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The National Planning Commission (NPC) has proposed a slew of relief measures and financial incentives to support the reconstruction of private infrastructure damaged during the GenZ protests in September last year.

As per a detailed action plan prepared by the commission, all reconstruction works will be completed within three years. 

The total damage sustained by the private sector has been estimated at Rs 33.54bn. This includes losses suffered by business establishments (Rs 27.49bn) and private homes (Rs 6.05bn). An insurance claim of Rs 23bn has been made for losses incurred by the private sector.

The NPC has proposed 10 types of facilities for the private sector to assist in reconstruction or renovation of infrastructure damaged during the protests. It has suggested that local governments waive off building drawing approval fees for rebuilding damaged private structures. Likewise, it has called for property tax exemptions for up to three years for affected private businesses, depending on the extent of damage.

To ease financial stress on the private sector, the NPC has urged the government to make necessary arrangements for immediate disbursement of insurance claims for insured properties. If insurance companies are facing problems in disbursements due to liquidity shortages, the NPC has proposed the government to provide businesses short-term loans at concessional interest rates.

Similarly, NPC has urged provincial governments to waive off vehicle taxes when deregistering vehicles that were completely destroyed during the protests.

For businesses struggling with liquidity, the commission has recommended restructuring their existing loans. It has proposed allowing companies whose working capital assets were fully damaged to convert their loans into installment-based financing upon request. These restructured loans could retain their existing classification status until the end of the current fiscal timeline, providing relief from immediate financial penalties, NPC added. In addition, the NPC has called on the government to extend the deadline for loan rescheduling and restructuring for affected businesses until mid-July 2026. 

The NPC has also proposed concessional lending for reconstruction. Borrowers seeking loans to rebuild homes, commercial buildings or other physical assets could access credit at a fixed interest rate capped at a base rate plus a premium of just 0.5 percent for up to five years.

Similarly, individuals, who suffered losses while inside public offices during the protests, would be provided compensation for damage to private vehicles, mobile phones, laptops and clothing that claims of such losses are supported by official police documentation. Concerned District Administration Offices would be responsible for distributing relief amounting to up to 25 percent of the total loss to such individuals.

Meanwhile, the NPC has estimated that a total of Rs 36.3bn will be required for reconstruction and management of damages on public property across all three tiers of government. Of this, the federal government will bear the largest share at Rs 24.69bn, followed by Rs 3.74bn by provincial governments and Rs 7.86bn by local levels.

According to the NPC, Rs 19.98bn will be needed for repair and reconstruction of buildings, Rs 6.16bn for procurement of vehicles, and Rs 10.15bn for recovery of other assets.

In terms of annual spending, NPC has said that the federal government may have to allocate Rs 4.34bn in the current fiscal year and Rs 10.17bn each in the following two years. Similarly, provincial governments would require Rs 810m this year and Rs 1.46bn annually for the next two years, while local governments are projected to spend Rs 1.42bn this year and Rs 3.21bn annually over the next two years.

To arrange resources for reconstruction, the NPC has advised the government to cut small, fragmented projects that do not yield immediate results. It has also recommended fully implementing the policy of not undertaking infrastructure projects costing less than Rs 30m at the federal level. The NPC has said that such projects could be transferred to lower tiers of government through conditional grants. It has also suggested discontinuing smaller-scale programs funded through conditional grants.

The Chitwan National Park in Chitwan district recorded a notable surge in tourist arrivals this fiscal year compared to the previous one. 

The number of visitors to the Park and its buffer zone community forest rose by 12,412 in the eight months of the current fiscal year 2025/26 compared to the same period last year.

The Park welcomed 168,695 visitors this year, up from 156,283 during the same period last year.

According to Abhinash Thapa Magar, Information Officer at the Park, among the visitors exploring the Park, the most striking number has come from within the country. 

The Park received 104,096 domestic tourists, a significant rise from 81,246 in the previous year.

Likewise, Information Officer Thapa shared that 9,544 visitors arrived from SAARC countries, while 55,055 tourists came from other countries as of mid-March. 

Last year, the Park had received 14,207 visitors from SAARC countries and 60,830 from other countries. 

While arrivals from SAARC countries and other international destinations showed a slight decline, the overall numbers remained strong, noted Thapa.

Chitwan National Park spanning across 952.63 square km is a sanctuary for 68 species of mammals, 544 species of birds, 56 species of reptiles and amphibians, 126 species of fish. 

Known for its rare and diverse wildlife, the country's first national park continues to captivate visitors. 

Officials said that the Park's major attractions include endangered one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, bear, elephants, gharial crocodiles along with a wide variety of bird species, said officials.

With a surge in the visitors' number, the Park recorded a strong revenue collection, generating over Rs 175 million in revenue in the last eight months with eco-tourism contributing to the lion's share.

Additional income has come from forest products, penalties and other sources.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 7, 800 per tola in the domestic market on Friday.  

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 294, 500 per tola today.   It was traded at Rs 302, 300 per tola on Thursday. 

Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 115 and is being traded at Rs 4, 895  per tola.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) surged by 64. 69 points to close at 2, 877. 03 points on Thursday. 

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 11. 63 points to close at 494. 19 points.

A total of 56,920,608-unit shares of 342 companies were traded for Rs 1. 66 billion.

Meanwhile, Corporate Development Bank Limited (CORBL), Salapa Bikas Bank Limited (SABBL) and Reliance Spinning Mills Limited (RSML)​​​​​​​ were the top gainers today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Similarly, Nepal Life Samriddhi Lagani Yojana (NSY) was the top loser as its price fell by 5. 12 points. 

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 87 trillion.