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With the year 2079 coming to an end, Nepal's private sector is fully engrossed in the election fever to elect a new leadership of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI). As per the FNCCI statute, the senior vice president automatically becomes the president for the next term. This has made the election of senior vice president a battle royale. Unlike past elections, a tripartite contest has emerged this time with Anjan Shrestha, Ram Chandra Sanghai, and Umesh Lal Shrestha vying for the senior vice president post and forming their panels. With nominations completed and one week left for the election, the candidates are making last-ditch efforts to ensure their victory. The effort for a consensus candidate for the senior vice president post, initiated by the current Senior Vice President Chandra Prasad Dhakal, who will lead the FNCCI after the 57th General Assembly, has failed to yield the desired result. As per the statute of FNCCI, there will be one president, one senior vice president, three vice presidents, and one treasurer. There will be 19 members from the association, 18 from the district/municipal, and 12 from the commodity association in the FNCCI executive committee. In addition to this, 14 members will also be chosen, two from each province. As in the past, business houses, former FNCCI presidents, and political parties all are involved in the FNCCI election, making it a high-stakes contest. As the Nepali private sector's apex organization, the FNCCI election has always been a prestige issue for the private sector. And, this time also, it is no different. All three candidates for the senior VP post claim their candidacy is natural pointing out their contributions to the organization. Anjan Shrestha, Executive Director of Laxmi Group said that the problems of the private sector should be given priority when the economy is in a state of turmoil and that FNCCI should be made accessible to all businesspersons at all levels. In Shrestha's panel, Arunraj Sumargi is contesting for the district/municipal vice president post, Manish Lal Pradhan for the commodity vice president, and Bharat Raj Acharya for the associate vice president. Ramchandra Sanghai of Triveni Group represents the Marwari business community. From his panel, Sur Krishna Vaidya is vying for the district/municipal vice president post, Sakuntalal Hirachan for the commodity vice president, and Jyotsana Shrestha for the associate vice president. Umesh Lal Shrestha, Managing Director of Quest Pharmaceuticals, is also confident to win the race. In Shrestha's panel, Dinesh Shrestha is contesting for the district/municipal vice president, Hemraj Dhakal for the commodity vice president, and Bharat Raj Acharya for the associate vice president. Acharya is the common candidate of Anjan and Umesh Lal panels. The election is scheduled for April 12. In voting, the district/municipal association has higher weightage than associate members and commodity associations. And, more than 50 percent of the total votes are needed to win the senior VP post.

Xiaomi Nepal has launched Redmi 12C. The Redmi 12C is a budget-friendly smartphone Powered by Mediatek Helio G85 processor. The phone delivers best-in-class performance and a smooth experience in gaming, imaging, or everyday use. With up to 6+5GB extended RAM and 1TB storage extension, the Redmi 12 C offers quick and responsive feedback when opening apps. The large 5,000mAh battery of Redmi 12C provides enough power to last for a full day of calling, gaming, and video playback. With a rear fingerprint sensor that blends harmoniously into its minimalist design, unlocking your phone is quick, easy, and safe. The phone has a large 6.71-inch HD+ display and its vibrant screen enables a better viewing experience with its sleek 20.6:9 aspect ratio. In addition, the reading mode feature of the device ensures the protection of the eyes. Equipped with a 50MP main camera, the Redmi 12 C offers greater details and greater light-capturing capabilities, allowing phone users to record memorable moments in any light conditions. The customers will get a Rs 500 flat discount on the purchase of any variant of Redmi 12 C between April 6-30. The discount will avail on Daraz and at all the authorized Mi stores across the country. Price  3GB+32GB Rs 13,499 4GB+64GB Rs 14,499 6GB+128GB             Rs 16,999

Padam Limbu, who lost his life during the protest against the naming of Koshi Province, has been declared martyr on Friday. A Cabinet meeting held this morning decided to declare Limbu as a martyr. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kiranti said that the government has also decided to provide compensation to his family. Limbu, who was injured following a clash with security personnel during the protest held in Biratnagar on March 19, breathed his last during the course of treatment on March 24.  

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 200 per tola in the domestic market on Friday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow bullion is being traded at Rs 110, 000 per tola today.

The Policies and Programs of the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led coalition government have made some promises on the diplomatic front, at a time of increasing turbulence in the immediate neighborhood and beyond. The points in the sections titled ‘Promotion of national independence and national interest’) and ‘International relations’ are as follows:

•         Border problems at Limpiadhura-Lipulek-Kalapani and other areas will be resolved through diplomatic engagements with neighbors. More border security outposts will be established for effective border management and regulation
•         Water resources policies will be effectively implemented. The resources will be utilized bilaterally and multi-laterally in the national interest
•         Foreign aid will be mobilized in national priority sectors
•         Treaties and agreements that are against national interest will be reviewed. New treaties and agreements will be signed as per the need
•         International relations will be conducted on the basis of the United Nations Charter, principles of non-alignment and Panchsheel and international laws for mutual interest and benefit
•         The policy of sovereign equality of nations and non-interference in internal affairs will be pursued. Necessary steps will be taken for guaranteeing the rights of landlocked countries
•         Relations with neighbors and other friendly nations will be further strengthened. Interdependence will be promoted by expanding the areas of cooperation
•         Economic diplomacy will be pursued to promote foreign investment for speeding up national economic development, increasing access to the international labor market, for marketization of Nepali products and development of Nepal as a tourist destination
•         Initiatives will be taken for cordiality at the regional level. Use of Nepali territories against any other country will not be allowed. Effective role will be played for making regional groupings like SAARC, BIMSTEC and IBBN more dynamic
•         Diplomatic initiatives will be taken for getting funds from Green Climate Fund, and Loss and Damage Fund through capacity building. An independent and balanced foreign policy will be adopted for the protection of national interest and prosperity of the people
•         National consensus will be forged for developing a coherent foreign policy

The code of conduct for the by-elections slated for April 23 will come into effect from Friday. According to the Election Commission, the code of conduct will remain in force in Chitwan, Bara and Tanahun districts from April 7 to till the completion of the elections. EC Spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Paudel said the EC is implementing the code of conduct by exercising the right granted to it by clause 22 of the Election Act, 2017 and clause 1 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2079 BS. The lower house by-elections are taking place in Chitwan constituency-2, Bara-2 and Tanahun-1. Federal government and government ministers, province government and province ministers, constitutional bodies and their officials, Nepal government or province government bodies and their officials, local executive and its members, employees of federal, province and local levels, security bodies, security personnel and employees are required to be abiding by the elections code of conduct. Likewise, government and semi-government offices and public organizations and their employees, political parties and their sister organizations, candidates and the their relatives, political parties and election representatives of candidates, people holding the public post, observation  committee officials and monitors, observation institutions and observers, media and its employees, journalists, private and non-government organizations and their officials and employees, schools, universities and their teachers and employees, voters, development partners, projects operated by the government and semi-government levels and their employees,  bodies and people engaged in voter education programs, private banks and finances, cooperatives, corporate and industries and their officials, employees and workers officials of goods and service providing sectors, their employees and workers should abide by the elections code of conduct.  

Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal called on Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Thursday. In the meeting held at the Beijing-based Foreign Ministry, they discussed bilateral relationship between Nepal and China, exchange of visits, development cooperation, trade, investment and tourism among others issues. Nepali Ambassador to China Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, Joint Secretary at the Foreign Ministry Lok Bahadur Thapa and senior officials at the Foreign Ministry of both the countries and high-ranking officials were present in the meeting. The 15th meeting of the Bilateral Diplomatic Consultation Mechanism between Nepal and China will be held on Friday. A Nepali team led by Foreign Secretary Paudyal had reached Beijing to take part in the meeting.

Nepal reported 85 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday. According to the Ministry of Health and Population, 272 swab samples were tested in the RT-PCR method, of which 63 returned positive. Likewise, 1, 130 people underwent antigen tests, of which 22 tested positive. The Ministry said that no one died of the virus in the last 24 hours and 27 infected people recovered from the disease. As of today, there are 358 active cases in the country.