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The Ministry of Health and Population has issued a circular to provide minimum wages and benefits to nursing and health workers.

Chief of the Quality Measurement and Regulation Division of the Ministry Dr Raj Kumar Pandey has issued a circular to the government hospitals, medical colleges and all community private hospitals to provide minimum nursing facilities.

Division Chief Dr Pandey said that the circular was issued after receiving complaints from the Ministry regarding the benefits and facilities of nursing in particular.

Likewise, the ministry has also directed to make arrangements of additional allowance for works beyond the stipulated time, he added.

Hospitals have also been directed to appoint human resources on contract (appointment agreement), not to mobilize human resources on wage basis and not keeping the original educational certificate of the human resource at the office.

Similarly, a letter of experience should be provided after completing the work and the remuneration of nursing and other health workers should be provided only through the banking system.

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has earned a profit of Rs 9.11 billion in the first three months of the current fiscal year. This is the profit before tax deduction.

A total income, including interest and other revenue from mid-July to mid-September of the current fiscal year was Rs 41.80 billion and spending accounted for Rs 32.69 billion. 

During the reporting period, NEA spent Rs 32.69 billion for operating maintenance. Similarly, the electricity sale from various distribution centers was Rs 28.95 billion.

The NEA has purchased a total of 4.10 billion units from its own and subsidiary companies as well as other private manufacturing companies. NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising informed that a payment of Rs 21.09 billion was made for this purpose.

The winning team of the first edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) cricket tournament will take home Rs 11 million in cash, according to the organizer.

Among these teams, whoever secures second position will receive Rs 5.1 million in cash prize while the second runner up team will get Rs 2.5 million and the consolation prize is Rs 1.5 million, informed the organizer Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).

CAN's Spokesperson Chhumbi Lama added that the best player will be awarded with a car.

The franchise cricket league kicked off on November 30 at TU Cricket Ground at Kirtipur, Kathmandu. Eight domestic teams are in the fray in the competition that runs through December 21 this year.

The participating teams are Biratnagar Kings, Janakpur Bolts, Kathmandu Gurkhas, Chitwan Rhinos, Pokhara Avengers, Lumbini Lions, Karnali Yaks and Sudurpaschim Royals.

In the ongoing match, four teams have advanced to the playoff while four others have been eliminated from the competition, said the CAN.

The Kaski District Court has granted four days of time to the Nepal Police to keep Rabi Lamichhane, President of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and former home minister, in custody.

A single bench of district judge Himlal Belbase remanded Lamichhane for four more days, Spokesperson of District Police Office, Kaski, Basanta Kumar Sharma said.

So far, the court granted the Nepal Police to keep Lamichhane in police custody for the eighth time. Lamichhane was earlier arrested for an investigation into a case relating to the cooperatives’ funds misappropriation.

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has said the industrial customers would have to bear with power cuts in the evening time until the re-operation of Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project which was damaged by flooding and landslide on September 27 and 28.

NEA Managing Director Kul Man Ghising said it has been difficult to manage power supply in the winter, as the 456 MW-capacity Upper Tamakoshi Project's power generation has been closed due to the damage caused by the floods and landslide. Upper Tamakoshi is the largest among the hydroelectricity projects connected to the National Transmission Grid.

According to him, power supply to the industrial customers had to be cut down during the peak hour in the evening when there is high electricity consumption due to the problem to do with managing the demand.  

The NEA said although there will be some power cuts to the industrial sector with high power demand until power generation is started from the Upper Tamakoshi Project, power supply will be continued to other customers.

It clarified that power supply to the industrial zones had to be cut down to some extent because power production of the run-of-the-river hydropower projects decreases by one-third of their capacity in the winter season as the volume of water in the rivers and streams reduces, and the NEA has not been able to import power from India to meet the domestic demand in the peak hour.

Repair and maintenance of the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project is being carried out with the target of starting power generation by December 25.

According to NEA, the Central Electricity Authority of India has given permission to import up to 654 megawatts power daily, including 600 megawatts via the 400 kV Dhalkebar-Muzzafarpur Cross-border Transmission Line and 54 megawatts via the 132 kV Tanakpur-Mahendranagar Transmission Line, until March 15, 2025, for managing the power demand during the winter season.

However, there is the provision that electricity cannot be imported during the peak hour from 5p, to 9 pm, according to NEA.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 2.95 points to close at 2,633.87 points on Tuesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 0.37 points to close at 451. 66 points.

 A total of 8,939,348-unit shares of 318 companies were traded for Rs 4. 34 billion.

Meanwhile, Support Microfinance Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. (SMB) was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Kutheli Bukhari Small Hydropower Limited (KBSH) was the top loser as its price fell by 10.00 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 36 trillion.

There is no dearth of restaurants and bars in Kathmandu. But many options can mean you don’t know where to go when it’s time for some rest and relaxation. While some serve great coffee and cocktails, the ambiance can be a bit off-putting, especially in winter when you might want to bask in the sun or get cozy by the fire. Others might not have the mocktails and milkshakes you were looking for while being really high on aesthetics. But there are some places that get it all right. This week, we bring to you five places that are really good places to relax in and grab a drink while taking in your surroundings.

Evoke 

This popular restaurant is located in Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur, right opposite Hotel Vivanta. It’s a quaint little space with both outdoor and indoor seating areas. The food is great but the drinks are even better. Their coffee is just right, neither bitter nor sour. The price is also reasonable. Their garden area, with huge lush green plants, gives you a very cozy and calming vibe. House of Palettes is located in its premises so you also have the option to ‘paint and sip’ if you feel up to it and have some time to kill.

Roadhouse Cafe

Roadhouse is popular for their pizzas and pastas but a lesser known fact is that their mocktails hit the right spot. They seem to have recently revamped their menu and added some pretty cool drinks to the list. The cocktails are a bit on the stronger side so you will be getting value for money. But their range of teas and coffees and other non-alcoholic beverages are what makes us love this place. The good thing is that they have so many outlets, all around Kathmandu and Lalitpur, that you can just pop into one wherever you are.

La Terrasse 

This restaurant, bar, cafe, and bakery in Chundevi, Maharajgunj, was a relatively recent find for us. It’s a great place for hosting small events as well as basking in the sun on the terrace while sipping on some IPA. There is a range of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, with more varieties of beer than available elsewhere. Since it’s located on an inner road, it feels quiet and calm. You can choose to sit by yourself, sip on some coffee or cocktail and read or work without loud noises disturbing you.

Maak Ara

A place for great breakfast and amazing smoothie bowls, Maak Ara serves equally good drinks. The interesting names will have you chuckling and rolling your eyes but you can’t resist ordering a few. They pay attention to presentation, ensuring your drink is a visual treat as well. They don’t do very good matcha drinks but the rest are perfect. The music can be a bit loud on the weekends making conversations slightly difficult but their DJ knows how to mix music so you might not mind it all that much.

Filli Cafe

The winter weather calls for some hot tea, and there is perhaps no better place to have a cup than Filli Cafe. They have outlets in Labim Mall, Pulchowk, Lazimpat, Thamel, and even Boudha. Their milk teas are to die for and they have recently introduced a wide variety of Bubble Teas as well. You can also buy packs of tea to take back home. Their food menu is limited but the momos and sandwiches are delicious. 

The price of gold has increased by Rs 200 per tola in the domestic market on Tuesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 151, 400 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 151, 200 per tola on Monday.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1, 840 per tola today.