नेपाल–भारत रेल सम्पर्क विस्तारमा जोड

नयाँदिल्ली: नेपाल र भारतले जयनगर–बिजुलपुर–बर्दिवास तथा जोगवनी–विराटनगर रेल सेवा आगामी वर्षभित्रै सम्पन्न हुने विश्वास लिएका छन् ।
भारतको ५ दिने औपचारिक भ्रमणमा रहेका प्रधानमन्त्री शेरबहादुर देउवा र उनका समकक्षी नरेन्द्र मोदीबीच हैदरावाद हाउसमा भएको एक्लाएक्लै वार्तापछि जारी गरिएको संयुक्त विज्ञप्तिमा दुई देश बीचको व्यापार तथा सम्पर्कमा वृद्धि गर्न तथा पर्यटनको प्रवद्र्धन गर्न दुई देशबीचको सम्पर्क सञ्जाल विस्तारमा छलफल भएको जनाइएको छ ।
यस्तै, न्यू जलपाइगुडी–काकरभिट्टा, नौतनवा–भैरहवा तथा नेपालगञ्ज रोडदेखि नेपालगञ्जबीचको रेललाइनको पनि छिट्टै सर्भे गरेर काम सुरु गर्ने सहमति भएको छ । विराटनगरको एकीकृत भन्सार चौकीको कामको प्रगति सन्तोषजनक रहेको भन्दै छिट्टै नै भैरहवा तथा नेपालगञ्जमा पनि एकीकृत भन्सार चौकी स्थापनाको अध्ययन गर्ने पनि जनाइएको छ ।
अरुण तेस्रो परियोजनामा रहेको भूमिको समस्या समाधान गरेर शिलान्यासका लागि नेपालका प्रधानमन्त्री देउवाले भरतीय समकक्षीलाई निमन्त्रणा गरेका छन् । पञ्चेश्वर परियोजनाको डीपीआरको काम अगाडि बढाउने अन्तिम तयारी भइरहेको पनि विज्ञप्तिमा जनाइएको छ ।
साथै, भारतले सीमा क्षेत्रमा डुबानको समस्या हल गर्न एक–अर्काको हित हुने गरी समन्वयमा मात्र बाँध र ब्यारेजहरू निर्माण गरिने प्रतिबद्धता पनि जाहेर गरेको छ भने बौद्ध तथा रामायण पर्यटकीय सर्किट बनाउने योजना रहेको पनि विज्ञप्तिमा जनाइएको छ ।
यसअघि प्रधानमन्त्री शेरबहादुर देउवा र उनका समकक्षी नरेन्द्र मोदीबीच हैदरावाद हाउसमा भएको एक्लाएक्लै वार्ता र प्रतिनिधि मण्डलस्तरीय वार्तापछि दुवै प्रधानमन्त्रीको उपस्थितिमा ८ समझदारी पत्रमा पनि हस्ताक्षर भएको छ ।
दुई प्रधानमन्त्रीले रिमोट थिचेर कटैया, कुशाहा र रक्सौल परवानीपुर प्रसारण लाइनको उद्घाटन पनि गरेका छन् । यो लाइनबाट थप एक सय मेगावाट विद्युत् भारतले नेपाललाई दिनेछ । नेपाल तथा भारतबीच हस्ताक्षर भएका ८ मध्ये ४ समझदारी पत्र भूकम्पपछि भारतले नेपाललाई दिने भनिएको सहयोगको विषयमा रहेको राष्ट्रिय पुननिर्माण प्राधिकरणका प्रमुख कार्यकारी अधिकृत गोविन्द पोखरेलले जानकारी दिए ।
भूकम्पपछिको पुनर्निर्माण लागि भारतले घोषणा गरेको १ खर्ब रूपैयाँको प्रयोग र अर्को स्वास्थ्य, शिक्षा र पुरातात्विक सम्पदा पुननिर्माणसम्वन्धी रहेकोमा चार समझदारी २ सय ५० बिलियन अर्थात २ खर्ब २० अर्ब रूपैयाँ बराबरको भएको पोखरेलले जानकारी दिए ।
नेपालले यसमध्ये एउटा समझदारीपत्र ५० हजार घर पुनर्निर्माणको मोडालिटीका विषयमा रहेको तथा अर्को समझदारीपत्र शैक्षिक क्षेत्रमा भूकम्पपछि पुनर्निमाणको विषयमा रहेको छ । अन्य २ समझदारी पत्र सांस्कृतिक सम्पदा र शिक्षा क्षेत्रको रहेको हस्ताक्षरकर्ता अर्थसचिव डा. शान्तराज सुवेदीले कारोबारलाई बताए ।
भूकम्पसम्बन्धी यी चारवटा एमओयूमा नेपालका तर्फबाट अर्थसचिव डा.सुवेदी र भारतका तर्फबाट विदेशसचिव एस जयशंकरले हस्ताक्षर गरेका थिए । अर्को समझदारीपत्रअनुसार मेची नदीमा बनाउने फराकिलो पुल बनाउन भौतिक पूर्वाधार तथा यातायातसचिव देवेन्द्र कार्की र भारतका तर्फबाट रोड ट्रान्सपोर्ट एन्ड हाइवेज सचिव युद्धवीर सिंहले हस्ताक्षर गरे ।
यस्तै, लागू औषधको व्यापार रोक्ने समझदारीपत्रमा गृहसचिव लोकदर्शन रेग्मी र भारतीय अर्थ मन्त्रालयका रेभेन्यु सेक्रेटरी हसमुख अधियाले हस्ताक्षर गरे भने स्ट्यान्डराइजेसन एन्ड कन्फर्मिटी एसेसमेन्ट सहयोग सम्झौतामा नेपाल गुणस्तर तथा मापदण्ड ब्युरोका महानिर्देशक विश्वबाबु पुडासैनी र भारतीय समकक्षी सन्जय सिंहले हस्ताक्षर गरेका थिए ।
भ्रमणले नेपाल तथा भारतबीचको समझदारी बढेको तथा दुई देशबीचको विश्वास तथा भाईचारमा वृद्धि भएको प्रधानमन्त्रीका परराष्ट्र सल्लाहकार दिनेश भट्टराइले दावी गरे पनि नेपाल तथा प्रधानमन्त्री देउवाको विशेष चासो रहेका पञ्चेश्वर आयोजना तथा नेपाली ग्यास बुलेटले भारतबाट ग्यास ओसार्नेसम्बन्धमा भने कुनै प्रगति नभएको वार्तामा सहभागी एक नेपाली अधिकारीले बताए ।
यसैबीच, लामो समयदेखि रोकिएको दुई देशका चार्टर्ड एकाउन्टेन्ट इन्स्टिच्युटहरूबीचको समझदारीमा पनि हस्ताक्षर भएको छ । त्यसमा नेपालका तर्फबाट इन्स्टिच्युटका अध्यक्ष प्रकाश थापा र भारतका तर्फबाट निलेश भिकाम्सेले हस्ताक्षर गरेका थिए भने म्यानेजमेन्ट एसोसिएसन अफ नेपाल तथा पीएचडी एसोसिएसन भारतबीच पनि सम्झौता भएको छ ।
यसका साथै प्रधानमन्त्री देउवाले भारतीय समकक्षी मोदीलाई नेपालमा सबै पक्षको सहमतिमासंविधान संशोधन गर्ने बचन दिएका छन् ।समझदारीपत्रमा हस्ताक्षरपछि पत्रकारलाई सम्बोधन गर्दै भारतीय प्रधानमन्त्री मोदीले नेपालसँग भारतको सुरक्षा चासो प्राथमिकतामा रहेको जनाए पनि यसको मूर्त व्याख्या भने गरेनन् ।
यस्तै मोदीले स्थानीय चुनावको स्वागत गरे तर विगतमा जस्तै सबैसँग सम्वाद गर्दै सबैको आकांक्षा समाहित गरी संविधान सफलतापूर्वक लागू हुने विश्वास गरे ।मोदीपछि सम्बोधन गर्दै देउवाले सरकारले संविधान सबैको स्वीकार बनाउन चाहेको भन्दै संसदमा दुई तिहाई बहुमत पु¥याउन नसकेर असफल भए पनि प्रयाश जारी रहने बताए ।

भ्रमणमा के भयो,  के  भएन ?
अरुण तेस्रो शिलान्यासमा मोदीलाई निम्ता
सीमा क्षेत्रमा एकअर्काको समन्वयमा मात्र बाँध र ब्यारेज निर्माण
बौद्ध तथा रामायण पर्यटकीय सर्किट बनाइने
कटैया, कुशाहा र रक्सौल परवानीपुर प्रसारण लाइन उद्घाटन
पञ्चेश्वर र नेपाली ग्यास बुलेटको समस्या सम्बोधन भएन

Sebon plans to enforce separate regulation

The capital market regulator is going to enforce a separate regulation to take action against listed companies that fail to report on time. Many listed companies that have been disregarding Securities Board of Nepal's (Sebon) directive have been getting away with it at present.
According to the regulation, the listed companies are required to submit their unaudited quarterly financial reports to it within a month of the completion of the quarter. Likewise, organisations that have received operating licences from Sebon, including stockbrokers and merchant bankers, also need to submit their financial reports within the deadline. But of them has been disobeying the regulator.
According to the regulator, some 98 out of the 226 listed companies have not submitted their financial reports till date evenafter the deadline August 16.
Most of them are development banks. According to the Sebon, some 40 out of the 77 development banks have not submitted their financial reports. Likewise, some 20 out of the 34 finance companies have not submitted their reports, whereas some 15 companies related to manufacturing and processing, four companies in the trading group, seven commercial banks and six hydropower companies have failed to submit their reports.
However, Sebon has not taken any action against these companies due to lack of separate regulation to take action against such firms. According to the Securities Act 2006, companies violating the rule can be fined or their transactions suspended.
The listed companies have to submit their annual audited reports within five months from the start of the fiscal year. The deadline for Sebon’s licensed institutions is three months from the end of the previous fiscal year.

Nepse suspends trading of shares of 6 firms
KATHMANDU: The Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) on Monday suspended share trading of six stock broking companies – including Agrawal Securities, Ashutosh and Brokerage and Securities, Bhrikuti Stock, Creative Securities, Shree Krishna Securities and South Asian Bulls – for failing to pay the regulation fee to the Securities Board of Nepal (Sebon). According to capital market regulator, stock broking companies are required to pay 0.6 per cent of the total service charge they receive. 

Nepal's graduation from LDC possible

Nepal’s gradation from the current Least Developed Countries (LDC) status to the developing countries' rank by 2022 is possible, according to
At the National Consultation seminar organised by Least Developed Countries (LDC) Watch, National Planning Commission (NPC) joint secretary Lal Shankar Ghimire confirmed that Nepal will graduate from the current status to the developing country status within 5 years.
He also reminded that the NPC has in its 13th periodic plan set a goal of upgrading Nepal from the LDC group by 2022, a step forward from its previous target in 12th periodic plan of upgrading Nepal by 2030.
Ghimire opined that realisation of the goal entailed renewed stress on tackling corruption, upholding good governance and bringing political stability for extensive growth and social development.
The LDC Watch’s International Coordinator Gauri Pradhan, on the occasion, noted the possibility of Nepal graduating to developing country status between the period of 2017 and 2024, and underlined the need for positive socio-economic development.
The civil society organisations, on the occasion, endorsed a 12-point Kathmandu Declaration.

Government starts embossed number plates distribution

After some 25 years, the government has implemented its Act as the Department of Transport Management started issuing high security embossed number plates from today.
Though, the embossed number plates are against the new Constitution -- that does not recognise Zones -- these number plates are readable by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera systems. "The number plates carry a chip which is connected to the vehicle’s GPS system," the department informed, adding that it helps to locate the vehicle in the event of theft.
The government had been long planning to replace the old number plates but it took some two-and-a-half decade to implement the Act that had 25 years envisioned to use embossed number plates. "The department plans to replace all the old number plates by the next five years," it added. "In the first phase, all the government-owned vehicles will have embossed number plates to be followed by diplomatic and personal vehicles."
Five colours of plate and text will be used to differentiate between government vehicles, private and diplomatic vehicles. The numbers will be however be in English only and it might be widely criticised for not using the Nepali numbers, apart from using the Zones instead of Province. 

ADB, GCF sign agreement to scale Up Climate Finance delivery in Asia

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) today signed an Accreditation Master Agreement (AMA) that will allow ADB to access and administer GCF funds and scale up the bank’s climate financing to its developing member countries.
The agreed AMA – a framework agreement detailing the overarching rights and obligations of an accredited entity and GCF – will enable ADB to access a new funding source to further increase its climate mitigation and adaptation efforts in Asia and the Pacific. “The Accreditation Master Agreement between the GCF and ADB will open the way to deeper collaboration between our institutions,” said ADB General Counsel Christopher Stephens. "Working together with the GCF, we will build a robust pipeline of climate projects that support the development and climate objectives of our developing member countries.”
GCF works exclusively with accredited entities to support climate mitigation and adaptation projects and programs. Today’s signing of the AMA is the conclusion of ADB’s accreditation process – approved in March 2015 – that enables ADB to apply for GCF funding for all sizes of projects, as well as all environmental and social risk categories. These funds would be in addition to ADB’s own commitment of providing climate financing of $6 billion per year by 2020.
“As the dynamo of global economic growth, with Asia Pacific continuing to record the world’s strongest growth, this region has a key role to play in tackling climate change,” said Acting GCF General Counsel Raul Herrera. “The vital importance of Asia in meeting the climate challenge, along with GCF’s mandate to pursue transformative low-emission and climate-resilient development across the planet, means a shared strategic approach between GCF and ADB in this area is essential.”
GCF also commended ADB for highlighting in its own study how sensitive the Asia and Pacific region is to climate change. 'A Region at Risk-The Human Dimensions of Climate Change in Asia and the Pacific', an ADB report released in July, indicates climate change could diminish the major achievements made during the past few decades in lifting large numbers of people living in the region out of poverty.
Access to GCF financing starts with a submission by ADB of a funding proposal, followed by its review and approval by the GCF board. GCF financing may include a combination of public and private sector initiatives and provide a range of financing instruments such as grants, loans – including concessional loans – equity, and risk mitigation instruments such as guarantees.
In November 2015, GCF approved a first $31 million climate adaptation grant for ADB’s Fiji Urban Water Supply and Wastewater Management Project that will benefit a third of the country’s population of 860,000. The grant to Fiji was among the first group of projects approved by the GCF Board. GCF has also approved a $12 million grant for the Cook Islands Renewable Energy project along with a $5 million grant for a regional technical assistance to seven Pacific Island countries to transition to renewable energy.
ADB’s current GCF accreditation is valid until March 2020, subject to reaccreditation every 5 years.
GCF, based in Songdo, is a global fund created to support the efforts of developing countries to respond to the challenge of climate change. It was established in 2010 by 194 governments to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries and catalyze a flow of climate finance to invest in low-emission and climate-resilient development. As of June 2017, 42 countries and one city have signed contribution agreements with GCF worth $10.1 billion out of the $10.3 billion pledged.
ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, ADB is celebrating 50 years of development partnership in the region. It is owned by 67 members; 48 from the region. In 2016, ADB assistance totaled $31.7 billion, including $14 billion in cofinancing. 

Himalaya offers direct Kathmandu-Dammam flights

Privately airliner Himalaya Airlines announced the launch of its first direct flight from Kathmandu to the Saudi Arabia city of Dammam from September 1.
The Kathmandu-Dammam airfare will start from Rs 23,800 for one-way and Rs 38,000 for a round trip, exclusive of taxes, the domestic private carrier said, adding that the flight would facilitate Nepali migrant workers to return home during the upcoming Dashain and Tihar festivals. "Dammam is one of the most sought after destination of Nepalis for foreign employment with an estimated 500,000 Nepalis working there currently."
In 2015, the government had amended the air service agreement (ASA) with Saudi Arabia, boosting the frequency between the two countries to 28 weekly flights from two weekly flights. Nepal had signed the ASA with Saudi Arabia in October 1999 permitting flights to Riyadh only. The revised ASA has accepted a multiple designation system and Saudi Arabia has adopted an open sky policy at its international airport in Dammam, which means there will be no restriction on the frequency.
The daily direct flight would ease the travel for thousands of Nepalis, who have been paying hefty ticket airfares as well as spending more travel time while commuting between Saudi Arab and Kathmandu.
Himalaya will depart from Tribhuvan International Airport at 22:30 hours (local time) and will arrive in King Fadh International Airport, Dammam at 00:50 hours (local time) the next day, the airliner said in a press note. "The return flight will depart from Fadh International Airport, Dammam at 01:50 hours (local time) and will arrive in Kathmandu at 09:15 hours (local time)."
According to Himalaya Airlines vice president of Administration Vijay Shrestha the company is always looking forward to provide the passengers with the most convenient and time-efficient way of air travel. "Considering the hours of hassle Nepalis have been facing while traveling to Saudi Arabia, we believe the launch of this direct flight will definitely achieve our objective," he said, adding that the launch of daily direct flight to Dammam is Himalaya Airlines special Festival gift.
The free baggage allowance for both the routes is 40 kg for business class and 30 kg for economy class. The airline has appointed Asfar Travel and Tourism as its general sales agents, who will represent the airline in Saudi Arabia and will be responsible for the airline’s sales and marketing, market development, reservations and ticketing services.
Established in August 2014, Himalaya Airlines, a Nepal China Joint Venture, is a private airline of Nepal providing international air service.  

Electricity from India to cost Rs 10 per unit

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has fixed the new tariff for the electricity imported from India.
The meeting of Nepal-India Electricity Exchange Committee held today in New Delhi has fixed Rs 8.88 minimum to Rs 10.32 maximum per unit based on the capacity of the transmission lines. The new rate will be applicable immediately and until the next power exchange committee meeting which is scheduled for March 2018. The new tariff for the electricity to be imported from India will be fixed by another meeting of the committee agreed to hold within next March.
According to NEA spokesperson Prabal Adhikari, who also attended the meeting of the Committee at New Delhi, the new tariff has been determined at IRs Rs 5.55 minimum for the electricity imported through big transmission line and IRs 6.45 maximum per unit for the electricity imported through small transmission line.
He also explained that the electricity imported through transmission line of 11 kv will cost Rs 10.32 (IRs 6.54), Rs 9.60 (IRs 6) of 33 kv and Rs 8.88 (IRs 5.55) of Rs 132 Kv.
With the new decision, per unit price of electricity being imported from 12 various Indian border points for the next seven months via 132 kv, 33 kv and 11 kv cross-border transmission line will be cheaper by IRs 0.07, IRs 0.08 and IRs 0.09, respectively, he added.
After a Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) delegation led by managing director Kulman Ghising today requested Central Electricity Authority (CEA) of India to slash the electricity price, they have agreed to reduce the price of electricity exported to Nepal. The Ghising-led delegation is currently in New Delhi in the second meeting of Nepal-India Power Exchange Committee. The committee is a bilateral platform to make decision on a number of issues including cross-border electricity trade like tariff rate, quantity and modality.
The first meeting of the Nepal-India Power Exchange Committee in 2011 had fixed the tariff at less than IRs 4 per unit. It agreed to review prices at subsequent meetings that would be held annually. As no meetings could be held since then, the tariff rate grew by 5.5 per cent every year for six consecutive years according to the decision of the first meeting.
Currently, Nepal is paying Rs 8.99 per unit for up to 50 MW and Rs 8.88 above 50 MW. Although committee meetings were supposed to be held annually, they didn’t happen because of India’s unwillingness to do so. The meeting which hadn’t become possible despite relentless efforts by Nepal took place today at the Indian initiative on the eve of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s India visit next week.
The meeting also decided constructions of the three transmission lines of 132 Kv and two of 22 Kv, Adhikari said, adding that the meeting also agreed to re-operate the long defunct 33 kv Dhangadi-Paliya transmission line within two months. Around 50 per cent of the total electricity import is done through the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur and Tanakpur-Mahendranagar power lines.
The meeting also decided that Nepal will import additional 100 MW through inter-country transmission line. It is expected to help Nepal prevent from power outage during the winter. Adhikari said that 50 MW each will be imported through the new 132 kv Kataiya-Kusaha and Raxaul-Parwanipur transmission lines under the ‘take and pay’ modality. Although, the construction of the Raxual-Parawanipur and Kushaha inter-country transmission line was completed some six months ago, no electricity had been imported through the line from India yet.
Currently, Nepal has been importing 380 MW of electricity from India. The NEA has been importing about 50 MW of electricity through 33 kv transmission lines at Raxaul, Siraha, Jaleshwar, Kataiya and Nanpara border points. Similarly, 830 KW of electricity is being imported through 11 kv transmission lines at Lali, Huti and Jaulijiwi border points. Likewise, NEA has been importing 130 MW and 30 MW of electricity through the Kataiya-Kusaha and Gandak-Ramnagar 132 kv transmission lines, respectively.

Tibet Airlines starts Chengdu-KTM flights

After a successful proving flight on June 19, Lhasa-based Tibet Airlines has commenced its direct flight service on Chengdu–Kathmandu-Chengdu sector beginning today.
The inaugural flight, TV 9899, departed Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport at 6:16 pm (China’s local time) and touched down at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu at 7:15 pm (Nepali local time), according to a press release issued by Himalaya Airlines, the general sales agent of Tibet Airlines for Nepal.
Tibet Airlines will conduct 4 flights a week on Chengdu–Kathmandu-Chengdu sector on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
The airline will operate Airbus 319 on the route, featuring a two-class cabin with a seating capacity of 128 passengers, including 8 in business class and 120 in economy.

Government to send staff to local bodies within a week

General Administration Minister Tek Bahadur Basnet said that the government is preparing to send staff in local bodies within a week.
Warning that the government would take stern actions against those staff defying orders, he urged the government employees to comply with their transfers to respective places to facilitate locally elected representatives to implement federalism and constitution.
Speaking at an interaction programme organised in the capital today, the newly appointed minister Basnet said that government will consider employee’s sentiment, their position, and other factors also while adjusting to various provinces in the near future.
"Government is preparing to sent the staffer to province number 2 for the coming September 18 local polls," he said, adding that other locals levels of 6 provinces as locally elected representatives would get their staff soon.
The government is preparing to sent staff on contract basis and increase salary, perks and benefits of employees deputed in local bodies across the nation, until the Employees Adjustment Bill is endorsed by the Legislature-Parliament.

NRA starts orientation to new engineers

The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has started a three-day orientation training for newly appointed engineers, who will be mobilised to carry out resurvey of private homes. The 332 newly appointed engineers will be mobilised to handle complaints registered by people in the 14 districts that were highly affected by the devastating earthquake of April 2015.
Among the selected engineers, 168 engineers will be mobilised in Okhaldhunga, Ramechhap, Dolakha, Sindhupalchowk, Kavrepalanchowk, Nuwakot, Rasuwa and Gorkha from August 10. Likewise, the NRA will mobilise the remaining 164 engineers in the other six districts that include Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Sindhuli, Makawanpur and Dhading from August 14. The move followed by massive complaints from the earthquake survivors on segregation of beneficiaries based on several criteria will resurvey houses and come out with the actual number of beneficiaries by mid-October.
On the occasion, secretary of the NRA Sarbajit Prasad Mahato, urged the engineers to settle the complaints of quake-hit people in a speedy manner. The major task of the engineers will be to verify the complaints registered by those who were left out from the beneficiary list, he said, adding that they also have to handle other complaints lodged by affected people.
According to the NRA data, a total of 207,500 quake-hit people have registered complaints at the authority that has planned to do survey in eight districts in the first phase in collaboration with the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).
The authority is planning to collect on-field statistics of the 14 districts within September 16. During this process, it will verify status of 81,082 families, who have already been included in beneficiary list and status of 52,278 families, who have been left out of the list.
NRA has already looked into complaints filed by households which had not been included in the beneficiary list and included 39,097 families in the list. Likewise, 13,565 families who needed their houses to be retrofitted have been included in the ‘retrofitting’ list.
According to NRA, a large number of complaints filed in Sindhuli, Makawanpur, Kavrepalanchowk and Dolakha districts have to be verified again. The number of complaints that need to be verified again are lower in Rasuwa, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur.
Meanwhile, the authority has deputed local social mobilisers and engineers to carry out the resurvey in coordination with newly elected local representatives.
It has also appealed the people in affected districts, local representatives, political parties and other related agencies for help in making this campaign a success.

House panel team to carry out onsite monitoring of land purchased by NOC

After increased controversy, the Industry, Commerce and Consumer Welfare Committee – under the Legislature-Parliament – has decided to carry out an onsite visit of the land purchased by Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) for petroleum storage in four districts.
Committee chair Bhishmaraj Angdembe in today's meeting said that a group of lawmakers including those elected from Jhapa, Sarlahi, Chitwan and Rupandehi districts will be sent for the onsite monitoring. "The groups will collect real facts by holding discussion with representatives of concerned offices, people's representatives of local-level and locals of the area, where the NOC had purchased the land, of the four districts," he added.
On the occasion, Lawmakers Subas Chandra Thakuri, Bhesh Kumari Raut, Krishna Prasad Poudel, Shambhu Lal Shrestha, Deepak Karki and Shyam Kumar Shrestha stressed the need of carrying out comprehensive probe into the land purchase scandal.

Contractor okays Dhalkebar project October deadline

The Central Power Grid International Economic and Trade Corporation (CCPG) – that is constructing 220 kV Substation Project at Dhalkebar – has pledged to meet the deadline of October 2017 after a high level team led by energy minister Mahendra Bahadur Shahi directed the Chinese contractor.
On the occasion, project manager of CCPG Geng Jialing, said that the project can be completed within the next two months, if the contractor is provided necessary resources promptly. "The government should also assure working environment in the project site," he said.
A high-level team led by energy minister included energy secretary Anup Kumar Upadhyay and NEA managing director Kulman Ghising. They visited the construction site today and asked the Chinese contractor to start the construction work at war footing to complete the job on time. Responding to the team's direction, the contractor agreed to meet the deadline of October 2017.
The monitoring team had also concluded that though almost 80 per cent of the construction work was completed, the remaining work was delayed due to lack of coordination between the contractor and the consultant company of the project regarding bill payments and cable trench.
The representative of Power Grid Corporation of India – the consultant of the project – on the occasion also agreed to provide final drawing of the cable trench required for the project to the contractor to expedite the construction.
Earlier, the contractor had stopped all the work at the construction site a couple of weeks ago without formally informing Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). Although, the Chinese contractor resumed the construction of crucial substation a week later, it was carrying out the work at a snail’s pace, raising doubts over project completion well before the dry season to enable the country to increase electricity imports from India.
NEA managing director Ghising, on the occasion, said that CCPG should complete the Dhalkebar substation project by the October deadline as project carries national significance.
As NEA had terminated the contract of CCPG, which was also working in the Bharatpur-Bardaghat transmission line on June 5, the contractor had begun showing dissatisfaction with NEA by delaying work at the Dhalkebar substation project, which was supposed to be completed by early 2017.
Promising to solve as soon as possible, Minister Shahi asked the contractor to report any work related problems immediately from the project level directly to him.
If the project is not completed by October, it will hit the power utility’s plan to increase electricity imports from India via Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur cross-border transmission line during the dry season.
The state-owned power utility has repeatedly said it will be difficult to keep the country load-shedding free during the dry season, if the substation at Dhalkebar is not completed on time. The country's power demand is expected to increase by around 200 MW then.
Even though the installed capacity of domestic hydroelectricity is expected to go up by additional 130MW during next dry season, power generation is expected to drop by a third around that time when water level goes down in most of the river basins.
If the 220 kV sub-station is built at Dhalkebar by that time, the country can import another 100 MW of power from India theough Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur cross-border transmission line.
Currently, the cross-border transmission line has the capacity to import 160 MW of electricity only. According to agreement signed between NEA and the Chinese company in June 2014, the sub-station should have been up and running by September 2015. But the deadline has been repeatedly pushed back. The October deadline was extended recently.
The CCPG and NEA had signed the Dhalkebar substation project contract on June 12, 2014 with a target to complete it within 15 months.

RBB, NIDC merger talks gathers momentum

The merger process between state-owned Rastriya Banijya Bank (RBB) and NIDC Development Bank has once again gathered speed.
The separate merger committees formed by both the banks have agreed to form a joint merger committee led by joint secretary of the Finance Ministry Nirmal Hari Adhikari.
"We have formed a joint merger committee, which will be responsible for finalising all the merger related issues,” said RBB chief executive officer Kiran Shrestha. "The committee has set a target to finalise the merger process by October 17 this year," he said, adding that the long Dashain vacation in between will surely affect the merger process. "We will do our best to meet the deadline."
Earlier, the individual merger committees formed by the two banks has finalised a first draft of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) yesterday. They have now given the authority to finalise the MoU to the joint merger committee.
The banks have yet not yet discussed into technical issues of the merger like capital ratio and management of employees. "Technical issues are yet to be solved," Shrestha added.
NIDC has already finalised the Due Diligence Audit (DDA) to begin the merger process with RBB. RBB has also already calculated its net worth before starting the merger process.
Expecting merger soon, the Finance Ministry has asked NIDC Development Bank not to extend the agreement of the staffs, who have been hired on contract basis. The ministry has – issuing  a letter on May 7 – also asked NIDC not to appoint any new staff on contract.
A cabinet meeting on January 27 had also urged both the institutions to expedite the merger process. A committee that had been formed under the leadership of former secretary Prithvi Raj Ligal had also suggested NIDC to merge with RBB or to establish itself as an investment bank in collaboration with Hydropower Investment and Development Company.
The RBB has, however, planned to widen its branch network after the merger process is completed. The bank, which already has a presence in 68 districts with a network of 166 branches, has planned to add 43 new branches.
The RBB has paid-up capital of Rs 8.5 billion and NIDC has Rs 650 million.

Shree Airlines operates proven flight to Biratnagar

Domestic carrier Shree Airlines has – after a long wait – operated its first proving flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar today. Shree Airlines operated its 50-seater CRJ 200 with callsign 9N-AMA for its proving flight.
The airline – the largest helicopter operator in the country – is preparing to begin fixed-wing operations. It has already acquired three aircraft – two 50-seater Bombardier CRJ 200s and one 70-seater CRJ-700 – to start commercial passenger service. However, according to civil aviation rules, it has to conduct a proving flight to get Air Operator's Certificate (AOC).
According to Shree Airlines corporate manager Anil Manandhar the proving flight was operated to fulfill the requirements of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). "Now, the inspection team of CAAN, which was on board the proving flight, will submit its report to the aviation sector regulator within two or three days," he said, adding that the CAAN will take a decision on AOC based on the report.
The airlines is expecting CAAN to issue AOC by next week. “Once we get AOC, we will start scheduled flights immediately after we get AOC,” Manandhar added.
Shree Airlines is planning to operate scheduled flights to five destinations; Bhadrapur, Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi. It also plans to operate mountain flights offering affordable fares and promising a safe and pleasing experience to the passengers.
Shree Airlines is the largest helicopter operator in the country, operating a fleet of Mi-17 and AS 350 B3e helicopters.

Sebon issues code of conduct for Board of Director

The capital market regulator has directed its Board of Directors (BoDs) not to invest in the promoter shares of any company that has received any kind of permission from the board. Issuing a code of conduct for its Board of Directors, Securities Board of Nepal (Sebon) has also asked them to refrain from making any investment in the secondary market. It has said that they should not invest in the secondary market and promoter shares during his or her tenure at the board ‘to maintain secrecy and integrity’.
According to the direction, the board members can also no longer join the board of any brokerage company or any company either listed or is in the process of being listed in the secondary market. The board members have also been barred from working as full-time staff at any such organisations.
Sebon has a seven-member board, including the chairman. Three members from government agencies – joint secretaries from Finance Ministry and Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and executive director of central bank – whereas remaining three are the representatives from Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN) and an independent member.
"Sebon board members should maintain financial transparency," the capital market regulator said in its press note. "They should not abuse the authority granted to them,” the note reads, adding that the regulator is also planning to issue corporate governance directive to the organisations that are under the supervision of the authority.
Board members will now have to get a clearance from the board before they can speak to the media as any information given by them can directly affect individual companies or the market. They are also not allowed to accept any gifts without permission, the release adds.
Sebon has already issued code of conduct to its staff members.

NRNA-Thailand to provide civil scholarships

Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Thailand and Civil Initiative entered an agreement to set up a Civil Scholarship Fund to support the needy students from the disadvantaged communities.
The agreement was announced with the main objective to enhance positive effect on the school enrolment, attendance, learning outcomes, reducing the drop out and repetition rates and promoting the school cycle completion rate on June 14 last month, in Kathmandu, a press release issued by the NRNA Thailand reads.
The scholarship will be awarded to the students between Grade VIII and Grade XII with the principle of inclusion. The students will be supported from the bank interest of the Endowment Funds.
NRNA Thailand has already contributed a sum of Rs 3.6 million. The amount has been deposited in the fixed deposit account at Mega Bank Nepal.
A ‘Civil Scholarship Fund Guidelines, 2017’ have been developed containing the scholarship eligibility criteria. The scholarship will be allocated to the earthquake affected districts for the first five years. For the first year, the project will be implemented in Dolakha and Gorkha districts, for 40 students, with 20 students in each district as pilot project and the following years minimum 100 students will be awarded the scholarship each year.
The Scholarship Determination and Implementation Committee (SDIC) led by coordinator Hemanta Raj Dahal (educationist) with Khagendra Raj Dhakal (scholarship promoter), Motikala Subba Dewan (advocate and educationist), Pralhad Karki (educationist), Ramesh Khadka (media representative) as members has also been formed. Two other members include a representative of Education Ministry and a president or representative of NRNA Thailand (Ex-officio Member), who are yet to be confirmed, the statement reads.
With a view to promote the scholarship fund, Mega Bank Nepal and Civil Initiative signed a memorandum of understanding that Mega Bank Nepal shall donate a sum of Rs 300,000 per year, initially for five years.
The recently held first meeting of the Civil Scholarship Board with the presence of representatives from NRNA Thailand and Civil Initiative has decided to implement the minimum of 40 scholarships in Gorkha and Dolakha districts for this year. The board has been working to award the scholarships for the first batch by the first week of October.

Finance Ministry forms AML Cell

The Finance Ministry has formed an ‘Anti-Money Laundering Cell’ to facilitate the government initiatives to curb money laundering activities.
The cell – that will to monitor the progress made by various bodies in combating financial crime, such as money laundering and terror financing, in a bid to prevent the country from falling back into the watch-list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) – has been under the leadership of Economic Policy Analysis Division of the Finance Ministry, will help various regulatory bodies, like the Nepal Rastra Bank, the Insurance Board, the Securities Board of Nepal, and Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal, and state agencies, like the Immigration Department and the Customs Department, to conduct self-evaluation of their performance in combating financial crime.
It will also study the government’s initiatives on anti-money laundering programmes and recommend necessary corrective measures, according to the ministry. "The representatives of Anti-Money Laundering Department and Nepal Rastra Bank will be the members of the cell."
The government has also formed 16 sub-committees under the main committee, which will study the laws related to anti-money laundering, capacity enhancement of related organizations. Based on outcomes of self assessments, various legal and policy reforms would be made, and capacity of institutions conducting research and analysis into money laundering and terrorist financing would be enhanced. Based on these assessments, various measures would be recommended to control money laundering and terror financing in the country. The committee has also been assigned to formulate a national strategy on anti-money laundering and against financing of terrorist activities.
These initiatives are being taken to prevent the country from being enrolled in the watch-list of the FATF, an international body that creates standards to fight global financial crime. A country’s entry into FATF’s watch-list will tarnish its image and make it difficult for Nepali financial institutions to collaborate with international financial institutions, raises various financial transaction costs, and deters foreign investment and aid from entering the country.
The FATF had included Nepal in its watch-list in 2010 citing Nepal had not made adequate legal reforms and strengthened institutions to tackle financial crime according to Nepal's commitment with the international body. The FATF removed Nepal from its watch-list in June 2014 after the parliament passed Money Laundering Prevention Act, Proceeds of Crime (Confiscating, Seizing and Freezing) Act, Mutual Legal Assistance Act, Organised Crime Control Act and Extradition Act.
The FATF will now review Nepal’s performance in controlling financial crime in fiscal year 2019-20. The assessment will continue till 2020-21. During the assessment, the FATF will oversee compliance of its 40 recommendations, which constitute the international standards for anti-money laundering and combating financing of terrorism.
The newly formed cell, which comprises representatives of the Finance Ministry, the Department of Money Laundering Investigation and the Nepal Rastra Bank, will remain in place until the FATF’s assessment is over.
"We hope that it will help to reform the national system on anti-money laundering," Subedi said, adding that the cell will also finalise the agenda for the annual meeting of Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering that is going to be held next year in Nepal.
Nepal will host the annual meeting of the Asia Pacific Group (APG) on Money Laundering, an autonomous regional inter-governmental anti-money laundering body in 2018. This is the first time Nepal is hosting the meeting. The APG’s annual meeting generally discusses ways to tackle new threats that can foster financial crime. The meeting also evaluates measures being taken by various countries in the Asia and the Pacific to combat financial crime, and recommends measures to strengthen capacity of various institutions and give more teeth to legal framework to control money laundering and terror financing. The APG, which comprises 41 member countries and a number of international and regional observers, is the de facto Asia-Pacific chapter of the Financial Action Task Force, an international body that creates standards to fight global financial crime.

Government decides to accept Rs 52 billion grant assistance from US

The government has decided to accept the grant assistance of Rs 51.38 billion ($500 million) to be received from the US Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) for road maintenance and transmission line projects.
A cabinet meeting held at Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar today has decided to accept the biggest foreign grant amount in its history, under the 'compact programme' pledged by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) of the US government.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is an independent US government agency working to reduce global poverty through economic development. This is the first grant that the country is receiving through MCC.
Under the compact programme, the MCC will invest up to Rs 51.38 billion ($500 million) via grant while the government will contribute an additional Rs 12.88 billion ($130 million) to raise the total fund to Rs 64.26 billion (US$ 630 million).
The cabinet approval will pave way for its voting by MCC’s board of directors and the US Congress for approval. "The final grant agreement is likely to be signed by September," according to MCC’s regional deputy vice president for Europe, Asia, the Pacific and Latin America Fatema Z Sumar, who visited Kathmandu last week to finalise the deal. Once the final deal is sealed, the government and the MCC will fix a date to roll out the projects as the MCC compact is a funding scheme that requires the recipient country to complete the projects ‘on time and on budget’.
"Once the deal is signed, the government will have to finalise all issues related to land acquisition, introduce regulatory reforms, including passage of the Electricity Regulatory Commission, and take other key steps that will be required to complete the projects in five-year period,” she said, adding that the project related to the energy sector is expected to have an impact on at least 72 per cent of the households currently connected to the grid, while maintenance works on around 300 km of road segments will benefit 205,000 households across the country. "The assistance is for a five-year compact fund that has no time overrun in the project execution once the project kicks off."
The compact proposal seeks to address these constraints by investing in an Electricity Transmission Project (ETP) and a Road Maintenance Project (RMP). ETP would transform power sector by expanding and strengthening the high voltage electricity transmission network to support new investments in generation and allow greater cross-border electricity trade. The RMP is expected to improve the road maintenance regime in Nepal and complement existing efforts to build new roads by other parties.
Around 300-km transmission line under ETP at a total cost of $400 million and 305-km road under RMP will be developed at a total cost of $52 million, according to the MCC. The grant will be utilised for maintenance of roads of a cumulative length of 305-km, which includes the Charali to Phidim, Dharan to Basantapur, Kadmaha (Lahan) to Gaighat, Hetauda to Bhimphedi, and Amiliya to Salyan Bazar sections.
Likewise, the transmission line projects include construction of total 300-km of line, from Hetauda to Butwal via Naubise and Damauli, and construction of three substations, one each at Naubise, Damauli and Butwal. The transmission line component also includes cross-border transmission line of Butwal-Gorakhpur, which aims at facilitating energy exchange with India.
The signing of the MCC compact funding coincides with the celebration of 70 years of US-Nepal friendship. Nepal is the only recipient of the MCC compact assistance in South Asia.
Following Nepal’s strong performance on the MCC policy indicators like economic freedom, rule of law, and control of corruption, Nepal was selected as the eligible country to develop the compact in December 2014.
The Office of the Millennium Challenge Nepal (OMCN) – a government office which coordinates development of the MCC programme – has finalised the projects in coordination with MCC that are going to be implemented under the MCC grant.
The MCC had selected Nepal for a smaller threshold programme in December of 2011. The MCC and the government of Nepal had analysed constraints to economic growth and jointly prepared a policy improvement programme based on the results. Given Nepal’s strong performance in its MCC policy indicator scorecard through 2014, MCC’s board of directors selected Nepal as being eligible to develop a compact, a larger grant-based investment.

Construction of international airport in Pokhara starts, finally

Construction work of Pokhara Regional International Airport formally started from today, some 15 months after the foundation stone for the regional airport was laid.
The then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had laid the foundation stone for the national pride project on April 13, 2016. Similarly, CPN (Maoist Centre) supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal, CPN-UML senior leader Jhalanath Khanal, then deputy prime minister duo Kamal Thapa and Bijay Kumar Gachhadhar, former foreign minister Ananda Prasad Pokharel and Nepali Congress General Secretary Shashanka Koirala had also laid stones at the construction site.
Albeit the construction was started on July 11, 2017, tourism minister Jitendra Dev today formally inaugurated the construction of the airport.
Dev, on the occasion, said that the project could be a milestone for the development and prosperity of the country once it comes into operation. It is one of the three new international airports planned in the Himalayan country.
Initially the Rs 22 billion-national pride project was planned to be completed by July, 2020. But Dev said that the project will be completed by July, 2021, also due to 15-month delay in starting construction work after laying foundation stone.
Of the 21 projects categorised as national pride projects by the government, five falls under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. Dev also said that he would spare no effort to make sure that the national pride project is completed within the deadline.
Director general of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Sanjiv Gautam, on the occasion, said that Pokhara has waiting for this moment for almost 42 years. "The progress in expansion of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and construction of Bhairahawa International Airport is not so satisfactory," he said, adding, "But Pokhara Regional International Airport project should be completed on time."
Completion of construction on time is important, as our plan is to repay the loan secured to build the project by using revenue of the airport," he added.
According to the CAAN, the loan will be repaid in 26 installment, two installments per year.
Project manager of China CAMC Engineering Yang Jerry, on the occasion, said that they have begun building dormitories for worker. "We will start major construction works after the monsoon ends," he said, committing to complete the project in time, if they get support from the locals.
The government had signed a $215.96 million concessional loan agreement with China's Export and Import (EXIM) Bank – in March 2016 – to construct the Pokhara Regional International Airport. The loan has to be cleared within 13 years of the completion of the seven-year grace period.
China CAMC Engineering – the main contractor of the Pokhara Regional International Airport Project that bagged the contract in May 2014 – is constructing the project in Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) modality under 4D model according to the criteria set by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The government had acquired more than 3,100 ropani of land spread in Ward No 14, 15, and 18 of Pokhara Municipality four decades ago. It acquired another 521 ropani later on.
Rabindra Adhikari, president of the parliamentary Development Committee, said adding that the locals of Pokhara have worked very hard to see this day. "We have now authorised the construction company to fulfill our decades-long dream," he added.
Lawmakers Sarada Poudel and Sita Giri, Airport Construction Project director Pradip Adhikari, former president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Ananda Raj Mulmi, president of Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bishwa Shankar Palikhe, among others stressed on the need for the State to prioritise the construction of supporting infrastructures along with the construction of the airport.
Once the airport is ready for operation, it will have 2,500 meters long and 45 meters wide runway, which can handle medium category jets like Boeing 757 and Airbus 320, according to the project office.

Three more firms get Insurance licence

Three more life insurance companies have obtained operating licence from the Insurance Board today.
The insurance sector regulator granted Sun Nepal Life Insurance, Reliance Life Insurance and Reliable Life Insurance, according to Insurance Board (IB).
Altogether six new life insurance companies have obtained the operating licence since the the board resumed granting licence to the companies, whose applications were pending since long.
Earlier the board had granted operating licence to three life insurance companies including IME Life Insurance, Union Life and Jyoti Insurance, making a total of six new players. The entry of new life insurance companies in the market has made a total number of life insurance companies in the country to 15.
After increasing the paid-up capital requirement through the ‘Directives on Insurer Registration and Insurance Business Operation’ to Rs 2 billion and Rs 1 billion for life and non-life insurance companies, respectively, the insurance sector regulator has started granting licence. The companies that had submitted applications in the fiscal year 2007-08 were given three weeks’ time to resubmit applications with new capital requirement.
Earlier, Life Insurance companies need to have Rs 500 million paid-up capital and Rs 250 million for non-life firms.
Meanwhile, the board is also planning process for non-life insurance companies. The board has received four applications – from General Insurance, Sanima Insurance, Ajod Insurance and Manakamana Insurance – for the operating licence of non-life insurance companies.
There are currently 17 non-life insurance companies in operation in Nepal.

Experts stress policy regime to reward farmers

Experts emphasised on the need for a policy regime that can ensure that the communities which spend generations preserving and innovating plant genetic resources are rewarded. Such a regime should be able to provide due recognition to the farmers and breeders through intellectual property rights, and offer them a share in benefits derived from the use of their traditional knowledge which they have honed for generations.
Stating that research and development in agriculture is not limited to scientists and laboratories but takes place in the field by farmers, executive director of Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) at World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ratnakar Adhikari said, Addressing a two-day workshop ‘Reimagining the Governance of Genetic Resources and Intellectual Property for Agriculture and Food Security in Asia’ that started here today he said that it is critically important that communities that have spent generations preserving and innovating the genetic resources are rewarded. "Balancing breeders’ right with rights of farmers is a challenge."
Organised by South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE), together with ARC Laureate Project on Intellectual Property and Food Security at the University of Queensland and Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI) the workshop aims at critically assessing the arrangements related to plant genetic resources in national laws and international agreements like the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) of the WTO, the Convention on Biodiversity, and the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV).
This issue is highly relevant to Nepal as the country is currently exploring options to create policy and legal space for the rights of farmers and breeders, for example, in its draft law on plant variety protection and the existing Seed Act and Seed Regulations, according to the experts.
Among the developing countries, India is the only country that has adopted sui generis system to govern plant genetic resources.
Sharing India’s experience, registrar general at India’s Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority, Rakesh Chandra Agrawal said that registration of plant genetic varieties had a slow start but now two-thirds of the total registrations are coming from the farmers. Discussing the Indian plant variety protection law, he pointed out that India even protects farmers from prosecution in cases of innocent infringement. India has legislated the Plant Variety Protection and Farmers’ Rights Act (PPVFR Act) in 2001, implementing a plant variety protection regime that protects the rights of both breeders and farmers.
Another research fellow at TC Beirne School of Law, University of Queensland Australia, Kamalesh Adhikari, on the occasion, pointed out that protecting the interests of plant breeders and farmers offers opportunities in areas of agriculture, food security and the use of plant genetic resources.
Papers on the experience of different countries, including Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Thailand and Ecuador regarding the governance of genetic resources and intellectual property will be present during the workshop.

Cooking gas price down by Rs 25 per cylinder

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has reduced the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) – popularly known as cooking gas – by Rs 25 per cylinder.
A cooking gas cylinder will now cost Rs 1,325 per cylinder, according to the state-owned petroleum monopoly. "The new price will come into effect from Wednesday."
With the new price, NOC still earns a profit of Rs 74.90 on sales of every cylinder of LPG. According to the NOC, the Indian supplier has reduced the price of cooking gas by Rs 54 per cylinder.
The decision is expected to give some respite to consumers, NOC spokesperson Sitaram Pokhrel said, adding that the decision to adjust the price downwards was based on price in the international market that has been continuously coming down in recent month.
Pokharel said that the NOC revised the LPG price after Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) – the sole supplier of petroleum products to Nepal – reduced the price. "However, prices of other petroleum products have remained unchanged, as according to Pokharel, IOC has raised prices of rest of the petroleum products this time. "It will cause the NOC's projected profit to drop to Rs 620 million per month from Rs 800 million."
The Indian supplier has raised the price of petrol by 1.08 per litre and that of diesel by 48 paisa per litre. Also, kerosene price has gone up by Rs1.10 per litre and air fuel has become costlier by Rs1.14 per litre.
According to the revised prices, NOC will earn a profit of Rs 4.84 on sales of every litre of petrol and Rs 17.13 on sales of every litre of kerosene. It will, however, suffer a loss of Rs1.18 on sales of every litre of diesel. Likewise, the NOC will earn a profit of Rs 9.16 on every litre of fuel sold to domestic airlines and Rs 20.29 on every litre of fuel sold to the international airline companies.
Last month too NOC had reduced petroleum prices.

Himalayan Travel Mart to be organised every year

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) today announced that Himalayan Travel Mart would be organised every year in the country to boost domestic tourism.
Addressing a debriefing of the Himalayan Travel Mart that Nepal hosted between June 1 and 4, NTB chief executive officer (CEO) Deepak Raj Joshi said that Nepal had not been able to host big tourism events in the country for many years even though tourism events are crucial to promote Nepal as a tourist destination in the global market.
"The Himalayan Travel Mart this year was a grand success with hundreds of international tourism experts, bloggers and media representatives attending the event and promoting Nepal’s tourism globally," he said, adding that the PATA Nepal Chapter and NTB will jointly organise such marts every year from now onward in between the last week of May and first week of June.
Joshi also said that the Himalayan Tourism Mart this year has already started showing its impact on domestic tourism, with relatively more number of tourists visiting the country in the first half of the year.
According to the Department of Immigration, Nepal received a total of 460,237 tourists in the first half of this year via air route, against 313,512 in the corresponding period of the previous year.
President of Nepal PATA Chapter Suman Pandey, on the occasion, informed that the Himalayan Travel Mart was able to promote Nepal’s tourism among more than 250 foreign tourism stakeholders and it was a great achievement for the domestic tourism industry. "The government and the private sector should collaborate to organise more of such events in the country to promote Nepal’s tourism potential and attract more foreign visitors," he added.