Submit your Article

Farmers in Palpa district have produced more than 9,000 tons of orange this year.

This year saw a slight increase in orange production, said Agriculture Knowledge Center, adding that the district had produced 8,861 tons of citrus fruit last year.

Center's Chief Santosh Kumar Chaudhari informed that the farmers sold the oranges, fetching Rs 527.84 million. Last year, the earning had stood at Rs 460.7 million.

The orange farmers are happy to see a good harvest. The fruit production has increased and even the market is eased, he added.

Rainadevi Chhahara produced 3,639 metric tons of the fruit, while Ribdikot measured the harvest at 1184 metric tons, Bagnaskali 910 metric tons, Purvakhola 728 metric ton, Tansen 546 metric tons, and Mathaghadi 91 metric tons.

Six out of 10 local levels in the district are doing commercial farming of oranges.

Project Abhaya, in collaboration with Civil Outlook, conducted the ‘Governance Fellowship 2025’ from Jan 10 to 25. “The initiative aimed to equip young Nepalis with governance and leadership skills, fostering civic engagement and democratic values,” says the Project. The fellowship saw participation from 67 young leaders, including 37 men and 20 women, representing 22 districts across Nepal’s seven provinces. Over the course of six thematic sessions, distinguished speakers from various fields shared their expertise, guiding the fellows through key aspects of governance and policy making.

The program commenced with an introductory session on “Governance Foundation” on Jan 10, led by Sachin Timalsena, Former National Coordinator of Youth Congress Nepal. On Jan 11, Ashish Regmi, Executive Chief of the Policy and Research Academy, CPN-UML, conducted a session on “Legislation and Policymaking.” Judicial Officer at the Supreme Court, Shreya Sanjel, led a discussion on “Judicial Processes and Access to Justice” on Jan 17.

The fourth session, held on Jan 18, focused on “Inclusive Governance: Promoting Transparency and Understanding Rights and Responsibilities,” hosted by former Education Minister and MP, Shishir Khanal. The final day, Jan 24, featured two sessions—“Feminist Politics: Historical Movements and Grassroots Activism” by Binda Pandey, Former Member of the Constituent Assembly, and “Civic Engagement and Social Accountability” by Milan Pandey, Civil Engineer and member of Bibeksheel Sajha Party.

Project Abhaya Founder Ishika Panta underscored the importance of youth empowerment in governance. “At Project Abhaya, we believe real change starts with empowering young people. This fellowship was a step towards providing them with the tools, knowledge, and confidence needed to lead with purpose,” she stated.

The six-lane expansion of the 16-km stretch of the Araniko Highway from Suryabinayak to Dhulikhel is now gaining some momentum. The project, which began on 8 Jan 2023, was divided into two sections—Suryabinayak to Sanga and Sanga to Dhulikhel—with a target completion within 36 months. However, only about 30 percent of the work has been completed so far, according to the project authorities.

The government had awarded contracts worth Rs 3.88bn for the 7.5 km Suryabinayak-Sanga section and Rs 4.05bn for the 8.4 km Sanga-Dhulikhel section. However, budget constraints have slowed progress on the main road and service lanes, according to the Sindhuli-Bardibas Road Project Office.

Currently, the construction of retaining walls, drainage systems, and culverts is in its final stage. However, the expansion work in the Sanga area has faced challenges due to steep terrain, making construction difficult.

Despite an agreement of over Rs 8bn for the project, the government has allocated only Rs 540m this fiscal year, which is just seven percent of the required budget. Officials say the lack of funds has caused delays in hiring workers, purchasing materials, and overall progress. They maintain that if the government releases the budget on time, the road can still be completed within the initial deadline.

The project also requires the construction of three new bridges, including those near Jagati and Mahadev Khola petrol pump, at an estimated cost of Rs 1bn. The feasibility study suggests each meter of bridge construction will cost Rs 1.5m.

A separate 1.5 to 2 km section in Sanga, where the road lanes are at different elevations, will not include service lanes due to challenging topography. Instead of constructing a tunnel, the expansion will proceed with modifications to the existing structure. The study also estimates that Rs 1bn will be required to compensate for acquiring 17 ropani of land for the project.

The Araniko Highway was initially constructed in 1960, with a right-of-way of 22.86 meters on either side. The same legal framework was upheld in 1964, and many houses along the road were built following this regulation.

With the reopening of the Tatopani border crossing with China, traffic on this highway is expected to increase further. Currently, over 1,000 long-distance vehicles depart from Koteshwor daily. The road is a crucial link connecting Kathmandu with the Mid-Hill Highway (BP and Pushpalal highways) to the east, as well as with the Koshi and Madhes provinces.

Remittance inflows increased 4.1 percent to Rs 763.08 billion in the review period compared to an increase of 22.2 percent in the same period of the previous year.

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) stated this in its report, 'Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal.' The report is based on six months data ending Mid-January, 2024/25.

In the US Dollar terms, remittance inflows increased 1.1 percent to Rs 5.58 billion in the review period compared to an increase of 19.5 percent in the same period of the previous year.

Net secondary income (net transfer) reached Rs 832.76 billion in the review period compared to Rs.799.54 billion in the same period of the previous year.

The number of Nepali workers, both institutional and individual, taking first-time approval for foreign employment stands at 230,439 and taking approval for renew entry stands at 162,628. In the previous year, such numbers were 206,390 and 133,940 respectively.

Meanwhile, Net services income remained at a deficit of Rs 43.53 billion in the review period compared to a deficit of Rs.35.43 billion in the same period of the previous year.

Under the service account, travel income increased 5.1 percent to Rs 41.86 billion in the review period which was Rs 39.82 billion in the same period of the previous year.

Under the service account, travel payments increased 9.7 percent to Rs 101.92 billion, including Rs 56.83 billion for education.

Such payments were Rs 92.87 billion and Rs 58.95 billion respectively in the same period of the previous year, the central bank stated in its report.

The gold is being traded at Rs 162, 800 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 15 and is being traded at Rs 1,895 per tola today. 

Charang and Chaile of Mustang are to get a 33kV substation soon. At an initiative of Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality of Mustang, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has initiated the process of constructing two 33 kV electricity substations in Charang and Chaile in Upper Mustang.

The NEA has prioritized the construction of a 33 kV electricity substation in order to solve the severe electrical problems faced by Mustang and to provide reliable power to the Korala border, which borders northern China, and its physical and technical management work has been underway.

The NEA had invited bids for the construction of 33 kV substations in Charang and Chaile in the previous fiscal year. Lopsang Chomphel Bista, chairperson of the rural municipality informed that the final decision on the substation contract called for by the Authority will be made by February. “The work on the extension of the power line has now reached the final stage. It will be decided soon which company will get the substation,” he said. “As soon as the contract is finalized, the construction of the substation will begin.”

As the substation contract process reaches the final stage, an on-site inspection of the site where the 33 kV electricity substation will be built in Charang and Chaile of Mustang has been conducted. According to chairperson Bista, the site for the 33 kV substation was selected two years ago. He claimed that the long-standing electricity problem faced by Mustang district will end forever after the construction of the 33 kV substation along with the expansion of the 33 kV transmission line.

Mustang has an 11 kV transmission line in operation. Due to this, there have been extreme problems in electricity supply time and again. Although the NEA has a 33 kV transmission line in Kowang, the lack of a 33 kV substation in the area above it used to cause a lot of trouble in electricity supply. When there was a technical problem with electricity in any place in Mustang, the entire district would be in darkness. Chairperson Bista said that if the NEA completed the construction of the 33 kV line and substation, such problems would not have to be faced, he said. The distance of the 33 kV substation is 50 km. The NEA has made preparations to place two substations at a distance of 103 km from Kowang to Charang. For this, the NEA had called for electricity substation contracts in October of fiscal year 2023.

Similarly, a contract for the construction of a 33 kV electricity substation in Upper Mustang was called for on 6 July 2023. The authority had signed a contract agreement with Paradise Builders to complete the work of expanding electricity poles and other works within two years at a cost of Rs 276.5m and the work has been started.

Santosh Pyakurel, electrical engineer of the company, informed that the work of 33 kV electricity transmission in Mustang has been completed and the work of pulling wires has begun. According to him, out of a total of 2,265 poles to be expanded, 1,800 poles have been expanded.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Bishnu Prasad Poudel, has said the government has focused its attention on the issue of protection of the Constitution, its effective implementation, development, good governance and permanent solution to various problems.

At a discussion with the newly elected team of the Rupandehi chapter of Federation of Nepali Journalists on Sunday, DPM Poudel clarified that the government brought ordinances in recent periods to resolve the existing problems of the country and its positive results would be gained gradually.

He urged media persons to publish and disseminate true information among the general people by studying thoroughly the content of the ordinances.

The DPM mentioned, "The incumbent government was formed in a difficult situation. The government has been taking the country towards a positive path. The alliance between the CPN-UML and Nepali Congress will last till 2084."

Attempts were made to spread rumor that the Social Networking Sites Regulation Ordinance is against press freedom and freedom of expression, he shared, clarifying that the government is always in favor of press freedom and freedom of expression.

DPM Poudel added, "Everyone should be responsible for their actions. Those doing good work should be rewarded and those doing crime should be punished."

He assured of providing support from his side to fulfill the plans forwarded by the FNJ Rupandehi and urged media persons to make the development activities carried out in Rupandehi as the matter of discussion.

Similarly, President of FNJ, Rupandehi, Dinesh Pandit, briefed DPM Poudel about the current situation and future plan of FNJ, Rupandehi.

President Ram Chandra Paudel attended the Basanta Shrawan ritual at Hanumandhoka Durbar Square premises this morning on the occasion of Basanta Panchami.

On the occasion, President Paudel listened to a special melody at the auspicious hour of 7:55 am and received tika and Prasad offered by the priest.

There is a tradition of listening to a special melody by the President from the position of the Head of the State on Basanta Panchami every year.

A contingent of the Nepal Army presented a guard of honor to President Paudel.

Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, National Assembly Chair Narayan Prasad Dahal, high-ranking officials of the government and chiefs of security bodies were present on the occasion.

The festival is celebrated as Shree Panchami and Saraswati Puja offering prayers to Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge.