Nepal-USA Chamber reminds government of TIFA commitments

The Nepal-USA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NUSACCI) strongly urges the Government including the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MOICS), to implement its commitments made during the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council Meeting held last September.

At the meeting, the importance of effective intellectual property right (IPR) protection and enforcement was emphasised as a critical factor in attracting trade and investment, particularly in IP-intensive industries, according to the binational chamber. 

Nepal’s initiatives in legal and institutional reforms related to IP, along with improvements in trademark administration and examination through the development of technical expertise, are essential to enhance consistency and reliability within Nepal’s IP Office, it adds.

NUSACCI has long been advocating for stronger IPR protection by organising various seminars and workshops on IPR-related issues and raising awareness within the business community regarding the use and misuse of international and domestic company trademarks and labels, it claimed, adding that the improper use of trademarks and counterfeit labels not only damages Nepal’s image domestically but also undermines its reputation internationally, thereby deterring potential foreign investment.

The recent notice of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) in this regard has drawn our attention and we hereby extend our solidarity with Kathmandu Metropolitan City, it adds

NUSACCI has requested and urged all concerned stakeholders to refrain from the unauthorised use of international and domestic company trademarks and labels. 

के नेपालमा उद्योग नचाहिने नै हो ?

पछिल्लो दुई सातामा नेपाल विद्युत् प्राधिकरणले २३ उद्योगको अर्बौं बिजुली महशुल बक्यौता रहेको भन्दै लाइन काट्यो । तर न त उद्योगमन्त्री बोले न, ऊर्जामन्त्री ।

अर्थमन्त्री डा. प्रकाश शरण महतले उद्योगको बिजुली काट्नु हुँदैन भनेर के भनेका थिए, प्रधानमन्त्रीविरुद्ध बोलेजस्तै गरि प्रचार भयो ।

यसको सिधा-सिधा अर्थ प्रधानमन्त्री नै उद्योग नचलुन् भन्ने चाहन्छन् भन्ने बुझिन्छ । राजनीतिक क्रान्तिमा अग्रगामी छलाङ मारेर तेस्रोपटक सिंहदरबार पुगेका प्रधानमन्त्री पुष्पकमल दाहाल साँच्चै आर्थिक क्रान्ति गर्न चाहँदैनन् त ?

एकथरीको बुझाइ छ कि उद्योगी व्यवसायीहरुले देश लुटे पनि, कर छले पनि समर्थन गर्नुपर्छ । अर्कोथरीको बुझाइमा सबै उद्योगी व्यवसायीहरु देश लुट्ने र कर छल्ने गर्छन् । यी दुबै अतिवादमध्ये हाल प्रधानमन्त्री दाहाल दोस्रोथरीको बुझाइ भएकाहरुको संगतमा रहेको देखिन्छ ।

किनकि, सबै उद्योगी व्यवसायीहरुले देश लुटेका पनि छैनन्, सबैले कर छलेका पनि छैनन् । हरेक पेशा-व्यवसायमा राम्रा अनि नराम्रा पेशाकर्मी हुन्छन् । त्यसको अर्थ त्यो पेशा व्यवसाय नै गलत मान्ने हो भने आज नेपालमा सबैभन्दा बदनाम पेशा राजनीति हो । के सबै नेता भ्रष्टाचारी हुन् त ?

के त्यसोभए प्रधानमन्त्री दाहालदेखि सबै राजनीतिक दलका शीर्षस्थ नेतालाई जेल हालेपछि नेपाल सुध्रन्छ त ? यस्तो भाष्य बनाउनुको अन्तर्य र सबै उद्योगी ब्यावसायी ठग हुन्, कर छल्छन्, ठोक्नुपर्छ भन्ने भाष्य एउटै होइन र ? र यो भाष्य बनाउन प्रधानमन्त्री आफैँ कसरी प्रयोग हुन पुगे ?

हरेक पेशा ब्यवासायीलाई उनीहरुको कर्मको आधारमा मुल्यांकन गर्ने, गलतलाई गलत र सहिलाई सहि भन्ने वा गैरकानुनी काम गरेको भए सजाए दिने कानुनी राज्यको परिकल्पना गरिएको हो भने नेपाल कस्तो राज्य हो, प्रधानमन्त्री दाहालले कस्तो राज्यको परिकल्पना गरेका हुन्, यो गम्भिर प्रश्न हो ।

यसले भोलिको नेपाल कस्तो हुने पनि निर्क्योल गर्छ ।

त्यतिमात्र होइन पराधीन अर्थतन्त्र भएको कुनै पनि मुलुकले विश्वमा आफनो स्वतन्त्र अस्मिता रक्षा गर्न सकेको छैन । नेपाल पनि यदि स्वतन्त्र रहिरहन चाहने हो भने स्वाधीन अर्थतन्त्र बनाउन र देशभित्रै रोजगारी सिर्जना गर्ने वातावरण बनाउनु आवश्यक छ । तर, तथ्यांक कार्यालयका अनुसार आर्थिक वर्ष २०६९/७० मा कुल गार्हस्थ उत्पादनमा उत्पादनमूलक उद्योगको योगदान ६.३५ प्रतिशत रहेकोमा आव २०७९/८० मा खुम्चेर ५.३ प्रतिशत रहने अनुमान छ ।

नेपालमा उद्यम गर्नु, उद्योग खोल्नु अपराध हो भन्ने भाष्य बनाएर नेपालको सार्वभौमिक स्वतन्त्रता जोगिन्छ भन्ने भ्रम छ भने रामराम भन्न मात्र सकिन्छ । यस्तै भाष्यको निर्माणमा सत्तारुढ दलहरु रमाएका कारण पनि संघीय गणतन्त्रको विरोध पनि बढेको हो । राजनीतिक दल तथा नेतृत्वले आफनो अकर्मण्यताको विरोधलाई संघीय गणतन्त्रको विरोध भनेर जति ढाकछोप गरेपनि नेपालीहरु सचेत भैसकेका छन्, अब झुक्किनन् ।

तर, प्रधानमन्त्रीलाई एउटा सरकारी संस्थाको हाकिमले गलत सुचना दिइरहँदा तालुकवाला मन्त्रालयका मन्त्रीहरुको भने चाइँचुइँ पनि छैन । त्यसैले प्रधानमन्त्रीसँगै मन्त्रीहरुको पनि मुल्यांकन हुन्छ नै । डेडिकेटेट तथा ट्रंक लाइनको विजुलीको विवादमा विगत एक सातादेखि बिजुली काटिँदा २३ उद्योग बन्द छन् । तर, यसप्रकरणमा प्रत्यक्ष सरोकार राख्ने मन्त्रालयका मन्त्रीहरु चुपचाप छन्, मानौं केहि भएकै छैन ।

न उद्योग हेर्ने उद्योगमन्त्री रमेश रिजाल बोल्छन् न प्राधिकरणको तालुकवाला मन्त्री ऊर्जामन्त्री शक्ति बस्नेत बोल्छन्, यस प्रकरणमा । मानौं केहि भएकै छैन ।

‘प्राधिकरणको नेतृत्व सिधै प्रधानमन्त्रीबाट परिचालित छ,’ उद्योगीहरु भन्छन् ।

यसको सिधा अर्थ, प्रधानमन्त्री चाहँदैनन् नेपालमा उद्योग चलुन्, नेपालमा रोजगारी सिर्जना होस्, नेपालमा आर्थिक विकास होस् । एउटा सरकारी कार्यालयको हाकिमको इगो तुष्टि गर्न प्रधानमन्त्री नै साथ दिन्छन् भने उद्योगीले लगाएको आरोप सहि नै होला।

नेपालमा उद्योग खोल्नु अपराध नै हो त ?

तर, पूर्वऊर्जामन्त्री समेत रहेका नेकपा माओवादीका नेता जनार्दन शर्मा भने बोलेका छन् । प्राधिकरणले फर्जी बिल काटेको आरोपको खण्डन गर्न सक्नुपर्ने उनले बताएका छन् । आफ्नो सामाजिक सञ्जाल फेसबुकमार्फत पूर्वऊर्जामन्त्री शर्माले टाइम अफ द डे (टीओडी) मिटरमा भएको रेकर्ड सार्वजनिक गर्दै प्राधिकरणले फर्जी बिल काटेको आरोपको खण्डन गर्नुपर्ने बताएका हुन् ।

‘प्रयोग गरेको बिजुलीको बिल तिर्नुपर्छ, प्रयोग नगरेको तिर्नुपर्दैन,’ शर्माले लेखेका छन्, ‘प्राधिकरणले फर्जी बिल काटेको भन्ने आरोपको खण्डन गर्न सक्नुपर्छ । टीओडी मिटरमा रेकर्ड सार्वजनिक गर्नुपर्छ ।’

शर्माले टीओडी मिटरको रेकर्ड सार्वजनिक गर्न नसके प्राधिकरणले दाबी गर्दै आएको वक्यौता झुटो हुने पनि उल्लेख गरेका छन्। उनले नभएको बिल बनाइ, नभएको आम्दानीको आत्मरतिमा रमाउनु गलत भएको बताएका छन् । उनको इसारा उद्योगीले प्रयोग नै नगरेको विजुलीको बिल थमाएर प्राधिकरण नाफामा गरेको देखाएको कुलमानको बठ्याईमा हो ।

देशलाई औद्योगिकीकरण गर्दै विद्युत खपत बढाउने काम गर्नुपर्ने बेलामा उद्योगमा बिद्युत लाइन काट्ने निर्णय ठीक कि बेठीक भनेर बहस चल्नु दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण भएको उनको भनाइ छ । ‘उद्योगको लाइन काटेर महिनौंसम्म छलफल, बहस,अड्डा अदालत गरेर उद्योग बन्द गर्ने/गराउने कार्यले निकासी भइरहेका सिमेन्ट, जस्तापाता लगायतका सामग्रीको उत्पादन बन्द हुदाँ उद्योगीलाई मात्र हैन देशलाई नै घाटा हुन्छ,’ शर्माले लेखेका छन्, ‘तत्काल टीओडी मिटरको रेकर्ड सार्वजनिक गरियोस् , त्यसले नै तिर्नु पर्ने र नपर्ने कुराको छिनोफानो गर्छ ।’

तत्कालीन ऊर्जामन्त्री शर्माकै पालामा प्राधिकरणको प्रवन्ध निर्देशकमा पहिलो पटक कुलमान घिसिङ नियुक्त भएका थिए । घिसिङ यसपाली दोस्रो पटक प्राधिकरणको प्रवन्ध निर्देशकमा नियुक्त भएका हुन् ।

यो समस्या रातारात आएको होइन । लामो समयको विवाद पछि सरकारले नै तत्कालीन ऊर्जासचिव दिनेश घिमिरे संयोजकत्वमा गठित ५ सदस्यीय समिति बनाएको थियो ।

घिमिरेको संयोजकत्वमा गठित ५ सदस्यीय समितिले २०७३ जेठदेखि २०७५ वैशाखमसान्तसम्मको महसुल उठाउँदा उपयुक्त हुने सुझावसहितको प्रतिवेदन दिएको थियो । उद्योगीले करिब ६ अर्ब रुपैयाँ तिरे पुग्ने सिफारिस गरेको उक्त प्रतिवेदन तत्कालीन मन्त्रिपरिषदबाट स्वीकृत भए पनि अहिलेसम्म कार्यान्वयन गरिएको छैन ।

मन्त्रीपरिषद्ले स्विकृत गरेको प्रतिवेदन कार्यान्वयन गर्ने काम कस्को हो ? खोइ मलाइ थाहा छैन । कुनै समय एउटा मकवानपुरे रुदाने थिए, थाहा चाहियो भन्ने । निरंकुशतन्त्रमा थाहा चाहियो भन्ने आँट कमैमा हुन्थ्यो तर गणतन्त्रमा पनि थाहा चाहियो भन्नु परेपछि निरंकुशतन्त्र र गणतन्त्रमा फरक नहुने रहेछ र । प्रधानमन्त्री दाहाल बालकुमारी दुर्घटनामा गणतन्त्रविरुद्ध षणयन्त्र देख्छन् तर देशका रोजगार सिर्जना गर्ने २३ उद्योग बन्द गर्दा षणयन्त्र देख्दैनन् ।

घिमिरेको प्रतिवेदनमा तीनवटा अवधिको कुरा गरिएको छ । विद्युत नियमन आयोगले शुल्क तोक्नु अगाडि २०७२ साउनदेखि पुससम्म बाहेक विद्युत नियमन आयोगले शुल्क तोकेपछिको २०७३ माघदेखि प्राधिकरण आफैले सार्वजनिकरुपमा लोडसेडिंगको अन्त्य भएको घोषणा गरेको २०७५ वैशाखसम्मको बिचको अबधिको मात्र महशुल उठाउँदा उपयुक्त हुने प्रतिवेदनमा उल्लेख छ ।

तर, नेपाल उद्योग वाणिज्य महासंघका पूर्वअध्यक्ष पशुपती मुरारकाका अनुसार त्यस अवधिको पनि टीओडीको डेटाबिना उठाउ भनेर घिमिरेको प्रतिवेदनमा भनेको छैन । ‘हामीले टीओडी डेटाअनुसार तिर्छौं भनेका छौं,’ मुरारका भन्छन्, ‘टीओडीको तथ्यांक हरेक वर्ष डाउनलोड गरेर राख्ने प्राधिकरणकै विनियामावलीमा छ । त्यो देखाइदिएपछि हामी तिर्छौं ।’

यता, प्रतिवेदनमा तीन अवधि भने पनि यस प्रकारणमा पाँच वटा अवस्था रहेको नेपाल उद्योग वाणिज्य महासंघका वरिष्ठ उपाध्यक्ष अन्जन श्रेष्ठ बताउँछन् ।

श्रेष्ठका अनुसार पहिलो (नियमन आयोगले शुल्क तोक्नु अगाडि अर्थात् २०७३ पुस अगाडि), जसलाई घिमिरे संयोजकत्वको आयोगले महशुल उठाउन उपयुक्त देखेन । दोस्रो विद्युत नियमन आयोगले शुल्क तोकेपछि २०७३ माघदेखि प्राधिकरण आफैँले सार्वजनिकरुपमा लोडसेडिंगको अन्त्य भएको घोषणा गरेको २०७५ वैशाखसम्मको मात्र महशुल उठाउँदा उपयुक्त हुने आयोगको सिफरिस भएको अबधि हो ।

तेस्रोमा प्राधिकरण आफैले सार्वजनिकरुपमा लोडसेडिंगको अन्त्य भएको घोषणा गरेको २०७५ वैशाखभन्दा पछि प्राधिकरणले २०७७ साल असारसम्म विलिंग गरेको अवस्थालाई पनि घिमिरे आयोगले शुल्क उठाउन उपयुक्त ठानेको छैन ।

तर, श्रेष्ठका अनुसार तेस्रो मानिएको अवधि अर्थात् प्राधिकरण आफैँले सार्वजनिकरुपमा लोडसेडिंगको अन्त्य भएको घोषणा गरेको २०७५ वैशाखभन्दा पछि विजुलीको नयाँ लाइन लिएकालाई पनि प्राधिकरणले प्रिमियमसहितको बिल पठाएको छ ।

वर्षामान पुन ऊर्जामन्त्री भएको बखत २०७५ वैशाख ३१ मा प्राधिकरणलाई देशका सबै क्षेत्रको लोडसेडिङ अन्त्य भएको सार्वजनिक सूचना जारी भएकोले त्यसैलाई ‘कटअफ डेट’ मानेर यो विवाद समाधान समाधान गर्नुपर्ने उनको भनाइ छ ।

तर, सबै क्षेत्रको लोडसेडिङ अन्त्य भएको सार्वजनिक सूचना जारी भएको पाँच महिना पछि अर्थात् २०७५ भदौ महिनादेखि विजुली जडान भएको सिद्धि लक्ष्मी उद्योगलाई पनि डेडिकेटेड लाइनसरह प्राधिकरणले बिल पठाएको छ । प्राधिकरणले २०७७ असारसम्मको बिल काटेर त्यसबेलाको पनि पैसा तिर्नुपर्छ भनेको छ ।

यस विषयमा विद्युत नियमन आयोगले सोमबार बैठक बसेर फेरि एकपटक गोलमटोल निर्णय गरेको छ । नियामक निकायको अकर्मण्यताले पनि यो विवाद झन् लम्बिने देखिन्छ । किनकि यसलाई प्राधिकरणले महशुल उठाउ भनेको हो भनेर कुलमानले ब्याख्या गर्नेछन् ।

लोडसेडिंगकै बिचमा भैरहवामा चामल मिलजस्ता २४सै घन्टा विजुली नभएपनि र विजुली आउँदमा मात्र चलाएका चामल मिल, मैदा मिलजस्तालाई पनि डेडिकेडेट लाइनको नाममा बिल पठाएको छ । प्राधिकरणले भैरहवाका विभिन्न २२ वटा उद्योगहरुलाई माग्दै नमागि डेडिकेटेड तथा ट्रंक लाइनमार्फत विजुली दिएर भुक्तानीका लागि बिल काटेको सिद्धार्थनगर उद्योग वाणिज्य संघका अध्यक्ष ठाकुर श्रेष्ठ बताउँछन् ।

उनका अनुसार प्राधिकरणले बिजुलीको आवश्यकता नै नभएको उद्योगहरुलाई पनि डेडिकेटेड तथा ट्रंक लाइनबाट विद्युत आपूर्ति दिएको भन्दै बिल काटेको थियो । किनकि तत्कालीन विद्युत् महसुल निर्धारण आयोगले डेडिकेटेड लाइन हुन २४ सै घण्टा निरन्तर विद्युत् आपूर्ति हुनुपर्ने र ट्रंक लाइन हुन ६ घण्टाभन्दा लोडसेडिङ भएको बेलामा २० घण्टाभन्दा बढी विद्युत् उपभोग गरेको हुनुपर्ने निर्णय गरेको थियो ।

‘धान मिल, मैदा मिललगायतका उद्योगहरुलाई पनि प्राधिकरणले डेडिकेटेड तथा ट्रंक लाइनबाट विद्युत आपूर्ति दिएको भन्दै बिल पठाएको छ,’ उनी क्लिकमान्डुसँग भन्छन्, ‘डेडिकेटेड र ट्रंक लाइन माग्दै नमागेको उद्योगलाई पनि छुट बिल भनेर २०७५ पछि दिइएको छ, जुन अन्यायपूर्ण छ ।’

उनका अनुसार धान मिल, मैदा मिललाई डेडिकेटेड लाइन आवश्यक नै थिएन । तर, उनीहरुले पनि तिर्दै पर्छ भनेर बिल पठाइएको छ । उद्योगको प्रकृत्तिअनुसार उनीहरुको उद्योग विजुली आउँदा चल्ने र नआउँदा नचलाउने उनको भनाइ छ ।

श्रेष्ठकाअनुसार प्राधिकरणले २०७२ सालदेखि डेडिकेटेड तथा ट्रंक लाइनको विद्युत प्रयोग गरेको भन्दै चार वर्षपछि बिल पठाएर अन्याय गरेको छ । ‘२०७२ सालको बिल दुई चार महिनापछि आउनुपर्ने हो । तर, चार वर्षपछि आउँछ त बिल,’ उनी भन्छन्, ‘प्राधिककरणले २०७७ सालमा बिल पठाएको थियो ।’

भैरहवाका स्थानीय उद्योगी चन्द्रमान श्रेष्ठका अनुसार पनि नियमितरुपमा बिल तिर्दै आएका उद्योगहरुलाई पनि छुट बिल भन्दै ट्रंक लाइनको भुक्तानीका लागि प्राधिकरणले पत्र पठाएको थियो । २०६५/०६६ मा स्थापना भएको उनको भलवारी स्वचालित चामल कारखाना बुटवलबाट लुम्बिनी औद्योगिक कोरिडोरसम्म रहेको औद्योगिक लाइन भनेर प्राधिकरणसँग ३३ केभीको लाइनबाट सञ्चालन गरिएको थियो ।

नियमति रुपमा विद्युत महसुल भुक्तानी गरिरहेका चन्द्रमान श्रेष्ठ २०७६ मा भने प्राधिकरणले छुट बिल ४७ लाखको बिल पठाएको बताउँछन् । ‘हामीलाई एक्कासी २०७६ सालमा आएर २०७२ सालदेखि ट्रंक लाइनमा पर्यो भनेर त्यो बेलामा ४७ लाख जति बुझाउनुपर्छ भनेर बिल आएको थियो,’ उनी भन्छन् ।

आफूले माग नै नगरेको र प्रयोग नै नगरेको ट्रंक तथा डेडिकेटेड लाइनको बिल पनि तिर्न भन्दै प्राधिकरणले पत्राचार गरेपछि भैरहवाका उद्योगीहरुले ऊर्जामन्त्रीदेखि अन्य सम्बन्धित निकायमा पनि धाएका थिए ।

तर, विद्युत प्राधिकरणका प्रबन्ध निर्देशन कुलमान घिसिङ्गले भने मन्त्रीमार्फत यो बिल आएको भन्दै यो विषय आफ्नो हातबाट छुटिसकेकाले केही गर्न नसक्ने भन्दै जवाफ पठाएर पन्छिएका छन् । यस्तै, प्राधिकरणको प्रादेशिक तथा क्षेत्रीय कार्यालयमा सम्पर्क गर्दा भने त्यस विषय माथिबाटै निर्णय भएको भन्दै उनीहरु पन्छिएको पनि उनले बताए ।

नयाँ मिल क्षेत्रमा रहेको १९ उद्योगहरुले प्राधिकरणले पठाएको बिलको विषयलाई लिएर स्थानीय प्रादेशिक र क्षेत्रिय कार्यालयमा निवेदन दिँदा केहि नभएपछि उद्योगीहरुले तत्कालिन उर्जा मन्त्री वर्षमान पुनलाई भेटेको बताउँछन् श्रेष्ठ ।

त्यस्तै, विष्णु पौडेल ऊर्जामन्त्री रहेको बेला उनलाई पनि भेटेर आफ्नो समस्या समाधान गर्नका लागि सहयोग मागिएको श्रेष्ठले सुनाए । ‘ऊर्जामन्त्री विष्णु पौडेलले उद्योगी मर्कामा परे मिलाउनु पर्यो भनेर कुलमान जीलाई भन्दा यो त मेरो हातबाट छुट्यो, गोली छुटिसक्यो । मैले पत्र लेखिसकें । सम्पूर्ण कुरा निर्णय भइसक्यो । अब यसमा तपाईंहरुले क्याबिनेटबाट निर्णय गर्नुपर्यो, म त सक्दिनँ भनेर कुलमानले भन्नु भयो भन्दै विष्णु पौडेलले सुनाउनु भयो,’ उनले भने ।

‘प्राधिकरणका कर्मचारीहरुले नै पनि उद्योगीलाई मर्का चाहिँ परेको हो तर, हामीले केही पनि गर्न सक्दैनौं भन्छन्,’ उनले भने, ‘तपाईंलाई हामीले पत्र काटिसक्यौं । अब मैले लिन हुँदैन भन्यो भने मलाई गल्ती देखिन्छ । म कारबाहीमा पर्ने काम गर्दिन भनेर त्यहाँको हाकिमले भनेपछि हामी निराशा भयौं ।’

हाल प्राधिकरणले थप छुट बिल भन्दै पठाएको विषय उच्च अदालतमा रहेको श्रेष्ठले बताए ।

यता प्रमाणका आधारमा मात्रै बक्यौता उठाउनुपर्ने पूर्व ऊर्जामन्त्रीहरुले भन्दै गर्दा उता प्रधानमन्त्रीको आड पाएका प्राधिकरणका प्रबन्ध निर्देशक भने झन् उग्र बन्दै गएका छन् । प्रधानमन्त्रीसँग उद्योगीले भेटेकै राती उनले १४ वटा उद्योगको थप लाइन काटेर २३ पुर्याए ।

तर, किन कुलमान उग्र भइरहेका छन् भन्ने प्रश्नको उत्तर सहज भएको पनि उद्योगीहरु बताउँछन् । आइतबार पत्रकार सम्मेलनमा कुलमानमाथि पनि छानबिन गर्नु पर्ने बताउँदै उनीहरुले कुलमानले उद्योगीहरुलाई काटेको बिलको रकम प्राधिकरणको हिसाबमा नाफामा देखाइसकेको पनि जानकारी दिए । यदि अब यो रकम उठाउन सकेनन् भने प्राधिकरणको वासलातमा नाफा देखाइएको रकमको जिम्मेवारी लिने मात्र होइन कानुनको कठघरामा उभिनु पर्ने निश्चित छ ।

अचानक प्राधिकरणलाई नाफामा लगेको भनेर वाहवाहि पाएका कुलमानलाई कानुनको कठघराभन्दा प्रधानमन्त्रीको साथ पाउँदा केहि दिन सहज त होला तर नेपाल कानुनी राज्य हो भने एकदिन उनी कानुनको कठघरामा उभिनु नै पर्छ ।

उद्योगीका अनुसार उद्योगीले पनि कानुन मान्नु पर्छ, प्राधिकरणले पनि नेपालको कानुन मान्नु पर्छ । ‘हामी प्राधिकरणलाई कानुन मान्नुहोस् आफनै विनियमावली अनुसार काम गर्नु होस् भनिरहेका छौं, प्राधिकरणको विनियमावली हामीले बनाएको होइन नी !’ उनीहरु प्रश्न गर्छन् , ‘तर, प्राधिकरणले आफ्नै विनियमावली विपरित कानुनभन्दा माथि भएर काम गर्दा नेपालमा औद्योगिक वातावरण विगार्न उद्योगीको मानमर्दन गर्दा कसरी लगानी बढ्छ ?’

उनीहरुले भने झैं के नेपालमा उद्योग नचाहिने नै हो त ? 

के नेपालमा उद्योग खोल्नु अपराध नै हो त ?

(https://clickmandu.com/2024/01/286013.html)

PM assures of forming a powerful probe panel to resolve dispute between NEA and industries

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', who last Thursday instructed the electricity authority to collect long-standing disputed electricity tariff dues from dedicated feeder and trunk line users, today assured the industrialists to resolve the issue by forming a powerful probe panel.

The Prime Minister is ready to form a powerful probe panel led by a judge of the Supreme Court," according to an industrialist, who went to meet the prime minister with 10-point memorandum.

The team led by senior vice president of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Anjan Shrestha, former FNCCI president Pashupati Muraraka, and Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) president Rajesh Agrawal, after handing over the 10-point memorandum, requested the Prime Minister to form a powerful probe panel led by a judge of the Supreme Court under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 2026 (1969).

The industrialists, on the occasion, also clarified the premier that they have been paying their normal electricity tariff regularly to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). But the NEA has been claiming that they should also pay premium tariff, which according to the industrialists, they have not used.

"If the NEA can produce the Time-of-Day (ToD) data we are also ready to pay the claimed due," they assured the Prime Minister, complaining of the power supply being disconnected without taking any initiatives for the resolution of disputes over NEA-claimed electricity tariff arrears of those with dedicated feeders and trunk lines.

The ToD meter keeps all the data that clarifies the usage of the electricity. "But the NEA has not been able to produce the ToD data and pressuring the industrialists to pay the dues, of premium bill, which they have not used."

The NEA executive director Kulman Ghising had, organising a press meet on Thursday, claimed that no exemptions could be granted, as directives were already issued to clear dues from dedicated feeder and trunk line users after disconnecting the electricity supply lines. "The affected consumers must either engage in the appeal process or settle their dues through installment payments," he said, adding that the NEA came into action from last Friday after the Prime Minister Dahal gave them instruction last Thursday to collect electricity tariff dues.

Ghising also blamed the industrialists for utilising electricity from dedicated feeders and trunk lines during the load-shedding times, and not paying the premium tariff, which according to him is unjust.

But the industrialists claimed that they have been paying electricity bill regularly. "There is a disagreement between the NEA and industries regarding the premium imposed on trunkline consumers," they said, adding that they have not paid the premium to the NEA. "We cannot afford to pay for electricity we have not consumed."

NEA has cut power supplies to nine industries that, it claims, have outstanding dues running over Rs 12 billion. But according the private sector, the NEA disconnected the lines without showing seriousness in addressing the dispute of payment of arrears of dedicated feeders and trunk lines, which has been in place for the past six years.

The issue of payment of electricity arrears of different industries using dedicated feeders and trunk lines surfaced six years ago.  The dispute has prolonged, as courts, parliamentary committees, Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had directed the NEA to collect the arrears, but NEA has no enough evidence to prove that these industries have actually consumed the electricity, which was a luxury during the load-shedding period. 

But after the Prime Minister Dahal instructed the NEA to collect electricity tariff dues last Thursday, the NEA disconnected the electricity of four industries, including Reliance Mills, Jagadamba Steel, Arghakanchi Cement and Sarbottam Cement. On Sunday, the NEA disconnected five more industries electricity, making it to a total of 9 industries.

What is dedicated and trunk line

A dedicated feeder involves the supply of electricity through a separate line directly from a substation. This feeder system ensures continuous power supply even during load shedding by allowing electricity to be provided from an alternative line when one is subject to load shedding. On the other hand, a trunk line delivers electricity from the transmission line to the industry by placing a transformer inside the industry itself.

मागमा आएको संकुचनले राजश्व संकलनमा दबाब

नीजि क्षेत्रले मागमा आएको संकुचनको असर उद्योग क्षेत्रसँगै सरकारको राजश्वमा समेत परेको जनाएको छ । 

राष्ट्रिय कर दिवस २०७९ को अवसरमा अर्थ मन्त्रालयका राजश्व सचिव रामेश्वर दंगाल र आन्तरिक राजश्व विभागका महानिर्देशक रितेशकुमार शाक्यसँग अन्तरक्रिया गर्दै नेपाल उद्योग परिसंघले मागमा आएको संकुचनको असर उद्योग क्षेत्रसँगै सरकारको राजश्वमा समेत परेको जनाएको हो । परिसंघ सचिवालयमा आयोजित “परिसंघमा परिचर्चा” कार्यक्रममा बोल्दै परिसंघका अध्यक्ष विष्णुकुमार अग्रवालले मागमा आएको संकुचनको असर उद्योग क्षेत्रसँगै सरकारको राजश्वमा समेत परेका कारण त्यसको समग्र असर अर्थतन्त्रले भोगिरहेको बताए । उनले अर्थतन्त्रमा देखिएको समस्या समाधानका लागि ब्याजदर घटाउने, समग्र माग बढाउने खालको नीति अलम्बलन गर्नुपर्नेमा जोड दिए। 

परिसंघले गरेको सर्वेक्षण अनुसार उद्योगको प्रकृति अनुुसार ८० प्रतिशतसम्म मागमा संकुचन आएको देखिएको उनको भनाइ थियो । अर्थतन्त्रमा संकुचन बढ्दै जाँदा उद्योगसँगै राजश्व पनि थप प्रभावित हुने र त्यसको प्रत्यक्ष असर पूँजीगत खर्चका लागि सरकारलाई रकमको अभाव हुन सक्ने उनले बताए। 

उनले बहुदर भ्याट प्रणाली लागू गर्न आवश्यक रहेको स्मरण गराउँदै भारतलगायत अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय बजारमा प्रतिस्पर्धी गराउन पनि बहुदर भ्याट प्रणालीको विकल्प नभएकोमा जोड दिए ।  

राजश्व सचिव रामेश्वर दंगालले राजश्व संकलनमा गिरावट आउँदा त्यसले वित्तिय चाप पारेको स्विकारे । अर्थतन्त्रमा परेको दबाबबारे निजी क्षेत्र जानकार रहेको भन्दै उनले राजश्वमा योगदान दिन उद्योगी व्यवसायीलाई आग्रह गरे । अर्थतन्त्रमा स्थायित्व ल्याउने गरी मौद्रिक नीतिले औजार प्रयोग गर्दा बजेटले लिएका उद्देश्य हासिल गर्न दबाब परेको पनि सचिव दंगालको भनाइ थियो । उनले राजश्वमा दबाब पर्दै गए आन्तरिक ऋण उठाउनुपर्ने र त्यसको प्रत्यक्ष असर निजी क्षेत्रमा जाने लगानी योग्य तरलतामा थप दबाब पर्ने पनि बताए। 

आन्तरिक राजश्व विभागका महानिर्देशक रितेशकुमार शाक्यले निजी क्षेत्रलाई दोहोरो कर नपरोस् भन्नेमा सरकार सचेत रहेको भन्दै कर अधिकारी र करदाताबीच भौतिक सम्पर्क नै हुन नपर्ने गरी कर प्रशासनमा सुधार गर्न लागेको जानकारी गराए । यसले कर प्रशासन र निजी क्षेत्रप्रति लाग्ने आरोप सहनु नपर्ने उनको भनाई छ । निजी क्षेत्र नफस्ट्याई सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र पनि अगाडि बढ्न नसक्ने समते उनले बताए। 

उक्त अवसरमा नेपाल उद्योग परिसंघका उपाध्यक्ष राजेश अग्रवालले उद्योगहरु फस्ट्याउन नीतिगत स्थिरता आवश्यक रहेको बताएका थिए। आर्थिक ऐन र औद्योगिक व्यवसाय ऐनका व्यवस्था एक आपसमा बाँझिदा औद्योगिक प्रबद्र्धनमा असर परेको बताउँदै उनले तयारी वस्तु र कच्चा पदार्थ अन्त शूल्क लगाउँदा राम्रो वातावरण नबनेको बताए। यस्तै उनले तीन वटै तहबाट कर संकलन भईरहेकोमा त्यसमा सुधार ल्याउन एकद्धार प्रणालीबाट मात्रै कर संकलन गर्न सुझाव दिए । 

छलफलमा उद्योगी व्यवसायीहरुले कर तथा राजश्वका विषय, अर्थतन्त्रमा सुधार ल्याउन चालिनुपर्ने कदमका विषयमा सुझाव एवं जिज्ञासा राखेका थिए ।

Industry Ministry gets temporary minister

Though, the cabinet gets full shape today, nearly three months after formation of new government, the Industry Ministry gets a temporary minister.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has expanded his cabinet, after 88 days from his assumption of the office following the Supreme Court's ruling. Deuba assumed office on July 13 as per a Supreme Court’s order on July 12, which had also ousted KP Sharma Oli as prime minister and restored the House of Representatives, which was dissolved by Oli on May 21.

But Deuba has appointed Gajendra Bahadur Hamal, who is not a parliamentarian, as the minister for Industry and Commerce Ministry. Hamal’s name had courted controversy over allegations that he was picked from the quota of Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana. Since Hamal is not a member of the Federal Parliament, he can be minister only for six months.

According to the Constitution, any Nepali can become a minister for six months but then one has to be the member of federal parliament -- either lower or upper House -- to continue as the minister. Thus, Hamal can be industry and commerce minister for only six months. The business community has been waiting for a ministry on whom it can trust but the incumbent government led by Sher Bahadur Deuba has appointment a temporary minister, who needs to boost the confidence of the private sector. The private sector has lost its confidence due to prolonged Corona pandemic.

The coalition cabinet, which had previously inducted only four minister, three from the Nepali Congress (NC) and two from the CPN-Maoist Center, has now members from CPN-Unified Socialist and Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal.

The prime minister also reshuffled the portfolios of some ministers in his cabinet. Gyandendra Bahadur Karki has been shifted to Ministry of Communication, Information and Technology from the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, whereas state minister for health Umesh Shrestha has been shifted to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.

Prime Minister Deuba has appointed 16 new ministers and two state ministers, according to a press note issued by the Office of the President.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari has expanded the Cabinet according to the recommendation of the prime minister under Article 76 and its sub-article (9) and Article 78 and its sub-article (1), the press note issued by the Office of the President reads.

Nepali Congress (NC)

Ministry of Home Affairs: Bal Krishna Khand

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Narayan Khadka

Ministry of Communication and Information Technology: Gyanendra Bahadur Karki

Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs: Dilendra Badu

Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens: Uma Regmi

Ministry of Defense: Minendra Rijal

Ministry of Water Supply: Umakanta Chaudhary

Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies: Gajendra Hamal

Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP)

Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration: Rajendra Shrestha

Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport: Renu Yadav

Ministry of Forest and Environment: Ramsahay Yadav

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development: Pramod Shah

CPN (Unified Socialist)

Ministry of Health and Population: Birodh Khatiwada

Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Aviation: Ram Kumari Jhankri

Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security: Krishna Kumar Shrestha

Ministry of Urban Development: Prem Ale

Minister of State for Health and Population: Bhawani Prasad Khapung

CPN (Maoist Center)

Ministry of Finance: Janardan Sharma

Ministry of Education, Science and Technology: Devendra Poudel

Ministry of Energy: Pampha Bhusal

Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation: Shashi Shrestha

Ministry of Youth and Sports: Maheshwor Gahatraj

Manufacturing plants in Lumbini operating at half capacity

The manufacturing sector in Lumbini Province has been operating at only 48.80 per cent of their capacity, with more than half the industrial capacity of the province remaining unutilised, according to a study.

According to a mid-term review of the fiscal year 2020-21 published by the central bank, there is a downfall in capacity utilisation of the secondary sector due to fall in businesses such as noodles, synthetic cloth and paper. "Over the period, there was a fall in paper business of the province by 85.72 per cent, while those of synthetic cloth and noodles declined by 44.03 per cent and 41.10 per cent, respectively."

The report also revealed that investors are found increasingly attracted to the production of mustard oil, alcoholic beverages, rosin, GI wire and electric cables. "The growth in the business of these products soared by a minimum of 25 per cent on an average," it reads, adding that despite a massive fall in tourists’ inflow in the province, the number of hotels and lodges increased by 15.27 per cent. "Likewise, the production of main food items also declined in the province."

The yields of main food crops fell by 4.36 per cent, milk production fell by 1.18 per cent and fish production fell by 23.46 per cent, it adds. "The land area receiving irrigation services increased nominally by 0.78 per cent in the province."

Central bank categorically provides relief to Covid-19-hit

The central bank has categorised Covid-19 hit sectors into three segments – highly-affected, semi-affected and least-affected – on the basis of the level of impact, and postponed their loan and interest installment payment schedule.
Issuing a circular today, the central bank classified crisis-hit sectors to provide relief provisions, announced through the Monetary Policy for fiscal year 2020-21, on priority basis. According to the circular, tourism industry – including hotels, restaurants, trekking, travel agencies, home stay and resorts – aviation and transportation, entertainment hubs, poultry farming, bee-keeping and livestock farming and foreign employment recruiting agencies are the sectors highly affected by Covid-19.
Likewise, plastic and home appliances manufacturers, traders, educational institutions and child-care centres, beauty parlours and hair salons, consultancy service providers, hospitals and clinics, construction sector, media houses, pharmaceutical producers, under-construction hydropower and renewable energy projects as businesses are the semi-affected by Covid-19.
Similarly, hydel projects that are already connected to the national grid, e-commerce businesses, essential goods producers, importing trade, petroleum industry, advertising services, internet and telecommunication service providers, liquor and tobacco business and gold and other jewellery business are the least affected sectors by the coronavirus crisis, according to the central bank.
The sectors most hit by the Covid-19 will get loan payment – including instalment and interest payment – period extended by one year, whereas sectors moderately and least affected by Covid-19 will get loan payment period extended by nine months and six months, respectively, the circular reads, adding that the loan repayment period can be extended by two years for the tourist standard hotels.
The central bank has – through the unified directive – also tightened criteria for issuing personal, individual loans and has made it mandatory for individual borrowers to clearly disclose the purpose of the loan. Amending its Unified Directive-2019, the central bank has made disclosure of purpose compulsory on overdraft loans of up to Rs 5 million. “Earlier, Banks and Financial Institutions (BFIs) were allowed to disburse overdraft loans under ‘personal purpose’ heading, within the limit fixed by the central bank.”
The central bank has also reduced or exempted the service charges levied by the BFIs for issuing cheques and statements, and service charges for issuing loan, and so on. The customers have been complaining that the BFIs have been charging them for every services they seek.

Industry minister vows to solve sugarcane farmers’ problem

Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekhraj Bhatta vowed to solve problems of sugar mills and sugarcane farmers by the third week of January.
Taking time in the meeting of the National Assembly today, he informed that the sugar mills have been directed to clear their dues. “The government has formed a task force that will submit its report to the government within 15 days,” he said, adding that the discussions have also been held between the representatives of sugar mills and sugarcane farmers. “The mills have been instructed to immediately pay the dues they owe to the farmers.”
He also said that the government is serious regarding the 11-point demands of the sugarcane farmers, whereas it is also facilitating in the purchase and sale of sugar that the mill owners have in their store.
Bhatta also informed the National Assembly that customs levied on import of sugar has been increased by 40 per cent and importation of this commodity has been prohibited to help mill owners sell their stock of sugar.
The lawmakers, on the occasion, also suggested him to seek a long-term solution as the problem between the farmers and mill owners have been recurring every year. Earlier this week, the sugarcane farmers from various parts of Tarai districts assembled and started a stage sit-in at the Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu to pressurise the government.
The communist government with a comfortable majority is steering the nation, and the farmers are staging the protest against the government that claims to be championing for the cause farmers and labourers.
Agitating farmers claim that Annapurna Sugar Mills needs to pay a total of Rs 500 million, while Mahalaxmi Sugar Mills owes them Rs 210 million. The government has fixed minimum support price for a quintal of sugarcane at Rs 536.56. Of the total amount, sugar mills should pay Rs 471.28 per quintal, while Rs 65.28 is to be paid by the government as subsidy.
Earlier yesterday, during a meeting with sugarcane farmers held at the Industry Ministry, deputy prime minister Ishwar Pokharel, industry minister Lekhraj Bhatta and agriculture minister Ghanshyam Bhusal vowed to clear all the outstanding payment of the sugarcane farmers by January 21. But the sugarcane farmers have demanded to clear 80 per cent outstanding payment by January 10 and the remaining 20 per cent payment by January third week.
According to sugarcane farmers, the mills are yet to clear outstanding payments for the past five years amounting to Rs 1.33 billion. The farmers have yet to recover Rs 420 million from Shree Ram Sugar Mills, Rs 400 million from Annapurna Sugar Mills, Rs 200 million from Mahalaxmi Sugar Mills, Rs 110 million from Bagmati Sugar Mills and Rs 100 million each from Indira Sugar Mills and Lumbini Sugar Mills, the farmers claimed.

North Koreans yet to close business operations in Nepal

North Korean businesses defied the government decree and yet to close their operations in Nepal despite the government deadline.
The Department of Industry (DoI) – on September 16 – wrote letters to the North Korean business owners in Nepal to shut down their enterprises and repatriate their investment by October 31.
But defying the government’s notice, they are yet to cease their businesses. “The department is yet to receive formal notice from the North Korean business operators that they have ceased their operations in Nepal,” informed director of the department Binod Khadka.
The North Korean enterprises have not initiated the process of repatriating their investment, for which they need to approach the Finance Ministry and the central bank, he said, adding that the department is, however, planning to hold discussions with Industry, Home and Foreign Ministries for the next course of action. “We are waiting formal letter from the North Korean business owners that they have complied with the department’s instruction, closed their operations and repatriated their investment.”
The North Koreans have been operating nine business enterprises in Nepal – two software companies, a hospital and six restaurants – including  Ne-Koryo Hospital in Tanahun district and Himal Chilbo Technical Solutions in Lalitpur district. “Likewise, they were also operating Hotel Re Min & Restaurant, Pyongyang Akugyan Nepal, Pyongyang Arirang Restaurant, Yong Bong Chand IT Company, Botonggang Restaurant and Bar, Himalayan Soje Restaurant and Minas Restaurant and Bar in Kathmandu district.”
The US had – on June 15 – asked Nepal not to entertain North Koreans in the country stating that Nepal as a member of the UN should respect the decision taken by the global body to impose sanctions on North Korea. The growing business activities of North Koreans in Nepal had become a matter of serious concern in view of the UN Security Council Resolution against Pyongyang.
The Foreign Minister – on July 1 – forwarded the report of UN resolution 2397 related to North Korean sanctions to the Industry Ministry and asked to take appropriate decisions.
Thus – on September 16 – Nepal banned North Korean investment in the Himalayan country and the Department of Industry (DoI) asked the North Koreans to close their businesses by the end of October.
Earlier – on August 9 – too, the department had written a letter to one of the restaurants – Hiamalayan Soju Restaurnet Pvt Ltd – run by North Korean, to close the business as according to the discussion with the business in the presence of North Korean Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Kim Jong.
“The department had held discussion with the investors from North Korea in presence of North Korean Embassy DCM Kim Jong to close all the businesses run by them by August 15,” the letter reads, adding that the agreement has not been implemented even after repeated telephone calls. “After repeated discussions with the embassy official and North Korean businesses, the department has given them the final deadline of October-end to shut down their enterprises and repatriate their existing investment.”
Nepal had then extended visas of foreign workers employed in the North Korean companies up to October 31 only.

SMEs relying on ancestral property for investment

A report revealed that the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) predominantly rely on ancestral property for initial investments.
The SMEs are largely dependent on the ancestral property of their proprietors for the initial investment to start their businesses, revealed a study ‘SMEs Financing in Nepal’ released by the central bank. “The SMEs on an average get 33 per cent of their initial capital from the ancestral property of their proprietors,” reads the report that highlights the hardship for the entrepreneurs, who want to start SMEs in the lack of ancestral property or savings. “Despite implementation of various facilities, refinancing, concessional loan and credit guarantee schemes to promote SMEs financing, they have not been able to mobilise financial resources.”
“Difficult process, high interest rate and lack of collaterals to take loan are some of the problems that the SMEs have been facing,” the report reads, adding that the SMEs find it easier to obtain loans from cooperatives despite higher interest rates. “The SMEs have been paying interest rates as high as 18 per cent per annum.”
SMEs find it easier to obtain loans from cooperatives despite high interest rates, according to the report that shows that SMEs have been paying in an average 12.51 per cent of interest rates to BFIs in addition to one per cent of service charge.
“While majority of the SMEs have to wait for an average of 38 days to receive a loan, many firms from Karnali province are compelled to wait for a year,” according to the report that revealed that the SMEs operating in Province 3, including Kathmandu Valley, which is the most accessible area, had to wait for 240 days to receive a loan. “But in an average, it takes 38 days for a SME for the loan processing in bank. There are 275,433 SMEs registered across the country as of the end of fiscal year 2017-18.”
Likewise, over reliance on house and land collateral, lack of long-term lending, unstable, and high interest rates and low banking capacity are also some other factors that have held many SMEs to tap bank credit for the investment, according to the study report that revealed some 26 per cent of initial capital is sourced from the saving of the income of the proprietors, whereas 16 per cent is financed from bank and financial institutions (BFIs). “Other sources of investment include informal borrowing (8 per cent), remittance income (7 per cent), loans from cooperatives (6 per cent) and venture capital (0.5 per cent) but neither of any SMEs are mobilising capital by issuing its shares.
The report also reflects the interventions of the government have not become effective yet, and most of them are not even aware about the refinancing facility for SMEs. The government has introduced a number of schemes including subsidised interest loans to SMEs. However, the efforts to channelise financial resources to the SMEs have largely failed, according to the findings of the report.
Bank loans – a major source of financing in business sectors – to the SMEs is also very low, the study report indicates, adding that nearly 50 per cent of SMEs have borrowed from BFIs. “As of mid-July 2019, the outstanding credits of BFIs to SMEs excluding agriculture, energy and tourism sectors stand at 3.26 per cent.”
According to the report, some 85.9 per cent of SMEs were approved of loans after showing land and houses as collateral. “SMEs receiving loan on movable assets accounts for only 6.4 per cent while 1.3 per cent were loans using machines and equipment as collateral,” it reads, adding that only 19.2 per cent of small industries have access to subsidised loans.
The report has also recommended coordination between various policies and programmes scattered over various agencies like the Industry Ministry central bank and other institutions.

Government bans import of energy drinks and flavoured synthetic drinks

The government has banned the import of energy drinks including Red Bull and flavoured synthetic drinks in a move to check widening trade deficit.
Though the importers have expressed serious concern over the ban, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies published the notice to ban the import of energy drinks and flavoured synthetic drinks in the Nepal Gazette on June 17.
The notice reads that the government has completely barred import of caffeine mixed energy drinks after the cabinet’s approval of National Working Guideline-2019 that has been brought to minimise the trade deficit.
The importers have expressed serious concern over the ban claiming that the ban is against the norm of international trade. “It will hit sales of Red Bull, one of the most popular energy drinks in Nepal,” according to the Indian agent of Red Bull. The agent today has written a letter to the Nepalese Embassy in India to clarify the government’s move to restrict the import of the energy drink.
According to advisor of Indian company of Red Bull energy drinks Deepak Mishra, unless and until the product is proven to harm human health and the environment, such restriction measure is unlawful.
The ministry, however, said the Department of Supply Management and Protection of Consumers Interest has been working on the technicalities over the restriction of specified energy drinks, though the ministry’s new move is only the revised provision of the order issued on November 2, 2009.
“The government can impose such restriction on any product, if it is found to pose a health risk to the public,” according to the ministry.
But trade experts claim that the move could send a negative message about Nepal in the international market. The government can adopt alternative measures to reduce the volume of import rather than imposing a direct restriction, according to the trade experts.
Likewise, Mishra also warned that the importer could seek legal recourse, if the government moves forward with the import ban.
Red Bull sells their products in 160 countries including in Nepal. Nepal imports the drink from India and Thailand.

Department of Industry to set up one-stop service by mid-May

The Department of Industry (DoI) is planning to set up one-stop service for investors by mid-May, to ease the doing business in Nepal.
"The one-stop service will end the compulsion of going to about two dozen entities for registration of enterprises and investment approvals," according to the director general of the department Binod Prakash Singh.
"We are planning to bring the one-stop service into operation by mid-May," he said, adding that establishing the one-stop service for investors was one of the key commitments made by the government during Nepal Investment Summit held in Kathmandu two weeks ago. The Investment Board Nepal (IBN) was also established as a one-stop service centre for the large investors. But it has not been able to provide integrated services till date.
The department handles investment proposals – including foreign investment – for projects up to Rs 6 billion and hydropower projects having capacity below 200 MW, whereas the projects with investment above Rs 6 billion and hydropower projects above 200 MW capacity come under the jurisdiction of the IBN.
The approval of Public Private Partnership and Investment Act 2019 in March before of the Nepal Investment Summit 2019 set the ground for providing one-stop service.

Transformative STI policies shed light on localising innovation in Asia-Pacific

From past to present, technology has shaped the path of sustainable development in several key Asian economies, according to a new report launched today by the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
The study, 'Evolution of Science, Technology and Innovation Policies for Sustainable Development: The Experiences of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore' tracks the trajectories of science, technology and innovation (STI) development policies in the four countries from pre-industrial to the fourth Industrial Revolution.
The country narratives draw on recent initiatives and experiences in forming STI policies that support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Guided by the report, the Asia-Pacific region stands to accelerate commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by facilitating STI capacity development.
“In a world of rapid technological transformation, the capacity of governments to leverage innovation for sustainable development and mitigate against risks is a key element for future prosperity," head of the ESCAP Subregional Office for East and North-East Asia Ganbold Baasanjav said, adding that the report and training will help member states to understand and prepare for these technological changes.
The report delivers information relevant to the public sector, civil society and professionals in science, technology and innovation to maximise the potential for innovation. Through the lenses of the four Asian leaders in STI initiatives, the report provides concrete and up-to-date technical data on STI development and contains detailed analysis accessible to civil society, innovators, entrepreneurs and governments.
While innovation is often considered the realm of the private sector, the report identifies three main ways governments can be innovative, through improving service delivery, creating new public services and developing new forms of governance that address specific societal challenges.
The report was launched in Incheon, Republic of Korea at an Expert Group Meeting held in conjunction with the Training Workshop on STI Policies for Sustainable Development in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, organised by ESCAP Subregional Office for East and North-East Asia, the Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on STI Policy (ARTNet on STI) and the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI), a Korean governmental research think tank specialising in STI policy on March 18-22.
The training workshop serves as an introductory programme for senior policy makers on developing STI policies aligned with the SDGs in the context of the rapid technological change. The meetings also build the capacity of government representatives from across 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific region to develop effective policies on frontier technologies for sustainable development. Participants will hold thematic discussions on research and development for catch-up and leapfrog growth, building human capacities in the era of AI, and fostering linkages between the public sector and academia, civil society and the private sector.

Cabinet agrees to form IEDI in all provinces

The government is setting up an Industrial Enterprise Development Institute (IEDI) in each of the seven provinces.
The cabinet meeting today approved the proposal of Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS) to establish such institute in all provinces, according to industry minister Matrika Prasad Yadav. "The IEDI is aimed at strengthening the industrial and entrepreneurship sector," he added.
The government had established IEDI – under the Industry Ministry – in 1996, under the Industrial Enterprise Development Institute Act 1996, to develop human and knowledge resources for entrepreneurship and business promotion in Nepal.
The Industrial Enterprise Development Institute Board, chaired by industry minister Yadav, has proposed to expand IEDIs to the provincial level to promote business in the country through entrepreneurship development.
Since its inception, IEDI has been engaged in running various impact-generating quality tools including training, research, consultancy, enterprise education and management development programmes. The institute is also running various short-term and long-term training programmes targeting intermediary organisations as well as potential and existing entrepreneurs.
"Formation of such institutes in all provinces will help entrepreneurship to grow across the country and promote business,” industry secretary Yam Kumari Khatiwada said, adding that IEDI already has its local offices in Provinces 1, 3, 4 and 5, which will now be handed over to the provincial governments.
She also informed that the cabinet has also decided to keep Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Authority at the central level only.