Clark Group comes to Nepal

Forges collaboration with Sneha Hotel

Lucknow,India, Dec. 29: One of the leading Indian hotel companies, Clarks Inn Group of Hotels has shown interests to invest in luxury hotels and resorts in various tourist destinations in Province 5 and Karnali.

The company has expanded its business to Nepal with its partnership agreement with the Hotel Sneha in Nepalgunj of Banke district. The hotel has got its new name as 'Sneha Clarks Inn Suites'.

"This marks Clarks Inn's first operational debut in Nepal, and the second property overall, including one in Kathmandu which is expected to open door later this year," said the company.

Managing Director of Sneha Group of Companies Bhawani Rana said that the tie-up with Clarks Inn was a step in the direction to strengthen border tourism and trade.

"Sneha Clarks Inn Suites is located just 3.5 km from the border and we have visitors from Lakhimpur, Bahraich and as far as Lucknow and adjoining area. It will provide an opportunity to boost trade and tourism in Province 5 and Karnali and Sudur Paschim," she said.

She expressed her confidence that the tie-up with Clarks Inn would help in growing tourism along the border areas of our two countries and would have multiplier effect on border trade and new investment opportunities.

Rana who is also the President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) is working to strengthen the business exchange and relationship with the bordering Indian state Uttar Pradesh (UP).

 Last week she led a delegation of businessmen from Kathmandu, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Kailali and Krishnanagar and called on UP's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The meeting has given us many ways to explore bilateral trade, business and tourism opportunities in the region, said Rana.

She plans to promote Nepalgunj as the gateway to famous pilgrim site Kailash Mansarovar.

"Nepalgunj is also the gateway to Kailash Mansarovar. There are thousands of Indian pilgrims who are travelling to Kailash every year. We see huge opportunity to promote Mansoravar Yatra with Nepalgunj serving as the base from where pilgrims can undertake onward travel by helicopter," she said.

Rana said that the two companies would jointly explore the investment opportunities in hospitality and tourism sector in various tourism destinations in the hill and mountains of Province 5, Karnali and Sudur Paschim.

She extended an invitation to CM Yogi to inaugurate the coming season of Mansoravar Pilgrimage, and the latter has responded positively to it.

Clarks said that it was ecstatic about its latest addition.

"This is our operational debut in Nepal and we are doing so with a property that befits special milestone for us. Sneha will cater to guests with impeccable in room guest amenities, and also provide facilities like swimming pool for adults and children, spa, health club and casino," said S. N. Srivastava, President and Co-founder of Clarks Group.

Clarks is one of the fastest growing hotel companies in India with more than 90 hotels in 19 states in India, and one in Nepal.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 30 December 2018. 

GEMCOL mobilises savings of Rs. 15.7 million

Kathmandu, Dec. 29: Gorkhapatra Employee Multipurpose Cooperative Organisation Limited (GEMCOL) has mobilised savings of Rs. 15.7 million by the end of last fiscal year 2017/18.

Its share capital has reached Rs. 3.73 million.

"The cooperative has played an important role in supporting its members in various economic activities," speaking at the 12^th Annual General Assembly of GEMCOL Executive Chairman of Gorkhapatra Corporation Krishna Murari Bhandari said.

He said that the cooperative was an excellent example of cooperation among the editorial, account, printing, circulation, administration and other staff.

President of GEMCOL Deepak Poudel said that the cooperative had played role in resolving problems in a mutual way and has contributed in increased confidence, mutual understanding and cooperation among its members.

The cooperative awarded the children of Gorkhapatra employee who obtained excellent results in the last SEE exam with cash and certificate. Awardees are Pabitra Acharya's daughter Prapti Timilsena, Umesh Ojha's daughter Nuss Ojha, Om Bhusal's son Arpan Bhusal, Rekh Raj Basnet's son Suresh Basnet, Pushpa Raj Joshi's son Shree Ansh Joshi, Shanta Adhikari's daughter Namuna Kafle, Krishna Shrestha's daughter Evana Shrestha and Rashil Sharma's daughter Akriti Sharma.

Poudel reelected as chairman

Dipak Poudel has been unanimously reelected as the chairman of GEMCOL. Basanta Malla Sharma and Hari Krishna Aryal have been elected to the post of Vice-Chairman, Bimala Ghimre Secretary and Indira Pandey Treasurer.

Similarly, Pabitra Acharya, Maya Acharya, Pabitra Gautam, Yashoda Khanal, Narayan Gotame and Shyam Kumar Thapa have been elected as members. Ramesh Neupane has become the Coordinator, and Amir Maiya Ranjit and Tulsi Maharjan members of Account Committee.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 30 December 2018. 

Japanese FM Kono to visit Nepal in January

Kathmandu, Dec. 28: Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Kono is coming to Nepal for an official visit from 9 to 10 January, 2019.

He is visiting Nepal at the invitation of Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali.

Kono will hold delegation-level bilateral talks with Gyawali on 9 January. The meeting will be followed by joint press briefing.

He is scheduled to pay courtesy calls on President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. FM Gyawali will host a dinner in honour of Kano.

FM Gyawali had paid an official visit to Japan in November at the invitation of Kono where Japan has expressed its readiness to hire Nepali skilled and semi-skilled workers, establish and run human resource training and skill development institutions and programmes, and support in agriculture, infrastructure development, technology transfer, poverty alleviation, climate change and disaster risk mitigation.

Japan has recently included Nepal as the source country to hire workers.

There have been frequent exchanges at the high level between the two countries.

Spokesperson of the Ministry Bharat Raj Poudyal said that State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan visited Nepal in 2015 and 2016, and Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba visited Nepal in 2012.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 29 December 2018. 

Japan provides mammography machine to NCCF

Kathmandu, Dec. 28: Japan will provide a mammography machine to Nepal Cancer Care Foundation.

Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Masamichi Saigo and Chairperson of the Foundation Sushil Kumar Pant signed a grant contract for the same on Friday.

The project for the Provision of Medical Equipment to the Foundation in Lalitpur metropolis is funded under the grant assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) of Japan government, said the Embassy of Japan, Kathmandu.

The grant assistance amounts to Rs. 8.2 million.

Nepal Cancer Care Foundation in Satdobato, Lalitpur is a specialised hospital for women's cancer and has been offering treatment to more than 4,000 patients every year.

The hospital also organises free cancer screening in remote areas.

The medical equipment will be used to provide free regular check-ups for women.

"We hope that this project will contribute towards enhancing better hospital services for cancer patients, and also strengthen the bilateral relationship between Japan and Nepal," said the embassy.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 29 December 2018. 

No Nepali will remain poor: PM

Kathmandu, Dec. 28: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the poverty would be eradicated from the country and no Nepali would be poor.

This is pro-poor government which will work in the interest of people, and it will always be positive towards the skill development and economic upliftment of working people, he said while addressing the inaugural programme of the Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre (JTUCC) in the Capital.

He said that the contribution-based social security programme recently launched by the government would pull many workers out from poverty.

"We have not only announced programmes for the workers but also in the interest of businessmen and industrialists as well. This is a novel programme implemented with the consensus of both the workers and the employers," he said.

According to him, the government work to make the poor people rich not to stop the growth of the affluent. It will launch employment projects to ensure sufficient income to manage the daily of poor people.

"Though the social discrimination can be eradicated in some years from now, it may take some time to create social equality but we are determined to reach there," said PM Oli.

He said that the government was committed to support people in Terai to save them from cold-waves, and collaboration has been created among the security agencies, local bodies, administration and private sector to save people from the cold-bites.

"Nobody would die from cold-bites from this year," he said.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 29 December 2018. 

फ्री भिसा, फ्री टिकट

कतार, युएई र साउदी अरबसँग पनि नयाँ सम्झौताको तयारी

मुलुकभित्र पर्याप्त रोजगारीका अवसर सिर्जना हुन नसक्दा युवाका सामु विदेशिनुको विकल्प छैन् । कतिपयका लागि स्वरोजगारीका अवसर पनि मुलुकमा नभएका होइनन् तर स्वरोजगारीको स्थान तथा व्यवसायको प्रकृतिअनुसारको सीमा, प्राविधिक ज्ञानको कमी र लगानीका लागि आवश्यक रकमको जुटाउन कठीनाईले युवाहरुका सामु वैदेशिक रोजगारीलाई प्रमुख विकल्पका रुपमा उभ्याइदिएको छ । पछिल्ला वर्षहरुमा त्यो बाध्यतामा रहर पनि थपिएको छ । आफ्ना दौंतरी तथा छिमेकीले विदेशमा गएर राम्रो कमाइ गरेको तथा परिवारको आर्थिक अवस्था उकासेको देखेर मुलुक छाड्नेहरु पनि प्रशस्त छन् ।

नतीजास्वरुप हाल औसतमा दैनिक १७८० जना नेपालीले विदेशको रोजगारीको खोजीमा मुलुक छाडिरहेका छन् । यो त बैधानिकरुपमा विदेशिनेको तथ्यांक हो । ठूलो कमाइको आशामा जोखिमयुक्त मुलुक तथा गन्तव्यमा जाने अनि सरकारले प्रतिवन्ध लगाएका खाडी देशलगायतमा घरेलु कामदारको रुपमा जानेको संख्या पनि ठूलो छ । खाडी तथा मलेशियामा तल्लो स्तरको र जोखिमयुक्त काममा संलग्न नेपालीहरु विभिन्न प्रकारका शारीरिक तथा मानसिक समस्यासँग जुधिरहेका छन् । कतिपयको ज्यानै जाने गरेको छ । अझै पनि औसतमा दैनिक तीन नेपालीको लास नेपाल आउने गरेको छ ।

शून्य लागत

यस्ता अनगिन्ति समस्याको प्रारम्भिक हलस्वरुप सरकारले सन् २०१५ मा मलेशियाका लागि ‘फ्री भिसा, फ्री टिकट’को प्रावधान लागू गरेको थियो । म्यानपावर व्यवसायीको चर्को विरोध हुँदाहुँदै लागू गरेको सो निर्णयलाई सरकारले क्रमशः सँस्थागत गर्दै केही समयअघि शून्य लागत (कामदारको सम्पूर्ण खर्च रोजगारदाताले बेहोर्नु पर्ने) व्यवस्था लागु गरेको थियो ।

सरकारले मलेशियाका लागि नेपालमा काम गरिरहेका विचौलिया कम्पनीहरुलाई समेत बन्द गरी नेपाली कामदार त्यता नपठाउने निर्णय गरेको थियो । केही महिनापछि नै मलेशिया सरकारले नेपालसँग कुटनीतिक माध्यमबाट वार्ता गरी नेपालको निर्णय मान्ने सहमति गरेको थियो ।

तर, त्यसपछि पनि प्राविधिक कुरा नमिलेको बहानामा नेपाली कामदार मलेशिया जान पाएका छैनन ।
त्यसैलाई प्रमाणको रुपमा पेश गर्दै वैदेशिक रोजगार व्यवसायीहरु ‘फ्री भिसा, फ्री टिकट’ लागु गर्नै नहुने अडानमा छन् । वैदेशिक रोजगार व्यवसायी संघका अध्यक्ष रोहन गुरुङले केही समय अघि राजधानीमा आयोजित कार्यक्रममा सरकारको यो कदमले कसैको हीत नगर्ने र यो समयक्रममा असफल हुने बताउनु भएको थियो ।

तर, श्रम, रोजगार तथा सामाजिक सुरक्षा मन्त्री गोकर्ण विष्ट भने मेनपावर एजेन्सीको चर्को र निरन्तर शोषणबाट नेपाली कामदारलाई जोगाउनका लागि कामदारको खर्च रोजगारदाताले नै बेहोर्नु पर्ने निर्णय लागु गरेको बताउनु हुन्छ । उहाँका अनुसार, सरकारले विदेशमा रहेका नेपाली कामदारको सुरक्षा र आयवृद्धिलाई प्राथमिकतामा राखेको छ । उहाँ भन्नु हुन्छ ,‘कामदारको खर्च रोजगारदाताले बेहोर्ने कुरालाई कोलम्बो प्रोसेसका सदस्य मुलुकहरुले पनि सराहना गरेका छ् । उनीहरुले पनि विस्तारै यसलाई अपनाउने बताएका छन् ।’ वैदेशिक रोजगारमा कामदार पठाउने १२ एशियाली राष्ट्रहरुको साझा मञ्चको रुपमा स्थापना भएको कोलम्बो प्रोसेसको बैठक गत कार्तिक २९ र ३० गते काठमाडौंमा बसेको थियो ।

के छ मलेशियासँगको सम्झौतामा ?

गत कार्तिक १२ गते नेपाल र मलेशिया सरकारले हस्ताक्षर गरेको कामदार भर्ना, रोजगार र फिर्ता सम्बन्धी समझदारी पत्रमा मलेशिया कामदार पठाउँदा लाग्ने सेवा शुल्क, आतेजाते हवाइ टिकट, भिसा शुल्क, स्वास्थ्य परीक्षण, सुरक्षा जाँचलगायत खर्च सम्बन्धित रोजगारदाताले बेहोर्नु पर्नेछ । विगतमा नेपाली कामदारलाई लाग्दै आएको लेभी नलाग्ने भएको छ भने यसअघि मलेशिया जाने कामदारको करार अवधि ३ वर्ष रहँदै आएकोमा अब २ वर्ष कायम भएको छ ।

त्यसैगरी, कामदारको पारिश्रमिक प्रत्येक महिनाको ७ गतेभित्र बैंक खातामार्फत भुक्तानी गर्नु पर्ने व्यवस्था गरिएको छ । श्रम मन्त्रालयका अनुसार मलेसिया सरकारले तोकेको न्यूनतम पारिश्रमिक भन्दा कम नहुने गरी तलव, भत्ता एवम् सुविधा पाउने सुनिश्चितता गर्नुका साथै अतिरिक्त समयमा काम गरेवापत थप पारिश्रमिक एवम् सेवा सुविधा प्राप्त हुने भएको छ ।


कतार युएई र साउदीमा पनि शून्य लागत

श्रम, रोजगार तथा सामाजिक सुरक्षा मन्त्रालयका सहसचिव दीपक ढकालका अनुसार सरकारले हाल कतार, संयुक्त अरब अधिराज्य (युएई) र साउदी अरबसँग पनि कामदारको खर्च रोजगारदाताले नै बेहोर्ने सम्बन्धमा छलफल अगाडि बढाएको छ । यी तीनै मुलुकसँग नेपालले श्रम सम्झौता नवीकरण गर्दैछ ।

‘शून्य लागतमा कामदार विदेशमा पठाउने कुरा हाम्रो मात्र होइन, विश्वव्यापी चासोको विषय हो । अन्तरराष्ट्रिय श्रम संगठन (आईएलओ)ले पनि यस्तै नीति लिन मार्गनिर्देशन गरिहेको छ,’ ढकालले भन्नुभयो । उहाँका अनुसार यसै महीना मोरक्कोको मराकशमा आयोजना भएको अन्तरसरकारी सम्मेलनले पनि यस विषयमा केही निर्णय लिने संभावना छ । यो समाचार तयार पार्दा मराकश सम्मेलन आयोजना भइरहेको थियो ।

मलेशियाको बजार छिट्टै खोल्न सरकारले प्रयास गरिरहेको र नेपाली कामदारको अधिकतम हकहीतको प्रत्याभुति मिलाउने प्रयास गर्दा प्रक्रिया केही लम्बिन गएको ढकाल बताउनु हुन्छ ।

वैदेशिक रोजगार विभागका अनुसार गत वर्ष नेपालीहरु संसारभरका १४२ मुलुकमा कामको खोजीमा गएका थिए । नयाँ रोजगारीमा गएका करीब ३ लाख ५९ हजार र पुनः श्रम स्वीकृति लिएका २ लाख ५८ हजार ६ सय नेपाली युवाकै कारण १ हजार भन्दा बढी मेनपावर एजेन्सीको कारोबार चलेको छ । विभागकै तथ्यांक अनुसार गत वर्ष १,०७२ मेनपावर एजेन्सीले विदेशका २,८९६ एजेन्सीका लागि कामदार आपूर्ति गरेका थिए ।

 कामदार घटे, रेमिट्यान्स बढ्यो

वैदेशिक रोजगारीमा जाने नेपाली यवाहरुको संख्या घटे पनि नेपाल भित्रिने रेमिट्यान्स भने कम भएको छैन । वदेशमा नेपालीको आयस्तर बढेको र नेपालीको वचतमा पनि वृद्धि भएको यसले देखाउँछ । नेपाल राष्ट्र बैंकका प्रवक्ता नारायणप्रसाद पौडेलका अनुसार जापानलगायत राम्रो कमाइ हुने गन्तव्य मुलुकको रेमिट्यान्स वैधानिक माध्यमबाट आउन थालेकाले पनि रेमिट्यान्स आप्रवाहमा सन्तोषजनक वृद्धि देखिएको हो ।

‘फ्री भिसा, फ्री टिकट’को प्रावधानसँगै नेपाली कामदारको हीतका पक्षमा सरकारले गन्तव्य मुलुकसँग गरेका सम्झौताले उनीहरुको तलब तथा सुविधा बढ्ने र नेपाल आउने रेमिट्यान्स पनि बढ्ने श्रम, रोजगार तथा सामाजिक सुरक्षा मन्त्री गोकर्ण विष्ट बताउनु हुन्छ ।

गत आर्थिक वर्ष २०७४÷७५ मा नेपालले रु. ७५५ अर्ब ६ करोड विप्रेषण प्राप्त गरेको थियो जुन अघिल्लो आर्थिक वर्षको तुलनामा ८.६ प्रतिशतले बढी हो । गत वर्ष विदेशिने नयाँ कामदारको संख्या अघिल्लो वर्षको तुलनामा १०.१ प्रतिशतले घटेको थियो भने पुनः श्रम स्वीकृति लिनेको संख्या पनि ०.६ प्रतिशतले घटेको थियो ।

वि. सं. २०५५ देखि अर्थतन्त्रमा उल्लेख्य योगदान दिन थालेको रेमिट्यान्स गत वर्षसम्म आइपुग्दा अर्थतन्त्रको अभिन्न हिस्सा बनेको छ । नेपाली अर्थतन्त्रको अनुपातमा रेमिट्यान्स करीब २९ प्रतिशत पुगेको छ । केन्द्रीय तथ्यांक विभागको पछिल्लो आँकडा अनुसार नेपालको अर्थतन्त्रको आकार गत असार मसान्तमा उपभोक्ता मूल्यमा करीब ३० खर्ब ७ अर्ब रुपैयाँ र आधारभूत मूल्यमा २६ खर्ब रुपैयाँ पुगेको छ । रेमिट्यान्स नआउने हो भने मुलुकको चालु खाता र विदेशी मुद्राको संचिति (शोधनान्तर स्थिति) मा ठूलो पहिरो जाने अवस्था छ ।


वैदेशिक रोजगारीका पछिल्ला प्रमुख गन्तव्य
(नयाँ कामदार)
देश कामदारको संख्या
                        २०७२/७३ २०७३/७४ २०७४७५
मलेशिया                    ६०,९७९ ९८,४३७      १०४,२०७
कतार                   १२९,०३८ १२५,८९२     १०३,१७४
युएई                           ५२,७९३        ५६,५२६     ६०,२४३
साउदी अरब          १३८,५२९  ७६,८८४     ४०,९६३
कुवेत                 १०,०४९        १३,५७६     १७,५५५
बहराइन                 ३,१४६        ४,००७     ४,८६२
दक्षिण कोरिया          ७,४३२       ५,८०४     ४,८३२
ओमान                 ३,०५९       ३,१८६     ३,०५९
अफगानिस्तान         १,४१९        १,३८१     १,४४२
जापान                 ३,८४४       २,२५१     ७६१
इजरायल                १८९               १३०            १२२
लेबनान                 १६७              १४०            २२
अन्य                       ८,०६९     १०,७६४     १७,५७३
कुल                      ४१८,७१३     ३९८,९७८     ३५८८१५
प्रतिशत परिवर्तन —१८.४     —४.७            —१०.१

स्रोत : वैदेशिक रोजगार विभाग÷नेपाल राष्ट्र बैंक

पुनः श्रम स्वीकृति

शीर्षक                 २०७२/७३ २०७३/७४ २०७४/७५
पुनः श्रम स्वीकृति २३८,०९८        २६०,२५२       २५८,६०२
प्रतिशत परिवर्तन १५.५         ९.३               —०.६
स्रोत : वैदेशिक रोजगार विभाग÷नेपाल राष्ट्र बैंक


कामदारबाट वर्षौं कमिसन खाने प्रवृत्ति गलत

गोकर्ण विष्ट
मन्त्री, श्रम, रोजगार तथा सामाजिक सुरक्षा

तत्कालका लागि हामीसँग वैदेशिक रोजगारीका लागि भरपर्दो विकल्प छैन, त्यसैले सरकार विदेशमा रहेका नेपाली कामदारको सर्वोपरी हितका लागि सक्दो प्रयत्न गर्न चाहन्छ । हाम्रो मुख्य ध्येय भनेकै सुरक्षित श्रम बजार, श्रमिकको स्वास्थ्य र उनीहरुको कल्याण हो । हामीले नेपालको हकमा मात्र होइन, श्रमिकका ठूला स्रोत मुलुकहरुको क्षेत्रीय संगठन कोलम्बो प्रोसेसमा पनि यसलाई उठाएका छौं र सदस्यहरुले नेपालको प्रयासको प्रसंशा गर्दै आगामी दिनमा आफूहरुले पनि यसलाई लागू गर्ने बताएका छन् । खासगरी रोजगार गन्तव्य मुलुुकसँगको द्विपक्षीय वार्तामा यो विषयलाई उठाउने उनीहरुको भनाइ छ । निःशुल्क भिसा र टिकटको नयाँ व्यवस्थाले कतिपय मेनपावर व्यवसायीलाई ठूलो पीर परेको छ । यहाँ त कामदार पठाउँदा मात्र होइन, उसले विदेशमा काम गर्दासम्म निरन्तर कमिशन खाने प्रचलन रहेछ । यस्ता खराब अभ्यास तत्कालै बन्द हुनुपर्छ र त्यसका लागि सरकारले आवश्यक कदम चाल्नेछ ।

मलेशियाको रोजगारी अन्यौलमा 

रोहन गुरुङ
अध्यक्ष, वैदेशिक रोजगार व्यवसायी संघ
‘फ्री भिसा, फ्री टिकट’को प्रावधान सुन्दा राम्रो सुनिए पनि व्यवहारिकरुपमा यो प्रत्युत्पादक भइसकेको छ । सरकारले विदेशको श्रम बजारलाई नबुझिकन यस्तो नियम ल्याएको हो । त्यसको फलस्वरुप मलेशियाको रोजगारी धेरै महिनादेखि अन्यौलमा छ भने त्यहाँका रोजगारदाताले अन्य मुलुकबाट कामदार लिन थालेका छन् । मलेशिया नेपालीका लागि प्रमुख गन्तव्य मुलुक हो । अहिले सरकार सारा दोष मेनपावर व्यवसायीलाई दिएर आफू तर्किन खोजेको छ । यसले कसैको हीत गर्दैन । सरकार र व्यवसायीविच पर्याप्त छलफल गरेर निर्णय लिएको भए ठीक हुन्थ्यो ।

मेनपावरको सिण्डिकेट तोडनु जरुरी

टीकाराम ढकाल
सेल्स/अपरेशन प्रवन्धक,
रेन्बोलाइन ट्रेडिङ, दुबई
विदेश जाने नेपाली कामदारको भिसा प्रक्रिया तथा हवाइ टिकट रोजगारदाताले नै बेहोर्ने कुरा सकारात्मक हो । यसमा सरकारले लिएको नीतिलाई पनि सकारात्मक रुपमा लिनुपर्छ । तर यस्ता असल तथा आमजनताको जिविकोपार्जनसँग प्रत्यक्ष जोडिएका विषयलाई सही दिशा दिनका लागि त्यसको प्रभावकारी रुपमा कार्यान्वयन गर्नु महत्वपूर्ण हुन्छ । सरकारले लिएका असल निर्णय कार्यान्वयनका लागि एउटा बलियो संयन्त्र खडा नगरी र अहिले देखिएको म्यानपावर एजेन्सीको सिण्डिकेट नतोडी बेरोजगार युवालाई लाभ पुग्न सक्दैन ।



संयुक्त र प्रभावकारी संयन्त्र आवश्यक

शशीधर शर्मा
महाप्रवन्धक,
सैपाल ट्रैडिङ एण्ड कन्ट्र्याक्टिङ, कतार

नेपाल सरकारले कतारसँग पनि कामदारको खर्च रोजगारदाताले बेहोर्ने सम्झौता गर्न लागिरहेको भन्ने सुनेको छु । दुवै मुलुकले पर्याप्त गृहकार्य नगरी नेपालले मात्र एकतर्फीरुपमा घोषणा वा लागु गरेर यस्तो नियम कार्यान्वयन हुन सक्दैन । अहिले कतार नेपालमा भिसा सेण्टर खोलेर हाल यहाँ गर्दै आएको स्वास्थ्य परीक्षण उतै गर्ने पक्षमा छ । यसै पनि नेपालबाट कामदार ल्याउन झण्झटिलो भनेर रोजगारदाताहरु कामदार ल्याउन अरु मुलुकतर्पm आकर्षित भएका बेला राम्रो तयारी विना ‘फ्री भिसा, फ्री टिकट’को प्रावधान लागु गर्न खोज्नु प्रत्युत्पादक हुन सक्छ ।
यहाँका राम्रा कम्पनीले सेवा शुल्कसमेत दिएर कामदार ल्याउने गरेका छन्, औसत खालका कम्पनीले मात्र हो टिकट नदिने । नेपालबाट आउने मेनपावरका प्रतिनिधिले प्रतिस्पर्धामा जानका लागि पहिलेको भन्दा कम वा निःशुल्क काम गर्ने शैलीले पनि धेरै प्रभाव पारेको छ । अहिलेसम्मको प्रवृत्ति हेर्दा ‘फ्री भिसा, फ्री टिकट’ कत्तिपनि प्रभावकारी देखिएको छैन । त्यसका लागि दुवै सरकारको संयुक्त र प्रभावकारी संयन्त्र स्थापना गरी काम थाल्नु पर्छ ।

युवामञ्च मासिकको पुस २०७५ अंकमा प्रकाशित । युवामञ्चको इपेपर हेर्न यहाँ क्लिक गर्नुहोस् । 

PERC recommends for project prioritisation

Kathmandu, Dec. 27:

The Public Expenditure Review Commission (PERC) has prepared recommendations for reprioritising development projects, it said on Thursday.

It has found that the selection of the development projects without any set-standards, and finalisation of multi-year projects without the guarantee of resources, implementation without preparedness and action plan and misusing the project designs and tenders with in the setting between the government agencies and contractors were the major hurdles in infrastructure development.

“There has been misappropriation of development funds since long which demands an immediate action to reform the budget and expenditure system in the country,” said chairman of the PERC Dr. Dilli Raj Khanal at a press meet organised on Thursday to update the progress of the commission.

He said that the province and local governments should immediately pay special attention to make the budget and expenditure system effective and result-oriented.

In the last four months of its tenure, the PERC has created recommendations on the share of expenditure rights among the three levels of the governments and steps made to improve the management of public corporations and reduce their liability.  

“We have also identified the areas where the pubic services can be operated by the entities other than the government. The government would take the responsibilities of the regulator,” said Dr. Khanal.

According to him, the commission has also prepared suggestions on liquidation or continuation of the committees, board and commissions formed through Development Committee or Special Acts.

It will draft advices on the budget formulation and execution system.

Dr. Khanal said that the recommendations were being prepared after consulting with the high-government officials, former prime ministers, finance ministers, vice chairman and members of the National Planning Commission and auditor generals, officiating ministers and chief ministers, media monitoring, field visits to national pride projects, and interactions with the private sectors and other stakeholders.

It has also reviewed and analysed plans and budgets, and documents related to public expenditure system and expenditure management, as well as policies related to budgeting and expenditure.

The government had formed the PERC in August this year thorough a Cabinet decision as per the provision mentioned in the Budget of Fiscal Year 2018/19.

The budget has said that a commission would be formed to assess the obstacles in the public expenditure and development and its recommendations would be used to initiate a reform process at the various levels of the government.

The commission has a month’s time to complete its job.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 December 2018. 

Investment Summit in March, this year

Kathmandu, Dec. 27: With an aim to promoting Nepal as an attractive investment destination, the government is organising Nepal Investment Summit on March 29 and 30 next year.

The summit is being organised to attract investment in five priority areas – agriculture, energy, road, railways and aviation, industrial zones and information technology, Minister for Finance Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada said at a press meet organized at the ministry.

He said that the government had identified bankable projects in those areas and will attract foreign investors, banks and financial institutions and domestic investors to invest in them.

The government also aims at materialising the investment intent expressed by the foreign investors during the Nepal Investment Summit 2017 and attracting more investors with the second Investment Summit.

According to the Investment Board of Nepal (IBN), more than dozen of ready-to-invest projects of different sectors will be showcased at the summit, and the government has given priority to police reforms – primarily in Foreign Investment Act, PPP and Investment Act, Intellectual Property Act and other investment related laws.

Multiple plenary sessions will be organised on investment opportunities in Nepal, investing in Nepal, experience sharing, international experience sharing and leaders’ forum, and the summit will also feature parallel session son energy, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), industry, tourism, infrastructure, agriculture and forest products.

IBN Chief Executive Officer Maha Prasad Adhikari said that there were significant progresses post-2017 summit.

“The government has received concrete recommendations in terms of improving the investment climate and the laws have been duly amended. Likewise, Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) have been signed for about Rs. 275 billion,” he said.

According to him, most of the MoUs were on hydroelectricity projects.

The summit will be jointly organised by the IBN, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Private sector organisations Federations of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Confederation of Nepalese Industries are the co-organisers.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will inaugurate the conference.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 December 2018. 

Tourism contribution to GDP to be raised to 10 per cent

Kathmandu, Dec. 21:

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari said on Friday that the tourism sector's contribution to the national economy would rise to 10 per cent by the end of the 15^th Periodic Plan.

He was confident that the target would be met within two years by the end of 2020.

Currently, the share of tourism in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is about 3 per cent, and the National Planning Commission (NPC) has envisioned raising it to 10 per cent by the end of next five-year plan which starts from the coming fiscal year 2018/19.

"We believe that the contribution of tourism to the GDP is under-reported as the World Tourism Council has put the tourism's share to Nepal's economy at 7.5 per cent. So, with little adjustment in the figures and growing number of tourists and tourism infrastructure, we can achieve the target within a couple of years," Minister Adhikari said.

According to him, the government is going to implement the tourism satellite account system to evaluate the status of tourism industry in the country and its contribution to the national economy.

A committee led by Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) Krishna Prasad Devkota, including the representatives from the Central Bureau of Statistics, Nepal Rastra Bank and Nepal Tourism Board was formed in August this year to make initial preparations for the satellite account.

Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Bhairahawa will be completed by the end of the next year and will contribute to the increased number of tourist arrivals, added the Minister.

Adhikari said that international studies had shown that it would not be difficult to increase the number of tourists once the country achieved the target of one million tourist arrival. "Since we have already met the one million target and are heading for 1.2 million this year, we have to focus on creating better tourism infrastructure in order to cater good services to the visitors," he said.

He directed the departments and agencies under the MoCTCA to complete every project within the deadline.

"Projects should have time-bound execution. Find alternative way or method if the current modality is not working properly. I found that no officer was ready to put extra efforts to complete the delayed projects within its given schedule," he said.

According to Minister Adhikari, the rationale of announcing the early budget has failed since the bureaucracy refused to change its sluggish working style. The bureaucracy should change its working style to produce impressive results.

Member of the NPC Dr. Ram Kumar Phuyal said that Nepal was among the top countries who failed to spend the capital budget. He asked the ministry to update statistics such as the contribution of the growing number of tourists to the productivity, employment and economy.

"Development of infrastructure, human resources, skill and attitude should be the first priority of the government and other development stakeholders. Promotion is a secondary thing," he said.

Secretary Devkota said that the ministry would coordinate with the NPC and local levelsto facilitate the smooth flow of land filling materials to the GBIA. The local levels have levied taxes on the filling materials.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 December 2018. 

Japanese lawmakers call on NA chair Timilsina

Kathmandu, Dec. 21: A delegation of Japanese House of Councillors, upper house of the Japan's National Parliament, called on Chairman of the National Assembly Ganesh Timilsina at the latter's office in Singha Durbar on Friday.

Chairman Timilsina said that the bilateral relations between the two countries were moving ahead with friendship, partnership and cooperation.

He said that the visit of the four-member delegation to Nepal would contribute to strengthening relations and cooperation between the two nations.

He informed the visiting parliamentarians that the government in Nepal had given priority to the development of industry and tourism and modernisation of agriculture and expressed his hopes that Japan would extend its support to Nepal in achieving the development targets.

Coordinator of the Japanese delegation KatsomiAgawasaid that the visit's main objective was to take the bilateral relations between Nepal and Japan to people's level.

The delegation observed five projects being developed with the Japanese support.

He assured Japanese support in Nepal's development and prosperity.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 December 2018. 

Paanch Pokhari wins Nepal-Pak T20

Kathmandu, Dec. 21:

Paanch Pokhari Cricket Club has won the Nepal-Pakistan Friendship T-20 Cricket Tournament organised by the Embassy of Pakistan Kathmandu.

 Royal Indoor Cricket Club finished the runner-up.

Chairman of the National Assembly Ganesh Timilsina gave away the prizes to the winners of the tournament.

A total of 16 Nepali cricket clubs participated in the 10-day tournament in the fourth annual event of its type.

Timilsina lauded the efforts of the embassy in organising the sports event and underlined the huge potential to develop bilateral relations between Pakistan and Nepal through organiing such sports events.

Pakistani Ambassador to Nepal Mazhar Javed said that he would further energise the embassy's effort to bring the youths of two countries closer together. "This is an important pillar of the people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and Nepal," he said.

The winners received the Pakistan-made cricket kits.

Mayor of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Bidya Sunder Shakya had inaugurated the tournament on December12.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 December 2018. 

KMC to support community colleges

Kathmandu, Dec. 21: Mayor of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Bidya Sunder Shakya has said that he would support community colleges in achieving educational excellence.

"There is a need to attract students to the community schools and colleges. So the KMC will collaborate with such educational institutions and support to increase their quality," he said while speaking at the 24^th Anniversary of Janamaitri Multiple Campus (JMC) at Kuleshwor Height on Friday.

According to him, the KMC is sensitive to the community schools and colleges and is ready to work together in the programmes to improve their quality.

He also said that the metropolis had plans to develop modern gardens in community schools.

Mayor Shakya stressed on quality, modern and practical education.

"Students should be salable as the products produced in a factory. Your education can be termed as successful when market absorbs your products when they complete their degrees," he said.

He appreciated JMC for the quality education at reasonable cost.

Chief of JMC Bhola Nath Ojha said that the campus exhibited resilience and continued teaching-learning activities even though all of its buildings were damaged in the 2015 earthquake.

"With the unconditional support from the students, teachers, management committee and other stakeholders, JMC has completed the construction of about 60 class rooms," he said.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 December 2018. 

Private house reconstruction progress 77 pc

Kathmandu, Dec. 25: The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has said that there has been 77 percent progress in the reconstruction of private housing, out of which 45 percent houses have already been rebuilt while 32 percent are under construction.

The NRA published the progress made in the post-earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation during three years of its establishment amidst a programme on Tuesday. The day marked the three years of the establishment of the reconstruction body.

It also unveiled the plans for the next two years of its tenure.

"The NRA has signed the government’s private housing grant agreement with 742,135 beneficiaries, out of which 337,319 have completed rebuilding their houses while 233,343 houses are currently under construction," said Sushil Gyawali, Chief Executive Officer of the NRA.

Similarly, 80 percent progress has been made in school rebuilding. About 55 percent of the schools have already been reconstructed while 25 percent of them are currently under construction.

Out of the 7,553 damaged schools, 4,172 have been reconstructed while 1,921 are under construction.

Likewise, 66 percent progress has been made in the rebuilding of health institutions, 95 percent in government buildings, 54 percent in security sector buildings and 68 percent in the cultural heritage sites.

“We are on the right track to complete the reconstruction of private housing within this fiscal year,” said Gyawali.

He also said that the NRA was also giving utmost priority to the economic and social rehabilitation, along with the reconstruction of houses.

The NRA has received proposals for the development of 37 integrated settlement, and it has approved the plan of 29 of them. Two integrated settlements were completed with the help from development partners.

In order to attract more families to the integrated settlement, the government has announced the scheme to provide Rs. 500,000, Rs. 400,000 and Rs. 300,000 to each families in Himali, Hill and Terai region as the infrastructure development grant.

The reconstruction body is preparing a master plan to crate 52 heritage settlements in the Kathmandu Valley and in other districts.

Special standards for the traditional heritage settlement have been approved and is in implementation.

Currently, Bungmati, Khokana and Sankhu in the Valley, Nuwakot Palace Area in Nuwakot district, Gorkha Palace in Gorkha district and Bhimeshwor Temple in Dolakha districts are being developed as the heritage cities.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 26 December 2018. 

‘Turkey won’t obstruct import of Nepali yarn’

Kathmandu, Dec. 23: Correcting its earlier warning to impose a ban on Nepali yarn's import to the country, Turkey has officially said that it would not restrict the import of the Nepali product.

Suspecting that the Nepali producers were exporting foreign yarn with 'made in Nepal' tag to Turkey, the latter had expressed its intent to follow strict measures while importing Nepali yarn.

Turkey has already initiated a process to slap anti-dumping duty charging the same allegations earlier this year which had created anxiety among the Nepali yarn exporters.

There are 20 spinning mills in Nepal and Reliance Spinning Mills, Triveni Spinning and Jagadamba spinning mills are the major exporters. These three mills are exporting 80 per cent of their production.

After Turkey started a process to start circumvention process to Nepali yarn products, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies sent a delegation led by it Joint-Secretary Rabi Shankar Sainju to Turkey which met the senior officials of the Ministry of Economy there and urged them to review the decision.

Following the request by the Nepali delegation, Turkey sent a delegation to inspect Nepali spinning mills and conduct a study on the matter.

The Turkish government had reviewed its decision after its delegation submitted the report that there was no misappropriation in Nepal's exportable yarn items.

On 10 December, the Turkish Embassy in New Delhi officially informed the Embassy of Nepal in India that Turkey had decided not to obstruct the export of Nepali yarn.

President of Yarn Manufacturers' Association of Nepal Pawan Golyan said that with the decision of the Turkish government an unfortunate situation in Nepal's international trade has been prevented.

All the yarn producers are thankful to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies for its effort to persuade Turkey in reviewing its decision, he said.

Turkey is the major export market of Nepali yarn. About Rs. 20 billion has been invested in the yarn industry in Nepal.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 December 2018. 

Adopt latest technology, financial institutions told

Kathmandu, Dec. 23:

Governor of the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Chiranjibi Nepal on Sunday said that the central bank was committed to enhancing financial inclusion through the use of technology.

"Without the use of the latest financial technologies, transformation in the banking and financial sector would be incomplete," he said while addressing a conference on 'Transformation of human capital for a digital world'.

He urged the banks and financial institutions (BFIs) to adopt the latest technology for the fast and reliable service delivery, and also prepare themselves to fight with the problems generated with the adoption of innovations.

Rapidly changing technology and proliferation of financial institutions have demanded the transformation of the human capital as well, he said.

Managing Director of Banking, Finance and Insurance Institute of Nepal (BFIN),  and the organiser of the event, Dr. Binod Atreya said that the conference was organised to learn the trends in technology and digital development shaping the banking and insurance businesses in the future.

"The conference has been a platform to learn the digital transformation and the emerging security threats, risks, mitigation strategies and developing capabilities for the insurance sector," he said.

On the occasion, BFIN signed two separate Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with Risk Management Association of India and Care Advisory Research and Training Limited to run certified courses jointly, share knowledge and skills and organise conferences.

About 200 senior officials from various BFIs attended the conference while experts from Nepal and India facilitated various workshop and discussion sessions.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 December 2018. 

Minister Yadav blames private sector for involving in bribery

Kathmandu, Dec. 20: Minster for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Matrika Prasad Yadav said on Thursday that the government inherited the economy that was in a bad shape and it was trying to keep the things in order. 

“Once we correct the course of economy, you will see the change, and it will happen soon,” he said while addressing the 19th Annual General Assembly of the Nepal LP Gas Industry Association. 

Responding to the demand of the business community that the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies should deliver some immediate results in terms of industrial development in the country, he said that there was a need to annul or amend many laws and overhaul the institutional mechanisms at various government agencies like Nepal Oil Corporation, Department of Standards and Meteorology. 

It takes time to mend the instruments that are out of order. Let us first understand the situation in the country, business and economy, he said. 

Minister Yadav blamed the private sector businessmen for involving in bribery and corruption to get the favour of the government officials and agencies. 

“When I received complaints from the entrepreneurs about corruption in the ministry and its line agencies, I wanted to take actions against those who involved in corruption, but no businessman came forward when I asked them to support the ministry in its drive against corruption,” said Minister Yadav. 

He suggested the business associations to develop a code of conduct and take actions against those members who involve in illegal and immoral activities like smuggling, under-invoicing and cheating the consumers with substandard goods and services. 

“If the government takes action against a trader or industrialist for their illegal work, business association send delegation to the government to spare him, but when a sugar industry does not pay sugarcane price to the farmers for three years in a row, none of them ask it to pay the dues nor do they issue a statement in favour of the farmers,” he said. 

He said that a sugar mill has still Rs. 26 million due to pay the farmers. 
He urged the business community to help the government curb the corruption by not offering bribe for an illegal work. 

President of Confederation of Nepalese Industries Hari Bhakta Sharma stressed the need of anti-dumping policy in order to discourage the import of substandard goods and machineries. 

He also suggested resolving the liquidity crisis immediately. 

“When one can earn enough money from the bank deposits, they might not take risk in investing the money and going through complex registration and doing business practices. It will have a long-term repercussion on business and industry,” he said. 

Chairman of Industry Committee at the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Umesh Lal Shrestha said that manipulative policies and legal instruments have created challenges in doing business as the civil servants tend to interpret the laws in their favour. 

“Most of the acts are full of punitive measures and have a few incentives. They should be corrected,” he said. 

About 23 per cent household in Nepal use LP Gas and the government has a target to increase it to 30 per cent by 2022. There are 59 gas bottling industries across the country.  

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 21 December 2018.