Gautam Buddha International Officially Inaugurated

May 16, 2022 0 1 minutes 19 seconds to read

May 16: Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport has been officially inaugurated today (Monday).…

Nepal-India Talks to Focus on Hydropower, Infrastructure and Connectivity

May 16, 2022 0 2 minutes 0 seconds to read

May 16: A bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to be held in Lumbini this afternoon would focus on the construction of hydropower projects, development of physical infrastructure of Nepal and expansion of…

NEA gets Approval to Invest in Butwal-Gorakhpur Transmission Line

May 16, 2022 0 3 minutes 7 seconds to read

May 16: The process to construct the proposed 400 kV new Butwal-Gorakhpur second transnational transmission line between Nepal and India has moved forward after Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) got approval for foreign investment in the…

Panchpokhari being Developed as Tourism Hub

May 15, 2022 0 2 minutes 3 seconds to read

May 15: Panchpokhari is one of the 100 tourist destinations selected by the federal government in Sindhupalchowk.…

Department of Roads Spends 31% of Allocated Budget

May 15, 2022 0 4 minutes 59 seconds to read

May 15: The Department of Roads, which received a significant portion of the capital budget, has been able to spend just 31 percent of the allocated budget in the first nine months of the current fiscal year.…

Nepal, India to sign 5 MoUs

May 15, 2022 0 3 minutes 5 seconds to read

May 15: Five different agreements are to be signed between Nepal and India to deepen the century-old educational and cultural ties between the two…

Fuel, Vehicles and Industrial Raw Materials Dominate List of Imported Goods through Birgunj Customs

May 15, 2022 0 2 minutes 43 seconds to read

May 15: Petroleum products, vehicles and industrial raw materials dominated the list of goods entering the country through the Birgunj customs, which accounts for about half of Nepal’s foreign…

NOC Hikes Fuel Price by Rs 10 Per Liter

May 15, 2022 0 1 minutes 28 seconds to read

May 15: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), a state-owned trading enterprise that imports, stores and distributes petroleum products, has hiked the price of petroleum products by Rs 10 per…

Prime, Gurans and Union Life Insurance Companies Decide to Merge

May 13, 2022 0 3 minutes 12 seconds to read

May 13: Prime Life Insurance Company, Gurans Life Insurance Company and Union Life Insurance Company have signed an agreement for merger under indirect pressure from the Insurance Board to raise their paid-up…

Voting for Local Election Completed with Sporadic Incidents

May 13, 2022 0 2 minutes 15 seconds to read

May 13: Voting for the local level election 2079 has been completed peacefully today (May 13), with sporadic incidents of…

Fostering Resilience of Women-Led Businesses and Consumers Project Concludes

May 13, 2022 0 5 minutes 25 seconds to read

May 13: The project “Fostering Resilience of Women-Led Businesses (including home-based women producers) and Consumers,” launched with the objective of building a resilient business of both formal and informal producers and to spread Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) awareness to the customers/buyers concluded on Wednesday (May…

Merger of Hydropower Companies

May 13, 2022 0 1 minutes 22 seconds to read

May 13: After the merger of banks and financial institutions, hydropower companies have also started to merge to raise their paid-up…

260,000 Security Personnel Deployed for Election Security

May 13, 2022 0 1 minutes 46 seconds to read

May 13: Altogether 260,000 security personnel have been deployed for the local election being held across the country in a single phase…

Cases filed against 64 Industries for Adulteration of Food

May 13, 2022 0 1 minutes 38 seconds to read

May 13: Government authorities have decided to take legal action against 64 industries for producing and selling various types of inedible food items and contaminated drinking…

Buddha Air to Operate Night Flights from May 15

May 13, 2022 0 2 minutes 38 seconds to read

May 13: Buddha Air is planning to expand its night flight service to various destinations from May 15.…

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The Sweet Rewards of Power

By Madan Lamsal

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NEPSE

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			'id' => '15279',
			'article_category_id' => '228',
			'title' => 'Gautam Buddha International Officially Inaugurated ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 16: Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport has been officially inaugurated today (Monday). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 16: Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport has been officially inaugurated today (Monday). Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC)&#39;s narrow-body Airbus A-320 and Jazeera Airway&rsquo;s aircraft from Kuwait landed at the airport today morning.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to the airport office, the first flight of Nepal Airlines Corporation landed at 6:55 am, and the Jazeera Airway flight landed at 7:08 am. The NAC operated commercial flights from Kathmandu. Likewise, Jazeera&#39;s aircraft landed at GBIA from Doha via Kuwait.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">This has opened the door for commercial flights from Nepal&rsquo;s second international airport after Tribhuvan International Airport.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) informed that commercial flight from Gautam Buddha International Airport will take place on a regular basis from June 12.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport is believed to reduce the air traffic congestion at TIA and is also expected to promote religious tourism due to its proximity to Lumbini, a pilgrimage site of Buddhists from all over the world.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => 'Nepal-India Talks to Focus on Hydropower, Infrastructure and Connectivity   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 16: A bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to be held in Lumbini this afternoon would focus on the construction of hydropower projects, development of physical infrastructure of Nepal and expansion of connectivity.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 16: A bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to be held in Lumbini this afternoon would focus on the construction of hydropower projects, development of physical infrastructure of Nepal and expansion of connectivity.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In the bilateral talks to be held between the delegations headed by both the prime ministers, matters related to overall mutual benefits and interests as well as enhancement of trade, tourism, investment and people-to-people relations would be widely discussed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">An official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) told RSS that the agendas related to development assistance for infrastructure development of education and health sectors, trade facilitation, mutual benefits, collaboration and partnership promotion would be emphatically raised in the talks.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Nepal&#39;s Ambassador to India Shanker Prasad Sharma told RSS that the Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed during PM Deuba&#39;s latest visit to India would be reviewed. Likewise, ideas would be exchanged on exploring measures to be adopted for the speedy implementation of the projects and initiatives, Sharma further explained.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;I am hopeful that the agendas related to education, health, connectivity expansion and partnership strengthening in cultural sector would take the centre stage in the talks&quot;, Ambassador Sharma added.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the MOFA, the PM Deuba-led delegation comprises ministers for home, foreign affairs, physical infrastructure and transport, energy, culture, tourism and civil aviation, education, science and technology, chief secretary, foreign secretary and Ambassador Sharma among others.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, PM Modi-led Indian delegation comprises India&rsquo;s foreign secretary, joint-secretaries of ministry of external affairs and Kathmandu-based Charge d&#39; affaires of Indian Embassy Namgya Khampa. -- RSS&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15277',
			'article_category_id' => '279',
			'title' => 'NEA gets Approval to Invest in Butwal-Gorakhpur Transmission Line   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 16: The process to construct the proposed 400 kV new Butwal-Gorakhpur second transnational transmission line between Nepal and India has moved forward after Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) got approval for foreign investment in the project.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 16: The process to construct the proposed 400 kV new Butwal-Gorakhpur second transnational transmission line between Nepal and India has moved forward after Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) got approval for foreign investment in the project.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Under the joint venture project between the NEA and the Indian Power Grid Corporation, a company will be established in India for the construction work in the Indian side.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The NEA has to manage Rs 736 million for the construction in the Indian side, which is 50 percent of the total investment. However, the NEA itself will have to bear the cost for the construction of transmission lines under the project towards the Nepal side.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The double circuit transmission line will be around 120 kilometres between New Butwal substation at Sunawal Municipality-13 in Nawalparasi district and Gorakhpur substation in India. Of the area covered by the project, around 20 kilometres falls in the Nepali side and the remaining in the Indian side.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghishing said that the permission received by NEA for foreign investment has paved the way for establishing a company in India on joint venture for the development of this project.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;An article of association and regulation are readied for the company establishment and the process of establishing the company will be moved ahead after obtaining a permit for investment from India,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">It may be noted that the seventh meeting of a mechanism of Nepal-India energy secretaries and joint-secretaries on October 14, 2019 had finalized the investment model for the development of the transmission line.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The estimated cost of the project is Rs 7.039 billion and the final management will be ensured through 80 percent loan and 20 percent equity.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Preparation for bids is going on for the selection of a project development plan and the NEA intends to complete the project in three years of its commencement.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The NEA and Power Grid in August-September 2021 signed a Memorandum of Understanding for joint investment.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The cabinet meeting on August 3 allowed the NEA for an investment of a 50 percent share in the construction of the transmission line segment towards India.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Nepal will construct the part of transmission line towards Nepal on its own while the part towards India will be constructed with the joint venture of NEA and Power Grid.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The transmission will have the capacity of supplying around 2,000 megawatt of electricity. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><br />
&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15276',
			'article_category_id' => '239',
			'title' => 'Panchpokhari being Developed as Tourism Hub',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 15: Panchpokhari is one of the 100 tourist destinations selected by the federal government in Sindhupalchowk. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 15: Panchpokhari is one of the 100 tourist destinations selected by the federal government in Sindhupalchowk. Panchpokhari, situated at 4,150 meters above sea level, is rich in natural beauty. Panchpokhari is also near Kathmandu. Lately, Panchpokhari has become a popular and scenic tourist destination.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Panchpokhari Thangpal rural municipality, popularly known as Panchpokhari, is one of the 12 rural municipalities of Sindhupalchowk district</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The rural municipality has carried out some important works using local resources. The rural municipality has taken forward the work of post-earthquake reconstruction, housing, health, education, electrification etc. The rural municipality claims that the results are starting to be seen now as education, health, drinking water, agriculture, tourism, and youth-targeted programmes have been given priority instead of roads.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Yangri and Panchpokhari tourist routes have been constructed here. Both these unpaved roads are being upgraded. The Panchpokhari ring road is being developed and upgraded rapidly.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Emphasis has been laid on quality education, said Uttam Mani Poudel, school inspector of the rural municipality. Earthquake resilient buildings have been constructed as the physical infrastructure of the school was destroyed by the earthquake of 2015.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Chief Administrative Officer of the rural municipality Dinesh Kumar Pokharel said that a nurse has been provided to each of the five schools. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">For economic prosperity, work is being done to make the rural municipality a tourism hub and link the tourism business with the living standard of the people. Along with Panchpokhari, Amayangri, Diagran Cave, Dudhpokhari, Pemachal Garden Center, Raithaneshwari, Chojyo Danda, Habeli Naulingeshwari, Jugal Himal, Dorje Lakpa Himal, Yuva Peak, Panchpokhari Peak, Tilman Pass and other tourist places are being developed. The villagers said that rock climbing and paragliding have been successfully tested.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15275',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Department of Roads Spends 31% of Allocated Budget',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 15: The Department of Roads, which received a significant portion of the capital budget, has been able to spend just 31 percent of the allocated budget in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 15: The Department of Roads, which received a significant portion of the capital budget, has been able to spend just 31 percent of the allocated budget in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. With two months left until the end of the fiscal year, the department has spent less than one-third of the budget mostly on roads and bridges of national pride projects.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The department is undertaking 57 projects and programmes including national pride projects. Out of them, the expenditure of some projects looks good while the spending in most of the projects is dismal. This year, the department was allocated a budget of Rs 128.27 billion. As per the third quarterly progress report of the department, Rs 39.66 billion was spent in the nine-month period.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Shiva Prasad Nepal, acting director general of the department, said that the total capital budget expenditure will reach 65 percent this year. Capital expenditure is steadily declining since the beginning of this year. He said that the capital expenditure came down due to the replacement bill, delay in appointment of departmental ministers and the scrapping of three divisional road offices (Lalitpur, Pyuthan and Khurkot).</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to him, due to frequent changes in the Public Procurement Regulations, extension of time and construction holiday for some time, the spending situation will be weakened this year. &ldquo;Construction entrepreneurs have slowed down the work due to rising prices. On the other hand, the pace of work is slowed down as the workers go to their village 10-15 days ahead of the local elections.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Although three road division offices were abolished this year, the budget was still allocated for them. However, the department says that the budget expenditure has been affected due to lack of working environment. According to Nepal, some projects to be built with the help of donors such as Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have been included in the current year&#39;s budget. This is 15 percent of the total capital budget of the department. According to the Acting Director General, Nepal, the total capital expenditure of the department has come down as the budget under this heading could not be spent as well.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Capital expenditure will be further reduced as construction entrepreneurs have announced &#39;construction holiday&#39; during the main working season this year. According to the quarterly progress report, 515 kilometers of roads were blacktopped in the last nine months. Altogether 155 kilometers of new tracks were constructed and 265 kilometers of gravel roads were constructed. Similarly, 81 bridges of strategic importance were built during the review period.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Rs 3.48 billion was spent on the Mid-Hills Highway, a national pride project, till the third quarter of the current fiscal year. The progress made was blacktopping of 78 kilometers of road and construction of two bridges. Similarly, Rs 4.25 billion were spent on postal highways during this period. According to the department, 103 kilometers of road was blacktopped and 12 bridges were constructed during this period. The department informed that Rs 300 million has been spent on the Nagdhunga tunnel.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">A total of Rs 3.52 billion has been spent on the Madan Bhandari Highway as of mid-April. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Ashok Bhandari, director of Madan Bhandari Highway Project, says the budget is low and this highway is not a priority of the government. He said that 91 percent of the allocated budget has been spent but the contract for other road sections could not be issued due to lack of budget.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Hari Kumar Pokhrel, director of the Mid-Hills Highway Project Directorate, said that problems in expenditure surfaced due to lack of budget and site clearance for compensation. Stating that the project has spent only 48 percent of the budget so far, he said that Rs 180 million is needed for compensation. The eastern and western sections of the Narayanghat-Butwal road are also among those spending less. According to the department, a total of Rs 770 million is spent in the eastern part. A budget of Rs 430 million is spent in the west. The Kanchanpur-Kamala road is also low on expenditure. Out of the budget of Rs 3.21 billion, Rs 1.87 billion has been spent on this road.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15274',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal, India to sign 5 MoUs ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 15: Five different agreements are to be signed between Nepal and India to deepen the century-old educational and cultural ties between the two countries.   ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 15: Five different agreements are to be signed between Nepal and India to deepen the century-old educational and cultural ties between the two countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba are expected to sign five Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) on Monday during the Indian prime minister&rsquo;s Nepal visit on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti festival, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Indian Educational and Cultural Foundation will sign one MoU each with Lumbini Buddhist University and Tribhuvan University and three MoUs with Kathmandu University.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Lumbini Buddhist University and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Tribhuvan University Nepal and Center for Asian Studies (CNAS) and ICCR, Kathmandu University and ICCR, the KU and the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai are scheduled to sign two other MoUs. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the Foreign Ministry, Indian PM Modi will arrive in Lumbini on May 16 at the invitation of PM Deuba to attend a special ceremony on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti festival.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;The Prime Minister of India together with the Prime Minister of Nepal will participate in a prayer at the Mayadevi Temple, lay the foundation stone for the construction of a centre for Buddhist culture and heritage at the Monastic Zone in Lumbini, and address the special ceremony to be organized to celebrate Buddha Jayanti at the Lumbini International Buddhist Meditation Center and Assembly Hall,&rdquo; reads the statement issued by the ministry..</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the statement, the two prime ministers will hold bilateral talks and exchange views on Nepal-India cooperation and matters of mutual interests. The Prime Minister of Nepal will host a luncheon in honour of the prime minister of India and the visiting delegation.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that the upcoming visit of the prime minister of India will contribute to further strengthening the bilateral relations and the age-old socio-cultural bonds between the two countries.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The statement further said this will be the fifth visit of Narendra Modi to Nepal as the prime minister of India. (With inputs from RSS)</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></span></p>
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			'sortorder' => '15016',
			'image' => '20220515125823_Flag-Pins-Nepal-India.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-05-15 12:55:28',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15272',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Fuel, Vehicles and Industrial Raw Materials Dominate List of Imported Goods through Birgunj Customs ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 15: Petroleum products, vehicles and industrial raw materials dominated the list of goods entering the country through the Birgunj customs, which accounts for about half of Nepal’s foreign trade.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 15: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Petroleum products, vehicles and industrial raw materials dominated the list of goods entering the country through the Birgunj customs, which accounts for about half of Nepal&rsquo;s foreign trade. This was revealed by the import-export data for the nine months of the current Fiscal Year (FY 2021/22).&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to the Birgunj Customs Office, these items have been included in the list of 20 main items imported in the current fiscal year. The customs chief Harihar Poudel informed that the five main items imported were diesel, petrol, four-wheeler (jeep/car/van), motorcycle and LP gas respectively.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Trucks, buses, and pick-up vehicles are also among the main items entering through this customs. The import volume of coal used by the domestic cement industry as auxiliary raw material is also significant. Clinker, which used to be imported in the past, has been removed from the list of main imported items as it is now produced in the country itself. Coal is used to make clinkers.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Similarly, the data shows that semi-refined soybean, sunflower and palm oil are also imported significantly through this customs point. The 14 oil industries operating in the Bara-Parsa industrial corridor import raw materials through this checkpoint. They have been processing and exporting raw materials imported from Ukraine, Russia, Australia, Indonesia and other countries.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Poudel said that refined oil is the main contributor to the export at present. However, due to Russia-Ukraine tensions and restrictions on palm oil exports imposed by Indonesia, imports of raw materials have now been halted, according to entrepreneur Suresh Rungta. He said that instead of semi-refined oil, soybean seeds are imported from the USA and Canada to manufacture oil.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Similarly, raw materials required for the iron industry like steel strip, billet etc. are also included in the list of main imported goods. As per the data of the customs office, polythene granules, tobacco, soft drinks and other items are also imported through this checkpoint.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'image' => '20220515121022_Birgunjjjj.jpg',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15271',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'NOC Hikes Fuel Price by Rs 10 Per Liter',
			'sub_title' => 'Petrol to Cost Rs 170 per Litre Effective from Today ',
			'summary' => 'May 15: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), a state-owned trading enterprise that imports, stores and distributes petroleum products, has hiked the price of petroleum products by Rs 10 per liter.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 15: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), a state-owned trading enterprise that imports, stores and distributes petroleum products, has hiked the price of petroleum products by Rs 10 per liter. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the NOC, the decision has come into effect from Saturday midnight.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As per the adjusted price, petrol is being sold for Rs 170 per liter and diesel and kerosene for Rs 153 per liter each. However, the price of cooking gas and aviation fuel has remained unchanged. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Despite the price hike, NOC claimed it is has been incurring a loss of Rs 23.2 in a litre of petrol, Rs 40.13 in diesel and Rs 1050.8 in each LP gas cylinder.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">However, NOC said in a statement issued on Saturday that it has been making a profit of Rs 2.81 in a litre of kerosene and Rs 12.64 and Rs 64.69 respectively in domestic and international aviation fuel.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The total loss the NOC stands at around Rs 5.1 billion every fortnight. -- RSS</span></span></span></p>
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			'image' => '20220515080751_20220406103104_Petrol-Price-Increase.jpg',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15270',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Prime, Gurans and Union Life Insurance Companies Decide to Merge',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: Prime Life Insurance Company, Gurans Life Insurance Company and Union Life Insurance Company have signed an agreement for merger under indirect pressure from the Insurance Board to raise their paid-up capital. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 13: Prime Life Insurance Company, Gurans Life Insurance Company and Union Life Insurance Company have signed an agreement for merger under indirect pressure from the Insurance Board to raise their paid-up capital.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Chairman of Prime Life Insurance Piyush Raj Aryal, Gurans Life Insurance Company&rsquo;s Bibek Dugad and Union Life Insurance Company&rsquo;s Sulabh Agrawal signed the merger agreement on Thursday, amid a formal programme.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">This is the first and largest merger agreement in the life insurance sector. A few days ago, a merger agreement between two non-life insurance companies &ndash; Himalayan General Insurance and Everest Insurance Company &ndash; took place.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">At present, the three life insurance companies have only agreed in principle to merge. Manoj Kumar Bhattarai, CEO of Prime Life Insurance, said that further process will be taken after getting approval in-principle from the board. &ldquo;The swap ratio will be decided after the asset liability assessment,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">He said that this merger will prove to be a milestone in the life insurance sector. Stating that the agreement was&nbsp; historic, the CEO of Union Life Insurance Manoj Kumar Karn said that it would benefit the overall stakeholders including the insured, promoters and shareholders.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The three companies do not aim to do integrated business right away. However, they would start the integrated business by completing the merger process as soon as possible. A merger committee will be formed after receiving in-principle approval from the committee. After that, the committee will decide the name of the company, staff management, property valuation and swap ratio.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The company formed after the merger will have a paid-up capital of Rs 7.13 billion. At present, Prime Life Insurance has a paid-up capital of Rs 2.77 billion, Union Life Insurance has Rs 2.15 billion and Gurans Life Insurance has Rs 2.84 billion.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The size of the insurance fund will reach over Rs 40 billion after the merger. At present, Prime Life Insurance has an insurance fund of Rs 17.63 billion, Union Life Insurance has an insurance fund of Rs 10.33 billion and Gurans Life Insurance has an insurance fund of Rs 12.6 billion.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Insurance Board had issued a directive a month ago instructing the insurance companies to increase their paid-up capital. At present, non-life insurance companies should have a minimum paid-up capital of Rs 1 billion and life insurance companies should have a minimum paid-up capital of Rs 2 billion.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The board has directed the non-life insurance companies to raise the minimum limit of paid-up capital to Rs 2.5 billion and life insurance companies to increase it to Rs 5 billion by mid-April 2023.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&nbsp;</span></span></p>
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15269',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Voting for Local Election Completed with Sporadic Incidents   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: Voting for the local level election 2079 has been completed peacefully today (May 13), with sporadic incidents of disturbances.  ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 13: Voting for the local level election 2079 has been completed peacefully today (May 13), with sporadic incidents of disturbances.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As a result, the Nepal Police has concluded that the election was held peacefully. Nepal Police Spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police Bishnukumar KC said that the election was held peacefully despite sporadic incidents in different districts. According to him, 110 incidents took place in more than 30 districts today as per the details received at the Police Headquarters as of 5:00 pm today.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As per the details received, re-polling was held in 40 polling stations due to disputes. SSP KC said that voting has been postponed in some polling stations including Kavre, Saptari and Sarlahi. In some districts, even the rains affected the voting process.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The police spokesperson said that warning shots had to be fired in some polling stations of 11 districts to bring the situation under control. Likewise, tear gas shells were fired at one polling station in Humla.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Election Commission said that necessary arrangements have been made for the safe transportation of ballot boxes as well as to initiate vote counting immediately by collecting all the ballot boxes.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The local-level election was held in a single phase for the first time. The local-level election held for the first time in 2074 BS after promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal was held in three phases.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Today&rsquo;s voting began from 7:00 am at 21,955 polling stations of 10,756 voting centres across the nation. A total of 35,221 people&rsquo;s representatives in 753 local levels would be elected by the election.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Out of 145,011 candidates contesting the election, 390 have been already elected unanimously. Similarly, of the 79 political parties registered with the Election Commission for the election, 65 parties registered their nomination. A total of 439,953 people including 109,088 employees, 65,865 volunteers, 5,000 supervisors and 260,000 security personnel were deployed for the election. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><br />
&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15268',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Fostering Resilience of Women-Led Businesses and Consumers Project Concludes ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: The project “Fostering Resilience of Women-Led Businesses (including home-based women producers) and Consumers,” launched with the objective of building a resilient business of both formal and informal producers and to spread Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) awareness to the customers/buyers concluded on Wednesday (May 11).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 13: The project &ldquo;Fostering Resilience of Women-Led Businesses (including home-based women producers) and Consumers,&rdquo; launched with the objective of building a resilient business of both formal and informal producers and to spread Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) awareness to the customers/buyers concluded on Wednesday (May 11). </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The project was jointly launched by Thulo Pasal (Thulo.com) and Enterprise for Management, Economic Reform, and Gender Equality (EMERGE) with the support from the USAID&rsquo;s Tayar Nepal - Improved Disaster Risk Management Project under their campaign &lsquo;Udhyami Utthan&rsquo;. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Thulo.com and EMERGE conducted a hybrid closing workshop on Wednesday to share the outcomes and announce the closure of the project.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The programme included participants from women businesses, representatives from ministries, local government, banks, insurance, tech companies, development agencies, private sector organisations and media.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">CEO of EMERGE Dr Mona Shrestha Adhikari said that </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">the project provided a training program on building resilient businesses, connected beneficiaries to e-commerce platforms through thulo.com, and facilitated access to finance and risk financing for business continuity/expansion. The project also made businesses and consumers aware of Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) through a dedicated web page and a downloadable mobile application on both Android and iOS</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In the opening remarks, Tammie Harris, chief of party of USAID-Tayar Nepal said that the partnership with thulo.com and EMERGE to implement this grant had been wonderful. &ldquo;It has brought our private sector interest, innovative approach, and GESI approach into one exciting, successful package,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In his special remarks, under secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Durga Prasad Bhusal expressed his surprise that achieving such exceptional outcomes in just ten months is incredible. He also admired the effort of thulo.com and EMERGE for empowering and enabling the women entrepreneurs by helping them upscale and guiding them towards resilient entrepreneurship. &ldquo;This project is an example for all of us looking forward to digital transformation in ecommerce,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Sharing the outcome of the training programme &lsquo;Building Resilient Businesses&rsquo;, programme director of EMERGE Aleena Udas said </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">that the training sessions have helped participants&rsquo; upskill themselves in Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM), Occupational Health and Safety, business management, marketing, promotion, sales, and the tools and techniques to transition towards e-commerce.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">COO of thulo.com, Surakchya Adhikari mentioned how this project has helped bridge the digital gap by connecting 48 women producers/entrepreneurs to thulo.com, promote their disaster preparedness products through various promotional activities, and emphasize their identity by featuring their stories and selling more than 3,000 products. Likewise, CEO of thulo.com Raja Ram Nepal explained about the recently launched mobile application &lsquo;Ma Ta Chhu Tayar&rsquo; that focuses on managing disaster risk and is targeted to businesses.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Shanti Nakarmi, owner of Peace Tailoring and Oliin Rai, business manager of Higher Ground Nepal, the two project beneficiaries, also shared their experience.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Kiran Kuman Shrestha, CEO, Rastriya Banijya Bank and Aadar Bhandari from United Insurance expressed their commitment to support women businesses for access to finance and risk financing. They hope to keep up with long-term collaboration to support entrepreneurs in running sustainable businesses.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Towards the end of the workshop, Walter Weaver, vice president for Asia Region of DAI, in his observational remark, shared that the challenges unfolded by the Covid-19 pandemic created a demand for new innovative solutions like bridging the digital gap and enhancing the business through e-commerce.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Similarly, Dr. Manju&nbsp; Thapa Tuladhar, GESI advisor to the USAID Nepal, said that USAID is interested in designing such projects that support women-led businesses and added that it is commendable of the project to bring in social inclusion while doing business, which is usually difficult to achieve.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15266',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Merger of Hydropower Companies',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: After the merger of banks and financial institutions, hydropower companies have also started to merge to raise their paid-up capital.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 13: After the merger of banks and financial institutions, hydropower companies have also started to merge to raise their paid-up capital. The Electricity Regulatory Commission, which regulates hydropower companies, has approved the merger of two hydropower companies.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The two hydropower companies with cross holding had sought permission from the commission to merge with each other.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Following the approval, a merger agreement has been signed between Ridi Hydropower Development Company and Rarang Hydropower Development Company. After the merger of these companies, the total paid-up capital of the new entity will be Rs 1.14 billion.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The companies will have to follow the standards, codes and guidelines issued by the commission from time to time regarding good corporate governance.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&nbsp;In case of merger of the companies, other prevailing acts, rules or directives and the management letter and rules of the company should be followed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The commission is also encouraging other companies to merge. -- RSS</span></span></span></p>
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			'article_date' => '2022-05-13 12:57:19',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15267',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => '260,000 Security Personnel Deployed for Election Security',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: Altogether 260,000 security personnel have been deployed for the local election being held across the country in a single phase today.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 13: Altogether 260,000 security personnel have been deployed for the local election being held across the country in a single phase today.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Among them, 100,000 security personnel are temporary police personnel recruited for the election. Likewise, more than 65,000 security personnel from Nepal Police, 71,000 from the Nepalese Army and 32,000 from Armed Police Force have been deployed for the security of the local election in all 753 local units.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the Election Commission, the security arrangement has three layers of protection. Nepal Police personnel have been deployed in the first layer, APF in the second layer and Nepalese Army in the third layer. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Spokesperson of the Nepalese Army Brigadier General Narayan Silwal informed that the army has been mobilized in such a way that they are prepared to reach any polling centre within 30 minutes.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Meanwhile, Spokesperson of Nepal Police SSP Bishnu Kumar KC said that criminal activities is almost zero during this election and therefore there is less challenge this time. He however said that the police is alert to avoid any kind of confrontation between political parties and their cadres.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Cases filed against 64 Industries for Adulteration of Food',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: Government authorities have decided to take legal action against 64 industries for producing and selling various types of inedible food items and contaminated drinking water.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 13: Government authorities have decided to take legal action against 64 industries for producing and selling various types of inedible food items and contaminated drinking water.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has already registered cases against the industries for legal action.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to Mohan Krishna Maharjan, spokesperson of the department, the industries will be prosecuted under the Black Marketing Act for producing food items that adversely affect the health of consumers. Operators of the industries can be sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined under the Black Marketing Act 2032.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Among the 64 industries, 19 industries have been accused of selling products without labeling and 45 industries face action for producing inedible food items.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to Maharjan, action will be taken against the industries for adulterating food items such as &nbsp;meat spice, vegetable spice, mixed spice, spice ingredients, cumin powder, pulses, butter, milk and dairy products, mustard oil, processed drinking water, noodles, tea leaves, etc.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => 'Buddha Air to Operate Night Flights from May 15',
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			'summary' => 'May 13: Buddha Air is planning to expand its night flight service to various destinations from May 15. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 13: Buddha Air is planning to expand its night flight service to various destinations from May 15. The airline company said it will operate night flights to Janakpur, Nepalgunj, Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, Bhadrapur and Simara in the initial phase. According to Buddha Air, the night flights will start at 8 pm.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has made arrangements for night flights and has approved about 13 per cent of the flight schedule.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Buddha Air has stated that night flights will be very attractive for the passengers who are busy with daily work. The night flight will be easier, simpler and cheaper than the flights during daytime.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Buddha Air has also requested the state and local governments to operate public transportation services at the destinations where night flights have been scheduled.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In case of Kathmandu, Buddha Air, in coordination with Tootle, and is also offering attractive discounts on taxis for the passengers who opt for night flights.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Buddha Air has already connected Pokhara Airport with direct flights from all the states. Its direct benefit has reached the business community and especially the tourists. Now, Buddha Air has stated that it is going to connect Bhairahawa Airport with all the states. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In the future, Buddha Air has plans to fly from Bhairahawa to Biratnagar, Bhadrapur, Janakpur, Simara, Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi. The airline company also plans to bring holiday packages through Buddha Holidays, a sister organization of Buddha Air, for tourists along with the flight.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has decided to keep airports with night landing facilities open for 18 hours.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '15279',
			'article_category_id' => '228',
			'title' => 'Gautam Buddha International Officially Inaugurated ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 16: Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport has been officially inaugurated today (Monday). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 16: Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport has been officially inaugurated today (Monday). Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC)&#39;s narrow-body Airbus A-320 and Jazeera Airway&rsquo;s aircraft from Kuwait landed at the airport today morning.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to the airport office, the first flight of Nepal Airlines Corporation landed at 6:55 am, and the Jazeera Airway flight landed at 7:08 am. The NAC operated commercial flights from Kathmandu. Likewise, Jazeera&#39;s aircraft landed at GBIA from Doha via Kuwait.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">This has opened the door for commercial flights from Nepal&rsquo;s second international airport after Tribhuvan International Airport.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) informed that commercial flight from Gautam Buddha International Airport will take place on a regular basis from June 12.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport is believed to reduce the air traffic congestion at TIA and is also expected to promote religious tourism due to its proximity to Lumbini, a pilgrimage site of Buddhists from all over the world.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => 'Nepal-India Talks to Focus on Hydropower, Infrastructure and Connectivity   ',
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			'summary' => 'May 16: A bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to be held in Lumbini this afternoon would focus on the construction of hydropower projects, development of physical infrastructure of Nepal and expansion of connectivity.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 16: A bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to be held in Lumbini this afternoon would focus on the construction of hydropower projects, development of physical infrastructure of Nepal and expansion of connectivity.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In the bilateral talks to be held between the delegations headed by both the prime ministers, matters related to overall mutual benefits and interests as well as enhancement of trade, tourism, investment and people-to-people relations would be widely discussed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">An official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) told RSS that the agendas related to development assistance for infrastructure development of education and health sectors, trade facilitation, mutual benefits, collaboration and partnership promotion would be emphatically raised in the talks.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Nepal&#39;s Ambassador to India Shanker Prasad Sharma told RSS that the Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed during PM Deuba&#39;s latest visit to India would be reviewed. Likewise, ideas would be exchanged on exploring measures to be adopted for the speedy implementation of the projects and initiatives, Sharma further explained.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;I am hopeful that the agendas related to education, health, connectivity expansion and partnership strengthening in cultural sector would take the centre stage in the talks&quot;, Ambassador Sharma added.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the MOFA, the PM Deuba-led delegation comprises ministers for home, foreign affairs, physical infrastructure and transport, energy, culture, tourism and civil aviation, education, science and technology, chief secretary, foreign secretary and Ambassador Sharma among others.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, PM Modi-led Indian delegation comprises India&rsquo;s foreign secretary, joint-secretaries of ministry of external affairs and Kathmandu-based Charge d&#39; affaires of Indian Embassy Namgya Khampa. -- RSS&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'title' => 'NEA gets Approval to Invest in Butwal-Gorakhpur Transmission Line   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 16: The process to construct the proposed 400 kV new Butwal-Gorakhpur second transnational transmission line between Nepal and India has moved forward after Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) got approval for foreign investment in the project.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 16: The process to construct the proposed 400 kV new Butwal-Gorakhpur second transnational transmission line between Nepal and India has moved forward after Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) got approval for foreign investment in the project.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Under the joint venture project between the NEA and the Indian Power Grid Corporation, a company will be established in India for the construction work in the Indian side.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The NEA has to manage Rs 736 million for the construction in the Indian side, which is 50 percent of the total investment. However, the NEA itself will have to bear the cost for the construction of transmission lines under the project towards the Nepal side.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The double circuit transmission line will be around 120 kilometres between New Butwal substation at Sunawal Municipality-13 in Nawalparasi district and Gorakhpur substation in India. Of the area covered by the project, around 20 kilometres falls in the Nepali side and the remaining in the Indian side.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghishing said that the permission received by NEA for foreign investment has paved the way for establishing a company in India on joint venture for the development of this project.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;An article of association and regulation are readied for the company establishment and the process of establishing the company will be moved ahead after obtaining a permit for investment from India,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">It may be noted that the seventh meeting of a mechanism of Nepal-India energy secretaries and joint-secretaries on October 14, 2019 had finalized the investment model for the development of the transmission line.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The estimated cost of the project is Rs 7.039 billion and the final management will be ensured through 80 percent loan and 20 percent equity.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Preparation for bids is going on for the selection of a project development plan and the NEA intends to complete the project in three years of its commencement.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The NEA and Power Grid in August-September 2021 signed a Memorandum of Understanding for joint investment.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The cabinet meeting on August 3 allowed the NEA for an investment of a 50 percent share in the construction of the transmission line segment towards India.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Nepal will construct the part of transmission line towards Nepal on its own while the part towards India will be constructed with the joint venture of NEA and Power Grid.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The transmission will have the capacity of supplying around 2,000 megawatt of electricity. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><br />
&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15276',
			'article_category_id' => '239',
			'title' => 'Panchpokhari being Developed as Tourism Hub',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 15: Panchpokhari is one of the 100 tourist destinations selected by the federal government in Sindhupalchowk. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 15: Panchpokhari is one of the 100 tourist destinations selected by the federal government in Sindhupalchowk. Panchpokhari, situated at 4,150 meters above sea level, is rich in natural beauty. Panchpokhari is also near Kathmandu. Lately, Panchpokhari has become a popular and scenic tourist destination.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Panchpokhari Thangpal rural municipality, popularly known as Panchpokhari, is one of the 12 rural municipalities of Sindhupalchowk district</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The rural municipality has carried out some important works using local resources. The rural municipality has taken forward the work of post-earthquake reconstruction, housing, health, education, electrification etc. The rural municipality claims that the results are starting to be seen now as education, health, drinking water, agriculture, tourism, and youth-targeted programmes have been given priority instead of roads.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Yangri and Panchpokhari tourist routes have been constructed here. Both these unpaved roads are being upgraded. The Panchpokhari ring road is being developed and upgraded rapidly.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Emphasis has been laid on quality education, said Uttam Mani Poudel, school inspector of the rural municipality. Earthquake resilient buildings have been constructed as the physical infrastructure of the school was destroyed by the earthquake of 2015.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Chief Administrative Officer of the rural municipality Dinesh Kumar Pokharel said that a nurse has been provided to each of the five schools. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">For economic prosperity, work is being done to make the rural municipality a tourism hub and link the tourism business with the living standard of the people. Along with Panchpokhari, Amayangri, Diagran Cave, Dudhpokhari, Pemachal Garden Center, Raithaneshwari, Chojyo Danda, Habeli Naulingeshwari, Jugal Himal, Dorje Lakpa Himal, Yuva Peak, Panchpokhari Peak, Tilman Pass and other tourist places are being developed. The villagers said that rock climbing and paragliding have been successfully tested.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15275',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Department of Roads Spends 31% of Allocated Budget',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 15: The Department of Roads, which received a significant portion of the capital budget, has been able to spend just 31 percent of the allocated budget in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 15: The Department of Roads, which received a significant portion of the capital budget, has been able to spend just 31 percent of the allocated budget in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. With two months left until the end of the fiscal year, the department has spent less than one-third of the budget mostly on roads and bridges of national pride projects.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The department is undertaking 57 projects and programmes including national pride projects. Out of them, the expenditure of some projects looks good while the spending in most of the projects is dismal. This year, the department was allocated a budget of Rs 128.27 billion. As per the third quarterly progress report of the department, Rs 39.66 billion was spent in the nine-month period.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Shiva Prasad Nepal, acting director general of the department, said that the total capital budget expenditure will reach 65 percent this year. Capital expenditure is steadily declining since the beginning of this year. He said that the capital expenditure came down due to the replacement bill, delay in appointment of departmental ministers and the scrapping of three divisional road offices (Lalitpur, Pyuthan and Khurkot).</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to him, due to frequent changes in the Public Procurement Regulations, extension of time and construction holiday for some time, the spending situation will be weakened this year. &ldquo;Construction entrepreneurs have slowed down the work due to rising prices. On the other hand, the pace of work is slowed down as the workers go to their village 10-15 days ahead of the local elections.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Although three road division offices were abolished this year, the budget was still allocated for them. However, the department says that the budget expenditure has been affected due to lack of working environment. According to Nepal, some projects to be built with the help of donors such as Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have been included in the current year&#39;s budget. This is 15 percent of the total capital budget of the department. According to the Acting Director General, Nepal, the total capital expenditure of the department has come down as the budget under this heading could not be spent as well.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Capital expenditure will be further reduced as construction entrepreneurs have announced &#39;construction holiday&#39; during the main working season this year. According to the quarterly progress report, 515 kilometers of roads were blacktopped in the last nine months. Altogether 155 kilometers of new tracks were constructed and 265 kilometers of gravel roads were constructed. Similarly, 81 bridges of strategic importance were built during the review period.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Rs 3.48 billion was spent on the Mid-Hills Highway, a national pride project, till the third quarter of the current fiscal year. The progress made was blacktopping of 78 kilometers of road and construction of two bridges. Similarly, Rs 4.25 billion were spent on postal highways during this period. According to the department, 103 kilometers of road was blacktopped and 12 bridges were constructed during this period. The department informed that Rs 300 million has been spent on the Nagdhunga tunnel.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">A total of Rs 3.52 billion has been spent on the Madan Bhandari Highway as of mid-April. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Ashok Bhandari, director of Madan Bhandari Highway Project, says the budget is low and this highway is not a priority of the government. He said that 91 percent of the allocated budget has been spent but the contract for other road sections could not be issued due to lack of budget.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Hari Kumar Pokhrel, director of the Mid-Hills Highway Project Directorate, said that problems in expenditure surfaced due to lack of budget and site clearance for compensation. Stating that the project has spent only 48 percent of the budget so far, he said that Rs 180 million is needed for compensation. The eastern and western sections of the Narayanghat-Butwal road are also among those spending less. According to the department, a total of Rs 770 million is spent in the eastern part. A budget of Rs 430 million is spent in the west. The Kanchanpur-Kamala road is also low on expenditure. Out of the budget of Rs 3.21 billion, Rs 1.87 billion has been spent on this road.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15274',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal, India to sign 5 MoUs ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 15: Five different agreements are to be signed between Nepal and India to deepen the century-old educational and cultural ties between the two countries.   ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 15: Five different agreements are to be signed between Nepal and India to deepen the century-old educational and cultural ties between the two countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba are expected to sign five Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) on Monday during the Indian prime minister&rsquo;s Nepal visit on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti festival, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Indian Educational and Cultural Foundation will sign one MoU each with Lumbini Buddhist University and Tribhuvan University and three MoUs with Kathmandu University.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Lumbini Buddhist University and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Tribhuvan University Nepal and Center for Asian Studies (CNAS) and ICCR, Kathmandu University and ICCR, the KU and the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai are scheduled to sign two other MoUs. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the Foreign Ministry, Indian PM Modi will arrive in Lumbini on May 16 at the invitation of PM Deuba to attend a special ceremony on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti festival.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;The Prime Minister of India together with the Prime Minister of Nepal will participate in a prayer at the Mayadevi Temple, lay the foundation stone for the construction of a centre for Buddhist culture and heritage at the Monastic Zone in Lumbini, and address the special ceremony to be organized to celebrate Buddha Jayanti at the Lumbini International Buddhist Meditation Center and Assembly Hall,&rdquo; reads the statement issued by the ministry..</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the statement, the two prime ministers will hold bilateral talks and exchange views on Nepal-India cooperation and matters of mutual interests. The Prime Minister of Nepal will host a luncheon in honour of the prime minister of India and the visiting delegation.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that the upcoming visit of the prime minister of India will contribute to further strengthening the bilateral relations and the age-old socio-cultural bonds between the two countries.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The statement further said this will be the fifth visit of Narendra Modi to Nepal as the prime minister of India. (With inputs from RSS)</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></span></p>
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15272',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Fuel, Vehicles and Industrial Raw Materials Dominate List of Imported Goods through Birgunj Customs ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 15: Petroleum products, vehicles and industrial raw materials dominated the list of goods entering the country through the Birgunj customs, which accounts for about half of Nepal’s foreign trade.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 15: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Petroleum products, vehicles and industrial raw materials dominated the list of goods entering the country through the Birgunj customs, which accounts for about half of Nepal&rsquo;s foreign trade. This was revealed by the import-export data for the nine months of the current Fiscal Year (FY 2021/22).&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to the Birgunj Customs Office, these items have been included in the list of 20 main items imported in the current fiscal year. The customs chief Harihar Poudel informed that the five main items imported were diesel, petrol, four-wheeler (jeep/car/van), motorcycle and LP gas respectively.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Trucks, buses, and pick-up vehicles are also among the main items entering through this customs. The import volume of coal used by the domestic cement industry as auxiliary raw material is also significant. Clinker, which used to be imported in the past, has been removed from the list of main imported items as it is now produced in the country itself. Coal is used to make clinkers.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Similarly, the data shows that semi-refined soybean, sunflower and palm oil are also imported significantly through this customs point. The 14 oil industries operating in the Bara-Parsa industrial corridor import raw materials through this checkpoint. They have been processing and exporting raw materials imported from Ukraine, Russia, Australia, Indonesia and other countries.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Poudel said that refined oil is the main contributor to the export at present. However, due to Russia-Ukraine tensions and restrictions on palm oil exports imposed by Indonesia, imports of raw materials have now been halted, according to entrepreneur Suresh Rungta. He said that instead of semi-refined oil, soybean seeds are imported from the USA and Canada to manufacture oil.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Similarly, raw materials required for the iron industry like steel strip, billet etc. are also included in the list of main imported goods. As per the data of the customs office, polythene granules, tobacco, soft drinks and other items are also imported through this checkpoint.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15271',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'NOC Hikes Fuel Price by Rs 10 Per Liter',
			'sub_title' => 'Petrol to Cost Rs 170 per Litre Effective from Today ',
			'summary' => 'May 15: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), a state-owned trading enterprise that imports, stores and distributes petroleum products, has hiked the price of petroleum products by Rs 10 per liter.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 15: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), a state-owned trading enterprise that imports, stores and distributes petroleum products, has hiked the price of petroleum products by Rs 10 per liter. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the NOC, the decision has come into effect from Saturday midnight.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As per the adjusted price, petrol is being sold for Rs 170 per liter and diesel and kerosene for Rs 153 per liter each. However, the price of cooking gas and aviation fuel has remained unchanged. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Despite the price hike, NOC claimed it is has been incurring a loss of Rs 23.2 in a litre of petrol, Rs 40.13 in diesel and Rs 1050.8 in each LP gas cylinder.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">However, NOC said in a statement issued on Saturday that it has been making a profit of Rs 2.81 in a litre of kerosene and Rs 12.64 and Rs 64.69 respectively in domestic and international aviation fuel.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The total loss the NOC stands at around Rs 5.1 billion every fortnight. -- RSS</span></span></span></p>
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15270',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Prime, Gurans and Union Life Insurance Companies Decide to Merge',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: Prime Life Insurance Company, Gurans Life Insurance Company and Union Life Insurance Company have signed an agreement for merger under indirect pressure from the Insurance Board to raise their paid-up capital. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 13: Prime Life Insurance Company, Gurans Life Insurance Company and Union Life Insurance Company have signed an agreement for merger under indirect pressure from the Insurance Board to raise their paid-up capital.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Chairman of Prime Life Insurance Piyush Raj Aryal, Gurans Life Insurance Company&rsquo;s Bibek Dugad and Union Life Insurance Company&rsquo;s Sulabh Agrawal signed the merger agreement on Thursday, amid a formal programme.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">This is the first and largest merger agreement in the life insurance sector. A few days ago, a merger agreement between two non-life insurance companies &ndash; Himalayan General Insurance and Everest Insurance Company &ndash; took place.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">At present, the three life insurance companies have only agreed in principle to merge. Manoj Kumar Bhattarai, CEO of Prime Life Insurance, said that further process will be taken after getting approval in-principle from the board. &ldquo;The swap ratio will be decided after the asset liability assessment,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">He said that this merger will prove to be a milestone in the life insurance sector. Stating that the agreement was&nbsp; historic, the CEO of Union Life Insurance Manoj Kumar Karn said that it would benefit the overall stakeholders including the insured, promoters and shareholders.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The three companies do not aim to do integrated business right away. However, they would start the integrated business by completing the merger process as soon as possible. A merger committee will be formed after receiving in-principle approval from the committee. After that, the committee will decide the name of the company, staff management, property valuation and swap ratio.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The company formed after the merger will have a paid-up capital of Rs 7.13 billion. At present, Prime Life Insurance has a paid-up capital of Rs 2.77 billion, Union Life Insurance has Rs 2.15 billion and Gurans Life Insurance has Rs 2.84 billion.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The size of the insurance fund will reach over Rs 40 billion after the merger. At present, Prime Life Insurance has an insurance fund of Rs 17.63 billion, Union Life Insurance has an insurance fund of Rs 10.33 billion and Gurans Life Insurance has an insurance fund of Rs 12.6 billion.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Insurance Board had issued a directive a month ago instructing the insurance companies to increase their paid-up capital. At present, non-life insurance companies should have a minimum paid-up capital of Rs 1 billion and life insurance companies should have a minimum paid-up capital of Rs 2 billion.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The board has directed the non-life insurance companies to raise the minimum limit of paid-up capital to Rs 2.5 billion and life insurance companies to increase it to Rs 5 billion by mid-April 2023.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&nbsp;</span></span></p>
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			'sortorder' => '15012',
			'image' => '20220513080024_1652361261.Beema-merger-1.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-05-13 19:59:42',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15269',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Voting for Local Election Completed with Sporadic Incidents   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: Voting for the local level election 2079 has been completed peacefully today (May 13), with sporadic incidents of disturbances.  ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 13: Voting for the local level election 2079 has been completed peacefully today (May 13), with sporadic incidents of disturbances.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As a result, the Nepal Police has concluded that the election was held peacefully. Nepal Police Spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police Bishnukumar KC said that the election was held peacefully despite sporadic incidents in different districts. According to him, 110 incidents took place in more than 30 districts today as per the details received at the Police Headquarters as of 5:00 pm today.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As per the details received, re-polling was held in 40 polling stations due to disputes. SSP KC said that voting has been postponed in some polling stations including Kavre, Saptari and Sarlahi. In some districts, even the rains affected the voting process.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The police spokesperson said that warning shots had to be fired in some polling stations of 11 districts to bring the situation under control. Likewise, tear gas shells were fired at one polling station in Humla.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Election Commission said that necessary arrangements have been made for the safe transportation of ballot boxes as well as to initiate vote counting immediately by collecting all the ballot boxes.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The local-level election was held in a single phase for the first time. The local-level election held for the first time in 2074 BS after promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal was held in three phases.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Today&rsquo;s voting began from 7:00 am at 21,955 polling stations of 10,756 voting centres across the nation. A total of 35,221 people&rsquo;s representatives in 753 local levels would be elected by the election.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Out of 145,011 candidates contesting the election, 390 have been already elected unanimously. Similarly, of the 79 political parties registered with the Election Commission for the election, 65 parties registered their nomination. A total of 439,953 people including 109,088 employees, 65,865 volunteers, 5,000 supervisors and 260,000 security personnel were deployed for the election. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><br />
&nbsp;</p>
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			'sortorder' => '15011',
			'image' => '20220513074803_1652449718.elction.jpg',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15268',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Fostering Resilience of Women-Led Businesses and Consumers Project Concludes ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: The project “Fostering Resilience of Women-Led Businesses (including home-based women producers) and Consumers,” launched with the objective of building a resilient business of both formal and informal producers and to spread Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) awareness to the customers/buyers concluded on Wednesday (May 11).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 13: The project &ldquo;Fostering Resilience of Women-Led Businesses (including home-based women producers) and Consumers,&rdquo; launched with the objective of building a resilient business of both formal and informal producers and to spread Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) awareness to the customers/buyers concluded on Wednesday (May 11). </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The project was jointly launched by Thulo Pasal (Thulo.com) and Enterprise for Management, Economic Reform, and Gender Equality (EMERGE) with the support from the USAID&rsquo;s Tayar Nepal - Improved Disaster Risk Management Project under their campaign &lsquo;Udhyami Utthan&rsquo;. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Thulo.com and EMERGE conducted a hybrid closing workshop on Wednesday to share the outcomes and announce the closure of the project.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The programme included participants from women businesses, representatives from ministries, local government, banks, insurance, tech companies, development agencies, private sector organisations and media.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">CEO of EMERGE Dr Mona Shrestha Adhikari said that </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">the project provided a training program on building resilient businesses, connected beneficiaries to e-commerce platforms through thulo.com, and facilitated access to finance and risk financing for business continuity/expansion. The project also made businesses and consumers aware of Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) through a dedicated web page and a downloadable mobile application on both Android and iOS</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In the opening remarks, Tammie Harris, chief of party of USAID-Tayar Nepal said that the partnership with thulo.com and EMERGE to implement this grant had been wonderful. &ldquo;It has brought our private sector interest, innovative approach, and GESI approach into one exciting, successful package,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In his special remarks, under secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Durga Prasad Bhusal expressed his surprise that achieving such exceptional outcomes in just ten months is incredible. He also admired the effort of thulo.com and EMERGE for empowering and enabling the women entrepreneurs by helping them upscale and guiding them towards resilient entrepreneurship. &ldquo;This project is an example for all of us looking forward to digital transformation in ecommerce,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Sharing the outcome of the training programme &lsquo;Building Resilient Businesses&rsquo;, programme director of EMERGE Aleena Udas said </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">that the training sessions have helped participants&rsquo; upskill themselves in Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM), Occupational Health and Safety, business management, marketing, promotion, sales, and the tools and techniques to transition towards e-commerce.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">COO of thulo.com, Surakchya Adhikari mentioned how this project has helped bridge the digital gap by connecting 48 women producers/entrepreneurs to thulo.com, promote their disaster preparedness products through various promotional activities, and emphasize their identity by featuring their stories and selling more than 3,000 products. Likewise, CEO of thulo.com Raja Ram Nepal explained about the recently launched mobile application &lsquo;Ma Ta Chhu Tayar&rsquo; that focuses on managing disaster risk and is targeted to businesses.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Shanti Nakarmi, owner of Peace Tailoring and Oliin Rai, business manager of Higher Ground Nepal, the two project beneficiaries, also shared their experience.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Kiran Kuman Shrestha, CEO, Rastriya Banijya Bank and Aadar Bhandari from United Insurance expressed their commitment to support women businesses for access to finance and risk financing. They hope to keep up with long-term collaboration to support entrepreneurs in running sustainable businesses.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Towards the end of the workshop, Walter Weaver, vice president for Asia Region of DAI, in his observational remark, shared that the challenges unfolded by the Covid-19 pandemic created a demand for new innovative solutions like bridging the digital gap and enhancing the business through e-commerce.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Similarly, Dr. Manju&nbsp; Thapa Tuladhar, GESI advisor to the USAID Nepal, said that USAID is interested in designing such projects that support women-led businesses and added that it is commendable of the project to bring in social inclusion while doing business, which is usually difficult to achieve.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15266',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Merger of Hydropower Companies',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: After the merger of banks and financial institutions, hydropower companies have also started to merge to raise their paid-up capital.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 13: After the merger of banks and financial institutions, hydropower companies have also started to merge to raise their paid-up capital. The Electricity Regulatory Commission, which regulates hydropower companies, has approved the merger of two hydropower companies.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The two hydropower companies with cross holding had sought permission from the commission to merge with each other.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Following the approval, a merger agreement has been signed between Ridi Hydropower Development Company and Rarang Hydropower Development Company. After the merger of these companies, the total paid-up capital of the new entity will be Rs 1.14 billion.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The companies will have to follow the standards, codes and guidelines issued by the commission from time to time regarding good corporate governance.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&nbsp;In case of merger of the companies, other prevailing acts, rules or directives and the management letter and rules of the company should be followed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The commission is also encouraging other companies to merge. -- RSS</span></span></span></p>
',
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			'created' => '2022-05-13',
			'modified' => '2022-05-13',
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			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '15009',
			'image' => '20220513125830_hydro.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-05-13 12:57:19',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15267',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => '260,000 Security Personnel Deployed for Election Security',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: Altogether 260,000 security personnel have been deployed for the local election being held across the country in a single phase today.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 13: Altogether 260,000 security personnel have been deployed for the local election being held across the country in a single phase today.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Among them, 100,000 security personnel are temporary police personnel recruited for the election. Likewise, more than 65,000 security personnel from Nepal Police, 71,000 from the Nepalese Army and 32,000 from Armed Police Force have been deployed for the security of the local election in all 753 local units.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the Election Commission, the security arrangement has three layers of protection. Nepal Police personnel have been deployed in the first layer, APF in the second layer and Nepalese Army in the third layer. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Spokesperson of the Nepalese Army Brigadier General Narayan Silwal informed that the army has been mobilized in such a way that they are prepared to reach any polling centre within 30 minutes.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Meanwhile, Spokesperson of Nepal Police SSP Bishnu Kumar KC said that criminal activities is almost zero during this election and therefore there is less challenge this time. He however said that the police is alert to avoid any kind of confrontation between political parties and their cadres.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15265',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Cases filed against 64 Industries for Adulteration of Food',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: Government authorities have decided to take legal action against 64 industries for producing and selling various types of inedible food items and contaminated drinking water.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 13: Government authorities have decided to take legal action against 64 industries for producing and selling various types of inedible food items and contaminated drinking water.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has already registered cases against the industries for legal action.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to Mohan Krishna Maharjan, spokesperson of the department, the industries will be prosecuted under the Black Marketing Act for producing food items that adversely affect the health of consumers. Operators of the industries can be sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined under the Black Marketing Act 2032.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Among the 64 industries, 19 industries have been accused of selling products without labeling and 45 industries face action for producing inedible food items.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to Maharjan, action will be taken against the industries for adulterating food items such as &nbsp;meat spice, vegetable spice, mixed spice, spice ingredients, cumin powder, pulses, butter, milk and dairy products, mustard oil, processed drinking water, noodles, tea leaves, etc.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15264',
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			'title' => 'Buddha Air to Operate Night Flights from May 15',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: Buddha Air is planning to expand its night flight service to various destinations from May 15. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 13: Buddha Air is planning to expand its night flight service to various destinations from May 15. The airline company said it will operate night flights to Janakpur, Nepalgunj, Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, Bhadrapur and Simara in the initial phase. According to Buddha Air, the night flights will start at 8 pm.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has made arrangements for night flights and has approved about 13 per cent of the flight schedule.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Buddha Air has stated that night flights will be very attractive for the passengers who are busy with daily work. The night flight will be easier, simpler and cheaper than the flights during daytime.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Buddha Air has also requested the state and local governments to operate public transportation services at the destinations where night flights have been scheduled.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In case of Kathmandu, Buddha Air, in coordination with Tootle, and is also offering attractive discounts on taxis for the passengers who opt for night flights.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Buddha Air has already connected Pokhara Airport with direct flights from all the states. Its direct benefit has reached the business community and especially the tourists. Now, Buddha Air has stated that it is going to connect Bhairahawa Airport with all the states. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In the future, Buddha Air has plans to fly from Bhairahawa to Biratnagar, Bhadrapur, Janakpur, Simara, Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi. The airline company also plans to bring holiday packages through Buddha Holidays, a sister organization of Buddha Air, for tourists along with the flight.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has decided to keep airports with night landing facilities open for 18 hours.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '15279',
			'article_category_id' => '228',
			'title' => 'Gautam Buddha International Officially Inaugurated ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 16: Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport has been officially inaugurated today (Monday). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 16: Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport has been officially inaugurated today (Monday). Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC)&#39;s narrow-body Airbus A-320 and Jazeera Airway&rsquo;s aircraft from Kuwait landed at the airport today morning.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to the airport office, the first flight of Nepal Airlines Corporation landed at 6:55 am, and the Jazeera Airway flight landed at 7:08 am. The NAC operated commercial flights from Kathmandu. Likewise, Jazeera&#39;s aircraft landed at GBIA from Doha via Kuwait.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">This has opened the door for commercial flights from Nepal&rsquo;s second international airport after Tribhuvan International Airport.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) informed that commercial flight from Gautam Buddha International Airport will take place on a regular basis from June 12.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport is believed to reduce the air traffic congestion at TIA and is also expected to promote religious tourism due to its proximity to Lumbini, a pilgrimage site of Buddhists from all over the world.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal-India Talks to Focus on Hydropower, Infrastructure and Connectivity   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 16: A bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to be held in Lumbini this afternoon would focus on the construction of hydropower projects, development of physical infrastructure of Nepal and expansion of connectivity.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 16: A bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to be held in Lumbini this afternoon would focus on the construction of hydropower projects, development of physical infrastructure of Nepal and expansion of connectivity.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In the bilateral talks to be held between the delegations headed by both the prime ministers, matters related to overall mutual benefits and interests as well as enhancement of trade, tourism, investment and people-to-people relations would be widely discussed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">An official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) told RSS that the agendas related to development assistance for infrastructure development of education and health sectors, trade facilitation, mutual benefits, collaboration and partnership promotion would be emphatically raised in the talks.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Nepal&#39;s Ambassador to India Shanker Prasad Sharma told RSS that the Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed during PM Deuba&#39;s latest visit to India would be reviewed. Likewise, ideas would be exchanged on exploring measures to be adopted for the speedy implementation of the projects and initiatives, Sharma further explained.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;I am hopeful that the agendas related to education, health, connectivity expansion and partnership strengthening in cultural sector would take the centre stage in the talks&quot;, Ambassador Sharma added.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the MOFA, the PM Deuba-led delegation comprises ministers for home, foreign affairs, physical infrastructure and transport, energy, culture, tourism and civil aviation, education, science and technology, chief secretary, foreign secretary and Ambassador Sharma among others.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, PM Modi-led Indian delegation comprises India&rsquo;s foreign secretary, joint-secretaries of ministry of external affairs and Kathmandu-based Charge d&#39; affaires of Indian Embassy Namgya Khampa. -- RSS&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15277',
			'article_category_id' => '279',
			'title' => 'NEA gets Approval to Invest in Butwal-Gorakhpur Transmission Line   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 16: The process to construct the proposed 400 kV new Butwal-Gorakhpur second transnational transmission line between Nepal and India has moved forward after Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) got approval for foreign investment in the project.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 16: The process to construct the proposed 400 kV new Butwal-Gorakhpur second transnational transmission line between Nepal and India has moved forward after Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) got approval for foreign investment in the project.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Under the joint venture project between the NEA and the Indian Power Grid Corporation, a company will be established in India for the construction work in the Indian side.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The NEA has to manage Rs 736 million for the construction in the Indian side, which is 50 percent of the total investment. However, the NEA itself will have to bear the cost for the construction of transmission lines under the project towards the Nepal side.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The double circuit transmission line will be around 120 kilometres between New Butwal substation at Sunawal Municipality-13 in Nawalparasi district and Gorakhpur substation in India. Of the area covered by the project, around 20 kilometres falls in the Nepali side and the remaining in the Indian side.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghishing said that the permission received by NEA for foreign investment has paved the way for establishing a company in India on joint venture for the development of this project.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;An article of association and regulation are readied for the company establishment and the process of establishing the company will be moved ahead after obtaining a permit for investment from India,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">It may be noted that the seventh meeting of a mechanism of Nepal-India energy secretaries and joint-secretaries on October 14, 2019 had finalized the investment model for the development of the transmission line.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The estimated cost of the project is Rs 7.039 billion and the final management will be ensured through 80 percent loan and 20 percent equity.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Preparation for bids is going on for the selection of a project development plan and the NEA intends to complete the project in three years of its commencement.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The NEA and Power Grid in August-September 2021 signed a Memorandum of Understanding for joint investment.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The cabinet meeting on August 3 allowed the NEA for an investment of a 50 percent share in the construction of the transmission line segment towards India.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Nepal will construct the part of transmission line towards Nepal on its own while the part towards India will be constructed with the joint venture of NEA and Power Grid.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The transmission will have the capacity of supplying around 2,000 megawatt of electricity. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><br />
&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15276',
			'article_category_id' => '239',
			'title' => 'Panchpokhari being Developed as Tourism Hub',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 15: Panchpokhari is one of the 100 tourist destinations selected by the federal government in Sindhupalchowk. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 15: Panchpokhari is one of the 100 tourist destinations selected by the federal government in Sindhupalchowk. Panchpokhari, situated at 4,150 meters above sea level, is rich in natural beauty. Panchpokhari is also near Kathmandu. Lately, Panchpokhari has become a popular and scenic tourist destination.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Panchpokhari Thangpal rural municipality, popularly known as Panchpokhari, is one of the 12 rural municipalities of Sindhupalchowk district</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The rural municipality has carried out some important works using local resources. The rural municipality has taken forward the work of post-earthquake reconstruction, housing, health, education, electrification etc. The rural municipality claims that the results are starting to be seen now as education, health, drinking water, agriculture, tourism, and youth-targeted programmes have been given priority instead of roads.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Yangri and Panchpokhari tourist routes have been constructed here. Both these unpaved roads are being upgraded. The Panchpokhari ring road is being developed and upgraded rapidly.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Emphasis has been laid on quality education, said Uttam Mani Poudel, school inspector of the rural municipality. Earthquake resilient buildings have been constructed as the physical infrastructure of the school was destroyed by the earthquake of 2015.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Chief Administrative Officer of the rural municipality Dinesh Kumar Pokharel said that a nurse has been provided to each of the five schools. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">For economic prosperity, work is being done to make the rural municipality a tourism hub and link the tourism business with the living standard of the people. Along with Panchpokhari, Amayangri, Diagran Cave, Dudhpokhari, Pemachal Garden Center, Raithaneshwari, Chojyo Danda, Habeli Naulingeshwari, Jugal Himal, Dorje Lakpa Himal, Yuva Peak, Panchpokhari Peak, Tilman Pass and other tourist places are being developed. The villagers said that rock climbing and paragliding have been successfully tested.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15275',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Department of Roads Spends 31% of Allocated Budget',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 15: The Department of Roads, which received a significant portion of the capital budget, has been able to spend just 31 percent of the allocated budget in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 15: The Department of Roads, which received a significant portion of the capital budget, has been able to spend just 31 percent of the allocated budget in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. With two months left until the end of the fiscal year, the department has spent less than one-third of the budget mostly on roads and bridges of national pride projects.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The department is undertaking 57 projects and programmes including national pride projects. Out of them, the expenditure of some projects looks good while the spending in most of the projects is dismal. This year, the department was allocated a budget of Rs 128.27 billion. As per the third quarterly progress report of the department, Rs 39.66 billion was spent in the nine-month period.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Shiva Prasad Nepal, acting director general of the department, said that the total capital budget expenditure will reach 65 percent this year. Capital expenditure is steadily declining since the beginning of this year. He said that the capital expenditure came down due to the replacement bill, delay in appointment of departmental ministers and the scrapping of three divisional road offices (Lalitpur, Pyuthan and Khurkot).</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to him, due to frequent changes in the Public Procurement Regulations, extension of time and construction holiday for some time, the spending situation will be weakened this year. &ldquo;Construction entrepreneurs have slowed down the work due to rising prices. On the other hand, the pace of work is slowed down as the workers go to their village 10-15 days ahead of the local elections.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Although three road division offices were abolished this year, the budget was still allocated for them. However, the department says that the budget expenditure has been affected due to lack of working environment. According to Nepal, some projects to be built with the help of donors such as Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have been included in the current year&#39;s budget. This is 15 percent of the total capital budget of the department. According to the Acting Director General, Nepal, the total capital expenditure of the department has come down as the budget under this heading could not be spent as well.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Capital expenditure will be further reduced as construction entrepreneurs have announced &#39;construction holiday&#39; during the main working season this year. According to the quarterly progress report, 515 kilometers of roads were blacktopped in the last nine months. Altogether 155 kilometers of new tracks were constructed and 265 kilometers of gravel roads were constructed. Similarly, 81 bridges of strategic importance were built during the review period.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Rs 3.48 billion was spent on the Mid-Hills Highway, a national pride project, till the third quarter of the current fiscal year. The progress made was blacktopping of 78 kilometers of road and construction of two bridges. Similarly, Rs 4.25 billion were spent on postal highways during this period. According to the department, 103 kilometers of road was blacktopped and 12 bridges were constructed during this period. The department informed that Rs 300 million has been spent on the Nagdhunga tunnel.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">A total of Rs 3.52 billion has been spent on the Madan Bhandari Highway as of mid-April. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Ashok Bhandari, director of Madan Bhandari Highway Project, says the budget is low and this highway is not a priority of the government. He said that 91 percent of the allocated budget has been spent but the contract for other road sections could not be issued due to lack of budget.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Hari Kumar Pokhrel, director of the Mid-Hills Highway Project Directorate, said that problems in expenditure surfaced due to lack of budget and site clearance for compensation. Stating that the project has spent only 48 percent of the budget so far, he said that Rs 180 million is needed for compensation. The eastern and western sections of the Narayanghat-Butwal road are also among those spending less. According to the department, a total of Rs 770 million is spent in the eastern part. A budget of Rs 430 million is spent in the west. The Kanchanpur-Kamala road is also low on expenditure. Out of the budget of Rs 3.21 billion, Rs 1.87 billion has been spent on this road.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15274',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal, India to sign 5 MoUs ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 15: Five different agreements are to be signed between Nepal and India to deepen the century-old educational and cultural ties between the two countries.   ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 15: Five different agreements are to be signed between Nepal and India to deepen the century-old educational and cultural ties between the two countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba are expected to sign five Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) on Monday during the Indian prime minister&rsquo;s Nepal visit on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti festival, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Indian Educational and Cultural Foundation will sign one MoU each with Lumbini Buddhist University and Tribhuvan University and three MoUs with Kathmandu University.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Lumbini Buddhist University and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Tribhuvan University Nepal and Center for Asian Studies (CNAS) and ICCR, Kathmandu University and ICCR, the KU and the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai are scheduled to sign two other MoUs. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the Foreign Ministry, Indian PM Modi will arrive in Lumbini on May 16 at the invitation of PM Deuba to attend a special ceremony on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti festival.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;The Prime Minister of India together with the Prime Minister of Nepal will participate in a prayer at the Mayadevi Temple, lay the foundation stone for the construction of a centre for Buddhist culture and heritage at the Monastic Zone in Lumbini, and address the special ceremony to be organized to celebrate Buddha Jayanti at the Lumbini International Buddhist Meditation Center and Assembly Hall,&rdquo; reads the statement issued by the ministry..</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the statement, the two prime ministers will hold bilateral talks and exchange views on Nepal-India cooperation and matters of mutual interests. The Prime Minister of Nepal will host a luncheon in honour of the prime minister of India and the visiting delegation.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that the upcoming visit of the prime minister of India will contribute to further strengthening the bilateral relations and the age-old socio-cultural bonds between the two countries.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The statement further said this will be the fifth visit of Narendra Modi to Nepal as the prime minister of India. (With inputs from RSS)</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></span></p>
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15272',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Fuel, Vehicles and Industrial Raw Materials Dominate List of Imported Goods through Birgunj Customs ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 15: Petroleum products, vehicles and industrial raw materials dominated the list of goods entering the country through the Birgunj customs, which accounts for about half of Nepal’s foreign trade.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 15: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Petroleum products, vehicles and industrial raw materials dominated the list of goods entering the country through the Birgunj customs, which accounts for about half of Nepal&rsquo;s foreign trade. This was revealed by the import-export data for the nine months of the current Fiscal Year (FY 2021/22).&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to the Birgunj Customs Office, these items have been included in the list of 20 main items imported in the current fiscal year. The customs chief Harihar Poudel informed that the five main items imported were diesel, petrol, four-wheeler (jeep/car/van), motorcycle and LP gas respectively.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Trucks, buses, and pick-up vehicles are also among the main items entering through this customs. The import volume of coal used by the domestic cement industry as auxiliary raw material is also significant. Clinker, which used to be imported in the past, has been removed from the list of main imported items as it is now produced in the country itself. Coal is used to make clinkers.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Similarly, the data shows that semi-refined soybean, sunflower and palm oil are also imported significantly through this customs point. The 14 oil industries operating in the Bara-Parsa industrial corridor import raw materials through this checkpoint. They have been processing and exporting raw materials imported from Ukraine, Russia, Australia, Indonesia and other countries.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Poudel said that refined oil is the main contributor to the export at present. However, due to Russia-Ukraine tensions and restrictions on palm oil exports imposed by Indonesia, imports of raw materials have now been halted, according to entrepreneur Suresh Rungta. He said that instead of semi-refined oil, soybean seeds are imported from the USA and Canada to manufacture oil.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Similarly, raw materials required for the iron industry like steel strip, billet etc. are also included in the list of main imported goods. As per the data of the customs office, polythene granules, tobacco, soft drinks and other items are also imported through this checkpoint.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15271',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'NOC Hikes Fuel Price by Rs 10 Per Liter',
			'sub_title' => 'Petrol to Cost Rs 170 per Litre Effective from Today ',
			'summary' => 'May 15: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), a state-owned trading enterprise that imports, stores and distributes petroleum products, has hiked the price of petroleum products by Rs 10 per liter.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 15: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), a state-owned trading enterprise that imports, stores and distributes petroleum products, has hiked the price of petroleum products by Rs 10 per liter. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the NOC, the decision has come into effect from Saturday midnight.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As per the adjusted price, petrol is being sold for Rs 170 per liter and diesel and kerosene for Rs 153 per liter each. However, the price of cooking gas and aviation fuel has remained unchanged. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Despite the price hike, NOC claimed it is has been incurring a loss of Rs 23.2 in a litre of petrol, Rs 40.13 in diesel and Rs 1050.8 in each LP gas cylinder.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">However, NOC said in a statement issued on Saturday that it has been making a profit of Rs 2.81 in a litre of kerosene and Rs 12.64 and Rs 64.69 respectively in domestic and international aviation fuel.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The total loss the NOC stands at around Rs 5.1 billion every fortnight. -- RSS</span></span></span></p>
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15270',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Prime, Gurans and Union Life Insurance Companies Decide to Merge',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: Prime Life Insurance Company, Gurans Life Insurance Company and Union Life Insurance Company have signed an agreement for merger under indirect pressure from the Insurance Board to raise their paid-up capital. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 13: Prime Life Insurance Company, Gurans Life Insurance Company and Union Life Insurance Company have signed an agreement for merger under indirect pressure from the Insurance Board to raise their paid-up capital.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Chairman of Prime Life Insurance Piyush Raj Aryal, Gurans Life Insurance Company&rsquo;s Bibek Dugad and Union Life Insurance Company&rsquo;s Sulabh Agrawal signed the merger agreement on Thursday, amid a formal programme.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">This is the first and largest merger agreement in the life insurance sector. A few days ago, a merger agreement between two non-life insurance companies &ndash; Himalayan General Insurance and Everest Insurance Company &ndash; took place.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">At present, the three life insurance companies have only agreed in principle to merge. Manoj Kumar Bhattarai, CEO of Prime Life Insurance, said that further process will be taken after getting approval in-principle from the board. &ldquo;The swap ratio will be decided after the asset liability assessment,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">He said that this merger will prove to be a milestone in the life insurance sector. Stating that the agreement was&nbsp; historic, the CEO of Union Life Insurance Manoj Kumar Karn said that it would benefit the overall stakeholders including the insured, promoters and shareholders.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The three companies do not aim to do integrated business right away. However, they would start the integrated business by completing the merger process as soon as possible. A merger committee will be formed after receiving in-principle approval from the committee. After that, the committee will decide the name of the company, staff management, property valuation and swap ratio.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The company formed after the merger will have a paid-up capital of Rs 7.13 billion. At present, Prime Life Insurance has a paid-up capital of Rs 2.77 billion, Union Life Insurance has Rs 2.15 billion and Gurans Life Insurance has Rs 2.84 billion.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The size of the insurance fund will reach over Rs 40 billion after the merger. At present, Prime Life Insurance has an insurance fund of Rs 17.63 billion, Union Life Insurance has an insurance fund of Rs 10.33 billion and Gurans Life Insurance has an insurance fund of Rs 12.6 billion.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Insurance Board had issued a directive a month ago instructing the insurance companies to increase their paid-up capital. At present, non-life insurance companies should have a minimum paid-up capital of Rs 1 billion and life insurance companies should have a minimum paid-up capital of Rs 2 billion.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The board has directed the non-life insurance companies to raise the minimum limit of paid-up capital to Rs 2.5 billion and life insurance companies to increase it to Rs 5 billion by mid-April 2023.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&nbsp;</span></span></p>
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			'id' => '15269',
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			'title' => 'Voting for Local Election Completed with Sporadic Incidents   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: Voting for the local level election 2079 has been completed peacefully today (May 13), with sporadic incidents of disturbances.  ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 13: Voting for the local level election 2079 has been completed peacefully today (May 13), with sporadic incidents of disturbances.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As a result, the Nepal Police has concluded that the election was held peacefully. Nepal Police Spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police Bishnukumar KC said that the election was held peacefully despite sporadic incidents in different districts. According to him, 110 incidents took place in more than 30 districts today as per the details received at the Police Headquarters as of 5:00 pm today.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As per the details received, re-polling was held in 40 polling stations due to disputes. SSP KC said that voting has been postponed in some polling stations including Kavre, Saptari and Sarlahi. In some districts, even the rains affected the voting process.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The police spokesperson said that warning shots had to be fired in some polling stations of 11 districts to bring the situation under control. Likewise, tear gas shells were fired at one polling station in Humla.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Election Commission said that necessary arrangements have been made for the safe transportation of ballot boxes as well as to initiate vote counting immediately by collecting all the ballot boxes.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The local-level election was held in a single phase for the first time. The local-level election held for the first time in 2074 BS after promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal was held in three phases.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Today&rsquo;s voting began from 7:00 am at 21,955 polling stations of 10,756 voting centres across the nation. A total of 35,221 people&rsquo;s representatives in 753 local levels would be elected by the election.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Out of 145,011 candidates contesting the election, 390 have been already elected unanimously. Similarly, of the 79 political parties registered with the Election Commission for the election, 65 parties registered their nomination. A total of 439,953 people including 109,088 employees, 65,865 volunteers, 5,000 supervisors and 260,000 security personnel were deployed for the election. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><br />
&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15268',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Fostering Resilience of Women-Led Businesses and Consumers Project Concludes ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: The project “Fostering Resilience of Women-Led Businesses (including home-based women producers) and Consumers,” launched with the objective of building a resilient business of both formal and informal producers and to spread Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) awareness to the customers/buyers concluded on Wednesday (May 11).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 13: The project &ldquo;Fostering Resilience of Women-Led Businesses (including home-based women producers) and Consumers,&rdquo; launched with the objective of building a resilient business of both formal and informal producers and to spread Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) awareness to the customers/buyers concluded on Wednesday (May 11). </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The project was jointly launched by Thulo Pasal (Thulo.com) and Enterprise for Management, Economic Reform, and Gender Equality (EMERGE) with the support from the USAID&rsquo;s Tayar Nepal - Improved Disaster Risk Management Project under their campaign &lsquo;Udhyami Utthan&rsquo;. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Thulo.com and EMERGE conducted a hybrid closing workshop on Wednesday to share the outcomes and announce the closure of the project.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The programme included participants from women businesses, representatives from ministries, local government, banks, insurance, tech companies, development agencies, private sector organisations and media.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">CEO of EMERGE Dr Mona Shrestha Adhikari said that </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">the project provided a training program on building resilient businesses, connected beneficiaries to e-commerce platforms through thulo.com, and facilitated access to finance and risk financing for business continuity/expansion. The project also made businesses and consumers aware of Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) through a dedicated web page and a downloadable mobile application on both Android and iOS</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In the opening remarks, Tammie Harris, chief of party of USAID-Tayar Nepal said that the partnership with thulo.com and EMERGE to implement this grant had been wonderful. &ldquo;It has brought our private sector interest, innovative approach, and GESI approach into one exciting, successful package,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In his special remarks, under secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Durga Prasad Bhusal expressed his surprise that achieving such exceptional outcomes in just ten months is incredible. He also admired the effort of thulo.com and EMERGE for empowering and enabling the women entrepreneurs by helping them upscale and guiding them towards resilient entrepreneurship. &ldquo;This project is an example for all of us looking forward to digital transformation in ecommerce,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Sharing the outcome of the training programme &lsquo;Building Resilient Businesses&rsquo;, programme director of EMERGE Aleena Udas said </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">that the training sessions have helped participants&rsquo; upskill themselves in Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM), Occupational Health and Safety, business management, marketing, promotion, sales, and the tools and techniques to transition towards e-commerce.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">COO of thulo.com, Surakchya Adhikari mentioned how this project has helped bridge the digital gap by connecting 48 women producers/entrepreneurs to thulo.com, promote their disaster preparedness products through various promotional activities, and emphasize their identity by featuring their stories and selling more than 3,000 products. Likewise, CEO of thulo.com Raja Ram Nepal explained about the recently launched mobile application &lsquo;Ma Ta Chhu Tayar&rsquo; that focuses on managing disaster risk and is targeted to businesses.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Shanti Nakarmi, owner of Peace Tailoring and Oliin Rai, business manager of Higher Ground Nepal, the two project beneficiaries, also shared their experience.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Kiran Kuman Shrestha, CEO, Rastriya Banijya Bank and Aadar Bhandari from United Insurance expressed their commitment to support women businesses for access to finance and risk financing. They hope to keep up with long-term collaboration to support entrepreneurs in running sustainable businesses.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Towards the end of the workshop, Walter Weaver, vice president for Asia Region of DAI, in his observational remark, shared that the challenges unfolded by the Covid-19 pandemic created a demand for new innovative solutions like bridging the digital gap and enhancing the business through e-commerce.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Similarly, Dr. Manju&nbsp; Thapa Tuladhar, GESI advisor to the USAID Nepal, said that USAID is interested in designing such projects that support women-led businesses and added that it is commendable of the project to bring in social inclusion while doing business, which is usually difficult to achieve.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '15266',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Merger of Hydropower Companies',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: After the merger of banks and financial institutions, hydropower companies have also started to merge to raise their paid-up capital.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 13: After the merger of banks and financial institutions, hydropower companies have also started to merge to raise their paid-up capital. The Electricity Regulatory Commission, which regulates hydropower companies, has approved the merger of two hydropower companies.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The two hydropower companies with cross holding had sought permission from the commission to merge with each other.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Following the approval, a merger agreement has been signed between Ridi Hydropower Development Company and Rarang Hydropower Development Company. After the merger of these companies, the total paid-up capital of the new entity will be Rs 1.14 billion.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The companies will have to follow the standards, codes and guidelines issued by the commission from time to time regarding good corporate governance.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&nbsp;In case of merger of the companies, other prevailing acts, rules or directives and the management letter and rules of the company should be followed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The commission is also encouraging other companies to merge. -- RSS</span></span></span></p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15267',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => '260,000 Security Personnel Deployed for Election Security',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: Altogether 260,000 security personnel have been deployed for the local election being held across the country in a single phase today.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 13: Altogether 260,000 security personnel have been deployed for the local election being held across the country in a single phase today.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Among them, 100,000 security personnel are temporary police personnel recruited for the election. Likewise, more than 65,000 security personnel from Nepal Police, 71,000 from the Nepalese Army and 32,000 from Armed Police Force have been deployed for the security of the local election in all 753 local units.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the Election Commission, the security arrangement has three layers of protection. Nepal Police personnel have been deployed in the first layer, APF in the second layer and Nepalese Army in the third layer. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Spokesperson of the Nepalese Army Brigadier General Narayan Silwal informed that the army has been mobilized in such a way that they are prepared to reach any polling centre within 30 minutes.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Meanwhile, Spokesperson of Nepal Police SSP Bishnu Kumar KC said that criminal activities is almost zero during this election and therefore there is less challenge this time. He however said that the police is alert to avoid any kind of confrontation between political parties and their cadres.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Cases filed against 64 Industries for Adulteration of Food',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: Government authorities have decided to take legal action against 64 industries for producing and selling various types of inedible food items and contaminated drinking water.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 13: Government authorities have decided to take legal action against 64 industries for producing and selling various types of inedible food items and contaminated drinking water.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has already registered cases against the industries for legal action.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to Mohan Krishna Maharjan, spokesperson of the department, the industries will be prosecuted under the Black Marketing Act for producing food items that adversely affect the health of consumers. Operators of the industries can be sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined under the Black Marketing Act 2032.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Among the 64 industries, 19 industries have been accused of selling products without labeling and 45 industries face action for producing inedible food items.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to Maharjan, action will be taken against the industries for adulterating food items such as &nbsp;meat spice, vegetable spice, mixed spice, spice ingredients, cumin powder, pulses, butter, milk and dairy products, mustard oil, processed drinking water, noodles, tea leaves, etc.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '15264',
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			'title' => 'Buddha Air to Operate Night Flights from May 15',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: Buddha Air is planning to expand its night flight service to various destinations from May 15. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 13: Buddha Air is planning to expand its night flight service to various destinations from May 15. The airline company said it will operate night flights to Janakpur, Nepalgunj, Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, Bhadrapur and Simara in the initial phase. According to Buddha Air, the night flights will start at 8 pm.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has made arrangements for night flights and has approved about 13 per cent of the flight schedule.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Buddha Air has stated that night flights will be very attractive for the passengers who are busy with daily work. The night flight will be easier, simpler and cheaper than the flights during daytime.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Buddha Air has also requested the state and local governments to operate public transportation services at the destinations where night flights have been scheduled.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In case of Kathmandu, Buddha Air, in coordination with Tootle, and is also offering attractive discounts on taxis for the passengers who opt for night flights.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Buddha Air has already connected Pokhara Airport with direct flights from all the states. Its direct benefit has reached the business community and especially the tourists. Now, Buddha Air has stated that it is going to connect Bhairahawa Airport with all the states. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In the future, Buddha Air has plans to fly from Bhairahawa to Biratnagar, Bhadrapur, Janakpur, Simara, Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi. The airline company also plans to bring holiday packages through Buddha Holidays, a sister organization of Buddha Air, for tourists along with the flight.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has decided to keep airports with night landing facilities open for 18 hours.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '15279',
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			'title' => 'Gautam Buddha International Officially Inaugurated ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 16: Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport has been officially inaugurated today (Monday). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 16: Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport has been officially inaugurated today (Monday). Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC)&#39;s narrow-body Airbus A-320 and Jazeera Airway&rsquo;s aircraft from Kuwait landed at the airport today morning.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to the airport office, the first flight of Nepal Airlines Corporation landed at 6:55 am, and the Jazeera Airway flight landed at 7:08 am. The NAC operated commercial flights from Kathmandu. Likewise, Jazeera&#39;s aircraft landed at GBIA from Doha via Kuwait.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">This has opened the door for commercial flights from Nepal&rsquo;s second international airport after Tribhuvan International Airport.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) informed that commercial flight from Gautam Buddha International Airport will take place on a regular basis from June 12.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport is believed to reduce the air traffic congestion at TIA and is also expected to promote religious tourism due to its proximity to Lumbini, a pilgrimage site of Buddhists from all over the world.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => 'Nepal-India Talks to Focus on Hydropower, Infrastructure and Connectivity   ',
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			'summary' => 'May 16: A bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to be held in Lumbini this afternoon would focus on the construction of hydropower projects, development of physical infrastructure of Nepal and expansion of connectivity.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 16: A bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to be held in Lumbini this afternoon would focus on the construction of hydropower projects, development of physical infrastructure of Nepal and expansion of connectivity.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In the bilateral talks to be held between the delegations headed by both the prime ministers, matters related to overall mutual benefits and interests as well as enhancement of trade, tourism, investment and people-to-people relations would be widely discussed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">An official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) told RSS that the agendas related to development assistance for infrastructure development of education and health sectors, trade facilitation, mutual benefits, collaboration and partnership promotion would be emphatically raised in the talks.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Nepal&#39;s Ambassador to India Shanker Prasad Sharma told RSS that the Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed during PM Deuba&#39;s latest visit to India would be reviewed. Likewise, ideas would be exchanged on exploring measures to be adopted for the speedy implementation of the projects and initiatives, Sharma further explained.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;I am hopeful that the agendas related to education, health, connectivity expansion and partnership strengthening in cultural sector would take the centre stage in the talks&quot;, Ambassador Sharma added.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the MOFA, the PM Deuba-led delegation comprises ministers for home, foreign affairs, physical infrastructure and transport, energy, culture, tourism and civil aviation, education, science and technology, chief secretary, foreign secretary and Ambassador Sharma among others.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, PM Modi-led Indian delegation comprises India&rsquo;s foreign secretary, joint-secretaries of ministry of external affairs and Kathmandu-based Charge d&#39; affaires of Indian Embassy Namgya Khampa. -- RSS&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15277',
			'article_category_id' => '279',
			'title' => 'NEA gets Approval to Invest in Butwal-Gorakhpur Transmission Line   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 16: The process to construct the proposed 400 kV new Butwal-Gorakhpur second transnational transmission line between Nepal and India has moved forward after Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) got approval for foreign investment in the project.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 16: The process to construct the proposed 400 kV new Butwal-Gorakhpur second transnational transmission line between Nepal and India has moved forward after Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) got approval for foreign investment in the project.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Under the joint venture project between the NEA and the Indian Power Grid Corporation, a company will be established in India for the construction work in the Indian side.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The NEA has to manage Rs 736 million for the construction in the Indian side, which is 50 percent of the total investment. However, the NEA itself will have to bear the cost for the construction of transmission lines under the project towards the Nepal side.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The double circuit transmission line will be around 120 kilometres between New Butwal substation at Sunawal Municipality-13 in Nawalparasi district and Gorakhpur substation in India. Of the area covered by the project, around 20 kilometres falls in the Nepali side and the remaining in the Indian side.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghishing said that the permission received by NEA for foreign investment has paved the way for establishing a company in India on joint venture for the development of this project.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;An article of association and regulation are readied for the company establishment and the process of establishing the company will be moved ahead after obtaining a permit for investment from India,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">It may be noted that the seventh meeting of a mechanism of Nepal-India energy secretaries and joint-secretaries on October 14, 2019 had finalized the investment model for the development of the transmission line.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The estimated cost of the project is Rs 7.039 billion and the final management will be ensured through 80 percent loan and 20 percent equity.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Preparation for bids is going on for the selection of a project development plan and the NEA intends to complete the project in three years of its commencement.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The NEA and Power Grid in August-September 2021 signed a Memorandum of Understanding for joint investment.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The cabinet meeting on August 3 allowed the NEA for an investment of a 50 percent share in the construction of the transmission line segment towards India.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Nepal will construct the part of transmission line towards Nepal on its own while the part towards India will be constructed with the joint venture of NEA and Power Grid.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The transmission will have the capacity of supplying around 2,000 megawatt of electricity. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><br />
&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15276',
			'article_category_id' => '239',
			'title' => 'Panchpokhari being Developed as Tourism Hub',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 15: Panchpokhari is one of the 100 tourist destinations selected by the federal government in Sindhupalchowk. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 15: Panchpokhari is one of the 100 tourist destinations selected by the federal government in Sindhupalchowk. Panchpokhari, situated at 4,150 meters above sea level, is rich in natural beauty. Panchpokhari is also near Kathmandu. Lately, Panchpokhari has become a popular and scenic tourist destination.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Panchpokhari Thangpal rural municipality, popularly known as Panchpokhari, is one of the 12 rural municipalities of Sindhupalchowk district</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The rural municipality has carried out some important works using local resources. The rural municipality has taken forward the work of post-earthquake reconstruction, housing, health, education, electrification etc. The rural municipality claims that the results are starting to be seen now as education, health, drinking water, agriculture, tourism, and youth-targeted programmes have been given priority instead of roads.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Yangri and Panchpokhari tourist routes have been constructed here. Both these unpaved roads are being upgraded. The Panchpokhari ring road is being developed and upgraded rapidly.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Emphasis has been laid on quality education, said Uttam Mani Poudel, school inspector of the rural municipality. Earthquake resilient buildings have been constructed as the physical infrastructure of the school was destroyed by the earthquake of 2015.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Chief Administrative Officer of the rural municipality Dinesh Kumar Pokharel said that a nurse has been provided to each of the five schools. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">For economic prosperity, work is being done to make the rural municipality a tourism hub and link the tourism business with the living standard of the people. Along with Panchpokhari, Amayangri, Diagran Cave, Dudhpokhari, Pemachal Garden Center, Raithaneshwari, Chojyo Danda, Habeli Naulingeshwari, Jugal Himal, Dorje Lakpa Himal, Yuva Peak, Panchpokhari Peak, Tilman Pass and other tourist places are being developed. The villagers said that rock climbing and paragliding have been successfully tested.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15275',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Department of Roads Spends 31% of Allocated Budget',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 15: The Department of Roads, which received a significant portion of the capital budget, has been able to spend just 31 percent of the allocated budget in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 15: The Department of Roads, which received a significant portion of the capital budget, has been able to spend just 31 percent of the allocated budget in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. With two months left until the end of the fiscal year, the department has spent less than one-third of the budget mostly on roads and bridges of national pride projects.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The department is undertaking 57 projects and programmes including national pride projects. Out of them, the expenditure of some projects looks good while the spending in most of the projects is dismal. This year, the department was allocated a budget of Rs 128.27 billion. As per the third quarterly progress report of the department, Rs 39.66 billion was spent in the nine-month period.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Shiva Prasad Nepal, acting director general of the department, said that the total capital budget expenditure will reach 65 percent this year. Capital expenditure is steadily declining since the beginning of this year. He said that the capital expenditure came down due to the replacement bill, delay in appointment of departmental ministers and the scrapping of three divisional road offices (Lalitpur, Pyuthan and Khurkot).</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to him, due to frequent changes in the Public Procurement Regulations, extension of time and construction holiday for some time, the spending situation will be weakened this year. &ldquo;Construction entrepreneurs have slowed down the work due to rising prices. On the other hand, the pace of work is slowed down as the workers go to their village 10-15 days ahead of the local elections.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Although three road division offices were abolished this year, the budget was still allocated for them. However, the department says that the budget expenditure has been affected due to lack of working environment. According to Nepal, some projects to be built with the help of donors such as Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have been included in the current year&#39;s budget. This is 15 percent of the total capital budget of the department. According to the Acting Director General, Nepal, the total capital expenditure of the department has come down as the budget under this heading could not be spent as well.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Capital expenditure will be further reduced as construction entrepreneurs have announced &#39;construction holiday&#39; during the main working season this year. According to the quarterly progress report, 515 kilometers of roads were blacktopped in the last nine months. Altogether 155 kilometers of new tracks were constructed and 265 kilometers of gravel roads were constructed. Similarly, 81 bridges of strategic importance were built during the review period.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Rs 3.48 billion was spent on the Mid-Hills Highway, a national pride project, till the third quarter of the current fiscal year. The progress made was blacktopping of 78 kilometers of road and construction of two bridges. Similarly, Rs 4.25 billion were spent on postal highways during this period. According to the department, 103 kilometers of road was blacktopped and 12 bridges were constructed during this period. The department informed that Rs 300 million has been spent on the Nagdhunga tunnel.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">A total of Rs 3.52 billion has been spent on the Madan Bhandari Highway as of mid-April. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Ashok Bhandari, director of Madan Bhandari Highway Project, says the budget is low and this highway is not a priority of the government. He said that 91 percent of the allocated budget has been spent but the contract for other road sections could not be issued due to lack of budget.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Hari Kumar Pokhrel, director of the Mid-Hills Highway Project Directorate, said that problems in expenditure surfaced due to lack of budget and site clearance for compensation. Stating that the project has spent only 48 percent of the budget so far, he said that Rs 180 million is needed for compensation. The eastern and western sections of the Narayanghat-Butwal road are also among those spending less. According to the department, a total of Rs 770 million is spent in the eastern part. A budget of Rs 430 million is spent in the west. The Kanchanpur-Kamala road is also low on expenditure. Out of the budget of Rs 3.21 billion, Rs 1.87 billion has been spent on this road.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15274',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal, India to sign 5 MoUs ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 15: Five different agreements are to be signed between Nepal and India to deepen the century-old educational and cultural ties between the two countries.   ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 15: Five different agreements are to be signed between Nepal and India to deepen the century-old educational and cultural ties between the two countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba are expected to sign five Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) on Monday during the Indian prime minister&rsquo;s Nepal visit on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti festival, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Indian Educational and Cultural Foundation will sign one MoU each with Lumbini Buddhist University and Tribhuvan University and three MoUs with Kathmandu University.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Lumbini Buddhist University and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Tribhuvan University Nepal and Center for Asian Studies (CNAS) and ICCR, Kathmandu University and ICCR, the KU and the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai are scheduled to sign two other MoUs. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the Foreign Ministry, Indian PM Modi will arrive in Lumbini on May 16 at the invitation of PM Deuba to attend a special ceremony on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti festival.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;The Prime Minister of India together with the Prime Minister of Nepal will participate in a prayer at the Mayadevi Temple, lay the foundation stone for the construction of a centre for Buddhist culture and heritage at the Monastic Zone in Lumbini, and address the special ceremony to be organized to celebrate Buddha Jayanti at the Lumbini International Buddhist Meditation Center and Assembly Hall,&rdquo; reads the statement issued by the ministry..</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the statement, the two prime ministers will hold bilateral talks and exchange views on Nepal-India cooperation and matters of mutual interests. The Prime Minister of Nepal will host a luncheon in honour of the prime minister of India and the visiting delegation.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that the upcoming visit of the prime minister of India will contribute to further strengthening the bilateral relations and the age-old socio-cultural bonds between the two countries.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The statement further said this will be the fifth visit of Narendra Modi to Nepal as the prime minister of India. (With inputs from RSS)</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></span></p>
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15272',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Fuel, Vehicles and Industrial Raw Materials Dominate List of Imported Goods through Birgunj Customs ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 15: Petroleum products, vehicles and industrial raw materials dominated the list of goods entering the country through the Birgunj customs, which accounts for about half of Nepal’s foreign trade.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 15: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Petroleum products, vehicles and industrial raw materials dominated the list of goods entering the country through the Birgunj customs, which accounts for about half of Nepal&rsquo;s foreign trade. This was revealed by the import-export data for the nine months of the current Fiscal Year (FY 2021/22).&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to the Birgunj Customs Office, these items have been included in the list of 20 main items imported in the current fiscal year. The customs chief Harihar Poudel informed that the five main items imported were diesel, petrol, four-wheeler (jeep/car/van), motorcycle and LP gas respectively.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Trucks, buses, and pick-up vehicles are also among the main items entering through this customs. The import volume of coal used by the domestic cement industry as auxiliary raw material is also significant. Clinker, which used to be imported in the past, has been removed from the list of main imported items as it is now produced in the country itself. Coal is used to make clinkers.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Similarly, the data shows that semi-refined soybean, sunflower and palm oil are also imported significantly through this customs point. The 14 oil industries operating in the Bara-Parsa industrial corridor import raw materials through this checkpoint. They have been processing and exporting raw materials imported from Ukraine, Russia, Australia, Indonesia and other countries.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Poudel said that refined oil is the main contributor to the export at present. However, due to Russia-Ukraine tensions and restrictions on palm oil exports imposed by Indonesia, imports of raw materials have now been halted, according to entrepreneur Suresh Rungta. He said that instead of semi-refined oil, soybean seeds are imported from the USA and Canada to manufacture oil.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Similarly, raw materials required for the iron industry like steel strip, billet etc. are also included in the list of main imported goods. As per the data of the customs office, polythene granules, tobacco, soft drinks and other items are also imported through this checkpoint.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '15271',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'NOC Hikes Fuel Price by Rs 10 Per Liter',
			'sub_title' => 'Petrol to Cost Rs 170 per Litre Effective from Today ',
			'summary' => 'May 15: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), a state-owned trading enterprise that imports, stores and distributes petroleum products, has hiked the price of petroleum products by Rs 10 per liter.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 15: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), a state-owned trading enterprise that imports, stores and distributes petroleum products, has hiked the price of petroleum products by Rs 10 per liter. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the NOC, the decision has come into effect from Saturday midnight.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As per the adjusted price, petrol is being sold for Rs 170 per liter and diesel and kerosene for Rs 153 per liter each. However, the price of cooking gas and aviation fuel has remained unchanged. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Despite the price hike, NOC claimed it is has been incurring a loss of Rs 23.2 in a litre of petrol, Rs 40.13 in diesel and Rs 1050.8 in each LP gas cylinder.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">However, NOC said in a statement issued on Saturday that it has been making a profit of Rs 2.81 in a litre of kerosene and Rs 12.64 and Rs 64.69 respectively in domestic and international aviation fuel.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The total loss the NOC stands at around Rs 5.1 billion every fortnight. -- RSS</span></span></span></p>
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			'image' => '20220515080751_20220406103104_Petrol-Price-Increase.jpg',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15270',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Prime, Gurans and Union Life Insurance Companies Decide to Merge',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: Prime Life Insurance Company, Gurans Life Insurance Company and Union Life Insurance Company have signed an agreement for merger under indirect pressure from the Insurance Board to raise their paid-up capital. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 13: Prime Life Insurance Company, Gurans Life Insurance Company and Union Life Insurance Company have signed an agreement for merger under indirect pressure from the Insurance Board to raise their paid-up capital.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Chairman of Prime Life Insurance Piyush Raj Aryal, Gurans Life Insurance Company&rsquo;s Bibek Dugad and Union Life Insurance Company&rsquo;s Sulabh Agrawal signed the merger agreement on Thursday, amid a formal programme.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">This is the first and largest merger agreement in the life insurance sector. A few days ago, a merger agreement between two non-life insurance companies &ndash; Himalayan General Insurance and Everest Insurance Company &ndash; took place.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">At present, the three life insurance companies have only agreed in principle to merge. Manoj Kumar Bhattarai, CEO of Prime Life Insurance, said that further process will be taken after getting approval in-principle from the board. &ldquo;The swap ratio will be decided after the asset liability assessment,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">He said that this merger will prove to be a milestone in the life insurance sector. Stating that the agreement was&nbsp; historic, the CEO of Union Life Insurance Manoj Kumar Karn said that it would benefit the overall stakeholders including the insured, promoters and shareholders.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The three companies do not aim to do integrated business right away. However, they would start the integrated business by completing the merger process as soon as possible. A merger committee will be formed after receiving in-principle approval from the committee. After that, the committee will decide the name of the company, staff management, property valuation and swap ratio.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The company formed after the merger will have a paid-up capital of Rs 7.13 billion. At present, Prime Life Insurance has a paid-up capital of Rs 2.77 billion, Union Life Insurance has Rs 2.15 billion and Gurans Life Insurance has Rs 2.84 billion.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The size of the insurance fund will reach over Rs 40 billion after the merger. At present, Prime Life Insurance has an insurance fund of Rs 17.63 billion, Union Life Insurance has an insurance fund of Rs 10.33 billion and Gurans Life Insurance has an insurance fund of Rs 12.6 billion.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Insurance Board had issued a directive a month ago instructing the insurance companies to increase their paid-up capital. At present, non-life insurance companies should have a minimum paid-up capital of Rs 1 billion and life insurance companies should have a minimum paid-up capital of Rs 2 billion.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The board has directed the non-life insurance companies to raise the minimum limit of paid-up capital to Rs 2.5 billion and life insurance companies to increase it to Rs 5 billion by mid-April 2023.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&nbsp;</span></span></p>
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15269',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Voting for Local Election Completed with Sporadic Incidents   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: Voting for the local level election 2079 has been completed peacefully today (May 13), with sporadic incidents of disturbances.  ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 13: Voting for the local level election 2079 has been completed peacefully today (May 13), with sporadic incidents of disturbances.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As a result, the Nepal Police has concluded that the election was held peacefully. Nepal Police Spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police Bishnukumar KC said that the election was held peacefully despite sporadic incidents in different districts. According to him, 110 incidents took place in more than 30 districts today as per the details received at the Police Headquarters as of 5:00 pm today.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As per the details received, re-polling was held in 40 polling stations due to disputes. SSP KC said that voting has been postponed in some polling stations including Kavre, Saptari and Sarlahi. In some districts, even the rains affected the voting process.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The police spokesperson said that warning shots had to be fired in some polling stations of 11 districts to bring the situation under control. Likewise, tear gas shells were fired at one polling station in Humla.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Election Commission said that necessary arrangements have been made for the safe transportation of ballot boxes as well as to initiate vote counting immediately by collecting all the ballot boxes.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The local-level election was held in a single phase for the first time. The local-level election held for the first time in 2074 BS after promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal was held in three phases.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Today&rsquo;s voting began from 7:00 am at 21,955 polling stations of 10,756 voting centres across the nation. A total of 35,221 people&rsquo;s representatives in 753 local levels would be elected by the election.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Out of 145,011 candidates contesting the election, 390 have been already elected unanimously. Similarly, of the 79 political parties registered with the Election Commission for the election, 65 parties registered their nomination. A total of 439,953 people including 109,088 employees, 65,865 volunteers, 5,000 supervisors and 260,000 security personnel were deployed for the election. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><br />
&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15268',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Fostering Resilience of Women-Led Businesses and Consumers Project Concludes ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: The project “Fostering Resilience of Women-Led Businesses (including home-based women producers) and Consumers,” launched with the objective of building a resilient business of both formal and informal producers and to spread Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) awareness to the customers/buyers concluded on Wednesday (May 11).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 13: The project &ldquo;Fostering Resilience of Women-Led Businesses (including home-based women producers) and Consumers,&rdquo; launched with the objective of building a resilient business of both formal and informal producers and to spread Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) awareness to the customers/buyers concluded on Wednesday (May 11). </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The project was jointly launched by Thulo Pasal (Thulo.com) and Enterprise for Management, Economic Reform, and Gender Equality (EMERGE) with the support from the USAID&rsquo;s Tayar Nepal - Improved Disaster Risk Management Project under their campaign &lsquo;Udhyami Utthan&rsquo;. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Thulo.com and EMERGE conducted a hybrid closing workshop on Wednesday to share the outcomes and announce the closure of the project.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The programme included participants from women businesses, representatives from ministries, local government, banks, insurance, tech companies, development agencies, private sector organisations and media.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">CEO of EMERGE Dr Mona Shrestha Adhikari said that </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">the project provided a training program on building resilient businesses, connected beneficiaries to e-commerce platforms through thulo.com, and facilitated access to finance and risk financing for business continuity/expansion. The project also made businesses and consumers aware of Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) through a dedicated web page and a downloadable mobile application on both Android and iOS</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In the opening remarks, Tammie Harris, chief of party of USAID-Tayar Nepal said that the partnership with thulo.com and EMERGE to implement this grant had been wonderful. &ldquo;It has brought our private sector interest, innovative approach, and GESI approach into one exciting, successful package,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In his special remarks, under secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Durga Prasad Bhusal expressed his surprise that achieving such exceptional outcomes in just ten months is incredible. He also admired the effort of thulo.com and EMERGE for empowering and enabling the women entrepreneurs by helping them upscale and guiding them towards resilient entrepreneurship. &ldquo;This project is an example for all of us looking forward to digital transformation in ecommerce,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Sharing the outcome of the training programme &lsquo;Building Resilient Businesses&rsquo;, programme director of EMERGE Aleena Udas said </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">that the training sessions have helped participants&rsquo; upskill themselves in Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM), Occupational Health and Safety, business management, marketing, promotion, sales, and the tools and techniques to transition towards e-commerce.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">COO of thulo.com, Surakchya Adhikari mentioned how this project has helped bridge the digital gap by connecting 48 women producers/entrepreneurs to thulo.com, promote their disaster preparedness products through various promotional activities, and emphasize their identity by featuring their stories and selling more than 3,000 products. Likewise, CEO of thulo.com Raja Ram Nepal explained about the recently launched mobile application &lsquo;Ma Ta Chhu Tayar&rsquo; that focuses on managing disaster risk and is targeted to businesses.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Shanti Nakarmi, owner of Peace Tailoring and Oliin Rai, business manager of Higher Ground Nepal, the two project beneficiaries, also shared their experience.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Kiran Kuman Shrestha, CEO, Rastriya Banijya Bank and Aadar Bhandari from United Insurance expressed their commitment to support women businesses for access to finance and risk financing. They hope to keep up with long-term collaboration to support entrepreneurs in running sustainable businesses.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Towards the end of the workshop, Walter Weaver, vice president for Asia Region of DAI, in his observational remark, shared that the challenges unfolded by the Covid-19 pandemic created a demand for new innovative solutions like bridging the digital gap and enhancing the business through e-commerce.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Similarly, Dr. Manju&nbsp; Thapa Tuladhar, GESI advisor to the USAID Nepal, said that USAID is interested in designing such projects that support women-led businesses and added that it is commendable of the project to bring in social inclusion while doing business, which is usually difficult to achieve.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15266',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Merger of Hydropower Companies',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: After the merger of banks and financial institutions, hydropower companies have also started to merge to raise their paid-up capital.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 13: After the merger of banks and financial institutions, hydropower companies have also started to merge to raise their paid-up capital. The Electricity Regulatory Commission, which regulates hydropower companies, has approved the merger of two hydropower companies.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The two hydropower companies with cross holding had sought permission from the commission to merge with each other.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Following the approval, a merger agreement has been signed between Ridi Hydropower Development Company and Rarang Hydropower Development Company. After the merger of these companies, the total paid-up capital of the new entity will be Rs 1.14 billion.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The companies will have to follow the standards, codes and guidelines issued by the commission from time to time regarding good corporate governance.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&nbsp;In case of merger of the companies, other prevailing acts, rules or directives and the management letter and rules of the company should be followed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The commission is also encouraging other companies to merge. -- RSS</span></span></span></p>
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			'sortorder' => '15009',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15267',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => '260,000 Security Personnel Deployed for Election Security',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: Altogether 260,000 security personnel have been deployed for the local election being held across the country in a single phase today.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">May 13: Altogether 260,000 security personnel have been deployed for the local election being held across the country in a single phase today.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Among them, 100,000 security personnel are temporary police personnel recruited for the election. Likewise, more than 65,000 security personnel from Nepal Police, 71,000 from the Nepalese Army and 32,000 from Armed Police Force have been deployed for the security of the local election in all 753 local units.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the Election Commission, the security arrangement has three layers of protection. Nepal Police personnel have been deployed in the first layer, APF in the second layer and Nepalese Army in the third layer. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Spokesperson of the Nepalese Army Brigadier General Narayan Silwal informed that the army has been mobilized in such a way that they are prepared to reach any polling centre within 30 minutes.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Meanwhile, Spokesperson of Nepal Police SSP Bishnu Kumar KC said that criminal activities is almost zero during this election and therefore there is less challenge this time. He however said that the police is alert to avoid any kind of confrontation between political parties and their cadres.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15265',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Cases filed against 64 Industries for Adulteration of Food',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 13: Government authorities have decided to take legal action against 64 industries for producing and selling various types of inedible food items and contaminated drinking water.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 13: Government authorities have decided to take legal action against 64 industries for producing and selling various types of inedible food items and contaminated drinking water.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has already registered cases against the industries for legal action.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to Mohan Krishna Maharjan, spokesperson of the department, the industries will be prosecuted under the Black Marketing Act for producing food items that adversely affect the health of consumers. Operators of the industries can be sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined under the Black Marketing Act 2032.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Among the 64 industries, 19 industries have been accused of selling products without labeling and 45 industries face action for producing inedible food items.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to Maharjan, action will be taken against the industries for adulterating food items such as &nbsp;meat spice, vegetable spice, mixed spice, spice ingredients, cumin powder, pulses, butter, milk and dairy products, mustard oil, processed drinking water, noodles, tea leaves, etc.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => 'Buddha Air to Operate Night Flights from May 15',
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			'summary' => 'May 13: Buddha Air is planning to expand its night flight service to various destinations from May 15. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">May 13: Buddha Air is planning to expand its night flight service to various destinations from May 15. The airline company said it will operate night flights to Janakpur, Nepalgunj, Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, Bhadrapur and Simara in the initial phase. According to Buddha Air, the night flights will start at 8 pm.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has made arrangements for night flights and has approved about 13 per cent of the flight schedule.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Buddha Air has stated that night flights will be very attractive for the passengers who are busy with daily work. The night flight will be easier, simpler and cheaper than the flights during daytime.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Buddha Air has also requested the state and local governments to operate public transportation services at the destinations where night flights have been scheduled.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In case of Kathmandu, Buddha Air, in coordination with Tootle, and is also offering attractive discounts on taxis for the passengers who opt for night flights.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Buddha Air has already connected Pokhara Airport with direct flights from all the states. Its direct benefit has reached the business community and especially the tourists. Now, Buddha Air has stated that it is going to connect Bhairahawa Airport with all the states. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In the future, Buddha Air has plans to fly from Bhairahawa to Biratnagar, Bhadrapur, Janakpur, Simara, Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi. The airline company also plans to bring holiday packages through Buddha Holidays, a sister organization of Buddha Air, for tourists along with the flight.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has decided to keep airports with night landing facilities open for 18 hours.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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FOREX

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)

Bullion

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

Petroleum

Petrol	1 Liter	106.00
Diesel	1 Liter	95.00
Kerosene	1 Liter	95.00
LP Gas	1 Cylinder	1375.00