THE 13 TH MEETING OF THE Trade Negotiation Committee (TNC) of BIMSTEC ( Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technological and Economic Cooperation) is beginning in Myanmar from November 6 to 10. The meeting has already been delayed by five months due to trouble in member countries, which include Bangladesh , India , Myanmar , Sri Lanka , Thailand , Nepal and Bhutan . The meeting would discuss trade in goods, rules of origin, safeguard measures, negative list, normal and fast track, investment and services.
A DELEGATION OF BHUTANESE LEADERS met with deputy prime minister and foreign minister KP Oli at the latter's office on Thursday (November 2). The delegation led by Thinley Penjore, president of National Front for Democracy, presented a memo to the minister urging him to include India in the forthcoming dialogue with Bhutan . The ministerial-level talks between Nepal and Bhutan could take place sometime in the third week of November. Before that, Oli is also scheduled to pay a five-day visit to New Delhi beginning November 5. Meanwhile, a fresh census will be taken at all the seven refugee camps in eastern Nepal . The census will start from November 15 and will include camps in both Jhapa and Morang district in eastern Nepal . The Home Ministry and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will be cooperating in this effort.
CITING THEIR FAILURE TO PAY TAXES TO THEIR PARTY, Maoist cadres have stopped two big industries from exporting/selling/distributing their products in Nawalparasi district last week. In Dumkauli, Maoist cadres have stopped Chaudhary Group from taking out its Wai Wai noodles and beer. Likewise, in Mukundapur, they have stopped Gorkha Brewery from taking out Tuborg and Carlsberg beer. Maoists' militia have been deployed at the main gate of both the industries to enforce their stoppage. "We have stopped them to bring them under the tax net of new regime," said a Maoist worker. Entrepreneurs have reportedly refused to pay the tax stating that they cannot bear double taxation.
THE HEALTH AUTHORITIES HAVE CONFIRMED that the outbreak of unknown disease since past two weeks in four VDCs of Banke district is caused by cerebral malaria. Forty-one people have already died of the disease in the area till now. Doctors tested the blood of patients to reach the conclusion.
FINANCE MINISTER DR. RAM SHARAN MAHAT has said that legal action is underway against 75 out of the 90 big loan defaulters. He urged the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) not to work as a shield on their behalf. Speaking at a program organized on Wednesday (November 1) in Butwal by Butwal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mahat said, "There are over 90 defaulters who have outstanding dues worth hundreds of millions of rupees. Only 15 of them responded when notices were sent to them for loan adjustment." He said he is committed to take legal action against them. He also informed that following the ceasefire in the country, the revenue collection has increased by 19 percent.
STATE MINISTER FOR WATER RESOURCE Gyanendra Bahadur Karki has appealed to the domestic investors to come forward to fund 309 MW-strong Upper Tamakosi project. Addressing a press meet on Wednesday (November 1), Karki said he is hopeful that the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) will be able to mobilize domestic resources to build the project. It was informed that resources from Citizens' Investment Fund, Employees Provident Fund, Army Welfare Fund, local commercial banks and financial institutions could be mobilized to build the project. The Upper Tamakosi project needs Rs 30 billion of investment and is regarded as the most viable project for producing economical electricity and remove load shedding. A study had shown that the cost of production of its electricity will be 1.6 US cents (Rs 1.12) per unit. Meanwhile, at the press conference, Minister Karki informed that a few foreign investors had shown interest to develop projects like Upper Karnali (300 MW), Arun III (402 MW) and Budhi Gandaki (600 MW).
THIS YEAR'S FOOTBALL LEAGUE TOURNAMENT kicked off from November 1 at Dasarath Stadium. The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has informed that the Martyr's Memorial San Miguel "A" Division League Football tournament based on "home and away" double league system will take at least three months to complete and altogether 182 matches will be played. Two matches will be played everyday, according to ANFA. "The League winner will get a chance to play in the AFC President's Cup which is a big boost for any team after winning the National League," said ANFA president Ganesh Thapa. The League Champion will win Rs 2 million while the first runner-up will get Rs 1 million and the second runner-up Rs 5 lakhs. ANFA has also decided to give away prize money to top-listed teams up to the eighth position. The fourth placed team will walk away with Rs 3 lakhs, the fifth will get Rs 2 lakhs, the sixth Rs 1 lakh, the seventh Rs 60,000 and the eighth placed team Rs 40,000. The Clubs will divide the money collected at the gates this time. The ANFA will provide a car for the most valuable player of the league and is negotiating with the Toyota Company for the latest brand. Meanwhile, ANFA will provide six motorbikes for the best goalkeeper, defense, mid-field, forward, scorer and coach of the league.
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