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The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) collected around Rs 5 billion in revenue in the first half of the current fiscal year 2023/24.

The collection is higher by around 350 million than that of the corresponding period in the last fiscal year.

KMC Revenue Department Chief Dhruba Kafle said that the highest revenue collection for the KMC was from the house rent tax at over Rs 1.35 billion followed by tax on property at over Rs 670 million.

The swelling in the size of taxpayers is attributed to increase in revenue collection. The KMC has aimed to generate over Rs 10 billion in revenue for the current fiscal year.

KMC has been collecting revenue under 36 different headings including property, home maintenance, business registration, advertisement, entertainment, real estate, VAT and vehicles among others, informed Kafle.

If revenue collection goes at the same pace, the KMC would meet its annual revenue collection target at the end of the fiscal year, he said.

The KMC intensifying the tax collection drive also led to collect the outstanding amount for a long thereby contributing to increase in revenue collection.

Soon after signing a long-term power-trade deal with India, Nepal is preparing to export 40 MW electricity to Bangladesh from July this year, according to multiple sources.

Officials from Nepal, Bangladesh and India are working to finalize the modality of power export as soon as possible. During Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s New Delhi visit in May last year, India had agreed to allow Nepal to export 40 MW power to Bangladesh through its grid.

From July, Nepal will start exporting 40 MW to Bangladesh, which will pave the way for more cooperation in the coming days, said a diplomatic source. Now, three countries are working to finalize the tariff and other details to operationalize the agreement.

Nepal and Bangladesh are also working to construct a dedicated transmission line for the export of up to 5000 MW to Bangladesh. But there has been no tripartite agreement regarding the construction of a dedicated transmission line that passes through the Indian territory.  Private investors from Bangladesh are keen to invest in Nepal’s hydropower sector.

The signing of a long-term power trade agreement between Nepal and India has boosted the morale of both Indian and Bangladeshi investors, said the source. With the export of electricity to Bangladesh, the dreams of regional power trade will start materializing, said the government official. Recently, Nepal signed an agreement with India for the export of 10,000 MW over the next 10 years. 

A contingent of 30-Armed Police Force (APF) personnel, under the command of an inspector, has been deployed at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to oversee customs checks.

The mobilization of the Armed Police Force (APF) in customs affairs aims to ensure effective customs checks and enhance security, said Dr Tokraj Pandey, the chief customs administrator of TIA.

"The decision to involve the APF in customs checks comes in response to the finance ministerial-level request and the decision of the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. The APF personnel are working in five shifts on a daily basis to conduct customs checks at the airport," he added.

The move to seek direct supervision and involvement of the APF in customs duties is expected to improve airport security and facilitate more effective service delivery.

I’m 25 years old and have just completed my bachelor’s degree. I’m currently looking for a job. I realize acquiring additional skills could have made my job search easier and quicker. My parents compare me with other people’s children and that is affecting my mental health. Despite putting in my best effort and working on self-improvement, the pressure from my family members overwhelms me. Due to budget constraints, I can’t spend quality time with friends, who mostly come from more financially privileged backgrounds. I find it challenging to understand why achieving goals is so difficult for someone like me who comes from a modest background.

Answered by Kapil Sharma, counseling psychologist, Nepal Institute of Mental Health

Firstly, Congratulations on completing your bachelor’s degree. It’s important to acknowledge your hard work and dedication, even when it gets challenging. 

Navigating family expectations is a common experience. It often leads to delays in career and personality development. It’s important to remember that everybody’s journey is unique and minimize comparison with others. Having an honest chat with your family is crucial. Let them know how their behavior is affecting you, creating a space for understanding and support. This step can contribute to fostering a healthier environment for personal and professional growth. 

Social comparison sometimes leads to social isolation, particularly when comparing oneself to individuals from financially stable backgrounds. Instead of prioritizing the number of friends, it is more beneficial to focus on building connections based on shared values and interests. True friendships come from sharing experiences and understanding each other, not from comparing financial stability. Instead of comparing yourself to others, consider comparing your current self with your past self.

You are worthy enough, you have to start believing in yourself. Achieving goals is a subjective matter, and your family background might not be the only reason why you are unable to achieve them. Other barriers might be at play. Your effort and progress are commendable, so it’s important to recognize and celebrate your small accomplishments as well.

If it’s challenging to achieve your goal, you can break down the goal into smaller, more manageable steps, making it easier to achieve them gradually. There are low-cost opportunities for skill development, such as online courses, workshops, and networking events.

If you are working on those aspects and find that life is still challenging, consider seeking support. Seeking support involves having open conversations with your family members, and discussing feelings and emotions. If you feel overwhelmed, helpless, or like nobody understands you, it might be a good idea to visit a mental health professional. They can provide valuable coping strategies, a safe space for self-reflection, and assistance in exploring emotions.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has instructed the relevant authorities to expedite the police adjustment process.

During today's meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, and security officials at his official residence in Baluwatar, the Prime Minister expressed concern over the sluggish progress in the police adjustment process, despite the enactment of the Nepal Police (Province Police Operation and Coordination) Act, 2076 BS.

According to the Prime Minister's Secretariat, he directed them to complete the process within the next 15 days.

In the meeting, the Prime Minister was concerned over the challenges arising from delays in enacting federal laws and executing the police adjustment, adversely affecting the functioning of provinces. He urged the concerned authorities to consider the matter seriously.

"The status of implementation of federalism has not met expectations, and provinces are experiencing direct consequences. The functions of Chief Ministers and provincial governments have been hampered, he said, adding that anti-federalist forces have got a chance to criticize the system and the presence of provincial governments due to this. He called for the prompt conclusion of the adjustment procedures within the next 15 days, in accordance with the Act.

Federal ministers, Chief Secretary Dr Baikuntha Aryal, Home Secretary Dinesh Bhattarai, Inspector General of Police Basanta Kunwar, and officials from the Home Ministry were present on the occasion.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 1, 200 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 118, 200 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 119, 400 per tola on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 117, 650 per tola. It was traded at Rs 118, 850 per tola.

Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 15 and is being traded at Rs 1,400 per tola today.

As many as 41 species of birds have been found in the Narayani River area in the course of the water bird census this year.

Bird census coordinator at Chitwan National Park Western Sector, DB Chaudhary informed that 41 species of birds have been found in the Narayani River area this year.

"In the census last year, 43 species of birds were found while of 41 species found this year", he shared.

According to Chaudhary, eight species of birds found last year were not seen during the count this year and six species of birds found this time around were not seen last year.

The bird census was undertaken by mobilizing four groups at Chitwan National Park towards Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta east) and Narayani River and wetland areas.

The bird census has been carried out in the Narayani River area every year as migratory birds come to the area from different countries including Mongolia, Burma, Siberia, China, Russia, Thailand and Korea.

Chaudhary said the overall number of birds has decreased this year as compared to last year. "This year too, we have seen a decline in the overall number of birds," he said, adding, "The number of birds in Nepal is gradually decreasing every year."

Chaudhary informed that the highest number of birds coming here from the northern hemisphere, including Siberia, to escape the cold, has decreased significantly this year. "This year, the number of ducks has decreased by 50 percent compared to the past," he said.

"The number of khoya ducks has decreased due to drying up of water in the Narayani River channel towards Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East). It is said that the number of dependent birds is decreasing due to the rise in pollution in the Narayani River.

He further said that the number of birds coming here has declined due to the decrease in the food found in the river and changing state of the habitat.

Chaudhary said the number of indigenous birds found in the Narayani River and wetlands, including the national park, has also decreased this year, which has increased the challenges in the field of bird conservation.

Baikal Gairi bird, considered the world's rarest bird, was found in Narayani River during this year's bird census. According to Bird Census Coordinator Chaudhary, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has also listed duck species in the red list of endangered species.

"Although the Baikal Gairi bird has been found in big rivers and lakes in Nepal, it has been seen for the first time in the Narayani River area," Chaudhary said".

The birds have come to the Narayani River area for food and rest while moving from north to south.

A person died in a cooking gas cylinder explosion at Phulbari of West Chitwan.

Police identified the deceased as 50-year-old Manish Thapa of Dairy Chowk, Bharatpur Metropolitan City-15.

Deputy Superintendent at the District Police Office, Chitwan, Shreeram Bhandari said it is suspected that Thapa was killed when the gas cylinder exploded while he was cooking food in his room on Monday.

The cooking gas explosion took place inside the compound of the Abinash Fertilizer Company.

DSP Bhandari said further investigation into the incident is underway.