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Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 164 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 37.5 C 14.0 C Friday, August 07, 2020 | 23-04-2077 Nepalgunj Jomsom

Restrictions may be in place, but Valley’s mobility is too high to curb Covid spread With a growing number of people living in core city areas of the Valley being infected, doctors warn that the Capital is turning into a coronavirus hotspot.

ARJUN POUDEL all offices and businesses are in opera- KATHMANDU, AUG 6 tion. Chances of spreading the corona- virus will be high, if we let only half On Thursday, Subas Dhakal of of the public vehicles operate.” Tarakeshwor Municipality ward 6 in Public health experts say the prob- Kathmandu used two public buses to lem is not just crowded buses due to get to his office at Chabahil. He has a the odd-even rule. Kathmandu’s motorcycle but he could not use it mobility is too high and even if people because of the odd-even rule on use of don’t take crowded public buses, they vehicles, including two-wheelers, due will be moving from one part of the to a new government measure to city to another. check the spread of the coronavirus. One of the reasons Covid-19 cases “It was peak office hour and the bus have risen in the Capital is increased was crowded. Some people did not public movement since the lifting of even have face masks on,” Dhakal, the lockdown last month. who works at a finance company, told So far, Kathmandu Valley has the Post. “I am worried about a possi- reported 874 Covid-19 cases, according ble infection. I have elderly parents to the Health Ministry, including 87 on and children at home.” Thursday. The national Covid-19 tally Concerned about having to travel in has reached 21,750 with 65 deaths. a crowded bus back home again in the Authorities are mulling over seal- evening, Dhakal decided to walk. ing the areas from where more infec- “I walked for two and a half hours tions are reported. to get home,” said Dhakal. But a doctor said given the mobility Traffic was relatively lighter on of people in the Valley and authori- Kathmandu’s streets on Thursday, the ties’ failure to ensure contact tracing, first day of the new rule since July 21, sealing certain areas is practically POST PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA when the government lifted almost all impossible. A boy helps his friend fly kite at Chobhar on Thursday, with a clear Kathmandu sky in the background. coronavirus restrictions, but with ‘The infection has spread in so their vehicles at home, people were many places of the Valley that it is crowding in buses. impossible to seal them or enforce Doctors are critical of this new reg- restrictions,” said a doctor at Sukraraj ulation as this does not check the con- Tropical and Infectious Disease tagion. Instead, it increases the risk of Hospital in Teku, asking not to be virus spread, according to them. named. “The entire Valley has become On the horns of a dilemma: Nepal wants to “I do not understand who gives such a Covid-19 hotspot or red zone.’’ ideas to the government,” an official The way infections have been at the Department of Health Services reported among some police person- told the Post on condition of anonym- nel and traffic cops also shows how ity as he was not authorised to speak the virus is spreading, according to open up to the world, but virus is spreading to the media. public health experts. “People do not stop coming out, as >> Continued on page 2 Officials from ministries are mulling over various measures, including how the country should welcome the arriving tourists when flights are due to resume in about 10 days.

hotels; and Covid-19 travel insurance. “All these documents, except the PCR test in Nepal, should be submit- ted while boarding a plane,” said the official. “As per the preliminary dis- cussions, tourists can spend seven days in quarantine in Kathmandu hotels, and another seven days in hotels outside Kathmandu.” Travel agencies are required to take all the responsibilities of the tourists, starting from picking them up at the airport. The tourists, however, need to apply for visas at Nepal’s diplomatic missions in their respective countries. “This is purely aimed at discourag- ing travellers’ movement,” said the official. “No one will afford to go through these hassles and it is costly as well.” The government on July 21 lifted the four-month-long nationwide lock- down and announced opening sched- POST FILE PHOTO: SANJOG MANANDHAR uled domestic and international The Tribhuvan International Airport is preparing to welcome visitors but the situation is grim. flights starting August 17. Hotels, restaurants, and trekking SANGAM PRASAIN total number of cases surged to 21,750. and mountaineering businesses were KATHMANDU, AUG 6 Tourism is one of the sectors hit allowed to open from July 30 and start hardest by the Covid-19 pandemic. The bookings for autumn tourism after a The government said on July 20 that tourism sector contributes around 8 disappointing spring that saw tourist international and domestic flights percent to Nepal’s economy. arrivals hit rock bottom because of will resume starting August 17, and With no tourists since the lockdown the pandemic. asked the travel and tourism industry was imposed on March 24 and flights For the officials of diplomatic mis- to take bookings for the autumn sea- suspended for the last five months, the sions, donor agencies and their fami- son accordingly. service sector, including restaurants, lies, discussions have been going on However, the rising number of coro- hotels and tourism sector, too has about providing on-arrival visas. navirus cases has sent officials into a taken a massive beating. “But they all have to spend 14 days tizzy. As the government plans to open in quarantine in hotels in Nepal. The Ministers and secretaries from the tourism this autumn—September to PCR test rule that will be enforced for Home, Foreign Affairs, Tourism and November—there is a silver lining tourists will also be applicable for Health ministries have been holding amid the global pandemic. them,” said the official. marathon discussions since But authorities seem to be on the Non-resident Nepalis will have to Wednesday, in order to decide on new horns of a dilemma, as Covid-19 cases submit a PCR test certificate at the emergency steps, a senior government are rising. The autumn season airport or the plane they are boarding. official told the Post on Thursday. accounts for a third of 1.2 million “Discussions are being held to pro- According to the official, there are annual tourist arrivals. vide them on-arrival visas,” said the so many things on the table. Finance Minister Yubaraj official. The government is also taking One of the issues is how to handle Khatiwada, who is also the govern- some measures to bring back migrant the arrivals when the flights resume. ment spokesperson, said at the weekly workers stranded in different parts of “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is press briefing on Thursday that the the world. not interested in providing on-arrival government is coming up with “some Khatiwada said that the govern- visas. The Health Ministry is also for emergency measures” soon. ment would bring back around 45,000 regulating tourist movements,” said Khatiwada did not elaborate on the Nepalis stranded in different countries. the official who spoke on condition of measures. “But we still suggest that people anonymity because of the sensitivity Officials, however, said they will who are not suffering and are safe stay of the matter. probably mean discouraging arriv- where they are,” said Khatiwada. The Health Ministry on Thursday als—particularly of tourists—and The government has already started confirmed 360 new cases. Kathmandu deferring the reopening of long-dis- enforcing additional measures to pre- reported 76 cases in the past 24 hours. tance transportation services and vent Covid-19 more than two weeks Nepal’s Covid-19 toll reached 65 on schools and colleges. after the lockdown was lifted. Thursday after five deaths were regis- An official who is familiar with the On Wednesday, the government tered in the past 24 hours while the ongoing meetings said that guidelines decided to restrict public and vehicular are being prepared for three sets movements enforcing the odd-even rule of people—tourists, non-resident on vehicles, with effect from Thursday. Nepalis, and officials of diplo- The Home Ministry has also barred matic missions, donor agencies all kinds of public gatherings—par- and their families. ties, seminars, feasts and other social The guidelines, which are yet gatherings at hotels and restaurants. to be finalised, have set a few “We have to reduce the rate of the requirements for tourists–nega- virus spread,” Khatiwada told the tive polymerase chain reaction media. “It is not the appropriate time (PCR) test results no older than to allow flights, long distance trans- 72 hours on arrival; another PCR portation and schools to resume. The test in Nepal from govern- Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre ment-designated hospitals and meeting will soon take appropriate clinics; 14 days of quarantine in decisions as the risk is increasing.”

C M Y K FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2020 | 02 NATIONAL Long-route vehicles start plying in Kaski Province 5 flounders in Covid-19 and they are charging exorbitant fares prevention and control efforts Long-distance travel is officially banned, both private and public vehicles are Local units ill-prepared to handle the growing coronavirus cases, civil society leaders say. moving freely in and out of the district. DIPENDRA BADUWAL Bahadur Dangi, chief administrative the provincial government should for medical treatment purposes, 20 BUTWAL, AUG 6 officer of the municipality. “We hav- step in,” he said. percent for other essential services en’t decided if we will be constructing On Thursday, Provincial Health and the remaining for other emergen- Province 5 was one of the hardest-hit an isolation centre in the municipali- Directorate in Butwal organised a cies. “We, however, haven’t issued provinces by the coronavirus pandem- ty or not.” two-hour virtual meeting with local passes to vehicles to ferry passen- ic back in April with districts like Out of 10 local units in Kapilvastu, unit chiefs, chief district officers and gers,” he said. Kapilvastu, Dang, Palpa and Banke only Shivaraj and Badganga munici- health officials from high risk The surge in the number of vehicles reporting the highest number of cases palities have isolation centres. Most districts and discussed plans and on long-distance routes has also been in the country closely followed by of the quarantine facilities and isola- preparations for the next phase. attributed to travel permits issued by Province 2. tion centres in other local units have Dr Binod Giri, director at the local governments. Most local govern- In June Province 5 saw a substantial already been closed down. According Provincial Health Directorate, said: ments in Tanahun, Gorkha, and decrease in the number of cases and to local units, individuals who were in “In the meeting, we discussed how to Baglung have been found issuing trav- in July the nationwide lockdown was those facilities went home after com- manage isolation centres and adopt el passes to passenger buses and pri- lifted in light of the slowing down of pleting their quarantine or isolation safety measures to fight against the vate vehicles. “The travel passes Covid-19 cases across the country. periods. The local governments do not virus.” issued by local governments are valid However, the past few weeks have seen have a plan to stem the spread of coro- However, people’s representatives, for up to a week and these vehicles are an uptick in infection numbers in var- navirus which has put all lives at risk, who attended the virtual meeting, only supposed to use the vehicle for ious parts of the country, including in says Shambhu Upadhayay, former said the provincial directorate only the specified purpose,” said Paudel. Province 5, with some health experts chairman of Civil Society in added more responsibility on local warning of possible community trans- Nawalparasi (West). units. Preferring anonymity, one of missions in some places. “The local governments do not have the people’s representatives from Police say they The period between the last few a long-term plan. Now the virus has Kapilvastu, said: “Local units are not days of the lockdown leading up to reached the community level and the equipped to manage expenditure are unaware of until a few days ago was not utilised local units are still seeking help from required for the fight against Covid- by local governments to expedite and provincial and federal governments,” 19. The lockdown has left the local the operation of strengthen their efforts in containing he said. “This is where the local units economy in shambles. Recovery looks POST PHOTO: DEEPAK PARIYAR the coronavirus spread, civil society have failed. They haven’t been able to impossible.” A Kathmandu-bound van at Prithvi Chowk in Pokhara. Authorities say only 60 vehicles in Kaski long-route vehicles. leaders in Kapilvastu say. even manage basic things like quaran- He believes that by directing the have passes to travel to Kathmandu and none of them are passenger vehicles. “The local and the provincial gov- tine and isolation facilities.” local units to set up a local fund ernments should have worked togeth- There are 4,150 isolation beds in 97 for Covid-19 expenditure, the DEEPAK PARIYAR are helping them by risking our lives With vehicles operating on long-dis- er to prepare for the second wave. isolation centres including Covid-19 provincial government is shirking POKHARA, AUG 6 driving along the landslide-ridden tance routes, officials are worried They should have taken measures to Special isolation hospitals in Province its responsibility. Prithvi Highway amid this pandem- about its impact on the district’s effort control the spread during the lull peri- 5. Out of 4,150 beds, 270 beds Minister of Social Development Restrictions on long-haul travel for ic,” he said. to curb the spread of coronavirus. od,” said Bhaktiram Panthi, chairman are occupied. Sudarshan Baral, meanwhile, passengers across the country are still While there’s a complete ban on “Chances of Covid-19 transmission of the Abhibhak Samaj in Kapilvastu. Govinda Khanal, the central vice says that none of the local units in the in place even after the nationwide public vehicles ferrying passengers on are elevated as these vehicles operat- “They should have managed quaran- chairman of the Human Rights province have requested for funds to lockdown was lifted in July. However, long routes; private vehicles need to ing illegally don’t take safety meas- tine facilities and isolation centres and Peace Society, says the lack of prevent and control the Covid-19 in Kaski, public buses have not only seek permission from authorities to ures while ferrying passengers,” said instead of packing up and leaving. initiatives from the local units, spread in the current fiscal year. begun ferrying passengers on long-dis- cross district borders. But in Kaski, Baburam Acharya, chief at Kaski The virus has reached the communi- provincial and federal governments “Currently, we have a total of Rs 170 tance routes, but also charging them both passenger and private vehicles District Health Office. “Officials don’t ties now and it is imperative to expand in tackling the pandemic highlights million in the Covid-19 Prevention and double the fare. with travel passes from the District screen passengers entering the dis- the testing capacity of every local unit the inefficiency of governance at all Control Fund. If the local units Sajjan Kumar Singh paid double the Administration Office have begun trict on these vehicles. This is likely to in the province.” levels. demand a budget, we can mobilise the normal fare to travel from Baglung to ferrying passengers in and out of the spell trouble for the entire district.” In Kapilvastu, which was among the “The local units never have enough fund. Additionally, we can also seek Pokhara on Wednesday on a jeep city. The local administration set up districts with the highest number of budget or the manpower to run help from the federal government if belonging to Baglung Bhagawati Yogendra KC, chairman of Prithvi health desks at major entry points of Covid-19 cases, the local units have isolation centres. This is where needed,” he said. Transportation Pvt Ltd. “The driver Highway Bus Transportation the district, but they were removed failed to manage isolation centres. A said passengers will have to foot the Company, agreed that public buses are after the nationwide lockdown was health worker of Krishnanagar bill for the travel permit,” he said. The leaving and entering Pokhara on a lifted. Municipality Ward No 6, who tested other six passengers on the vehicle daily basis with passengers. But he Acharya said the health office has positive for coronavirus on Tuesday, had requested the vehicle operator to was quick to add that private vehicles so far not received any official com- has been staying in his rented room charge normal fares, but their request are also providing transportation munication from the authorities about alone. “The local unit has not man- went unheard, said Singh. “The nor- facilities to passengers. setting up of health desk. aged an isolation centre here. I have mal fare is Rs 400 but we were asked to “A few public buses have been run- “All our efforts and resources are been staying indoors since Tuesday pay Rs 1,000.” ning on long routes along the Prithvi currently focused on contact tracing,” and haven’t told my landlord about the All seven seats on the jeep were highway everyday after acquiring he said. infection,” he said. “If he finds out, he filled, leaving little room for physical travel permission from the district KC from Prithvi Highway Bus will not let me stay.” distancing, he said. “My father needs administration office,” he said. “Bus Transportation Company claimed Another employee of Krishnanagar to get his monthly medical check up owners themselves are driving these that private vehicles are misusing the Municipality, who also tested positive done in Pokhara. I had no option but vehicles since they have sought per- travel permission more than public for Covid-19, has a similar story. to pay extra to travel at a time like mission from the District ones. “Some vehicles with private “I can’t tell anybody about my condi- this,” said Singh. “I had inquired with Administration Office under various number plates are illegally operating tion because the other people in the the District Administration Office in pretexts.” as public vehicles,” he said, “They are building will not let me stay here.” Baglung about travel passes, and was According to the Kaski District now taking advantage of the situation On Sunday, the municipality had informed that the office does not Administration Office, around 60 and ferrying passengers on long-haul collected 133 swab samples in charge for travel passes. The drivers vehicles are given travel passes for routes.” Krishnanagar. Among them, 10 tested are taking advantage of people like us Kathmandu every day. An equal num- Santosh Roka, chief at the Kaski positive for coronavirus. Since the to earn quick money.” ber of vehicles seek passes for other District Police Office, refuted such municipality has not managed an iso- Ram Bahadur Gurung, a jeep driver districts. “We don’t have any policy of claims. According to him, his office is lation centre in Krishnanagar, all of working on the Pokhara-Baglung issuing travel passes to passenger not aware of vehicles operating on the Covid patients are currently stay- route, the fare hike was needed as buses. And other district administra- long routes along the Prithvi Highway. ing home. “All of the patients are in POST PHOTO: MANOJ PAUDEL drivers and vehicle owners are taking tors have also not asked us to allow the “Some buses go to Kathmandu to home isolation,” said Gehendra A health worker takes a nasal swab from a man for coronavirus test in Taulihawa, Kapilvastu. huge risks to help people in immedi- entry of public vehicles from their bring people from holding centres ate need of transport. “Some people districts to ours,” said Shreenath where they are kept after returning need to be taken to hospitals for imme- Paudel, assistant chief district officer. from abroad. They bring people from diate medical attention, others have to According to him, around 60 per- Kathmandu by following the safety get back to work,” said Gurung. “We cent vehicle owners seek permission protocol,” said Roka. Restrictions may be in place, but Valley’s mobility ... >> Continued from page 1 est number so far. Among them four are critical and are on Multiple officials at the Epidemiology and Disease Control ventilators. Division told the Post that Kathmandu Valley has become “I would like to make an appeal to all to follow safety like Bhulke of Udayapur and Nepalgunj of Banke but the measures, as hospitals beds, equipment and health workers difference will be more people will get infected and die, as it are going to be short,” said Dr Jageshwor Gautam, spokes- is densely populated and more elderly people suffering from person for the Health Ministry, at a regular press briefing. chronic diseases live here. An official at the Department of Health Services said that Failure to take appropriate measures on time resulted in Kathmandu Valley could see a catastrophe like the one seen a sudden rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in Bhulke and in Italy. Nepalgunj, turning them into hotspots and leading the local “We are going to lose the fight against Covid-19, without authorities to scramble to contain the spread of the virus. fighting properly,” said the official asking not to be named. Five deaths were reported on Thursday, the highest single “It was easy to defuse the spread of virus in places like day toll. According to the Health Ministry, there were 66 Udayapur, but it will be tough in Kathmandu, which is people in intensive care on Thursday, which is also the high- densely populated.” Gandaki Province begins mass testing to contain coronavirus spread DEEPAK PARIYAR Directorate, 1,600 throat swabs have tine and isolation facilities was con- POKHARA, AUG 6 been collected until Thursday as part ducted in the first phase. of the campaign. The swabs have been With an objective to increase the With spikes in Covid-19 cases reported collected based on random sampling. laboratory tests, the health directo- in several districts of Gandaki Dr Binodbindu Sharma, province rate installed an extraction machine Province in the last few days, authori- health director, said, “We have at the Tuberculosis Treatment Centre, ties have started mass-testing mem- increased the scope of contact tracing Pokhara this week. Sharma said the bers of the community, prioritising and collection of specimens too.” machine prepares specimens for PCR areas prone to transmission of the According to the directorate, mass tests. “The machine has a capacity to virus. testing of people working in vulnera- prepare 96 swab samples in 35 min- The provincial executive started the ble sectors such as health institutions, utes. Four health workers have to drive on Wednesday as officials con- vegetable markets, salons, meat shops, work in four-hour shifts to run the tinue to test people returning from vehicle workshops, financial institu- machine to its full capacity.” abroad and those found to have come tions, sanitation, government offices, The province currently has two in contact with infected individuals. courts, and security personnel, jour- PCR machines. “We installed the According to the Provincial Health nalists, traders, employees at quaran- extraction machine to expedite mass testing. We can carry out the PCR tests of about 600 people per day now,” said Sharma, adding that mass testing has been started in all 11 districts of the province. According to the District Health Office, mass testing has been started at financial institutions and police organisations in Pokhara under the first phase. “We will gradually collect swabs of people working in other risky sectors,” said Baburam Acharya, chief at the District Health Office. A total of 1,575 people have tested positive for the virus in Gandaki so far. Nine cases were confirmed in Kaski, Tanahun, Parbat, Syangja and Gorkha districts on Thursday. According to the health directorate, four infected people have died and 1,383 have returned home after PHOTO COURTESY: SANJOG TIMILSINA receiving treatment at various health The auto extraction machine at Tuberculosis Treatment Centre will increase daily test range. facilities.

C M Y K 03 | FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2020 NATIONAL BRIEFING Traffic officers in quarantine, motorists flout rule Covid-19 toll reaches 65 KATHMANDU: Nepal’s Covid-19 toll More than 300 officers have been in placed in quarantine after Covid-19 infection was detected in two traffic offices in Kathmandu. reached 65 on Thursday after five deaths were reported in 24 hours ANUP OJHA while the number of cases surged to KATHMANDU,AUG 6 21,750 after 360 new infections. The health ministry said two persons The government-imposed odd-even from Morang and one each from rule for vehicles in Kathmandu Valley Sarlahi, Dhanusha and Saptari died was hardly followed by motorists from Covid-19-related conditions. on Thursday, as most of the traffic Nepal had reported two deaths and officers are in quarantine after 381 new cases on Wednesday com- Covid-19 infections were detected pared to one death and 259 new cases in two traffic police offices in on Tuesday. On Monday, the Health Kathmandu. Ministry had reported 418 new cases, Nearly 300 traffic officers at the compared to one death and 246 new Metropolitan Traffic Police Division cases on Sunday. in Baggikhana and 33 officers at the Metropolitan Traffic Police Section in Tripureshwor are currently in quar- Leopard kills child in Tanahun antine facilities after one of its TANAHUN: A leopard killed an officers tested positive for coronavirus 18-month-old old boy in infection on Tuesday. Shuklagandaki Municipality-2, The Tirpureshwor and Thapathali Tanahun, on Wednesday evening. areas, where a dozen or so female Police said Rohan Rana, son of officers are deployed for traffic duty in Bishnu Kumar Rana, was attacked normal times, had just two officers on while he was playing in the courtyard Thursday. The number of traffic of his house. Villagers recovered police in other major junctions in some of his body parts in the forest Kathmandu was also low. the same night. According to officials, “There were many who flouted the 10 children have been killed and eight odd-even rule. But we could not stop others injured in separate leopard them since there are just two of us,” attacks in Tanahun in the past said a traffic constable deployed in three years. Thapathali. Sub-inspector Ek Raj Dhamala, the in charge of Metropolitan Traffic Quarantine facility shifted from Police Section in Tripureshwor, said he had no idea what was going on out- school buildings side as he and 32 other traffic officers RAMECHHAP: Two local units in were observing quarantine fr0m Ramechhap have shifted all quaran- Wednesday. tine facilities from community “We have to stay here for two weeks. schools to other public buildings We can’t go out to manage and moni- following the government’s decision tor the city’s traffic,” he told the Post. to reopen schools from August 17. Meanwhile, 300 traffic officers at Khandadevi and Doramba rural the Metropolitan Traffic Police municipalities have set up Division have also been placed in quarantine facilities in various quarantine after some officers were public buildings. Kaman Singh found infected. Moktan, chairman of Doramba Superintendent of Police Bam Dev Rural Municipality, said workers Gautam, spokesperson for the divi- are now disinfecting the sion, said the test results of four community schools. officers have come positive for Covid-19. The Baggikhana office of the POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI Prohibitory order in Rautahat division has been sealed and all Traffic police say motorists violating the odd-even rule were not booked because the government had announced it only on Wednesday night. RAUTAHAT: The local administration in 300 officers including the division’s Rautahat is going to impose a prohib- chief, SSP Bhim Prasad Dhakal, The Nepal Police itself has been a motorist the Post talked to at “Many didn’t know about the rule. According to the Ministry of Health itory order in the district from have been observing quarantine dealing with limited staff numbers Thapathali. We will strictly implement the rule and Population, the Valley saw a total Saturday. According to Chief District inside. following an outbreak of coronavirus SP Gautam, the spokesperson for from Friday,” he told the Post. of 87 Covid-19 positive cases— 76 in Officer Basudev Ghimire, the admin- SP Gautam said the division was at its headquarters in Naxal. Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, Public health experts have long Kathmandu, 10 in Lalitpur and one in istration took the decision after Six coordinating with the Nepal Police to “The traffic officers are not enforc- said motorists violating the odd-even been warning of a massive coronavi- Bhaktapur in the past 24 hours. news cases of Covid-19 were reported monitor the traffic rules. ing the odd-even rule because rule were not booked because the gov- rus outbreak in Kathmandu Valley if Till date, the Valley has seen 874 in the last couple of days in But not many police personnel were they seem to be afraid of catching ernment had announced the rule on vehicles and the number of people on Covid-19 cases—673 in Kathmandu, the district. present on the city streets on Thursday. the infection,” said Rishi Ram Pandit, Wednesday night. the road are not controlled. 123 in Lalitpur and 78 in Bhaktapur. Nearly 5,000 Nepali workers apply to Murder accused ex-Maoist Kathmandu city starts free sanitary return home on government support commander gets clean chit pad drive in schools ANUP OJHA Nepali missions abroad are verifying the applicants’ status before recommending their from Supreme Court KATHMANDU, AUG 6 names to the government to provide them airfare from Migrant Workers Welfare Fund. Sixteen-year-old Khushi Joshi now The decision is fallacious, says a former judge. feels big relief. She is glad that her CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL application is received, the Nepal mis- nels after contributing to the welfare school has started providing sanitary KATHMANDU, AUG 6 sion concerned informs the recruiting fund. BINOD GHIMIRE pads for free to all female students. agency to check the applicant’s status “The Nepali embassy in Malaysia KATHMANDU, AUG 6 “There were days when I couldn’t Nearly 5,000 Nepali migrant workers and ensure that the applicant has been has informed the board that it would attend classes during my periods, ” have reached out to foreign missions paid and provided with a return tick- be sending back around 800 Nepali Revoking the verdicts of lower courts, said Joshi, who completed her in major labour destination countries et. workers,” said Subedi. “We can’t sim- the Supreme Court has given a clean Secondary Education Examination to return home on state expenses after If the worker concerned has not ply send the money without knowing chit to Govinda Bahadur Batala, a from Gyanodaya Secondary School, the government came up with a plan received the salary, facilities and air the category of workers returning as brigade commander of then Maoist Bafal. She lives in Kalanki with her to repatriate stranded citizens using ticket from the employer as per their there are different slabs for financial People’s Liberation Army who alleg- parents and two siblings and plans to money from the Migrant Workers’ contract, the Nepali mission con- support. The money can only be sent edly masterminded the murder of enroll in class 11 at the same school. Welfare Fund. cerned will ask the employer to pro- to the embassies after verification is Ram Hari Shrestha, a restaurateur in “If the campaign continues, I am Last month, the government came vide them such facilities. Only after completed and the board receives Koteshwor, over a decade ago. sure my six-year-old sister will not up with its repatriation guidelines to ensuring that an applicant has no details from the Ministry of Foreign Shrestha was abducted from face problems [when she has her peri- provide financial support to stranded means of buying the ticket, the appli- Affairs.” Kathmandu on April 27, 2008 and his ods] I faced during my school days,” Nepali workers abroad. As per the cant’s flight expenses will be borne by Meanwhile, employers of nearly body was found on the bank of she told the Post. directive, workers who have not the welfare fund. 20,000 Nepali workers in various coun- Trishuli River in Chitwan district a Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s received air tickets to return home Din Bandhu Subedi, spokesperson tries, have agreed to pay for their air- month later on May 25. The Maoists drive to provide free sanitary pads to and other expenses from their host for the Foreign Employment Board, fare after they were laid off amid the had rented a house belonging to all community schools in the city country, employer, or recruiting agen- none of the Nepali embassies has sub- Covid-19 crisis, according to Ghimire. Shrestha in Koteshwor. began on Tuesday, and it is likely to cy shall be entitled to receive financial mitted details on workers returning to “Our priority is to get employers to In his police statement, Batala con- POST FILE PHOTO bring smiles on the faces of hundreds support from the government. Nepal using the welfare fund as of yet. pay for their workers’ flight as employ- fessed to have taken Shrestha, along The Supreme Court of girl students such as Khusi who “Nepali workers have been submit- The board has allocated Rs 750million ers are responsible for their two-way with Keshav Adhikari and Gangaram had to go through difficult times dur- ting their application to Nepali embas- for repatriating Nepali migrant work- flights under their contract with the Thapa to Chitwan, for an investiga- The Hetauda Appellate Court ing their periods. The city has sies to return home as per the provi- ers who migrated through legal chan- workers,” said Ghimire. tion into their alleged involvement in upheld the decision on January 19, announced that it will provide free sions in the directive,” said Suman the robbery of Rs 1.7 million and a 2014. Batala challenged the decision in sanitary pads to all its 91 community Ghimire, spokesperson for the pistol. the Supreme Court. The division schools under its jurisdiction. Ministry of Labour, Employment and Shrestha’s whereabouts were bench of Justices Tej Bahadur KC and According to the Education Social Security. “The embassies are unknown until May 15, 2008 when Kali Tanka Bahadur Moktan on March 1 Department of the city, a total of checking the applications to find out Bahadur Kham, commander of the issued a verdict, giving clean chit to 14,810 girls will benefit from the if the applicants meet the criteria or Maoist combatants’ Shaktikhor camp Batala arguing that he had no involve- scheme, which has been allocated a not,” said Ghimire. who was said to have lost the cash and ment in the entire crime. budget of Rs 14.9 million. This is the Nepali workers who lost their jobs the weapon, announced that he had The full text of the verdict was money the metropolis received from within a year of departure and have to died in Jutepani, Chitwan, one of the released on Thursday. KC and Moktan, the Ministry of Education. return to Nepal will receive govern- cantonments of the Maoist combat- in their verdict, say the decisions of The drive was launched from ment support equivalent to their tick- ants. Chitwan District and Hetauda Gyanodaya School on Tuesday. et fare. Similarly, for those who A report by The Asia Foundation Appellate courts were wrong. A team Shova Sapkota, chair of Ward No.14 migrated more than a year ago will says Batala was handed over to the of five advocates including former said, “Many girls, mainly in the com- receive government support equiva- Chitwan Police by the Maoists after attorney generals Mukti Pradhan and munity schools, are forced to miss lent to 75 percent of their ticket fare. the case was disclosed. In his police Raman Shrestha had defended Batala their classes during their periods, Those who went abroad on re-entry statement, Batala said Shrestha, at the Supreme Court. which are very painful for girls.” permits will only get 50 percent of Adhikari and Thapa were locked in KC, who was one of the judges in It’s mostly the daily wage earners their airfare covered. the same room in the cantonment for Batala’s case, together with Chief who send their children to community As of July 30, around 5,000 Nepalis interrogation. He said Shrestha was Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana, schools in Kathmandu. It’s impossible have applied for government support the first to confess the robbery, to had given a verdict to reduce Ranjan for such parents to pay Rs 55 to 70 for a to go home, said Ghimire. “But the which Adhikari and Thapa were not Koirala’s sentence two weeks ago. single pad, say experts. During one government is not worried about the happy so they thrashed him. Two weeks ago, the Supreme Court menstrual cycle, about 10 pads are numbers. We will make sure that In the statement, Batala said commuted the prison sentence handed used, which means, women and girls workers get the required support as Shrestha had died at Dhakapani in to Koirala, a former deputy inspector have to spend Rs550 for just one men- per their needs.” Chitwan when he was being brought general of the Armed Police Force, strual cycle. Nepali embassies have also collect- to Kathmandu for treatment as his convicted of murdering his wife. “This is a great financial relief for ed the details of 413 Nepali workers in health condition deteriorated due to Though Batala agrees he took parents like us,” said Khusi’s father detention centres in Malaysia, Saudi the beating. While he got off the vehi- Shrestha along with two others, the Dorna Datta Joshi, 42. Arabia and Bahrain. As per the direc- cle that was ferrying Shrestha, court didn’t find him guilty. “The top According to Natikaji Maharjan, tive, those Nepalis in detention cen- Adhikari and Thapa threw the body in court’s ruling is fallacious. Every cul- principal of Gyanodaya school, the tres can come home with support from the river at Bhaludhunga. Adhikari prit should get the punishment to the city has provided Rs 970,000 to the the fund, maintained by the Foreign and Thapa are absconding. extent of his/her involvement in the school to distribute sanitary pads this Employment Board, without having On May 31, 2011, a single bench of crime,” Gauri Bahadur Karki, former year. “So far, we have already distrib- them to go through verification. Chitwan District Court judge Bhojraj chairperson of the Special Court, told uted pads to 100 girls in our school,” But the government hasn’t set a Pokharel ordered three months of the Post. He says Shrestha wouldn’t said Maharjan. timeline for the first batch of workers imprisonment to Batala arguing even have lost his life had Batala not taken Meanwhile, Khushi requests gov- coming home on state support to land though he wasn’t directly involved in him to Chitwan. ernment agencies to declare sanitary in the county. Critics argue that the the killing, he was present at the Karki says the judiciary’s image is pads as “essential products” and pro- process is likely to take time as appli- scene. The district attorney, however, eroding day by day due to such vide them to all girls across the coun- cants have to go through a lengthy POST FILE PHOTO had demanded life imprisonment for verdicts. “The judiciary has become try. “Kathmandu city has done a great verification process before they As of July 30, around 5,000 Nepalis have applied for government support to return home. Batala claiming that he was a master- anarchic as it has been politicised,” job. All local governments should not receive their tickets. Once a worker’s The number is expected to rise in the days to come. mind of the killing. he said. delay in doing the same.”

C M Y K FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2020 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL What does China want from Nepal? Catch the big fish The trade in fake VAT bills continues to weigh Nepal’s revenue sector down.

News about business firms trading in fake value added tax (VAT) bills has been so recurrent in the last few years that journalists and editors often ask themselves what exactly is newsworthy about it. And yet, one has to follow the paper trail doggedly. In its recent update, the Department of Revenue Investigation has implicated around 200 firms in the illegal sale of fake VAT bills, worth around Rs15 billion, to around 1,100 firms. What’s more, the racketeers who sold the phoney papers are said to have registered their firms in the name of poor and illiterate villagers so as to indemnify themselves against any liability in the event of a crackdown. This comes on the heels of the department last month filing a PHOTO COURTESY: NEPALI CONGRESS WEBSITE POST FILE PHOTO case against the owner of two firms—Unique Wide International Left: Then Prime Minister BP Koirala with then Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China Zhou En-Lai, in China (1960). Right: Prime Minister KP Oli with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his and New Unique International—and a chartered accountant for visit to Beijing (2016). dodging revenue of Rs378 million and using fake VAT bills. Earlier, in March 2019, the department dragged 24 individuals to court on Nepal and Tibet that dealt with the lat- ‘perhaps things will get better when more expansive neighbourhood policy the charge of evading taxes amounting to Rs1.75 billion by provid- China’s interests in Nepal have ter as an independent state. When the our railroad into Tibet is accom- in 2013, China was more assured and ing fake VAT bills. In June that year, the department filed a case People’s Republic of China assumed plished’. Deng’s 1978 Kathmandu visit confident about controlling Tibetan against 15 more individuals on similar charges. And in November evolved over the years. It has control of Tibet in 1950, it needed to was intended to send out a message to activities in Nepal. the same year, it said it had been investigating over 900 firms for cancel all such past treaties that the world of a new China, even as never been as politically allowed Tibet a de-facto recognition of Nepal’s own expectations from the visit The future purchasing bogus paperwork. As the Post reported at the time, sovereignty. Thus, a Chinese Foreign could not be fully realised. ‘[T]he days Now, as the US-China contest sharpens, many such firms that had purchased the bills included those that invested as it currently is. Ministry document outlined the abro- when Nepal could ask China to com- Beijing’s expectations from Nepal can delivered goods and services to government agencies, contractors, gation of the treaty as one of Beijing’s pete with India in providing aid were be best read in Xi’s op-ed, published multinational firms, hydropower companies and hospitals. key issues with Nepal just before the over… The spirit of the Deng era was before his visit, and the recent press AMISH RAJ MULMI 1955 Asian-African Conference in China first’. release, post-Foreign Minister Wang The Inland Revenue Department in the fiscal year 2010-11 busted Bandung, Indonesia. Yi’s meeting with representatives from a fake VAT bill racket worth Rs6.69 billion, exposing the names of The early Nepali democratic leaders The Tibet question Nepal, Afghanistan and Pakistan. 518 major businesspersons and their firms. The trade in fake VAT were nervous about China’s moves in In the late 1980s, with the internation- China would like to see limited Indian bills has been on the radar ever since even as it sees frequent itera- Tibet. BP Koirala told Jawaharlal alisation of the Tibetan exile move- ambitions in the neighbourhood, and Nehru he had ‘gifted Tibet to the ment and the Tiananmen uprising, the 2015 Indian blockade was a most tions. Each time, it’s the actors that are new; the act remains the Chinese on a silver platter’ after the China faced tremendous international opportune moment it capitalised upon. same. What remains to be exposed is why the issue bugs Nepal’s 1950 agreement on Tibet was signed pressure from all sides. Its verbal sup- Beijing has also never been as political- revenue sector so perpetually. And yet, the officials of the depart- Sixty-five years to the day that Sardar between India and China, and provided port to Nepal during the 1989 Indian ly invested in Nepal as in the present ment inform the media about the number of catches they have Gunja Man Singh and Ambassador the template for Nepal’s own agree- blockade came as a relief to Kathmandu, day. But despite these two issues, China Yuan Zhongxian signed the agreement ment with China on the matter in but implicit in the message was that is equally ambitious about reaching made each year while they remain mum on the steps they are tak- and established diplomatic relations September 1956. Nonetheless, Nehru China could only do so much for Nepal out to the massive Indian markets ing to change the system fundamentally to ensure that the same act between Nepal and the People’s was being prescient when he told BP, at the time. However, Beijing needed to through Nepal; a recent op-ed by a for- does not repeat. Republic of China, Kathmandu’s turn ‘When all is said and done, [Nepal] will quieten down Tibetan exiles, so when mer ambassador suggested the raison VAT was introduced in Nepal in 1997 as a broad-based tax that to the north is more of a reality now not be able to maintain [her tradition- Nepal decided to stop issuing refugee d’être for the train from Tibet would than ever. al] rights in any case… Renouncing certificates to Tibetans in the mid- be such. would also cover the value added to each commodity by a firm dur- Nepal has viewed China from two your rights, on the other hand, will 1990s, China was relieved. Under the At the same time, China values ing all stages of production and distribution. It would be a modern primary lenses: one, that China pro- send a positive message to the Chinese’. presidencies of Jiang Zemin and Hu Nepali support for Beijing’s position in tool to streamline and strengthen revenue collection through effec- vides political and international back- Despite initial hesitations, Nepal and Jintao, securing the Tibetan frontier— international forums vis-a-vis the con- tive tax compliance and enforcement. But with its strengths came ing against a hegemonic India; two, China initiated diplomatic contact in as China shifted its lens westwards test with US—hence the highlighting that Nepal can profit from China’s eco- 1955 after a gap of more than four dec- under the ‘Open up the West cam- of Nepal’s support to the new Hong the loopholes. Businesspersons are often found to be selling fake nomic progress, through aid and ades. Border negotiations with China paign’—became a key issue of national Kong laws; the emphasis on building bills on a commission basis as per the value of the bills. Although investment, and thus can become an were peaceful, except the Everest dis- security. Nepal, in turn, because of its solidarity against Covid-19 and not there has been considerable improvement after the tax authorities alternative to Nepal’s landlockedness pute and the Mustang incident. Soon, large number of Tibetan exiles and politicising the pandemic; and the con- in December 2017 began a cloud-based software system to track vis-a-vis India. Both views are rooted in hostilities between India and China led porous borders, became important in tinued push for BRI and other infra- the ‘China card’—a predisposition to to Nepal being sandwiched between the such calculations. structural pushes into the region. By transactions in real time, it hasn’t been a panacea. Experts say that look towards Beijing only when rela- two powers. The era of competing for As such, even as China decried the doing so, China has positioned itself as the software system itself is problematic as it cannot identify all tions with Delhi are at a low, as cur- influence in Kathmandu had begun. Maoist rebels as bandits ruining the a responsible world power that takes the malpractices in the market today. This in effect helps racketeers rently—which Beijing analysts have China’s offer of a trans-Himalayan name of their great leader, Beijing into account neighbours’ and allies’ and their allies, including chartered accountants and auditors, long decried. highway till Kathmandu was began to engage the monarchy and interests—a moral high ground. It has While reams have been written by both in alignment with Mahendra’s security agencies more and more. In also successfully couched its own inter- escape the radar. Nepali scholars analysing what China desire to pull away from Indian influ- 2002, Nepal cancelled three different ests within this discourse, as any world Authorities themselves concede that the existing software sys- can do for Nepal, rarely has the dis- ence (and a message that Delhi could events in Kathmandu marking the power will. But as China becomes tem has not been efficient enough to stop malpractices. And yet, course shifted towards what Beijing not continue to host Nepali Congress Dalai Lama’s birth celebrations, the more assertive politically and they have yet to find a way out. Moreover, the fact that court cases wants from Kathmandu. For, unlike rebels on its soil), and with Beijing’s first such reported instance. When the otherwise in Nepal, it will also be ques- Nepal’s unchanging discourse vis-a-vis own need to find alternative routes US and India refused to supply King tioned as much, as we saw in the after- drag on for several years allows malpractices to continue and China, Beijing’s approach has con- into Tibet. Gyanendra’s autocratic regime with math of the current ambassador’s impedes the efficiency of the department. The department has stantly evolved over time as its own With the Cultural Revolution, rela- military aid, China stepped in. But as meetings with Nepal Communist Party implicated inland revenue offices, banks and its own officials for ambitions have grown. Beijing’s view tions went into a deep freeze, as Nepal the royal regime began to be hemmed leaders. either failing to notice ‘suspicious transactions’ or even colluding of Kathmandu also parallels its evolu- fought back against Red Guard propa- in from all sides, Beijing began to The belief that China assists Nepal tion as a world power; there is a notice- ganda. After the Sino-US rapproche- engage with all political actors, includ- out of only neighbourly concern is with racketeers to dupe the system. By and large, it is able to self-di- able shift only when China’s own ment, Nepal cracked down on the ing the Maoists. Then, in the run-up to naive at best. Its interests in the coun- agnose the ills, but continues to drag its feet when it comes to find- capacities to deal with infrastructural Tibetan armed resistance, earning it the 2008 Olympics, as Tibetan protests try have evolved over time, and so has ing remedies once and for all. Without further ado, it must invest and other challenges have improved. brownie points from Beijing. But China became a daily occurrence in its policy approach. Unfortunately, more on revving up its technology to fix the loopholes and incenti- also knew its own limitations south of Kathmandu, Beijing invested heavily Nepal’s approach to the north has been Evolution the Himalayas. In 1975, Deng Xiaoping in engaging Nepali security forces. A motivated by the ‘China card’ approach. vising compliance for greater efficiency for greater revenue At the beginning, Beijing’s primary told the Americans that China’s role in slew of aid and agreements followed; The question then is, can Nepal look generation. concern was the 1856 treaty between Nepal was ‘limited’ at the time, but by the time Xi Jinping ushered in a beyond it?

How to be an expert exporter

sales by participating in govern- These are the important ment-led trade missions, participating in overseas trade fairs, and selling to skills needed to both groups is viewed as being of greater importance for overseas sales promote exports in the than for sales in the neighbouring post-coronavirus world. countries. Finance skills With regard to international finance SUMAN KUMAR REGMI skills, knowing how to process letters of credit is viewed as the most impor- tant one. Interestingly, this skill had a very high prioritised deviation in its importance emphasising both neigh- bouring countries. The use of letters of credit in both neighbouring coun- tries is much more selective for A business opportunity and sourcing Nepal’s export market. Perhaps vary- system can be developed to list online ing by buyer credit risk, order size Nepali exporters or firms interested and standard industry practice would in exporting which should be updated tend to lead to a letter of credit terms. yearly. Such a system can identify Other important international active exporters of exportable prod- finance skills include the ability to ucts. In some cases, firms may have assess international credit risk, pre- little or no experience in exporting pare export-costing sheets, and pre- products. These firms will be unable pare cash budgets for export sales. to provide a valid, experience-based These mainstream financial skills are response about which practical export viewed as being equally important for skills are necessary to export or to both neighbouring and overseas mar- provide a skill comparison between kets. Interestingly, all other interna- the two market groups. Each firm tional finance skills are viewed as seems to use a particular set of export SHUTTERSTOCK being of greater importance for over- skills to manage its exports, although tions affecting exporters was consid- and anti-dumping are also viewed as competitive profiles, prepare market the ability to ‘quantify additional seas markets than for the neighbour- it draws upon its skills in varying ered to be equally important for sales being equally important. It is signifi- penetration plans, determine target costs related to export marketing’ and ing countries. Of the remaining skills, degrees as per the specific export mar- both in neighbouring countries and cantly more important to know how to market regulations, and get country knowledge of ‘various export pricing the more general skills of determin- ket being served. overseas. However, very low priority use foreign agents and trading compa- profile information are equally impor- options and approaches’ are viewed as ing the best payment terms for an is attached to the use of strategic alli- nies to enter overseas markets. tant for the neighbouring and over- being significantly more important export sale, knowing how to speed up Competitive advantage ances. Trade and export promotion Apparently, businesses in the neigh- seas markets. for overseas sales than for sales in the international cash flow, being able to Among these skills, the ability to iden- insurance and financing, licensing bouring countries are more willing to The ability to assess product suita- two neighbouring countries. Getting determine foreign exchange risk for tify a firm’s competitive advantage and especially countertrade, along use international trade intermediar- bility for export markets and know information and planning marketing exports, and knowing how to process and define its international objectives with relatively high standard devia- ies for overseas markets. when product adaptation is necessary strategies is viewed as being equally bank collection orders are viewed as is considered to be of equal impor- tions, indicate that most businesses Knowing how to use strategic alli- is viewed as being equally important important for both market groups. being of moderate importance to tance. Knowing how to work effective- are not involved in these types of ances, licensing, and countertrade to for both groups of export markets. Interestingly, the importance placed achieve exporting success. So, the ly with foreign cultures and being activities. enter export markets, as well as famil- The high priority accorded to the on collecting information to assess post-Covid-19 era needs to create pro- familiar with international business Other general exporting knowledge iarity with trade and export promo- skills needed to gather market intelli- market attractiveness does not extend fessional expertise and skills for travel documentation are considered about free trade areas and customs tion, export credit insurance and gence and assess product suitability to interpreting secondary information export promotion to fight the adverse significantly more important for over- unions, the impact of multilateral export financing programmes, are all for export markets can be viewed as on export markets or to do primary impact of the pandemic. seas sales than for sales in neighbour- institutions such as the General significantly more important for over- evidence of the importance of know- market research which is given low ing countries. Of the skills deemed to Agreement on Tariffs and Trade seas trade. The great importance of ing the market for export marketing importance. Using the support of the Regmi is a former deputy executive be of moderate importance, knowing (GATT), how exports are classified, the skills needed to get information to success. governments of the neighbouring director of the Trade and Export the neighbouring countries’ regula- and trade rules such as countervailing profile potential customers, prepare Of the moderately important skills, countries to promote Nepal’s export Promotion Centre.

C M Y K 05 | FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2020 MONEY The festival season gets underway with high prices, low footfall and weak price monitoring The government lacks adequate competent personnel to conduct regular market inspection, say officials.

KRISHANA PRASAIN KATHMANDU, AUG 6

Jiwan Thapa Magar, a retailer in Khare, Dakshinkali Municipality, had brought two sacks of mixed beans expecting good festival sales during Janai Purnima, but he barely sold one. In previous years, he used to sell four-five sacks of the beans which are used to make a special soup consumed during the festival. “Sales are worse than after the great earthquake of April, 2015. I had hoped that with the easing of lockdown restrictions and the onset of the festive season, food items would sell well,” he said. Magar even used to hire a few shop assis- tants to help him handle the festival rush, but he thinks that they will not be needed this year. With the beginning of the festival sea- son, demand for food items like rice, lentils and legumes, edible oil, spice and flour start rising, but this year there are fewer buyers because of Covid-19, said traders. Raj Kumar Shrestha, president of the Nepal Retailers Association, said festive POST FILE PHOTO sales were down by 50 percent year-on-year Prices tend to increase during the holidays with a spike in demand because traders engage in fleecing customers knowing that people will buy what they need mainly because fewer people were visiting regardless of the cost. the bazaars. Shrestha, who has been involved in the control prices, according to Madhav prices. “We do not have expert manpower cost price had swelled. retail business since 1974, said sales of Timilsina, president of the Consumer with knowledge about food items, grocer- “The price of food items has not been food items used to peak with the approach Rights Investigation Forum. ies, water and medicine,” said Sagar changed, and it will not change during fes- of the Teej festival with commercial organ- “Therefore, it is difficult for the govern- Mishra, director at the department. The tival time,” he said. He added that prices isations and various groups organising ment to fix market prices,” Timilsina said. department has written to 753 local units may be adjusted after the holiday season. Teej parties. As the government has disal- “As a result, prices of essential food grain to check market prices, but they do not The company has 13,000 tonnes of food lowed gatherings of more than 25 people, have been increasing every year.” have the personnel either. items in stock, including rice, lentils and Teej programmes are not taking place like The Consumer Act 2018 allows price reg- According to the Consumer Protection legumes. It will be importing 10,000 tonnes in previous years, he said. ulation for 29 essential consumer goods Act 2018, local bodies carry out inspection of rice which is expected to arrive in Since people’s purchasing power has such as food items, garments, fuel and at the local level to check the supply sys- mid-August. According to Khanal, 10,000 been slashed due to lay offs and lost paper. “But the government has not been tem, price, quality and purity of goods and tonnes of sugar on order will arrive by incomes, the hike in food prices will able to fix prices and implement the act,” services. But different consumer rights mid-October. be painful, especially during this festive said Timilsina. institutions like the National Consumer The company will be importing 25,000 season. In 2018, the government formed a com- Forum and Consumer Rights Investigation tonnes of rice this fiscal year and plans to Prices tend to increase during the holi- mittee after seasonal vegetable prices shot Forum claim that local governments supply 1,600 goats and 1,400 mountain days with a spike in demand because trad- up due to the involvement of middlemen. have not been fulfilling their duties as per goats for Dashain. The company will be ers engage in price gouging knowing that The committee report recommended mak- the act. supplying 250 tonnes of lentils and 220 people will buy what they need regardless ing purchase bills mandatory to ensure An official at Kirtipur Municipality said tonnes of beans and soybean for the fiscal of the cost. transparency in the purchase rate (price that the municipality was not able to con- year, said Khanal. “Consumers do not care about a slight paid to farmers) and reduce the involve- duct market inspection regularly and effec- The government company does not have increase in prices, and so traders are likely ment of middlemen in the supply chain. tively for lack of expert manpower on adequate inventory and does not maintain to add a few rupees to the cost,” he said. The government failed to implement the market and food items. The inspection retail outlets everywhere, as a result of “Importers and wholesalers are the ones recommendations, giving continuity to the team is not able to reach every corner of which consumers have to pay the prices set responsible for making things dearer. existing system and allowing middlemen the municipality, he said. by importers, wholesalers and retailers. Consumers ultimately suffer.” to thrive. “It visits several shops, gives them a few “I am worried about managing my Prices usually swell during the period The Department of Commerce, Supply suggestions and returns to the office with- expenses as the festival season is nearing mid-June to mid-November every year and Consumer Protection stated in its out taking any action,” he said, requesting and prices of almost everything are under different pretexts. plans and programmes for the current fis- anonymity as he was not authorised to doubling in the market, and I have not The number of big traders and import- cal year that the market level, list of essen- speak to the media. sent a penny to my family,” said Baburam ers in Nepal is small, therefore they can tial services and standards for price deter- State-owned Food Management and Karki. control supply during the festival season. mination would be implemented in the Trading Company said that it would be The 34-year-old from Sindhupalchok dis- But after the season ends, prices return to current fiscal year. selling food items at pre-lockdown prices. trict used to work at a men’s clothing store normal, he said. The government does not have the Deputy General Manager Shri Maniraj on New Road and was laid off recently. He The government does not have enough wherewithal to conduct regular market Khanal said that retail prices for consum- has been looking for another job, but that data about supply and demand to be able to inspection of different sectors to control ers would not be affected even though its is difficult amid the pandemic.

FOREX Samsung tests consumer Ncell Axiata launches US Dollar 120.20 Euro 142.42 first of its kind Pound Sterling 158.25 demand for pricey phones Japanese Yen 11.40 ‘Wirefree+’ bundle ASSOCIATED PRESS intended for buyers who are strapped for Chinese Yuan 17.29 SEOUL, AUG 6 cash or unwilling to pay for pricey phones KATHMANDU: Ncell that don’t offer big advances over their pre- Axiata Limited (previ- Qatari Riyal 33.01 Samsung aims to lift its sinking smartphone decessors. ously Ncell Private Australian Dollar 86.29 sales with three new models that will test Samsung also gave a glimpse of its second Limited) has launched consumer willingness to buy high-priced attempt at a phone with a foldable screen, the first of its kind Malaysian Ringit 28.70 gadgets during the worst economic down- but said it won’t have details on pricing and Wirefree+ Wi-Fi ser- turn since the Great Depression. availability until September 1. That phone, vice in Nepal. Nepali consumers can now Saudi Arab Riyal 32.05 The latest Galaxy phones, unveiled on called the Z Fold2, is expected to cost in the experience a hassle-free wirefree quality Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank Wednesday during an online showcase, will range of $1,500 to $2,000, based on the price internet service at their doorstep with an cost $1,000 to $1,300. Such prices are have for last year’s first-generation model. attractive bundled offer of multiple servic- PRICE PER TOLA become standard for top-of-the-line phones “We know these are challenging times, es, states the press release issued by the BULLION in recent years. But they might cause sticker and people are depending on technology company. It offers homes and businesses shock at a time of double-digit unemploy- more than ever,” said TM Roh, president of with wireless data connection without a Fine Gold Rs 102,500 ment that could last through at least the end Samsung’s mobile communications arm. He cable. The bundle includes access to digital of the year, as the global economy struggles joked that the new phones will help people content such as Mobiplex, Hungama Music, Silver Rs 1,345 to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. “play harder when maybe they should be Daami Music and Prabhu TV as well as 2 4G Samsung is touting the fancy phones, working harder,” a reference to the millions SIMs with 5GB to 10GB data in each SIM SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA called the Galaxy Note20 and the Note20 of people now doing their jobs at home. depending on the subscription plan. Ultra, at a time that Apple is enjoying suc- Samsung is already struggling with an Customers will also receive 425 minutes of Shares cess with a $399 iPhone released in April. unsettling downturn. Its smartphone ship- on-net talk time every month. Starting at Rs Google is also rolling out a $349 Pixel phone ments plunged 29 percent from last year in 690 per month on a yearly subscription, cus- Nepse 1,381.37pts -0.09% that has many of the same features as its the April-June quarter, according to the tomers can choose from three available more expensive model. Such phones are research firm International Data Corp. packages: Gold, Platinum and Diamond. HIGHEST LOSERS MSMBS SMFBS KPCL HDHPC API KKHC -6.05% -5.68% -5.35% -5.26% -5.26% -3.84%

MODERATE LOSERS NHPC AKJCL JSLBB NLG SDESI MMFDB -3.7% -3.63% -3.04% -3.03% -3.03% -4.54% MODERATE GAINERS Tourism-reliant Thailand shelves ‘travel CORBL GMFBS ICFC NLBBL SINDU BFC 3.53% 3.86% 3.88% 3.92% 4.09% 5.31%

HIGHEST GAINERS SPARS DHPL GRDBL NFS AIL GLBSL 5.59% 6% 7.4% 9.55% 9.81% 10% bubble’ plan as Asia virus cases rise

ble arrangements for now given the out- break situation in other countries,” GASOLINE WATCH Thailand’s coronavirus taskforce spokes- man, Taweesin Wisanuyothin, told Reuters. Despite more than two months without confirmed local transmission and recording only 3,300 cases, Southeast Asia’s sec- ond-largest economy is facing its worst cri- sis in several decades. Foreign arrivals plunged 66 percent in the first six months of the year, to 6.69 million. The industry has warned that 1.6 trillion baht (39.08 billion pounds) of revenue could be wiped out this year. By comparison, Thailand had a record REUTERS 39.8 million tourists in all of 2019, spending Wat Arun temple and its reflection on a mirror are seen on the banks of Chao Phraya river in Bangkok. 1.93 trillion baht. “Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea were REUTERS Thailand first proposed the idea in June among those considered (for a travel bubble) BANGKOK, AUG 6 to allow movement between select countries because those areas had a low number of that have low infection numbers, without cases, but now they were in double-digits so Thailand has delayed plans for a “travel bub- the need for travellers to undergo quaran- discussions were put on hold,” Taweesin ble” agreement with select countries as new tine. But that has been shelved, officials said, referring to new daily infections. daily coronavirus cases rise in parts of Asia, said, amid second and third waves in East Reviving talks would depend on the situa- putting pressure on its vital tourism indus- Asian countries that previously had their tion in each country, which the taskforce try and complicating efforts to revive its outbreaks under control. was assessing daily, he said, adding that was battered economy. “We are delaying discussion of travel bub- a widely accepted industry view.

C M Y K FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2020 | 06 WORLD

BRIEFING Europe fears second Lebanon investigates blast amid calls virus wave as Trump China sentences third Canadian to death on drug charges takes heat for BEIJING: China has sentenced a third for serious reform, coronavirus scare Canadian citizen to death on drug charges amid a steep decline in rela- ‘misinformation’ tions between the two countries. The Tuesday’s incident also may have accelerated the outbreak, as thousands flooded into hospitals in wake of the explosion. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Guangzhou Municipal Intermediate WASHINGTON, AUG 6 Court announced Xu Weihong’s pen- ASSOCIATED PRESS alty on Thursday and said an alleged BEIRUT, AUG 6 As Europe tightened virus restric- accomplice, Wen Guanxiong, had tions to curb the threat of a second been given a life sentence. Death sen- Lebanese officials targeted in the wave of Covid-19, US President Donald tences are automatically referred to investigation of the massive blast that Trump found himself in the cross- China’s highest court for review. The tore through Beirut sought to shift hairs of Facebook and Twitter because brief court statement gave no details blame for the presence of explosives at of a video in which he claims children but local media in the southern the city’s port, and the visiting French are “almost immune” to the new coro- Chinese city at the heart of the coun- president warned on Thursday that navirus. try’s manufacturing industry said Xu without serious reforms the country The worldwide death toll crossed and Wen had gathered ingredients would “continue to sink”. 700,000 as the two US social media and tools and began making the drug The blast on Tuesday, which giants took action against Trump for ketamine in October 2016, then stored appeared to have been caused by an spreading what they called “misinfor- the final product in Xu’s home in accidental fire that ignited a ware- mation” about the virus. Guangzhou’s Haizhu district. house full of ammonium nitrate at the Several European countries and cit- city’s port, rippled across the Lebanese ies reimposed tighter restrictions, capital, killing at least 135 people, including a “wake-up week” in Greece Fire kills 8 coronavirus patients injuring more than 5,000 and causing and new face mask and quarantine in Indian hospital widespread destruction. rules elsewhere. NEW DELHI: A fire killed eight corona- The US tallied another 1,262 deaths virus patients at a hospital in west- and 53,158 cases Wednesday, marking ern India early Thursday, officials Losses from the 157,930 total deaths and more than 4.8 said. Firefighters and 15 fire engines million cases—making it by far the contained the fire to the intensive blast are estimated worst-hit country in the world. care unit at Shrey Hospital and it was A total of 703,640 deaths have been extinguished in half an hour, fire to be between $10 recorded so far around the world, officer Yusuf Khan said. Thirty-five according to an AFP tally. Europe patients were shifted to other hospi- billion and $15 remains the hardest-hit region with tals, he said. Rajiv Kumar Gupta, a 211,764 fatalities, but the number of Gujarat state government official, billion, officials say. deaths is rising fast in Latin America, told reporters that an electrical with 208,329 deaths recorded. short-circuit appeared to be the cause Announcing the re-introduction of of the fire in the city of Ahmedabad. It also may have accelerated the restrictions in Greece, government He also said one paramedic was being country’s coronavirus outbreak, as spokesman Stelios Petsas told Mega treated for burns received while try- thousands flooded into hospitals in AP/RSS TV: “We are trying to awaken people ing to douse the flames. the wake of the blast. Tens of thou- Lebanese army soldiers stand guard at the scene where an explosion hit on Tuesday the seaport of Beirut on Thursday. with messages and daily announce- sands have been forced to move in ments on additional measures,” citing with relatives and friends after their Beirut Gov Marwan Abboud told the ty could not immediately be reached material was stored. Local news travel, social gatherings and public Hindu temple ad runs in Times homes were damaged, further raising Saudi-owned TV station Al-Hadath on for comment. The government said reports say the repair work was transport as major spreading con- the risks of exposure. Wednesday, adding that nearly 300,000 Wednesday that an investigation was ordered by security forces who inves- cerns. In an extraordinary move late Square despite opposition French President Emmanuel people are homeless. underway and that port officials have tigated the facility and were con- Wednesday, Facebook removed a video NEW YORK: A large digital billboard Macron visited on Thursday amid The head of Lebanon’s customs been placed under house arrest. cerned about theft. Anger is mounting clip about the virus from Trump’s in Times Square displayed images of widespread pledges of international department meanwhile confirmed in The investigation into the explosion against the various political factions, account. a Hindu deity and a temple being aid. But Lebanon, which was already an interview with LBC TV late on is focused on how 2,750 tons of ammo- including the Iran-backed Hezbollah It was the first time the social net- built on disputed ground in India, mired in a severe economic crisis, Wednesday that officials had sent five nium nitrate, a highly explosive chem- militant group, that have ruled the work has taken down one of the presi- despite calls from a coalition of advo- faces a daunting challenge in rebuild- or six letters over the years to the judi- ical used in fertilisers, came to be country since the 1975-1990 civil war. dent’s posts for violating its content cacy organizations—including ing. It’s unclear how much support the ciary asking that the ammonium stored at the port facility for six years, The country’s long-serving politicians rules—for “claims that a group of Muslim, human rights, anti-fascist international community will offer nitrate be removed because of the and why nothing was done about it. are widely seen as being hopelessly people is immune from Covid-19 which and secular groups—asking the notoriously corrupt and dysfunc- dangers it posed. The stockpile is believed to have corrupt and incapable of providing is a violation of our policies around advertisers not to show the images. tional government. But Badri Daher said all he could do detonated after a fire broke out nearby even basic services like electricity and harmful Covid misinformation,” a Indian Prime Minister Narendra Macron, who viewed the devastated was alert authorities to the presence in what appeared to be a warehouse trash collection. Facebook spokesperson told AFP. Modi participated in the ground- port and was to meet with senior of dangerous materials, saying even holding fireworks. Daher, the customs Dr Firas Abiad, director general of Twitter said it had blocked Trump’s breaking for the Hindu temple Lebanese officials, said the visit is “an that was “extra work” for him and his official, said he did not know if there Rafik Hariri University Hospital, the official campaign account, also for a Wednesday in the Indian city of opportunity to have a frank and chal- predecessor. He said the port authori- were fireworks near the site. public hospital leading the coronavi- “misinformation” violation over a Ayodhya. Modi supporters planned lenging dialogue with the Lebanese ty was responsible for the material, Another theory is that the fire rus fight, said he expects an increase tweet containing the same video, in to gather in New York City’s Times political powers and institutions.” while his job was to prevent smug- began when welders were trying to in cases in the next 10 to 15 days linked which Trump made the case for reo- Square throughout the day to mark Losses from the blast are estimated gling and collect duties. repair a broken gate and a hole in the to crowding at hospitals and blood pening US schools starting in the occasion. (AGENCIES) to be between $10 billion to $15 billion, The judiciary and the port authori- wall of Hangar 12, where the explosive donation centres after the blast. September. UN discusses Kashmir for third time since India ends statehood ASSOCIATED PRESS the international community “should UNITED NATIONS, AUG 6 exercise its moral, legal and political authority to call out India to reverse The UN Security Council discussed the tide of impunity and stop genocide disputed Kashmir at Pakistan’s of the Kashmiri people.” request on Wednesday for the third He urged India to reverse its unilat- time since India’s Hindu nationalist eral actions, stop human rights and government decided to end the cease-fire violations, remove restric- Muslim-majority region’s semi-auton- tions on communications, movement omy a year ago. and peaceful assembly and immedi- The UN’s most powerful body did ately release Kashmir’s leaders. not take any action or issue a state- The Pakistani minister expressed ment after the virtual meeting behind gratitude to the 15 Security Council closed doors. members, especially China, for Nonetheless, Pakistan’s Foreign their support in organising the meet- Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said ing in the face of India’s “desperate afterwards that holding the meeting attempts to prevent this discussion.” signified “that Jammu and Kashmir is When it went ahead, Qureshi an international dispute firmly on the said India tried “to minimize the agenda of the Security Council and importance and significance of the has nullified, yet another time, the meeting.” Indian self-serving claim that it is an India’s new UN Ambassador ‘internal matter.’” TS Tirumurti tweeted after the meet- On Aug 5, 2019, Prime Minister ing: “Another attempt by Pakistan Narendra Modi’s government stripped fails!” Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, “In today’s meeting of UN Security scrapped its separate constitution and Council which was closed, informal, removed inherited protections on land not recorded and without any and jobs. India’s action and harsh outcome, almost all countries under- security clampdown has sparked lined that J&K (Jammu and Kashmir) AP/RSS anger and economic ruin in the was bilateral issue & did not deserve A girl prays as paper lanterns float along the Motoyasu River in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome, in Hiroshima on Thursday as Japan marked the 75th anniversary of the region. Qureshi said in remarks circu- time and attention of Council,” atomic bombing of the city. lated by Pakistan’s UN Mission that he wrote. Virus lockdown for world’s smallest and rarest wild pigs

ASSOCIATED PRESS gered population. there are 82 pigs and piglets, scientists grass used to cover roofs—before NEW DELHI, AUG 6 After authorities confirmed the have erected two parallel security December 2019. “We bought all of it,” swine fever outbreak reached India on fences. No visitors are allowed, and said Deka, adding it was enough to Pygmy hogs—the world’s smallest and May 18, scientists virtually locked cars can’t park at the facilities. last the pigs a year. rarest wild pig—are under a virus down the breeding centers and adopt- Some staff members who live off- Keeping the pygmy hogs and the lockdown. ed strict precautions, said Parag Deka, site need to leave their shoes at the breeding centres secure is especially Not because of the coronavirus, but who heads the Pygmy Hog entrance. Then they must shower, important now, Deka said, because because of the first outbreak of Conservation Program run jointly by wash their hands and feet, dip their officials say the virus has already African swine fever in India. There is Indian authorities, U.K.-based Durrell feet in anti-viral solution and don begun spreading in wild boars in the neither a vaccine nor cure for the Wildlife Conservation Trust and local fresh shoes to go inside. region, making the contagion more highly contagious viral disease that nonprofit Aaranyak. “This is the new normal,” Deka difficult to contain. has already killed over 16,000 domestic “It is very scary,” Deka said. “It can said. The virus threat also means a Even though Deka says he is preoc- pigs, said Pradip Gogoi, an official at wipe out the whole population.” change of diet for the pigs. While fruit cupied with swine fever, the coronavi- Assam state’s animal husbandry The virus spreads mainly by direct and grains are still on the menu, vege- rus pandemic has dried up funding wing. contact between pigs, through infect- tables that grow underground such as desperately needed for the new bio-se- The shy, 10-inch tall pygmy hogs ed meat or contaminated material— tapioca and sweet potatoes have been curity measures and staff training. suffered severe habitat loss and were and a vaccine is realistically two or off limits because the virus survives Some charities said they could no thought to be extinct in the 1960s. three years away, said Linda Dixon, longer in soil. longer afford to give aid, while reve- Then in recent decades, a captive who has been researching the virus at Pygmy hogs are among the few nue from the zoo run by Durrell breeding program and other conserva- The Pirbright Institute in the U.K. mammals—and the only pig—that Conservation Trust has also dipped. tion efforts have brought the The virus kills almost all infected build elaborate nests out of dried “I believe that when you make a species back. pigs, Dixon said. “It can decimate pop- grass to live in families of four and change, it will be hard in the begin- Now there are nearly 300 animals ulations of wild pig or domestic pig. It five year-round. After the swine fever ning, messy in the middle and living in pockets of the northeastern could be very bad.” outbreak, conservationists scoured good at the end,” he said. “Right now, AP/RSS state of Assam, but scientists fear the At the breeding centres at Nameri markets until they found one vendor we are between the hard and messy This undated photo provided by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in July 2020 shows an virus could decimate the still-endan- and the state capital Guwahati, where who had collected his thatch—dried stage,” he said. adult male pygmy hog in India.

C M Y K 07 | FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2020 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Man United, Inter Milan through to Europa quarters Manchester City land Bournemouth defender Ake The Italian side’s match against Getafe was played over just one leg in Gelsenkirchen to save time ahead of next week’s last eight in Dusseldorf. MANCHESTER: Manchester City have AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE celebrations were shortlived as signed defender Nathan Ake from PARIS, AUG 6 Jesse Lingard equalised on the Bournemouth on a five-year deal, the counter attack for United three Premier League club announced on Manchester United edged LASK minutes later. Wednesday. Financial details of the 2-1 and Inter Milan beat Getafe 2-0 Anthony Martial claimed the transfer were not disclosed but on Wednesday in rescheduled ties match-winner with two minutes to British media reported City paid due to the coronavirus pandemic go despite LASK goalkpeer Bournemouth 40 million pounds ($52 to clinch places in the quarter-fi- Alexander Schlager getting a foot million) to sign the 25-year-old with nals of the Europa League. to the France striker’s shot. an additional 1 million pounds to be United had a 5-0 lead from their Inter’s meeting with the La Liga paid in add-ons. Bournemouth were first leg played in March and will side was played over just one leg relegated from the Premier League on face Copenhagen who enjoyed a in Gelsenkirchen to save time the final day of the season and Ake is 3-0 victory on the night over ahead of next week’s last eight to one of their players who was expect- Istanbul Basaksehir. Romelu be held in Germany. They ed to leave to continue playing in the Lukaku and Christian Eriksen advanced to the next round as top flight. Ake is City’s second recruit scored either side of the break for Romelu Lukaku became the club’s in the off season after the club signed Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan. first player to score in five straight Spanish winger Ferran Torres from “It was a difficult match against European appearances since Valencia on a five-year contract on a team that plays aggressively, but Brazilian striker Adriano in 2004. Tuesday in a deal reported by British we did well, the defence did a good Lukaku slotted home after media to be worth $27 million. job and I’m happy to score for the Alessandro Bastoni’s long ball team,” Lukaku told Sky Sport after 33 minutes. Italia. “Christian also got an The Spaniards were given a Inter Milan sign Sanchez on important goal for the side and we chance to take the game to penal- permanent three-year deal must continue like this.” ties with 25 minutes remaining as MILAN: Inter Milan have agreed to Despite United’s comfortable VAR said Diego Godin had hand- sign Alexis Sanchez from Manchester lead from March 12’s first leg, the balled in his own box but veteran United on a permanent three-year visitors caused problems early on. centre-forward Jorge Molina deal, the Serie A club’s CEO Giuseppe Andres Andrade hit the crossbar missed the resulting penalty. Marotta said on Wednesday. Sanchez with a powerful header after 10 Christian Eriksen made sure of joined Inter on loan at the start of the minutes at an almost empty Old Inter’s spot after 84 minutes with 2019-20 season following a disappoint- Trafford before Peter Michorl his first touch after Dakonam ing spell at United where he scored fired wide just after the quarter of Djene made a mess of a clearance just five goals in 45 matches. an hour mark. The Linz-based out- inside his own area. Although the Chilean scored only fit had to wait until the second Elsewhere, 2009 champions four league goals this season, he half to break the deadlock as Shakhtar Donetsk booked a last seems to have rediscovered his touch defender Philipp Wiesinger rifled eight spot after three goals within AFP/RSS in Italy where he topped the club’s into the top corner from outside the closing four minutes clinched Manchester United’s midfielder Jesse Lingard (left) vies with LASK’s midfielder James Holland during their UEFA Europa League last 16 second leg charts with eight assists as Antonio the box after 55 minutes. Their a 3-0 win over Wolfsburg. match at the Old Trafford in Manchester on Wednesday. Conte’s Inter finished runners-up behind Juventus. The transfer will also allow Sanchez to play in the rest of Inter’s Europa League campaign after they advanced to the quarter-fi- US Open cuts prize money nals on Wednesday with a 2-0 win Bale left out for Manchester City clash over Spanish side Getafe. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ASSOCIATED PRESS suites and other revenue sources in MADRID, AUG 6 NEW YORK, AUG 6 2020 means the US Open’s net income Kyrgios likely to skip “will be down roughly 80 percent.” Gareth Bale has been left out of Real Madrid’s squad for Despite a loss in revenue from holding Still, first-round singles prize French Open tennis their Champions League last 16 second leg against its marquee event without spectators money will be going up 5 percent, from SYDNEY: Nick Kyrgios dropped a huge Manchester City on Friday. amid the coronavirus pandemic, the $58,000 to $61,000, the only level where hint Thursday that he will skip the Zinedine Zidane named 24 players on Wednesday for the US Tennis Association announced there is a jump. Paychecks for players French Open, saying the chances of trip to Manchester, where Madrid are aiming to overturn a Wednesday that its overall compensa- who reach the second round ($100,000) him travelling to Europe this year 2-1 first-leg defeat to reach the quarter-finals. Sergio Ramos tion to players at this year’s US Open or third round ($163,000) will remain were “slim to none”. The opinionated will travel with the squad, Madrid confirmed, despite being will be $53.4 million—which is 93.3 the same. The prizes then decrease in Australian last week pulled out of the suspended for the fixture. Bale, 31, was not on the list, adding percent of the roughly $57.2 million each round of singles: from $280,000 to upcoming US Open in New York due another low-point to a turbulent season for the Welshman, awarded in 2019. $250,000 in the fourth, from $500,000 to to the coronavirus pandemic, with who has hardly featured for Madrid this year. Despite The US Open women’s and men’s $425,000 in the quarter-finals, from world number two Rafael Nadal fol- Madrid storming to the La Liga title, Bale made only two singles champions will each earn $960,000 to $800,000 in the semi-finals, lowing suit. Kyrgios, ranked just 40 appearances during the 11 games after La Liga resumed, one $3 million, down $850,000—or 22 per- and from $1.9 million to $1.5 million but a big drawcard, said he wasn’t of them from the start. He was pictured standing away from cent—from the top prizes at the Grand for the runner-up. surprised by the Spaniard’s decision, the team’s celebrations with Zidane after their league suc- Slam tennis tournament last year, In doubles, the cut is deeper: The noting that the clay court king was cess was confirmed and had caused a stir by pretending to be part of a decrease of nearly $4 million women’s and men’s championship likely “eyeing the French Open” in asleep during Madrid’s game against Alaves. in total player compensation in 2020. pairings will split $400,000, a drop of late September. “And if I was to play Zidane’s decision to omit Bale completely from the squad The US Open is set to start in New 46 percent from last year’s $740,000. I’d probably definitely rather go to to face City is another clear indication the Frenchman would York on August 31, as originally sched- This year’s total includes $1 million Europe (than America) at this time of prefer to be rid of Bale and his 18-million euro salary this uled, something rare in the world of given to a previously announced play- year for sure with everything going summer. But interested clubs are likely to be put off by the sports this year. Professional tennis er relief program jointly funded by on,” he added to Channel Nine televi- finances involved while Bale and his representatives insist was suspended in March because of the four Grand Slam tournaments, the sion from his Canberra base. But he is happy to see out his Madrid contract, which expires in the pandemic. International Tennis Federation and Kyrgios suggested that was also 2022. Ramos will travel with the squad to England, despite The women’s tour resumed this the ATP and WTA tours—to help with unlikely, casting serious doubt over being banned for the match after he was sent off towards the week in Palermo, Italy. The men’s tour the financial effects of the Covid-19 his presence at Roland Garros. end of the first leg. UEFA protocol will allow Madrid’s cap- will pick up later this month. pandemic—along with $6.6 million to Kyrgios also cast doubt on next year’s tain to enter the stadium and be in the dressing room with In June, USTA chief executive Mike make up for the USTA’s cancellation Australian Open, scheduled for REUTERS the players, but he cannot sit on the bench. Ramos will also Dowse told The Associated Press that of its qualifying events and a reduc- January. (AGENCIES) Gareth Bale have to be tested along with the rest of the squad. the loss of ticket sales, hospitality tion in size of the doubles fields. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) ***** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) ** Without even realising it, you have quickly ascended Why are you holding back? There is no shortage of Whenever a person from your past comes back into Unexpected expenses could be piling up, and so is to the top of a powerful person’s list. Just by doing energy inside you right now, but it looks like it will your life, it can stir up all sorts of confusing emo- your stress. But good news is coming! The stars are the right thing in the right way, you’re succeeding! need a bit of coaxing to come out. It’s understanda- tions. But now a blast from the past might do nothing bringing you a little bit of relief, and it will make you This could be the beginning of a very active phase of ble, but if you let your nerves get the better of you, but delight you. They have changed a lot and they are smile. Just be careful not to interpret this reprieve as your career! you’ll never get what you want. all good changes! permanent.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Some of your family members seem to be meddling You could receive an invitation, but you won’t imme- Your ambition is growing larger than your schedule Someone who rubs you the wrong way will be true to too much in your life, but step back and think about diately know whether you want to accept or not. It can accommodate right now. You might find it diffi- form today, spouting off about things they know noth- why they’re doing what they’re doing. Try to get a could be fun or it could be boring. You can certainly cult to fit in any new projects. Maintenance is going ing about. This person isn’t someone you should tol- fresh perspective on your relationships by putting delay making any sort of commitment to the person to take up more of your day than new brainstorm- erate, so either get your distance from them or tell yourself in their place. who invited you. ing, but you’ll find a quiet comfort in it. them to be quiet.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) *** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) *** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) ** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** If you’re going to be working on a team, expect it to Your ambition is starting to move things forward! Any business transactions you have now could have It’s easy to lose respect for someone who repeatedly hold up your progress. One team member is going to And the funny thing is the people you were worried a lasting effect on your financial health, so you’d be lets you down, but try not to let any disillusionment be a little bit more interested in improving their might get jealous are going to be your biggest sup- wise to take a very conservative approach to them. turn you against others who had nothing to do with social status than doing what needs to be done. porters, and the people you expected to congratulate Don’t spend any more of your hard-earned dollars it. You have to remember that one bad apple doesn’t you are going to be over the moon. than you absolutely have to. spoil the whole bunch. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2020 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Classic Gallery’s latest exhibition fails to leave an impression ‘The Intersection of Ten Thoughts Part II’ is a big miss not because the artworks are dull, but because the gallery relies on a short, four-minute video to depict 20 artworks of 10 contemporary artists.

ANKIT KHADGI This contrast helps in conveying her inten- KATHMANDU tions of portraying how individuals are carving their own path, forgetting the value of lmost two-third of the canvas is their culture. However, the use of easily identi- taken up by a woman, with her fiable motifs makes the artwork forgettable, as head bowed and body hunched, it doesn’t demand enough attention for people as though crammed inside a to look and spend time thinking about what the cocoon. There are bubbles sur- artist is trying to say, making the art less rounding her and wings sprout engaging. frAom her back. The composition of the work However, two artists who should be applaud- and how the subject is placed in the painting ed for their fine detailing work are Namrata indicates what the artist is trying to convey: Singh and Binod Giri. Singh’s ‘In the Nature’ is the realities of women who are stopped from a telling of the state of happiness derived from doing what they want to do, yet they evolve to nature, which she depicts by encompassing become who they truly are. both Mithila and modern art. Playing with Titled ‘Metamorphosis’, the artwork by vibrant colours like red, blue, green, and using Deepmala Maharjan is one among the 20 art- PHOTOS: SCREENGRAB VIA YOUTUBE the motifs of woman, swan and lotus leaves, works by 10 contemporary artists that are Despite the exhibition’s poor execution, some artworks, like Namrata Singh’s ‘In Nature’ (left) and Deepmala Maharjan’s ‘Metamorphosis’ (right), have depth and are intriguing. her work is aesthetically pleasing. exhibited in the ongoing virtual exhibition, ‘ Similarly, Giri’s ‘Welcome of Dreams’ por- The Intersection of Ten thoughts Part II’, her wings, the woman, like in the previous things are going to be difficult for the new gener- trays the Capital, which is framed inside an organised by Classic Gallery. painting, is bowing her head, which signifies ation. In it, juxtaposed against a city that is all intricate design in golden colour, as a ‘golden In the painting, Maharjan uses the process that even she still isn’t allowed to fly—society Two artists who should gloomy and engulfed with black smoke is a city’, where dreams come true. of metamorphosis as a metaphor to show still controls her. be applauded for their baby’s figure. The baby is wearing a blue mask However, both the artists’ efforts are let how women are trapped inside social circles. Another evocative painting that reflects the and is tightly squeezing its eyes. Through this down by the gallery, as it fails to provide a plat- Before a caterpillar turns into a butterfly, it plight of women is Kunti Shree Thapa’s ‘The fine detailing work are painting, Maharjan depicts the grim reality of form where we can see and understand the also has to go through a static stage called Story of My Mother’. Using a mix-media the environmental hazards that are bound to designs more deeply. In the name of an exhibi- pupa, where the caterpillar makes a cocoon approach, Thapa shows viewers a woman Namrata Singh and make things difficult for the new generation, tion, the gallery has uploaded a four-minute- and stays inside it. In the painting too, (drawn on the left side of the artwork) who is who will be compelled to wear masks. Similarly, long video on YouTube, which also includes the Mahrajan depicts this very process. sewing, while leaves and small figures of kitch- Binod Giri. the timing also fits perfectly with the present introduction of the creators and their inten- What makes this painting intriguing is en utensils surround her. narrative, where masks have become ubiquitous. tion behind the art. Maharjan’s clever depiction of using the lifecy- Through this artwork, Thapa masterfully Using the medium of art to depict and pre- While it is understandable that this approach cle of a butterfly to convey her message. In the presents how like her mother, in our society a reflecting the state of women, whose individu- serve her culture, Anisha Maharjan through of conducting exhibitions is new, the way process of becoming butterflies, caterpillars woman’s position is limited within the sphere ality always takes a backseat as they are forced ‘The Dance’ and ‘Winking Farmer’ creates two the gallery has squeezed in the artworks of 20 first become pupa, a stage where they build of her kitchen, where she is surrounded by to spend more time doing household works. artworks where she uses her skill to represent artists in just four minutes reflects lazy work little liquid sacks to protect themselves. In the vegetables and utensils only. Similarly, making the current pandemic as the culture of Newa civilisation. Her first and honestly fails to make the overall exhibi- painting, the liquid is represented by the bub- In the artwork, the figure of the woman is his theme, Sanjeet Maharjan’s two artworks in painting, ‘The Dance’, which she mentions is tion approachable and engageable for a larger bles, which also stand for societal bubbles that comparatively much smaller than the vegeta- the exhibition, ‘Compulsion’ and ‘Confinement inspired by Henry Matise’s famous artwork by audience. are reinforced by people to control women. bles and utensils. This conscious choice on the Crave’, are also visually engaging. In the same name, is aesthetically pleasing and Despite this shortcoming, however, the gal- These bubbles stop her from spreading her artist’s behalf depicts how for many women, ‘Confinement Crave’ he replicates human crav- conveys the message she is trying to portray. In lery should be applauded for giving space to 10 wings, making the painting successful in dis- kitchen and domestic work becomes their ings that most people could relate to, like going the painting, she depicts five women, who are contemporary artists whose artworks are playing how women are prevented from flying whole identity and her individuality gets lost out for dining or eating their favourite food or adorned in haku patasi, dancing. While the nuanced and completely different from each by outside interventions, even when freedom is in the midst of taking responsibility for house- the intimacy we share with our partners, theme is somehow similar to Matse’s iconic other in terms of themes and methods. If only promised to them innately. hold chores. things that were not possible for us to get for painting, here in Maharjan’s painting the gen- the gallery had spent more time making the The second painting of Maharjan deals with Likewise, Thapa uses vertical composition months because of the lockdown. der is clear, and the subjects are dancing on experience more immersive and exclusive by the same theme; however, here, the woman has more than horizontal, making the artwork look However, it’s the layered composition of their own, unlike in Matse’s work, where the dividing the exhibition, perhaps into 10 sepa- developed her wings fully—meaning the stage like a portrait of mothers, increasing the ‘Compulsion’ that strikes one more, as through dancers (whose gender weren’t clear) were rate videos, viewers would not be left disap- of metamorphosis has been completed. Despite impact and message it intends to spread— the painting he depicts the harsh reality of how dancing together to a rhythm. pointed.

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