Sana Kisan to distribute reconstruction loan

Kathmandu, June 29: Sana Kisan Bikas Bank Limited (SKBBL) has launched a programme to distribute concessional loan of Rs. 50,000 each to as many as 12,000 severely affected rural smallholder poor households.

Such households will be provided credit at a rate of 5 per cent interest through Small Farmers Agriculture Cooperatives Limiteds (SFACLs) in Dhading, Nuwakot and Rasuwa.

In order to restore livelihood of smallholder rural poor farmers, SKBBL has launched ‘Livelihood Restoration Credit for Earthquake Affected Communities' programme with the support of the Asian Development Bank.

The project has got US$ 5.5 million loan from the government out of the grant provided by the ADB for the purpose of providing Livelihood Restoration Credit Disbursement.

“Besides the loan disbursement to the farmers, community based capacity building and training programme will be conducted for the restoration of earthquake affected communities of rural smallholder farmers in all 14 districts which were severely affected by the quake,” said Jalan Kumar Sharma, chief executive officer of the bank.

Under this programme, 2,400 rural poor farmers will be trained in disaster resilient construction and disaster risk management capacity development. Approximately 1.5 million USD has been allocated for the training purpose.

The bank Wednesday handed over cheques worth Rs. 190 million to 20 SFACLs of Dhading, Nuwakot and Rasuwa districts for re-lending the money to 4,418 rural farmers.

According to Khem Bahadur Pathak, chairman of SKBBL, altogether 756 SFACLs including in the process of hand over were undertaking microfinance activities reaching approximately 550,000 rural poor households.

These cooperatives have a total loan outstanding of about Rs. 28 billion including Rs. 10.50 billion loan from SKBBL.

Joint Secretary of Ministry of Finance Surya Prasad Acharya said that about one third of the total household members of the AFACLs affiliated with SKBBL were largely affected by the devastating earthquake in April and May last year.

ADB country director Kenichi Yokoyama informed that the loan facility was to help families restore their houses, farmland, livestock, or micro-enterprises. “The concessional micro-credit is targeted to particularly poor and vulnerable households that have no alternative sources of financial assistance.”

About 31,832 residences of the members have been fully damaged and more than 79,000 cattle died in the tremors.

House grant distributed to 6434 households

Kathmandu, June 28: The government has distributed the first installment of the house reconstruction grant of Rs. 50,000 to 6,434 households in 5 districts.

According to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD), the first installment has been deposited into the bank account of 4,049 households in Gorkha and 1,237 families in Dolakha districts.

Similarly, 705 families in Rasuwa, 441 in Okhaldhunga and 2 in Sindhupalchowk received the grant.

The government has signed the housing grant agreement with as many as 163,985 households in 11 out of 14 severely affected districts.

According to the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA), household damage survey in the 11 severely hit districts was completed while the programme would be implemented in the Kathmandu Valley and other 17 districts at the earliest.

NRA CEO Sushil Gyawali informed Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Monday that survey in the Valley would be carried out as per the verification model so as to complete it on time.

The NRA had signed separate Memorandum of Understandings with the Nepal Bankers Association, Development Bankers Association and Financial Institution Association while it forged agreements with 59 bank and financial institutions to distribute the house grant efficiently.

In order to obtain the grant money, the quake victims need not open bank accounts themselves.

Instead, their account will be created by the respective banks as per the details provided by the NRA and they can withdraw the money just by producing their citizenship and housing grant agreement certificate issued by the reconstruction body.

Meanwhile, the government has received as many as 82,864 complaints from the people whose houses were damaged in the tremors but were not included in the beneficiary list which deprived them of the facilities the quake-victims are entitled to.

However, NRA CEO Gyawali has informed that every house that was damaged in the tremors would get the grant money. The government has already announced to provide Rs. 50,000, as maintenance cost, to those whose house was partially damaged.

Maharjan elected as NSLCCI president

Ramesh Maharjan has been elected as the president of the Nepal-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Ninth Annual General Assembly Sunday unanimously elected him as the president and 19 members working committee of the bilateral chamber of commerce and industry.

The AGM elected Prabin Bahadur Pandey, Bijaya Shrestha and Hem Raj Dhakal as the vice presicents and Naresh Dash and Dr. Harish Joshi as general secretary and treasurer respectively.

Likewise, Prakash Giri and Ram Raja Acharya were elected as the secretaries while Shiva Kumar Agrawal, Anuj mani Timilsina, Prakash Pandey, Swayambhu Ratna Tuladhar, Sanjay Kumar Agrawal, Shyam Bhakta Kayastha, Tek Bahadur Shakya, Bidya Sagar Tamrakar and Surya Bahadur Thapa were elected as the working committee members.

President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce Rajesh Kaji Shrestha was inducted as the honorary member of the chamber.

The AGM was inaugurated by the ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal W. M. Senevirathna.

The Nepal-Sri Lanka CCI was established in 2006 with an aim of promoting trade and investment between the two countries and enhancing bilateral relations between them. 

Governance failure created hurdles in benefit sharing in hydro

Lalitpur, June 27: Chronic governance failure has become a serious impediment to the benefit sharing of hydropower development, stated a recent study.

 The study entitled 'the Benefit sharing and sustainable hydropower in Nepal' pointed out that the lack of elected local government hampered in achieving good governance, which it turn hit the overall hydropower development.

The study was conducted by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and Niti Foundation.

It concluded that although it would be inappropriate to create a 'one-size-fits-all' policy, time has come to establish more comprehensive policy framework in order to address the concerns of all stakeholders.

"Lack of clear benefit sharing framework has exposed the hydropower developers to the just and unjust demands of local population who feel that their voices have long been ignored," read the summary of the report.

The study has suggested five types of benefit sharing mechanisms: royalty, equity investment, support for local livelihoods, community development and environmental enhancement.

"The royalty mechanism is the single most formalized benefit sharing policy in the hydropower sector and is applied uniformly across all projects generating electricity in Nepal but issues arise due to a lack of clarity in the redistribution of royalties to project affected villages and uneven distribution when the project is located in two or more adjoining districts," it said.

In recent years, several hydropower companies have conducted equity or 'share' offers allocating a percentage of these shares to local citizens while one of the most articulated local demands during the construction of hydropower project is employment.

The study suggested conducting training as one of the most important feature of benefit sharing programmes. "Support local livelihoods over the long term by preparing locals for more skilled jobs with the hydropower project, promote new kinds of economic opportunities within the local economy and allow trainees to enter new markets beyond the project area," read the report.

According to the study, for the community development aspects, local infrastructure, electrification and water-related benefits could be offered.

Speaking at the report launching ceremony on Monday, vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada underscored the need to set up a clear mechanism to allocate share and other benefit, as well as compensation, to the people affected by the hydropower project.

"Shares distribution empowers local people and they will have their say on the project. It minimizes hassles in the project implementation," he said.

Dr. Khatiwada urged the developers to use local materials in the construction of the hydropower projects to help the local economy grow.

Narendra Prajapati, treasurer of Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPAN), remarked that the benefit sharing should be relative to the capacity of the hydropower project. 

NRA promises grant to all quake victims

Kathmandu, June 26: The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) Sunday informed that no quake victims would be deprived of house reconstruction grant.

Speaking at the Legislature-Parliament's State Affairs Committee meeting, NRA chief executive officer Sushil Gyawali clarified that the reconstruction body had been working to make necessary provisions to provide grants to all eligible households.

The reconstruction body has recently been flooded with the complaints from the households which were disqualified to obtain the reconstruction grant.

As many as 76,824 complaints were filed at the NRA from the 11 severely hit districts where damage survey is being conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics.

The reconstruction body has completed signing housing grant agreements with 142,722 households in those 11 districts while 5,050 households have received the first installment Rs. 50,000 of the housing grant.

The housing grant will be distributed in three installments Rs. 50,000, Rs. 80,000 and Rs. 70,000 on the basis of the building construction completion.

"The NRA is positive about addressing the grievances of the victims if they were left out in the detail household survey. We have already developed a mechanism for grievance hearing and addressing the problems of the people," Gyawali said.

The government has decided to provide Rs. 50,000 to the households whose houses were partially damaged.

Gyawali claimed that the reconstruction process was on the right track. "Initial eight months were wasted without any significant progress in reconstruction. It has been affecting the performance of the authority now."

In the past six months, the NRA has completed the preparations and reached the people, Gyawali updated the lawmakers.

He clarified that the government forged agreements with the donor agencies that did not allow it to distribute all grant amount in one installment.

Lawmakers urged not to politicize the reconstruction issue.

The State Affairs Committee directed the NRA to establish its offices in all 14 severely-hit districts and directed the Ministry of General Administration to provide necessary human resources for the offices. 

CCBL to acquire IDBL

Kathmandu, June 26: Century Commercial Bank Limited is going to acquire Innovative Development Bank Limited.

CCBL Sunday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IDBL to acquire the Bhairahawa based development bank which has 9 branch offices.

The acquisition process will be completed and integrated service will be in operation by January next year, informed CCBL chairman Rajesh Kumar Shrestha.

He said that there would be no duplication in branch with the IDBL so the bank would face no trouble in adjusting employees and branches.

IDBL chairman Devendra Bahadur Raut stated that the creation of large financial institution would minimize the risk factors in financial sector.

CCBL has Rs. 2.84 billion paid up capital and is preparing to issue right share worth Rs. 850 million. "We have filed a request at the Securities Board of Nepal to issue the right share," said Shrestha.

Informing that the bank was in the merger and acquisition process with other bank and financial institution, Shrestha said that the bank would add additional Rs. 1 billion to its paid up capital by mid-July.

The youngest commercial bank had mobilized Rs. 26.01 billion deposits and Rs. 22.83 billion loans by April this year. It has 31 branches, 29 ATMs, 8 branchless banking and three extension counters.

Likewise, IDBL has Rs. 290 million paid up capital and has mobilized Rs. 2.19 billion deposits and Rs. 1.75 billion loans.

By April, CCBL earned Rs. 345 million and IDBL earned Rs. 52 million operational profit. 

Finally SAARC Handicraft Centre gets budget

The government has begun the process to create the much awaited SAARC Handicraft Development Centre, one of the seven in the South Asian region, in the country to ensure quality products and promote the export of Nepalese handicraft items.

It has allocated Rs. 50 million for the construction of building for the centre which will be built at the premises of the Department of Industry, Tripureshwor.

Handicraft entrepreneurs, who criticized the government for the budget which was silent about the centre and other programmes to produce skilled human resources, are delighted with the new government move to construct a SAARC-standard handicraft development centre.

In his budget speech, Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel had promised to provide budget to enhance the production of the goods that have high export potential and promote such products in the international market.

Once the centre was build, SAARC Development Fund will provide approximately USD 1.7 million for its operation and instrument management, informed Dharma Raj Shakya, president of the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN).

The centre will have handicraft showroom, quality testing laboratory, design centre and training programmes to support the sector.

“It will also facilitate in research and development progremmes in order to design and promote indigenous and innovative handicraft products,” said Dr. Govinda Prasad Regmi, director general of the FHAN.

The government has planned to operate the handicraft as per the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model.

“Nepal will receive the final document for the handicraft centre from the SDF, Bhutan by next month. We have been planning to organize the stone laying ceremony of the building in August this year,” informed Dr. Regmi.

Nepalese handicraft entrepreneurs had been demanding such centre for years while SAARC ministerial-level meeting held in Kathmandu in April 2013 had agreed to establish such centre in all member countries and also decided to assign the Handicraft and Handloom Export Corporation, India as the lead agency to further the process.

However, such centres will be built in all SAARC member nations but India.

“India said that it does not need such centre as its handicraft products have already captured a good market share in international trade,” said Dr. Regmi.

 According to the FHAN, the size of handicraft business in Nepal is more than Rs. 20 billion per annum and the sector has been contribution more than 12 per cent in the country’s export. Nepalese handicrafts are exported to about 80 countries in Asia, Americas and Europe. 

PM vows to create business environment

Kathmandu, June 24: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli Friday urged the private sector to walk hand in hand with the government in creating the self-reliant economy.

Inaugurating a two-day conference, Nepal Nirman 2073, in the capital, he said as self-reliance could be achieved through investment and export competitiveness, both the government and business community had their special role to play in maintaining investment environment and delivering quality products respectively.

"The role of government is to create business and investment environment. The government is ready of listen to the suggestions and grievances of entrepreneurs, and remove the obstacles in domestic and foreign investment," said the PM.

He sought cooperation from the private sector in quality product, timely delivery and price competitiveness in their goods and services in order to boost Nepal's international trade.

"Nepal is a country of possibilities where you can make an investment in almost every sector from tourism, agriculture, medicine to infrastructure," said PM Oli.

He stated that it was not impossible to achieve the target of 6.5 per cent economic growth. "Budget of the coming Fiscal Year has initiated a beginning of a journey towards development and prosperity."

According to PM Oli, the government's priorities were infrastructure building, energy development, connectivity, communication and utilizing recent scientific innovations.

Saying that the journey towards prosperity should not be delayed, he maintained, "For decades we fought for social justice, equality and democracy. As those rights have been institutionalized in the constitutions, it’s the time to move towards economic progress."

Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) president Hari Bhakta Sharma said that it was high time to bring the 'economy first' agenda in front of the public.

"We are glad that the government has been focusing on development agenda so as to achieve economic prosperity through double digit growth. But, in order to achieve the goal, the government should focus on implementing the new constitution so as to ensure rule of law and conducive environment to ease doing business in the country," he stated.

Maintaining that no country could develop through government initiative alone, Sharma remarked that private sector's role was vital in promoting investment, entrepreneurship and generating employment.

"Private investment, whether domestic or foreign, needs the right environment including business friendly policies, laws and regulations as well as fair market practices. Therefore, the government should effectively enforce laws and regulations related to the security of investment as well as fair labour laws," he said.

There will be eight sessions on various topics like - hydro and alternative energy development, foreign direct investment, media and sports. 

The conference is being organized by the CNI in association with Himalayan TV. 

Nepal-Bangkok festival in Kathmandu

Kathmandu, June 24: With an aim of strengthening bilateral relations between Nepal and Thailand, Embassy of Thailand in Kathmandu and Lalitpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) are organizing Nepal-Bangkok Festival 2016 from 30^th September to 4^th October.

According to the organizers, more than 150 business and trade houses from Nepal and Bangkok will participate in the festival.

Thai ambassador to Nepal Vutti Vuttisant said that the festival would promote business relations between the two countries. “It will also help to attract Thai investment in Nepal. I would like assure that the embassy in Kathmandu will specially work to promote Nepal’s tourism in Thailand.”

The festival which will be organized at the Bhrikutimandap Exhibitioin Centre, will feature products like readymade garments, plastic items, ceramics, cosmetics, food items, leather goods, shoes and slippers and electric goods.

Likewise, it will have handicraft items, readymade foods, technological and tourism services.

Nepalese business organizations will display their products targeting Thai businessmen so that the latter could import Nepalese goods. 

Trade enables economic growth: Chand

Kathmandu, June 23: Minister for Commerce Jayant Chand Thursday acknowledged trade as an enabler of sustainable development, poverty reduction and sustained economic growth.

Speaking at the Fifth Meeting of Trade Ministers of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) organized by the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, LLDCs and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) and World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, he said, “However, various geographical, physical and structural constraints faced by LLDCs have impeded their share in the global trade which is around 1.2 per cent currently.”

Minister Chand underscored the importance of unfettered and unhampered transit access to the nearest sea for the LLDCs.

He demanded that transit rights of LLDCs be respected in all situations.

Highlighting the role of Trade Facilitation Agreement reached in WTO in 2013 for facilitating transit issues, especially for LLDCs, Minister Chand emphasized on the need to invest more on modern transport infrastructure network and to ensure multimodal bilateral and regional transport connectivity,  Permanent Mission of Nepal in Geneva said in a statement.

Commerce Minister Jayant Chand

Referring to the damage of the economy of Nepal by the earthquakes last year, he expressed that building resilience was important for countries like Nepal. 

He thanked the international community for the solidarity and support in the aftermath of the earthquakes.

In his statement, Minister Chand highlighted that Vienna Plan of Action and 2030 SDGs have addressed the special development needs and challenges of the LLDCs in the spirit of leaving no one behind. 

He called for north-south, south–south and triangular cooperation, as well as enhanced and strengthened global partnership for transfer of technology, finance, ideas and know how which were essential to implement all globally agreed development goals including VPOA and SDGs.

The theme of the Ministerial Meeting is ‘Harnessing the trade potential of the LLDCs to implement the Vienna Program of Action for LLDCs and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’. It will be concluded on Friday.

Smart Traffic Islands in Kathmandu

Kathmandu, June 23: The government has begun the installment of Smart Traffic Islands along the Kathmandu Valley roads.

Such islands have been installed at 20 locations in the Valley including Lainchaur, Kesharmahal, Putalisadak, Maitighar, Kamalpokhari and Baneshwor while 10 more will be installed soon.

The new island is round in shape and elegant in looks unlike the old one which was rectangular and less beautiful.

New Traffic Island’s base is taller than the old one which will help the traffic police to see farter and manage the vehicular movement in better way.

It has various box and drawers where traffic police can keep their items and primary health kit. 

IB bars allowance in Foreign Employment Insurance

Kathmandu, June 23: The government has again intervened in the foreign employment insurance system and barred the life insurance companies from distributing agents’ commission.

Issuing directives to nine life insurance companies on Thursday, the Insurance Board (IB) asked them to issue foreign insurance term insurance policies according to the new rule effective from July 16th.

As per the provision in the Insurance Regulation, 1993, the insurance regulator can prevent any insurer of non-life insurance from providing commission to its agents.

According to the Board chairman Prof. Dr. Fatta Bahadur KC, the foreign employment term insurance was actually a non-life insurance which was being implemented by the life-insurance companies in Nepal.

Earlier, the Board had fixed different premium rates on the basis of insurance policy tenure and age of applicants in 2011.

Foreign employment insurance policy was introduced in 2007 following the implementation of new Foreign Employment Act which had a provision that the people leaving the country for employment should be insured mandatorily.

Currently such policies provide coverage of up to Rs. 1 million in case of death and permanent or partial disability.

According to the new provision, premium rate on foreign employment insurance policy has been fixed at Rs. 2,066 for one and a half years and Rs. 2,646 for two years for those who are 18 to 35 years of age.

The premium will be Rs. 2,900 for one and a half years and Rs. 3,625 for two years for people between age of 36 and 50 years.

Likewise, people who fall in the age group of 51 to 64 years have to pay premium Rs. 6,136 for one and a half years and Rs. 7,250 for two years.

In the same way, the IB has fixed the premium rates for two and a half years to five and a half years for different age groups.

Nine life insurance companies in Nepal – Rastriya Beema Sansthan, National Life, Nepal Life, Life Insurance, Metlife, Asian Life, Surya Life, Gurans Life and Prime Life - are offering the foreign employment insurance.  

Viber want to invest in Nepal

Kathmandu, June 23: Viber, messaging apps company, has expressed its interest to invest in local businesses in Nepal.

Anubhav Nayyar, regional head for Viber South Asia, Thursday informed that the company wanted to make investment in media, collaborate with local business houses and tie-up with brands here.

Speaking at a press conference, Nayyar said, “With Nepal becoming one of the priority markets for Viber, we intend to invest and bring about more such offerings in the future.”

Recently, Viber announced the launch of Public Chats in Nepal where it allows users to follow wide range of celebrities, influencers and brands.

“With famous celebrities like Malvika Subba, Priyanka Karki, Richa Sharma, Nagma Shreshtha and former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai already making a mark on the Viber Public Chats; fans and followers can get a sneak peek into the lives of their favourite celebrities,” said the company in a press statement.

After the success of Viber Public Chats in Nepal, Viber decided to launch a new and exclusive sticker pack for its users to help them express better in their own language.

Viber has 4.5 million registered users in Nepal.

“On the occasion of Nepalese new year in April, Viber offered stickers worth Rs. 10,000 for free to its users. Viber is in the process of partnering with several other brands within Nepal to release new sets of localized sticker packs,” said Nayyar.

Film actress Prianka Karki and model Sahana Bajracharya said that Viber Public Chat has helped them to interact with their fans informally and it was easy to update and share their thoughts with the world. 

घर बनाउँदै हुनुहुन्छ ? सीमेण्टबारे जानिराख्नुस्

राष्ट्रिय पुनर्निमाण प्राधिकरण (एनआरए)ले गत वर्षको भुकम्पमा भत्किएका घर निर्माणका लागि अनुदान दिने कामलाई अघि बढाएसँगै घर पुनर्निर्माणले गति लिएको छ । सरकारी अनुदान र घर निर्माण मापदण्डको अभावमा त्रिपाल वा जस्ता पाताको ओत लागेर बसेका लाखौं परिवारले घर बनाउनका लागि आवश्यक तयारी थालेका छन् । सरकारी अनुदान लिनका लागि भुकम्प प्रतिरोधी भवन निर्माण मापदण्ड पालना गर्नै पर्ने र सरकारले प्रस्ताव गरेको मोडलका घर बनाउनु पर्ने भएकाले अब बन्ने घर बलिया र टिकाउ बन्ने छन् । तर, घर निर्माणमा प्रयोग हुने सीमेण्टका बारेमा धेरैलाई जानकारी नहुन सक्छ । त्यसैले यसपाली हामीले सीमेण्टबारे विस्तृतमा जानकारी दिने प्रयास गरेका छौं । 

सीमेण्ट

सीमेण्ट छड, गिट्टी, बालुवा र ईंटा तथा ढुंगाजस्ता निर्माण सामग्र्री जोड्नका लागि प्रयोग हुने सामग्री हो जसको अभावमा अधिकांश आधुनिक निर्माण कार्य अपूरा हुन्छन् । सीमेण्टका विभिन्न प्रकारहरु छन् ः पीपीसी, ओपीसी, पीएससी, डब्ल्युपीसी, लाईमस्टोन आदि । नेपाल इञ्जिनियर्स एशोसिएशनका अध्यक्ष इञ्जिनीयर ध्रुव थापाका अनुसार नेपालमा पीपीसी र ओपीसी सबैभन्दा बढी प्रयोग हुन्छ ।

१. ओपीसी (अर्डिनरी पोर्टल्याण्ड सीमेण्ट):

विश्वमा सबैभन्दा पहिले उत्पादन भएको सीमेण्ट पोर्टल्याण्ड हो जसका ओपीसी र पीपीसी गरी दुई प्रकार रहेका छन् । ओपीसी सीमेण्टको वास्तविक स्वरुप हो जस्मा केही अन्य पदार्थ मिलाएर प्रयोग गर्नुपर्ने थापा बताउँछन् । यो सीमेण्ट पीपीसी भन्दा महँगो हुन्छ । त्यसरी अतिरिक्त सामग्री प्रयोग गर्दा ओपीसीको प्रयोग झनै महँगो पर्न जान्छ । ओपीसीको उत्पादन अठारौं शताब्दीमा शुरु भएको हो ।

२. पीपीसी (पोज्जोलाना पोर्टल्याण्ड सीमेण्ट):

पीपीसी आधुनिक सीमेण्ट हो जुन चुन ढुंगाको क्लिंकरमा कोइला थर्मल प्लाण्टको खरानी, विशेष खालको सिलिका र पोलेको माटोजस्ता वस्तु मिसाएर बनाइन्छ । क्लिंकरको प्रयोग कम र खेर जाने वस्तुको प्रयोग बढी हुने भएकाले यो वातावरणमैत्री पनि हुन्छ । पीपीसी सस्तो मूल्यमा बढी गुणस्तर दिने सिमेण्टको रुपमा संसारभर लोकप्रिय रहेको थापा बताउनुहुन्छ । ‘ओपीसी भन्दा पीपीसीले बनाउको कंक्रिट संरचना बढी बलियो र टिकाउ हुन्छ भने पानी पनि छिर्दैन । साथै, यसको फिनिसिङ पनि राम्रो देखिन्छ । तर, चेतनाको कमीले नेपालमो यसको प्रयोग कमै भएको छ,’ उहाँले भन्नुभयो । यो सीमेण्ट नेपालमा प्रतिबोरा ओपीसीभन्दा लगभग रु. १०० कम मूल्यमा पाइन्छ । 

तर, पीपीसी सिमेण्टको सेटिङ भने अलि ढीला हुन्छ । त्यसैले एकदमै चाँडो फर्मा खोल्नुपर्ने ठूला संरचनामा पीपीसीको प्रयोग कम मात्रामा गरिन्छ । थापाका अनुसार पानी मुनी र उच्च हिमाली भेगमा पीपीसी ढीला सेट हुने भएकाले छिटो फर्मा खोल्न सकिंदैन । तर, ती स्थानमा पनि पीपीसी प्रयोग नै गर्न नसकिने भने होइन । गर्मी मौसममा भने पानी मुनी बाहेक हरेक ठाउँमा पीपीसी प्रयोग गर्न सकिन्छ ।

३. पीएससी (पोर्टल्याण्ड स्ल्याग सीमेण्ट):

निर्माण कार्यमा पीपीसी सरह मानिने पीएससी नेपालमा कम बन्छ । यो पनि पीपीसी जस्तै अन्य पदार्थ को सम्मिश्रणबाट बन्छ जसमा कच्चा स्टील प्रशोधनबाट निस्किने बाइप्रोडक्ट प्रयोग गरिन्छ । 

यसबाहेक डब्ल्युपीसी अर्थात ह्वाइट पोर्टल्याण्ड र लाइमस्टोन जस्ता सिमेण्ट नेपालमा कमै बन्छन् । डब्ल्युपीसीको विशेषता भनेको सेतो रङ हो भने चुनढुंगालाई पोल्नुअघि नै ढुंगा मिसाएर तयार गरिने सिमेण्ट लाइमस्टोन सिमेण्ट हो । यी बाहेक पनि विश्वमा अन्य ब्लेण्डेड सिमेण्टहरुको उत्पादन हुन्छ । 

सिमेण्ट किन्दा र प्रयोग गर्दा ध्यान दिनुपर्ने कुरा : 

सिमेण्ट किन्दा त्यसको प्याकेजिङ राम्रोसँग भएको छ छैन हेर्नुपर्छ । त्यसको उत्पादन मिति, ग्रेड र प्रकार राम्रोसँग हेर्नुपर्छ । सामान्यतया सिमेण्ट उत्पादन भएको मितिले डेढ महिनाभित्रमा प्रयोग गर्नु उत्तम मानिन्छ किनकि त्यसपछि विस्तारै सिमेण्टको शक्ति कम हुँदै जान्छ । २४ महिनासम्ममा सिमेण्टको शक्तिमा ५० प्रतिशतसम्मले कमी आउने विज्ञहरु बताउँछन् ।  भण्डारण गर्दा सिमेण्टले विस्तारै आद्रता सोस्न थाल्छ र यो कडा बन्दै जान्छ जसले यसको शक्तिमा कमी आउँछ । 

१. सिमेण्ट प्लाण्टमा होइन फ्याक्ट्रीमा बनेको हुनुपर्छ । 

२. सिन्थेटिक, जुट वा पोलिप्रोपाइलिन बोरामा प्याक गरिएको हुनुपर्छ । त्यस्तो बोरा हातले सिलाइएको हुनुहुँदैन । 

३. सिमेण्टको बोरामा उत्पादकको नाम, ब्राण्ड र ट्रेडमार्क प्रष्ट देखिने हुनुपर्छ । साथै, सिमेण्टको प्रकार पनि उल्लेख गरेको हुनुपर्छ । 

४. उत्पादन मिति उल्लेख गरिएको हुनुपर्छ । 

५. सिमेण्टको तौल प्रतिबोरा ५० किलो हुनुपर्छ । 

६. उत्पादन भएको मितिले डेढ महिना ननाघेको हुनुपर्छ । 

७. सिमेण्ट ढिक्का जस्तो बनेको छ भने त्यस्तो बोरा नलिनुस । यदि उत्पादन मितिमा ध्यान  पु¥याउनु भयो भने बिग्रेको सिमेण्ट पर्ने सम्भावना कम हुन्छ । 

८. कुने छेउबाट च्यातिएको वा फुटेको बोरा नकिन्नुस् । 

९. सिमेण्ट ढुवानी गर्दा पानी र माटोबाट जोगाउनुस् । वर्षाको मौसममा सिमेण्ट किन्नु परे छाना भउको ट्रक वा गाडिमा ढुवानी गर्नुस । र सुख्खा ठाउँमा भण्डारण गर्नुस् । 

१०. सिमेण्ट सकेसम्म सुख्खा ईंट वा काठको फल्याकमाथि राख्नुस् । चिसो भुईंमा त राख्दै नराख्नुस् । 

११. सिमेण्टको बोरा चाङ लगाएर राख्दै हुनुहुन्छ भने एउटा चाङमा १० भन्दा बढी बोरा नराख्नुस् । 

१२. बोरा भित्तामा छोएर नराख्नुस् । 

१३. पहिले किनेको सिमेण्ट पहिले प्रयोग गर्नुस् । 

१४. ठेकेदारलाई कामको जिम्मा दिनुभएको छ भने उस्ले कस्तो सिमेण्ट प्रयोग गरेको छ, कसरी राखेको छ भन्ने कुराको निगरानी गर्नुस् । 

युवामञ्च मासिकको असार अंकमा प्रकाशित ।     

Helvetas completes 60 years in Nepal

Kathmandu, June 22: HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation has completed its 60 years of service in Nepal.

On the occasion, it organized a special programme Tuesday celebrate its 60 years of establishment in the country.

“During 60 years of engagement HELVETAS has contributed much to development of Nepal in general and in rural areas in particular. By the end of 2015, it has contributed to the betterment of lives of more than 15 million Nepalese through many of its programmes and projects,” HELVETAS informed in a press statement.

HELVETAS started its engagement in Nepal in 1965 with dairy development and vocational training programmes, one year after the establishment of Swiss Association for Technical Assistance (SATA) in Zurich, Switzerland.

Nepal government signed an agreement with SATA in 1959.

Since then, it has contributed in trail bridge building, community water supply and sanitation, rural roads, rural livelihoods and vocational training.

“In the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes last year, HELVETAS is supporting rehabilitation of affected people through skiling people for reconstruction of houses, community water supply and irrigation,” read the statement.

It has promised to work in the areas of integrated water resource management, decent employment, food security and nutrition, social inclusion and good governance. 

Dead bodies brought to TIA from Kabul

Kathmandu, June 22: The dead bodies of 12 Nepalese killed in the Kabul terrorist attack were brought to Kathmandu on Wednesday afternoon.

A Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) aircraft fetched the dead bodies.

A team led by Prakash Subedi, chief of South Asia Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), flew to the Afghan capital earlier in the morning.

Twenty-four Nepalis working in Afghanistan also returned to the country in the same flight.

Acting ambassador of Nepal to Pakistan who is also accredited to Afghanistan Tirtha Raj Aryal had reached Kabul on Tuesday to coordinate the repatriation of the remains and treatment of those who sustained injuries.  

The aircraft brought the dead bodies of Chandra Bahadur Rana, Bidur Bahadur Subedi, Hari Bahadur Baduwal of Kathmandu, Madhu Sudan Koirala, Dambar Bahadur Tamang and Lil Bahadur Gurung of Nuwakot, Krishna Bahadur Dhungana of Chitwan, Amrit Bahadur Thapa of Lamjung, Suk Bahadur Gurung of Syangja, Jitendra Singh Thapa of Rupandehi, Nabin Bahadur Kshetri of Parbat and Ankur Tamang of Sunsari district.

Final rites of Rana, Subedi, Baduwal and Koirala were performed at Pashupati Aryaghat on Wednesday while the rest were carried to their respective districts.

Home Ministry informed that the mortal remains of the rest were carried to the districts in Nepalese Army helicopters and sky-truck.  

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli reached the Tribhuvan International Airport to pay tribute to the deceased.

He expressed his condolences to the kith and kin of the deceased.

He condemned the cold blooded murder and said it was unfortunate that innocent Nepalese who had no relations as well as grudge with the Taliban were killed brutally.

PM Oli was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa, Home Minister Shakti Basnet, Minister for Labour and Employment Dipak Bohora, Tourism Minister Ananda Pokharel and Minister of State at Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development.

Twelve 12 Nepali and two Indian with Nepali origin security guards working at the Canadian Embassy died in the gruesome attack while seven were injured.

The government in collaboration with the Afghan government sent 5 injured - Krishna Kumar Deuja,  Prem Bahadur Kshetri, Chet Prasad Sherchan, Kumar Bahadur Gurung and Amrit Rokaya - to New Delhi, India for further treatment.

They are getting their treatment at the Apollo Hospital in New Delhi while preparations are under way to bring Man Bahadur Thapa and Chyangba Tamang to New Delhi via air ambulance.

 Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon condemned the Kabul attacks.

He extended his condolences to the families of the victims and to the Governments of Afghanistan and Nepal.

He demanded those responsible for the indiscriminate attacks to be brought to justice.

Govt to send NAC aircraft to fetch dead bodies from Kabul

Kathmandu, June 21: The government is sending an aircraft to bring home the bodies of 12 Nepalese killed in the Kabul terrorist attack on Monday morning.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) spokesperson Bharat Raj Poudyal informed that a meeting held at the Ministry on Tuesday morning decided to charter a Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) aircraft to fetch the dead bodies of Nepalese.

A meeting, coordinated by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa and participated in by high officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Nepalese Army, Nepal Police, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Ministry of Health (MoH) and NAC, took the decision to this effect.

“We have expedited the process to obtain permission for landing at the Kabul Airport and overflights on Kabul-Kathmandu air route,” said Poudyal.

According to the MoFA, the NAC aircraft will bring Nepalese citizens who want to come back to Nepal from Afghanistan as per its capacity.

Tirtha Raj Aryal, acting Nepalese ambassador Pakistan who is also accredited to Afghanistan, reached Kabul on Tuesday morning.

He met with Afghan government officials and visited the injured in the hospital.

At least 12 Nepali and two Indian with Nepali origin security guards working at the Canadian Embassy died in the gruesome attack while seven were injured.

The government in collaboration with the Afghan government sent Krishna Bahadur Deuja and Man Bahadur Thapa, who were badly injured, to New Delhi, India for further treatment while preparations were underway to send other three injured to India as well, informed Poudyal.

He stated that the government was trying to bring the dead bodies at the earliest however medical forensic process might take some time.

A team comprising high officials of NA, MoH, Police and Foreign Employment Promotion Board will fly to Kabul in the chartered plane.

“The government has three concerns now – treatment of the injured, repatriation of the dead bodies and security of Nepalese citizens in Afghanistan,” Poudyal remarked.

DPM Thapa talked to his Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani and talked about the same concerns.

MoFA informed that Rabbani said that the Afghan government was positive about providing necessary support in the process.

Meanwhile, the MoFA informed that the government would initiate process to punish agencies involved in sending Nepalese citizens to Afghanistan illegally, and launch awareness campaigns as well.

According to an official figure, around 3,323 Nepali nationals are currently working in Afghanistan. 

Equal emphasis to livelihood recovery: Experts

Kathmandu, June 21: Nepal's key development partners have made unequivocal call to expedite reconstruction work that directly supports livelihoods recovery of the earthquake affected communities.

During a conference on ‘Livelihoods Recovery: Lessons Learnt and Way Forward’ organized here on Tuesday, they emphasized that livelihoods recovery should be given equal emphasis as building houses and other infrastructures.

Minister for Industry Som Prasad Pandey said the government was serious to speed up recovery of livelihoods for the people affected by last year's earthquake and urged the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) to make its performance more visible on the ground.

Chief executive officer of the NRA Sushil Gyawali stated that there was huge potential for employment creation in the construction industry and the NRA had a target to create at least 25,000 masons and skilled workers in three months.

Australian ambassador to Nepal Glenn White said that Livelihoods Recovery was as important as reconstruction.

"Rebuilding houses is important. Livelihoods Recovery is more important as it helps families to make decision about their priorities whether they want to build house or send children to school or grow the business,” he remarked.

UNDP Country Director Renaud Meyer said that reconstruction should not only focus on buildings but rebuilding their lives and livelihoods.

He informed that Rapid Enterprises and Livelihoods Recovery Project (RELRP) supported by Australian Government had supported 14,000 micro-entrepreneurs to revive their enterprises and livelihoods.

“Along with it, UNDP's Community Infrastructure and Livelihoods Recovery Project has supported 20,000 households through the reconstruction of 81 vital community infrastructures like irrigation canals, cooperative buildings, drinking water and agricultural facilities,” he said.

The conference was organized by the Ministry of Industry, NRA and UNDP to share the lessons learnt during Livelihoods Recovery following last year's devastating earthquake.

In the sideline of the event, the exhibition of products of the micro entrepreneurs revived after the earthquake was also organized.

Public private coordination to boost export

Kathmandu, June 21: Stakeholders have suggested strong coordination among the private sector and government agencies in order to boost export of Nepalese goods.

Speaking at an interaction on contemporary issues of Nepalese goods export organized by the Export Council of Nepal (ECN), businessmen and government officials said that export facilitation was needed however caution should be applied so as to control smuggling of contraband items in disguise.

Rajesh Kaji Shrestha, president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce, urged the government for successful implementation of the law and policies.

Apil Raj Bohora, DIG at the Narcotics Control Bureau of Nepal Police, informed that the smugglers had been using innovative methods to smuggle contraband items including drugs. “Some businessmen have been involved in such activities to make fast cash. We need help from the business community in curbing the transaction and transportation of drugs,” he said.

He stated that the smugglers were using items like coconut, statue of Buddha, chyawanprash, cashmere, egg crust and orange cover to pack drugs.Bohora warned that if the involvement of exporters or cargo companies was found, Nepal’s export business would be severely affected.

Deputy executive director of Trade and Export Promotion Centre Tej Singh Basnet said that there was unhealthy competition among the exporters to obtain preferences given to the Nepalese goods by various developed countries.

President of ECN Surendra Kumar Shrestha complained that the government gave least priority to export promotion.

“Budget of the coming fiscal year is silence on export promotion. The government should increase cash incentives on export and facilitate exporters to participate in international trade fairs,” he said. 

Dr. Koirala elected as NMC president

Prof. Dr. Siddhi Prasad Koirala has been elected as the president of the Nepal Mathematics Centre (NMC).

Third Annual General Assembly of the Centre, elected 11 members of the working committee while two members will be nominated by the committee.

The AGM elected Prof. Dr. Hari Prasad Upadhyaya as the vice-president of the NMC and Nilam Subedi as the secretary while Rubha Manandhar and Bindra Devi Shakya were elected as joint-secretary and treasurer respectively.

Likewise, Prof. Dr. Lekh Nidhi Sharma, Prof. Umanath Pandeya, Dr. Gyan Bahadur Thapa, Rudra Hari Gyawali and Kaji Prasad Ghimire were elected as the members of the Centre. Immediate Past President Prof. Dr. Ram Man Shrestha will also be the part of the working committee.

The Centre aims at working to improve mathematics teaching-learning methodology and increase fellowships among the teaching faculties, informed incumbent secretary of the NMC Dr. Eka Ratna Acharya. 

Agriculture and livestock insurance size hits Rs. 5.57 billion

Within three years of its implementation of Agriculture and Livestock Insurance, the sum assured of this product has hit Rs. 5.57 billion.

According to the recent statistics of the Insurance Board (IB), 16 non-life insurance companies had collected Rs. 261 million in premiums by the end of third quarter of the current Fiscal Year 2015/16 while the insurers received claims worth Rs. 101 million.

In terms of sum assured, livestock insurance has topped the list to Rs. 1.55 billion while assured sum of crops is Rs. 301 million, birds Rs. 482 million and fisheries Rs. 238 million.

The devastating earthquakes in April and May last year and Indian blockade caused a severe impact on the insurance industry too.

Despite this, the statistics of crops insurance are impressive.

Assured amount of crops insurance of first nine months of current fiscal year is Rs. 139 million and livestock insurance is Rs. 1.48 billion which was Rs. 146 million and Rs. 2.47 billion respectively last year.

But, birds and fisheries insurance nosedived in the current fiscal.

The assured sum of birds insurance is Rs. 87 million and fisheries insurance is Rs. 53 million this year against the sum of Rs. 393 million and Rs. 168 million respectively in the last fiscal.

IB chairman Prof. Dr. Fatta Bahadur KC informed that the agriculture and livestock insurance got momentum after the Board issued directives for the insurers which implied that they mandatorily design insurance products to address the areas specified by the regulator.

The Board has assigned three districts for each of the commercial insurer.

“The Board has been running publicity campaigns, including interactions with selected farmers. On the other hand, insurance companies are expanding their network,” said Dr. KC.

The IB conducted an interaction with farmers and other stakeholders in Banepa of Kavre on Friday.

Prakash Chandra Sapkota, a consultant associated with the IB, said that the agriculture and livestock insurance would further receive a fillip as there was increased awareness about the product.

Agriculture and livestock insurance was launched in January 2013 which facilitated the insurers to sell vegetable, fruits, cereals and livestock insurance products.

Crops insurance covers the production cost that a farmer invests till the crops or horticulture is harvested while livestock and poultry insurance were launched to provide coverage of domesticated animals and birds like buffalos, cows, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens and others.

Under the agriculture and livestock insurance framework, insurers and customers will bear 90 per cent and 10 per cent of the actual loss respectively.

Experts stress on trade diversification

Kathmandu, June 20: Chairman of the Legislature-Parliament's Development Committee Rabindra Adhikari Monday said that the country couldn't be truly sovereign until trade and transit were diversified.

Speaking at a discussion on 'Post disaster assessment: Blockade 2015-16', he urged to move away from excessive dependence on a single trading partner for essential commodities.

Sharing his experiences of travelling across the postal highway in the Terai, Adhikari identified it as lifeline for national integration.

"Infrastructural connectivity should play a key role for integrating different geographic regions and thereby promoting overall national integration," he stated.

Chandra Kishore Jha, journalist and political commentor based in Birgunj, criticized the government for protecting the black marketers during the blockade.

"Because of the protection provided by the state to key players of the black market, it flourished and went beyond control." 

He said that the state had been Kathmandu-centric and was indifferent to the concerns of the bordering areas which was exemplified by the fact that during the blockade as well, getting supplies to Kathmandu was viewed as the priority ignoring that people along the border were also suffering due to the supply shock.

He urged to view the social relations as key capital in the economy. "Dissatisfactions in the Terai-Madhesh gave rise to the blockade as a by-product of the unrest. It heightened the discord in the social relations," Jha stated.

Dr. Surendra Labh, social researcher and political commentator, expressed serious concerns to the social acceptance of black market and dangers of that becoming the dominant norm in the society.

He mentioned that corrupt attitude was celebrated in society and local socialization process congratulated the people with material wealth.

Dr. Mallika Shakya, professor at the South Asian University, New Delhi, stressed on the need to view the blockade ordeal through the lenses of 'Southasianess'.

She said that India was using blockade as a regional political tool as it had exercised it in terms of Bhutan and Nepal quite recently.

The key themes that emerged during the course of discussion revolved around the need for social transformation; in order to prevent corrupt attitudes becoming the new normal, moving towards a self-reliant economy through diversification of trade and transit, and demanding accountability from the government.

The discussion was organized by Nepal Economic Forum and Alliance for Social Dialogue. 

JMC organizes Workshop on education act

Kathmandu, June 18: Janamaitri Multiple Campus has organized a workshop on ‘use of technology in mathematics teaching/learning’ and ‘ammended education act’.

Narayan Shrestha, deputy-director of the Department of Education, presented paper on ‘Grading system and amended Education Act, 2016’.

Bed Prasad Dhakal, assistant professor at the Central Department of Education of the Tribhuvan University, presented paper on ‘use of technology in mathematics teaching/learning’.

He said that computer and other new technologies should be used to facilitate the students in their study. “Technology creates fun in teaching and learning activities.”

Principals and senior teachers from more than 50 schools participated in the workshop.

Campus Chief Bhola Nath Ojha informed that the workshop was organized to update the principals on the new education system and technology. 

Government constructing 82 community shelters

Kathmandu, June 17: The government has expedited the construction of temporary community shelters in the districts which were severely hit by the devastating earthquake in April and May last year.

Deputy-spokesperson of the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) Dr. Bhishma Kumar Bhushal informed that the Central Programme Implementation Unit at the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) and Nepalese Army had been constructing 82 community shelters in the 11 worst-hit districts.

The MoUD is constructing 46 shelters and NA is working on 36 community shelter projects while 4 projects are under tendering process.

“The government is constructing shelters as per the decision of the respective district’s Disaster Relief Committee and demands of the people,” read a press statement issued by the reconstruction body.

The shelter construction projects are running in Dhading, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Sindhupalchowk, Kavre, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Sindhuli, Makwanpur, Okhaldhunga and Gorakha district.

Meanwhile, the NRA informed that the first installment of the house reconstruction grant, Rs. 50,000, had been deposited into the bank account of the families who lost their house in the tremors.

“Rs. 224 million has been deposited into the bank account of 4,497 households,” said the NRA.

It has forged housing grant agreement with 112,313 households by Wednesday.