Submit your Article

Senior citizens from Gamtha Village of Khatyad Rural Municipality-7 in Mugu have faced difficulty to receive social security allowance due to not having the national identity card.

Khimta Ghodashaini (69), Tuli Sanjyal (70), Purna Chandra Upadhyay (77), and Saura Devi Ghodashaini (64) complained that they were facing hardship to secure state entitlement.

The local levels are returning the elderly service seekers empty handed, reasoning that it was essential to produce the national ID card to claim allowance. On the other hand, it takes two to three days' trekking to reach the district headquarters, Gamgadhi, to prepare the national ID card. It has resulted in sheer harassment and deprivation to the senior citizens.

The senior citizens blamed that the local level did not pay heed to these problems. It could take initiative to resolve the problem, they argued.

Khamma Budha (71) from Khamale Village of Khadtyad wailed that he could not draw the money from the bank for a year due to not having the national ID card. He shared that he was struggling to manage daily spending. The money he receives as elderly allowance is deposited in his bank account.

There are more than 35 such senior citizens and a single woman at ward no 5 alone not getting access to the allowance.

Chauli Budha (84) from Khatyad shared the plight that she could not visit the district headquarters because of her poor health. So, she had no national ID card, which is now made mandatory to receive state entitlement.

Chairman of ward-5 at Khatyad, Chitra Bahadur Budha, however, blamed the bank for not providing the allowance to the senior citizens, reasoning the need for a national ID card.

There are over 145 senior citizens and a single woman registering their names for social security allowance in the ward. Most of them are not getting the allowance for lack of essential documents.

"The District Administration Office needs to conduct a camp to facilitate the distribution of national ID cards to the locals so that needy ones would get quick access to state entitlements," Chairman Budha demanded.

Meanwhile, Chief District Officer, Kamal Prasad Pande, informed that they were planning to conduct a public service camp to ensure services at people's doorsteps.

The government has added 433,703 taxpayers over the first eight months of the current fiscal year 2024-25. In the same period of the previous year, the number of taxpayers had increased by 426,330.

According to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), the total number of taxpayers reached 6,659,836 by mid-February of the current fiscal year. This represents a 6.97 percent increase in the number of PAN holders over the eight-month period. The total number of taxpayers stood at 6,226,133 in mid-February of 2024.

However, while the number of taxpayers has grown, revenue collection has not increased proportionally. This is largely because the majority of new registrations are for individual Permanent Account Numbers (PAN), which contribute less to revenue compared to business entities.

According to the IRD, individual taxpayers account for 69.3 percent, or 4,612,406, of the total taxpayers. Business PAN holders account for 30.2 percent, or 2,012,586, of the total taxpayers. The remaining 34,844 PANs, or 0.5 percent of the total taxpayers, have been issued to tax-exempt entities.

Total revenue collection has reached Rs 739bn as of March 24. According to the Financial Comptroller General’s Office (FCGO), tax revenue accounts for about 80 percent of the total revenue. The government has mobilized Rs 656.39bn in tax revenue, Rs 82.83bn in non-tax revenue, and Rs 9.20bn in grants as of March 24.

With less than four months remaining in the current fiscal year, the government has reached the halfway point in revenue mobilization. Total revenue mobilization stands at 52.08 percent of the
Rs 1,419.30bn target for the current fiscal year. Progress in tax and non-tax revenue collection stands at 51.11 percent and 61.32 percent, respectively.

Nepal’s revenue-to-GDP ratio, which was 9 percent in 1989-90, increased to 21.6 percent in 2021-22, only to decline to 17.8 percent in 2022-23. Similarly, the tax revenue-to-GDP ratio, which was seven percent in 1989-90, improved to 20 percent by 2021/22 but dropped to 16.1 percent in 2022-23, marking a 4 percent decline.

People living in coastal areas have been told to stay out of the ocean and away from beaches after a powerful 6.7 magnitude earthquake occurred off New Zealand's South Island, authorities said.

Residents in Southland and Fiordland should avoid sea areas because strong and irregular currents may pose a risk, according to the National Emergency Management Agency following Tuesday's earthquake, Alzajeera reported.
More than 4,700 individuals felt the quake, according to national seismic monitor Geonet, with New Zealand media reporting objects dropping and buildings swaying.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 30.52 points to close at 2,645.20 points on Monday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 4.76 points to close at 440. 34 points.

A total of 9,739,738-unit shares of 326 companies were traded for Rs 4. 48 billion.

Meanwhile, Guardian Micro Life Insurance Limited (GMLI) was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 9. 29 percent.

Likewise, Upper Hewakhola Hydropower Company Limited (UHEWA) was the top loser as its price fell by 4. 92 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 38 trillion.

The First National Water Conference has concluded, issuing a nine-point Kathmandu Declaration.

The two-day conference organized by the National Federation of Irrigation Water User’s Association, Nepal under the leadership of Water and Energy Commission Secretariat wrapped up Sunday evening. It was organized as part of the Nepal National Glacier, Water and Weather Week-2025.

The conference pledged to ensure sustainable use, conservation, management and regulation of water resources in accordance with the Integrated River Basin Plan with coordination and collaboration among the three tiers of government, development partner organizations, community organizations and other stakeholders by ensuring water good governance.

It pledged to strengthen the concerned government and non-governmental organizations regarding the proper use and conservation of water in the policy and legal provisions related to the use and conservation of water, to develop institutional capacity, to maintain legal harmony among the three levels while formulating their policies and laws by the provincial governments and local levels, and to work with priority in this sector by all levels of governments.

Similarly, the Declaration mentions adopting a policy of cooperation to support social and economic transformation by developing water resources through national and international cooperation, effective implementation of preparedness plans for natural disaster management, adoption of latest technologies to mitigate the impact of climate change, and proper use and conservation of water through climate resilient action plan.

It has pledged to develop sustainable infrastructure and provide services in the areas of water resources including drinking water, irrigation and hydropower.

The Water Conference concluded with commitments to broadening the scope of research and studies in water management, as well as acknowledging the importance of indigenous knowledge, skills, and technologies for the effective use and preservation of water resources.

Through the Declaration, it has been vowed to scientifically document, analyze, and enhance the use of available knowledge and data, while building and strengthening an integrated information system. Long-term integrated plans will also be formulated and implemented.

Similarly, the conference emphasized the development of a common platform for all stakeholders to promote the systematic management of water resources with the priorities to strengthen community leadership, capacity building capacity, and the continuity and promotion of successful practices.

The conference also reaffirmed its commitments for utmost utilization of the resources and support available from the Green Climate Fund to address the damages and losses caused by climate change in the water sector.

Moreover, the effective utilization of water resources in various areas such as hydropower, agriculture, irrigation, tourism, and drinking water will be prioritized. This approach aims to advance the country's prosperity through sustainable development, laying the foundation for economic transformation, industrial growth, job creation, and regional trade.

The Water and Energy Commission, in collaboration with stakeholders, has pledged to take a leading role in integrated water resource management, multipurpose use, conservation, and regulation efforts.

 According to Madhu Prasad Bhetuwal, the Secretary of the Commission, such conferences will continue in the years to come. He also reaffirmed the commitment to maintaining environmental balance, sustainably managing natural resources, ensuring the proper use and preservation of water, and preventing pollution in water resources.

An Israeli military attack on the largest hospital in southern Gaza killed two people, injured several more, and ignited a large fire, according to the enclave's Ministry of Health, Alzajeera reported.

The government stated that the Nasser Hospital's surgical building in Khan Younis was the target of the Sunday night attack. The incident occurred just days after Israel's surprise wave of airstrikes last week, which marked the start of Israel's war in Gaza, overflowed the facility with dead and injured.

On Sunday, a 16-year-old kid who had had surgery two days prior was one of the people slain. According to a statement from Hamas, Ismail Barhoum, a member of the political bureau of the organization, was also slain as he was undergoing medical care at the hospital.

Israel's military acknowledged the incident, saying it targeted a Hamas member. Israeli officials have routinely blamed civilian losses on the armed Palestinian group that controls Gaza, claiming that it purposefully operates in densely populated areas, Alzajeera reported.

Nasser Hospital, like other medical institutions in Gaza, has been damaged by Israeli raids and airstrikes during the conflict.

Israeli soldiers have murdered over 600 people since commencing their assault on the enclave, including dozens in the last 24 hours, according to Palestinian health officials.

 

The merger between Janamat Party and Nagarik Unmukti Party has been confirmed. On Saturday, Janamat Party Chair CK Raut and Nagarik Unmukti’s patron Resham Chaudhary announced their decision to unite the two parties to form a strong national political force.  

During Nagarik Unmukti’s central committee meeting, which was primarily focused on party unification, Raut delivered a special address. He acknowledged that not merging with Nagarik Unmukti in the past was a major mistake. “Had we united before the elections, we would have secured 20–21 seats. At that time, people didn’t vote for us with the belief that we would become a national party, but rather, they placed their trust in us. If we had united then, we could have won a significant number of seats,” he said.  

Raut stated that they are now ready to correct that mistake and urged people not to feel uneasy about the unification of Madhesi and Tharu-based parties. He also pledged to elevate the symbolic identity of Tharus, represented by the ‘Dhakiya’ (a woven basket), which is Nagarik Unmukti’s election symbol. “This unity is impossible without your consent. Only with mutual agreement and respect can we truly come together. I promise you that we will build a party that makes ‘Dhakiya’ a source of pride,” he declared.  

Raut also revealed that there were conspiracies to prevent the merger but affirmed their commitment to moving forward together. Speaking to ApEx after the meeting, he said the atmosphere was positive and that party unification was now certain. “I witnessed a very positive environment in the meeting. The merger is almost finalized,” he claimed. He also dismissed concerns about leadership disputes, saying, “Neither Reshamji nor I have any personal interests. We are far from chasing positions. Since both of our parties have been formed by the people, there will be no internal conflicts.”  

Nagarik Unmukti patron Chaudhary emphasized that unity should not be just political but also heartfelt. He urged Raut to be prepared to take a stand as an opposition leader if necessary. “If we don’t get justice, he may have to sit in the opposition bench in Parliament. We may even have to leave ministerial positions and take to the streets,” Chaudhary said.  

Nagarik Unmukti’s two-day central committee meeting has formed a task force to facilitate the merger with Janamat Party. The three-member committee will be led by Gangaram Chaudhary, with Sunita Chaudhary and Ramlal Dangoura as members. Earlier, in late February, Janamat Party’s central committee had also formed a similar task force, led by MP Abdul Khan, with Sharad Singh Yadav and Bal Govinda Chaudhary as members.  

Chaudhary also called on his wife, Nagarik Unmukti Chairperson Ranjita Shrestha, to join the unification effort. Addressing the central committee, he admitted that their past decisions had caused major setbacks. “Because of you and me, provincial governments collapsed. From today, let’s shake hands and move forward together. Everything will fall into place,” he said.  

He further reminded Shrestha that her access to Baluwatar (the Prime Minister’s residence) was made possible by Nagarik Unmukti’s 16 MPs. He warned that without these lawmakers, she would be left politically isolated.

Petroleum products worth Rs 122.2 billion have been imported through Birgunj border transit point in the last eight months of the current fiscal year, 2024/25.

The imported petroleum products include diesel, petrol, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and kerosene.

Petroleum products worth Rs 1.67 billion more were imported in the eight months of the current fiscal year as compared to the same period previous fiscal year, 2023/24. Petroleum products worth Rs 120.53 billion were imported in the eight months of the last fiscal year.

Deepak Lamichhane, chief customs administrator at Birgunj Customs Office, said revenue from import of petroleum products has also increased along with the imports in the current fiscal year.

"The import of petroleum products seems to have increased as it is the time for infrastructure construction," he said.

According to the Office, Rs 50.13 billion revenue has been collected from the import of all types of petroleum products in the eight months of the current fiscal year.

Revenue of Rs 44.80 billion was collected in the same period of the last fiscal year.

Chief Customs Administrator Lamichhane said Rs 27.31 billion revenue was collected from the import of 685,991 kiloliters of diesel worth Rs 61.45 billion in the eight months of the current fiscal year.

Similarly, 290,382 kiloliters of petrol worth Rs 25.30 billion was imported in the eight months of the current fiscal year, resulting in the collection of Rs 16.48 billion in revenue.

A total of 210. 42 million kilograms of LPG worth Rs 24.05 billion has been imported in the eight months of the current fiscal year. A total of Rs 4.5 billion revenue has been collected from this.

In the eight months of the last fiscal year, 186.812 million kilograms of LPG worth Rs 19.52 billion was imported, the Office said.