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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.

The average earnings per share (EPS) of commercial banks have decreased by Rs 5.37 over the past five years. A study of the financial statements of 20 commercial banks shows that the average EPS of commercial banks fell to Rs 14.71 in mid-Jan 2025, compared to Rs 20.08 in mid-July 2021.

 EPS is an important indicator for evaluating a company’s profitability. It is calculated by dividing the company’s net profit by the number of shares. A drop in EPS indicates declining profitability for banks. With non-performing loan (NPL) levels rising, banks are forced to set aside a substantial portion of their profits for provisioning, which has impacted their net profit.

The average EPS of Class ‘A’ banks, which was Rs 20.08 in mid-Jan 2020, increased to Rs 23.28 in mid-Jan 2021. Since then, the average EPS of banks has declined continuously. It fell to Rs 20.14 in the second quarter of 2022, Rs 16.78 in 2023 and Rs 14.71 in 2024.

The average EPS of commercial banks has fallen by Rs 2.07 over the past year. Data shows that the average EPS of commercial banks dropped to Rs 14.71 in the second quarter of 2024/25, compared to Rs 16.78 in the same quarter of 2023/24.

NIC Asia Bank has seen the biggest drop in EPS during the review period. Data shows that the EPS of NIC Asia fell to Rs 2.04 in the second quarter of 2024/25, down from Rs 25.59 in the same quarter of 2023/24. Next is Rastriya Banijya Bank Ltd, which saw its EPS fall from Rs 25.78 in the second quarter of the previous fiscal year to Rs 9.76 in the same quarter of the current fiscal year.

Siddhartha Bank Ltd, Asian Development Bank Ltd, Kumari Bank Ltd, Standard Chartered Bank Ltd, Prime Commercial Bank Ltd, Citizens Bank International Ltd, and Nepal Bank Ltd have also seen declines in EPS during the review period.

Eleven commercial banks managed to increase their EPS over the past year. NMB Bank reported the biggest growth of Rs 6.84 in EPS among the 20 commercial banks in the country. Next was Nepal Investment Bank Ltd, with EPS rising by Rs 6.04.

Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Ltd reported the highest EPS of Rs 32.67 in the second quarter of 2024/25. Everest Bank Ltd, Nabil Bank and NMB Bank Ltd followed, with EPS of Rs 32.06, Rs 25.05 and Rs 21.82, respectively.

NIC Asia Bank reported the lowest EPS of Rs 2.04 in the second quarter.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 2. 41 points to close at 2, 730. 00 points on Monday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 1. 23 points to close at 459. 61 points.

A total of 23,770,348-unit shares of 319 companies were traded for Rs 11. 87 billion.

Meanwhile, Upakar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ULBSL) and Bhugol Energy Development Company Limited (BEDC)​​​​​​ were the top gainers today, with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Green Development Bank Ltd. (GRDBL) and River Falls Power Limited (RFPL)​​​​​​​ were the top losers as their price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 52 trillion.

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has announced that there will be disruption in supply of power in Kuleshwor, Baneshwor, Jorpati, and Kirtipur distribution centers in Kathmandu for eight days starting from today.

The electricity supply to these areas is being cut off in order to underground the electrical distribution lines, NEA stated.

NEA Project Management Directorate has stated that electricity supply will be cut off from 11 am to 4 pm in the locations under those feeders today.

According to the Directorate, there will be power outages in the areas around the Bhatkekopul bridge (Chabahil) on Monday, the areas around the Kalanki Land Revenue Office on Tuesday, the areas of Balkumari, Imadol, and Lubhu on Wednesday, the areas from Naikap to Balambu on Thursday, the areas from Balkhu to Chobhar Gate on Friday, and the areas under the Jorpati feeder from Baba Chowk to the Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Similarly, it has been announced that the area from Gaushala Chowk to Old Baneshwor on Monday and the area from Ratopul to Gaushala on Tuesday will experience power outages.

Apologizing for the disruption of electricity supply over eight days, the authority has stated that there will be no 'shutdown' if the weather remains unfavorable.