned in the budget will not be implemented.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We have set a definite target in the budget. The entire government apparatus is mobilized to achieve these goals. The goal is to end poverty. We have given emphasis to the development of human capital and education. The demands of the private sector have been addressed,” he shared.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Finance Minister Sharma, priority has been given to increasing employment, developing infrastructure and import substitution by making maximum use of resources. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"The upcoming budget will make the country prosperous and address the development aspirations of the people," he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Claiming that the government's policy will replace imports, Finance Minister Sharma said that the government is thinking of reducing the trade deficit by exporting cement. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We have decided to give cash subsidy and rebate on electricity tariff to the industry to promote export," he said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He added that the economic growth rate of 8 per cent will be achieved as the budget has been prepared by setting targets for the first time in every sector. Sharma also said that everyone would feel a sense of belonging as he had taken everyone's suggestions in formulating the budget and addressed their demands.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, special attention has been given to the agricultural sector considering the situation developed at the international level. The goal is to increase exports and expand employment by reducing imports. Sharma also claimed that the budget was not brought targeting the election. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"It's not an election budget. We are providing some services and facilities,” he said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government aims to achieve economic growth of 8 per cent and limit inflation to 7 per cent. This goal has been described by economists as ambitious.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We took everyone's suggestions in budget formulation. We have tried to address the issues included in the policies and programmes with the cooperation of all and under the direction of the Prime Minister,” he said.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-05-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15117', 'image' => '20220531031207_fin min sharma.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 15:11:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15374', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NRNs Welcome Budget Announcement', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 31: The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has welcomed the budget announced by the government for the upcoming fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 31: The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has welcomed the budget announced by the government for the upcoming fiscal year. The association stated that many of the demands that they were raising for a long time targeting the NRNs have been addressed in the budget for the fiscal year 2022/823.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The association said that the decision to reduce the minimum threshold of foreign investment from Rs 50 million to Rs 20 million through the budget and the arrangements for the approval of foreign investment up to Rs 100 million through an automated system are positive steps. Also, the association stated that NRNs will benefit from the legal arrangements that allows them to invest in the secondary market of securities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The association said that the laws and processes related to foreign investment should be improved in order to attract foreign investment in productive and export oriented industries and to attract investment from NRNs.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It also demanded that the land demarcation system required for establishment of industry should be reviewed and land lease should be given for 50 years. Similarly, the NRNA also welcomed the arrangement of issuing bonds targeting the Nepali citizens and NRNs who are out for foreign employment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The association released a statement on Monday saying, “We also welcome the announcement of a 50 percent deduction on renewal fees of passports, consular services and renewal of work permits for Nepali nationals in foreign employment and remittances through formal channels.”</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-05-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15116', 'image' => '20220531022923_budget new.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 14:28:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15373', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Salary of Government Employees’ goes up by 15 Percent ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 30: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has announced a 15 per cent hike in the salary of government employees for the new fiscal year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 30: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has announced a 15 per cent hike in the salary of government employees for the new fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Releasing the annual budget for the Fiscal Year 2022/023 in the Federal Parliament on Sunday, Finance Minister Sharma said that the salary of civil servants, army personnel, police personnel, teachers and all other government employees has been increased to encourage them. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The new salary level will come into force from the beginning of the new fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As stated in the annual budget, the government has pledged to bring the Federal Civil Service Act, reduce administrative costs, ensure administrative restructuring and good-governance as well as effective service delivery. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-05-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15115', 'image' => '20220531114807_salary.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 11:47:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15372', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Attaining Growth Target is Difficult to Achieve: NCC', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 31: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (CNN) has said that it is quite challenging to meet the economic growth target set by the government for the next fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">May 31: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (CNN) has said that it is quite challenging to meet the economic growth target set by the government for the next fiscal year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">While presenting the budget in parliament on Sunday, Finance Minister Janardan Sharma had claimed that the government has set a target of attaining 8 percent growth while keeping inflation below 7 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Issuing a statement on Monday, NCC said that the growth target of the government is hard to achieve.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Implementation of budget is quite challenging due to the deteriorating situation of the world economy and declining foreign exchange reserves of the country in addition to the liquidity crisis,” the statement read, adding, “As the implementation of budget is challenging, it is hard to meet the target of 8 percent economic growth while keeping inflation below 7 percent.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NCC however, praised the government’s decision to allocate Rs 55.97 billion for the agriculture sector and its transformation through commercialization and modernization. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The chamber also welcomed the government’s decision related to the energy sector. The government had announced to distribute electric stoves and avail electricity at affordable rates among others. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NCC further said that the private sector is excited by the prospect of creating conducive environment for industrialization and creation of job opportunities. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The chamber also urged the government to hold discussion with stakeholders regarding implementation of policies and programmes in an effective manner.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-05-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15114', 'image' => '20220531114649_economic-growth.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 11:45:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15371', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Increases Income Tax Ceiling', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 31: Much to the relief to middle-income people, the government has widened the income tax ceiling. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 31: Much to the relief to middle-income people, the government has widened the income tax ceiling. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Finance Minister Janardan Sharma informed while unveiling the new budget that an individual now has to pay one percent tax for up to half million income in a year. The same tax rate is applicable to the married couple for whom the income ceiling is up to Rs 600,000. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In light of the increasing economic activities in Nepal via electronic network from abroad, the government has made arrangement to bring such business under the purview of tax. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government has also decided to impost one percent tax for people residing in Nepal and work for foreign companies using electronic medium or are involved in outsourcing work using IT software and modern technology.</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"">Meanwhile, the government has projected the economic growth rate of eight percent in the upcoming fiscal year. -- RSS </span><br /> <br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-05-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15113', 'image' => '20220531105551_taxxxxx.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 10:54:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15370', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Increases Cash Subsidy for Exports', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 30: The government has increased cash subsidies for exports in the budget of the upcoming fiscal year with the aim of giving priority to import substitution by increasing domestic production and exports. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 30: The government has increased cash subsidies for exports in the budget of the upcoming fiscal year with the aim of giving priority to import substitution by increasing domestic production and exports. The government increased the subsidy limit to encourage the export of goods with high export potential from Nepal after the import-oriented economy put high pressure on the foreign currency reserves.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Presenting the budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Sunday, Finance Minister Janardan Sharma announced that arrangements have been made to provide cash subsidy of up to 8 percent on exports. Earlier, the cash subsidy was just up to 5 percent. He announced that exports will be promoted by identifying products with high export potential such as cement, steel, footwear, purified water and services based on information technology and business outsourcing.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Manufacturers of cement, steel and footwear, had been reducing their production capacity due to lack of market, but are likely to increase production and export after the announcement. The government had included cement in the list of exportable commodities in the policies and programmes of the fiscal year 2076/77. However, cement is yet to be exported. At present, Nepal is self-sufficient in cement and steel while 65 percent demand for footwear is produced within the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the industrialists of these sectors, they are still unable to operate at full capacity. On the contrary, there is a possibility of increasing production capacity along with increasing cash subsidy on exports. Similarly, the government has revised the minimum limit for foreign investment to 20 million. The government also reduced the previous threshold of Rs 50 million through the budget. It is mentioned in the budget statement that the approval of foreign investment up to Rs 100 million will be done through automated system to attract foreign investment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has launched a Special Campaign Decade starting from 2079 BS with the objective of increasing production for the development and prosperity of the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has allocated Rs 3.45 billion to start the Prime Minister's Nepali Production and Consumption Growth Program for the growth of Nepali products, job creation and export-oriented trade.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In order to increase the production and use of domestic goods, 'our production, our consumption campaign' will be launched in the new fiscal year. Similarly, Minister Sharma also announced that the Government of Nepal will provide necessary support for campaigns such as Make in Nepal and Made in Nepal implemented by the private sector. The government has allocated Rs 260 million to operate business incubation center in Hetauda Industrial Area to expand knowledge based business in partnership with the private sector.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The budget also has provision to support startups. Sharma said that he would cooperate with the state government for market promotion of the products of Karnali Province.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government announced that the construction of infrastructure of 105 industrial villages will be completed in the next fiscal year. Altogether Rs 3.79 billion has been allocated for industrial infrastructure.</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 Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In its attempt to create conducive environment for the establishment of industries in the country, the government has made provisions to lease state-owned land for 50 years. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The provisions to rent the government land would be made further simplified with a target to end unemployment and ensure favourable industrial environment, Minister Sharma said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shekhar Golchha, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), said that the budget is focused on industry, agriculture and the issues raised by the private sector has been addressed.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries Vishnu Kumar Agrawal remarked that the suggestions given to the government have been included in the budget. The private sector’s umbrella organization is preparing to release their formal opinion by conducting a detailed study of the issues in the budget. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-30', 'modified' => '2022-05-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15112', 'image' => '20220530042639_shutterstock_439601284_1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-30 16:25:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 3: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has slashed the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene by Rs 10 per litre effective from June 3. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">With the price adjustment, petrol will now cost Rs 170 per litre while diesel and kerosene will cost Rs 153 a litre each. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government had directed the NOC to adjust the price equal to infrastructure tax on petroleum products after the price hike in the last few weeks badly affected people of all walks of life. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NOC, however, said that the prices of cooking gas (LPC) and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) will remain unchanged. A present, the price of a cooking gas cylinder is Rs 1,800 while the price of aviation turbine fuel for domestic flights is Rs 166 per litre. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-03', 'modified' => '2022-06-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15126', 'image' => '20220603081851_845791-fuel-istock-070819.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-03 08:17:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15383', 'article_category_id' => '266', 'title' => 'Ncell Brings Unlimited Data and Attractive All-Net Voice and SMS Bundle Packs', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: Nepal’s telecommunication giant Ncell launched the ‘Monsoon Dhamaka’ offer under which Ncell customers can now avail unlimited and attractive ‘data and voice+SMS bundle all-net’ packs.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">June 2: Nepal’s telecommunication giant Ncell launched the ‘Monsoon Dhamaka’ offer under which Ncell customers can now avail unlimited and attractive ‘data and voice+SMS bundle all-net’ packs.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The company said in a statement that the offer has come into effect from Thursday (June 2). The three new one-day data packs launched are tailor made to meet the daily needs of customers seeking worry-free mobile data usage. The price of the packs ranges from Rs 29 to Rs 48 including applicable taxes. According to the company, its customers can now subscribe to any of the one-day data packs by dialling *17123#.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In addition, customers who subscribe to these packs can make daily calls and SMS to any local network at most attractive prices, the statement added.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“Customers can subscribe to any of the packs as per their daily requirement of voice and SMS service. They can choose 30 min talk time and 30 SMS for Rs 12 including taxes, 100 min talk time and 100 SMS at Rs. 14 or 290 min talk time and 290 SMS at just Rs. 29. Customers can subscribe to any of the all-net voice + SMS packs by dialling *17118#.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the company, these data packs and all-net voice + SMS packs can also be subscribed via Ncell App, Ncell website, and wallets such as eSewa, Khalti, and IME Pay.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15125', 'image' => '20220602091214_ncellll.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 21:10:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15382', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Budget a Guiding Document for Every Sector: Finance Minister', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has claimed that budget is a guiding document for every sector.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">June 2: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has claimed that budget is a guiding document for every sector. Responding to the queries raised by the lawmakers in the National Assembly meeting on Wednesday, Minister Sharma informed that budget was increased by 9.68 percent this year. Generally, the budget is increased by 10 percent every year. <br /> “Resources must be mobilized well for boosting production and productivity,” he said, adding that budget has focused well on commercialization of agriculture <br /> However, cooperation from all three layers of government is imperative to fully explore agricultural potential, the minister argued. <br /> The priority to agriculture is given both in policies and programmes and the budget, he said, adding that time has come for us to increase industries to prop up national economy. <br /> Moreover, the minister said that the government would provide incentives for export but not grant. <br /> He argued that budget was focused on creation of employment and solution of present problems relating to it. “The scheme of pension to farmers was raised for respecting farmers and agriculture,” he added. <br /> As the COVID-19 subsided, there is huge potential of tourism, said the minister. If the infrastructures were set up in Everest region, it would help boost tourism, he asserted. <br /> Similarly, he informed that the budget had incorporated the issues of distributing land ownership certificates to the landless and prioritizing cooperatives to link with production. <br /> According to Finance Minister Sharma, adequate and utilizable budget was allocated to the national pride projects. The budget to be sent to the lower tiers of government was increased by 11 percent, minister Sharma clarified. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15124', 'image' => '20220602052434_fin min sharma.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 17:23:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15381', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government to Fine up to Rs 100,000 for Keeping Land Fallow', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: The government has issued the land-use regulation that has a provision of slapping individuals with a fine of up to Rs 100,000 for keeping arable land fallow for three consecutive years.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 2: The government has issued the land-use regulation that has a provision of slapping individuals with a fine of up to Rs 100,000 for keeping arable land fallow for three consecutive years.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The regulations approved after two years of debate will be published in the Nepal Gazette in one or two days. Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Shashi Shrestha said that the land use regulations have been approved by dividing the total area of Nepal into 10 categories. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The new regulations are against plotting of land after it was found that the land dealers were involved in acquiring agricultural land in throw-away prices and selling them at high price after plotting the land.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Now, the government had decided to fine the land plotter Rs 100,000 if they are found involved in such act.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Secretary at the Ministry, Ram Prasad Thapaliya, said that this decision of the government would further reduce the real estate business and reduce the price of land other than the residential areas. Aftter the land use regulations will be implemented from the day it is published in the Nepal Gazette, it will not be possible to build a house on the land purchased on agricultural land.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">However, the government will not demolish the houses already built, said Janak Raj Joshi, joint secretary and spokesperson of the ministry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that since the Land Use Act was enacted two years ago, it has not been possible to build houses on agricultural land. Now no one get away with the excuse that they didn’t know that land plot was for agricultural purpose.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has a policy of connecting the agricultural sector with the road network and encouraging farming by circling the fields. Spokesperson Joshi said that the ministry will closely monitor the implementation of the regulations at the local level. The ministry is now preparing to set up a separate mechanism to be monitored by the land management department and the ministry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It took almost three years to issue the regulations of the Land Use Act, which was issued by the parliament in August 2018. The purpose of the regulations is to classify the entire land of the country into different land-use areas, to formulate land use plans at the federal, state and local levels, to use land according to land use classification and plan, and to determine the land tax based on the use.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15123', 'image' => '20220602044214_Agri.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 16:41:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15380', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Issues Land Use Regulations, Classifies Land into 10 Zones ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: The government has issued the Land Use Regulations, dividing land into 10 zones based on their features. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 2: The government has issued the Land Use Regulations, dividing land into 10 zones based on their features. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Shashi Shrestha issued the regulations amid a press conference on Wednesday (June 1) and informed about the classification of land. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the government’s decision, the country’s land has been categorized as agricultural zone, residential zone, commercial zone, industrial zone, area of mines and minerals, forest zone, public use zone, area of cultural and archeological importance, and others based on topographic features, efficiency and utility of land, its existing use and necessity. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The minister said that the regulations prohibit commercial land plotting and its sale in areas except in classified areas for residential purposes. She was hopeful of the implementation of the regulations as it was issued in coordination with the stakeholders. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The regulations have the provision that the federal level will deal with the land use mapping procedures across the country and hand it to the local level which can revise and update the mapping as per its needs and implement it. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similar, one land zone may have sub-zones such as grains production sub-zone and fruits production sub-zone, according to the minister. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The regulations grant the right to land owner to go to a court if the party finds the classification unconvincing. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the minister, federal, province and local levels will prepare land use plans and the province should not to prepare a plan that contradicts with the federal plan and the local levels’ plans should not go against the provincial plan.</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"">Likewise the regulations do not entertain the use of a land classified into one category for another purpose and the land use classification is changeable through a due process. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, the federal government can alter the land use if valuable minerals are found in the land use zone, if priority projects were to be operated on it or for any other plausible reason like the land falling in the international border security area, development, tourism, world heritage sites etc. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The local level can change the land use for the purpose of disaster risk management, shifting the insecure settlements, prepare the basis and criteria required for regulating and checking the land plotting and demarcation. Provision has also been made for implementing the land pooling programme for the purpose of mechanization of agricultural land. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Shrestha said that an action plan would be prepared for the implementation of the Land Use Regulations. A meeting of the Council of Ministers had on May 23 approved the Regulations. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, Minister Shrestha said that the land bank has not been revoked. She said it has only been suspended for the time being. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15122', 'image' => '20220602035828_CKK_KTM_MantriSashiShreshta(2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 15:57:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15379', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Plastic-Free Hotels in Nepal by 2024: HAN', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) has launched a campaign to get rid of disposable plastics in hotel rooms.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 2: Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) has launched a campaign to get rid of disposable plastics in hotel rooms. HAN aims to get rid of plastics and other disposable materials that are used once but not used again. HAN has set a target of achieving this objective within the next two years, i.e., by 2024.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">HAN informed about the campaign at a press conference organized in Kathmandu on Wednesday. Speaking on the occasion, President of HAN, Sirjana Rana said that the campaign was launched with the aim of reducing and eliminating the use of plastic items in hotel rooms and gradually replacing them as much as possible in the long run.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“This will contribute to the protection of the Nepali hotel industry and the environment of the nation as a whole. Everything we do must be environmentally friendly,” said Rana. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">She informed that the campaign has been launched to encourage the tourism that is returning back to normalcy from the impacts of Covid-19. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Recent report published by various booking portals such as Booking.com show that 68 percent of the guests seem to prefer eco-friendly hotels nowadays,” said Rana.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">HAN also introduced long-term use of reusable materials that are used in large quantities in hotel rooms. The umbrella body of hotels in Nepal informed that it is possible to make immense contribution to sustainable development through the use of environment-friendly technology.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">HAN's general secretary Sajan Shakya said that the plastic products used in the room as well as the bathroom, including tooth brush will also be replaced under this campaign.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shakya informed that the alternatives include bamboo materials, recycling of plastic bottles, and paper covers in soap. The campaign is expected to contribute to sustainable tourism in Nepal through competitive branding globally as a promoter of green tourism.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15121', 'image' => '20220602014245_Hotel.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 13:42:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15378', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Energy Sector not Happy with New Budget', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: Although the private sector has warmly welcomed the budget announced by the government on May 29, the energy sector seems to be dissatisfied with the budget.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">June 2: Although the private sector has warmly welcomed the budget announced by the government on May 29, the energy sector seems to be dissatisfied with the budget. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Energy producers say that the budget has taken the private sector into confidence and considers it to be an “engine” to achieve economic development. However, they argue that the budget has not addressed the concerns of the energy sector.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">They said that although the provisions related to energy sector in the budget are praiseworthy, they are not adequate. Chairman of the National Hydropower Company Kumar Pandey says that the budget did not address their major concerns. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Whatever arrangements have been made for the energy sector, they are commendable. However, the budget has not addressed the issue of major problems faced by the energy sector,” said Pandey, adding, “The energy sector has been badly affected due to the rise in interest rate and inflation. The government did not announce any policy to address this issue. Overall, the government seems to be less interested in energy sector.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Pandey said that the government did not address the issues that need immediate attention.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15120', 'image' => '20220602125334_Energy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 12:52:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15377', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'White Water Rafting under Threat from River Pollution: Tourism Entrepreneurs', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: Increasing river pollution and haphazard mining have posed a threat to white water rafting in Nepal, said tourism entrepreneurs. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 2: Increasing river pollution and haphazard mining have posed a threat to white water rafting in Nepal, said tourism entrepreneurs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Participants of the 33rd AGM of Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA) on Wednesday expressed concerns over an increasing threat to the rafting business. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Director General of the Department of Tourism, Taranath Adhikari, said they were working seriously to address the issues in the entire tourism sector. </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"">“Tourism entrepreneurs are primarily responsible for exploring ways to deal with the existing problems in the business and the department is ready to collaborate with them towards that end,” said Adhikari. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Vice Chairperson of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Chandra Prasad Rijal talked about the potentials of expanding rafting business in Nepal and the role of government for protection of rivers and streams in the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chairperson of Nepal Association of Tours and Travels Agents (NATTA ) Ramesh Thapa said rafting has contributed to the promotion of Nepal’s adventurous tourism, but those involved in this sector are now faces a challenge to sustain their business.</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"">Meahwhile, Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) chair Khum Bahadur Subedi stressed on the need of collaboration and cooperation among tourism entrepreneurs for recovery of tourism industry largely affected by COVID-19 pandemic. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">National Tourism Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal chair Deepak Mahat and Nepal Tourism Entrepreneurs Organisation chair Nawaraj Dahal said that the construction of hydropower projects in the areas having potential for rafting business had its adverse effects on the industry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">NARA chair Ganga Prasad Nepal, vice chair Mekh Bahadur Ale and general secretary Shishir Khanal urged the government to rescinding its decision to increase the amount of authorised capital required for registering a rafting company from Rs 500,000 to Rs 5 million. The AGM will elect a new leadership for the Association. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15119', 'image' => '20220602111929_white-river-rafting-nepal (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 11:17:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15376', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'House Panel tells Govt to go Ahead with Construction of Nijgadh Int’l Airport', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 31: The International Relations Committee of the Parliament has directed the government to expedite the construction of Nijgadh International Airport by getting rid of the legal hurdles.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 31: The International Relations Committee of the Parliament has directed the government to expedite the construction of Nijgadh International Airport by getting rid of the legal hurdles. A meeting of the committee held at Singha Durbar on Monday issued such directive even if it requires changing the law. The committee remarked that the decision to stop the construction of Nijgadh International Airport, which was initiated after a long study and huge investment, is not appropriate from any point of view.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The directive of the committee mentions, “It has been decided to direct the Government of Nepal to take necessary legal, administrative and practical action to expedite the construction of the airport, which is essential for the national interest, security and economic development.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chairperson of the committee Pabitra Niraula Kharel informed that the decision has been taken to immediately move ahead with the construction of the airport which is a project of national pride to strengthen the economy in line with the national interest of Nepal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Supreme Court last Thursday ordered to discontinue the construction of Nijgadh International Airport, which put the construction of airport in a state of uncertainty. Meanwhile, the government's annual policies and programmes and the budget announcement states that the construction process of the airport will continue to move forward. The budget states that the development of the project will move forth through the Investment Board by determining the investment structure. Meanwhile, members of the committee demanded the government to immediately move ahead with the construction of the airport. They emphasized that the project, which cost a lot of money from the state treasury and is linked to the future of the country, should be moved forward even if it means changing the law.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal expressed that the construction process of Nijgadh Airport, which was considered appropriate in all respects after a long study and research, should not be obstructed. Indicating that the issue of forest has been unnecessarily raised to fulfill the personal interests of some groups, he said that there will be no deforestation during the construction of the airport.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">At the meeting, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale said that he was embarrassed by the Supreme Court's order. Stating that the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal already spent Rs 3 billion on the airport and more than 8,050 hectares of land has been already acquired in the name of the airport, he emphasized that there is no alternative other than moving the project forward. He said that the Supreme Court's order disappointed the stakeholders as the preparation of master plan of the airport and the environmental impact assessment as well was already done.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Maheshwar Neupane, said that there is no alternative other than to move ahead with the construction process as the airport, which has been under discussion for almost 28 years, is suitable in all respects.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Pradip Adhikari said that if the construction process of the airport is halted, there will be loss to the overall economy of the country in the long run. He said that the Tribhuvan International Airport with a capacity to handle 9.2 million people annually will not be able to accommodate the annual increase of 10 percent of air passengers. The number of air passengers visiting Nepal has been increasing by one million every year. He stated that it is necessary to build the Nijgadh International Airport at any cost.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15118', 'image' => '20220531033349_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 15:33:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15375', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'We have brought Budget with Restraint, the Goals will be Achieved: Finance Minister', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 31: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has claimed that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year has been brought with restraint. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 31: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has claimed that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year has been brought with restraint. Speaking at a press conference at the ministry on Monday, a day after the budget for the Fiscal Year (FY 2022/23) was made public, he claimed that he had brought a restrained budget instead an election-oriented budget. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He urged everyone not to doubt that the topics mentioned in the budget will not be implemented.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We have set a definite target in the budget. The entire government apparatus is mobilized to achieve these goals. The goal is to end poverty. We have given emphasis to the development of human capital and education. The demands of the private sector have been addressed,” he shared.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Finance Minister Sharma, priority has been given to increasing employment, developing infrastructure and import substitution by making maximum use of resources. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"The upcoming budget will make the country prosperous and address the development aspirations of the people," he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Claiming that the government's policy will replace imports, Finance Minister Sharma said that the government is thinking of reducing the trade deficit by exporting cement. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We have decided to give cash subsidy and rebate on electricity tariff to the industry to promote export," he said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He added that the economic growth rate of 8 per cent will be achieved as the budget has been prepared by setting targets for the first time in every sector. Sharma also said that everyone would feel a sense of belonging as he had taken everyone's suggestions in formulating the budget and addressed their demands.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, special attention has been given to the agricultural sector considering the situation developed at the international level. The goal is to increase exports and expand employment by reducing imports. Sharma also claimed that the budget was not brought targeting the election. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"It's not an election budget. We are providing some services and facilities,” he said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government aims to achieve economic growth of 8 per cent and limit inflation to 7 per cent. This goal has been described by economists as ambitious.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We took everyone's suggestions in budget formulation. We have tried to address the issues included in the policies and programmes with the cooperation of all and under the direction of the Prime Minister,” he said.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-05-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15117', 'image' => '20220531031207_fin min sharma.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 15:11:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15374', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NRNs Welcome Budget Announcement', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 31: The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has welcomed the budget announced by the government for the upcoming fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 31: The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has welcomed the budget announced by the government for the upcoming fiscal year. The association stated that many of the demands that they were raising for a long time targeting the NRNs have been addressed in the budget for the fiscal year 2022/823.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The association said that the decision to reduce the minimum threshold of foreign investment from Rs 50 million to Rs 20 million through the budget and the arrangements for the approval of foreign investment up to Rs 100 million through an automated system are positive steps. Also, the association stated that NRNs will benefit from the legal arrangements that allows them to invest in the secondary market of securities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The association said that the laws and processes related to foreign investment should be improved in order to attract foreign investment in productive and export oriented industries and to attract investment from NRNs.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It also demanded that the land demarcation system required for establishment of industry should be reviewed and land lease should be given for 50 years. Similarly, the NRNA also welcomed the arrangement of issuing bonds targeting the Nepali citizens and NRNs who are out for foreign employment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The association released a statement on Monday saying, “We also welcome the announcement of a 50 percent deduction on renewal fees of passports, consular services and renewal of work permits for Nepali nationals in foreign employment and remittances through formal channels.”</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-05-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15116', 'image' => '20220531022923_budget new.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 14:28:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15373', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Salary of Government Employees’ goes up by 15 Percent ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 30: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has announced a 15 per cent hike in the salary of government employees for the new fiscal year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 30: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has announced a 15 per cent hike in the salary of government employees for the new fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Releasing the annual budget for the Fiscal Year 2022/023 in the Federal Parliament on Sunday, Finance Minister Sharma said that the salary of civil servants, army personnel, police personnel, teachers and all other government employees has been increased to encourage them. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The new salary level will come into force from the beginning of the new fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As stated in the annual budget, the government has pledged to bring the Federal Civil Service Act, reduce administrative costs, ensure administrative restructuring and good-governance as well as effective service delivery. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-05-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15115', 'image' => '20220531114807_salary.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 11:47:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15372', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Attaining Growth Target is Difficult to Achieve: NCC', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 31: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (CNN) has said that it is quite challenging to meet the economic growth target set by the government for the next fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">May 31: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (CNN) has said that it is quite challenging to meet the economic growth target set by the government for the next fiscal year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">While presenting the budget in parliament on Sunday, Finance Minister Janardan Sharma had claimed that the government has set a target of attaining 8 percent growth while keeping inflation below 7 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Issuing a statement on Monday, NCC said that the growth target of the government is hard to achieve.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Implementation of budget is quite challenging due to the deteriorating situation of the world economy and declining foreign exchange reserves of the country in addition to the liquidity crisis,” the statement read, adding, “As the implementation of budget is challenging, it is hard to meet the target of 8 percent economic growth while keeping inflation below 7 percent.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NCC however, praised the government’s decision to allocate Rs 55.97 billion for the agriculture sector and its transformation through commercialization and modernization. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The chamber also welcomed the government’s decision related to the energy sector. The government had announced to distribute electric stoves and avail electricity at affordable rates among others. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NCC further said that the private sector is excited by the prospect of creating conducive environment for industrialization and creation of job opportunities. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The chamber also urged the government to hold discussion with stakeholders regarding implementation of policies and programmes in an effective manner.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-05-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15114', 'image' => '20220531114649_economic-growth.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 11:45:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15371', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Increases Income Tax Ceiling', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 31: Much to the relief to middle-income people, the government has widened the income tax ceiling. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 31: Much to the relief to middle-income people, the government has widened the income tax ceiling. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Finance Minister Janardan Sharma informed while unveiling the new budget that an individual now has to pay one percent tax for up to half million income in a year. The same tax rate is applicable to the married couple for whom the income ceiling is up to Rs 600,000. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In light of the increasing economic activities in Nepal via electronic network from abroad, the government has made arrangement to bring such business under the purview of tax. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government has also decided to impost one percent tax for people residing in Nepal and work for foreign companies using electronic medium or are involved in outsourcing work using IT software and modern technology.</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"">Meanwhile, the government has projected the economic growth rate of eight percent in the upcoming fiscal year. -- RSS </span><br /> <br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-05-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15113', 'image' => '20220531105551_taxxxxx.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 10:54:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15370', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Increases Cash Subsidy for Exports', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 30: The government has increased cash subsidies for exports in the budget of the upcoming fiscal year with the aim of giving priority to import substitution by increasing domestic production and exports. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 30: The government has increased cash subsidies for exports in the budget of the upcoming fiscal year with the aim of giving priority to import substitution by increasing domestic production and exports. The government increased the subsidy limit to encourage the export of goods with high export potential from Nepal after the import-oriented economy put high pressure on the foreign currency reserves.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Presenting the budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Sunday, Finance Minister Janardan Sharma announced that arrangements have been made to provide cash subsidy of up to 8 percent on exports. Earlier, the cash subsidy was just up to 5 percent. He announced that exports will be promoted by identifying products with high export potential such as cement, steel, footwear, purified water and services based on information technology and business outsourcing.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Manufacturers of cement, steel and footwear, had been reducing their production capacity due to lack of market, but are likely to increase production and export after the announcement. The government had included cement in the list of exportable commodities in the policies and programmes of the fiscal year 2076/77. However, cement is yet to be exported. At present, Nepal is self-sufficient in cement and steel while 65 percent demand for footwear is produced within the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the industrialists of these sectors, they are still unable to operate at full capacity. On the contrary, there is a possibility of increasing production capacity along with increasing cash subsidy on exports. Similarly, the government has revised the minimum limit for foreign investment to 20 million. The government also reduced the previous threshold of Rs 50 million through the budget. It is mentioned in the budget statement that the approval of foreign investment up to Rs 100 million will be done through automated system to attract foreign investment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has launched a Special Campaign Decade starting from 2079 BS with the objective of increasing production for the development and prosperity of the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has allocated Rs 3.45 billion to start the Prime Minister's Nepali Production and Consumption Growth Program for the growth of Nepali products, job creation and export-oriented trade.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In order to increase the production and use of domestic goods, 'our production, our consumption campaign' will be launched in the new fiscal year. Similarly, Minister Sharma also announced that the Government of Nepal will provide necessary support for campaigns such as Make in Nepal and Made in Nepal implemented by the private sector. The government has allocated Rs 260 million to operate business incubation center in Hetauda Industrial Area to expand knowledge based business in partnership with the private sector.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The budget also has provision to support startups. Sharma said that he would cooperate with the state government for market promotion of the products of Karnali Province.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government announced that the construction of infrastructure of 105 industrial villages will be completed in the next fiscal year. Altogether Rs 3.79 billion has been allocated for industrial infrastructure.</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 Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In its attempt to create conducive environment for the establishment of industries in the country, the government has made provisions to lease state-owned land for 50 years. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The provisions to rent the government land would be made further simplified with a target to end unemployment and ensure favourable industrial environment, Minister Sharma said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shekhar Golchha, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), said that the budget is focused on industry, agriculture and the issues raised by the private sector has been addressed.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries Vishnu Kumar Agrawal remarked that the suggestions given to the government have been included in the budget. The private sector’s umbrella organization is preparing to release their formal opinion by conducting a detailed study of the issues in the budget. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-30', 'modified' => '2022-05-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15112', 'image' => '20220530042639_shutterstock_439601284_1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-30 16:25:57', '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
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 3: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has slashed the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene by Rs 10 per litre effective from June 3. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">With the price adjustment, petrol will now cost Rs 170 per litre while diesel and kerosene will cost Rs 153 a litre each. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government had directed the NOC to adjust the price equal to infrastructure tax on petroleum products after the price hike in the last few weeks badly affected people of all walks of life. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NOC, however, said that the prices of cooking gas (LPC) and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) will remain unchanged. A present, the price of a cooking gas cylinder is Rs 1,800 while the price of aviation turbine fuel for domestic flights is Rs 166 per litre. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-03', 'modified' => '2022-06-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15126', 'image' => '20220603081851_845791-fuel-istock-070819.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-03 08:17:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15383', 'article_category_id' => '266', 'title' => 'Ncell Brings Unlimited Data and Attractive All-Net Voice and SMS Bundle Packs', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: Nepal’s telecommunication giant Ncell launched the ‘Monsoon Dhamaka’ offer under which Ncell customers can now avail unlimited and attractive ‘data and voice+SMS bundle all-net’ packs.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">June 2: Nepal’s telecommunication giant Ncell launched the ‘Monsoon Dhamaka’ offer under which Ncell customers can now avail unlimited and attractive ‘data and voice+SMS bundle all-net’ packs.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The company said in a statement that the offer has come into effect from Thursday (June 2). The three new one-day data packs launched are tailor made to meet the daily needs of customers seeking worry-free mobile data usage. The price of the packs ranges from Rs 29 to Rs 48 including applicable taxes. According to the company, its customers can now subscribe to any of the one-day data packs by dialling *17123#.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In addition, customers who subscribe to these packs can make daily calls and SMS to any local network at most attractive prices, the statement added.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“Customers can subscribe to any of the packs as per their daily requirement of voice and SMS service. They can choose 30 min talk time and 30 SMS for Rs 12 including taxes, 100 min talk time and 100 SMS at Rs. 14 or 290 min talk time and 290 SMS at just Rs. 29. Customers can subscribe to any of the all-net voice + SMS packs by dialling *17118#.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the company, these data packs and all-net voice + SMS packs can also be subscribed via Ncell App, Ncell website, and wallets such as eSewa, Khalti, and IME Pay.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15125', 'image' => '20220602091214_ncellll.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 21:10:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15382', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Budget a Guiding Document for Every Sector: Finance Minister', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has claimed that budget is a guiding document for every sector.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">June 2: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has claimed that budget is a guiding document for every sector. Responding to the queries raised by the lawmakers in the National Assembly meeting on Wednesday, Minister Sharma informed that budget was increased by 9.68 percent this year. Generally, the budget is increased by 10 percent every year. <br /> “Resources must be mobilized well for boosting production and productivity,” he said, adding that budget has focused well on commercialization of agriculture <br /> However, cooperation from all three layers of government is imperative to fully explore agricultural potential, the minister argued. <br /> The priority to agriculture is given both in policies and programmes and the budget, he said, adding that time has come for us to increase industries to prop up national economy. <br /> Moreover, the minister said that the government would provide incentives for export but not grant. <br /> He argued that budget was focused on creation of employment and solution of present problems relating to it. “The scheme of pension to farmers was raised for respecting farmers and agriculture,” he added. <br /> As the COVID-19 subsided, there is huge potential of tourism, said the minister. If the infrastructures were set up in Everest region, it would help boost tourism, he asserted. <br /> Similarly, he informed that the budget had incorporated the issues of distributing land ownership certificates to the landless and prioritizing cooperatives to link with production. <br /> According to Finance Minister Sharma, adequate and utilizable budget was allocated to the national pride projects. The budget to be sent to the lower tiers of government was increased by 11 percent, minister Sharma clarified. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15124', 'image' => '20220602052434_fin min sharma.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 17:23:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15381', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government to Fine up to Rs 100,000 for Keeping Land Fallow', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: The government has issued the land-use regulation that has a provision of slapping individuals with a fine of up to Rs 100,000 for keeping arable land fallow for three consecutive years.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 2: The government has issued the land-use regulation that has a provision of slapping individuals with a fine of up to Rs 100,000 for keeping arable land fallow for three consecutive years.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The regulations approved after two years of debate will be published in the Nepal Gazette in one or two days. Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Shashi Shrestha said that the land use regulations have been approved by dividing the total area of Nepal into 10 categories. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The new regulations are against plotting of land after it was found that the land dealers were involved in acquiring agricultural land in throw-away prices and selling them at high price after plotting the land.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Now, the government had decided to fine the land plotter Rs 100,000 if they are found involved in such act.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Secretary at the Ministry, Ram Prasad Thapaliya, said that this decision of the government would further reduce the real estate business and reduce the price of land other than the residential areas. Aftter the land use regulations will be implemented from the day it is published in the Nepal Gazette, it will not be possible to build a house on the land purchased on agricultural land.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">However, the government will not demolish the houses already built, said Janak Raj Joshi, joint secretary and spokesperson of the ministry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that since the Land Use Act was enacted two years ago, it has not been possible to build houses on agricultural land. Now no one get away with the excuse that they didn’t know that land plot was for agricultural purpose.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has a policy of connecting the agricultural sector with the road network and encouraging farming by circling the fields. Spokesperson Joshi said that the ministry will closely monitor the implementation of the regulations at the local level. The ministry is now preparing to set up a separate mechanism to be monitored by the land management department and the ministry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It took almost three years to issue the regulations of the Land Use Act, which was issued by the parliament in August 2018. The purpose of the regulations is to classify the entire land of the country into different land-use areas, to formulate land use plans at the federal, state and local levels, to use land according to land use classification and plan, and to determine the land tax based on the use.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15123', 'image' => '20220602044214_Agri.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 16:41:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15380', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Issues Land Use Regulations, Classifies Land into 10 Zones ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: The government has issued the Land Use Regulations, dividing land into 10 zones based on their features. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 2: The government has issued the Land Use Regulations, dividing land into 10 zones based on their features. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Shashi Shrestha issued the regulations amid a press conference on Wednesday (June 1) and informed about the classification of land. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the government’s decision, the country’s land has been categorized as agricultural zone, residential zone, commercial zone, industrial zone, area of mines and minerals, forest zone, public use zone, area of cultural and archeological importance, and others based on topographic features, efficiency and utility of land, its existing use and necessity. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The minister said that the regulations prohibit commercial land plotting and its sale in areas except in classified areas for residential purposes. She was hopeful of the implementation of the regulations as it was issued in coordination with the stakeholders. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The regulations have the provision that the federal level will deal with the land use mapping procedures across the country and hand it to the local level which can revise and update the mapping as per its needs and implement it. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similar, one land zone may have sub-zones such as grains production sub-zone and fruits production sub-zone, according to the minister. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The regulations grant the right to land owner to go to a court if the party finds the classification unconvincing. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the minister, federal, province and local levels will prepare land use plans and the province should not to prepare a plan that contradicts with the federal plan and the local levels’ plans should not go against the provincial plan.</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"">Likewise the regulations do not entertain the use of a land classified into one category for another purpose and the land use classification is changeable through a due process. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, the federal government can alter the land use if valuable minerals are found in the land use zone, if priority projects were to be operated on it or for any other plausible reason like the land falling in the international border security area, development, tourism, world heritage sites etc. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The local level can change the land use for the purpose of disaster risk management, shifting the insecure settlements, prepare the basis and criteria required for regulating and checking the land plotting and demarcation. Provision has also been made for implementing the land pooling programme for the purpose of mechanization of agricultural land. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Shrestha said that an action plan would be prepared for the implementation of the Land Use Regulations. A meeting of the Council of Ministers had on May 23 approved the Regulations. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, Minister Shrestha said that the land bank has not been revoked. She said it has only been suspended for the time being. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15122', 'image' => '20220602035828_CKK_KTM_MantriSashiShreshta(2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 15:57:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15379', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Plastic-Free Hotels in Nepal by 2024: HAN', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) has launched a campaign to get rid of disposable plastics in hotel rooms.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 2: Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) has launched a campaign to get rid of disposable plastics in hotel rooms. HAN aims to get rid of plastics and other disposable materials that are used once but not used again. HAN has set a target of achieving this objective within the next two years, i.e., by 2024.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">HAN informed about the campaign at a press conference organized in Kathmandu on Wednesday. Speaking on the occasion, President of HAN, Sirjana Rana said that the campaign was launched with the aim of reducing and eliminating the use of plastic items in hotel rooms and gradually replacing them as much as possible in the long run.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“This will contribute to the protection of the Nepali hotel industry and the environment of the nation as a whole. Everything we do must be environmentally friendly,” said Rana. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">She informed that the campaign has been launched to encourage the tourism that is returning back to normalcy from the impacts of Covid-19. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Recent report published by various booking portals such as Booking.com show that 68 percent of the guests seem to prefer eco-friendly hotels nowadays,” said Rana.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">HAN also introduced long-term use of reusable materials that are used in large quantities in hotel rooms. The umbrella body of hotels in Nepal informed that it is possible to make immense contribution to sustainable development through the use of environment-friendly technology.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">HAN's general secretary Sajan Shakya said that the plastic products used in the room as well as the bathroom, including tooth brush will also be replaced under this campaign.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shakya informed that the alternatives include bamboo materials, recycling of plastic bottles, and paper covers in soap. The campaign is expected to contribute to sustainable tourism in Nepal through competitive branding globally as a promoter of green tourism.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15121', 'image' => '20220602014245_Hotel.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 13:42:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15378', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Energy Sector not Happy with New Budget', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: Although the private sector has warmly welcomed the budget announced by the government on May 29, the energy sector seems to be dissatisfied with the budget.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">June 2: Although the private sector has warmly welcomed the budget announced by the government on May 29, the energy sector seems to be dissatisfied with the budget. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Energy producers say that the budget has taken the private sector into confidence and considers it to be an “engine” to achieve economic development. However, they argue that the budget has not addressed the concerns of the energy sector.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">They said that although the provisions related to energy sector in the budget are praiseworthy, they are not adequate. Chairman of the National Hydropower Company Kumar Pandey says that the budget did not address their major concerns. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Whatever arrangements have been made for the energy sector, they are commendable. However, the budget has not addressed the issue of major problems faced by the energy sector,” said Pandey, adding, “The energy sector has been badly affected due to the rise in interest rate and inflation. The government did not announce any policy to address this issue. Overall, the government seems to be less interested in energy sector.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Pandey said that the government did not address the issues that need immediate attention.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15120', 'image' => '20220602125334_Energy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 12:52:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15377', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'White Water Rafting under Threat from River Pollution: Tourism Entrepreneurs', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: Increasing river pollution and haphazard mining have posed a threat to white water rafting in Nepal, said tourism entrepreneurs. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 2: Increasing river pollution and haphazard mining have posed a threat to white water rafting in Nepal, said tourism entrepreneurs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Participants of the 33rd AGM of Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA) on Wednesday expressed concerns over an increasing threat to the rafting business. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Director General of the Department of Tourism, Taranath Adhikari, said they were working seriously to address the issues in the entire tourism sector. </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"">“Tourism entrepreneurs are primarily responsible for exploring ways to deal with the existing problems in the business and the department is ready to collaborate with them towards that end,” said Adhikari. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Vice Chairperson of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Chandra Prasad Rijal talked about the potentials of expanding rafting business in Nepal and the role of government for protection of rivers and streams in the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chairperson of Nepal Association of Tours and Travels Agents (NATTA ) Ramesh Thapa said rafting has contributed to the promotion of Nepal’s adventurous tourism, but those involved in this sector are now faces a challenge to sustain their business.</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"">Meahwhile, Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) chair Khum Bahadur Subedi stressed on the need of collaboration and cooperation among tourism entrepreneurs for recovery of tourism industry largely affected by COVID-19 pandemic. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">National Tourism Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal chair Deepak Mahat and Nepal Tourism Entrepreneurs Organisation chair Nawaraj Dahal said that the construction of hydropower projects in the areas having potential for rafting business had its adverse effects on the industry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">NARA chair Ganga Prasad Nepal, vice chair Mekh Bahadur Ale and general secretary Shishir Khanal urged the government to rescinding its decision to increase the amount of authorised capital required for registering a rafting company from Rs 500,000 to Rs 5 million. The AGM will elect a new leadership for the Association. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15119', 'image' => '20220602111929_white-river-rafting-nepal (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 11:17:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15376', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'House Panel tells Govt to go Ahead with Construction of Nijgadh Int’l Airport', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 31: The International Relations Committee of the Parliament has directed the government to expedite the construction of Nijgadh International Airport by getting rid of the legal hurdles.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 31: The International Relations Committee of the Parliament has directed the government to expedite the construction of Nijgadh International Airport by getting rid of the legal hurdles. A meeting of the committee held at Singha Durbar on Monday issued such directive even if it requires changing the law. The committee remarked that the decision to stop the construction of Nijgadh International Airport, which was initiated after a long study and huge investment, is not appropriate from any point of view.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The directive of the committee mentions, “It has been decided to direct the Government of Nepal to take necessary legal, administrative and practical action to expedite the construction of the airport, which is essential for the national interest, security and economic development.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chairperson of the committee Pabitra Niraula Kharel informed that the decision has been taken to immediately move ahead with the construction of the airport which is a project of national pride to strengthen the economy in line with the national interest of Nepal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Supreme Court last Thursday ordered to discontinue the construction of Nijgadh International Airport, which put the construction of airport in a state of uncertainty. Meanwhile, the government's annual policies and programmes and the budget announcement states that the construction process of the airport will continue to move forward. The budget states that the development of the project will move forth through the Investment Board by determining the investment structure. Meanwhile, members of the committee demanded the government to immediately move ahead with the construction of the airport. They emphasized that the project, which cost a lot of money from the state treasury and is linked to the future of the country, should be moved forward even if it means changing the law.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal expressed that the construction process of Nijgadh Airport, which was considered appropriate in all respects after a long study and research, should not be obstructed. Indicating that the issue of forest has been unnecessarily raised to fulfill the personal interests of some groups, he said that there will be no deforestation during the construction of the airport.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">At the meeting, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale said that he was embarrassed by the Supreme Court's order. Stating that the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal already spent Rs 3 billion on the airport and more than 8,050 hectares of land has been already acquired in the name of the airport, he emphasized that there is no alternative other than moving the project forward. He said that the Supreme Court's order disappointed the stakeholders as the preparation of master plan of the airport and the environmental impact assessment as well was already done.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Maheshwar Neupane, said that there is no alternative other than to move ahead with the construction process as the airport, which has been under discussion for almost 28 years, is suitable in all respects.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Pradip Adhikari said that if the construction process of the airport is halted, there will be loss to the overall economy of the country in the long run. He said that the Tribhuvan International Airport with a capacity to handle 9.2 million people annually will not be able to accommodate the annual increase of 10 percent of air passengers. The number of air passengers visiting Nepal has been increasing by one million every year. He stated that it is necessary to build the Nijgadh International Airport at any cost.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15118', 'image' => '20220531033349_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 15:33:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15375', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'We have brought Budget with Restraint, the Goals will be Achieved: Finance Minister', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 31: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has claimed that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year has been brought with restraint. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 31: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has claimed that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year has been brought with restraint. Speaking at a press conference at the ministry on Monday, a day after the budget for the Fiscal Year (FY 2022/23) was made public, he claimed that he had brought a restrained budget instead an election-oriented budget. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He urged everyone not to doubt that the topics mentioned in the budget will not be implemented.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We have set a definite target in the budget. The entire government apparatus is mobilized to achieve these goals. The goal is to end poverty. We have given emphasis to the development of human capital and education. The demands of the private sector have been addressed,” he shared.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Finance Minister Sharma, priority has been given to increasing employment, developing infrastructure and import substitution by making maximum use of resources. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"The upcoming budget will make the country prosperous and address the development aspirations of the people," he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Claiming that the government's policy will replace imports, Finance Minister Sharma said that the government is thinking of reducing the trade deficit by exporting cement. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We have decided to give cash subsidy and rebate on electricity tariff to the industry to promote export," he said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He added that the economic growth rate of 8 per cent will be achieved as the budget has been prepared by setting targets for the first time in every sector. Sharma also said that everyone would feel a sense of belonging as he had taken everyone's suggestions in formulating the budget and addressed their demands.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, special attention has been given to the agricultural sector considering the situation developed at the international level. The goal is to increase exports and expand employment by reducing imports. Sharma also claimed that the budget was not brought targeting the election. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"It's not an election budget. We are providing some services and facilities,” he said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government aims to achieve economic growth of 8 per cent and limit inflation to 7 per cent. This goal has been described by economists as ambitious.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We took everyone's suggestions in budget formulation. We have tried to address the issues included in the policies and programmes with the cooperation of all and under the direction of the Prime Minister,” he said.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-05-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15117', 'image' => '20220531031207_fin min sharma.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 15:11:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15374', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NRNs Welcome Budget Announcement', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 31: The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has welcomed the budget announced by the government for the upcoming fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 31: The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has welcomed the budget announced by the government for the upcoming fiscal year. The association stated that many of the demands that they were raising for a long time targeting the NRNs have been addressed in the budget for the fiscal year 2022/823.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The association said that the decision to reduce the minimum threshold of foreign investment from Rs 50 million to Rs 20 million through the budget and the arrangements for the approval of foreign investment up to Rs 100 million through an automated system are positive steps. Also, the association stated that NRNs will benefit from the legal arrangements that allows them to invest in the secondary market of securities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The association said that the laws and processes related to foreign investment should be improved in order to attract foreign investment in productive and export oriented industries and to attract investment from NRNs.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It also demanded that the land demarcation system required for establishment of industry should be reviewed and land lease should be given for 50 years. Similarly, the NRNA also welcomed the arrangement of issuing bonds targeting the Nepali citizens and NRNs who are out for foreign employment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The association released a statement on Monday saying, “We also welcome the announcement of a 50 percent deduction on renewal fees of passports, consular services and renewal of work permits for Nepali nationals in foreign employment and remittances through formal channels.”</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-05-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15116', 'image' => '20220531022923_budget new.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 14:28:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15373', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Salary of Government Employees’ goes up by 15 Percent ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 30: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has announced a 15 per cent hike in the salary of government employees for the new fiscal year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 30: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has announced a 15 per cent hike in the salary of government employees for the new fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Releasing the annual budget for the Fiscal Year 2022/023 in the Federal Parliament on Sunday, Finance Minister Sharma said that the salary of civil servants, army personnel, police personnel, teachers and all other government employees has been increased to encourage them. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The new salary level will come into force from the beginning of the new fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As stated in the annual budget, the government has pledged to bring the Federal Civil Service Act, reduce administrative costs, ensure administrative restructuring and good-governance as well as effective service delivery. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-05-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15115', 'image' => '20220531114807_salary.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 11:47:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15372', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Attaining Growth Target is Difficult to Achieve: NCC', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 31: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (CNN) has said that it is quite challenging to meet the economic growth target set by the government for the next fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">May 31: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (CNN) has said that it is quite challenging to meet the economic growth target set by the government for the next fiscal year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">While presenting the budget in parliament on Sunday, Finance Minister Janardan Sharma had claimed that the government has set a target of attaining 8 percent growth while keeping inflation below 7 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Issuing a statement on Monday, NCC said that the growth target of the government is hard to achieve.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Implementation of budget is quite challenging due to the deteriorating situation of the world economy and declining foreign exchange reserves of the country in addition to the liquidity crisis,” the statement read, adding, “As the implementation of budget is challenging, it is hard to meet the target of 8 percent economic growth while keeping inflation below 7 percent.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NCC however, praised the government’s decision to allocate Rs 55.97 billion for the agriculture sector and its transformation through commercialization and modernization. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The chamber also welcomed the government’s decision related to the energy sector. The government had announced to distribute electric stoves and avail electricity at affordable rates among others. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NCC further said that the private sector is excited by the prospect of creating conducive environment for industrialization and creation of job opportunities. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The chamber also urged the government to hold discussion with stakeholders regarding implementation of policies and programmes in an effective manner.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-05-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15114', 'image' => '20220531114649_economic-growth.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 11:45:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15371', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Increases Income Tax Ceiling', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 31: Much to the relief to middle-income people, the government has widened the income tax ceiling. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 31: Much to the relief to middle-income people, the government has widened the income tax ceiling. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Finance Minister Janardan Sharma informed while unveiling the new budget that an individual now has to pay one percent tax for up to half million income in a year. The same tax rate is applicable to the married couple for whom the income ceiling is up to Rs 600,000. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In light of the increasing economic activities in Nepal via electronic network from abroad, the government has made arrangement to bring such business under the purview of tax. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government has also decided to impost one percent tax for people residing in Nepal and work for foreign companies using electronic medium or are involved in outsourcing work using IT software and modern technology.</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"">Meanwhile, the government has projected the economic growth rate of eight percent in the upcoming fiscal year. -- RSS </span><br /> <br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-05-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15113', 'image' => '20220531105551_taxxxxx.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 10:54:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15370', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Increases Cash Subsidy for Exports', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 30: The government has increased cash subsidies for exports in the budget of the upcoming fiscal year with the aim of giving priority to import substitution by increasing domestic production and exports. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 30: The government has increased cash subsidies for exports in the budget of the upcoming fiscal year with the aim of giving priority to import substitution by increasing domestic production and exports. The government increased the subsidy limit to encourage the export of goods with high export potential from Nepal after the import-oriented economy put high pressure on the foreign currency reserves.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Presenting the budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Sunday, Finance Minister Janardan Sharma announced that arrangements have been made to provide cash subsidy of up to 8 percent on exports. Earlier, the cash subsidy was just up to 5 percent. He announced that exports will be promoted by identifying products with high export potential such as cement, steel, footwear, purified water and services based on information technology and business outsourcing.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Manufacturers of cement, steel and footwear, had been reducing their production capacity due to lack of market, but are likely to increase production and export after the announcement. The government had included cement in the list of exportable commodities in the policies and programmes of the fiscal year 2076/77. However, cement is yet to be exported. At present, Nepal is self-sufficient in cement and steel while 65 percent demand for footwear is produced within the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the industrialists of these sectors, they are still unable to operate at full capacity. On the contrary, there is a possibility of increasing production capacity along with increasing cash subsidy on exports. Similarly, the government has revised the minimum limit for foreign investment to 20 million. The government also reduced the previous threshold of Rs 50 million through the budget. It is mentioned in the budget statement that the approval of foreign investment up to Rs 100 million will be done through automated system to attract foreign investment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has launched a Special Campaign Decade starting from 2079 BS with the objective of increasing production for the development and prosperity of the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has allocated Rs 3.45 billion to start the Prime Minister's Nepali Production and Consumption Growth Program for the growth of Nepali products, job creation and export-oriented trade.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In order to increase the production and use of domestic goods, 'our production, our consumption campaign' will be launched in the new fiscal year. Similarly, Minister Sharma also announced that the Government of Nepal will provide necessary support for campaigns such as Make in Nepal and Made in Nepal implemented by the private sector. The government has allocated Rs 260 million to operate business incubation center in Hetauda Industrial Area to expand knowledge based business in partnership with the private sector.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The budget also has provision to support startups. Sharma said that he would cooperate with the state government for market promotion of the products of Karnali Province.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government announced that the construction of infrastructure of 105 industrial villages will be completed in the next fiscal year. Altogether Rs 3.79 billion has been allocated for industrial infrastructure.</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 Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In its attempt to create conducive environment for the establishment of industries in the country, the government has made provisions to lease state-owned land for 50 years. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The provisions to rent the government land would be made further simplified with a target to end unemployment and ensure favourable industrial environment, Minister Sharma said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shekhar Golchha, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), said that the budget is focused on industry, agriculture and the issues raised by the private sector has been addressed.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries Vishnu Kumar Agrawal remarked that the suggestions given to the government have been included in the budget. The private sector’s umbrella organization is preparing to release their formal opinion by conducting a detailed study of the issues in the budget. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-30', 'modified' => '2022-05-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15112', 'image' => '20220530042639_shutterstock_439601284_1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-30 16:25:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15384', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NOC Slashes Prices of Petroleum Products', 'sub_title' => 'Prices of Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene down by Rs 10 per Litre ', 'summary' => 'June 3: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has slashed the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene by Rs 10 per litre effective from June 3. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 3: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has slashed the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene by Rs 10 per litre effective from June 3. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">With the price adjustment, petrol will now cost Rs 170 per litre while diesel and kerosene will cost Rs 153 a litre each. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government had directed the NOC to adjust the price equal to infrastructure tax on petroleum products after the price hike in the last few weeks badly affected people of all walks of life. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NOC, however, said that the prices of cooking gas (LPC) and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) will remain unchanged. A present, the price of a cooking gas cylinder is Rs 1,800 while the price of aviation turbine fuel for domestic flights is Rs 166 per litre. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-03', 'modified' => '2022-06-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15126', 'image' => '20220603081851_845791-fuel-istock-070819.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-03 08:17:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15383', 'article_category_id' => '266', 'title' => 'Ncell Brings Unlimited Data and Attractive All-Net Voice and SMS Bundle Packs', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: Nepal’s telecommunication giant Ncell launched the ‘Monsoon Dhamaka’ offer under which Ncell customers can now avail unlimited and attractive ‘data and voice+SMS bundle all-net’ packs.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">June 2: Nepal’s telecommunication giant Ncell launched the ‘Monsoon Dhamaka’ offer under which Ncell customers can now avail unlimited and attractive ‘data and voice+SMS bundle all-net’ packs.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The company said in a statement that the offer has come into effect from Thursday (June 2). The three new one-day data packs launched are tailor made to meet the daily needs of customers seeking worry-free mobile data usage. The price of the packs ranges from Rs 29 to Rs 48 including applicable taxes. According to the company, its customers can now subscribe to any of the one-day data packs by dialling *17123#.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In addition, customers who subscribe to these packs can make daily calls and SMS to any local network at most attractive prices, the statement added.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“Customers can subscribe to any of the packs as per their daily requirement of voice and SMS service. They can choose 30 min talk time and 30 SMS for Rs 12 including taxes, 100 min talk time and 100 SMS at Rs. 14 or 290 min talk time and 290 SMS at just Rs. 29. Customers can subscribe to any of the all-net voice + SMS packs by dialling *17118#.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the company, these data packs and all-net voice + SMS packs can also be subscribed via Ncell App, Ncell website, and wallets such as eSewa, Khalti, and IME Pay.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15125', 'image' => '20220602091214_ncellll.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 21:10:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15382', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Budget a Guiding Document for Every Sector: Finance Minister', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has claimed that budget is a guiding document for every sector.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">June 2: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has claimed that budget is a guiding document for every sector. Responding to the queries raised by the lawmakers in the National Assembly meeting on Wednesday, Minister Sharma informed that budget was increased by 9.68 percent this year. Generally, the budget is increased by 10 percent every year. <br /> “Resources must be mobilized well for boosting production and productivity,” he said, adding that budget has focused well on commercialization of agriculture <br /> However, cooperation from all three layers of government is imperative to fully explore agricultural potential, the minister argued. <br /> The priority to agriculture is given both in policies and programmes and the budget, he said, adding that time has come for us to increase industries to prop up national economy. <br /> Moreover, the minister said that the government would provide incentives for export but not grant. <br /> He argued that budget was focused on creation of employment and solution of present problems relating to it. “The scheme of pension to farmers was raised for respecting farmers and agriculture,” he added. <br /> As the COVID-19 subsided, there is huge potential of tourism, said the minister. If the infrastructures were set up in Everest region, it would help boost tourism, he asserted. <br /> Similarly, he informed that the budget had incorporated the issues of distributing land ownership certificates to the landless and prioritizing cooperatives to link with production. <br /> According to Finance Minister Sharma, adequate and utilizable budget was allocated to the national pride projects. The budget to be sent to the lower tiers of government was increased by 11 percent, minister Sharma clarified. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15124', 'image' => '20220602052434_fin min sharma.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 17:23:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15381', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government to Fine up to Rs 100,000 for Keeping Land Fallow', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: The government has issued the land-use regulation that has a provision of slapping individuals with a fine of up to Rs 100,000 for keeping arable land fallow for three consecutive years.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 2: The government has issued the land-use regulation that has a provision of slapping individuals with a fine of up to Rs 100,000 for keeping arable land fallow for three consecutive years.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The regulations approved after two years of debate will be published in the Nepal Gazette in one or two days. Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Shashi Shrestha said that the land use regulations have been approved by dividing the total area of Nepal into 10 categories. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The new regulations are against plotting of land after it was found that the land dealers were involved in acquiring agricultural land in throw-away prices and selling them at high price after plotting the land.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Now, the government had decided to fine the land plotter Rs 100,000 if they are found involved in such act.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Secretary at the Ministry, Ram Prasad Thapaliya, said that this decision of the government would further reduce the real estate business and reduce the price of land other than the residential areas. Aftter the land use regulations will be implemented from the day it is published in the Nepal Gazette, it will not be possible to build a house on the land purchased on agricultural land.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">However, the government will not demolish the houses already built, said Janak Raj Joshi, joint secretary and spokesperson of the ministry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that since the Land Use Act was enacted two years ago, it has not been possible to build houses on agricultural land. Now no one get away with the excuse that they didn’t know that land plot was for agricultural purpose.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has a policy of connecting the agricultural sector with the road network and encouraging farming by circling the fields. Spokesperson Joshi said that the ministry will closely monitor the implementation of the regulations at the local level. The ministry is now preparing to set up a separate mechanism to be monitored by the land management department and the ministry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It took almost three years to issue the regulations of the Land Use Act, which was issued by the parliament in August 2018. The purpose of the regulations is to classify the entire land of the country into different land-use areas, to formulate land use plans at the federal, state and local levels, to use land according to land use classification and plan, and to determine the land tax based on the use.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15123', 'image' => '20220602044214_Agri.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 16:41:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15380', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Issues Land Use Regulations, Classifies Land into 10 Zones ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: The government has issued the Land Use Regulations, dividing land into 10 zones based on their features. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 2: The government has issued the Land Use Regulations, dividing land into 10 zones based on their features. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Shashi Shrestha issued the regulations amid a press conference on Wednesday (June 1) and informed about the classification of land. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the government’s decision, the country’s land has been categorized as agricultural zone, residential zone, commercial zone, industrial zone, area of mines and minerals, forest zone, public use zone, area of cultural and archeological importance, and others based on topographic features, efficiency and utility of land, its existing use and necessity. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The minister said that the regulations prohibit commercial land plotting and its sale in areas except in classified areas for residential purposes. She was hopeful of the implementation of the regulations as it was issued in coordination with the stakeholders. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The regulations have the provision that the federal level will deal with the land use mapping procedures across the country and hand it to the local level which can revise and update the mapping as per its needs and implement it. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similar, one land zone may have sub-zones such as grains production sub-zone and fruits production sub-zone, according to the minister. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The regulations grant the right to land owner to go to a court if the party finds the classification unconvincing. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the minister, federal, province and local levels will prepare land use plans and the province should not to prepare a plan that contradicts with the federal plan and the local levels’ plans should not go against the provincial plan.</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"">Likewise the regulations do not entertain the use of a land classified into one category for another purpose and the land use classification is changeable through a due process. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, the federal government can alter the land use if valuable minerals are found in the land use zone, if priority projects were to be operated on it or for any other plausible reason like the land falling in the international border security area, development, tourism, world heritage sites etc. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The local level can change the land use for the purpose of disaster risk management, shifting the insecure settlements, prepare the basis and criteria required for regulating and checking the land plotting and demarcation. Provision has also been made for implementing the land pooling programme for the purpose of mechanization of agricultural land. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Shrestha said that an action plan would be prepared for the implementation of the Land Use Regulations. A meeting of the Council of Ministers had on May 23 approved the Regulations. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, Minister Shrestha said that the land bank has not been revoked. She said it has only been suspended for the time being. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15122', 'image' => '20220602035828_CKK_KTM_MantriSashiShreshta(2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 15:57:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15379', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Plastic-Free Hotels in Nepal by 2024: HAN', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) has launched a campaign to get rid of disposable plastics in hotel rooms.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 2: Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) has launched a campaign to get rid of disposable plastics in hotel rooms. HAN aims to get rid of plastics and other disposable materials that are used once but not used again. HAN has set a target of achieving this objective within the next two years, i.e., by 2024.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">HAN informed about the campaign at a press conference organized in Kathmandu on Wednesday. Speaking on the occasion, President of HAN, Sirjana Rana said that the campaign was launched with the aim of reducing and eliminating the use of plastic items in hotel rooms and gradually replacing them as much as possible in the long run.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“This will contribute to the protection of the Nepali hotel industry and the environment of the nation as a whole. Everything we do must be environmentally friendly,” said Rana. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">She informed that the campaign has been launched to encourage the tourism that is returning back to normalcy from the impacts of Covid-19. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Recent report published by various booking portals such as Booking.com show that 68 percent of the guests seem to prefer eco-friendly hotels nowadays,” said Rana.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">HAN also introduced long-term use of reusable materials that are used in large quantities in hotel rooms. The umbrella body of hotels in Nepal informed that it is possible to make immense contribution to sustainable development through the use of environment-friendly technology.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">HAN's general secretary Sajan Shakya said that the plastic products used in the room as well as the bathroom, including tooth brush will also be replaced under this campaign.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shakya informed that the alternatives include bamboo materials, recycling of plastic bottles, and paper covers in soap. The campaign is expected to contribute to sustainable tourism in Nepal through competitive branding globally as a promoter of green tourism.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15121', 'image' => '20220602014245_Hotel.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 13:42:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15378', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Energy Sector not Happy with New Budget', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: Although the private sector has warmly welcomed the budget announced by the government on May 29, the energy sector seems to be dissatisfied with the budget.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">June 2: Although the private sector has warmly welcomed the budget announced by the government on May 29, the energy sector seems to be dissatisfied with the budget. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Energy producers say that the budget has taken the private sector into confidence and considers it to be an “engine” to achieve economic development. However, they argue that the budget has not addressed the concerns of the energy sector.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">They said that although the provisions related to energy sector in the budget are praiseworthy, they are not adequate. Chairman of the National Hydropower Company Kumar Pandey says that the budget did not address their major concerns. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Whatever arrangements have been made for the energy sector, they are commendable. However, the budget has not addressed the issue of major problems faced by the energy sector,” said Pandey, adding, “The energy sector has been badly affected due to the rise in interest rate and inflation. The government did not announce any policy to address this issue. Overall, the government seems to be less interested in energy sector.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Pandey said that the government did not address the issues that need immediate attention.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15120', 'image' => '20220602125334_Energy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 12:52:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15377', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'White Water Rafting under Threat from River Pollution: Tourism Entrepreneurs', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 2: Increasing river pollution and haphazard mining have posed a threat to white water rafting in Nepal, said tourism entrepreneurs. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 2: Increasing river pollution and haphazard mining have posed a threat to white water rafting in Nepal, said tourism entrepreneurs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Participants of the 33rd AGM of Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA) on Wednesday expressed concerns over an increasing threat to the rafting business. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Director General of the Department of Tourism, Taranath Adhikari, said they were working seriously to address the issues in the entire tourism sector. </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"">“Tourism entrepreneurs are primarily responsible for exploring ways to deal with the existing problems in the business and the department is ready to collaborate with them towards that end,” said Adhikari. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Vice Chairperson of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Chandra Prasad Rijal talked about the potentials of expanding rafting business in Nepal and the role of government for protection of rivers and streams in the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chairperson of Nepal Association of Tours and Travels Agents (NATTA ) Ramesh Thapa said rafting has contributed to the promotion of Nepal’s adventurous tourism, but those involved in this sector are now faces a challenge to sustain their business.</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"">Meahwhile, Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) chair Khum Bahadur Subedi stressed on the need of collaboration and cooperation among tourism entrepreneurs for recovery of tourism industry largely affected by COVID-19 pandemic. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">National Tourism Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal chair Deepak Mahat and Nepal Tourism Entrepreneurs Organisation chair Nawaraj Dahal said that the construction of hydropower projects in the areas having potential for rafting business had its adverse effects on the industry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">NARA chair Ganga Prasad Nepal, vice chair Mekh Bahadur Ale and general secretary Shishir Khanal urged the government to rescinding its decision to increase the amount of authorised capital required for registering a rafting company from Rs 500,000 to Rs 5 million. The AGM will elect a new leadership for the Association. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-06-02', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15119', 'image' => '20220602111929_white-river-rafting-nepal (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-06-02 11:17:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15376', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'House Panel tells Govt to go Ahead with Construction of Nijgadh Int’l Airport', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 31: The International Relations Committee of the Parliament has directed the government to expedite the construction of Nijgadh International Airport by getting rid of the legal hurdles.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 31: The International Relations Committee of the Parliament has directed the government to expedite the construction of Nijgadh International Airport by getting rid of the legal hurdles. A meeting of the committee held at Singha Durbar on Monday issued such directive even if it requires changing the law. The committee remarked that the decision to stop the construction of Nijgadh International Airport, which was initiated after a long study and huge investment, is not appropriate from any point of view.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The directive of the committee mentions, “It has been decided to direct the Government of Nepal to take necessary legal, administrative and practical action to expedite the construction of the airport, which is essential for the national interest, security and economic development.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chairperson of the committee Pabitra Niraula Kharel informed that the decision has been taken to immediately move ahead with the construction of the airport which is a project of national pride to strengthen the economy in line with the national interest of Nepal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Supreme Court last Thursday ordered to discontinue the construction of Nijgadh International Airport, which put the construction of airport in a state of uncertainty. Meanwhile, the government's annual policies and programmes and the budget announcement states that the construction process of the airport will continue to move forward. The budget states that the development of the project will move forth through the Investment Board by determining the investment structure. Meanwhile, members of the committee demanded the government to immediately move ahead with the construction of the airport. They emphasized that the project, which cost a lot of money from the state treasury and is linked to the future of the country, should be moved forward even if it means changing the law.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal expressed that the construction process of Nijgadh Airport, which was considered appropriate in all respects after a long study and research, should not be obstructed. Indicating that the issue of forest has been unnecessarily raised to fulfill the personal interests of some groups, he said that there will be no deforestation during the construction of the airport.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">At the meeting, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale said that he was embarrassed by the Supreme Court's order. Stating that the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal already spent Rs 3 billion on the airport and more than 8,050 hectares of land has been already acquired in the name of the airport, he emphasized that there is no alternative other than moving the project forward. He said that the Supreme Court's order disappointed the stakeholders as the preparation of master plan of the airport and the environmental impact assessment as well was already done.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Maheshwar Neupane, said that there is no alternative other than to move ahead with the construction process as the airport, which has been under discussion for almost 28 years, is suitable in all respects.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Pradip Adhikari said that if the construction process of the airport is halted, there will be loss to the overall economy of the country in the long run. He said that the Tribhuvan International Airport with a capacity to handle 9.2 million people annually will not be able to accommodate the annual increase of 10 percent of air passengers. The number of air passengers visiting Nepal has been increasing by one million every year. He stated that it is necessary to build the Nijgadh International Airport at any cost.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-06-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15118', 'image' => '20220531033349_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 15:33:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15375', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'We have brought Budget with Restraint, the Goals will be Achieved: Finance Minister', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 31: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has claimed that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year has been brought with restraint. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 31: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has claimed that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year has been brought with restraint. Speaking at a press conference at the ministry on Monday, a day after the budget for the Fiscal Year (FY 2022/23) was made public, he claimed that he had brought a restrained budget instead an election-oriented budget. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He urged everyone not to doubt that the topics mentioned in the budget will not be implemented.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We have set a definite target in the budget. The entire government apparatus is mobilized to achieve these goals. The goal is to end poverty. We have given emphasis to the development of human capital and education. The demands of the private sector have been addressed,” he shared.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Finance Minister Sharma, priority has been given to increasing employment, developing infrastructure and import substitution by making maximum use of resources. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"The upcoming budget will make the country prosperous and address the development aspirations of the people," he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Claiming that the government's policy will replace imports, Finance Minister Sharma said that the government is thinking of reducing the trade deficit by exporting cement. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We have decided to give cash subsidy and rebate on electricity tariff to the industry to promote export," he said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He added that the economic growth rate of 8 per cent will be achieved as the budget has been prepared by setting targets for the first time in every sector. Sharma also said that everyone would feel a sense of belonging as he had taken everyone's suggestions in formulating the budget and addressed their demands.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, special attention has been given to the agricultural sector considering the situation developed at the international level. The goal is to increase exports and expand employment by reducing imports. Sharma also claimed that the budget was not brought targeting the election. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"It's not an election budget. We are providing some services and facilities,” he said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government aims to achieve economic growth of 8 per cent and limit inflation to 7 per cent. This goal has been described by economists as ambitious.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We took everyone's suggestions in budget formulation. We have tried to address the issues included in the policies and programmes with the cooperation of all and under the direction of the Prime Minister,” he said.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-05-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15117', 'image' => '20220531031207_fin min sharma.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 15:11:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15374', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NRNs Welcome Budget Announcement', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 31: The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has welcomed the budget announced by the government for the upcoming fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 31: The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has welcomed the budget announced by the government for the upcoming fiscal year. The association stated that many of the demands that they were raising for a long time targeting the NRNs have been addressed in the budget for the fiscal year 2022/823.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The association said that the decision to reduce the minimum threshold of foreign investment from Rs 50 million to Rs 20 million through the budget and the arrangements for the approval of foreign investment up to Rs 100 million through an automated system are positive steps. Also, the association stated that NRNs will benefit from the legal arrangements that allows them to invest in the secondary market of securities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The association said that the laws and processes related to foreign investment should be improved in order to attract foreign investment in productive and export oriented industries and to attract investment from NRNs.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It also demanded that the land demarcation system required for establishment of industry should be reviewed and land lease should be given for 50 years. Similarly, the NRNA also welcomed the arrangement of issuing bonds targeting the Nepali citizens and NRNs who are out for foreign employment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The association released a statement on Monday saying, “We also welcome the announcement of a 50 percent deduction on renewal fees of passports, consular services and renewal of work permits for Nepali nationals in foreign employment and remittances through formal channels.”</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-05-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15116', 'image' => '20220531022923_budget new.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 14:28:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15373', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Salary of Government Employees’ goes up by 15 Percent ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 30: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has announced a 15 per cent hike in the salary of government employees for the new fiscal year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 30: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has announced a 15 per cent hike in the salary of government employees for the new fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Releasing the annual budget for the Fiscal Year 2022/023 in the Federal Parliament on Sunday, Finance Minister Sharma said that the salary of civil servants, army personnel, police personnel, teachers and all other government employees has been increased to encourage them. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The new salary level will come into force from the beginning of the new fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As stated in the annual budget, the government has pledged to bring the Federal Civil Service Act, reduce administrative costs, ensure administrative restructuring and good-governance as well as effective service delivery. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-05-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15115', 'image' => '20220531114807_salary.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 11:47:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15372', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Attaining Growth Target is Difficult to Achieve: NCC', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 31: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (CNN) has said that it is quite challenging to meet the economic growth target set by the government for the next fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">May 31: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (CNN) has said that it is quite challenging to meet the economic growth target set by the government for the next fiscal year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">While presenting the budget in parliament on Sunday, Finance Minister Janardan Sharma had claimed that the government has set a target of attaining 8 percent growth while keeping inflation below 7 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Issuing a statement on Monday, NCC said that the growth target of the government is hard to achieve.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Implementation of budget is quite challenging due to the deteriorating situation of the world economy and declining foreign exchange reserves of the country in addition to the liquidity crisis,” the statement read, adding, “As the implementation of budget is challenging, it is hard to meet the target of 8 percent economic growth while keeping inflation below 7 percent.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NCC however, praised the government’s decision to allocate Rs 55.97 billion for the agriculture sector and its transformation through commercialization and modernization. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The chamber also welcomed the government’s decision related to the energy sector. The government had announced to distribute electric stoves and avail electricity at affordable rates among others. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NCC further said that the private sector is excited by the prospect of creating conducive environment for industrialization and creation of job opportunities. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The chamber also urged the government to hold discussion with stakeholders regarding implementation of policies and programmes in an effective manner.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-05-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15114', 'image' => '20220531114649_economic-growth.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 11:45:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15371', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Increases Income Tax Ceiling', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 31: Much to the relief to middle-income people, the government has widened the income tax ceiling. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 31: Much to the relief to middle-income people, the government has widened the income tax ceiling. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Finance Minister Janardan Sharma informed while unveiling the new budget that an individual now has to pay one percent tax for up to half million income in a year. The same tax rate is applicable to the married couple for whom the income ceiling is up to Rs 600,000. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In light of the increasing economic activities in Nepal via electronic network from abroad, the government has made arrangement to bring such business under the purview of tax. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government has also decided to impost one percent tax for people residing in Nepal and work for foreign companies using electronic medium or are involved in outsourcing work using IT software and modern technology.</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"">Meanwhile, the government has projected the economic growth rate of eight percent in the upcoming fiscal year. -- RSS </span><br /> <br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-31', 'modified' => '2022-05-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15113', 'image' => '20220531105551_taxxxxx.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-31 10:54:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15370', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Increases Cash Subsidy for Exports', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 30: The government has increased cash subsidies for exports in the budget of the upcoming fiscal year with the aim of giving priority to import substitution by increasing domestic production and exports. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 30: The government has increased cash subsidies for exports in the budget of the upcoming fiscal year with the aim of giving priority to import substitution by increasing domestic production and exports. The government increased the subsidy limit to encourage the export of goods with high export potential from Nepal after the import-oriented economy put high pressure on the foreign currency reserves.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Presenting the budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Sunday, Finance Minister Janardan Sharma announced that arrangements have been made to provide cash subsidy of up to 8 percent on exports. Earlier, the cash subsidy was just up to 5 percent. He announced that exports will be promoted by identifying products with high export potential such as cement, steel, footwear, purified water and services based on information technology and business outsourcing.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Manufacturers of cement, steel and footwear, had been reducing their production capacity due to lack of market, but are likely to increase production and export after the announcement. The government had included cement in the list of exportable commodities in the policies and programmes of the fiscal year 2076/77. However, cement is yet to be exported. At present, Nepal is self-sufficient in cement and steel while 65 percent demand for footwear is produced within the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the industrialists of these sectors, they are still unable to operate at full capacity. On the contrary, there is a possibility of increasing production capacity along with increasing cash subsidy on exports. Similarly, the government has revised the minimum limit for foreign investment to 20 million. The government also reduced the previous threshold of Rs 50 million through the budget. It is mentioned in the budget statement that the approval of foreign investment up to Rs 100 million will be done through automated system to attract foreign investment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has launched a Special Campaign Decade starting from 2079 BS with the objective of increasing production for the development and prosperity of the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has allocated Rs 3.45 billion to start the Prime Minister's Nepali Production and Consumption Growth Program for the growth of Nepali products, job creation and export-oriented trade.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In order to increase the production and use of domestic goods, 'our production, our consumption campaign' will be launched in the new fiscal year. Similarly, Minister Sharma also announced that the Government of Nepal will provide necessary support for campaigns such as Make in Nepal and Made in Nepal implemented by the private sector. The government has allocated Rs 260 million to operate business incubation center in Hetauda Industrial Area to expand knowledge based business in partnership with the private sector.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The budget also has provision to support startups. Sharma said that he would cooperate with the state government for market promotion of the products of Karnali Province.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government announced that the construction of infrastructure of 105 industrial villages will be completed in the next fiscal year. Altogether Rs 3.79 billion has been allocated for industrial infrastructure.</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 Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In its attempt to create conducive environment for the establishment of industries in the country, the government has made provisions to lease state-owned land for 50 years. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The provisions to rent the government land would be made further simplified with a target to end unemployment and ensure favourable industrial environment, Minister Sharma said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shekhar Golchha, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), said that the budget is focused on industry, agriculture and the issues raised by the private sector has been addressed.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries Vishnu Kumar Agrawal remarked that the suggestions given to the government have been included in the budget. The private sector’s umbrella organization is preparing to release their formal opinion by conducting a detailed study of the issues in the budget. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-05-30', 'modified' => '2022-05-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15112', 'image' => '20220530042639_shutterstock_439601284_1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-05-30 16:25:57', '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
