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The gold is being traded at Rs 152, 000 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the silver is being traded at Rs 1, 810 per tola today. 

Baglung Municipality has been declared as a child-friendly municipality after all 14 wards of the municipality fulfilled the 51 indicators of the National Strategy of Child-Friendly Local Governance.

For this, the municipality had already invested around Rs 30 million in social development and construction of child-friendly infrastructures in the last two years.

Earlier, Galkot Municipality of Baglung district was declared child-friendly.

According to Baglung Municipality Mayor Basanta Kumar Shrestha, child-friendly infrastructures were constructed, various interaction programmes were conducted and facilitators deployed at the ward-level.

He added that all indicators related to child-friendly schools, infrastructures and child health were fulfilled.

The municipality has allocated Rs 12.5 million in the current fiscal year alone for carrying out all activities and programmes for declaring a child-friendly local government.

The budget includes construction of child-friendly school buildings, drinking water facilities and toilets.

Mayor Shrestha said that the campaign to include children in social programs to form children's clubs in every locality, and to end child marriage and child labour has already been completed.

He said that now the focus has been on preparing a national plan for sustainability with the announcement of the Municipality as a child-friendly city.

Kathmandu, Jan 5: Prime Minister and CPN UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli claimed that there was a gradual improvement in national economy since the formation of the incumbent government.

Presenting the political report in the central committee meeting of the party at Chyasal, Lalitpur on Sunday, Chairperson Oli however admitted that the economic recovery had not yet gained a remarkable momentum.

In his report, Oli cited the notable outcomes of the incumbent government such as ensuring political stability, increased confidence in the private sector, higher revenue collection, rise in capital expenditure and import and capital market as compared to previous fiscal year.

The report mentions formation of a high-level Economic Reform Recommendation Commission for taking measures to improve national economy.

According to the report, the government fulfilled payment obligation and introduced a dozen of laws, regulations, procedures, directives and legislations and enforced them o strengthen national economy. The political report, taking pride in Nepal's improved sovereign credit rating, boasts that Nepal stands as the second most investable country in South Asia after India.

Oli outlined government's efforts and initiatives such as devising legal framework to address the anomalies plaguing the cooperatives sector, taking action against fraudulent cooperatives, repaying depositors' money and forming of an Authority to regulate the cooperatives sector.

Although the report highlighted a notable improvement in energy, trade and infrastructures sectors, as well as efforts to resolve farmers' issues and gradual improvement in public service delivery, PM Oli asserted that those sectors were not still far from challenges.

While the government's actions were positive, the report emphasized the need for additional efforts to deliver on development and meet citizens' expectations.

The PM has stated that the government had embraced austerity measures to implement a disciplined working system and focus on projects of national pride instead of scattering the budget on small projects.

In his report, he argued that a foundation was laid to bring vitality to the country's economy through various initiatives taken by the government. "The external economic factors are relatively stable. Cash deposits for investment have increased in banks, remittance inflows have risen, interest rates have been lowered to single digit, and inflation is under control," Oli said during the central committee meeting.

In his report, Oli suggested four immediate measures to address the anomalies in the cooperative sector. "Taking firm action against fraud, repaying depositors, establishing a high-powered authority to regulate cooperatives, and creating a security fund to protect depositors' funds in the future should be top priorities," Oli stated.

He emphasized that the government is resolute in holding accountable those responsible for embezzling cooperative funds. Oli also mentioned that some political parties or individuals are trying to politicize ongoing investigations and prosecutions by portraying them as targeted attacks, but these allegations have been proven false through the investigation process.

He stressed that individuals who have not committed any wrongdoing should not fear the judicial process. PM Oli announced that Rs 1.55 billion was repaid to 6,000 depositors from three troubled cooperative organizations out of the 22 troubled cooperative organizations.

The Chairman has however admitted in the report that excessive liquidity and political instability were behind slow development works.

He also accused the erstwhile government of creating atmosphere discouraging foreign investment, fueling corruption and embezzlement of government funds. Such malaises created a parallel economy denting formal economy of the country, he added. "The construction entrepreneurs did not get payment on time, while development projects were foisted randomly for political interests.

Several projects were scattered and without resources. Such ill practices ruined development ecosystem, which needs immediate correction," PM Oli underlined. Moreover, he said although present government took positive initiatives for economic reform, these were not adequate. "People are awaiting speedy development and delivery with the formation of government comprising two big parties," he said, drawing attention that the reconstructions in Jajarkot and Rukum Paschim districts were not initiated despite passage of more than one year since the earthquake, while people suffering floods in the ultimate days of last September were also in need of rehabilitation.

According to the PM, some of the challenges at present were- farmers not ensured proper price of their products; problems of sugarcane farmers still unaddressed; development works not gaining pace; and delivery of public service slowed and investment atmosphere elusive. 

Most of the parts of the country will witness cloudy weather due to the partial influence of the western low pressure systems.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the weather will be partly to generally cloudy this afternoon with chances of light rain in the hilly areas and snowfall in the mountainous areas on Monday.

Meteorologist Binu Maharjan of the Division said the weather will be generally cloudy in the eastern region of Karnali, Lumbini, Gandaki, Bagmati and Madhes provinces and partly cloudy in Koshi and Sudurpaschim provinces.

The weather will be partly to generally cloudy in the hilly and mountainous regions of the country this afternoon.

Light snowfall will occur at some places of the high hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi and Gandaki provinces tonight. "There will be dense cloud on Monday than today with the possibility of light rainfall in the hilly regions of Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces," he said.

The minimum temperature in Kathmandu has increased slightly compared to Saturday.

According to Division, the minimum temperature in Kathmandu was recorded at 7.2 degrees Celsius this morning.

It was recorded at 5.9 degrees Celsius on Saturday. Meteorologist Maharjan said that the minimum temperature has increased slightly due to cloudy sky in Kathmandu at night. 

Eminent ophthalmologist Prof Dr Sanduk Ruit has been awarded with this year's Shreepati Social Service National Award in Pokhara.
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The award, instituted by Shreepati Koirala Guthi based in Pokhara Metropolis-9, Mahendrapul, has been conferred on Ruit in recognizing his contribution to keep the country's name high at international level in the area of health and humanitarian services.

Chairperson of Pokhara Ward-9 Chair Dipendra Marsani among others presented Rs 222,222 along with Shreepati Social Service Medal and copper plaque to Dr Ruit, who is also the Executive Director and founder of the Tilganga Eye Foundation, at the 32nd Annual General Meeting of Guthi on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ruit said that the award motivated him to become further responsible and pursue more social service.

Similarly, senior journalist Narayan Karki has been honoured with the Social Journalism Award.

In recognition of his contribution to social service through journalism, he was honoured with a cash prize of Rs 22,222 along with a shawl and a letter of appreciation.

Secretary of Shreepati Koirala Guthi, Nawaraj Koirala said that Shreepati Social Service National Award has been given to personalities working in the fields of disaster relief and relief assistance, education, culture, health services, science technology, social awareness, humanitarian service and community development for the country and people.

"Dr Ruit has been honoured for his contribution in the field of humanitarian services, especially in eye treatment," he said.

A six-member committee comprising social workers and intellectuals was formed under the coordination of Guthi Chair Phanindra Raj Koirala to select the awardees.

Earlier, Maiti Nepal, National Innovation Centre, Padma Bhawani Model Vidyashram of Sarlahi and Bindhyavasini Religious Area Development Committee of Pokhara have received the award. 

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli commended the activism of women people's representatives in enhancing the legitimacy of local government and ensuring effective public service delivery.

Addressing the 'She Leads Icon' programme organized by an organization, Kalpa, to honour women people's representatives on Friday, PM Oli further praised the representatives' leadership in upholding the dignity.

He asserted, "While the literacy rate among women was dismal in the past, we see them in the leadership position in the present. It is a huge achievement of political changes."

Stating that 40 per cent of the people's representatives in the local level are women, the Head of the Government observed, "It is a progressive representation, which needs further increase."

On the occasion, PM Oli honoured 27 women representatives for their excellence in delivery of public services.

Likewise, three women representatives were conferred on the 'Icon Award'. 

Kathmandu, Jan 3: Minster for Foreign Affairs, Arzu Rana Deuba, paid tributes to former US President and Nobel Laureate, Jimmy Carter, by expressing grief over his demise.

Reaching the US Embassy in Kathmandu today, Foreign Minister Rana signed the Book of Condolence opened in memory of former President Carter.

She extended heartfelt condolence on the behalf of the government, the people of Nepal and her own on the passing of Carter.

The Foreign Minister said Carter was a true friend and well-wisher of Nepal as well as exemplary figure in philanthropy, peace and democracy.

"Carter's contributions were widely admired for their lasting impact on upholding human rights and democratic values. His legacy of peace, benevolence will forever be cherished and will continue to serve as an inspiration to the people around the world", writes Minister Rana.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has expressed grief over the demise of a child singer Sachin Pariyar.

PM Oli took to social media and shared his sorrow over Pariyar's death. "I'm aggrieved over the death of child singer Sachin Pariyar.

This incident reflects adverse impact of family discord and viral trend of social networks on a talent child, giving a message that we need to be cautious while responding to sensitive issues of social relations.

Heartfelt tribute to child singer, Sachin!" Pariyar aged 13 died at TU Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu on Thursday morning at 10:45am. ----