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The government felicitated top taxpayers from a wide range of sectors on the occasion of National Tax Day 2025 on Monday. At an event organized by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) in Kathmandu, Minister for Finance Rameshore Prasad Khanal presented certificates of felicitation to individuals, firms, and institutions that made the largest tax payments in fiscal year 2024/25.

At the top of the individual income taxpayer list was Raj Bahadur Shah, who, the IRD said, contributed the highest personal income tax. Similarly, Nepal Telecommunications Authority topped the list of government institutions, while Third Eye International was declared the highest-paying entity in the sole proprietorship category. 

In the export-focused segments, Dabur Nepal Pvt Ltd paid the highest tax in goods exports, while Verisk Nepal Pvt Ltd was the highest taxpayers in IT-related service exports. Poshan Breeder Farm Pvt Ltd was honored for paying the most taxes in the agriculture sector, while Nepal Investment Mega Bank was the top taxpayer in the banking and financial sector and Nobel Medical College and Teaching Hospital in the health and education institutions sector.

Soaltee Hotel Ltd was honored in the tourism category, while Bhat-Bhateni Super Store once again emerged as the largest income tax contributor in retail trading. Among mid-sized companies recording Rs 500m to Rs 1bn annual transactions, CDS and Clearing Ltd received the top honor.

The energy sector distinction went to Bhotekoshi Power Company Ltd, while IME Ltd topped the remittance segment. Nepal Telecom was recognized separately for having consistently cleared the highest amount of value-added tax on time from 2019/20 through 2024/25. In the special-industry category, the award was presented to Unilever Nepal Ltd. 

Similarly, the Baglung Tax Office was declared the year’s best-performing tax office. Addressing the ceremony, Min Bahadur Gurung, Chairperson of Bhat-Bhateni Superstore expressed dissatisfaction over accusation of involvement in fake VAT billing. He also recounted the heavy damage sustained during the GenZ protests, when 12 Bhatbhateni outlets were burned and several others vandalized or looted. 

“Bhat-Bhateni was targeted during the protests because of rumors that we promised to build an office for a political party. We have supported various political groups over the years,” Gurung said. ““Whatever we gave, we gave from what remained after paying taxes.”

According to the IRD, the annual recognition aims to strengthen trust in the tax system and promote greater compliance among taxpayers.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 3, 800 per tola in the domestic market on Tuesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 239, 500 per tola today.  It was traded at Rs 243, 300 per tola on Monday.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 3, 090 per tola.

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development of Nepal Dr Madan Prasad Pariyar today attended the Thirtieth Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), being held in Belém, Brazil, from 10–21 November 2025, renewing its call for stronger global climate justice efforts.

The Ministerial segment of COP30 officially began this morning with remarks from Vice President of Brazil Geraldo Alckmin, the President of COP30 André Corrêa do Lago, ministers, and senior UN officials.

In his address, Minister Pariyar highlighted Nepal’s major climate challenges—ranging from retreating glaciers and severe drought to unseasonal floods and impacts on agriculture, reads a statement issued by the Nepali Embassy in Brazil.

He outlined Nepal’s ambitious NDC3.0, which charts a trajectory toward zero emissions by 2045. “As one of the world’s most nature-connected nations, our forest cover now exceeds 46 percent."

Calling on developed countries to fulfill past commitments on climate finance, the minister added that it is the duty of every country to submit ambitious NDCs, fulfill treaty obligations, and honor the ICJ Advisory Opinion on climate justice.

He emphasized that all parties, including emerging economies, must engage constructively to keep the 1.5-degree goal within reach.

Minister Pariyar also pressed for the urgent need to integrate a dedicated mountain agenda into UNFCCC processes, referring to the Sagarmatha Sambaad held in Kathmandu in May this year, according to the statement.

Prior to his statement, Minister Pariyar interacted with stakeholders—both present in Belém and online—on progress made so far and the way forward. Participants were briefed on Nepal’s engagements in various agenda areas, including climate finance, adaptation, Loss and Damage, transparency, Global Stocktake, gender, and mountains.

Apart from his intervention at the plenary, Minister Pariyar also attended important side events and engaged at both bilateral and multilateral levels.

Attending an event organized by the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative aimed at achieving a just and equitable transition away from fossil fuels this morning, the minister outlined Nepal’s plans to scale up clean-energy practices, including the increasing adoption of EVs and electric ovens.

Also today, he joined the Ministerial Meeting of LDCs, which marked the handover of the presidency of the LDC Group on climate change.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Pariyar appreciated the contributions of Malawi as the outgoing Chair in advancing the Group’s priorities, while pledging Nepal’s solidarity and support to the incoming presidency of Timor-Leste, the statement further reads.

Later in the afternoon, he joined ministers from member countries of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) to amplify collective efforts to protect climate and biodiversity by safeguarding big cats. As a founding member of IBCA, Nepal reiterated its firm commitment to advancing the Alliance’s goals.

As part of his bilateral engagements, he met yesterday with Ibrahim Cheikh Diong, Executive Director of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage. The two sides exchanged views on opportunities for Nepal to access financing from the Loss and Damage Fund for suitable national projects. Minister Pariyar is scheduled to meet Bhupender Yadav, India’s Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, on the sidelines tomorrow.

Nepal will host a side event entitled “Sagarmatha to Belém: Advancing Climate Action”, with the objective of reviewing progress made since the adoption of the Sagarmatha Call for Action and developing strategies to advance the mountain agenda within the UNFCCC processes, according to the statement.

Ministers and senior officials from mountainous countries, along with UN officials, will be attending the event.

He is also scheduled to participate in the Ministerial event “Melting Point and the 1.5°C Goal: Global Impacts of Cryosphere Loss and Pathways to Return from Overshoot”, organized by the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative.

The Minister, who arrived in Belém on November 15, is scheduled to return home on November 19.

Kathmandu Gorkhas began their second season of Nepal Premier League (NPL) campaign with a five-wicket victory over defending champion Janakpur Bolts in the opening day-night match played under floodlights at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Monday.

Chasing a target of 131, Kathmandu reached 131/5 in 18 overs. Ben Charlesworth powered the innings with a blistering 46 off 23 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes. Opener Aakash Tripathi anchored the chase with 39 runs from 45 deliveries. Though the Gorkhas lost quick wickets in the middle overs, short cameos from Milind Kumar (19), John Simpson (13) and Mohammad Aadil Alam (8* off 4) ensured a comfortable finish.

Earlier, Janakpur Bolts posted 130/6 in their 20 overs after being put in to bat. Aasif Sheikh top-scored with a fluent 54 off 41 balls, while Mayan Yadav contributed an unbeaten 34 off 29. Janakpur struggled for momentum as Kathmandu’s Milind Kumar produced an excellent spell, taking three wickets for 15 runs. He was awarded man of the match. Santosh Yadav and Shahab Alam claimed one wicket each, while Karan KC picked up one wicket but was expensive.

The Gorkhas dominated the powerplay with 55 runs without loss and maintained control throughout the chase.

The tournament continues tomorrow with Chitwan Rhinos facing Kathmandu Yaks at 11:45 am, followed by a day-night clash between Biratnagar Kings and Pokhara Avengers at 4:00 pm, both matches set to be played in Kirtipur.

I started my journey in scientific learning at the age of five. I self-studied geography, the shape of countries, their flags and capital cities. Using my globe, I could name a large portion of the countries, and their geographical boundaries. At the beginning, my major learning source was an educational YouTube channel called ‘Kids Learning Tube’. I continued my journey by uncovering the 118 elements in the Periodic Table. I studied the names and symbols of the elements. 

On a momentous day in UKG, I received homework to draw the Solar System. Ever since I received this homework, I illustrated more versions of the Solar Systems, and grew an immense passion for astronomy. By watching astronomy videos on Kids Learning Tube, I studied the five dwarf planets, the asteroid belt, the Kuiper belt, the Oort cloud and other astronomical and interstellar objects. 

As my curiosity grew with age, I branched out my interests into a wide spectrum of science related topics, especially astronomy and astrophysics. I acquired more sources of learning through the YouTube channel Kurzgesagt. They explore topics related to science, philosophy and mathematics through animated videos. Cell To Singularity, was another source of learning that helped me answer my curiosity on Human evolution. It is an educational app which progressively explores the fruits of evolution in a tech tree. There are also continuous 3-day events, which explore other branches of knowledge, such as the Extinction Events, the Philosophy Events, the James Webb Space Telescope event.

My list of leaning through the years:

• The entirety of the Solar System, from formation to its end.
• The Milky Way Galaxy.
• The Big Bang Theory.
• The Big Rip Theory.
• The Big Crunch Theory.
• Heat Death.
• Stars: their formation, their classification and their end.
• White Dwarfs, Black Dwarfs
• Supernova, Black hole, Neutron Stars and Gravastar.
• The Human Immune System.
• The deadliest diseases: Malaria, Rabies, Naegleria Fowleri etc.

When it comes to science my greatest inspirations are Albert Einstein: The Father of Science, Nikola Tesla: The greatest Inventor and Stephen Hawkings for his theorem on Black Holes. Science is not just a subject; it has become a way of life. It’s like the Dharma that one lives with every day. I have barely scratched the fundamentals of science, and I aspire to explore even deeper expanding my knowledge. Science knows no Country because Knowledge belongs to Humanity and is the torch that illuminates the world.

Binayak Shrestha

Grade VI

Aarambha Sanskar Vidyalaya

Defending champions Janakpur Bolts and Kathmandu Gurkhas are locking their horns in the opening match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) beginning today.

The match will begin at 4 pm in the Kirtipur-based International Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground.

In the first edition of the NPL, Janakpur had easily defeated Kathmandu.

Janakpur which was under the leadership of Pubudu Dassanayake, also the former coach of the Nepali national team, in the first edition now is playing under the leadership of Shivnarine Chadrapaul of the West Indies.

Likewise, Kathmandu has appointed Monti Desai of India as the main coach of iots team for the second edition.

Monti is also the former chief coach of the Nepali national team.  

The price of gold has increased by Rs 500 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 243, 300 per tola today.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 3, 155 per tola today.

The average deposit rate offered by commercial banks has fallen further in November/December, reflecting subdued credit demand and a slowdown in economic activities.  A study of interest rates for the new month published by 20 commercial banks show that the average maximum interest rate on individual fixed deposits has declined compared to October/November.

The average maximum interest rate on personal fixed deposits dropped by 0.160 percentage points to 5.0405 percent for November/December.

Lower deposit rates typically pull down lending rates, creating conditions that should encourage businesses and individuals to borrow more. In theory, cheaper credit stimulates investment, boosts consumption, and supports overall economic activity. However, despite the steady decline in interest rates in recent months, credit growth has remained weaker than expected.

Among the 20 commercial banks, 10 have reduced their maximum rates on personal fixed deposits for Mangsir, while the remaining 10 have kept their rates unchanged.  

Banks that reduced their fixed-deposit rates include NIC Asia, Prime Commercial, Standard Chartered, Nabil, Siddhartha, Kumari, Sanima, Himalayan, Nepal SBI and Citizens Bank. Agricultural Development Bank, Everest, Nepal Bank, Laxmi Sunrise, Machhapuchchhre, Prabhu, Rastriya Banijya, Global IME, Nepal Investment Mega and NMB Bank, however, have kept their rates unchanged.

Most banks offer lower rates for short-term fixed deposits and higher rates for deposits with longer terms. Global IME Bank has offered the highest interest rate of six percent for individual fixed-term deposits of three years or longer. On the other hand, Standard Chartered is offering the lowest interest rate of 4.7 percent.

Bankers say the downward adjustment reflects the system’s excess liquidity and the inability to expand lending in a sluggish economy. Slow project spending, weak private-sector demand, and cautious borrowing behavior have limited credit growth this fiscal year, reducing banks’ need to compete aggressively for deposits.

Meanwhile, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has continued to absorb liquidity from the market even for longer durations through tools such as deposit collection auctions and the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) as banks are awash with loanable funds.