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The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 38.81 points to close at 2,755.47 points on Wednesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 3.33 points to close at 480. 90 points.

A total of 17,183,854-unit shares of 316 companies were traded for Rs 9. 31 billion.

Meanwhile, Bishal Bazar Company Limited (BBC), Karnali Development Bank Limited (KRBL), Corporate Development Bank Limited (CORBL), Sindhu Bikash Bank Ltd (SINDU) and Support Microfinance Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. were the top gainers today, with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Mithila LaghuBitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (MLBBL) 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. 57 trillion.

The National Farmers’ Commission has urged all three tiers of government to introduce a pension scheme for farmers and formulate necessary policies, laws, and procedures to support this initiative. Emphasizing the critical role of farmers in Nepal’s economic development, the commission highlighted the need to prioritize their social security and improve their livelihoods. To this end, the commission proposed establishing a contribution-based farmers’ fund, which it believes will strengthen farmers’ social security and make agriculture a more attractive occupation. Discussions on this matter have already been held with provincial and local governments in Surkhet.  

Tek Bahadur Bogati, a commission member, underscored the importance of acknowledging farmers’ contributions to the economy. He stated that farmers, who sustain the nation through their labor, deserve respect and support from the state. Social security, including pensions, is essential to recognize the lifelong efforts of farmers and ensure their well-being.  

In addition to pensions, the commission recommended several measures to enhance the quality of life for farmers. These include establishing an agricultural labor bank at the local level to support farmers and their families, providing quotas for higher education to children of farmers who work at least 100 days a year, and offering concessions on healthcare and electricity. The commission also suggested maternity allowances for female farmers, paid leave for agricultural workers, and increased budget allocations for agriculture, recommending a minimum of 10 percent of the total budget. Furthermore, the commission proposed the establishment of a farmers’ bench in courts to provide legal aid, production-based subsidies to encourage productivity, awards for outstanding farmers, and free telephone and internet services to facilitate agricultural consultations.  

However, farmers in Karnali expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of farmer-friendly policies and ineffective delivery of state services. Many complained that the actual beneficiaries are often excluded due to bureaucratic hurdles and the dominance of middlemen in the agricultural sector. Farmer Nita Chand emphasized the need for targeted subsidy programs for commercial farmers, while Ram Bahadur Shahi pointed out that middlemen hinder improvements in farmers’ living standards.  

Local leaders echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for better coordination among federal, provincial, and local governments to address the challenges in agriculture. Bir Bahadur Giri, Chairperson of Barekot Rural Municipality, stated that effective solutions to agricultural issues require strong coordination between all levels of government. Similarly, Sunita Sapkota, Deputy Mayor of Sharda Municipality, highlighted the necessity of unified efforts to bring about meaningful reforms.  

With 32,600 households in Karnali engaged in agriculture, as reported by the National Census 2021, the commission’s recommendations aim to tackle persistent challenges and ensure that farmers’ contributions are recognized and supported, fostering a more secure and sustainable future for those in the agricultural sector.

The Millennium Challenge Account Nepal (MCA-Nepal) has relaunched the call for bids to construct a 297-kilometre power transmission line.

The transmission line to be built under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Nepal Compact will strengthen Nepal’s power transmission network. The bid submission deadline is set for January 30, 2025, with construction divided into three lots: Lapsiphedi-Ratmate-New Hetauda, Ratmate-New Damauli, and New Damauli-New Butwal, MCA-Nepal said in a press release.

The relaunch follows a comprehensive review of the previous bidding process and includes design optimizations, improved access to tower locations, and updates to commercial terms based on bidders’ feedback. These adjustments address the main cost drivers identified in the initial bids, ensuring more feasible and cost-effective proposals.

On August 30, 2024, MCA-Nepal successfully awarded a USD 12.36 million contract to Transrail Lighting Ltd. to construct the 18 km Nepal portion of the Butwal-Gorakhpur transmission line, which will be completed within 21 months. “After securing the contract for the 18 km segment, we are confident the redesigned requirements for the remaining 297 km will attract strong market interest and competitive bids,” said Khadga Bahadur Bisht, Executive Director of MCA-Nepal.

The relaunch marks another milestone in the progress of the MCC-Nepal Compact, which achieved significant progress over the past year. With contractors already working on the three 400 kV substations and the 18 km transmission line, MCA-Nepal is on track to implement the remaining segments, further strengthening Nepal’s energy infrastructure.

MCA-Nepal said it is committed to the successful execution of this procurement and the transmission line construction works while meeting the environmental and social standards of both the Government of Nepal and MCC.

The 13th Nepal-Africa Film Festival is going to be held in Kathmandu in the third week of January, 2025. The event is being organized by the College of Journalism and Mass Communication (CJMC) and Bilakshan Creation.

Festival director Dabbu Chhetri said that with the announcement of the date for the festival, applications have been called for participation in the film festival.

"The event is being organized with the objective of promoting cultural exchange between Nepal and Africa. It helps us understand Africa. Besides Africa, we have added international films in the festival," he said, adding that the festival will feature Nepali feature films, short films, documentaries as well.

According to Chhetri, films only from Nepal and Africa were included in the festival, but this time films from other countries are also invited for participation under the 'international category'.

The deadline for registration of films is December 31. The festival will also feature a film workshop, interaction on the topic of Nepali films and other side events.

Shey-Phoksundo Lake, the country's deepest lake, also known as the blue diamond, continues to attract domestic and foreign tourists despite constant fall in temperature here.

Chief Conservation Officer at Shey-Phoksundo National Park Nurendra Aryal informed that a total of 1,632 tourists, both domestic and foreign, visited the Phoksundo Lake area between mid-July and mid-October.

Number of domestic tourists visiting the panoramic lake is higher in comparison to the foreign tourists. In the last five months, 326 tourists from SAARC and other countries visited Shey-Phoksundo, generating revenue of Rs 1.053 million, he said.

According to the Park, revenue of Rs 6.57 million has been collected from the sale of forest produce, eco-tourism and charges since the beginning of the current fiscal year till October.

Laxman Devkota, a local of Tripurasundari Municipality-1, said the number of domestic tourists has been increasing in the last few years as Dolpa is a place of beautiful religious and tourist destinations like Phoksundo Lake, Tripurasundari Temple, She-Gumba and Dho Tarap.

He said the number of tourists would increase significantly if Nepalgunj-Dolpa flights are regularized, Bheri corridor is improved and hotels are properly arranged.

According to hoteliers of Dunai, the district headquarters, Dolpa will benefit from domestic tourists rather than foreigners in terms of trade and business promotion.

Most of the tourists come here on motorcycles as they can easily reach Dunai by motorcycle and other vehicles through Nepalgunj-Surkhet-Jajarkot-Rukum route.

In recent times, cooperatives have faced criticism, but women-led initiatives have proven their potential to succeed. The Women’s Small Farmers Agricultural Cooperative Organization, located in Khairahani Municipality-10, Kathar, Chitwan, stands as a testament to this success.  

While savings and credit cooperatives often face challenges, most agricultural cooperatives, like this one, operate efficiently. According to Managing Director Purnamaya Adhikari, the cooperative’s strength lies in its honesty, transparency, and the commitment of its all-women membership.  

When asked about achieving a 100 percent loan recovery rate, Adhikari said, “A woman cannot succeed without family support. Women are generally more cautious about debt. They ensure loans are utilized properly, knowing they must repay them to maintain their social standing.”

Adhikari explained that loans are issued only after thorough discussions in group meetings held at the ward level, in the presence of cooperative employees. The process includes monitoring the purpose and progress of the borrowers, ensuring funds are used effectively.  

The cooperative, which has 1,835 female members, also allowed five widowers to join after their wives' deaths. It has transformed 125 members into entrepreneurial farmers and supported 195 in animal husbandry and agriculture, while 235 have ventured into other businesses.  

The cooperative provides loans at 14 percent interest for education, real estate, and vehicles, but rural enterprise loans are offered at a concessional nine percent interest rate. Through the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Rural Enterprise Finance Project, members can access loans of up to Rs 5m at subsidized rates. The cooperative itself received Rs 20m for setting up a rice mill, which processes and packages locally grown rice.  

The mill has resolved long-standing issues of market access and unfair pricing for farmers. Local farmer Kamala Bhandari shared her experience: “After the mill started, we didn’t have to search for buyers or accept unfair prices. I’ve been able to send my children to school with my agricultural income, and they’re now employed.”

Cooperative President Geeta KC highlighted how rural enterprise loans have empowered members by eliminating middlemen and ensuring fair prices. She remarked, “Previously, farmers suffered from middlemen’s exploitation. The subsidized loan enabled us to run the mill and secure fair prices for our members.”

The ADB’s National Director for Nepal, Arno Koshwa, praised the initiative, saying it has commercialized farming and liberated farmers from exploitative practices. “Business requires investment, knowledge, and skills, and this cooperative has successfully combined all three,” Koshwa said during a project monitoring visit.  

The Women’s Small Farmers Agricultural Cooperative Organization is not just a strong example of women’s empowerment but also a model for agricultural cooperatives striving for sustainability and farmer welfare.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 900 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 149, 600 per tola today.

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 10 and is being traded at Rs 1,830 per tola today.

Candidates are busy wooing voters in the by-election for vacant ward chairperson to be held on December 1 in Hetauda Sub-Metropolis-12.

All the candidates and party leaders in the election fray are trying to woo the voters in their favor. All the candidates have presented development works as their top priority.

The post of ward chair has remained vacant after Lalit Bahadur Ghalan, who was elected the ward chair in the local polls held in May 2022, was later elected the chief of the District Coordination Committee, Makawanpur.

Nepali Congress has fielded Arjun Tiwari, CPN -UML Rajesh Nagarkoti and CPN (Maoist Center) Rabin Pradhan for the by-election to Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City-12.

Nepal Communist Party (Unified Socialist), Rastriya Swatantra Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party are also contesting the election by challenging the big parties. 

Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has presented Ashabir Bal, Unified Socialist Party Balaram Bal and Rastriya Prajatantra Party Prem Lama.

According to the Office of the Chief Returning Officer, 12 candidates including nine from nine parties and three independents are in the fray for the by-election.

In the previous local elections held in 2019, there was a tough competition between the three main parties.

The Maoist Center has a challenge to keep its legacy while the UML and NC are under pressure to maintain their prestige.

It may be noted that CPN (Maoist Center)'s Lalit Bahadur Ghalan had won the election by securing 1,371 votes. His arch-rival Arjun Tiwari of Nepali Congress got 1,340 votes while Rajesh Nagarkoti of CPN-UML got 1,325 votes.

NC and UML have fielded the old candidates while the CPN (Maoist Center) has fielded fresh candidates. This has made the election interesting.