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The CPN (Unified Socialist) has decided to stand against the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

A Secretariat meeting of the party held on Monday made the decision to this effect, party spokesperson Jagannath Khatiwada said. 

“We have told all the lawmakers to stand against the MCC. We will create a conducive environment for the same,” he said.

The government tabled the $500 million grant in the Parliament on Sunday, 32 months after it was registered in the Parliament Secretariat.

Nepal signed an agreement with the United States for developing electricity transmission lines and road networks in September 2017.

It was registered at the Parliament Secretariat by former finance minister Yubraj Khatiwada in July 2019.

Nepali Congress has made it clear that the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) was not tabled under the pressure of any countries.

Speaking at a press conference organised on Monday, party spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat said that Nepal is capable of taking decisions about herself.

"We have not tabled the MCC under anyone's pressure," he said.

Leader Mahat said that the party will not the take the decision under anyone's pressure. 

"No one has piled pressure on us. We have not felt the pressure. We will take the decision on our own. We will not take decisions under anyone's pressure," he said.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 25.41 points to close at 2,718.51 points on Monday.

Similarly, the sensitive index increased by 5.15 points to close at 518. 79 points.

Meanwhile, a total of 4,992,879 unit shares of 224 companies were traded for Rs 2. 99 billion.

In today’s market, all sub-indices saw green. Hydropower topped the chart with 72.39 points.

Meanwhile, United IDI Mardi RB Hydropower Limited was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 10 percent. Nabin Debenture was the top loser as its price fell by 1.95 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalisation stood at Rs 3. 85 trillion.

The International Mother Language Day is being marked today by organizing several programmes on Monday.

February 21 has been marked as the International Mother Language Day since 2000 after the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared the day in 1999. 

It has been observed throughout the world since 21 February 2000. The declaration came up in tribute to the language movement done by the Bangladeshis (then the East Pakistanis). 

Nepal has also started observing the International Mother Language Day in a special manner since 2000. 

A study has revealed that in every 15 days two languages are being disappeared in the world. 

In order to preserve and protect mother languages, especially the disappearing ones, the Nepal Academy, Language Commission and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are jointly organizing a festival of poetry in mother language as well as cultural procession of different ethnic communities today. 

The host organizations stressed the need for the stakeholders' groups to work together to protect disappearing mother languages. 

On the occasion, the three organizations hosted a talk programme entitled 'Mother Language and Mother Language Literature' on Sunday. Four working papers were presented on the occasion. 

It was shared that 23 out of 37 languages having less than 1,000 speakers are on verge of extinction. The speakers univocally underlined the need to work for the protection dnd preservation of the languages in crisis. RSS

The Birgunj Customs Office, country's largest custom point, has seen an increase of around 38 percent in revenue collection from the import and export in seven months of the current fiscal year, 2021/22 as compared to the same period of the previous FY. 

It collected over Rs 121.07 billion in revenue so far in the current FY as opposed to over Rs 88.5 billion the previous year, said the custom office. 

The increment in revenue collection follows a surge in the import and export activities following decreasing impact of COVID-19. RSS

The government has collected Rs 810 million in royalties from various casinos operational in Nepal.

The collection of royalty amounts followed the direction of Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale to this effect.

While the license of Kathmandu-based Yak and Yeti Hotel to operate casino was scrapped for defaulting royalties, he warned of following suit in case of others failing to pay royalties.

"Now casinos have been in a rush to pay royalties. So far, Rs 810 million in royalties has been collected. Some other casinos have gone through documentation to clear dues," said Khem Raj Joshi, officer at the Department of Tourism.

According to the Department, so far, 17 casinos including Golden Finger Gaming Zone Pvt. have paid royalties. Now, arrears amounting to over Rs 1.11 billion have remained to be paid in royalties, Joshi said. RSS