National Economic Census to begin from mid-March
The government has planned to conduct the second Economic Census, 2025 from mid-March to mid-July.
The census aims to provide an accurate picture of the national economy through statistical information.
This information on it was shared at a program organized here to unveil the schedule, log and theme of the census. The census will be conducted under the theme of 'Economic Census for Measuring Economy' from March 15 to July 16, 2025, according to the National Statistics Office.
Office Spokesperson and Deputy Chief Statistics Officer Dhundiraj Lamichhane informed that details of the census would be released gradually starting from the fiscal year, 2026-27. He stated that the census is a significant initiative for gathering basic and reliable statistics, which are essential for formulating economic policies, plans and development strategies.
Lamichhane added that the main purpose of national economic enumeration is to collect data on the number, type, investment, employment, production, and service flow of industries, trade, businesses, services, cooperatives, and private–public institutions.
Shedding light on the objective and importance of the survey, Chief Statistics Officer Dr Kamal Prasad Pokharel said this census would play a significant role in building a strong institutional foundation of economic statistics. He underscored, "It is expected that the economic census will make a vital contribution in short-term and long-term economic plans prepared by the government, investment promotion and employment creation and receive details."
Strengthening of the estimates of gross domestic product of the country, production of necessary data to change the base of national accounts, formulation of policies and plans of the government and assessment of the goals sets by the government are other objectives of the economic census.
The government had conducted the national economic census for the first time seven years back.
A total of 923,356 business institutions across the country were recorded during the first economic census and 3.228 million people were involved in the business institutions.
Similarly, around 30 percent of business firms had women managers. There were equal numbers of formal and informal institutions, according to the first economic census.
Economic activities to be measured are divided into 21 parts as per international industrial categorization.
The study takes stock of the roles these sectors have played in the national economy. Basic information on 18 sectors out of 21 would be collected for the census.
Prohibitory order issued in Birgunj
The District Administration Office, Parsa has issued a prohibitory order in the city area of Birgunj metropolis after the protest against the vandalism of a mosque in Dhanusha turned violent.
The prohibitory order will be effective from 1 pm today.
According to the prohibitory order issued by Chief District Officer Bhola Dahal, no gathering, assembly, procession or demonstration of any kind will be allowed in designated areas of Birgunj Metropolitan City.
The administration has also warned that anyone violating the order will be taken into custody and taken stringent action as per the law.
Prohibitory order has been issued in the eastern area of Bus Park, the western area of Sirsia Bridge, the northern area of Power House Chowk, and the southern area of Shankaracharya Gate.
Earlier on January 4, the Muslim community had staged a protest in Birgunj following the vandalism of a mosque in Dhanusha.
A group of unidentified persons vandalized a mosque at a Muslim Tole in Sakhuwa Maran, Dhanukamala Municipality-6, Dhanusha, and burned a copy of the Quran, according to an information circulated on social media.
The demonstrators burnt tires on the streets and shouted slogans in various places including Ghantaghar in Birgunj and Murali among others.
A minor clash also broke out between protesters and police at Idgah Chowk in Chhapakaiya.
Police even fired five rounds of tear gas shells to control the situation.
A police man sustained minor injuries in the incident.
The protesters have demanded immediate arrest and action against those who entered and vandalized the mosque, the holiest place for Muslims, and burnt the religious book, Quran.
Kathmandu Valley witnesses coldest day in a year
Temperature in different places of the country including Kathmandu Valley has gone down today.
According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the mercury in Kathmandu Valley dropped to 3.5 degree Celsius today. It was 4 degree Celsius on Sunday.
Meteorologist Binu Maharjan said the Kathmandu Valley recorded its coldest day of the year today and the temperature will decrease gradually in the month of January.
The mercury has started decreasing across the country from mid-December 2025.
The temperature of Kathmandu Valley dropped to 4.9 degree Celsius on December 23, 4.8 degree Celsius on December 30, 4.6 degree Celsius on January 1 and 4.5 degree Celsius on January 3.
As per the details prepared by the Department, Jumla recorded the lowest temperature of minus 6.3 degree Celsius today. The temperature was minus 4.9 degree Celsius yesterday.
The maximum temperature is below 22 degree Celsius in the country.
The weather service further said the Tarai region of the country has been blanketed with fog and haze, while snowfall is occurring at some places of the mountainous areas.
Embassy urges people to remain alert from job scammers in the UK
The Embassy of Nepal in London has urged the Nepali citizens to remain alert in the wake of rising fraud cases under the pretext of offering a 'work permit' to Nepalis in the United Kingdom.
Issuing a press statement, the Embassy of Nepal made this appeal as several complaints on job-related sponsorship were received and has asked the Nepali citizens to remain alert in the UK against such commitments.
According to the Embassy, the number of people being cheated is high among those willing to arrive in the UK from Nepal.
Likewise, some of the Nepali jobseekers staying in the UK were also made the victims of such fraud cases, it is said.
The Embassy has suggested lodging applications in the local police units or the National Anti-Fraud Network (Action Fraud) in the UK and the investigation agencies in Nepal, as such crimes are punishable both in Nepal and the UK.
