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Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has inquired about the progress of Kathmandu-Tarai expressway achieved so far.

He also sought information on the existing problems and measures for the solution.

The under-construction Kathmandu-Tarai/Madhes fast track is a national pride project.

Discussion was held on it with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Bishnu Prasad Poudel; Minister for Physical Infrastructures and Transport, Devendra Dahal; Defense Minister Manbir Rai; PM's Advisor on Economic Affairs, Dr Yubraj Khatiwada; Chief of Army Staffs, Ashok Raj Sigdel; and high-ranking officials at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.

The Nepal​​​​​​​Army briefed the meeting about the problems regarding land acquisition at Khokana, the beginning point of the project located in the southern outskirt of the Kathmandu Valley and delay in removing tress in the project area.

On the occasion, the PM expressed the belief that there would be no compromise in construction of the project as responsibility for the construction of the project was given to the NA.

He urged the concerned ministries to bring proposals for the resolution of the problems in the Khokana area.

Construction of 70.97 km fast track had initiated in 2074 BS at a cost of Rs 211.93 billion.

A target has been set to complete the project in Chaitra 2083 BS.

However, the overall physical progress of the project is 37.6 per cent and financial progress 39.74 per cent so far.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 4. 45 points to close at 2, 711. 45 points on Wednesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 1. 07 points to close at 456. 04 points.

A total of 19,181,414-unit shares of 309 companies were traded for Rs 8. 95 billion.

Meanwhile, Upakar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ULBSL) and Chhyangdi Hydropower Ltd. (CHL) were the top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Samudayik Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (SLBSL) and Corporate Development Bank Limited (CORBL) were the top losers as their price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 49 trillion.

Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel has said the HPV vaccination campaign against cervical cancer has been launched to make Nepal healthy in the future.

He urged all to publicize and support from their respective places so that no girl is deprived of this vaccine. "The government aims to ensure that the target groups are not left out of the innoculation as vaccines and human resources have reached across the country. It will help build a healthy Nepal and the campaign will work to make Nepal healthy in the future," Minister Paudel said while addressing the inaugural program of the HPV Vaccination Campaign 2025 today.

Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Roshan Pokharel, said that the vaccination campaign has been launched with the objective of prevention of cervical cancer. "Every year, we will administer this vaccine to adolescent girls through a regular vaccination schedule and we want to ensure that every girl has a safe future," he said.

On the occasion, Director General of the Department of Health Services, Dr Bikash Devkota, said Nepal was proud to include this vaccine being used in 145 countries. "The cases of non-communicable diseases are increasing in the country and among them, the burden of cancer is further rising. Cervical cancer is diagnosed in six women and four of them die due to this every day in Nepal. Therefore, we have started the HPV vaccination campaign targeting the adolescent girls. This campaign is centred in schools. Girls missed out and the out-of-school girls will also be vaccinated," he said.

The Ministry has started the free HPV vaccination program against cervical cancer throughout the country from today. The vaccination campaign will last till February 18.

It is said, under the vaccination drive, 1,688,900 girls will be administered the vaccine that protects against cervical cancer.

Girls from grade six to ten and also the out-of-school girls aged 10-14 will be administered the HPV vaccines under this campaign. 

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has called for combined efforts from all for the success of the free human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign that commenced from today.

Inaugurating a nationwide campaign organised by the Ministry of Health and Population at Shivapuri Secondary School in Maharajgunj today on the occasion of World Cancer Day, he said the joint efforts of all concerned were essential to make the Healthy Nepal campaign a success.

PM Oli on the occasion stated that happiness and prosperity of mankind is the goal of the government, and the present government was active to free Nepali citizens from diseases and deprivation.

He also said that the government was aware that no one should fall sick and arrangements should be made for easy and quality treatment in case of illness.

The Prime Minister advised all to eat healthy and nutritious food only as the health of the citizens is at the centre of the Healthy Nepal Campaign.

He said cervical cancer could be eradicated as the Covid-19 pandemic has also been overcome with the joint efforts of all.

The Prime Minister wished that no girl in the designated group is deprived of the right to receive a free HPV vaccine against cervical cancer.

According to the Department of Health Services, girls from grade six to ten and also the out-of-school girls aged 10-14 will be administered the HPV vaccines.

It is said, under the vaccination drive, 1,688,900 girls will be administered the vaccine that protects against cervical cancer.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 14. 08 points to close at 2, 715. 91 points on Tuesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 2. 49 points to close at 457. 12 points.

A total of 16,917,835-unit shares of 315 companies were traded for Rs 8. 91 billion.

Meanwhile, Joshi Hydropower Development Company Ltd (JOSHI) ​​​​​​was the top gainer today with their price surging by 9. 98 percent.

Likewise, Corporate Development Bank Limited (CORBL), Green Development Bank Ltd. (GRDBL) and Sindhu Bikash Bank Ltd (SINDU) were the top losers as their price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 50 trillion.

The total expenditure of the Government of Nepal stood at Rs.667.60 billion during six months of FY 2024/25.

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) stated this in its report 'Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal (Based on Six Months Data Ending Mid-January, 2024/25)', quoting the Ministry of Finance, Financial Comptroller General Office (FCGO).

The recurrent expenditure, capital expenditure and financial expenditure amounted to Rs 452 billion, Rs 56.94 billion and Rs 158.66 billion respectively in the review period.

In the review period, total revenue mobilization of the Government of Nepal (including the amount to be transferred to provincial and local governments) stood at Rs 559.61 billion.

The total revenue comprises of tax revenue amounting Rs 489.40 billion and non-tax revenue Rs 70.21 billion in the review period.

The Cash Balance at various accounts of the GoN maintained with NRB remained Rs 297.70 billion (including Provincial Governments and Local Government Account) in mid-January 2025.

Such balance was Rs.83.99 billion in mid-July 2024.

Provincial Government Expenditure and Revenue In the review period, total expenditure of provincial governments stood Rs 44.81 billion and resource mobilization stood Rs 84.91 billion.

The total resource mobilization of provincial governments includes the grants and revenue transferred from the Government of Nepal amounting Rs 67.17 billion and revenue and other receipts of the provincial governments amounting Rs.17.74 billion in the review period.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 1, 900 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 164, 700 per tola today. 

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 20 and is being traded at Rs 1, 390 per tola today.

British Princess Sophie has arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

She arrived in Kathmandu this morning by Qatar Airlines flight (QR 652).

Her husband Prince Edward will arrive in Kathmandu by Air India flight at 2 pm today.

The royal couple will have high-level meetings during their stay in Nepal.

Their visit to Nepal will focus on youth empowerment, healthcare, women's rights and conservation.