Day: May 12, 2024

Kathmandu: Air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley has decreased with the occurrence of rainfall. On May 2, the federal capital was listed the world's most polluted city with an Air Quality Index of 162. Today, it suggests a rapid drop in the pollution level to be ranked at 50th position. According to the Air Quality Index (AQI) data, the Kathmandu Valley's AQI has been measured at 56. The containment of wildfires with the rainfall for the past few days has played a significant role in the improvement of the air quality. Air pollutants have been minimized with the favorable situation, said wildfire expert Sundar Sharma. An AQI of 0-50 is considered good for public health and it is indicated by a green signal while AQI of 51-100 is moderate and marked by yellow, but it still warns us to be careful. It is unhealthy specifically for sensitive groups such as those who have respiratory and cardiac issues if the AQI reaches 101-150 and is highlighted by orange. Similarly, an AQI of 151-200 is indicated by red to suggest that it is unhealthy for all, 201-300 is highlighted by purple and it is very unhealthy. An AQi of 301-400 is hazardous and that of 401-500 is highly hazardous to health and is denoted by maroon, according to disaster management expert Dr Dharmaraj Uprety. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq today said discussion with International Labour Organization (ILO) is going on regarding the amendment of Bangladesh's labour act, on 41 points. 'We are holding discussion with ILO on 41 points to amend the labour act. Of those, we talked about 17 points today during our around two-and- a-half-hour discussion. We will hold discussion tomorrow on remaining 24 points,' the minister told newsmen after coming out of his meeting with ILO delegation at the ministry this afternoon. Anisul said during today's meeting, ILO gave some advices on amendment of Bangladesh's labour act, adding, 'We are holding discussion on how much those advices are logical for our country's interest. Detailed discussion is going on, which of those advices would be acceptable to us and which wouldn't be.' Replying question on whether the discussion was satisfactory, the law minister said that there were some topics, which were certainly satisfactory as the di scussion was held in detail. He said the meeting would be held tomorrow as well, starting from 11.30 am. A six-member ILO delegation led by its country office director Tuomo Poutiainen joined the discussion, while Law and Justice Division Secretary Md Golam Sarwar and Labour and Employment Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain, were present at the meeting, among others. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, Bhanubhakta Joshi, has underscored on unity and cooperation among all sides for securing political stability. He said so while addressing to the 'office-level quarterly review and interaction on federal, provincial and local-level service delivery and development projects' organized by the District Coordination Committee Kavrepalanchok in Dhulikhel today. Minister Joshi urged all sides to unite so as to achieve political stability. "Let us not be divided as ruling side and opposition side for political stability. Time has come for all sides to be united for political stability. Removing the doubts among the citizens by providing political stability is a matter of challenge to all sides and let us all sides become united for the same," he said, adding that political stability gives continuity to sustainable development and innovation. Both the ruling and opposition sides have equal responsibility for building a prosperous and beautiful country, Ministe r Joshi opined. The Federal Affairs and General Administration Minister asserted that it is the patriotic employees who provide good governance to the citizens. "It is the responsibility of the employees to provide good governance in a way the people feel it. Work towards dissipating the narrative in the public sphere that 'it is the employees who are to blame for the mismanagement', reviewing how the services could be improved," he said. According to him, all the issues pertaining to the employees would be solved with the implementation of the Federal Civil Service Act. He also expressed regrets over not being able to initiate new works in 104 local levels as the Rs 880 million that was demanded for implementing the innovation programme at these levels was not released. He stressed on the need of resolving the difficulties seen in the constitution implementation with all sides working together. Mayor of Banepa Municipality, Shanti Ratna Shakya, Panauti Municipality mayor Ram Sharan Bhandari, Mandandeupu r Municipality mayor Tok Bahadur Waiba, Namobuddha Municipality mayor Kunsang Lama, Mahabharat rural municipality chairman Kanchha Lal Jimba and the District Coordination Committee deputy-chief Rim Bahadur Tamang said the local level people's representatives and employees should be conscious of good governance. On the occasion, Humkala Pandey, Secretary at the Bagmati Province Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers, Chief District Officer of Kavrepalanchok, Rudra Devi Sharma, Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) district president Badri Raj Timilsina, among the speakers suggested on paying attention to making the service delivery at local level prompt and efficient. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Sylhet Education Board fell at the bottom of this year's SSC and equivalent examination results in terms of pass rate. The Jashore education board witnessed the highest 92.33 percent pass rate while 73.35 students became successful in Sylhet board, according to the results published here today. The pass rates of other nine education boards are: 89.26 percent in Rajshahi Board, 89.13 percent in Barishal Board, 85 percent in Mymensingh Board, 83.92 percent in Dhaka Board, 82.80 percent in Chattogram Board, 81.38 percent in the Technical Education Board, 79.66 percent in the Madrasah Board, 79.23 percent in Cumilla Board and 78.33 percent in Dinajpur Board. A total of 20, 13,597 examinees appeared in the SSC and equivalent examinations this year. Of them, 16, 72,153 students passed the examinations. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Most of economic indicators based on the nine months data ending mid-April are positive in the country. Till mid-May of the current fiscal year, the CPI-based Inflation remained within the expectations while a balance of payment remained at a surplus and the foreign exchange reserves increased. According to the report about the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal issued by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) today, CPI-based Inflation remained 4.61 percent on y-o-y basis compared to 7.76 percent in the corresponding period last year. Food and beverage category inflation stood at 5.21 percent whereas non-food and service category inflation stood at 4.14 percent in the review month. Under the Food and Beverage Category, y-o-y price index of spices sub-category increased 22.64 percent, vegetable 16.99 percent, pulses and legumes 10.94 percent, cereal grains and their products 7.59 percent and non-alcoholic drinks 6.06 percent in the review month. The y-o-y price index of ghee and oil su bcategory decreased 10.10 percent in the review month. Under the Non-Food and Services Category, y-o-y price index of miscellaneous goods and services sub-category increased 12.81 percent, recreation and culture 12.61 percent and education 7.31. The y-o-y price index of transportation sub-category decreased 0.33 percent in the review month. The y-o-y consumer price inflation in the Kathmandu Valley, Terai, Hill and Mountain region stood at 4.06 percent, 4.58 percent, 5.33 percent and 4.32 percent respectively in the review month. Such inflation in these regions was 8.57 percent, 7.68 percent, 7.01 percent and 7.47 percent respectively a year ago. Remittance inflow up Remittance inflows increased 19.8 percent to Rs.1082.62 billion in the review period compared to an increase of 24.2 percent in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, remittance inflows increased 17.7 percent to 8.15 billion in the review period compared to an increase of 13.9 percent in the same period of the previous year. In the review period, the number of Nepali workers, both institutional and individual, taking first time approval for foreign employment recorded 329,422 and taking approval for renew entry recorded 212,721. In the previous year, such numbers were 387,839 and 217,959 respectively. The current account remained at a surplus of Rs.179.48 billion in the review period against a deficit of Rs.60.43 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the current account registered a surplus of 1.35 billion in the review period against a deficit of 468.3 million in the same period last year. In the review period, capital transfer decreased 19.2 percent to Rs.4.78 billion and net foreign direct investment (FDI) remained a positive of Rs.6.48 billion. In the same period of the previous year, capital transfer amounted to Rs.5.91 billion and net FDI amounted to Rs.2.62 billion. BOP in surplus Balance of Payments (BOP) remained at a surplus of Rs.365.16 billion in the review period against a surplus of Rs.174.28 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the BOP remained at a surplus of 2.75 billion in the review period against a surplus of 1.32 billion in the same period of the previous year. Gross foreign exchange reserves increased 24.2 percent to Rs.1911.86 billion in mid-April 2024 from Rs.1539.36 billion in mid-July 2023. In the US dollar terms, the gross foreign exchange reserves increased 22.7 percent to 14.36 billion in mid-April 2024 from 11.71 billion in mid-July 2023. Of the total foreign exchange reserves, reserves held by NRB increased 25.4 percent to Rs.1688.21 billion in mid-April 2024 from Rs.1345.78 billion in mid-July 2023. Reserves held by banks and financial institutions (except NRB) increased 15.5 percent to Rs.223.65 billion in mid-April 2024 from Rs.193.59 billion in mid-July 2023. The share of Indian currency in total reserves stood at 21.6 percent in mid-April 2024. Based on the imports of nine months of 2023/24, the foreign exchange r eserves of the banking sector is sufficient to cover the prospective merchandise imports of 15 months, and merchandise and services imports of 12.5 months. The ratio of reserves-to-GDP, reserves-to-imports and reserves-to-M2 stood at 33.5 percent, 104 percent and 28.9 percent respectively in mid-April 2024. Such ratios were 28.8 percent, 83.0 percent and 25.0 percent respectively in mid-July 2023. Government expenditure reaches over Rs 909 billion, revenue collection at Rs 748 billion The government's expenditure amounted to Rs.909.39 billion and revenue collection Rs.748.04 billion Compared to the growth of 18.7 percent in the last fiscal year, government expenditure decreased by 3.6 percent in the review period. The recurrent expenditure, capital expenditure and financial expenditure amounted to Rs.644.03 billion, Rs.97.38 billion and Rs.167.99 billion respectively in the review period. 31. In the review period, total revenue mobilization of Nepal Government (including the amount to be transferred to pro vincial and local governments) stood at Rs.748.04 billion. Revenue mobilization recorded a growth of 9.4 percent in the review period in contrast to a decrease of 13.4 percent in the same period of last fiscal year. The tax revenue amounted Rs.671.12 billion and non tax revenue Rs.76.93 billion in the review period Broad money (M2) increased 7.5 percent in the review period compared to an increase of 6.4 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year. On y-o-y basis, M2 expanded 12.3 percent in mid-April 2024. 35. The net foreign assets (NFA, after adjusting foreign exchange valuation gain/loss) increased Rs.365.16 billion (25.1 percent) in the review period compared to an increase of Rs.174.28 billion (15.1 percent) in the corresponding period of the previous year. 36. Reserve money increased 6.4 percent in the review period compared to an increment of 2.5 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year. On y-o-y basis, reserve money increased 14.6 percent in mid-April 2024. Total trade deficit decreased 2.8 percent to Rs.1053.42 billion during the review period. Such a deficit had decreased 17.1 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year. The export-import ratio remained at 9.8 percent in the review period same as in the corresponding period of the previous year. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Rajshahi Education Board (REB) has attained 89.26 percent pass in the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations in 2024. The previous year's result was 87.89 percent pass. This year, pass rate and the number of students obtained GPA-5 were increased under the board. REB Chairman Professor Dr Oliul Alam confirmed the matter around 11.30 am today. A total of 28,074 students got GPA-5 in the current year's SSC examinations against the previous year's 26,877, he said, adding: "This year, 77,558 students came out successful while the number of unsuccessful students is 21,739." A total of 2,00,245 students, including 97,187 girls, appeared in the SSC examinations under the board this year. Of them, 95,648 students, including 44,458 girls, from Science group while 98,214 students, including 5,022 girls, from humanities and 6,383 students, including 1,967 girls, from business studies took part in the public examinations. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: President Ramchandra Paudel and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' had a meeting today. The meeting between the Head of State and the Head of Government was held at the Rastrapati Bhawan, Shital Niwas this afternoon. Discussions were held on the contemporary topics of the country during the meeting, said the President's private secretariat. Source: National News Agency Nepal

A Dhaka court today granted bail to 12 people, who were arrested in vandalism and arson case for engaging into a fight with police while demanding extension of age limit of entry into the government service to 35. People who secured bail are- Mamun Rashid, Rasel, Humayun Kabir, Al-Amin, Sheikh Farid, Azam Mohammad, Saddam Hussain, Abdul Hakim, Rima Akhtar, Sharmin Akhtar Brishti and Manik Das. As they were produced before the court this morning, the Investigating Officer (IO) of the case requested to keep them in jail until the trial ends. Meanwhile, the lawyers of the defendants prayed for granting their bail. After hearing both the parties, Metropolitan Magistrate (MM) Mahbub Ahmed granted their bail on 2000 taka bond each. According to the case, the defendants held a procession and meeting with various banners and festoons at TSC intersection of the Dhaka University on Saturday on May 11. At one stage of the procession, they stopped the traffic by sitting on the road at Shahbagh intersection, a very i mportant intersection of the city. As the movement of the University students and hospital going people along with commoners were being greatly hampered, Police requested them to free the road. Being interrupted, they first brawled with the duty traffic sergeants and Police officials and later started fighting. During the fight, they vandalized cars and even tried to ignite vehicles with fire. Sub-Inspector SM Alice Mahmood filed case the with Shahbagh Thana against 400/500 anonymous people on the charges of illegally gathering on the roads, vandalizing cars, arson, obstructing government works and threatening to commit suicide. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Former Prime Minister and coordinator of Nepal Samajbadi Party Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has said that a stable political system is necessary to improve the economy in the country. In an interaction held today at Kawasoti in Nawalpur, Nawalparasi (Bardghat Susta East), Dr. Bhattarai called for political stability and a change in the political structure to improve the economy. "To improve the state of the economy, serious reforms are required. For that, it cannot be done without serious intervention in the political sphere. As long as the current unstable political system remains, political stability and appropriate political leadership will not develop. Therefore, it is necessary to change the political structure for the development of the country," he said. According to him, in the current system, the government changes in six months and there is no priority for development, so change the political system by creating a directly elected president, a directly elected chief minister and a proportional parliament . "The government has changed in six months. It has not been able to work even on primary issues. Therefore, reform is necessary to have a directly elected presidential system and a chief minister, a full proportional parliament," Dr. Bhattarai suggested. Similarly, he stressed on the need to create a People's Lokpal who is made accountable to the Parliament for corruption control. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today invited the Italian businessmen to invest in Bangladesh to grab potential of its local markets along with the entire south and south-east Asian markets as her country is in the centre of opportunities. "Businessmen and investors can invest in Bangladesh's special economic zones," she said while Italian Ambassador in Dhaka Antonio Alessandro called on her at her official residence Ganabhaban here. Prime Minister's Speech Writer M Nazrul Islam briefed the newsmen after the meeting. Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh also has a huge domestic market apart from South and South-East Asian markets. "Bangladesh can be the big central market encircling South Asia and South East Asian markets," she said. The prime minister said after 2026, Bangladesh will step into the developing country's arena as she sought Italian assistance to continue her country's GSP plus facilities to export Bangladeshi items to the European countries. Sheikh Hasina also emphasised increasing trade between th e two countries, saying, "There is an ample scope to increase trade and commerce between the two countries." She called for exploring and utilising those opportunities as well. About the illegal migrants in the European countries including Italy, the prime minister said the government is taking all-out initiatives so that none illegally enters any overseas country. "It is very much regretful that many people including Bangladeshis died in Mediterranean Sea while going to the European countries," she observed. She mentioned that her government is taking highest efforts so that no one goes to any country illegally. "For that, we are taking legal steps as well as creating awareness among the people," she said, briefly elaborating various measures of her government. The premier requested Italy to take more Bangladeshi manpower through legal process. Sheikh Hasina invited the Italian prime minister to visit Bangladesh at his convenient time through Antonio Alessandro. The Italian ambassador said his countr y wanted to assist Bangladesh in technology transfer and defence purchase, and modernisation in various sectors. He also expressed his country's keen interest to provide second satellite to Bangladesh. He put emphasis on trade diversification to tape the trade and commerce opportunities between the two countries. Talking about the Rohingya issue, both the Bangladesh premier and the Italian envoy agreed on the dignified repatriation of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals to their homeland. PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin was present at the meeting. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: All four arrested for their alleged involvement in the murder of a person last night in Battisputali are said to be minors. According to the District Police Range Kathmandu's Spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police Nawaraj Adhikari, one Shambhu Dhimal, 24, from Morang, was killed in a scuffle between two gangs at Kumari Tole of Battisputali in Kathmandu metropolis-9. The four accused in the case have been apprehended and the preliminary investigations suggest they all are juveniles. Their identities have not been revealed. DSP Adhikari said an argument started when Dhimal and one of the accused bumped while walking at night, resulting into a scuffle and then to one person's death. The gang assaulted Dhimal with a knife and though he was rescued and rushed to the Sinamangal based Kathmandu Medical College, he was pronounced dead on arrival. Dhimal's friend Manish Chaudhary, 23, has been injured in the incident. The body has been kept in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital for post-morte m examination. Source: National News Agency Nepal

A total of 2,968 educational institutions achieved 100 percent pass rate in this year's SSC and equivalent examinations, while the number was 2,354 last year. Of those, 174 institutions are from Dhaka, 289 from Rajshahi, 98 from Cumilla, 422 from Jashore, 66 from Chattogram, 222 from Barishal, 31 from Sylhet, 77 from Dinajpur, 80 from Mymensingh while 1,089 are under Madrasah Board and 440 under Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB). Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha