Nabil to train agriculture entrepreneurs in 16 villages

Kathmandu, Apr. 22

Nabil Bank Limited has launched skill-based financial literacy and entrepreneurship development training programmes targeting people engaged in agricultural businesses across 16 villages in Nepal.

The training began on Wednesday in Sinja Rural Municipality of Jumla and will be expanded to 15 additional locations within the current fiscal year 2025/26, the bank informed in a statement.

The programmes are being conducted in coordination with local governments across Koshi, Madhes, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces.

The bank said around 500 individuals currently involved in, or planning to start, agriculture-based enterprises will benefit from the initiative.

CEO Manoj Kumar Gyawali said participants will receive practical knowledge on savings, budgeting, loan management, insurance and investment options. “The programme aims to strengthen financial literacy, reduce unemployment, encourage new business ventures and promote sustainable economic growth through entrepreneurship development,” he said.

The training is part of the bank’s corporate social responsibility efforts and aligns with its focus on sustainable banking. It is intended to support people in rural areas to become more self-reliant by equipping them with relevant skills and information.

"Participants will receive both technical and business-related training in areas such as goat farming, pig farming, buffalo rearing, mushroom cultivation and vegetable farming. The programme will also cover identifying business opportunities, marketing and financial management," read the statement.

The bank said the initiative also prioritises environmentally responsible and socially accountable investment practices, in line with long-term economic sustainability goals. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 23 April 2026.         

Nabil Bank hosts burn treatment camp in Dhangadhi

Kathmandu, Feb. 28

Nabil Bank Limited has organised a three-day ‘Free Burn Treatment Camp’ at the Seti Provincial Hospital (SPH) in Dhangadhi, Kailali. According to the bank, a total of 65 burn patients received free treatment through the camp, held last week.

During the camp, senior doctors performed surgeries on 20 patients at the SPH, while 18 patients with more complex conditions were referred to Sushma Koirala Memorial Hospital (SKMH) in Sankhu, Kathmandu.

Nabil Bank, SKMH and SPH jointly organised the camp. Patients who had long been awaiting proper medical care and surgery, particularly from underprivileged and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, received free treatment at the camp, the bank informed in a statement.

Durga Pandey, one of the attendees, said her 5-year-old daughter received good service through the camp. The child had suffered complications in her neck following an oil burn injury two years ago.

A team of specialist doctors led by Prof. Dr. Ishwar Lohani of SKMH provided services at the camp. Highlighting the significant problem of burn incidents in Nepal, Dr. Lohani said that wounds often worsen due to delays in receiving timely treatment and reliance on traditional healers. He said the camp had helped raise awareness about proper treatment and that such programmes would further benefit disadvantaged communities in the future.

Bharat Luhar, 42, whose hands were burned while warming himself by a fire, has been referred to Kathmandu for further treatment.

A total of 65 individuals—35 men and 30 women—participated in the camp organised by Nabil Bank as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative. CEO Manoj Kumar Gyawali said that many burn victims in Nepal still lack access to proper treatment, and that in its first phase, the bank had targeted burn victims in remote areas of Sudurpashchim Province.

He also informed that similar camps would be organised in other provinces in the coming days.

Dr. Hemraj Pandey, Medical Superintendent of the SPH, said many people remain without proper treatment and that such burn camps provide essential care and relief to the public.

Alongside the burn camp, a basic burn treatment training programme was also conducted at the SPH. Around 50 staff – including doctors, nurses, administrative heads and surgeons - received training from Dr. Raju Bhandari, Deputy Medical Director of SKMH. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 1 March 2026.     

Nabil Bank, SKMH conduct free burn treatment camp at Seti Hospital

Kathmandu, Feb. 24 

Nabil Bank, in collaboration with Sushma Koirala Memorial Hospital (SKMH) and Seti Provincial Hospital (SPH), is organising Free Burn Treatment Camp at the SPH in Dhangadhi.

The bank informed in a statement that burn victims will benefit from the camp, which will run from 24 to 26 February.

Nabil Bank is organising the camp as part of its corporate social responsibility programme. The bank said it plans to expand such camps to other provinces, starting from Dhangadhi in partnership with the SKMH. It expects more than 120 beneficiaries in the first phase.

According to the bank, economically disadvantaged and underprivileged burn survivors suffering from long-term complications will receive consultations, treatment, and surgical services at the camp. The bank is coordinating with FEKT Nepal under Kirtipur Hospital and SKMH to conduct the programme.

"Patients with burn-related contractures, hair loss, fused fingers or toes, deformities caused by explosions, and inward-turned feet will receive free treatment," read the statement. Patients with complex conditions will be referred for free treatment at SKMH in Sankhu, Kathmandu.

The bank also said that the initiative aims to improve the lives of burn survivors. Government data show around 56,000 burn incidents occur annually in Nepal, with an average of 2,100 deaths while many survivors face long-term disability. Limited access to specialised burn treatment centres outside Kathmandu has prevented timely and affordable care, particularly for low-income patients.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 25 February 2026.     

Sun Nepal provides support to Balaju Police

Kathmandu, Feb. 19

Sun Nepal Life Insurance has supported the construction of the Balaju Police Complex by providing essential construction materials.

The company provided construction materials worth Rs. 1 million to the Balaju Police Office in the presence of the company’s CEO Raj Kumar Aryal, Chief Marketing Officer Ganesh Chaulagai, Chief Risk Officer Roshan Gyawali, and Head of Internal Control Roshan Paudel.

The event was also attended by Chairperson of the Balaju Police Unit Reconstruction Committee Shiva Bhakta Ranjit, Treasurer Bed Prasad Paudel, and Deputy Superintendent of Police Yagya Lal Banjade.

The company stated in a statement on Thursday that it extended the support recognising the importance of strengthening physical infrastructure of institutions directly connected with public safety, such as police facilities.

Company representatives noted that social security is reinforced not only through financial protection but also through institutional strengthening.

The Balaju Police Office expressed confidence that such support from the insurance sector would help make service delivery more effective. He added that cooperation between the community and the private sector would have a long-term positive impact.

Sun Nepal currently operates 148 branches and sub-branches across the country.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 20 February 2026.     

Indo-Nepal CSR Summit calls for stronger policies

Kathmandu, May 24

With an aim to strengthen the field of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and foster cooperation between Nepal and India, Bifcap Nepal organised an Indo-Nepal CSR Summit in the capital on Friday.

Speaking at the summit, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Indira Rana Magar, noted that CSR funds in Nepal have not been spent effectively, and corporate houses have not paid enough attention to this area.

She emphasised that CSR programmes could have a significant impact and benefit many Nepali communities. "We are debating on forming a CSR policy. Corporate communities also need to debate this. CSR is not just about money; it is also a business duty and social service," she said.

Ravi Kumar Rayavaram, Vice President of the Nepal India Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Managing Director of Surya Nepal, suggested that collaboration in CSR among Surya Nepal and other large Nepali corporations could contribute to sustainable development.

Member of Parliament and former Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Uday Shumsher Rana, suggested the corporate sector to collaborate with the local governments to implement effective CSR programmes.

Manoj Regmi, CEO of Bifcap Nepal, announced that funds generated from the CSR Summit would be used to provide financial literacy to 400 entrepreneurs in three districts of eastern Nepal: Bhojpur, Khotang and Solukhumbu.

He also revealed plans to host an Asia CSR Summit next year.

Representatives from various Indian organisations participating in the summit sessions highlighted the need to make CSR modalities more effective to establish significant social service programmes in society.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 25 May 2025. 

United Cements trains women in tailoring

Kathmandu, May 22

United Cements Limited, a cement manufacturing company under the KL Dugar Group, has successfully concluded a free three-month tailoring training programme in collaboration with Ward No. 9 of Dhunibeshi Municipality.

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the company provided three months of basic and two months of advanced tailoring training to 42 local women with the goal of promoting self-reliance and economic empowerment.

"The training initiative exemplifies the company’s belief in uplifting local communities alongside its industrial growth," the company said in a statement on Thursday.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, General Manager of the company, Hari Kumar Upreti, said that the company prioritises social responsibility along with its business goals. He noted that such training programmes enhance women's confidence and open up new income-generating opportunities.

Likewise, Ward Chairperson Madhav Prasad Silwal said that the training had played a significant role in improving the participants’ livelihoods and promoting economic independence. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 23 May 2025. 

Choudhary Foundation supports artificial limb project in Nawalparasi

 Kathmandu, Oct. 14

An artificial limb service project has commenced at Chisapani Hospital in Bardaghat, Nawalparasi (West). The project, CG Sabal Center, is established with the support from Chaudhary Foundation.

Binod Chaudhary, a Member of the House of Representatives and Central Member of the Nepali Congress, inaugurated the Sabal Center at the hospital. Individuals without limbs will now receive artificial limbs free of charge at Chisapani Hospital, Chaudhary Foundation said in a statement on Saturday.

To date, the CG Sabal Center has benefited approximately 1,000 individuals by providing them with free artificial limbs. "Lawmaker Choudhary established the Sabal Center at Chisapani Hospital as part of his humanitarian service initiative, keeping the well-being of his constituents at the forefront. During his election campaign, Leader Choudhary had pledged to deliver quality and accessible healthcare services to the citizens in Nawalparasi, and his work in the healthcare sector has demonstrated this commitment," read the statement.

According to the Foundation, people without limbs from all across the country will receive services at Chisapani Hospital.

Meanwhile, Choudhary has also announced plans to establish a trauma center to further specialise the hospital's services.

Shambhu Shrestha, Mayor of Bardaghat Municipality, said that the municipality is committed to assisting in making the hospital excel.

 Published in The Rising Nepal on 15 October 2023. 

TU-Pathao Annual Scholarship Scheme inked

Kathmandu, Oct. 13

Pathao Nepal, in partnership with Tribhuvan University, has introduced the 'TU-Pathao Annual Scholarship Scheme.'

An agreement was officially sealed on a Friday, with Suraksha Hamal, the Marketing Head of Pathao, and Prof. Pashupati Adhikari, the Director of the Directorate of Student Welfare and Sports at TU, signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the programme.

This initiative falls under Pathao's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), aiming to provide financial support to deserving students. The scholarship will benefit 100 students, each receiving Rs. 15,000 per year. To ensure a fair selection process, a 'Scholarship Committee' will be established, consisting of two members from Pathao and three from TU.

Information regarding the scholarship, along with application forms, will be available through the university's channels and will also be promoted on Pathao Nepal's website, social media platforms, as well as within TU-affiliated colleges.

Suraksha Hamal emphasised, "The scholarship committee will evaluate applicants based on the specified criteria." Successful candidates under this scheme will have the opportunity to pursue their studies with financial support at TU's main campus and its 62 affiliated campuses. The scholarship is intended for students in the faculties of sociology, management, and education.

During the MoU signing ceremony, key figures such as the Executive Director of Pathao Nepal, Asim Man Singh Basnyat, Executive Director of TU's Centre of International Relations, Binod Joshi, and Director of Planning Directorate, Prof. Dr. Dhrubra Kumar Gautam, were present, reaffirming their commitment to this scholarship programme.

 Published in The Rising Nepal on 14 October 2023. 

CIT distributes CSR money

 Kathmandu, Apr. 9

Citizen Investment Trust (CIT) has provided financial support of Rs. 750,000 to various four organisations under its Corporate Social Responsibility programe on the occasion of its 33^rd anniversary.

Raman Nepal, Executive Director of the Trust, handed over cheques to those organisations on Thursday, CIT informed in a statement.

Nepal presented a cheque of Rs. 150,000  to the Armed Police Force's Sports Training Academy for the purchase of sports equipment and other materials needed to play in the A Division Double League.

Likewise, a cheque of 200,000 has been handed over to Muscular Dystrophy Foundation-Nepal, Shankharapur Kathmandu for the purpose of providing support in the operation of physiotherapy, ambulance and integrated health camps for the rehabilitation of disabled and disabled muscular dystrophy patients.

Similarly, the CIT gave a cheque of Rs. 200,000 to Rapti Deaf Association, Dang, to organise inclusive sports activities for differently abled children.

Earlier, the it had provided Rs. 200,000 to Padampur Basic School, Chitwan. Nepal said that the CIT has been working under social responsibility and will continue to do so in the coming days.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 10 March 2023.

Nabil opens application for Social Entrepreneurship Programme

Kathmandu, July 27

Nabil Bank has opened applications for the second batch of Social Entrepreneurship Programme.

"With the successful operation of the first batch of 'Nabil Social Entrepreneurship' programme, we have called applications for the second batch of 20 potential startups," the bank said.

According to the bank, this programme, conducted in collaboration with the School of Management under the Tribhuvan University Faculty of Management and with the technical support of the School of Social Entrepreneurship India, will help achieve the goal of sustainable development by bringing about positive changes in the society.

Nepali citizens aged between 18 and 50 years who have the latest ideas in the fields of agriculture, tourism, energy, environmental protection, information technology, etc. can apply for the enrollment in the programme.

This programme aims to promote social entrepreneurship and will last for six months.

In addition to it, three days of residential discussion will be organised every month and the rest of the days have been prepared in the form of practical exercises at the concerned entrepreneur's workplace. Nabil said that it will help all the participants to solve the practical difficulties encountered in doing business through a mentor for all the participants during the training period and for the remaining six months for one year.

Altogether 20 people were selected in the first batch of this fellowship program,e which was started to promote economic and social transformation. The participants from various backgrounds received training on various topics such as legal and tax related knowledge, business branding, marketing, etc. required for social enterprise operation.

Technical and practical knowledge was provided to the participants through various interactive programmes and procedures. The last day of application is August 20.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 July 2022. 

Nabil Bank begins to create entrepreneurs

Kathmandu, July 16

Should the banks and financial institutions (BFIs) that play an instrumental role in the development of business, industries and infrastructure through the mobilisation of finance put their efforts to create entrepreneurs by themselves?

While many BFIs have concentrated their policies and practice to enhance their lending and deposit portfolio, Nabil Bank has taken a different route to create and nurture entrepreneurs and startups in the country. The profit-seeking private sector bank has been implementing a programme to create entrepreneurship to develop social enterprises to solve everyday problems of the people.

With the announcement of 'sustainable banking' supported by the adoption of latest information and communication technology, it has launched a new initiative called 'Nabil School of Social Entrepreneurship (Nabil SSE) aiming at creating social entrepreneurs to promote socio-economic transformation in the society.

Beyond 'deposit and lending'

"This project is driven by the philosophy that the banks should not only give away loans but train the potential entrepreneurs to utilise it. The BFIs must think beyond 'deposit and lending' practice," said Upendra Paudyal, chairman of the bank.

The programme has a process to identify people who have workable idea for tackling a specific social issue and demonstrate entrepreneurial characteristics, and support them for certain months to develop their leadership and business skill to create successful social ventures.

For example, Raj Bikram Maharjan of Airlift Technology, one of the fellows at the Nabil SSE, has been developing a local map that would help to identify and locate houses and destinations even in the narrow allays in the Kathmandu Valley. The alleys, commonly known as 'galli' are not visible on satellite images which has crated challenges for e-commerce, food and goods delivery companies, as well as ride sharing and taxi services. "Our project will save cost and time of the entrepreneurs and businesses as well as the customers. People have to spend a huge amount of time and make multiple phone calls to find the exact location of the house in the valley," said Maharjan.

His company is crating high resolution map of the cities with the use of drone imagery which is available online now. "Our map app is here to build a social and technological infrastructure to create a better place to live," Maharjan stated.

Collaborating with the academia

Nabil is implementing fellowship programme and certificate course in collaboration with the Tribhuvan University School of Management (SOMTU) and various colleges in seven provinces to promote entrepreneurship. The fellowship programme delivers knowledge, skills and other necessary tools to enable people to launch their social enterprise, said Ujjwal Chapagain, Coordinator of Nabil SSE. The bank has created the required infrastructure at SOMTU and provided necessary financial support as well to nurture 20 fellows for six months.

It is a residential programme where the fellows attend 3-day session physically every month. Each of them will have a mentor to process their ideas and support with the necessary ideas. By the end of six month they have an investment-ready enterprise or a business ready with product/service to trade in the market.

Similarly, the certificate course provides platform where individuals can present their creative ideas and solution through business. The bank said that the 3-month certificate course helps build individuals with entrepreneurial mindset, develop a sustainable business model with a feasible solution and is ready to receive investment. The participants have to attend 14-day physical training over the 3-month period. This programme aims at training about 700 students every year across the country.

Varieties of startups

It is interesting to see the diversification of entrepreneurship ideas being developed by the SSE. The fellows have unique and bankable business ideas from paper and poultry to information technology to waste management. It has a fresh graduate like Saurav Koirala who is working on ideas of temple waste management and aims at hiring physically challenged, trauma victims and marginalised groups on the job, and seasoned entrepreneur like Krishna Kumari Poudel of Anugraha Handicraft who has trained thousands of men and women in Dhaka production, making designs and marketing. "My company is working to provide skill training and create self-employment. We are also focusing on returnee migrant workers and those who are leaving the country in search of job abroad," she said.

Poudel has a large group of satisfied customers including actress Manisha Koirala and former Miss Nepal, Malvika Subba.

Likewise, Rajesh Das and his team is creating a smart journey platform that allows booking travel tickets, GPS tracking of the buses, ensure safe travel with the installation of CCTV tracking and provide free-of-cost entertainment programmes on the way.

The engineering graduate is aiming to expand their services to 50-60 routes by coming Dashain.

Another entrepreneur whom The Rising Nepal talked to is Harinath Dangol who has initiated 'Lachhi' – meaning local hub for Newari food, living and product. "We offer authentic local experiences, skills with local products that empower local people of Khokana, create awareness and promote cultural heritage of the place," he said.

Lachhi also aims at preserving indigenous knowledge and traditional crafts which are on the verge of disappearance due to modernisation.

The aspiring entrepreneurs said that the SSE had helped them in refining their business ideas and finding a better track to entrepreneurship development. "My idea was just a rough concept but the rigorous training and consultation at the SSE has refined it to the level that I am confident about its workability," said Koirala.

Chairman of Nabil, Paudyal, said that the bank had launched the programme as a pilot project this year but its success has motivated the company and the team. "We aim at expanding this programme to other areas to support business generation. Development of small and medium enterprises will help the local as well as the national economy," he said.

He suggested other banks to run the porgramme similar to his bank.

NRB to support SMEs

Promoting entrepreneurship and SMEs is the policy of the Nepal Rastra bank as well. It has announced the policy to provide loan of up to Rs. 10 million at 2 per cent addition on the base rate. However, it has not created any provision to force the BFIs to invest in entrepreneurship creation.

Senior Deputy Governor of the NRB, Nilam Dhungana, appreciated the entrepreneurship programmes implemented by the BFIs. She also said that if the banks sought any return or profit from the programmes, they couldn't be counted as CSR schemes.

However, Dhungna said that the banks should facilitate project financing by mitigating the risk. 

Published in The Rising Nepal on 17 July 2022.

Ganapati Vanaspati supports financially for child health

Kathmandu, June 15

Ganapati Vanaspati Pvt. Ltd. has provided a financial support of Rs. 11.11 million to the Kathmandu Institute of Child Health, an institution established in the leadership of renowned heart surgeon Dr. Bhagwan Koirala.

At a programme organised recently, chairman of Lucky Group Satish Kumar More handed over a cheque bearing the amount to Dr. Koirala.

Ganapati Vanaspati is a subsidiary of Lucky Group, established by late Muralidhar Agrawal which runs various businesses in Nepal including banking, insurance, infrastructure development and industries.

More said that the company is in operation for the last two and a half decades and has contributed to the economy. Vice chairmen of the group Shrawan Kumar More and Raj Kumar More and other officials were also present at the cheque handover programme. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 16 June 2022.  

Nabil Bank to offer its toilets to public for free

Kathmandu, Jun 8

Nabil Bank is set to offer its toilets at designated branches in Kathmandu Metropolitan City to the public for free.

As per an agreement signed between the bank and the KMC, the public will now be able to use the toilets of 18 branches of the bank within the metropolis free of cost.

The bank has expressed its solidarity to call of the KMC to extend the access of public to the toilets as per the decision of the Municipal Executive last week.

The metropolis will put an information board at the concerned branches of the bank indicating that the public can use them.

The bank will clean the public toilets and arrange the necessary items under its social responsibility. In addition, regular maintenance, care and sanitation of toilets, water management and drainage system will be looked after by it for a period of five years.

Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Anil Keshari Shah, said that the bank will also cooperate in waste management in Kathmandu in line with the concept of sustainable banking.

The metropolis will monitor and evaluate the toilets every four months. The agreement will help streamline and manage public toilet services in the metropolis, said Nurnidhi Neupane, Head of the Public-Private Partnership unit at the KMC.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 9 June 2022. 

NLIC to help establish community hospital in Sindhupalchok

Kathmandu, May 19

National Life Insurance Company and One Step Foundation have forged partnership to establish and operate a community hospital in Thokarpa Rural Municipality of Sindhupalchok district.

The hospital will be established and managed under the initiative of the Foundation and the company will provide financial assistance of Rs. 2 million every year for three years to support operation of the hospital.

With the help of the company, a 15-bed community hospital will be established which is expected to serve around 50,000 people living in the area with quality health care.

The two institutions signed an agreement on Thursday for the same. Chief Executive Officer of NLIC Suresh Prasad Khatri and President of the Foundation Dr. Suman Thapa signed the agreement.

Speaking at the agreement signing programme, Khatri said that the company has been active in the field of social responsibility for years by providing financial assistance in the fields of education, health, disaster management and environment protection. He expressed happiness to be the part of the health initiative.

The Foundation is a non-governmental organisation working in the field of health, and has been providing free health services in remote areas of Nepal since 2015.

Working with Nepali volunteers, the foundation, in collaboration with local governments and local partners, has set up health camps, especially in remote areas, to provide health care, it said.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 20 May 2022. 

Himalaya Airlines gives educational materials to Prayas Nepal

 Kathmandu, May 11

 Himalaya Airlines has continued its support to the children of Prayas Nepal with yearlong educational supplies for the consecutive sixth year.

"Prayas Nepal, a non-government, non-profitable, social organisation has been under Himalaya’s CSR banner since 2017 and over the years, the company has extended its support through essential educational, snack/grocery, kitchen utility items as well as COVID-19 protective supplies," the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

The educational supplies includes academic course books for various grades, notebooks, registers and stationery items such as calculators, geometry boxes, pens etc.

Prayas Nepal is currently providing shelter to 26 young children. Over the years these children have stood out with their exceptional performance in different fields, sharpening their skills; some have even gone abroad for further studies.

With an objective to create awareness amongst the children about the aviation industry careers and professional courses etc. this year, Himalaya organized a brief experience sharing session for the children wherein the experienced Cockpit and Cabin Crew of Himalaya Airlines interacted with the children.

The session was aimed at broadening their knowledge about the aviation industry and familiarised them with the various courses and career opportunities in the aviation sector of Nepal. T

Ujjwala Dali, Head of Brand Department of the company, said that societal responsibility is one of the key CSR objectives and a driving factor for the company.

Mani Joshi, President of Prayas Nepal expressed gratitude for the timely contribution of the required education materials and added that the sessions conducted by the team Himalaya were informative and offered much needed fun-learning activity for the children.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 12 May 2022. 

Reliance offers exemplary facilities to female workers

 Biratnagar, Apr. 9

While female workers in many businesses and industries in Nepal have dozens of complaints against the company and management, women employees at Reliance Spinning Mills express gratitude to the institution.

It is not that the company pays them higher salaries or offer extravagant facilities. It pays the salary and wages as per the government rules like many other industrial establishments. However, the industry, that is the largest employer in the country and employs 1,500 females, puts extra efforts to provide additional basic support to them which makes them happy.

The industry located in Khanar at the Morang-Sunsari Industrial Corridor offers equal pay to the female workers and provides residential facilities to the needy. About 500 female workers stay in hostel inside the industry premises, a significant number of them live there with their family.

A robust security with guards and security is maintained at he hostels which is offered free of rent, with electricity and water supply, to the workers.

Likewise, a dedicated space is allocated for women workers for the rest and care their toddlers. A separate hall is filled with toys, and sports materials for the kids to play and pass time. Adjacent room can be used for having rest or breastfeed babies.

There is a primary health care centre with dispensary where workers can get their general and emergency health checked up and obtain medicines. A canteen at the industry serves full meal at Rs. 70, vegetarian momos per plate at Rs. 45 and chowmein at Rs. 55. Clean drinking water is provided to all.

Similarly, under its Corporate Social Responsibility, Reliance Spinning Mills provides Rs. 1,000 per month scholarship to 75 children of its workers pursuing higher education and distributes study materials to 150 children going to schools. Sports activities of the workers are conducted regularly, and about 2.5 bigahas of land is leased out to organise sports, said Mahesh Kumar Pokharel, Manager of the company.

He said that salary of all workers is paid to their bank accounts and all of them are registered at the Social Security Fund.

One of the critical activities for the industry that employs about 4,000 workers, including males, is recruitment. The work is technical and the industry needs skilled and semi-skilled workers which is difficult to find in the market.

Therefore, Reliance runs a 3-month training programme which is offered free of cost to the aspiring workers. They can get the training and work to earn at the same time during the training period. A separate curriculum is developed for the training that prepares human resources for the operation of the machines, quality of the yarn, dyeing and other industrial activities.

Supervisor Parbata Khatiwada said that the training had helped many to be economically independent. "We are especially happy that the company takes the cases of violence against women and work place harassment seriously and immediately takes action," she said.

There are periodic interactions with female workers to know about their issues and problems.

Maya Bishwokarma, a trade union representative, said that they don't have complaints to the company and management but to the government. They want higher pay since the current monthly wage of about Rs. 15,000 is not sufficient to manage a household.

"While the inflation, family requirement, schooling and many other elements are same for all, why doesn't the government consider about increasing our pay?" Khatiwada asked while adding that the industry workers should have salary equal to the government office assistant level.

Since the market rate is same for all, the government must create a policy to provide us better pay, she maintained.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 10 April 2022.

GIBL launches healthy women initiative

 Kathmandu, Aug 20

Global IME Bank Limited has launched a ‘Meri Unilai: Swasthya Nari Pahal’ campaign, an initiative to promote women health.

Issuing a statement on Friday, the bank said that the campaign was launched as per its Corporate Social Responsibility to empower women in the country.

Under the campaign, it organised a women health camp at Sahare Health Post in Gurwakot Municipality in Surkhet district.

Earlier, the bank has launched fixed deposit account scheme under ‘Meri Unilai…’.

“The latest initiative is launched to make women physically strong. Such health camps will be organised in rural and semi-urban areas targeting women and children. We hope that it will make a positive impact on women,” read the statement.

The bank has paid up capital of Rs. 21.63 billion and offers services from 280 branches, 47 extension and revenue counters, 257 branchless banking and 249 ATMs across the country.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 21 August 2021. 

Banks do more CSR than NRB requirement

Kathmandu, Aug 3

Banks and Financial Institutions (BFIs) in Nepal have mobilised more resources to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) than the limit set by the Nepal Rastra Bank.

A recent study by the NRB has found that the BFIs mobilised about 1.58 per cent of the net profit in the Fiscal Year 2019/20 for the CSR activities and programmes while the central bank’s provision is 1 per cent of the profit. They have deposited the money in their CSR Fund.

Class ‘A’ commercial banks have deposited 1.54 per cent of their profits to the fund, Class ‘B’ development banks 1.55 per cent and Class ‘C’ finance companies 1.66 per cent while Class ‘D’ microfinance institutions have separated 2.01 per cent of their profits for the CSR.

The central bank has conducted an online survey on ‘CSR in Nepalese banking industry’ from  November 5 to  December11, 2020 with the objective of finding the reality of CSR exercise and status of the implementation of NRB’s directives.

The study found that the BFIs participating in the survey said that they conducted CSR with the purpose of image building of the respective company. About 85 per cent of the companies have their CSR policy and 51 per cent formulate an annual plan for the same.

However, the CSR expenditures do not have the provincial balance, more than two-thirds of the fund is utilised in Bagmati province.

Four years ago, only 35 per cent commercial banks have mentioned the sectorial expenditures of the CSR in their annual reports while the number increased to 38 per cent last year. Only 30.08 per cent BFIs have mentioned the province-wise expenditures.

The central bank said that clear guideline and directive was needed to make the CSR expenditures more balanced and transparent. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 4 August 2021. 

Nepal SBI Bank provides equipment to Bir Hospital

Kathmandu, July 7

Nepal SBI Bank Ltd. provided medical equipment to Bir Hospital on the occasion of its 28^th anniversary celebration.

The bank has provided the support for managing the COVID-19 as per its Corporate Social Responsibility, the bank said in a statement on Wednesday.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nepal SBI Bank Ltd, Dipak Kumar De, handed over the medical equipment including patient monitor, syringe pump, infusion pump, masks and sanitisers to Dr. Jageshwor Gautam, Chief Administrative Officer, Unified COVID-19 Central Hospital at the Bir Hospital amidst a function today.

Dr. Ashish Dhungana, Deputy Director of Bir Hospital, Md. Rizwan Alam, Deputy CEO and Chief Financial Officer of Nepal SBI Bank, Yadvender Kant, Chief Operating Officer of the bank were also present on the occasion.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 8 July 2021. 

Arghakhanchi Cement builds health post in Siyari

Kathmandu, May 27

Arghakhanchi Cement Private Limited has built a well-facilitated health post in Mainahiya of Siyari Rural Municipality – 2 in Rupandehi district.

Health and Population Minister of Lumbini Province Bhoj Prasad Shrestha and Director of Arghakhanchi Cement Rajesh Kumar Agrawal jointly inaugurated the building of the health post on Wednesday.

The company has handed over the building with necessary health facility like health consultation, x-ray and blood pressure measurement.

According to it, about Rs. 7 million was invested in the facility.

Minister Shrestha said that the health post would be managed in a way that it could help people of Mainahiya and in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.

Likewise, Agrawal said that the health post would end the obligation of people to go to other villages and nearby cities for basic health care services. He said that the building was built as per the Corporate Social Responsibility of the company.

Construction work for the building was started in December last year and the company had said to complete it in a year. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 May 2021.