WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 274 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 30.0 C -1.4 C Wednesday, December 02, 2020 | 17-08-2077 Bhairahawa Jumla A birthday cake, a bitter shouting match and a sour note at the end As the Nepal Communist Party Secretariat reconvenes, there is no conciliation in sight since the conflict continues to be a battle of egos between the party chairmen.

TIKA R PRADHAN tion and we want to reach a conclu- KATHMANDU, DEC 1 sion through discussions.” Party insiders say reconciliation in As the Nepal Communist Party the party is not possible anytime soon, Secretariat members sat for a meeting as the two chairs appear to be in a on Tuesday, they cut the cake—to hostile mode. The fight in the ruling mark General Secretary Bishnu party now has boiled down to a battle Poudel’s birthday—ate it and immedi- of egos between the two chairmen, ately after, descended into a bitter according to them. shouting match. According to Secretariat members, Party chair and Prime Minister KP Dahal is adamant about holding a dis- Sharma Oli opened the meeting, lash- cussion on his political paper, which ing out at other chair Pushpa Kamal Oli says deserves outright discarding. Dahal and demanded that the latter The Dahal-Nepal faction says since withdraw his political document and political papers of both the chairs are apologise. Oli has dubbed Dahal’s doc- formally with the Secretariat, discus- ument, presented at the November 13 sions on them have already started. Secretariat meeting, a “collection of “Majority of members are in favour indictments” stemming from the lat- of discussing the papers so discussion ter’s personal grudges and limitless will continue,” said Narayan Kaji POST PHOTO: ANGAD DHAKAL frustration, guided by vested interests. Shrestha, a Secretariat member and A worker sprays disinfectant inside a movie theatre at New Baneshwor, Kathmandu. Cinema owners have demanded that the government allow them to screen films. Schools, colleges, party venues “As soon as the meeting started, Oli party spokesperson. and cinemas have yet to reopen since the government imposed a lockdown in March to check the spread of the coronavirus even as other sectors have opened in a gradual lifting of restrictions. demanded that Dahal’s document be Dahal has demanded that whether withdrawn with an apology,” a his document should be discussed by Secretariat member told the Post. the Secretariat or not should be decid- “Except party General Secretary ed by the meeting. But Oli appears to Bishnu Poudel, all other Secretariat be dead against letting the Secretariat members turned down Oli’s call.” discuss Dahal’s paper. Despite economy taking a hit during the pandemic, Dahal then, according to the mem- According to a Secretariat member, ber, interrupted charging Oli with who is on Dahal’s side, even Ishwar playing factional politics. Pokhrel, who is close to Oli, said that “You [Oli] might be trying to incite discussions on the proposal cannot be the stock market witnesses a record high us,” the member quoted Dahal as say- blocked. ing. “But we want an amicable solu- >> Continued on page 2 Easy access to bank loans against shares, lack of opportunities elsewhere, and largely consistent bank profits fuel bull run but regulators urge investors to exercise caution.

tions lent Rs59.4 billion during the first quarter (between mid-July and mid-October) of the current fiscal year against Rs45.32 billion during the same period in the last fiscal year, according to the central bank’s data. This, in turn, has led speculators to the stock market. “Bullish run in the market also brought confidence among the inves- tors,” said Lamsal. “Better than expected financial indicators of most of the listed companies even during the coronavirus pandemic also boost- ed the morale of many investors.” Gunakar Bhatta, spokesperson for the central bank, also considers excess liquidity in the banking system due to the low demand for loans from other sectors as the factor that helped the stock market grow. “Many people are in leisure due to the lack of economic activities like in the normal times. Therefore, they POST ILLUSTRATION are now investing in the stock market The central bank’s latest monetary policy too has helped the bull run in the stock market. as the loans are easily available,” he told the Post. PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA domestic economic situations, finan- Another factor is that banks have KATHMANDU, DEC 1 cial situation of the listed companies, just announced their first quarter corporate governance and their risk profits and bank stocks, which are At a time when the business commu- absorbing capacities before taking generally the most traded shares in nity is crying for help from the gov- investment decisions, investors do not Nepal’s stock market. ernment citing the catastrophic seem to be concerned. Profit after tax of commercial impact of coronavirus on their busi- The country’s economy is expected banks may have gone down during the nesses, the pandemic appears to have to grow by a mere 0.6 percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year little to no impact on the country’s current fiscal year, according to the but this has not deterred the investors share market. World Bank. In the last fiscal year of the secondary market as they say On Tuesday, the Nepse index 2019-20, economic growth was project- its first quarter profits are not as bad reached a record high of 2000.04 ed at 2.27 percent by the Central as expected. points as the market went up consist- Bureau of Statistics as a result of the Commercial banks made a profit of ently for the last seven days growing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Rs14.60 billion during the first quarter by 219.97 points between November 23 Ironically, the poor economy has of this fiscal year compared to Rs15.62 and December 1. On Sunday alone spurred the growth in the stock market. billion during the same period last there was a record turnover of Rs9.22 According to investors and officials, fiscal, according to their quarterly billion. coronavirus has emerged as an oppor- financial reports. This bullish unnatural run of the tunity rather than a threat for stock The other reason, according to the stock market even prompted the investors as it has helped them get investors and analysts, is that this is Securities Board of Nepal, the regula- loans from banks and financial insti- also the time when the listed compa- tor of the country’s stock market, as tutions easily since investment oppor- nies announce dividends and many well as the Nepal Stock Exchange, the tunities for them in other sectors are have purchased shares for the lure of secondary market, to warn investors limited. dividends. about the risks if they fail to make They say that the biggest factor “But most of the investors current- investment decisions wisely. contributing to a bullish run is the ly are buying the stocks in the second- “It will be beneficial for the inves- availability of loans from banks and ary market to make money through tors to make investment decisions by financial institutions at cheaper inter- share trading instead of getting divi- analysing the overall financial and est rates. dends,” said Chandra Singh Saud, economic indicators,” the securities “Loans against the collateral of chief executive officer of Nepal Stock board said in a statement on Monday. shares are available faster, easily and Exchange. “When the market takes a Despite the Board urging investors at cheaper interest rates than ever bullish run, such a tendency appears not to run after rumours but to be before,” said Rajan Lamsal, secretary among the investors.” mindful of the international and of Nepal Investors’ Forum, a grouping Investing in stock has been more of stock investors. “We can get lucrative than depositing money in loans in abundance at an interest the banks and financial institutions rate as low as 7.5 percent. Even whose interest rate for deposits has after paying the interest, there is shrunk sharply in the recent months the scope for getting a return of due to high liquidity in the banking 5-7 percent from the dividends of system, according to Lamsal. the companies.” Another reason is that in recent Nepal Rastra Bank data cor- months, many companies have not roborates Lamsal’s view about issued initial public offerings and fur- credit facility from banks against ther public offerings, which are the the collateral of shares being preferred options for stock investors utilised during the first quarter because they can get shares at a cheap- of the current fiscal year. er rate. Banks and financial institu- >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2020 | 02 NATIONAL Construction of a bridge over Arun river delayed by a decade The foundation stone of the bridge was laid 10 years ago but work remains incomplete.

ALISHA SHRESTHA BHOJPUR, DEC 1

The foundation stone of a bridge over Arun river in Lamsuwaghat along the border of Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur was laid a decade ago. But the bridge’s construction is yet to com- plete. Swachhand Construction Services, a contractor company, had agreed to construct the bridge on July 9, 2010. Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, the then deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Planning and Construction, had laid the foundation stone of the bridge in 2010. In the last 10 years, only six pillars of the 167 metres bridge have been built. The contractor left the construc- POST PHOTO: ALISHA SHRESTHA tion work, citing that they found only In the absence of a bridge, children have to take a boat to reach their school. rocks while digging pits for the con- struction of pillars. Salpasilichho Rural Municipality momentum now since the Bridge The deadline for the bridge project have been facing difficulties while Division has permitted the redesign- was on July 9, 2013, which was extend- travelling to Sankhuwasabha from ing.” ed by a year. But the contractor failed Bhojpur due to a lack of bridge in Bhuwan Halide, a local resident of to meet the extended deadline too. Lamsuwaghat. Rudra Bahadur Magar, Sadananda, said, “Authorities have In the absence of a bridge in a local resident of Sadananda, said, said around 30 percent of the bridge’s POST PHOTO: KABIN ADHIKARI Lamsuwaghat, locals of Sadananda “The contractor left the construction construction work has been completed Men try to take out a taxi stuck in a manhole in front of Bir Hospital in Kathmandu on Tuesday. The road has been flooded with sewage from have to walk to Todkepul, about five work of the bridge incomplete on var- in 10 years period. But that’s not true. Bir Hospital and the surrounding buildings for over a week now. kilometres away, to cross the river via ious pretexts. We have to suffer Local leaders and those who won last boat. Boat operators charge Rs 50 per because of it.” general elections and local level elec- individual to ferry them across the In the initial agreement, the total tions from this area are not paying river. Puspha Kumal, a local boat oper- cost of the bridge was around Rs 130 attention towards the delay in con- ator, said, “We take annual contracts million but was later increased to Rs struction work.” with parents to help school children 166.3 million due to redesigning. Birbal Rai, mayor of Sadananda Minister Gyawali to visit New Delhi for cross the river.” According to the redesign, four pillars Municipality, said, “We have been tak- Madhav Katuwal, a local resident of of the bridge should be dug down up ing initiatives to speed up construc- Sadananda, said, “We have to send our to 16 metres. tion work of the bridge. But if the the sixth joint commission meeting kids to school taking high risk. There’s Roshan Dev, an engineer at the bridge cannot be built there, we should no concrete bridge nearby to help us Division Road Office in Tumlingtar, also find other alternatives.” ANIL GIRI reset the bilateral exchanges between more high-level bilateral visits and cross the river. We don’t know when said, “The initial design of the bridge But, according to Swochhanda KATHMANDU, DEC 1 the two neighbours that had stalled exchanges in the coming days. Even the construction work of the bridge was changed after rocks were found in Construction Company, the construc- due to a bitter boundary dispute and prime ministerial level visits could will be completed.” the construction site. The rocks could tion work of the bridge has been After three back-to-back high-level the Covid-19 pandemic, take place, he added. Around 70,000 residents of not be removed even after blasting. stopped for the time being since they visits from New Delhi in the last one Gyawali will be the senior most “During Goel’s visit, the two neigh- Sadananda Municipality and The construction work will gain are awaiting a new design. and half months, it’s now Kathmandu’s political leader to visit New Delhi bouring countries had agreed to turn to reciprocate. after Nepal and India’s relations resume the high-level visits and Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali reached the nadir point in May after exchanges. If everything goes accord- is visiting India to participate in the the Nepal government issued a new ing to the plan, there could be high-lev- Sixth Meeting of Nepal-India Joint map of the country that placed territo- el visits at the prime ministerial level Commission that is expected to take ries that Nepal claims to be its own by the end of March/April next year,” A birthday cake, a bitter shouting match place on December 15 and 16 in New and currently occupied by India. said the leader, who is close to Oli. Delhi, multiple sources told the Post. India in response had rejected the Considering the upcoming joint Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh new map of Nepal calling it as “ unjus- commission meeting, Nepal and India and a sour note at the end Vardhan Shringla, during his Nepal tified cartographic assertion” and are holding meetings of various mech- visit last week, had handed over the rejected the “ artificial enlargement” anisms as well. >> Continued from page 1 is not keen on attending the meeting. meeting on November 13 only after invite to Gyawali on behalf of Indian of territory. Two senior government officials “[Ram Bahadur] Thapa was of the This could put the Standing Committee multiple requests by the Dahal-Nepal Foreign Minister S. Jaishanker, The thaw in the ties between the told the Post that ahead of the ministe- view that since the document has meeting, which is scheduled for faction, at least two informal meetings according to a press statement issued two countries engaged in accusations rial meeting, both sides are scheduled already entered the Secretariat, the Thursday, into limbo. of the Secretariat and his meeting by the Indian side on November 26. and counter-accusations was first to conclude meetings of major mecha- committee must discuss it,” the mem- “Oli has said he cannot attend the with the President. “I don’t know the details about the observed on August 15 when Prime nisms, including trade, transit, com- ber told the Post. The nine-member meeting as he has pressing issues to But for Oli, known as a master poli- meeting, but there was a general Minister Oli rang up his Indian coun- merce, infrastructure and water Secretariat is vertically divided, with deal with,” said Subas Nembang, a tician, Dahal’s political document was understanding that Foreign Minister terpart Narendra Modi on the occa- resources, at various levels. Dahal having the majority. Standing Committee member and a godsend, as he used that as a tool to Gyawali would visit India to partici- sion of Independence Day of India. Officials preparing the agenda told Senior leaders Madhav Kumar Oli’s close confidante. “I don’t think divert his opponents from whatever pate in the joint commission’s meet- During the conversation, Prime the Post that Nepal is looking for a Nepal and Jhala Nath Khanal, party the Standing Committee meeting they were aiming at. ing,” Rajan Bhattarai, Prime Minister Minister Oli had reportedly agreed to huge concession in trade and transit vice-chair Bamdev Gautam and scheduled for Thursday can happen, At the November 18 meeting, Oli KP Oli’s foreign relation advisor, said break the logjam. sectors with India on several issues Shrestha are on Dahal’s side. as we are yet to start preparations for said the charges against him were so on Tuesday. Following the talks between the two related to trade, commerce, transit, Poudel and Pokhrel are clearly on the same.” serious that if proven, he should not Another senior Foreign Ministry leaders, it is said that Modi had sent infrastructure and connectivity, Oli’s side. Thapa, who is described by Insiders say Oli has been trying to continue as party chair and prime official said they had given concur- Samant Goel, chief of India’s external among others. The meeting of the party members as a fence-sitter, so far avoid the Secretariat meeting as he minister. “If the accuser [Dahal] can- rence to the Indian proposal whose spy agency, Research and Analysis joint commission takes up entire bilat- has remained with Oli. fears any decision against him on the not back his charges with evidence, he formal announcement will be made Wing (RAW), to Nepal to mend the ties. eral issues between Nepal and India During the Maoist “people’s war”, majority basis. Multiple leaders should step down [as executive later through a mutual consultation. A leader from the ruling Nepal which is the highest level mechanism Thapa and Dahal used to be comrades over the past few days have told the chair],” said Oli. Gyawali’s India visit is expected to Communist Party said there could be to resolve disputes and differences. in arms. Though Thapa had parted Post that the Dahal-Nepal faction will At the November 28 meeting, Oli ways with the Maoist party in 2012, he not hesitate to get a decision endorsed went on the offensive in his 38-point returned to Dahal’s fold in 2016. He is if Oli refuses to follow the party sys- rebuttal to Dahal. currently home minister in the Oli tem. The Dahal-Nepal faction has Wednesday’s Secretariat and Cabinet. been piling pressure on Oli to step Thursday’s Standing Committee meet- The next meeting has been sched- down. ings are now uncertain. uled for 1pm Wednesday. Oli, however, Oli had agreed for a Secretariat Shrestha, the party spokesperson, told reporters after Tuesday’s meeting that the party has not discussed any- thing regarding changing the date for the Standing Committee meeting. According to Shrestha, the ultimate goal is resolving the crisis the party is currently facing. “We have not discussed whether to discuss the proposals by the two chairs separately or whether there should be a joint proposal,” said Shrestha. “Leaders are of the view that formal and informal discussions should continue and they have start- ed.” A leader present in the meeting said Oli had proposed holding the next meeting after 10 to 15 days so that informal discussions could be held in between. “But members did not agree, saying both formal and informal discussions should continue simultaneously,” PHOTO COURTESY: SURYA THAPA said the leader. “Oli then walked out, Nepal Communist Party Secretariat members celebrate General Secretary Bishnu Poudel’s saying there is no meaning of such birthday during a meeting on Tuesday. meetings.” Despite economy taking a hit during the pandemic, the stock market ...

>> Continued from page 1 of the last 180 days. ing took place online. “Therefore, usual share investors Either average closing price of 120 “The Covid-19 pandemic forced us have been focussed on the secondary days or prevailing market price, to go for online trading. It also enabled market,” said Saud. whichever is lower, should be consid- many investors across the country On the other hand, the central bank ered as the value of shares, the mone- and Nepalis abroad to participate in has also adopted capital market friend- tary policy says. trading, which contributed to the ly policy in its latest monetary policy “Such ease in lending for purchas- growth of the secondary market,” said for 2020-21 although it usually tends to ing shares is also a factor helping the Saud. According to Lamsal, over discourage lending by the banks and stock market to grow, said Saud. 100,000 investors purchase and sell financial institutions for the stock The growing trend of the online stocks online regularly with investors market, terming the sector more risky. trading of stocks also helped the sec- numbering between 45,000 and 50,000 For example, the monetary policy ondary market to grow, according to engaged in trading every day. allowed the banks and financial insti- investors and analysts. However, despite the current bull- tutions to offer loans to share inves- According to the Nepal Stock ish run in the stock market, experts tors up to 70 percent of the value of Exchange, ever since it introduced a question whether it is sustainable. shares put as collateral, up from 65 fully automated online trading system “Bullish runs without the backing percent earlier. in November, 2018, key indicators of of the economic fundamentals [good For the purpose of valuation, the the stock market have improved grad- economic and financial indicators] banks and financial institutions can ually as investors do not have to visit cannot be sustainable,” said Bhatta of maintain share value based on the stockbrokers’ offices anymore. the central bank. “At present the econ- average closing price of shares for the As of Sunday, 189,000 investors have omy is heading towards one direction last 120 days as per the monetary poli- registered for online trading. On while the share market is heading cy. Earlier, they had to take the value Sunday, 88.55 percent of the total trad- towards the opposite direction.”

C M Y K 03 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2020 NATIONAL Move to build 396 hospitals amid pandemic meets scepticism Managing human resources will be the key challenge as a government study says 116,000 additional personnel, four times the existing provision, will be required for the new hospitals. POST REPORT health services. Department of Health Services. deal with critical cases.” KATHMANDU, DEC 1 “No one in our village will now die for want It is not only in the remote areas of the coun- According to the Provincial Health of treatment and delay in reaching the hospi- try that health workers are lacking. Directorate of Karnali Province, out of the 800 In June Siddhartha Aauji, who cleaned toilets tal,” said Saraswoti Bhattarai, a resident of Due to apathy to hire health workers, includ- posts of health workers in the province, only at Bayalpata Hospital in Achham district, set ward 11 in Shuklagandaki Municipality in ing doctors and nurses, Bir Hospital in 296 posts are currently filled. himself on fire in front of the hospital, after he Tanahun, where foundation was laid for a new Kathmandu has been unable to fully run build- Similarly, according to the Provincial Health was sacked, along with 32 others for lack of hospital. “We now have to go to Putalibazar in ings constructed and handed over by the Japan Directorate of Sudurpaschim Province there resources, and subsequently died of the inju- Syangja or Pokhara for treatment even for International Cooperation Agency some 18 are a total of 454 posts of doctors in 13 hospi- ries sustained. The international award-win- minor illnesses. Establishing a hospital here months ago. tals but 183 of them remain vacant. ning hospital, completed in 2019, served not will save us the trouble.” At present there are 30,000 positions for The building spree comes at a time when the only people from the district but also from But generally, observers have scoffed at health workers in government health institu- federal government is reluctant to spend several neighbouring ones. the move. tions but only 27,000 of them have been filled, money to contain the spread of the ongoing On October 10 the government signed an “This is nothing more than another political according to the Health Ministry. pandemic when contact tracing has stopped eight-point agreement with Dr Govinda KC, stunt to divert attention of the public, who An organisation and management survey leaving people to die avoidable deaths. the social crusader who has been fighting a have been affected by the coronavirus carried out by the Health Ministry estimated Due to the Health Ministry’s suggestions to long battle with the government for improve- pandemic,” Dr Govinda Ojha, former director that over 116,000 additional personnel includ- seek treatment only after suffering from ments in the health sector, after his 19th fast- general at the Department of Health Services, ing doctors, nurses, paramedics, lab techni- breathing problems or falling unconscious- unto-death. The third point of the agreement told the Post. cians and administrative staff are needed for ness, patients are waiting at home without reads, the government will “manage the budget Across the country, health workers are POST FILE PHOTO the new hospitals whose foundation stones undergoing tests and reaching hospitals too to provide free health services at Bayalpata equally sceptical and doubt if the building of Dr Govinda KC broke his 28-day-long fast on were laid Monday. late if at all. Hospital”. hospitals will amount to much in the long run. October 11, after officials agreed to provide funds to a In Gandaki Province, health professionals “The government does not have money to To date, Bayalpata hospital has received On Monday the foundation stone for a 15-bed hospital in Achham among other things. The are worried about managing human resources save lives but has sufficient funds for construc- nothing from the federal government. hospital was laid in Belbari Municipality of government is yet to fulfil this promise. for the new hospitals. Keshav Adhikari, vice tion of hundreds of buildings,” said Ojha. “The federal government has not yet Morang district. But close by a primary health chairperson of the Nepal Public Health The bill for the new construction is expected announced the allotment of budget to the hos- centre has been shut since the post of a medi- building new hospitals. The new hospitals will Association in Gandaki Province, is doubtful to be Rs57.95 billion. pital even after signing an agreement with Dr cal doctor is yet to be filled. also face the same ordeal—shortage of human that the new hospitals will be able to sustain in Former Health Minister Gagan Kumar KC,” said Dr Bikash Gauchan, healthcare The situation of 18 hospitals and 41 primary resources.” the absence of required medical infrastructure Thapa agrees with Ojh. He called the start of director at the hospital. “The hospital already health centres in Province 1 is similar. Narayani Hospital in Birgunj, one of the and human resources. the construction of basic health care facilities has enough problems due to fund shortage At Biratnagar-based Koshi Hospital, as country’s oldest hospitals, is similarly short- In Lumbini Province, foundation stones at local levels a good initiative, but wrong in including shortage of emergency medicines. many as 27 posts of consultant doctors and 12 staffed. Of the total 193 posts of employees, 44 were laid for 57 hospitals on Monday. But the terms of priority. The funds from the centre would at least give posts of staff nurses are currently vacant. The are vacant. move received a lukewarm welcome from “The major priority of the government us some respite in operating the facility hospital is struggling to provide health servic- “We have been asking for the government’s health workers since most of the existing should have been saving lives at present,” smoothly.” es due to the shortage of human resources and support to increase the number of beds from health facilities have become referral centres. Thapa told the Post. “How can the lives of the The federal government on Sunday, on the equipment. 200 to 500 since the number of patients visiting “There is only 60 percent of human resourc- infected patients be saved by starting construc- other hand, laid the foundations, amidst much “It is easier to construct physical infrastruc- the hospital has increased over the years. But es in hospitals in the province. Most of them tion of the hospital buildings?” fanfare, of 396 five to 15-bed hospitals across tures and buy equipment but it is difficult to nothing has been done yet,” said Dr Atulesh also lack physical infrastructures,” said Dr “In the public health, it is called the unethi- the country. Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali manage medical staff,” said Sital Yadav, a Kumar Chaurasiya, the spokesperson of the Binod Kumar Giri, director of the cal allocation of resources,” Dr Baburam called the government move a “revolution”. retired doctor based in Morang. “It would have hospital. Health Directorate of Lumbini Province. Maraasini, former director at the Epidemiology Some have welcomed the move and been wiser to arrange for required human “Basic health care is not only the buildings,” “Most of the hospitals are turning into and Disease Control Division, told the Post. are hopeful of a future with easy access to resources and tools before going on a spree of said Ojha, the former director general of the referral centres since they are not armed to (With inputs from our local correspondents.) Court says Sumargi’s defamation claims against Kantipur can’t be sustained POST REPORT KATHMANDU, DEC 1

Kathmandu District Court on Tuesday said that claims present- ed in a defamation case by Ajeya Raj Sumargi against Kantipur Publications can’t be sustained. A single bench of Judge Narayan Prasad Subedi passed the judgment in the case Sumargi filed in 2018 stating that reports published by Kantipur daily, the Post’s sister paper, about his assets defamed him. The reports that said his assets lacked legitimate sources were baseless and that Kantipur Publications had committed a crime by doing so, Sumargi had claimed. Kantipur Publications Chairman and Managing Director Kailash Sirohiya, Director Swastika Sirohiya and Kantipur’s Editor-in-Chief Sudheer Sharma were named defendants in the case. Sumargi had sought compensation of Rs 250 million from the defendants stating that he incurred losses due to the reports about his business, which he claimed were being operated with foreign investment. Though the district court, on its website, mentioned that the petitioner’s claims can’t be sustained, it is yet to release the full text of judgment. 64 percent children didn’t find virtual learning effective, nationwide survey says Students across country await resumption of schools after months of staying home. BINOD GHIMIRE KATHMANDU, DEC 1

Upendra Chaudhary, a seventh grader from Saraswati Secondary School in Deukhuri, Dang, was completely cut off from his class- es until the school started the in-person classes on November 22 after the festive season was over. Though the government announced different ways for stu- dents to learn at home, Chaudhary didn’t benefit from any. He knew a local FM ran classes for three months, but he didn’t find them effective. “The classes were boring,” he told the Post. The seventh grader said things have changed since he started attending in-person classes. The school is conducting classes for one half of the students each day with a student coming to school every alternate day. The government in June issued directives for the facilitation of student’s learning, giving students different options –online study, study through radio and through TV. Schools across the country were closed from March 18, a week before the country went into a lockdown to contain the spread of Covid-19. The government even announced that it would provide free SIM cards and data packs to students who don’t have access to the internet. However, different surveys show a large number of students have been left out of virtual learning. A study carried out by the National Campaign for Education, an umbrella body of over 300 organisations working in the edu- cation sector, shows virtual learning was ineffective for 64.3 per- cent of students surveyed. The survey carried out among 770 students, guardians and teachers from different districts in seven provinces shows the self-learning among students has also not been satisfactory. “Though over 60 percent of the schools were found to have pre- pared a plan for the virtual learning, it was not implemented at the community level,” said Suresh Gautam, one of the research- ers. “Our study shows a lack of coordination between the three tiers of government.” Eight months after the closure of schools, the Cabinet in November endorsed the School Resumption Working Guideline, which allows the resumption of schools provided they coordi- nate with representatives of the local government concerned, teachers’ unions and representatives from the school manage- ment committee. However, except for some of the districts like Dang, where the threat of the pandemic is comparatively low, most districts are yet to start in-person classes. “The problem is our government comes up with different plans but doesn’t take needed steps towards its implementation,” said Raj Kumar Gandharwa, former chair of the National Campaign for Education. “I believe the study would be an eye opener for those in policy making.”

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2020 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL Burdensome barriers to trade Spectres of monarchy We might loathe the current regime, but we can’t let the country slide back on the regressive path.

When the country was fighting tooth and nail against king Gyanendra’s direct rule, KP Oli, then a senior leader of the erstwhile Communist Party of Nepal (UML) had said that abol- ishing the monarchy was as far-fetched a dream as attempting to reach America in a bullock cart. But it did not take long for Nepal to adopt republicanism. When the movement for the structuring of Nepal into a federal republic was gaining momentum, Oli was again a naysayer. Oli’s ideas proved to be against the tide once again, and the country adopted federalism. It’s strange, the game of thrones that is politics. Today, Oli is the prime minister of the country, endowed with the responsi- bility of strengthening federalism and safeguarding the demo- cratic rights of the people that had long been curtailed by the monarchy, among others. And it seems that Oli, who has never really overcome his antagonism with federalism, has found his ideological allies in the apologists of the monarchy. Several rallies that seem to be supported by various little-known royal- ist and pro-Hindu organisations hit the streets in various parts of the country, including Dhangadhi, Nepalgunj, SHUTTERSTOCK have often encountered technical requirements besides institutional ment to harmonise the measures with Mahendranagar, Bardia, Birgunj, Janakpur, Nawalpur, Non-tariff barriers and requirements like fulfilling product arrangements to disseminate such bilateral, regional and multilateral Pokhara, Rautahat and Biratnagar. specifications to comply with the information. Second, even if exporters negotiations. preference erosion have importing countries’ health and sani- are aware of the requirements and can Non-tariff measures remain an inte- And on Monday, the pro-royalist and pro-Hindu forces tary standards. Similarly, key manufac- comply with them, they have a difficult gral part of trade negotiations. But marched on Kathmandu’s streets. Their demands include complicated Nepal’s export tured products including carpets and time demonstrating their products are there are no definite negotiation modal- scrapping the federal system and making way for the return of pashmina, or crafts and jewellery, gen- compliant. In other words, there is a ities internationally. The World Trade strategy. erally had to abide by the limits for lack of institutions for conformity Organisation has followed three the monarchy. It is by doing this, they say, that the country can residues and prohibition of certain assessment as the certificates issued by approaches to address the issue. They be saved. Although a few motorcycle rallies may not bring the materials or substances. And some Nepali laboratories and institutions include bilateral request and offer for BIJENDRA MAN SHAKYA products required fumigation and are not easily recognised abroad. removal or easing of such barriers; monarchy back, people’s nostalgia for it is nevertheless possi- social labelling. Sometimes, exporters Therefore, what Nepali exporters find negotiations to phase out specific kinds bly exacerbating thanks to the inefficacy of almost all govern- find it difficult to prove the value-added difficult is getting their compliance of measures in all product lines; and a requirement for their products to get with the underlying technical regula- process of aligning standards related to ments that followed its abolition. The recent rallies, thus, preferential market access. tions certified, not the regulations health, environment and social clauses should be taken as a manifestation of the general However, in principle, these meas- themselves. Third, Nepal being a land- with an internationally agreed bench- ures are legitimate as long as they are locked country, exporters face twice the mark. Considering these approaches, public’s frustration against the government of the day, and the meant to protect health and the envi- trouble since their cargo has to cross Nepal’s ability to overcome non-tariff endless bickering in the ruling party that has held the country With average world tariffs dropping ronment, or they are in compliance the transit country before reaching the barriers will primarily depend on how hostage. and regional and multilateral tariff with international standards. export destinations. As a result, these it makes a trade-off bilaterally with its liberalisation expanding, tariff barri- Therefore, it is appropriate to refer to measures turned into a burden for trading partners. There is no option In a democracy, every citizen has the right to raise their voice ers to trade are no longer a big issue for these requirements as non-tariff meas- exporters in terms of cost and time, but to acknowledge the other two peacefully; every citizen’s voice deserves to be heard. In that international traders. For traders in ures which include a wide category of ultimately affecting their competitive- approaches as they are essentially low-income countries, including Nepal, instruments, like sanitary and phy- ness internationally. based on multilateral negotiations and sense, each peaceful demand of citizens, notwithstanding their they are even less of a worry as almost tosanitary measures, technical barri- Whether driven by obligation or international rules. numbers, is legitimate. They might sound archaic as we have all rich countries offer preferential tar- ers to trade, tariff-rate quota, intention to protect, non-tariff meas- The problem of non-tariff barriers iff treatment to their exports, except on anti-dumping and countervailing ures will continue to exist in different has always overshadowed the debate on moved far ahead towards a democratic polity in the past decade some sensitive products in selected measures and so on. forms at different times in cross-border Nepal’s trade policy strategies because and a half. But they are right in expressing their voices against countries. But these developments have Non-tariff measures are based on a trade. They are likely to intensify in the their effects are noticed immediately. given rise to two troubling issues. neutral concept regarding their impact future due to the growing demand of But the impact of the erosion of prefer- the political mess created by democratic leaders all these years While reduced tariffs have prompted and are applicable to not only exports consumers and increased market ence margin as a result of reduced as the country gets riddled with rampant corruption, in-fight- importing countries to impose non-tar- but also imports. Unlike non-tariff sophistication globally. A study done by world tariffs is rarely discussed. This is ing within the ruling party, unemployment, curbing of free iff barriers, it has also eroded the mar- measures, non-tariff barriers imply a the International Trade Centre pro- because its influences are not yet dis- gin of preference for such countries in negative impact as they intend to duced a shocking revelation that about tinct, and will be realised only in the speech, and a weak opposition, among others. trade with preference-giving countries. obstruct free trade with their strict, one-fifth of the burdensome regula- long run. Unlike the trade measures, Make no mistake, monarchy is already obsolete in Nepal. We In Nepal’s case, both issues can have complex and less transparent features. tions faced by Nepali exporters were the implications of preference erosion extensive and profound impacts. Traders find it difficult to comply with home-grown. This means there is a can neither be negotiated nor avoided packed king Gyanendra off to the hills of Nagarjun in 2008 Non-tariff barriers are so pro- such measures and calculate the cost of need to reform the country’s customs as they are the result of the unilateral because of the monarchy’s inherent problems that were antag- nounced in Nepal’s export trade that doing business. Due to these types of and administrative procedures in an tariff liberalisation of the trading part- there is hardly any product not affected complications, Nepali exporters have extensive way. For this, the private sec- ners. Its impacts can be offset only by onistic to the idea of a democratic polity. It is due to this that by this issue. A majority of products quite often sacrificed business opportu- tor should participate skilfully in trade boosting export efficiency. Hence, the today, barring a small section of apologists, people have no face barriers related to stringent tech- nities in international markets. policy advocacy instead of treating it potential impact of preference erosion nical requirements and conformity Although non-tariff measures are lightly as it has been doing. The gov- should be treated just like other barri- serious nostalgia for the monarchy to want to bring it back assessments as well as cases linked to product- and country-specific, there are ernment, for its part, should guarantee ers to trade in Nepal’s policy provisions from the dead. But they will have no nostalgia for today’s polit- rules of origin and inspection. three main reasons which commonly a trade-friendly environment to sup- for its exports to perform well. ical leaders either if they continue to dupe them all the time. It Exporters of the country’s major deter the promotion of Nepal’s export port export competitiveness. This is agro-based products, such as tea and trade. First, there is a lack of informa- not possible without transparency and Shakya is an associate professor of is high time the leaders realised this. coffee, or ginger and large cardamom, tion in Nepal with respect to technical predictability along with a commit- economics at Tribhuvan University. How to lose a European country

strolled down the road toward the puses to please the right-wing of the Five years later, the Athens Polytechnic to lay a wreath. governing party. Almost every TV and Seven hours later, our MPs were radio station peddled slavishly the transition to postmodern still caged in by a huge police force, line that the new government would even after the road was opened to nor- ‘make Greece great again’. Wretched parliamentary dictatorship mal traffic and people going about refugees were referred to by govern- their business. The message was clear: ment ministers as ‘illegal invaders’, is well advanced. Opposition MPs’ constitutional rights precipitating the illegal and murder- have been annulled de facto. ous order given to Greece’s Coast Proof that this was no accident Guard to repel into stormy seas flimsy YANIS VAROUFAKIS came in the next few days. On vessels overladen with desperate men, November 25, International Day for women, and children. the Elimination of Violence against Meanwhile, ill winds are blowing in Women, while MPs paid lip service to the justice system. At the beginning the issue, police outside arrested nine of 2020, the president’s term expired. prominent, socially distanced femi- The government, having succeeded in nists for daring to demonstrate in amending the constitution so that it support of the very same cause. could elect the new president with a ‘This is no time for sadness, we are too Meanwhile, the district prosecutor’s simple parliamentary majority, select- pissed off ’, the head of an intensive office announced that opposition MPs, ed as its candidate the acting presi- care unit at a hospital in my including me, were being investigated dent of the Council of State. In effect, Thessaloniki constituency told me for violating movement restrictions the message to top judges, who face recently. Along with his staff of dedi- which, according to the constitution, compulsory retirement at age 67, was: cated doctors and nurses, he had not do not apply to us. Refrain from ruling against the gov- slept the previous night, which he Now the government has used its ernment and a cushy job awaits you. evocatively described as ‘our Night of parliamentary majority to dispel all At a time when liberal Europe is St Bartholomew’. I asked why he was remaining doubt about its anti-demo- fretting over Hungary and Poland, fuming. ‘I lost a 43-year-old who could cratic intentions, voting to strip one which are vetoing the EU’s budget in have been saved’, he replied angrily, of our MPs’ parliamentary immunity defence of their illiberal regimes, no adding: ‘But it is the lies, the damned and drag her through the courts for one seems to be noticing that other EU lies, and the propaganda that drive me something she said in the chamber. member states, like Greece, are taking mad’. And her words happened to be true, in after them. Back in 2015, I commented Greece had a good first wave of addition to being protected: police pro- that tanks were no longer necessary to Covid-19, but the second wave caught vocateurs, hooded and dressed as overthrow Greek democracy. Bank clo- the government utterly unprepared. anarchists, have been recorded blend- sures sufficed. Insiders at hospitals in northern ing in with demonstrators and occa- Five years later, the transition to Greece, like the ICU chief I spoke to, sionally inciting violence. Not even in postmodern parliamentary dictator- now compare their situation to north- the tumultuous 1960s was the MP ship is well advanced. A few days ago, ern Italy’s in early spring. stripped of legal immunity for words on Armed Forces Day, an image of a But little information about the cur- spoken on the floor of our Parliament. tank, along with fighter planes and rent horrors seeps into the public Only a year ago I was reading Ece missiles, was projected against the domain. One reason is that govern- SHUTTERSTOCK Temelkuran’s book How to Lose a facade of Greece’s Parliament. There, ment-appointed hospital managers of November 17, the 47th anniversary moderate response. We would call on guarantees freedom of movement to Country: The 7 Steps from Democracy in front of Syntagma Square, tradi- threaten staff with nasty repercus- of an anti-fascist student uprising— members of the public, our party, and parliamentarians, our decision was to Dictatorship, a heart-wrenching tionally the site of both pro-democra- sions if they speak to the media. and a focal point for protesters in our youth wing to stay away, respect- both responsible and legal. account of Turkey’s descent into a cy demonstrations and the tank Another is that during the pandemic, Greece every year—approached, the ing the restrictions against the virus’s During our symbolic march, hun- parliamentary dictatorship. Little did parades that repeatedly marked the the media have become fully depend- police issued a four-day nationwide transmission. dreds of young policemen and police- I know then that, a year later, her book suspension of democracy, the writing ent on large grants that the Ministry ban on outdoor gatherings of more But to challenge the weaponisation women, defying all social distancing would resonate like a documentary of was on the wall. of Information (Orwell lives!) dispens- than four people. The pandemic was of the pandemic to ban all protest, rules, tried to impede our seven MPs. developments here in Greece. The es at the minister’s whim. the excuse; stamping out dissent was especially by medical staff, seven of As we were approaching the end of signs began to appear soon after the Varoufakis, a former finance minister In recent weeks, the police have the reason. our Members of Parliament would our route, we were caged in by a conservative New Democracy govern- of Greece, is leader of the MeRA25 begun investigating medical person- MeRA25, the party I lead, had a long walk along the traditional march human chain of more than a thousand ment took office, well before the party and Professor of Economics at nel who had announced small symbol- internal debate on how to respond to route, complete with masks and ample police. Meanwhile, the prime minister, pandemic. the University of Athens. ic strikes to protest staff shortages. As the draconian decree. We opted for a social distancing. As the constitution the president, and another 20 people Riot police invaded university cam- —Project Syndicate

C M Y K 05 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2020 MONEY

FOREX Euro zone US 118.2 After a thaw in relations, Nepal prepares Euro 141.53 factories Pound 157.85 Japanese 11.33 wish list for trade and transit talks with India lagging Asia’s Chinese 17.99 Nepal wants greater access for its agricultural produce to the Indian market, convenience in passage of goods Qatari 31.95 recovery from Australian 86.88 through Kolkata port, and transport of goods through waterways, among others. Malaysian 28.98 ANIL GIRI regarding the riverian ports that Nepal can use for Covid-19 crisis KATHMANDU, DEC 1 inland waterways should be fixed,” said Ojha. Saudi 31.51 On the issue of development of inland water navi- REUTERS Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank With the resumptions of high-level visits between gation facilities, India agreed in March last year to LONDON/TOKYO, DEC 1 Nepal and India, the two countries are now planning incorporate in the bilateral trade and transit treaties to resume several trade, transit and connectivity for third country trade via India Nepal’s proposal to Euro zone factory growth cooled last Shares talks stalled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the extend inland waterway facilities up to its nearest month as renewed coronavirus lock- frosty relations over the boundary dispute. navigation points. down measures hurt demand, leaving Nepse 2,000.40pts 0.17% Nepali officials said that starting December, more During Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to the bloc lagging many Asian peers than half a dozen bilateral talks concerning trade India in April 2018, both sides had agreed to explore who recovered further from the Covid- HIGHEST GAINERS and transit, commerce, infrastructure, water the possibility of inland waterways via India and 19 crisis, surveys showed on Tuesday. NRIC RHPL UPPER NTC SJCL SHIVM 9.97% 9.96% 9.85% 9.71% 9.65% 6.90% resources and boundary working groups, are on the assigned officials to carry out the feasibility study. Germany was the euro zone’s pow- pipeline, mostly through virtual meetings. The dates Nepal has identified two Indian transit points for erhouse, while in Asia Chinese facto- MODERATE GAINERS POST FILE PHOTO SMB SKBBL NIBSF1 NLG KMCDB PIC for a few meetings are yet to be announced. inland water navigation: Sahibganj (Jharkhand) and ry activity accelerated at the fastest 0.21% 0.19% 0.18% 0.14% 0.13% 0.11% In connectivity, the high-level meetings will dis- A file photo shows cargo trucks lined up on the bridge over Kalughat (Bihar) via Haldia port up to the Nepali pace in a decade, energizing regional

MODERATE LOSERS cuss and negotiate on agendas like upgradation of Mechi River. border from Koshi and Narayani (Gandak in India) growth and a sign the world’s sec- KSBBL PFL GUFL NMBHF1 DHPL CHL link roads for cross-border trading, amendments to rivers respectively. ond-largest economy is rebounding to -2.55% -2.45% -2.44% -2.42% -2.40% -2.40% the agreements on railway services, revision to the bound cargo from the third countries via Kolkata “We have other issues like upgrading major trad- pre-pandemic levels. HIGHEST LOSERS Nepal-India Transit Treaty to fix the modality of port in India. ing points between Nepal and India,” an official at The outlook for the global economy EICPO GRDBL NBB BNT MPFL STC inland waterways and transshipment facilities from Nepal has been receiving transshipment privileg- the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies said. is improving despite a second wave of -9.24% -7.73% -5.68% -5.32% -5.11% -4.50% all sea ports. es at Visakhapatnam port and using the electronic “Infrastructure across major trading points is very coronavirus as vaccines emerge and a The construction of cross-border railways at vari- tracking system on cargo dispatched from there poor and we need to link our transportation facilities China-led recovery takes hold, the ous points and negotiations on non-reciprocal pref- since August last year. Containers sent from to major Indian national and state highways so that OECD said on Tuesday. erential treatment for agricultural products are the Visakhapatnam are transported directly to the transportation of goods would not consume a lot of But a global resurgence in coronavi- PRICE PER TOLA key agendas Nepal plans to table, officials said. Birgunj Inland Container Depot. time.” According to the officials, they have agreed to rus infections has made the outlook BULLION At least two senior government officials whom the However, at present importers have to produce construct more cross-border railway facilities highly uncertain, keeping govern- Post talked to said that ahead of the Sixth Meeting of letters of credit and paperwork issued by the besides the existing Janakpur-Jaynagar route. ments and central banks under pres- Fine Gold Rs 90,500 Nepal-India Joint Commission at the foreign minis- Department of Commerce and the Nepali Consulate Another official at the Ministry of Commerce and sure to maintain or ramp up their ters’ level, both sides are scheduled to conclude key General, among others, to get customs clearance at Supplies said that the present cargo rail service massive stimulus programmes. Silver Rs 1,155 meetings on trade and transit, commerce, infrastruc- the Indian port. No such documentation is needed at agreement allows shipping goods only up to the inte- European Central Bank President ture, and water resources, among others. Visakhapatnam port. grated check posts in Birgunj. Christine Lagarde made clear at last SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA The joint commission meeting is scheduled to take The transshipment privileges will enable Nepali “To access these facilities by other trade routes month’s policy meeting and in a place in New Delhi. The date, however, is yet to be importers to complete the customs procedure in the and integrated check posts, we have to amend the speech that another round of mone- fixed. final destination like Birgunj, Biratnagar or rail service agreement,” said the official. tary stimulus this month is all but GASOLINE WATCH “We have almost agreed to amend the Nepal-India Bhairahawa and reduce hassles. The construction of the integrated check post was certain. Transit Treaty, which we were waiting for its formal- Further, as traders exporting Nepali agricultural completed in Biratnagar recently through financial The euro zone is on track for its first isation through the letters of exchange,” Prakash products are facing problems from time to time, assistance by the Indian government. Another facil- double-dip recession in nearly a dec- Dahal, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce there will be negotiations for Nepali agricultural ity will be constructed in Nepalgunj. ade, according to a recent Reuters poll and Supplies, told the Post. “We have also agreed to goods’ greater access to India, the officials said. Nepal is also looking for Indian assistance to con- of economists, and IHS Markit’s final amend the agreements on railway services.” “We have been receiving preferential treatment struct another integrated check post at Chandani- manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ While the commerce secretary level meeting is for industrial products as of now. But in agriculture Dodhara of Sudurpaschim Province in Kanchanpur Index fell to 53.8 in November from scheduled for December 6, another joint steering products too, we are seeking non-reciprocal treat- district. A four-lane road is under construction near October’s 54.8. committee meeting of energy secretaries has been ment,” an official said. Banbasa area to link with Indian national highway “Manufacturing is not that bad con- planned for the second week of December, two “It’s because Nepali farm products cannot com- that is expected to boost trade and commerce of that sidering the pressure on the economy, Nepali officials privy to the matter told the Post. pete with Indian products largely because Indian region, the official added. but it’s all about services which have Before the intergovernmental meeting at the com- agriculture goods are relatively cheaper due to high India has already agreed to provide its two sea lost a lot of momentum,” said Peter merce secretary level, the two-day joint secretary subsidies that the Indian government has been offer- ports to Nepal—Dhamra in Odisha and Mundra in Dixon at Commerzbank. level meeting has been scheduled for Thursday ing to the farmers to boost production.” Gujarat—for third country trade but both sides have While the region’s manufacturing through the virtual mode. Nepal’s agricultural goods import bill crossed yet to complete the process through a letter of sector continued to expand, an earlier The Cabinet meeting last Wednesday had given Rs250 billion last fiscal year. Most of the agricultural exchange. As of now, Nepal has been using Haldia in flash reading of the overall survey the approval in principle for the Ministry of Industry, products are imported from India. Kolkata and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. showed growth in the dominant ser- Commerce and Supplies to form the delegation to the Former commerce secretary Purusottam Ojha The new agreement means Nepal can use four vice industry contracted last month as meeting from the Nepali side. said since Nepal has a widening trade gap with Indian sea ports for third country trade. Covid-19 restrictions were imposed to An official preparing the agenda told the Post that India, there are some issues that Nepal should par- “On the issue of amending Trade Treaty, we have quell a second wave of infections. Nepal is looking to negotiate a “huge concession” in ticularly pursue during negotiations like easing the yet to resolve several issues but they are on the table. Factories across Europe reduced trade and transit sectors with the southern neigh- non-tariff barriers, simplifying the issue of rules of Issues related to trade come from various stakehold- headcount again although German bour since Nepal wants greater access to India for origin, quarantine among. ers so its details are being worked out. We have yet to unemployment fell unexpectedly in agricultural goods. “We have to amend the Nepal-India Transit Treaty share our agenda with the Indian side and receive November and optimism improved One agenda is direct transshipment of Nepal- to fix the modality of inland waterways. The issues theirs,” said Dahal. amid progress in developing Covid-19 vaccines. British factories meanwhile record- ed their fastest growth in almost three years last month as they stockpiled raw materials and rushed to complete Sugarcane farmers threaten agitation if the price is not raised work before new post-Brexit customs rules come into force on Jan. 1. Britain and the EU have so far failed The Ministry of Agriculture says they have recommended retaining last year’s minimum support price. to agree on tariff-free trade and even with a deal many exporters fear KRISHANA PRASAIN IN KATHMANDU The Ministry of Agriculture and was enough to make 120,000 tonnes of lengthy delays at ports due to new & NABIN POUDEL IN PARASI Livestock Development said that they sugar. customs requirements. DEC 1 had recommended retaining last “This season, production is expect- “Even if a trade deal is signed off at year’s price. ed to decline by 15 percent,” said the last minute, sparing UK-EU trade A farmers’ group has threatened to Hari Bahadur KC, spokesperson for Mainali. from tariffs, manufacturing output agitate if the minimum support price the Agriculture Ministry, said that the Sugarcane farmers of West likely will fall back in Q1, due to the of sugarcane is not raised amid Industry Ministry would hold a dis- Nawalparasi are in great difficulty as shift in the timing of export demand,” reports that the government is expect- cussion and table the proposed mini- they have not received their money for said Samuel Tombs at Pantheon ed to keep it at last year’s level. mum support price at the cabinet after three years from Lumbini Sugar Mill Macroeconomics. China’s Caixin/ Kapil Muni Mainali, president of it is recommended by the Agriculture and Indira Sugar Mill. Markit Manufacturing PMI rose to the Federation of Sugarcane Ministry. The mills made repeated promises 54.9 from October’s 53.6, marking the Producers Association, said that According to KC, there will be one to pay the farmers, but they never highest level since November 2010. information has been leaked that the price for all kinds of sugarcane, and came up with the money . The gauge stayed well above the farm gate price of sugarcane will there will be no three-tier pricing sys- Umesh Chandra Yadav, chairman of 50-level separating growth from con- remain the same this year too. tem as proposed by sugar producers. the Sugarcane Farmers’ Committee, traction for the seventh consecutive “If the government fixes the mini- “It will be difficult to separate dif- POST FILE PHOTO Nawalparasi, said that the farmers month. It was also in line with an mum support price of sugarcane at ferent grades of sugarcane as no qual- For years, most sugar mills have not paid sugarcane farmers for the raw material. had been protesting time to time for official survey that showed activity at less than Rs600 per quintal, we are ity checking mechanism has been payment, but the mill owners have not Chinese factories expanded at the fast- prepared to organise an anti-govern- established,” he said. will protest on the highway if a price yet to pay Rs60 million to sugarcane been making payment saying that est pace in more than three years in ment protest,” he said. “We cannot sell Sugar producers had proposed a lower than what they expect is fixed. farmers. sugar prices were low and that their November. our crops for less than Rs600 due to the three-tier pricing system for sugar- “We will submit a memorandum to the Regmi said that they had warned mills were operating at a loss. “We are “There is little sign that large sec- raised cost of production in the midst cane according to the quality as the government and wait for their mill owners last Thursday to settle the now taking to the streets. We are ready ond waves of the virus in the US and of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Mainali government prepares to announce the response,” said Mainali. dues of the farmers or else face gov- to launch a protest,” he said. Europe have weighed on Asia’s told the Post. minimum support price for this har- Narayan Prasad Regmi, spokesper- ernment action. Buddhi Bahadur Chaudhary of export-focused industry, suggesting He said that setting the price at less vest season starting November. son for the Industry Ministry, said Some mill owners said they were in Sarawal-2 said that he could not that external demand will continue to than Rs600 per quintal would hurt a On Saturday, a meeting of the that they had asked the Agriculture the process of making payment while repay the bank loan he had taken to hold up,” Capital Economics said in a large number of cane producers as Federation of Sugarcane Producers Ministry to send the recommended Shreeram Sugar Mill and Lumbini cultivate sugarcane after making research note. everyone knows that the price of Association held in Sarlahi decided price. For years, most sugar mills have Sugar Mill have promised to pay the many trips to the mills and the District “Overall, it looks likely that Asian sugar has been rising, but the price of not to sell their cane for less than not paid sugarcane farmers for their farmers within a month, he said. Administrative Office to get his industry will remain strong over the sugarcane has remained unchanged Rs600 per quintal this year. crops. The outstanding payments have In the fiscal year 2012-13, Nepali money. coming months, helping economic for the last three years. Sugarcane growers from Sarlahi, piled up to millions. farmers harvested a high of 20.50 mil- “What can we expect from the mills recoveries to stay on track.” “As far as we know, the government Bara, Parsa, Mahottari, Rautahat and According to Mainali, Annapurna lion quintals of sugarcane which was when they do not obey the administra- Asia’s outperformance comes as and mill owners intend to keep the two other districts have also decided Sugar Mills owes around Rs180 used to produce 256,000 tonnes of tion’s orders?” he said. “Other crops many countries in the region have had price at Rs544 per quintal this year.” not to accept anything below Rs600 per million, Shreeram Sugar Mill Rs240 sugar. Production has been dropping do not do as well as sugarcane that’s greater success in containing the Last year, the floor price of cane was quintal. million, Lumbini Sugar Mill Rs100 since then, reaching 10.40 million why we grow it, but we never get pay- virus than peers in Europe and the set at Rs536 per quintal. According to the federation, they million and Indira Sugar Mill has quintals in the last fiscal year, which ment on time for our harvest,” he said. United States. Viral pandemic is forcing everyone to shop from home this holiday season

ASSOCIATED PRESS American history. on Cyber Monday, the Monday after Curbside pickup, in which people NEW YORK, DEC 1 Here’s how this holiday shopping Thanksgiving. order online and pick up at a store’s season is shaping up: Amazon offered 30 percent off on parking lot, is becoming a popular The viral pandemic is accelerating a Black Friday, typically the frenzied board games and discounts on many option for those who want their gifts transformation of America’s holiday kick-off of the holiday shopping sea- of its gadgets. Target had 40 percent right away or who fear that they won’t shopping season. son, was eerily quiet this year. Health off Legos and robot vacuums for $75 be shipped on time. Few people showed up at the mall officials had warned shoppers to stay off. Cyber Monday is expected to gen- Some stores, like Macy’s, are offer- this weekend, with millions of pan- home, and stores followed suit by put- erate as much as $12.7 billion in sales ing curbside pickup for the first time demic-wary shoppers staying home to ting their best deals online to discour- — a 35 percent jump from a year ago, this holiday. Others are making more shop online. age crowds. according to Adobe Analytics. space in their parking lots for people The result? Overall holiday sales Half as many people shopped inside A big unknown hanging over the to park and pick up orders. In the are projected to rise a slight 0.9 per- stores this Black Friday than last year, shopping season is this: Will retailers weekend after Thanksgiving, curbside cent in November and December — according to data company Sensor- and shippers be able to deliver all pickup rose 67 percent from a year and even that modest gain will be due matic Solutions. “Black Friday was those online orders in time for ago, according to Adobe Analytics. to an explosion in online shopping, really Bleak Friday,” says David Christmas? Retailers have been warn- While retail giants Amazon and according to the research firm eMar- Bassuk, a member of the retail prac- ing shoppers to buy early this year, Walmart are likely to be the biggest keter. It expects online sales to jump tice at the consulting firm because with far more people shop- winners this holiday season, smaller nearly 36 percent, while sales at physi- AlixPartners. Online was a decidedly ping online during the pandemic, businesses that have an online pres- cal stores fall 4.7 percent. different story. Sales hit a record $9 shippers may become overwhelmed ence are racking up sales, too. The online rush was on fully dis- billion on Black Friday — up a sharp with packages to deliver. Adobe Analytics says online sales at play Monday, known as Cyber Monday, 22 percent from last year, according to Prolonged delays could send people smaller retailers were up 349 percent a day of sales promoted by retailers Adobe Analytics, which tracks online back to physical stores closer to on Thanksgiving and Black Friday. back in 2005. Once the final numbers shopping. Christmas, if many eventually decide And at the more than 1 million busi- are tallied up, this year’s Cyber Even though shoppers had access to that old-fashioned stores are a more nesses that use Shopify to build their Monday is projected to become the weeks of online deals, many held out reliable way to obtain gifts on time, AP/RSS websites, sales rose 75 percent from a biggest online shopping day in for bargains that they could get only said a retail analyst at Moody’s. A shopper looks at Macy’s window displays on Monday in New York. year ago to $2.4 billion on Black Friday.

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2020 | 06 WORLD BRIEFING Year on, origin of coronavirus Top secret: Biden gets UN seeks access to 96,000 Eritrean refugees in Tigray access to President’s GENEVA: The United Nations refugee pandemic is still unclear agency appealed on Tuesday to Ethiopian authorities for access to The World Health Organization has assembled an international team of scientists to 96,000 Eritrean refugees in the north- Daily Brief ern Tigray region, where it said food is believed to have run out during the investigate both the suspect animals and how the first patients may have been infected. month-long conflict. Babar Baloch, ASSOCIATED PRESS delayed giving Biden and Harris spokesman of the UN High AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, DEC 1 access to it as he contests the outcome Commissioner for Refugees, told a PARIS, DEC 1 of the election. Geneva news briefing: “Our extreme Joe Biden has had his first look as Trump, who prefers absorbing worry is that we hear about attacks, While many scientists are racing to president-elect at the President’s Daily information in visual ways, likes the fighting near the camps, we hear find vaccines to tame the spread of the Brief, a top secret summary of US short texts and graphics. about abductions and forced remov- coronavirus pandemic, other research- intelligence and world events — a doc- “Trump himself said during his als, so this is very important for us to ers are probing the past, trying to ument former first lady Michelle campaign and during the transition in have that access to go and see what unravel one of the greatest mysteries Obama has called “The Death, 2016 that he did not like reading long has happened over there.” of the virus: exactly where it came Destruction, and Horrible Things documents,” said Priess, who has not from. Book.” seen any of Trump’s PDBs. “It proba- The World Health Organization has Biden has already had eyes on bly has charts, tables, graphs — things Iran’s parliament advances bill assembled an international team of 10 different iterations of the so-called like that. But we don’t know for sure.” to stop nuclear inspections scientists to trace the origins of the PDB, which is tailored to the way each The written brief, which Trump TEHRAN: Iran’s parliament on Tuesday virus. They will have to investigate president likes to absorb information. doesn’t always read, often is followed advanced a bill that would end U.N. both the suspect animals and how the More than a decade ago, Biden read by a verbal briefing with an intelli- inspections of its nuclear facilities first patients may have been infected. President George W. Bush’s PDB dur- gence official, although those oral and require the government to boost “We want to know the origin and we ing Biden’s transition into the vice briefings stopped at least for a time in its uranium enrichment if European will do everything to know the ori- presidency. After that, he read October. Priess said he didn’t know signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal do gin,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom President Barack Obama’s PDB for why they stopped or if they had not provide relief from oil and bank- Ghebreyesus told reporters on eight years. Beginning Monday, after a resumed, but that they stopped at a ing sanctions. The vote to debate the Monday. four-year break, he’s reading President time when Trump was spending much bill, which would need to pass The first cases were reported in the Donald Trump’s PDB. of his time on the campaign trail. through several other stages before Chinese city of Wuhan a year ago, REUTERS “The briefers almost certainly will Before Trump authorised Biden to becoming law, was a show of defiance before countries across the world Pfizer-BioNTech have also applied for emergency use of the vaccine in the United States. be asking Biden what he prefers in get the PDB as president-elect, Biden after the killing of a prominent began to record growing infections. terms of format and style,” said David was given some intelligence back- Iranian nuclear scientist last month. The WHO said the first cases in Priess, author of “The President’s ground briefings as a candidate. But Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Wuhan are believed to date from the Pfizer-BioNTech seek EU emergency approval Book of Secrets,” a history of the they were more general and did not Khamenei has the final say on all beginning of December. for Covid-19 vaccine, target December rollout PDB. “At a minimum, they’re seeing include the nation’s top secrets. nuclear policies. The official IRNA But “where an epidemic is first what seems to resonate most with him The other thing that a presi- news agency said 251 lawmakers in detected does not necessarily reflect so that when they make the book his dent-elect gets is a briefing “on CIA’s the 290-seat chamber voted in favour, where it started”, it added in a REUTERS “If EMA concludes that the book, they can tailor it to him.” covert actions,” former acting CIA after which many began chanting November report. FRANKFURT, DEC 1 benefits of the vaccine candidate Obama’s PDB was a 10- to 15-page director Mike Morell said at an event “Death to America!” and “Death to In recent months, researchers in outweigh its risks in protecting document tucked in a leather binder, hosted by the Center for Presidential Israel!” various countries have suggested that Pfizer Inc and BioNTech’s Covid-19 against Covid-19, it will recommend which he found waiting for him on the Transition based in Washington. “It’s cases may have gone unnoticed long vaccine could be rolled out in granting a CMA (conditional breakfast table. Later in his important for the president-elect to before December 2019, based on analy- Europe this month, the companies marketing authorization) that could presidency, he liked reading the get this briefing ... because on Elderly Swedish woman sis of wastewater or blood samples. said on Tuesday after they applied potentially enable use of ultra-secret intelligence brief on a Inauguration Day, these covert actions But there is a lack of “clear for EU emergency approval for BNT162b2 in Europe before the end secured iPad. will become the new president’s.” accused of imprisoning evidence” to back up these claims, the shot. of 2020,” they said in a joint state- “On a given day, I might read about In 1961, President John F. Kennedy son for decades said Etienne Simon-Loriere, of the The application to the European ment. terrorist cells in Somalia or unrest in read his first brief while sitting on the STOCKHOLM: A 70-year-old woman virology department at the Institut Medicines Agency (EMA) comes In their pursuit of a European Iraq or the fact that the Chinese or diving board of a swimming pool at has been arrested in Sweden’s capital Pasteur in Paris. days after the companies applied launch, the partners are Russians were developing new weap- his retreat in the Blue Ridge on suspicion of holding her son To establish a virus family tree, for emergency use of their vaccine neck-and-neck with rival ons systems,” Obama wrote in his Mountains of Virginia. President captive at home for up to three dec- researchers rely on genetic analysis. in the United States. They said their Moderna, which said on Monday it recently released book, “A Promised Lyndon Johnson liked to read his ades, police and a prosecutor said This can help “better understand candidate, BNT162b2, could be would ask the EU regulator to Land.” brief in the afternoon. President on Tuesday. The man in his 40s was transmission dynamics, particularly launched in the European Union recommend conditional approval “Nearly always, there was mention Richard Nixon relied on his national found in the apartment by a relative how the virus may have evolved over this month. for its shot. of potential terrorist plots, no matter security adviser Henry Kissinger to on Sunday in a wounded state, time and how clusters might be relat- how vague, thinly sourced, or peruse the briefs and tell him what he Stockholm prosecutor Emma ed in time and place”, the WHO said. unactionable — a form of due dili- thought the president should know. Olsson told Reuters, saying he may Scientists agree that the disease has But there would likely have been an WHO investigators will need to clar- gence on the part of the intelligence As the laborious recount of ballots have been held for nearly 30 years. an animal origin. intermediary animal to shepherd ify this point by probing the wet mar- community, meant to avoid the kind of dragged on in 2000, President Bill Various Swedish media, citing a “The big question is what led it to SARS-CoV-2 into people. ket in Wuhan, which sold live and wild second-guessing that had transpired Clinton decided that then-Gov. George relative who found him, said the man jump into humans,” Etienne Simon- The pangolin — a mammal subject animals and has been linked to many after 9/11.” W. Bush should get access to his PDB was discovered lying on a blanket Loriere told AFP. to rampant regional wildlife smug- of the early cases. From now until Inauguration Day, just in case he was the winner. Bush on the floor, toothless, unable to Suspicions have fallen on bats, gling — was identified as a likely car- The team will be armed with clues Biden and Vice President-elect became was the first incoming presi- speak, and covered in sores and which are “a major reservoir for coro- rier early on based on genetic analy- we did not have at the start of the Kamala Harris will be reading the dent to read it before he was presi- injuries. (AGENCIES) naviruses”, he adds. sis. But the case is not settled. pandemic. PDB crafted for Trump, who had dent-elect. India plans river dam to offset Chinese construction

REUTERS Some analysts warned that NEW DELHI, DEC 1 damming the Brahmaputra could potentially develop into another flash- India is considering a plan to build a point, as Beijing’s dam building 10 gigawatts (GW) hydropower project activities moved closer to the Indian in a remote eastern state, an Indian border. official said on Tuesday, following “India is facing China’s terrestrial reports that China could construct aggression in the Himalayas, mari- dams on a section of the Brahmaputra time encroachments on its backyard river. and, as the latest news is a reminder, The river, also known as the Yarlung even water wars,” Brahma Chellaney, Tsangbo in China, flows from Tibet a specialist on India-China ties, said into India’s Arunachal Pradesh state in a tweet. and down through Assam to On Monday, Chinese state media Bangladesh. Indian authorities are reported the country could build up to concerned Chinese projects could trig- 60 GW of hydropower capacity on a ger flash floods or create water scarci- section of the Brahmaputra, citing a t y. senior executive. “The need of the hour is to have a Yan Zhiyong, chairman of state- big dam in Arunachal Pradesh to mit- owned Power Construction igate the adverse impact of the Corporation of China, speaking at an Chinese dam projects,” T.S. Mehra, a industry conference, said plans to senior official in India’s federal water dam the river were a “historic oppor- ministry, told Reuters. tunity”. “Our proposal is under considera- “Formally, we are telling them (the tion at the highest level in the govern- Chinese) that any project you under- ment,” Mehra said, adding the Indian take, should not cause an adverse plan would create a large water stor- impact on India. They have given an age capacity to offset the impact of assurance, but we don’t know how Chinese dams on flows. long their assurance will last,” Mehra Diplomatic relations between India said. and China are at a nadir, with troops Hydro projects on Asia’s great locked in a border face-off in the west- rivers have been a growing source of AP/RSS ern Himalayas for months. regional tensions in recent years. The Olympic Symbol is reinstalled after it was taken down for maintenance ahead of the postponed 2020 Olympics in the Odaiba section of Tokyo on Tuesday. Lay-offs at Hong Kong TV station stoke concerns

REUTERS News, Finance News and Editing desk to HONG KONG, DEC 1 resign. Yau Ting-leung, 22, a journalist from A Hong Kong television station said on the News Lancet segment who said he was Tuesday about 100 staff were “affected” fired after about six months with the com- by a shake-up as it seeks to control costs pany, said he was sceptical of the reason and remain competitive in a challenging behind the decision. economic environment, a move that has “It’s definitely media censorship. It’s a re-ignited worries over media freedom in pity they sacked the entire team. There the city. aren’t many TV investigative news pro- Local media said 40 workers had been grammes in Hong Kong,” Yau said. laid off from i-Cable, including the entire i-Cable told Reuters it had no comment team from the station’s award-winning when asked about reports of censorship. investigative section News Lancet. The Hong Kong Journalists’ “In the face of daunting challenges, the Association said it was watching the situ- group has devoted to adopting various ation closely as media have already come measures to explore new business oppor- under pressure in the wake of a new tunities for competitiveness enhancement national security law introduced by and sustainable development,” the station REUTERS Beijing on its freest city on June 30. said in a statement, adding that about 100 i-Cable TV news journalists leave with their boxes after being laid off on Tuesday. “This time the whole ‘News Lancet’ positions of the group’s 1,300 staff would team of Cable News was laid off and the be affected. many had been sacked. among those laid off. Ten other members team has often reported against/on the “Under this circumstance, after a com- Wong Lai-ping, deputy chief of the sta- of the team had resigned in protest police or the regime in the past year,” prehensive review, it was unavoidable for tion’s China News team, which covers against the lay-offs, she added. HKJA said in a statement. the group to carry out an organizational human rights on the mainland and report- i-Cable journalists told Reuters the lay- i-Cable was founded in 1993 and is now restructure of various departments.” ed from Wuhan province on the coronavi- offs had prompted the heads of the sta- owned by David Chiu, chairman and CEO The pay TV station did not say how rus outbreak, told reporters she was tion’s China News, Hong Kong General of Far East Consortium.

C M Y K 07 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2020 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING More than just prestige on the line for Australian Open Newcastle training ground plans close to shut after Covid-19 outbreak being finalised LONDON: Newcastle United players French giants PSG in Champions League have been told to stay away from the AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE training ground after an outbreak of MELBOURNE, DEC 1 Covid-19 at the club, Sky Sports A defeat for Ligue 1 champions against Man United could see their destiny slip out of their hands going into last group game. reported on Tuesday. Five individuals The arrangements for next year’s at the club have tested positive for AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Australian Open are close to being Covid-19 so far—three prior to PARIS, DEC 1 finalised, the tournament director Newcastle’s 2-0 win over Crystal said on Tuesday, following a report it Palace last week and two more over Paris Saint-Germain will be playing could be cancelled over coronavirus the weekend. Sky Sports said for their Champions League lives difficulties. Newcastle’s training ground was against Manchester United on Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley closed on Monday and is set to be Wednesday, with last season’s run- said details of the event, whose closed on Tuesday as well as they ners-up knowing the costs of group- January 18 start date has been the assess the situation. The club did not stage elimination could be enormous subject of intense speculation, should immediately respond to a Reuters on and off the field. Anything less be settled “very soon”. request for comment. The Premier than victory at Old Trafford and the “We are confident we will be in a League said on Monday that there French champions could see their des- position to finalise details for the were 10 new positives from the tests tiny slip out of their hands going into Australian Open 2021 very soon,” conducted between November 23-29 the last game in Group ‘H’. Tiley tweeted. “Everything will but did not name the clubs or the Neymar’s penalty gave the Qatar- require approval and agreement from individuals. owned club victory over RB Leipzig the Victorian [state] government last week, but Thomas Tuchel’s team before it can be confirmed,” he added. performed poorly and the coach’s agi- Victoria’s sports minister last week VAR to operate from Nyon tation when searching questions are said he expected the year’s first Grand for Sevilla, Chelsea clash put to him by the press suggest all is Slam to be delayed for one or two LONDON: The Video Assistant Referee not well in Paris. PSG are top of Ligue weeks. The tournament’s fate appears (VAR) in the Champions League will 1, although their lead has been to hinge on when the state govern- work remotely in a different country trimmed back in recent weeks follow- ment will allow players to arrive, and from the host team for the first time ing more disappointing displays. whether they’ll be able to train during when Sevilla host Chelsea on “There is no way we can play like their mandatory 14-day quarantine. Wednesday, Europe’s football govern- that in Manchester, like we did in the Tiley had originally wanted players ing body UEFA said on Tuesday. Until second half,” Tuchel warned after to fly in from mid-December so they now, UEFA has had the VAR team Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Bordeaux. could undergo quarantine before play- operate onsite but this game will have There will be potentially major conse- ing warm-up events before the Grand them operating at UEFA’s headquar- quences if they fail to qualify for the Slam. But state premier Dan Andrews ters in Nyon.”UEFA has now success- last 16 of the Champions League, reportedly only wants players to fully tested and approved a VAR something they have managed in each arrive from early January—making it remote technical solution... and will of the last eight seasons since becom- AP/RSS impossible to play the build-up events be implemented for the first time in ing regulars in the competition again PSG are looking at ways to extend the contracts of forwards Kylian Mbappe (left) and Neymar whose existing deals expire in 2022. before a January 18 start. an official capacity for the Champio- after the Qatari takeover. State officials are cautious over ns League group stage encounter Tuchel is out of contract after this Europe’s super clubs, a category into PSG are looking at ways of extending recently reported that PSG were pre- allowing mass arrivals as Melbourne between Sevilla and Chelsea,” it said season and sporting director Leonardo which PSG now fit as the fifth-richest the contracts of Neymar and Kylian paring for a loss of some 200 million only emerged from a months-long in a statement. “The referee on the is not believed to be a huge fan of the in the world according to Deloitte’s Mbappe, whose existing deals expire euros this season, chiefly from lost lockdown to eliminate a second wave pitch will be assisted from the VAR German, even if he recently dismissed Football Money League. in 2022, but how can they in their cur- gate receipts due to the pandemic. of Covid-19 in late October. Tiley said Operation Room in Nyon, Switzer- reports he was looking for a replace- Barcelona have made it out of their rent financial predicament? A group-stage exit from the Tennis Australia was in “constant land.” UEFA added that a backup ment. “Honestly the club has never group in every season since returning Documents released in 2018 by Champions League would only make communication” with players about team will still operate onsite at the thought about coach to replace Tuchel. to the competition in 2004, while Real Football Leaks showed Neymar’s things worse. Just reaching the last 16 how they can “safely practise and pre- Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium. Now is the time to concentrate on our Madrid have got out of their group in after-tax salary to be 30 million euros was worth 9.5 million euros last sea- pare for a Grand Slam tournament objectives and to stick together,” every year since 1997. Bayern Munich a year while Mbappe’s salary was due son, while reaching and winning the under the Victorian government’s pro- Leonardo said in a question and have done so in every year since 2008. to rise to 11 million euros this year. If final was worth another 41.5 million posed quarantine conditions”. Real Madrid’s Hazard answer session with supporters. Manchester City have already secured PSG are prepared to offer whatever it euros, enough to cover the wages of Tiley’s tweet comes after he was Despite that, it is hard to imagine an eighth consecutive appearance in takes to keep them, will they be able to Neymar and Mbappe for a year. quoted as telling a gathering that can- sidelined with thigh injury Tuchel surviving in the event of a the last 16, Juventus a seventh. invest in the other areas of the team UEFA is set to reduce prize money celling the Australian Open remained MADRID: Real Madrid have confirmed European disaster, as being dumped After revelling in the team’s run to that need upgrading? over the next few years because of the an option. A report in The Australian that their Belgium forward Eden out at the first hurdle would be a huge the final in Lisbon, PSG’s Qatari own- They have been hamstrung by the impact of the health crisis, but PSG newspaper speculated that the ATP Hazard has suffered a thigh injury, blow to PSG’s prestige. Over the last ers would not take kindly to such a coronavirus crisis, suffering huge can ill afford to miss out on these Cup, the flagship men’s team event with local media reporting that the decade it has become almost impossi- sporting slap in the face. Financially, losses from the decision to cut short sums. The stakes in Manchester will that made its debut in January, would problem will keep him out for at least ble for such ignominy to befall one of the repercussions could be serious. the last French season. RMC Sport be high. be scrapped in the reshuffle. three weeks. Hazard had to be replaced in the 28th minute of Saturday’s shock home defeat by Alaves and has endured a torrid time with injuries since joining the club in 2019. “Following tests carried out Loew to remain Germany coach for Euros despite poor recent outcomes today on our player, Eden Hazard, by Real Madrid Medical Services, he has AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Germany coach Joachim Loew in his the Germans defeated Lionel Messi’s “The DFB presidential board was in In a survey commissioned SID after been diagnosed with an injury at the BERLIN, DEC 1 efforts to rebuild the national team, Argentina in the final. agreement that key sporting goals the Seville humiliation, 84 percent of muscle of his right leg. His recovery which have been ongoing since March However, Germany are in crisis fol- have already been achieved in the run- 1,100 German fans asked wanted Loew will continue to be assessed,” said a Joachim Loew will remain in charge 2019,” the DFB said in a statement, lowing a 6-0 defeat to Spain on up to the European Championship in to step aside. club statement on Monday. The of Germany for next year’s delayed following a meeting with Loew and the November 17 and recent draws with 2021,” the statement read. Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp and 29-year-old Hazard has missed 36 European Championship despite a federation’s top officials. Switzerland, twice, and Turkey. The “These include qualifying for the Bayern Munich’s Hansi Flick, Loew’s games through injury for Real with a series of poor recent results, the Loew, 60, has been in charge of the hammering by Spain, Germany’s tournament, remaining in League A assistant coach at the 2014 World Cup, number of different issues and only German football federation (DFB) Germany team since taking over from heaviest loss in 89 years, capped a poor of Nations League, and being placed were the candidates German fans made his first appearance of the sea- announced Monday. Jurgen Klinsmann following the 2006 three-year spell, which included an in the first pot for World Cup qualifica- most wanted to see take over. However, son at the end of October due to an “In a conference call, the DFB presi- World Cup. He led the nation to a embarrassing group-stage exit at the tion. As a result of this, Joachim Loew the DFB’s chief decision-makers were ankle issue. He then tested positive dential board unanimously agreed to fourth world title, and first since 2018 World Cup in Russia after which will continue to receive the backing of reassured by Loew’s pitch that he was for Covid-19 this month. (AGENCIES) unequivocally back the direction of reunification, in Brazil in 2014 when the DFB gave Loew their backing. the DFB presidential board.” still the right man to lead the team. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Talking you into parting with your hard-earned cash A while back, someone mentioned that keeping Some secrets just won’t stay hidden no matter how Regardless of the time spent together, there are ups won’t be an easy task at the moment. Of course, if things peaceful between friends and family was hard you try, and you’ve run into one of them. When and downs in every relationship. You, of course, you do see the perfect item, heaven help anyone who something you were pretty darned good at. The nur- this issue just refuses to stay put, your mission will know that. You understand the importance of togeth- tries to come between you and your purchase. turer in you loved that, and ever since then you’ve be to put on a happy face, the kind of face that tells erness, so you’re less likely than most to leave a done your best to foster that reputation. the world you’re absolutely delighted. relationship when times are tough.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Regardless of what the universe tosses your way or Ready to be the boss? To assign tasks, delegate Today the person you adore will ask for something Change is necessary for several reasons, and you how suddenly it’s tossed, you’ve always been much authority, and make sure everyone under you is tow- they think is so above and beyond the call of duty completely understand that. After all, change is sec- more liable to wait, think, and consider what to do ing the line? Of course you are. You’ve been studying that you might not be able to pull it off, you’ll be just ond nature to you, and the more sudden the better. next than react immediately. That trait has come in for the part your entire life. Well, it’s showtime. Don’t tickled to announce that doing something like this Still, even you occasionally have a problem adapting, handy more than once, but it won’t do the job now. let anyone who’s jealous undermine you. for someone like them is nothing. especially if it happens without your input.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** You’ve done your best to keep a delicate issue under You’re quite merciful when it comes to verbal Fevers aren’t just physical in nature, as you already You’ve never been fond of idle chatter. It’s not that wraps for some time, but it’s become a lot more diffi- debates. And you’ll do that now for as long as you know. They can also be emotional, spiritual, and you don’t like chatting with friends. You just don’t cult lately, mostly because of one particular person can, but if they push the envelope, well, let’s just say intellectual. At the moment, you’re feeling warm to like wasting time on conversation that means noth- who’s managed to burrow quite deeply into not just you’ll not only win the debate, you’ll also be able to the touch, and it’s not just your forehead that will tell ing at all. In fact, you don’t like participating in any- this particular situation but others as well. walk away with your head held high. the tale. thing that doesn’t have meaning. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2020 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 ‘Film editing is an instinctive emotional art form’ Nimesh Shrestha, one of the most prominent film editors in the Nepali film industry, talks about his craft, the challenges of working in Nepal as a film editor, and the qualities a good film editor must have.

ANKIT KHADGI Likewise, unlike the other crew, edi- with a director with whom I share a KATHMANDU tors do not receive enough exposure great bond then the discussions are for their job. Could you describe more open, whereas if I work with ‘There’s no decent imesh Shrestha has what exactly is the job of an editor? someone with whom I am working for pay for the job. For dedicated more than the first time, the tone of the discus- 15 years of his life to The role of an editor is to help the sion becomes soft. anyone working as the Nepali film indus- director achieve their vision for the try, editing more than film. Editors work closely with direc- Many editors have gone on record an editor in Nepal, 60 feature films till tors and our main goal is to make sure and said that editing is based on survival can be Ndate. From editing commercial pot- we justify the vision the director has. intuitions and emotions? Do you boilers like Senti Virus (2020), Sailli But many people are unaware about believe that too? (2019), and Mr Jholay (2018) to realis- our work. In movies, you hear the difficult.’ tic cinema like Kalo Pothi (2015), sound. You see the costumes. These I strongly believe that as an editor you Dasdhunga (2010), and Badhshala things can be seen and felt due to have to make your decisions based on (2010), Shrestha has been the unsung which you are aware of who is instincts, so I agree that editing is an don’t have enough rhythmic sense. hero of many projects. involved in it. Our work is not very instinctive emotional art form. When But that also comes with a lot of prac- Likewise, he has also been part of obvious as it isn’t tangible like other I sit down to edit and see the footage, I tise as well. many short films like The Flute (2012), aspects of film making. observe like an audience. The footage Supermonk (2018), and Kalam (2019) I am seeing should make me feel some- What are the main challenges you that have been screened at various What’s your work process like? How thing, only then do I use it. face as an editor working in the prestigious international festivals like do you start editing a film? Nepali film industry? Venice Film Festival and Busan Film As an editor, you watch hours of Festival. The first and foremost important footage. What are the main factors While I haven’t faced a lot of difficul- In an interview with the Post’s thing I do, before I start editing, is I that you look at when you decide ties, there are a few challenges that I Ankit Khadgi, the three-time watch all the footage, back to back. that a certain cut makes or doesn’t have had to encounter working as an National award-winning editor talks Then as per the script I start selecting make to a scene? editor. First of all, the timing is always about his creative process, his role in the best footage that fits the film and a problem. Editors rarely get enough a movie and the factors that push him make a rough cut which has no sound My first priority is the performance time for their work which means little to make a shot pass through the final and music. Then the director looks at of the actors. If they perform bril- time for revision. At the end of the cut. Excerpts. the rough cut, and after taking their liantly in a scene then it’s fine, but if day, the more time you get, the better suggestions, I try to restructure the they perform badly, I try to hide it. the edits become. How did you start your career as an previous edit. Also, the main factor that determines There’s also no decent pay for the editor? After the song and music are con- what makes a scene to the final cut job. For anyone working as an editor firmed to fix the pace, there is another and what doesn’t is whether it adds in Nepal, survival can be difficult. My career as a film editor was an acci- round of editing to make sure that it value to the film or not. The length is This has to do with the fact that most dental one. When I was pursuing my fits the narrative seamlessly. Before another factor that determines what people don’t know the significance of Bachelor’s degree, I saw an ad on the the final cut of the movie, there are to include and what not to include. editing. They believe that the role of television of a place that was offering also many trial shows of the film, an editor is just to use a computer and film courses. So I along with my friend which are shown to a group, who pro- In your view what are the qualities a assemble the shots. planned to apply for the course. vide their feedback. Then we make all good editor must have? However, we decided that he would the necessary changes as per the feed- Anyone’s work do you like to sug- learn how to direct while I would back for the final edit of the film. I believe one needs to have a lot of gest that can be a great source to learn to edit since we didn’t want to do patience. As an editor, you have to learn the craft of editing for aspiring the same thing. There are bound to be differences in watch hours-long footage, so you editors? I was a quick learner, so I easily opinion between you and the direc- should have enough patience to watch grasped the technical aspect of edit- tor. When conflicts arise, how do you everything in peace. There are many good editors out ing. In 2005, I received my first break, guys try to manage to be on the Another quality is they should be there who have done excellent jobs. given to me by Shyam Mohana same page? able to work under pressure as well. But I would suggest aspiring editors Pradhan, one of my teachers, to work When you are editing a film there are watch the movies edited by Thelma as an editor for a series called Nari, Yes, there are a lot of discussions and many things you have to do in a rush, Schoonmaker, Martin Scorsese’s fre- which was broadcast in Kantipur conflicts during the editing process. because of the deadline, and when quent collaborator. If you want to Television. But we try to reach a point where we things don’t fall as per your plan, learn the craft of editing, you should From then I started editing the can reach a conclusion. However, in things might be tough. But you need to follow her work. tele-series of MaHa Jodi (Madan the end, it’s the director’s movie. They be smart enough to find quick solu- I would also recommend watching Krishna and Hari Bansha) and others are the captain of the ship and as an tions to your problem. Tim Squyres’s films. He frequently as well. It was in 2010, when Apil editor, my role is to help them achieve Likewise, an editor must have a collaborates with Ang Lee. For aspir- Bista, the producer of Dasdhunga, their vision. But that doesn’t mean I good sense of time and space. Since ing editors or those who want to approached me, that my career in fea- don’t try to put forward my views. I do editors have to make sure that the flow understand the art of editing, their ture films started. make attempts to convince the direc- PHOTO COURTESY: NIMESH SHRESTHA of scene after scene is smooth, having films can be a great source of learning tor by giving my input. Nimesh Shrestha has also been part of many short films like The Flute (2012), Supermonk the sense to understand the rhythm is as they are one of the experienced A lot of people think that editing The approach, however, differs from (2018), and Kalam (2019) that have been screened at prestigious international festivals like significant as well. In Nepali filmmak- editors out there who play with time only means cutting and assembling. director to director. If I am working Venice Film Festival and Busan Film Festival. ing scenes, I see less of that, as people and space exceptionally well. Art world star gives back by buying work of the undiscovered Painter Guy Stanley Philoche has spent about $60,000 so far buying the art of struggling artists in an effort to help them in these difficult times.

AP/RSS Painter Guy Stanley Philoche, a 43-year-old Haitian immigrant and star in the New York art world, sits among some of his latest works during an interview at his East Harlem studio, in New York.

LEANNE ITALIE works in the $300 to $500 range. He Merrill Lynch and Barclay NEW YORK buys only what he loves, from as far Investments Inc., along with Uma away as London and as close as the Thurman, George Clooney and fellow ainter Guy Stanley studio next to his in East Harlem. An artist Julian Schnabel. Philoche, a star in the New abstract mixed-media piece by Giving back isn’t something the York art world, had wanted Michael Shannon, his studio neigh- affable Philoche just recently decided to treat himself to a fancy bour, was his first purchase, leading to do. Over his 20-plus year career, he watch after a hugely suc- Philoche to include him and others has tried to stick to a simple rule to cessful gallery show. Then he’s discovered in an upcoming group support other artists: Sell a painting, Pthe pandemic hit, and he feared for all gallery show. buy a painting. But it was a chance the struggling artists who haven’t About half the artists Philoche has meeting with a friend and fellow artist been so lucky. chosen are people he knows, many in who was anxious about the pandemic So he gave up his $15,000 Rolex New York. The others sent him direct with a baby on the way that set him on dreams and went on a different kind messages on Instagram with sample his pandemic buying spree. of buying spree, putting out a call on work in hopes of being picked. “I’m not on the first line, but my Instagram in late March to any artist Philoche, who went to art school in community was impacted as well,” he anywhere who had creations to sell. Connecticut where his family settled, said. “It was just the right thing to do. The submissions rolled in, hundreds has lined the walls of his tiny apart- I love waking up in my apartment at a time. ment with his Philoche Collection every morning seeing the walls. He’s spent about $60,000 so far with During Covid, ranging from graffi- There’s paintings on the floor, all over. plans to continue as long as he can, ti-inspired work and portraiture to Some of these people have never sold a and Philoche’s own patrons have pop art and a huge pistol done in painting in their life.” taken notice and asked him to make bright yellow, red and blue paint. His feisty French bulldog Picasso at purchases on their behalf as well. “It’s Philoche’s own work goes for up to his side, Philoche recalled his own about artists helping artists,” said the $125,000 a piece. During a recent inter- meagre start in New York after he put 43-year-old Philoche, who came to view at his studio, he slid out from himself through art school while America from Haiti with his family at storage large canvases from his break- working full-time as a bartender. age 3, nearly nothing to their names. through, Mark Rothko-esque abstract “People didn’t open the doors for “I’m not a rich man,” he said, “but I Untitled Series and a collection of me. I had to get into the room through owe a big debt to the art world. Art female nudes with duct tape over their the back door, or through the win- saved my life, and I made a promise to mouths. Often whimsical, he has also dow,” he said with a laugh. “But now myself that once I made it, to always produced paintings inspired by that I’m in the room, with a seat at the buy from artists who hadn’t gotten Monopoly and other board games, as table, I have to open doors for these their big break.” well as comics such as Charlie Brown. artists.” Philoche has a budget, seeking out Among his clients: Deutsche Bank, — Associated Press

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