Industrialists seek interventions to revitalise industrial sector

Lalitpur, Nov. 25

At a time when the confidence of the private sector has hit the lowest ebb, it has demanded that the government should implement the interventions announced in the budget to revitalise the industrial sector in the country.

Speaking at a programme organised on the occasion of the 8th National Industry Day on Friday, the business community urged the government to focus on the development of trade infrastructure, facilitate  in obtaining easy and concessional financing, and implement the budget provisions announced to benefit businesses and industries.

Shekhar Golchha, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said that the business confidence in the country has gone down to record low due to liquidity crisis, ever climbing bank interest rate and the external sector pressure.

But according to him, although the problems were always there, no governments ever tried to address them. "We are doomed to face the same problems in the last eight decades and are still struggling to find solutions to them. This is unfortunate," he said.

He also maintained that the revenue-oriented mindset in the government is preventing the country  from  becoming a growth-oriented and employment-oriented nation.

"The government should offer subsidy on the bank interest and other areas to the industries contributing to export, employment and value addition," he said.

Vishnu Kumar Agrawal, President of Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), stated that the private sector wanted the government to implement the interventions announced in the budget to revitalise the industrial sector in the country.

"The private sector aims at increasing the industrial contribution to economy to 22 per cent by 2025, but the condition has been continuously worsening so we doubt on achieving this target," he said while adding that market of domestically produced goods ranging from steel rods to FMCG has drastically gone down. Industrialists have postponed the plans to expand the capacity of their enterprises, he informed. 

Stating that the exorbitant land price has also discouraged the industrialists, Agrawal suggested the government to hand over the proposed industrial zones to the private sector for their smooth management.

According to him, export incentives should also be given on products like tobacco, talcum powder and liquor.

Chairman of Industry Committee at the FNCCI Bharat Raj Acharya said that 29 laws govern the business and industry sector. Including directives, work procedures and other guidelines of the government they have to spend a tremendous amount of time in auditing their activities to see if they are running in accordance with law.

"These laws should be synthesised, revised and scrapped with thorough review," he said, and urged the government to begin a high-level national initiative for industrial sustainability.

Umesh Prasad Singh, President of the Federation of Nepalese Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI), said that the bureaucracy doesn't have mindset to promote and support to the cottage and small industry. Micro, cottage and small industries are expecting government support in scaling up their enterprises, he said.

 

Dr. Toya Narayan Gyawali, Secretary of Industry, said that forest governance in Nepal is yet to be investment-friendly, issues like mining and infrastructure development are directly connected with the forests and there are still policy hurdles. We need to address those constraints, he stated.

According to him, the leading stakeholders like the Ministry of Forest, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Infrastructure, and Ministry of Finance should hold regular dialogue to reform the business and investment environment.

We need to be prepared for the challenges that the country and entrepreneurs have to face after the country's graduation from the Least Developed Country in 2026. "This is our priority and we have already begun to work for possible steps and solutions," he said.

Chief Secretary, Shankar Das Bairagi, said that the greatest problem in Nepal is the poor implementation of policies and programmes. "Therefore, I would like to appeal to all stakeholders to implement the government announced policies," he said.

Likewise, Toyam Raya, Secretary of Commerce, said that the country needed to export goods with value addition, not raw.

"Illegal imports have negatively impacted the businesses in Nepal as the smuggled goods are cheaper than about 45 per cent," he said. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 26 November 2022.  

NRNA to conduct free health camps

Kathmandu, Nov. 25

The Health Committee of Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) is going to conduct free health camps in Jhapa, Sunsari, Morang and Udayapur districts.

The coordinator of the NRNA's Health Committee, Dr. Sanjeeb Sapkota, said that the meeting of the health committee held on Thursday evening decided to conduct free health check-ups for breast cancer, heart and other health problems.

Ravina Thapa, Executive President of the NRNA, said that the important role played by the health committee during the coronavirus pandemic saved people's lives. She said that more work should be done in the field of education and health in Nepal.

Referring to the fact that many women have lost their lives due to breast and uterine cancer in Nepal, Thapa said, "I request you to run a national campaign against cancer."

Dr. Sapkota said that for the past seven years, the health committee has been working on the health problems of Nepalis living abroad.

He said that cervical and breast cancer has reached the villages and said that cancer can be cured if the disease is detected on time.

The meeting also decided to screen the hearing aids at Bahundangi in Jhapa. Dr. Bishwonath Rijal shed light on the health problems of Nepalis in the area. The meeting also discussed the possibility of dental and eye examination in Nepal.

There are 5,000 Nepali doctors and 15,000 nurses living abroad and the association is planning to organise a conference with the aim of gathering them regionally and brainstorming about the health problems of Nepali people. The next health conference of the NRNA is decided to be organised in North America in the third week of January next week. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 26 November 2022.  

Cement industry seeks support to boost demand, export

 Kathmandu, Nov. 24

Citing the growing production and decreasing demands in the domestic market owing to the sluggish development and construction, President of Cement Manufacturers Association (CMA) of Nepal, Dhruba Thapa, has urged the government and stakeholders to create a favourable environment for increasing the export and consumption of cement.

The country's cement industry has an annual production capacity of 22 million tons while demand has gone down to 9 million tons a year last year. Industry estimates tell that the production capacity would rise to 25 tons a year by 2024.

"Cement production plants are running at a rate of only about 25 per cent of their capacity, this is an alarming situation so we need to increase the domestic demand by various means and seek export opportunities in bordering Indian provinces," said Thapa while speaking at a programme jointly organised on Thursday by Technology and Action for Rural Advancement (TARA) India, CMA Nepal, Minergy and IIDS Nepal to inform the domestic cement producers about LC3 – a new technology in cement production.

Cement producers have long been urging the government to expedite the development projects, and mobilise capital budget in effective ways to consume more cement.

"Using concrete while constructing roads will be beneficial in the long-term. Exporting cement is another solution. There is a huge cement market in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, two neighbouring provinces of India," said Thapa.

Two cement companies – Arghakhanchi and Tansen cement industries - have exported cement to India. Meanwhile, through the budget of the current Fiscal Year 2022/23, the government of Nepal has announced 8 per cent cash incentives on the export of cement. 

Till 2000, the cement production was the government domain, and the private sector began to invest in the sector with the beginning of the new millennia, and within a period of two decades, the country has become self-reliant in cement. "We have begun to export cement to India as well from this fiscal year 2022/23. Industries are upgrading their manufacturing practice as per the standards set by India in order to export cement there. It will take six to seven months," Thapa stated.

This is the process to produce cement as per the Indian standard guidelines.

The LC3 (Limestone Calcined Clay Cement) is a family of composite cements containing portland clinker, calcined clay and limestone. According to Prof. Karen Scrivener of EPFL Switzerland, this technology promises a sustainable growth of economies by reducing up to 40 per cent carbon dioxide emission compared to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) at lower investment and production costs.

She said in her virtual address to the programme that LC3 uses raw materials and technologies that are already used by the cement industries while the production process is also similar to the way of producing normal cement.

Stating that cement manufacturers in Nepal are mulling over reducing the production of cost of cement while being environment-friendly, Thapa said that the new technology holds importance in terms of environment protection, and reduction in import of raw materials like slag.

Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS), Dr. Toya Narayan Gyawali, said that the government would look into the prospects of the new technology and consult with the stakeholders if there would be a need to create new standards of the product.

"This is a good initiative. The LC3 seems appropriate for the Least Developed Countries due to its features like less emission, low cost and high efficiency as said by the experts," he noted. 

Silvana Hogg, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Switzerland in Nepal, said environment smart technologies should be adopted and promoted.

The main raw material in LC3 is kaolinitic clay. Clays containing 40 per cent to 60 per cent kaolinite are ideal for the production of this cement while even reddish clays with high iron content are suitable. Such clays are available in abundance in India and Nepal. This technology uses half the energy required for clinker production. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 25 November 2022.  

IRD honours top taxpayers

Kathmandu, Nov. 23

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has honoured the outstanding taxpayers, who contributed to the country's revenue with high tax payment, on the occasion of National Tax Day and Tax Week.

At a programme organised to mark the conclusion of the Tax Week that is celebrated in the first week of Nepali month Mangsir (17-23 November this year), Finance Secretary Krishna Hari Pushkar and Revenue Secretary Rameshwor Dangal presented certificates to the best taxpayers.

Nepal Telecom is honoured for filing the highest income tax from the corporate sector in the last Fiscal Year 2021/22 while Vijay Kumar Shah was felicitated for being the highest personal income tax payer.

Likewise, Surya Nepal also got the opportunity to be honoured as it paid the highest total internal revenue.

Similarly, Rajesh Metal Crafts Pvt. Ltd., Shivashakti Ghee Udyog Pvt. Ltd. and OCB Foods and Feeds Pvt. are honoured as the largest taxpayers from special industry sector, export business and agriculture and livestock industries.

Chhimek Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited has been the largest taxpayer from the cooperative and microfinance sector, Nabil Bank Limited from banks and financial institutions, Nepal Reinsurance Company from the insurance sector, and Nobel Medical College and Teaching Hospital from health and education service providers.

Likewise, Manakamana Darshan Pvt. Ltd. became the largest taxpayer from tourism business, and Hansaraj Hulachand and K Pvt. Ltd. from commodity trading enterprises.

From the medium-level taxpayers, Nepal Securities Exchange Bazar Limited (now NEPSE) is honoured while Chilime Hydropower Company paid the highest tax from energy industry and IME Limited from remittance and money transfer.

Meanwhile, Gorkha Brewery Pvt. Ltd. has been honoured for filing the highest Value Added Tax (VAT) from among the taxpayers who participated in regular tax by filing the VAT statement and the corresponding tax on time for the past two years.

Speaking at the event, Finance Secretary Pushkar said that the economy is under pressure due to the failure to collect revenue as per the set target. He said that revenue collection has contracted due to lack of liquidity, contraction in demand and some policies implemented to control external sector imbalances.

Officials of the Ministry of Finance said that such contraction in revenue is the most difficult time in history.

"Although the current problems in the economy are not alarming, there is a need for some reforms in the economy. Countries like the USA and China are also facing various economic problems," said Pushkar.

He also informed that the preparations are being made to increase the scope of taxes and to work accordingly after taking suggestions from the expert team in terms of tax-rate management.

Likewise, Revenue Secretary Dangal said that in the first four months of the current year, only 72 per cent of the revenue target was met, so now the economy is in a difficult situation.  

He said that the reduction in revenue collection may affect the entire economy, including the implementation of the government's economic policy and development project.

Director General of the IRD, Ritesh Kumar Shakya, said that from the revenue outlook of the past four months, it is evident that the internal revenue is in a 'stressful' situation and the challenges will be further increased in the days to come.

Shakya informed that the IRD has emphasised on the use of technology to make tax administration more agile.

Shekhar Golchha, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, urged to create an environment where taxes are paid happily.

He complained that the private sector was repeatedly hurt by the revenue tribunal even in the cases where the IRD would have lost.

Likewise, President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Rajendra Malla, suggested the department to provide PAN card at the time of granting citizenship to expand the scope of tax. He emphasized on the need for policy reforms to solve the problems caused by the increase in bank interest rates in the economy.

Bishnu Agrawal, President of Confederation of Nepalese Industry, said that due to increase in interest rate and lack of liquidity, morale of the private sector has decreased and further contraction in revenue collection could be seen till January next year.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 November 2022.  

Imports down by 18%, exports one-third

Kathmandu, Nov. 23

The imports have fallen by 18 per cent or so in the first four months of the current Fiscal Year 2022/23 against the rise of 61.5 per cent during the same period in the last fiscal 2021/22.

According to the statistics of the Department of Customs (DoC), Nepal imported goods worth Rs. 532.7 billion from mid-July to mid-November this year while the imports last year amounted to Rs. 650.3 billion. Compared to the Rs. 402.5 billion of FY 2020/21, last year's imports increased by more than 61 per cent. Although the export was also increased by 104.3 per cent last year, given the small scale of exports, it couldn't make much difference.

Meanwhile, the exports also slumped this year by approximately one-third compared to the size of the last year's trade bringing it down to Rs. 54.7 billion from Rs. 82.1 billion. Soyabean oil is the single largest product that caused the exports to record negative growth as its imports dwindled from Rs. 26.4 billion last year's four months to just Rs. 5.3 billion this year. Likewise, the exports of palm oil products have also gone down by about Rs. 10 billion.

Soyabean oil and palm oil are the products wholly based on the imported raw materials and exported to India with minimum value addition to reap benefits from the customs arbitrage.

Raw palm oil is imported from Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand while raw soyabean oil comes from Argentina, United Arab Emirates, United States of America and Bangladesh.

Nepal's priority produces like tea and large cardamom also witnessed decline in their exports while trade of felt products saw slight increase this year.

However, in the first four months of the current fiscal year, although Nepal's trade deficit decreased by 15.88 per cent, its imports/exports ratio went up to 9.73 from 7.92 of last year. Similarly, exports share to total trade slumped by about 17 per cent which had increased by 23.5 per cent last year, but imports share increased by 2.13 per cent. It means Nepal imports goods worth Rs. 90.68 per cent and exports goods of Rs. 9.32.

In the wake of the increased imports and trade deficit and depleting foreign currency reserves last year, the government and the Nepal Rastra Bank had adopted control measures in imports with a provision of maintaining cash margin on the letter of credit for various products, and ban on various luxury products including vehicles and liquors. Some of the bans still are in implementation.

Nepal's major exports in the first four months this year are soyabean oil, palm oil, carpets and textiles, woven fabrics, sunflower-seed and oil, felt products, large cardamom, yarn, tea and juice.

Likewise, major imports are petroleum products, motorcycles, crude soyabean oil, steel, smartphones, iron, ceramics goods, vehicles, coal, gold and crude palm oil. Diesel, petrol and liquified petrolium gas (LPG) worth about Rs. 386 billion was imported in the review period. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 November 2022. 

Industries in Sudhupaschim running at low capacity

Kathmandu, Nov. 22

The industries in the Sudurpaschim Province have utilised only 42.93 per cent capacity in the last Fiscal Year 2021/22 (mid-July 2021 to mid-July 2022).

According to a study conducted by the Dhangadhi Office of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) published on Tuesday, despite the poor utilistaion of their production capacity, except mustard oil producers, has increased owing to the increased economic activities recently.

The report states that sugar mills have utilised about 70.94 per cent of their capacity while soap production industries utilised just 21.35 per cent. Likewise, capacity utilisation of bricks, rice, processed milk and rosin is 49.3 per cent, 32.2 per cent, 30 per cent and 28.12 per cent.

Banks and financial institutions have mobilised 17.18 per cent loans of their total portfolio to the industry sector while such loan to agriculture stands at 10.19 per cent. The remaining 72.63 per cent loan was mobilised in service sector.

The study found that the province with just 7 per cent contribution to the national economy has many challenges such as industrial zones and villages, reliable roads and electricity projects in terms of industrial and service sector development and agricultural growth.

This province has the second smallest contribution to the national economy after Karnali's 4.10 per cent while Bagmati has the largest support with 36.90 per cent in FY 2021/22.

"Major challenges of Sudurpaschim are industrial insecurity, poor industrial infrastructure, shortage of skilled human resources, lack of capacity in the adoption of technology and less diversification in export-oriented products," read the report.

It suggested to promote micro and small enterprises based on local raw materials including Yarsagumba, honey, herbs available in the hills of Doti, Dadeldhura, Baitadi, Darchula, Bhajang and Bajura district, and rosin and turpentine. This province has high potential in clinker and cement, sugar, pulp and paper, organic manure, dairy, copper and marble industries.

Similarly, cash crops and lentils should be promoted in Kailali and Kanchanpur district.

Likewise, major agriculture produces have decreased by 8.16 per cent in the province last year. Vegetable production, however, has increased by 2.05 per cent, fruits by 3.04 per cent, and dairy 3.09 per cent while paddy production decreased by 31.49 per cent.

In tourism sector, the number of tourist-level hotel and lodges increased by 11.63 per cent and number of beds was raised by 16.22 per cent.

The study has listed fruit farming, hydroelectricity (including Karnali, Mahakali, Seti, Chameli and Budhiganga hydroelectricity projects), tourism destinations like Khaptad and Shuklaphanta national parks, Badimalika and Parashuram Dham as the biggest potential of the province.

The study has used the statistics from Darchula, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Kanchanpur, Bajhang, Bajura, Doti, Achham and Kailali district. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 23 November 2022. 

Xiaomi announces offer

Kathmandu, Nov. 22

Xiaomi, a smartphone and TV company in Nepal, has announced a new offer for its customers on the occasion of World Cup 2022.

As per the information given by the company in a statement on Tuesdy, on the purchase of any Mi or Redmi TV customers will get a chance to win Mi QLED 75-inch TV.

"On the purchase of any Mi or Redmi TV, one lucky customer will have a chance to win a Mi QLED 75-inch TV worth Rs 2,99,999. Others will get a chance to win Air Purifier 3, Smart Air Fryer, Air Compressor, Beard Trimmer and Electric Toothbrush, etc worth Rs. 45,999 daily," said the company.

To participate in the lucky draw, customers can scan the given QR code or send the TV serial number on 31007. This offer is valid from 20 November to 13 December.

Amit Kumar Panda, Country General Manager, of Xiaomi Nepal said, “Many people buy a new TV just to watch the greatest football festival in their household. For this World Cup season, we are pleased to announce the specific offer to add excitement for our customers’ desire to buy any Mi or Redmi TV."

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 21 November 2022. 

Polling centres need to be disabled-friendly: Election observers

Kathmandu, Nov. 20

The Election Observation Committee Nepal (EOC-Nepal) and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said on Sunday that the voters, especially, the disabled ones had to face difficulty to exercise their suffrage rights due to the restriction on vehicular movement and inaccessible polling centres.

According to the NHRC, in some polling stations in Palpa, Ramechhap, Bhojpur and other districts, it has been reported that the voters had to walk for four to five hours to go to vote, and due to strictness in the distribution of vehicle passes from the district administration office, there was a problem in getting disabled voters to the polling station and back home. The human rights body has noted that most of the polling stations across the country were not friendly for disabled people.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission Nepal (ECN) was criticised for the negligence shown in making the polling centres and booths disabled people-friendly.

The EOC Nepal also found that the weakness in terms of making the polling centres accessible to women and disabled-people.

 "In some places, disabled people have reached polling stations by crawling, in crochets, with the support from their relatives while some people misused the voting rights of disabled-people which created brief conflict among the representatives of political parties as well," it said in a statement.

Similarly, this year too, the complaint that many people could not feel the impact of election education and voter education in a physical way remained the same. During the silent period (fixed time), the complaints of feasting, distribution of money, and distribution of clothes continued and the violation of the code of conduct was widespread in different ways, noted EOC Nepal.

"When our observers reached the polling stations in course of supervision, it was found that the voters returning after casting their votes were treated with food. Cadres of political parties have been distributing Rs. 100 and Rs. 200 to buy cigarettes," said the EOC Nepal.

In addition, there was the atmosphere where the voters should be afraid because of the fear and slander of the political parties and candidates and false information and hateful expressions. The EOC Nepal has not directly questioned the fairness of the election but stressed on the need to make the election clean and more accountable. It has drawn the attention of the ECN towards making improvements in polling centres and in the management of voting materials, and making the voters education more effective. It also said that the enthusiasm was lacking in the voters, especially in the young ones.

Likewise, the NHRC said that about 27,000 inmates could not exercise their voting rights while the voters were distributed different ballot papers in some polling stations creating confusions in the voters. However, despite bomb explosions and geographical hardships, the voters managed to reach the polling centres to cast their votes.

Forty-two teams comprised of the officials and former officials of the NHRC and other constitutional bodies were mobilised in election observation. Similarly, the EOC Nepal has mobilised 523 observers in 77 districts. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 21 November 2022. 

Export diversification remains a far cry

Kathmandu, Nov. 19

Nepal's export trade is more concentrated to India and the United States of America over the period of five years – from 2017/18 to 2022/23. There were six destination countries for Nepal's top 20 exports in the first three months of 2017/18 which has shrunk to half in the same period of 2022/23.

Nepal sold its top exports in the markets of India, Turkey, USA, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Germany five years ago, but now its main markets are India, USA and Turkey. In the wake of the Indian blockade following the declaration of the new federal constitution in 2015 which happened after the devastating Gorkha Earthquake same year, the government had adopted a policy of trade diversification in both exports and imports. However, the statistics of the Department of Customs (DoC) showed that the results are otherwise.

Except the new products that are based on imported raw materials and being imported to India seeking benefits from the customs arbitrage, Nepal's export to the major destinations has remained the same. In the last few years, palm oil and soyabean oil have topped the country's export list pushing earlier 'stars' like carpets, large cardamom, tea and yarn down the list. All these products are exported to India only, and share a large portion of the overall trade – of the total export of Rs. 41.8 billion, palm oil and soyabean oil cover Rs. 10 billion.

India has the destination of 17 of the 20 largest exports in the three months of this year while USA imported carpets and textile, and felt products from Nepal, and Turkey imported yarn. Five years ago, the UAE imported telephone sets and other items, Germany carpets and textile and Bangladesh other items, apart from India, Turkey and the USA.

India is the market for almost every export of Nepal. It is buying products like juice, cardamom, tea, woven fabrics, sacks and bags, rosin, iron wire, carpets and yarn.

Apart from the palm oil and soyabean oil, traditional exports of Nepal have not witnessed a significant growth over the five-year period. For example, large cardamom worth Rs. 935.4 million was exported to India in three months of 2017/18 which has increased to Rs. 1.20 billion in 2022/23.

Likewise, black tea worth Rs. 947 million was exported to India five years ago and worth Rs. 1.18 billion now. However, carpet or textile export to the USA has doubled in the five years. Carpets and textiles worth Rs. 885.9 million were exported to the USA five years ago which has gone up to Rs. 1.81 billion this year, according to the DoC statistics.

Meanwhile, yarn export to Turkey has decreased from Rs. 994.6 million to Rs. 481.9 million. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 20 November 2022. 

Development Takes A Backseat

 It is during the election campaign that voters get opportunity to interact with and put forth their concerns before the visiting candidates. But this scribe, while visiting some districts in Bagmati and Gandaki provinces, has gathered impressions that the electorates were least concerned about development issues. With a couple of exceptions, they don't demand a better road, good health and education facilities or water supply. They don't have any agenda to put before the candidates contesting the elections for the members of the House of Representatives (HoR) and Provincial Assembly (PA). 

Bhagwati Adhikari, 36, who runs a café at the Main Road in Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City in Makwanpur and Madhu Sudan Dhungana, 93, of Harnari in Ratnanagar Municipality in Chitwan, appear to be exceptions.  They are worried about the political interference in public affairs, corruption, liquidity crisis and inflation. A few of them talked about the national health insurance policy and government's failure to provide chemical fertilisers to the farmers in time. 

But it is the political topics that dominated the poll narratives. Young voters, on the other hand, express frustration over the political leadership of the major political parties that led the government at various times and failed to deliver on the promises they made during the previous elections but keep on making tall promises while the development has remained pathetic across the country. This frustration was never relevant as it is now since all the national pride projects are lagging and many of them are witnessing time and cost overrun. The road expansion project of the East-West Highway's Narayanghat-Butwal section should have been completed by some months ago but the contractors have left the project in limbo with just one-fifth completion. People along the highway have been facing various health hazards and business decline due to dust that has covered their houses, shops, playgrounds and crops. 

Frustration 

Corruption and political interference in every area of development and administration has also upset the voters. They want a stronger leadership in the government and powerful prime minister who could curb the rampant corruption. Recent problems like liquidity crisis have troubled many businesses including cottage and micro enterprises, and they are not getting funds to expand their entrepreneurial ventures. Inflation has also remained as the top agenda for the common public as well as the business people. They blame the government for not taking proactive steps to control the spiraling prices of goods. 

This is the impact of the federalism in the country where the local bodies in the past five years or so have tirelessly implemented the development projects. Since the need of the local development is fulfilled by the local government, and also because of the growing awareness of people about the responsibilities of the federal and local governments, they don't put forward the local agenda to the candidates. Likewise, the members of the HoR have mobilised millions of rupees in the development projects in their election constituency from the fund they get directly from the national budget. In their tenure as the lawmaker for five years, they have got more than Rs. 250 million.  Each year, they can distribute the money to as many as 25 projects. It seems that the fund distributed to the lawmakers from the state coffers would ultimately help to reinforce their hold in their constituency and maintains the status quo for the upcoming elections thus satisfying the public and diminishing the chances for the victory of new candidates from there. 

Yet, the political alliance for the upcoming elections has made the political environment more amicable as people who used to trade fiery words against each other and fight for their candidates and party are now walking together. However, there is a sort of realisation in people that it is worthless to fight with their immediate neighbours for someone who might not come back to them after elections. 

Youths' woes

Meanwhile, contrary to the earlier fears, nobody talked about the support of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) of the United States of America to build a high-capacity cross-border transmission line and road upgrading project. 

Both candidates and public have not tried to make the grant project as an election agenda. But landless squatters have a single priority – obtaining land ownership certificate while youth across the region lamented lack of employment opportunities and poor wages and salaries. 

Even the hotels and restaurants in tourism city of Sauraha, are paying a meagre salary to the graduates of hotel management which costs more than a million rupees to study. 

In all this, provincial government features nowhere. It is not the topic for anyone, no one talked about the candidates for the provincial assembly nor complained or praised the incumbent assembly members from their constituencies. 

Not a single voter that this scribe talked to touched on the provincial programmes, budget or its candidates. But many appreciated the local government for their proactive actions and immediate response to the public need. This indifference of the public towards this sub-national government could lead to a debate if the country could fare well in two-tier federalism. For people, the large and national projects are executed and managed by the federal government, and programmes and projects in their area are managed by the municipal governments. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 18 November 2022. 

Capital expenditure in 4 months less than 7%

Kathmandu, Nov. 18

Although there has been a slight improvement in the mobilisation of the development budget this year compared with that of the last year, the government could spend less than 7 per cent of the capital budget of Rs. 380.3 billion.

By the end of the first four months of the current fiscal year 2022/23, the size of expenditure has reached Rs. 26.29 billion, 6.91 per cent of the total, spent in the first four months of this year – by Wednesday, November 16, according to the statistics of the Financial Comptroller General Office (FCGO).

This is an improvement compared to the utilisation of the budget earmarked for development in the last fiscal when the government spent Rs. 20.79 billion – 5.5 per cent of the capital budget of Rs. 378.09 billion – in the first four months of the year.

Likewise, an added liability and expenditure of the elections for the House of Representative (HoR) and Provincial Assembly (PA) that are happening on Sunday have resulted in the increased mobilisation of recurrent budget as well. The government has spent a fund of Rs. 281.38 billion from the Rs. 1183.23 billion allocated for it. This is 23.78 per cent of the total allocation. Last year, the per cent of recurrent budget utilisation was almost the same with 21.92 per cent, amount size was Rs. 233.5 billion.

Altogether, total budget consumption by November 16 stands at 19.57 per cent of Rs. 1.79 trillion, indicating that the economy has failed to take any significant strides even in the post-pandemic scenario and expectation for the expedited development works.

Meanwhile, according to the Nepal Rastra Bank, total resource mobilisation of provincial governments remained Rs.34.30 billion in the first quarter of the fiscal.

The federal government transferred Rs.23.66 billion as grants and revenue from federal divisible fund to provincial governments and the provincial governments mobilised Rs.10.64 billion in terms of revenue and other receipts in the review period.

In the first three months, total expenditure of provincial governments stood at Rs.20.99 billion, states the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation report of the central bank.

Meanwhile, revenue collection has fared poorly with 19.11 per cent collection of Rs. 1403 billion annual targets. By the end of the fourth month, the government has collected Rs. 268 billion in tax and non-tax revenue, grants and other receipts. In the same period last year, the revenue collection stood at Rs. 334.3 billion which was 28.32 per cent of the annual target of Rs. 1180.6 billion.  

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 19 November 2022.  

Japanese Minister arriving to observe polls

Kathmandu, Nov. 18

State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Takei Shunsuke, is scheduled to visit Nepal from November 20 to 21 to observe the elections to the House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly, which will be held on November 20.

The Government of Japan has supported the elections held in Nepal to date, including the dispatch of the election observation team led by Horii Iwao, former Parliamentary Vice-Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Japan, in 2017, the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu informed in a statement on Thursday.

State Minister Takei will be the highest dignitary to be dispatched as election observer from Japan to Nepal.

"The Government of Japan recognises the importance of the upcoming election of Nepal to be held in fair, transparent and peaceful manner, as the progress of democracy is indispensable for further development and prosperity of Nepal," read the statement.

During his stay in Nepal, Takei is also scheduled to pay courtesy calls on the high dignitaries of Nepal.

Meanwhile Nepali Embassy in Tokyo, informed in a statement that Ambassador Dr. Durga Bahadur Subedi paid a courtesy call on Takei on Friday and briefed him about his visit and engagements in Nepal.

Ambassador Dr. Subedi also expressed his confidence that the visit would contribute to further consolidating the existing Nopal-Japan bilateral relations.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 19 November 2022.  

Nepal Embassy launch mobile services in Malaysia

 Kathmandu, Nov. 17

The Embassy of Nepal in Malaysia has started a mobile service for the convenience of Nepali workers working in different cities of the country. Ambassador of Nepal to Malaysia, Dilli Raj Paudel, said that the mobile service was initiated to provide services of the embassy in the cities where Nepali workers are employed, informed the embassy in a statement on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Ambassador Paudel inaugurated a temporary mobile service, in collaboration with various Nepali organisations including the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), in Johor Bahru, a city at four-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur.

More than 1,000 Nepalis attended the program and 280 workers obtained passport related services. According to the embassy, ​​various services provided by the embassy in addition to passport related services are provided through the mobile service. On the occasion, Ambassador Paudel also conducted on-site inspection of the companies employing Nepali workers, interacted with the workers about the service facilities and discussed with the related company management.

After receiving complaints from Nepali workers employed in security guards and cleaning companies, he discussed the matter with the related company management.

Ambassador Paudel said that the problems of security guards and sanitation workers would be addressed as per the labor agreement between the two countries and Malaysian labour law.

He said that housing facilities, wages and working hours will be strictly followed as presented in the demand letter.

Meanwhile, Nepali Ambassador to Brazil, Nirmal Raj Kafle presented the Letters of Credence as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Nepal to Brazil at a ceremony organised at the Presidential Office on Wednesday. Vice-President of Brazil, Antonio Hamilton Martins, received the credentials, together with seven other residential Ambassadors, the Embassy of Nepal in Brazil said in a statement on Wednesday.

In a brief discussion that followed, Vice President Martins welcomed Kafle as the Ambassador of Nepal and affirmed full support of the Government of Brazil in further consolidating the bilateral relations. He emphasized the need of exploring sectors of common interests such as agriculture and renewable energy.

Ambassador Kafle expressed his commitment to working closely with the government and other stakeholders in Brazil towards deepening and widening partnership and cooperation in the mutual interest.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 18 November 2022.  

Timilsina seeks balance with India, China

 Lalitpur, Nov. 18

Chairman of the National Assembly Ganesh Prasad Timilsina has said that Nepal should need a leadership that can strike a balance in relations with India and China.

Speaking at a talk programme on 'The new leadership of the CPC and influence on world order' organised on Thursday by the  Alliance for Social Transformation and Human Rights Assurance (ASTHA), he stressed the need for abandoning the political culture of asking votes with the agenda of proximity with certain countries.

"People should know the agenda of political parties well before voting in the elections and electing a good leader," he said.

Chairman Timilsina was of the view that there should be an objective assessment of the leaders including the prime ministers, and suggested a mechanism to transfer the knowledge and good traits of leadership.

Professor of international affairs and former head of the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy at the Tribhuvan University, Dr. Khadga KC said that a new cold war between China and the USA is in offing as the experts of international affairs across the globe say.

Programmes like the Indo-Pacific Strategy or QUAD to encircle China would further worsen the crisis, he said while maintaining that the 2008 financial crash, rising inequality, epidemic and other crises have cast doubt on the superiority of the American economic model.

"The Chinese leadership has indicated that it would use any means to contain the coercive powers against the integrity of China and its 'One China Policy'. During the coronavirus pandemic, it has also shown that strong public institutions not private ones are helpful during the disasters and national crisis," said Prof. KC while presenting a paper at the programme.

However, he maintained that dubious role/position of China in Russian invasion of Ukraine would damage the Chinese image abroad. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 19 November 2022.  

IME Pay announces air travel offer

Kathmandu, Nov. 18

IME Pay has announced air travel offer in view of the upcoming general elections.

As per the offer, every day one lucky winner from those who buy air ticket from the IME Pay will win the ticket at just Rs. 1.

However, the users should buy the air ticket at full price by paying the total amount, and one lucky winner a day get the full value except Rs.1 as cashback.

With the aim of making it easier for the voters to exercise their right to vote in the general elections, Rs. 1 air ticket offer has been announced, said the company in a statement on Friday.

The offer will be valid for 10 days from 16-25 November, 2022.

IME Pay Mobile Wallet App is an electronic payment service provider developed by IME Digital Solutions Limited.

The wallet has been providing services ranging from person-to-person transfer of normal amounts to paying by scanning checks at various online and on-site stores, recharging mobile phones, and paying various utility and office bills. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 19 November 2022.  

Economy on correct course: Governor

Kathmandu, Nov. 16

Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), Maha Prasad Adhikari, said on Wednesday that the economy has begun to take positive course due to the strict policy adopted by the government and central bank.

Addressing a programme organised on the occasion of the 86^th Anniversary of the Nepal Bank Limited (NBL) on the bank premises, he said that the positive results were achieved because of the strict actions taken and measures adopted by the NRB since February 2022.

According to him, the economy now is in a satisfactory state following a prolonged pressure on the external sector and foreign currency reserves. According to the macroeconomic and financial report published by the NRB on Wednesday, the country's balance of payment and foreign currency reserves have improved in the first quarter of the current fiscal year 2022/23.

The governor also stated that many policies, including import ban, had to be adopted to bring the economy to its current state, and maintained that the central bank was focused on stabilizing the economy with utmost seriousness. However, Adhikari said that the liquidity crunch had still made it difficult to obtain loan from the banks and financial institutions.

Meanwhile, he appreciated the role of NBL in creating and nurturing entrepreneurs. "It has created many billionaires. This is a matter of pride," he said.

Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Krishna Bahadur Adhikari, said that the bank had achieved multiple successes with a young cohort of employees.

"All financial indicators of the bank are healthy and balanced. By the end of the last fiscal year, the bank managed to collect Rs. 196 billion in deposits and mobilised loans of Rs. 178 billion," he said. The bank's paid-up capital is Rs. 14.4 billion. It had started its services 86 years ago with just Rs. 842,000.

The bank's reserve fund is Rs. 21.68 billion and net worth is more than Rs. 35 billion. The bank also appears strong in indicators such as abundant real estate, deposits, low base rate, spread rate management, balanced fluctuation of interest rate and bad loan management.

The bank is currently doing business through 226 branches, 199 ATMs and 50 extension counters. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 17 November 2022.  

UAE businesses requested to invest in Nepal

Kathmandu, Nov. 16

A delegation of Nepal UAE Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NUAECCI) has requested the business community and investors in Dubai to invest in Nepal and help in the promotion of Nepali tourism.

Pawan Kumar Agarwal, President of the binational chamber, said that the first visit to Dubai after the formation of NUAECCI was a historic success and it will bring positive results in the expansion of bilateral relations and the economic development of Nepal.

Briefing about the visit that happened last week, he said on Wednesday that the aim of the visit was to promote bilateral trade relations and to search for opportunities to promote Nepali business and tourism in the UAE as well as to attract the UAE investment in Nepal.

The 13-member visiting team chaired by Agrawal interacted with the Dubai Chamber, RAK Chamber, Nepali Embassy Dubai and Federation of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and took initiatives to enhance business, investment and tourism relations.

"UAE Chambers and businesses were not very aware of the immense business potential in Nepal since there was little representation from Nepal to the UAE over the last few years. The delegation of the NUAECCI has provided a window into the business opportunities in Nepal, as well as a supporting organisation for any business investments here," said Agrawal.

According to him, his delegation informed the businessmen there about the business opportunities in Nepal.

Likewise, the binational chamber said that it had a fruitful meeting with the team led by Omar Abdulaziz Al Khan at Dubai Chambers. Umar said that this was the first business delegation meeting with Nepal and although it was the first meeting, the Dubai Chamber promised to connect with other government organisations and support the skill development of Nepali workers in the UAE.

In that meeting, it was also agreed to assist in clarifying the regulations regarding the export of fruits and vegetables to the UAE, which will increase the bilateral trade.

The chamber also held detailed business discussions with the RAK Chamber, and a memorandum of understanding was signed with the aim of increasing trade relations between Ras-Al-Khaimah and Nepal.

RAK Chamber is going to provide stalls to Nepali businessmen at the exhibition to be held in March next year. They are also willing to resume commercial flights between RAK and Nepal and have shown great interest in agricultural opportunities.

The Nepal UAE Chamber has requested the Nepali Ambassador in Dubai, Krishna Prasad Dhakal, to provide a dedicated person in the embassy responsible for increasing trade relations between Nepal and the UAE. “The Embassy has assured us of their full support and will soon organize an interaction program between UAE-based businesses and our members,” said Agrawal.

The delegation also held discussions with the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry as well.

The Nepali business delegation was comprised of President Agrawal, vice-president Jeevan Kumar Bhandari, executive members Nishan Rajbhandari, Anoj Rimal and Samir Thapa, and members Shiva Prasad Ghimire, Sudip Ghimire, Bimal Kumar Sawarthia, Ramindra Neupane, Anjan Bhandari, Binaya Upadhyay, Vijaya Kumar Chaudhary and Sunil Bhakta Shrestha. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 17 November 2022. 

NBL to celebrate 86th anniversary

 Kathmandu, Nov. 15

Nepal Bank Limited, the first bank of Nepal, is celebrating its 86^th anniversary on Wednesday.

The bank has organised various sports and social events including blood donation and badminton competition on the occasion.

In the blood donation programme organised at the Head Office of the bank at New Road, Kathmandu, 105 individuals donated blood. Deputy CEO Samata Panta inaugurated the programme where the bank officials and staff, customers and general people donated blood.

Likewise, a friendly badminton competition was organised among the branches of the bank in the Kathmandu Valley. Under the male single category, Bishnu Hari Neupane won the title while Rupa Maharjan won the competition under the female single.

Likewise, Babu Ratna Maharjan and Manoj Maharjan's team won the male doubles competition and Rupa Maharjan and Sabina Thapa's team won female doubles.

The bank has 226 branches, 199 ATMs and 50 extension counters across the country.

It is serving about 2.3 million customers.

Nepal Bank Limited was established in 1937.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 16 November 2022. 

Parties stress ‘balanced and equal’ foreign policies in manifestos

 Kathmandu, Nov. 13

Major political parties have promised in their manifestos that they would maintain a 'balanced' and 'equal' foreign policy with all friendly nations.

 However, they have accorded priority to the relations with the immediate neighbours – India and China while maintaining that the country's international affairs would be guided by the national interest, principles of 'Panchasheel' and non-alignment, Charter of the United Nations, and national security.

The CPN-UML and the CPN (Maoist Centre) have given priority to the relations with India and China while the latter has moved a step further with the announcement that the border with the southern neighbour would be controlled and regulated.

However, partners of the ruling coalition alliance which is in the election fray with the same unity have not come in a 'uniform way' in terms of managing the foreign affairs of the country if they garnered the majority and formed the new government, which is likely to happen in a less than a month.

The Nepali Congress (NC), leader of the ruling alliance, said in its manifesto that the government led by it would apply independent and balanced foreign policy and stated that although the countries are rich and poor from the economic perspective, or large and small from the geographical perspective, they are equal from the point view of sovereignty.

It has announced that a diplomatic balance would be maintained with the neighbours that are projected to be the economic powers in the 21^st century and economic, social, cultural and trade ties would be further enhanced. It has also sought 'reciprocity' in the relations with India and China.

The party is also set for ensuring the seamless trade and transit facility provisioned for the landlocked countries as well as obtaining maximum benefits from the international trade with the diversification of trade and transit.

The NC has also assured that the party would not directly or indirectly involve in the strategic competition among the powerful nations. "In the changed context, public diplomacy and soft power would be used at the maximum," it said.

Likewise, the CPN-UML said that 'sovereign equality' will be the principle in Nepal's foreign policy. It said in the manifesto that the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independency would be further strengthened and the borders connected with any country – including Limpiyadhura, Lipulek and Kalapani area – would be equally protected.

It has also maintained that the pacts and agreements would be reviewed and amended to promote and protect Nepal's national interest.

Similarly, the CPN (Maoist Centre) has stood in the same line with the UML and said in its election announcements that diplomatic initiatives would be immediately taken to get back the encroached land in the Kalapani region. It has reiterated that it wouldn't allow the misuse of Nepali land against any neighbouring country.

The MC has also said that Nepal would not participate in any military alliance.

It also announced to review, scrap, amend or replace the 1947's trilateral treaty on Gorkha recruitment and the treaty of 1950 with India.

Janata Samajwadi Party-Nepal said in its manifesto that the relations with both the neighbours would base on mutual respect and benefits and non-interference. It plans to mobilise the Nepali missions and embassies abroad for economic diplomacy so that they would contribute in the national development.

Announcing that the border points would be better organised, the JSP-N said that the problems the country is facing in the areas of border, water resources, trade and transit would be resolved on the basis of internationally recognised principles.

It has also included new articles like guaranteeing the patent rights of indigenous people on their knowledge, skills and technology which they have been using since long.

Likewise, Loktantrik Samajwadi Party said 'special importance' should be accorded to the relations with India while maintaining intimate and cordial relations with another neighbour China. It has criticised the tendency of the leaders of the larger political parties to lean towards either neighbour for personal, political or personal interest.

The CPN (Unified Socialist) also said that it would launch initiatives to review the 1950's treaty with India and replace it in line with the national interst and need. Newly launched Rastriya Swatantra Party announced that every grant support to the country would be made transparent to the pbulic. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 14 November 2022. 

Liquid urea enters Nepal through Chaudhary Group

 Kathmandu, Nov. 13

CG Agro has launched Nano Urea, a liquid chemical fertiliser for Nepal's agricultural market.

Suresh Prabhu, former Central Railway Minister of India, and Managing Director of Chaudhary Group, Nirvana Chaudhary jointly announced the entry of Nano Urea into the Nepali market on Sunday.

“To increase agricultural production, improve soil quality, prevent environmental pollution, increase farmers' income and reduce costs in agriculture, we have introduced the product in Nepal in association with Indian Farmer Fertiliser Cooperative Limited Unit,” said the company.

The fertilizer will be distributed across the country.

According to the company, small nano urea liquid can be sprinkled on grains, pulses, vegetables, tea, sugarcane, fruits, and medicinal crops as well as all other crops and plants.

Nano Urea is a fine liquid fertiliser based on nanotechnology. It provides nitrogen, the main nutrient required for the proper growth and development of plants. Compared to conventional urea, nano urea is sprayed from leaves.

"Fertilisers made with nanotechnology reduce the amount of chemical fertilisers. This improves release profiles and increases absorption, which has sustainable economic and environmental benefits," read a statement of the company.

Nepal faces a shortage of chemical fertilisers every year as there is no production in the country. "Getting affordable, quality fertiliser seems to be very challenging in itself. Nano urea has come as a long-term plan to minimise this challenge and problem and increase the income of the farmers," said Chaudhary.

Granular urea is sprinkled on the soil, while liquid nano-urea is mixed with water and sprinkled on the leaves of the plants. About 2-4 ml nano urea should be mixed with 1 liter of water and sprinkled. After being sprinkled at the important stages of plant growth, it is quickly absorbed by the cells of the plant. It enters the plant through leaf tissues.

Nano urea is considered more effective than granular urea as it is absorbed by small cells. More than 70 per cent of conventional chemical urea is destroyed by various means. Due to its long-term use, the soil becomes acidic, claimed the company.

It also said that the nano urea liquid reduces the demand of chemical fertilisers by half.

"For best results, it should be sprayed twice after 30 to 35 days of planting and one week before flowering," read the statement. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 14 November 2022. 

Four new Hitachi microwave oven hit market

Kathmandu, Nov. 13

Universal Electrocom Pvt. Ltd. launched a new Hitachi microwave oven product in Nepal on Sunday.

The company has launched four variants of microwave oven – 23L Digital Grill Microwave Oven, 20L Digital Grill Microwave Oven, 20L Mechanical Microwave Oven and by December 4, 2022 a 32L Convection Microwave Oven series will be available in the Nepali market.

Hitachi offers one-year full product warranty and five years’ warranty on magnetron, said the company in a statement.

“Seeing the growing demand, we planned to bring in four variants of microwave oven at once. These innovative Hitachi Microwave oven will help our consumer save on time and cut down the electricity consumption while making their life easier,” said Sanjay Agrawal, Executive Director of the company. These machines are available form Rs. 15,999 to Rs. 24,999. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 14 November 2022. 

Ford launches 2nd generation Ranger Raptor

 Kathmandu, Nov. 13

Ford has launched its second-generation Ranger Raptor in the Nepali market.

It comes with new features to tackle off-road terrain.

Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission tuned to meet Ford Performance standards, the next-gen Ranger Raptor’s new engine delivers effortless acceleration on gravel, dirt, mud and sand, said the company.

The new vehicle features up to seven selectable drive modes: Normal; Sport and Slippery are for on-road use, and Rock Crawl; Sand; Mud and Ruts and Baja are for off-road use.

It is available in four colours, including absolute black, arctic white, code orange and conquer grey. The vehicle is priced at Rs. 21.5 million. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 14 November 2022. 

Chinese Vice Minister Li in Kathmandu

Kathmandu, Nov. 12

Chinese Vice Minister for Culture and Tourism Li Qun has visited Kathmandu Durbar Square and inspected the heritage site jointly reconstructed by Nepal and China.

Li, who is also the head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration of China, arrived Kathmandu on Friday on a five-day visit.

In the afternoon, Li-led delegation participated in a training for Nepali people on Chinese culture and literature organised at China Cultural Centre in Kathmandu and visited the Embassy of China here.

Li’s delegation will also inspect Bhaktapur Durbar Square, visit Swayambhunath, Patan Durbar Square and National Museum at Pashupatinath.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed that there are no official meetings with the ministers and leaders except Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Jeevan Ram Shrestha.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 13 November 2022. 

First passenger lounge set up at Dhunge Adda

Kathmandu, Nov. 11

Online bus ticketing service, bussewa.com, has launched a passenger lounge (passenger waiting room) at Dhunge Adda in Kalanki of Kathmandu. Kalanki is the largest entry/exit point for vehicles and passengers to and from Kathmandu.

The company said that although there is a passenger lounge facility for air passengers, a lounge for bus passengers has been built for the first time in Nepal targeting the passengers traveling by road transport.

“The bus service has brought the lounge into operation so that the passengers do not have any kind of hassle while waiting for the bus they are going to,” said the company. The lounge was inaugurated on Friday by Ghanshyam Giri, Mayor of Chandragiri Municipality.

Wi-Fi, tea and coffee, and free drinking water are provided to the passengers in the lounge. Not only the passengers who bought tickets from the bus service in the lounge, but also all other passengers can use the facility. With the launch of the lounge, passengers no longer need to wait for their bus by standing at the road side facing smoke and dust.

Inaugurating the lounge, Giri said that this type of lounge, which was built for the first time in Nepal, would be very useful for passengers.

He said, “I have never seen this kind of lounge in Nepal designed for the purpose of road transport passengers. If there are lounges like this in other parts of the country, the transport business will become more organised. The municipality will also help expand it to other areas of Chandragiri.”

Similarly, Superintendent of Police (SP) Awadesh Bista Chhetri of the Traffic Police Division said that this type of lounge will facilitate the passengers and play a major role in road safety.

PR Khanal, CEO of bussewa.com, said that the company has arranged this lounge keeping in mind the inconvenience of passengers, who have to wait for their vehicles for a long time, due to lack of security of the goods, and dust. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 12 November 2022. 

Hetaunda 1 sees triangular competition

Hetaunda, Nov. 9

Election in Constituency 1 of Makwanpur district, 85-km south of Kathmandu, that also includes the Capital of Bagmati Province is witnessing a battle among the political veterans.

Candidates of CPN-UML, Kamal Thapa, Nepali Congress, Mahalaxmi Upadhyaya (Dina), and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Dipak Bahadur Singh who are considered top potentials by the local people are seasoned politicians.

President of RPP (Nepal) Thapa has been active in politics for the last four decades and has held different ministerial portfolios in the governments in the past, including Home Minister during King Gyanendra's rule about two decades ago, and deputy prime minister in the governments led by the NC, CPN (Maoist Centre) and CPN-UML at various times. He has been contesting almost every election in the last four decades and won twice. This time he is contesting the election with the symbol of the UML.

Likewise, Upadhyaya had contested three elections after the restoration of democracy in 1990 but never won except a win as a Nepali Congress representative from proportional representation category in the then Constituent Assembly. She is the single woman candidate in the constituency.

Singh has fought local elections twice as well as parliamentary elections but never won a seat.

Interestingly, although people know less about Swatantra Party's Taka Raj Thapa, some youth said they would vote for the 'bell' – the election symbol of the party.

Constituency 1 of Hetaunda district comprises of Bagmati and Bakaiya rural municipalities, four wards of Makwanpurgadhi Rural Municipality and 15 wards of the Hetaunda Sub-metropolis which is the Capital of Bagmati province as well. Of the 40 wards in this constituency, the UML had won 15 wards in the local elections held in May this year, NC secured victory in 14 wards, MC in 10 wards and CPN (Unified Socialist) in 1 ward.

It means the ruling coalition won altogether 25 wards and UML 15 wards while the latter couldn't secure its victory at the top of the local bodies. Hence, if the coalition remains true to its spirit, Upadhyaya could draw a clear victory. But locals said that the candidacy of Dipak Bahadur Singh from the RPP and frustration in the local cadres of the coalition parties had created doubts about it.

Coalition complications

"What I see is it is difficult for Maoist voters to cast vote for NC candidates. People are in a fix, those who have been voting for the NC don't want to vote for Maoist candidates and vice-versa," said Aita Singh Jimba from Padam Pokhari of Bagmati-8. Likewise, cadres of NC and CPN (Unified Socialist) were tortured by the MC and they haven't forgotten it, said Krishna Bahadur Lopchan who is from Bagmati-8.

Meanwhile, candidates have begun to reach to the voters in the remote areas in their constituency like Bagmati and Makwanpurgadhi rural municipalities. Many of them have been contacting the voters via phone calls. Young voters like Jimba, Lopchan and Punam Thapa, who runs a shop at Manas Road in Hetauda-2, consider young leaders and candidates less corrupt, independent and fearless.

Padam Nidhi Dahal, 83, who first voted in the elections in 1957 and has voted in every election held in the country even during the Panchayat era, said although he fulfilled his duty as a citizen of the country by voting in the elections, it had never been a satisfying job. "So I switched among the parties and candidates," he chuckled.

 

Landless squatters biggest issue

Management of the landless families seems to be one of the major issues here. More than 80 per cent people in Bagmati are landless and they are waiting for the land-ownership papers, said Anup Rai from Pathibhara of Bagmati. Other development issues are unemployment both in the villages and cities, upgrading of roads, and health facilities in the rural areas.

Bishwo Raj Nepal of Hetaunda-9 also maintained that unemployment in the industrial city is a shameful thing so the leaders must think about addressing it.

Similarly, inhabitants of Kalapani, Ward 14 of the sub-metropolis, said that embankment and flood control programmes were needed in the rivers flowing from Chure hills. The seasonal rivers that only flow during the monsoon have posed a great threat to the life and property here. Keshar Rumba, a local, said that it is an immediate need for them.

However, people complained that the leaders who were elected in the past polls did not return to discuss the issues with the public and tried little to address them. "I had called my leaders more than a dozen times but he never picked up the call nor called me back. We want a leader who listens to our demands and solves our problems," said Sujan Rijal of Hetauda-4, Children Park.

Rijal said that he would not vote on the basis of any political party but vote for leaders who have good and clean background and have been involved in social service and development.

Likewise, Bhagwati Adhikari, who runs a tea stall at the Main Road, near Buddha Chowk in Hetauda, said that she had strong objection to the growing corruption, inflation and liquidity crunch. "It’s not only the local issues that we should be concerned about, the national agenda should also be the priority of the candidates as well electorare," she said.

 

Candidates for the HoR election in Constituency 1 of Makwanpur

S.N.	Name of Candidate	Political Party
1.	Kamal Thapa	CPN-UML
2.	Malaxmi Upadhyaya (Dina)	Nepali Congress
3.	Indra Man Thing	Janata Samajwadi Party, Nepal
4.	Dipak Bahadur Singh	Rastriya Prajatantra Party
5.	Santa Lal Vel	Nepal Workers and Peasants Party
6.	Rupak Lama	Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, Nepal
7.	Sangin Shrestha	Maulik Jarokilo Party
8.	Dipendra Chand Thakuri	Hamro Nepali Party
9.	Krishna Prasad Dahal	CPN (Marxist Leninist)
10.	Yubaraj Lama	Mangol National Organization
11.	Surendra Bhattarai	Nepali Congress (BP)
12.	Pancha Lal Tamang	Sachet Nepali Party
13.	Man Bahadur Dahal	Janasamajwadi Party Nepal
14.	Taka Raj Thapa	Rastriya Swatantra Party
15.	Aitaram Tamang	Independent
16.	Subhash Poudel	Independent

Source: Election Commission Nepal

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 9 November 2022. Joint reporting with Rammani Dahal in Makwanpur.