WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 124 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 35.0 C 12.7 C Tuesday, June 22, 2021 | 08-03-2078 Nepalgunj Jomsom Nepal’s abstention on Myanmar resolution at UN raises questions Diplomats, experts and rights defenders say Nepal, despite being a member of the Human Rights Council, failed to show its commitment to human rights and democracy.

ANIL GIRI deal a serious blow to Nepal’s creden- KATHMANDU, JUNE 21 tials. “There was nothing objectionable The United Nations General Assembly for Nepal in supporting the resolution last week adopted a resolution con- which was approved by a cross-section demning Myanmar’s military junta of countries from all regions of the and called for a stop to the flow of world, including many members of arms to the Southeast Asian country. the Non-aligned Movement and the There were expectations that the Group of 77 developing countries at 193-member Assembly would approve the UN,” Kul Chandra Gautam, a for- the resolution unanimously by con- mer UN assistant secretary-general, sensus, but Belarus called for a vote. told the Post. According to Reuters, the UN reso- Nepal’s commitment to democracy lution was approved with 119 coun- and human rights had come into ques- tries voting “yes”. Belarus voted tion back in February also, when it against, and 36 members abstained. issued a routine statement in response Nepal was one of the countries to to the military coup in Myanmar. The abstain, along with India, China and Ministry of Foreign Affairs had limit- Russia, among others. ed its statement to “following the Nepal’s decision to abstain from developments closely”, calling for the POST PHOTO: DEEPAK KC voting on a crucial resolution release of Aung San Suu Kyi and Vehicular traffic seen at the Koteshwor intersection in Kathmandu on Monday. With Covid-19 cases gradually slowing down in the Capital, the adopted against the atrocities other leaders. lockdown restrictions have been loosened starting Tuesday with vehicles allowed to operate based on odd-even number rule. committed by the junta in Despite being a member of the UN Myanmar has once again raised Human Rights Council, Nepal has a question over its commitment closed its eyes to atrocities committed to human rights and democracy. by the military junta in Myanmar in It has also left many wondering, the past as well. as Nepal is currently a member In November 2018 also, Nepal was INSIDE No evidence children will of the UN Human Rights Council among the 26 countries to abstain for a second term. from voting on the UN resolution on Diplomats, experts and human rights violations against Government presses businesses observers say Nepal’s move of Rohingya muslims, who fled the coun- over taxes soon after Supreme be exclusively affected if abstaining from voting has try to escape the junta’s atrocities. Court order shocked them and this could >> Continued on page 2 KATHMANDU: Soon after the Supreme third wave hits Court on June 15 vacated its earlier order to stay the collection of value added tax (VAT) during the prohibito- Child health experts say preparation is key, but no need ry order period, the Inland Revenue Department issued notice asking to panic over predictions on unfounded claims. Everyone taxpayers to submit their tax details and pay the taxes by July 9. As per the is at equal risk since the vaccination coverage is low. notice issued by the department on June 16, taxpayers have been asked to pay the VAT, tax deducted at source (TDS), excise duties, education service tax, telephone ownership and telecom- munication service fees for the months of Chiatra (mid-March to mid- April) and Baishakh (mid-April to mid-May) and submit their details by July 9. At a time when the department has been struggling to meet its reve- nue collection target, the court’s order came as a welcome surprise for the Depart-ment. Earlier, on May 18, the apex court had issued an interim order not to collect VAT or impose fines on taxpayers during the period of the prohibitory orders. (Details on Pg 3)

Ilam sees hard times ahead as tourists stop coming ILAM: As 2020 got underway, Nepal’s POST FILE PHOTO hotel industry was at the peak of an Reluctance to close schools led to rise in infections among children during the second wave. expansion frenzy. Dambar Khadka of Ilam in the eastern past of the ARJUN POUDEL government’s reluctance to close country too had been making big KATHMANDU, JUNE 21 schools on time. plans. He had bought 55 ropanis of Last year, the entire country went land in the ecotourism destination of With a third wave of Covid-19 predict- into lockdown quite early–from March Kanyam to build a luxury resort. The ed, concerns now have grown if it 24 when there was just one active case. Rs1.5 billion hotel would offer a host could affect more children, as the The lockdown continued until July 21. of recreational activities like casino, number of those between 0 and 9 years But schools did not open immediately, shopping mall, park and mini train. and 10 and 19 years contracting the as the number of cases had crossed But almost overnight, the tourism virus had sharply risen when the sec- the 17,000 mark despite the lockdown. industry went into a downward spiral ond wave was at its peak. After the infections reached a peak in the likes of which entrepreneurs said Issuing a circular on June 5, the October, the country, however, started they had never seen before. Tourism Ministry of Health had asked all hospi- to witness a dramatic decline in the demand plunged with no foreseeable tals to allocate 20 percent beds for chil- number of new daily cases. end, and new development came to a dren, saying that they could be affected Complacency grew. Authorities screeching halt. Pause or proceed? more if a new wave hits the country. went into a chest-thumping mode, pro- Many entrepreneurs like Khadka are Even though the new coronavirus jecting the decline in cases as their in a fix. “My project suffered right cases have receded, a third wave is victory over the virus. The public too after the country was hit by the coro- imminent, given the prediction in became careless. Everyone behaved as navirus in 2020,” Khadka said. “Now, India by a group of experts. if the pandemic was over, and schools everything has become complicated. Doctors and child health experts, too started regular classes. There is no end in sight to Covid-19,” however, argue that when it comes to When India was hit by a more lethal he said. (Details on Pg 5) risk of infections, the entire popula- second wave, it did not take long for tion is at risk, and saying that chil- the virus to take hold in Nepal. It was dren would be affected more by the during that time many children were England aim to get Euro third wave is a mere conjecture. affected, but experts had advised not “We do not have any scientific evi- to panic, saying children would campaign back on track dence to back the claims that children respond to regular medications. LONDON: Gareth Southgate insists will be affected more if the third wave The second wave, however, exposed England can overcome their growing hits the country,” said Dr Rita Hamal, Nepal’s fragile health system, as hos- pains as his young side aim to get a consultant paediatrician at Om pitals ran out of beds, ventilators and their Euro 2020 campaign back on Hospital and Research Centre. “We do oxygen. Against this backdrop, the track by winning Group D against the not know on what basis the Health Health Ministry could have issued a Czech Republic on Tuesday. England Ministry said that children will be circular regarding 20 percent beds for are level on four points with the affected more in the third wave.” children in all hospitals. Czechs and will be guaranteed a It’s not just in Nepal where this mis- “There is nothing wrong in being first-place finish if they win their information has found traction among prepared,” said Dr Bikas Devkota, sec- last group match. A victory at the public and officials. Even in India, retary at the Health Ministry of Wembley feels essential for England to some have argued that a third wave Lumbini Province. lift the gloom that descended could pose more risks to children. According to Devkota, a child health after they were booed off following There too, experts have said there is expert who also served as Health Friday’s lacklustre 0-0 draw with no basis to make such a prediction. Ministry spokesperson in Kathmandu old rivals Scotland. With an average In Nepal’s case, the number of during the first Covid-19 wave, most of age of 25 years and 31 days, England’s children affected during the second the health facilities are not prepared starting line-up against Scotland was wave was more compared to the to deal with a surge in infections the youngest they had ever fielded in a first wave. But the rise in infections among children. major tournament. (Details on Pg 7) among children was attributed to the >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL Mob vandalises Chitwan park’s office after tiger kills woman Park officials say Ratnanagar residents were angry for delay in retrieval of victim’s body.

RAMESH KUMAR PAUDEL elephant and the team to recover the Similarly, a 60-year-old man from CHITWAN, JUNE 21 body from the forest,” he said. Thori Rural Municipality was killed Durga Prasad Ghimire, chairman in a wild elephant attack inside A mob vandalised the eastern sector of a local community forest users’ Chitwan National Park on May 13. office of Chitwan National Park in committee, said the woman’s friends “Thirteen individuals have died in Sauraha following the death of a local and relatives wanted the park authori- separate wildlife attack incidents in woman in a tiger attack. ty to remove the body from the forest the park and its buffer zone areas in After the woman from Ratnanagar by chasing away the tiger. the current fiscal year,” said Lokendra Municipality-5 was fatally mauled by “The tiger was close to the incident Adhikari, assistant conservation the tiger inside Janakauli Buffer Zone site. So a team of technicians had to officer, of the park. Community Forest, the people from dart the tiger,” said Ghimire. According to the existing legal pro- her neighbourhood had reached the Deputy Superintendent of Police visions of the country, the family of a park’s office demanding retrieval of Surya Thapa said the victim, who was person killed in a wildlife attack is her body from the forest. in her thirties, had gone to the forest entitled to receive Rs 1 million as com- They resorted to vandalism, blam- to collect fiddlehead ferns. The inci- pensation. Similarly, an individual ing the park authority for not retriev- dent happened at around 1:30 pm. who suffers from serious injuries in a ing the body immediately after the Incidents of human wildlife conflict wildlife attack gets a compensation of incident, said Ananath Baral, the have increased in Chitwan National Rs 200,000 while a victim with minor chief conservation officer of the park. Park and its adjoining forest areas in injuries gets Rs 20,000. The mob vandalised the office, took recent days. The compensation amount in case the furniture outside and set them on Two weeks earlier, a 35-year-old of wildlife crop depredation is Rs fire. Baral said that a team with an man from Baskatta in Bharatpur was 20,000. To claim the compensation elephant had reached the incident site killed in a crocodile attack in the amount, the affected person has to file POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI within 45 minutes of the incident. Rapti river. The park officials said the a formal request to the authorities Workers install new electricity wires at Gongabu, Kathmandu on Monday. “It took some time to arrange for an man had gone to the river for fishing. within 35 days of the incident. No scientific evidence to back ... Admission campaigns begin in Karnali schools >> Continued from page 1 population has been fully vaccinated, hence “If hospitals have been told to keep aside people of all age groups are vulnerable if a CHANDANI KATHAYAT 20 percent of beds for children, it should be third wave hits the country,” said Hamal, the BIRENDRANAGAR, JUNE 21 taken as part of preparations,” Devkota told pediatrician. “No one actually knows the the Post. status of infections among children in the Although the new academic year has There, however, are concerns if all the current wave.” started in Karnali Province, it is still unclear hospitals can allocate 20 percent of beds for When the government will be able to when schools in the province will start regular children only since not all hospitals are acquire vaccines–and from where–is not classes. equipped to treat and provide care to chil- clear yet. Chances of getting the jabs from A majority of schools in the province have dren. “Placing infected children in all hospi- India are slim, given the coronavirus crisis it already started admission campaigns after pub- tals proportionally could also mean increas- has been dealing with and a third wave pre- lishing results of the last academic session ing the death rate,” said an official at the dicted by October. through internal evaluation. Health Ministry who did not wish to be The government has been working to buy In the past, the new academic session used to named. “Forget other hospitals outside vaccines from China, but the plan appears to start from mid-April. But this year, as the Kathmandu, even all central hospitals do not have run into controversy. country got gripped by the second wave of the have facilities to provide paediatric care.” COVAX, an international vaccine-sharing Covid-19 pandemic, the new session began from Though the number of children contract- scheme backed by the United Nations, which June 15. ing the coronavirus was high in the second has committed to providing around 13 mil- “Most of the schools have launched enroll- wave, there is not a big difference in compar- lion doses, is struggling to secure vaccines. ment campaigns after the announcement of the ative figures. In such a scenario, authorities should new academic session. But we do not know when According to the data provided by the focus on ramping up testing and preparing to classes will start,” said Khagendra Thapa, head- Health Ministry, 27,673 individuals of 18 deal with the surge in cases while making master of Janajyoti Secondary School in years and below have tested positive for the efforts to get vaccines instead of engaging in Neware, Surkhet. coronavirus from April 21 until Sunday. As making prophecies, say doctors. According to him, his school will not be con- many as 33 individuals from this group have Health Ministry officials admit that there ducting regular physical classes any time soon, died of the virus. is no scientific evidence to say a third wave as some of its students and teachers have been In the first wave, 21,523 individuals of 18 will affect children more. infected with Covid-19. POST PHOTO: RAJ BAHADUR SHAHI years and below had tested positive and 38 “As preparations were more focused on the “We are looking for options to conduct alter- Despite the start of the admission season, it is still unclear when schools in the province will conduct regular classes. had died. The second wave, however, stoked adult population in the first and second wave nate classes after the end of the prohibitory fears for two reasons, experts say. First, the of infections, one of the objectives of the orders. The school administration plans to start Panchadeval Secondary School in Bhairabi session. number of cases among all age groups was circular is to alert the agencies concerned to classes by adopting multiple alternative teach- Rural Municipality of Dailekh also launched a “But classes cannot be operated until the end rising at an exponential rate and second, be prepared to treat children as well,” Dr ing approaches,” Thapa said. student enrollment campaign from July 16 to of the prohibitory orders,” said Yam Prasad schools were open. Samir Kumar Adhikari, joint spokesperson The majority of community and private July 30. Sharma, headmaster of the school. As Nepal stares at a third wave, it is but for the Health Ministry, told the Post. “The schools in Karnali Province have started launch- “We will start textbook distribution after com- According to the Education Development natural to be worried, say doctors, as the risk is high for children as making them ing enrollment campaigns. pleting the admission campaign. If the prohibi- Directorate in Karnali Province, all community country’s vaccination rate has been dismal, comply with safety protocols is not easy and Janakalyan Basic School at Lekbeshi tory orders are extended, students will be asked schools in the province have started enrollment with no signs of additional doses arriving they could be exposed to infection at school.” Municipality Ward No. 1 in Surkhet has also to self-study at home since conducting online campaigns for the new academic session. The anytime soon. Since the vaccine coverage is low, every- started an admission campaign for the new aca- classes is not feasible here,” said Sobin Kumar directorate has informed schools to conduct Experts say there is no denying that pre- one from all age groups is at equal risk, demic session. “We launched the student enroll- Thapa, an employee of the school. classes through alternative medium until the paring for the worst is a good move, but Adhikari admitted. ment campaign this week. We are waiting for the Mansarovar Secondary School in Humla has rate of Covid-19 infection lowers. making predictions without scientific basis Amid third wave warnings in India and municipality’s decision to start regular classes,” also started an admission campaign with the On June 15, the Ministry of Education, does not help, as they could spread fears in concerns raised by some that children could said Deurupa KC, a teacher at the school. help of telephone. Dan Bahadur Aidi, a teacher Science and Technology announced the new society. be affected more, the Indian Academy of KC says conducting online classes is not feasi- at the school, said, “We have started calling the academic session and informed schools to adopt “Where is the study? When there is no Pediatricians last month said in a statement ble for the school since most of the students and guardians to inform them about the admission alternative teaching methods to continue with proper study on the overall coronavirus situ- that it was highly unlikely that the third teaching staff don’t have access to the internet season for the new academic session.” teaching-learning activities. Schools were ation in the country, how can we say which wave would exclusively affect children. or mobile phones. According to him, the school based in the dis- advised to use available technology like radio, group will be affected more and which group “A very small percentage of infected chil- “We have launched the admission campaign trict headquarters of Humla is also not in a television and internet among others to start the less,” said Dr Baburam Marasini, a former dren may develop moderate-severe disease. by following strict health standards. But we position to start online classes due to unavaila- new academic session. director of the Epidemiology and Disease If there is a massive increase in the overall don’t know when classes will start,” he said. bility of the internet and mobile services. But most schools in the rural parts of Control Division. “Authorities should have numbers of infected individuals, a large According to KC, the school published the final In Dolpa, Janaprabha Secondary School of the province are unable to conduct classes carried out preparations internally rather number of children with moderate-severe results of the last academic session based on the Tripurasundari Municipality recently started through the online medium, officials at the than issuing a circular.” disease may be seen,” said the statement, students’ terminal examination records. the admission campaign for the new academic directorate say. A recent seroprevalence study carried out according to the Indian Express. by All India Institute of Medical Sciences Dr Sumit Agrawal, a consultant pediatri- and the World Health Organisation shows cian at the Kanti Children’s Hospital, said that exposure of children to the coronavirus that his experience during the first and sec- has been similar to adults, which means a ond waves has been that among the children Nepal’s abstention on Myanmar resolution at UN ... possible third wave of infection could not infected with the coronavirus, most showed disproportionately affect the children. mild to moderate symptoms. >> Continued from page 1 tries, six including Indonesia, Malaysia, the member of the Human Rights Council, at least Authorities in Nepal, however, have not “Several asymptomatic children whom I After the February army coup, there was pres- Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam have voted Nepal should maintain the minimum integrity performed such large scale seroprevalence examined in the outpatient department test- sure on the Nepal government to stand strongly for the resolution.” in such an important issue.” studies–neither among adults nor among ed positive later and tests were performed on against the move. Civil society members had Human rights activists and defenders of The UN resolution has called on the Myanmar children. recommendations,” Agrawal told the Post. taken to the streets in Kathmandu against the democracy say it’s a shame on the part of Nepal military to “immediately stop all violence Authorities’ failure to pay attention to Doctors concur that there is a need to pre- brutal military repression in Myanmar where, to lose an opportunity to demonstrate that it against peaceful protesters” and end restric- preparatory measures and tendency to take pare but not to panic. They say prophesying according to the Assistance Association for attaches highest importance and has unflinch- tions on the internet and social media. It also ad-hoc decisions have been criticised in the that a certain group of people, like children, Political Prisoners, a local rights group, at least ing commitment to democracy and human called on Myanmar to swiftly implement a five- past too. It has been exactly a year and a half will be exclusively affected is tantamount to 871 people have been killed so far as Myanmar’s rights. Many believe Nepal’s decision to abstain point consensus the junta forged with ASEAN in since Nepal recorded its first coronavirus creating panic. military continues to use brutal methods to from voting on the resolution was guided largely April to halt violence and start dialogue with its case. Authorities’ poor preparations were There are several factors that need to be quell anti-coup protests. by India and China. opponents. exposed badly when the country was hit by taken into consideration, according to Hamal. A Nepali diplomat familiar with instructions One Nepali diplomat, who had formerly General Assembly resolutions are not legally the second wave. “Only by reinforcing health infrastruc- from Kathmandu told the Post that there are served in the UN, said Nepal might have taken a binding but carry political weight. Officials should make science- and evi- ture, we cannot deal with such an unpredict- some reasons why Nepal abstained and did not cue from its two large neighbours, China and “If Nepal had voted for the resolution, it dence-based assessments rather than trying able virus. We need trained human resourc- vote in favour of the UN resolution. India, and followed them. would have been in the company of those demo- to predict the unpredictable, doctors and es,” said Hamal. “As far as children are con- “First, from our region, India, Nepal, “It looks like Nepal is trying to play safe rath- cratic countries better known for respecting experts say. According to them, the Health cerned, they rarely need intensive care and Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka have er than follow the principles,” the diplomat told human rights than in one of those autocratic, Ministry may have issued the circular after ventilator support even if they are infected. abstained,” said the diplomat who did not wish the Post, asking anonymity. military-backed regimes, with a few excep- seeing a sharp rise in infections among chil- Unless they have comorbidities—cancer, to be named. “Second, two veto power countries, Given China’s own interests in Myanmar, it tions,” said Gautam. “If Nepal was guided by dren during a certain phase during the sec- heart disease, renal problems and others— China and Russia, also abstained. Third, ASEAN has always rallied behind the Southeast Asian the principles of its own constitution and the ond wave. they may not get serious. We however need to member states like Thailand, Loas, Cambodia country. Beijing barely reacted to the coup in UN charter and voted in support of the resolu- “In Nepal, less than three percent of the prepare ourselves to deal with the situation.” and Brunei too have abstained, saying abstain- February. tion, I doubt China or India would have put ing means staying neutral.” India has its own stakes, which it admitted in pressure on Kathmandu. I don’t see any compul- According to the diplomat, when India, China, its explanatory remarks for abstaining. India sion. Nepal appears to have a choice on its own.” Russia and other nations can abstain, there is said that it has “direct stakes in the mainte- Human rights defenders say as a member of nothing wrong for Nepal to abstain. nance of peace and stability in Myanmar.” the Human Rights Council, Nepal has larger “After all, we also have to think about the fate For India, Myanmar sits awkwardly in its obligations to lobby for the protection of human of around 300,000 people of Nepali origin living regional equation. New Delhi does not want to rights and democracy. in Myanmar when it comes to such resolutions,” lose its communication with Myanmar generals, The Council’s mandate is to promote “univer- said the diplomat. “What will happen if the as a pre-emptive measure to stop them from fall- sal respect for the protection of all human rights Myanmar government takes harsh measures ing into China’s lap. India’s abstention is noth- and fundamental freedoms for all” and “address against them?” ing new, as it comes in line with its long-stand- situations of violations of human rights, includ- cToGt h?/L ;"rgf Government officials also defended Nepal’s ing position–it strongly believes in working with ing gross and systematic violations, and make Pg cfO{ ;L Plzof a}+sn] ;~rfng ub}{ cfO/x]sf] b]xfo adf]lhdsf] zfvf aGb ug{ g]kfn /fi6« a}+saf6 :jLs[lt k|fKt decision to abstain from voting, saying it was in any government in Naypyidaw, regardless of recommendations thereon,” and every member line with the position taken by the other mem- who comes to power, so as to protect its bilateral state has to play a role. u/]sf] ;Gbe{df ldlt @)&* ;fn cfiff9 @) ut] b]lv pQm zfvf aGb ul/g] Joxf]/f ;DalGwt ;a}df hfgsf/L ber states from the region like India, China, and regional interests. “On the one hand, we say we have an unwaver- u/fpFb5f}+ . zfvf sfof{no :yfgfGt/0fsf] sf/0f pQm zfvfaf6 ;~rflnt vftf aGb ug{ rfxg'x'g] u|fxs Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka. What guided Nepal’s abstention, however, is ing commitment to human rights and democra- dxfg'efjx¿;Fu s'g} lsl;dsf] z'Ns tyf /sd gnfUg] Joxf]/f hfgsf/L u/fpFb} pQm zfvf sfof{noaf6 Questions, however, remain even if “abstain- surprising, say rights defenders in Nepal. cy, and on the other, we close our eyes to viola- eO{/x]sf ;Dk"0f{ sf/f]af/ a}+ssf] DofUbL lhNnf l:yt a]gL zfvf sfof{nodf :yfgfGt/0f ul/g] Joxf]/f ;d]t ing means staying neutral”, how Nepal as a “I am shocked to learn that Nepal abstained tion of human rights,” said Charan Prasain, a hfgsf/Lsf] nflu ;fb/ cg'/f]w 5. member of the Human Rights Council can from voting,” Mohana Ansari, a former member rights defender. “We must practice what we choose to remain neutral when it comes to vot- of the National Human Rights Commission, preach.” qm=;+= zfvfsf] gfd 7]ufgf ing on a resolution that concerns democracy told the Post. “My conclusion is Nepal toed According to Prasain, the recent abstention != jf/L a]gL zfvf kj{t lhNnf, hnhnf ufpFkflnsf, jf/L a]gL and human rights. India’s line.” clearly demonstrates Nepal’s double standards. Gautam, the former UN assistant secre- What’s even more shocking is, according to “This move will definitely erode our credibili- o; ;DaGwL yk hfgsf/L rflxPdf a}+ssf] @$ ;} 306f ;'rf? /xg] u|fxs ;Dks{ s]Gb|sf] 6f]n lk|m gDa/M tary-general, says Nepal failed to take a con- Ansari, Nepal decided to abstain despite being a ty and tarnish our image globally because before scientious decision. member of the Human Rights Council. the election to the UN Human Rights Council, !^^)–)!–&&&&! df l;wf ;Dks{ ug{ ;d]t cg'/f]w ub{5f}+ . “There cannot be an argument like regional “Should it not be the duty of a country that is we committed to standing in favour of democra- consensus by pointing fingers at some of the a member of the Human Rights Council to vote cy, human rights and civil liberties,” Prasain countries from the region that abstained,” said to adopt a resolution that is in favour of human told the Post. “Nepal’s decision is a matter of Gautam. “From the SAARC region, two of its rights?” said Ansari. “Should not we stand in grave concern. It shows that Nepal is not fully members, Afghanistan and the Maldives, have favour of democracy, human rights and call for committed to protection of human rights and voted for the resolution. Of the 10 ASEAN coun- restoration of civil rights in Myanmar? As a democracy.”

C M Y K 03 | TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2021 NATIONAL BRIEFING Government presses businesses over taxes Probe called after female health Private-sector representatives and experts say the state should be flexible with businesses considering the impact of Covid-19 pandemic. worker is found dead DHANGADHI: The provincial assembly PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA enforced lockdowns separately in Court’s allowing the tax authority to the Post. The business community and deduct it from that year’s taxable members of Sudurpaschim have KATHMANDU, JUNE 21 most parts of the country starting collect tax would be helpful in meeting often faces accusations of not deposit- income. So, they should not shy away demanded an investigation into the from late April. As a result, business the revenue target even though many ing the VAT and excise duties that from paying taxes as the government suspicious death of a female health Soon after the Supreme Court on June activities were suspended creating a taxpayers were also paying taxes vol- they pass on to customers. also needs resources,” said Dr worker in Dadeldhura district. 15 vacated its earlier order to stay the cash crunch for businesses. untarily despite the court’s earlier Private sector bodies including the Shankar Sharma, former vice-chair- Speaking at the provincial assembly collection of value added tax (VAT) Until last week, only 50 percent of interim order. federation, Confederation of Nepalese person of the National Planning meeting on Monday, lawmakers Kunti during the prohibitory order period, the businesses were in operation, The revenue collection target set for Industries and Nepal Chamber of Commission. Joshi, Pathan Singh Bohara, Bharat the Inland Revenue Department according to the Federation of the department by the government for Commerce citing the transport dis- He, however, said that the govern- Bahadur Khadka, Govinda Bohara issued notice asking taxpayers to Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Asar (mid-June to mid-July) is around ruption caused by the prohibitory ment should not penalise taxpayers and Prem Prakash Bhatta demanded submit their tax details and pay the Industry. Lately, along with the gradu- Rs72 billion, which is more than dou- orders had jointly asked the govern- next fiscal year even if a large discrep- the provincial government to probe taxes by July 9. al easing of lockdown restrictions, the ble the target set for the month of ment earlier this month not to impose ancy is found between the amount into the incident and take legal action As per the notice issued by the tax authority found it opportune to Jestha (mid-May to mid-June). The any fine on businesses for their failure of tax paid this year and the against the guilty. The 26-year-old department on June 16, taxpayers ask businesses to pay the taxes. On government usually sets a higher tar- to submit details of the VAT, excise actual tax liability, considering the health worker posted at the primary have been asked to pay the VAT, Monday, the administrations of the get for the last month of the fiscal duties and other tax liabilities. current crisis. health centre in Parashuram tax deducted at source (TDS), excise three districts of the Kathmandu year. They had also appealed to the “As they collect the VAT and excise Municipality-6, Dadeldhura, was duties, education service tax, Valley announced further easing of business community to pay the taxes duties from customers, there should found dead in forest on June 19. She telephone ownership and tele- lockdown restrictions by allowing pri- if they are capable of paying. be no problem for taxpayers to deposit had gone missing while she was communication service fees for the vate vehicles and taxis to operate on The department’s And, the tax authority has been the amount collected from customers bringing Covid-19 vaccines to the months of Chiatra (mid-March to the basis of odd-even number rule and mindful of the situation. While calling once the lockdown is relaxed,” said centre on June 16. mid-April) and Baishakh (mid-April most shops to open on separate days. tax collection target on the taxpayers to pay taxes by Sharma. to mid-May) and submit their details “The lockdown is expected to be July 9, the department has not asked Former Minister and Finance by July 9. relaxed further before the tax for the current fiscal them to pay any fine and penalties for Secretary Bidyadhar Mallik said Kantipur journalist Jeevan At a time when the department has payment deadline, so those who could delayed submission of tax details and more relaxed provision should be Magar passes away been struggling to meet its revenue not pay the taxes due to the strict year 2020-21 is applicable taxes. made for the businesses which engage collection target, the court’s order lockdown in the past month and a half “We took the decision considering in cash-based transactions and have KATHMANDU: Jeevan Magar, a journal- came as a welcome surprise for the can now pay,” said Dhakal. Rs450 billion. the difficulties caused by the no or little tendency of paying tax ist with Post’s sister paper Kantipur Department. Earlier, on May 18, According to the department, it pandemic,” said Dhakal. electronically. Daily, died at the age of 63 on Monday. the apex court had issued an interim could collect just Rs17.70 billion in Experts meanwhile say the private “Large businesses can submit tax Magar, who was injured after falling order not to collect VAT or impose taxes during the month of Jestha However, private-sector representa- sector should be ready to pay the tax details and pay the taxes electronical- in the bathroom at his home on fines on taxpayers during the period (mid-May to mid-June), the eleventh tives and experts say even though the dues as the lockdown is gradually ly so the lockdown does pose an obsta- Thursday, died while receiving treat- of the prohibitory orders. month of the current fiscal year, government needs revenue to run the being relaxed and economic activities cle for them,” he said. ment at Bir Hospital. Doctors said “As the last month of the fiscal year against the target of Rs33.07 billion. state, it should be flexible with busi- are heading towards normalcy. “But, in the case of small business- Magar had sustained serious injuries always remains very important for Overall tax collection until nesses, especially the small ones, con- According to a follow-up survey es relying on cash-based transactions, to his brain. Magar was politically tax collection and government mid-June stood at Rs360.70 billion sidering the impact of pandemic on conducted by the Nepal Rastra Bank, it may be difficult for them to pay the active during his student days and expenditure, we issued a notice to against the target of Rs378.48 billion. businesses. the central bank, in April, as many as taxes electronically so they should was arrested for his involvement in taxpayers to pay taxes and submit the The department’s tax collection target Shekhar Golchha, president of the 81.2 percent of total businesses were not be forced to pay the taxes as long the Jhapa Revolt of 1972. As he was tax details,” said Arjun Dhakal, for the current fiscal year 2020-21 is Federation of Nepalese Chambers of fully operational against 4.1 percent as they cannot travel to pay the taxes.” under 16 at the time of arrest, Magar information officer at the department. Rs450 billion. Commerce and Industry said that the during the lockdown last year, when Until the latest Supreme Court was sentenced to 10 years of impris- “Due to the prohibitory orders, “Until mid-May, we were on track to federation is not opposed to paying the first survey was conducted. court that allowed the government onment. He was among the 15 politi- taxpayers had not been able to meet the revenue target set for our taxes, but many businesses can’t pay Likewise, transactions of business- to collect taxes, the private sector cal prisoners who had escaped from submit tax details and pay taxes office with around 99 percent of the immediately as they have not been es had reached 61.4 percent of the was hoping to pay the taxes after the Nakkhu Jail by digging a tunnel. He although their business transactions targeted amount having been able to collect payments for their sold pre-pandemic levels in April this year end of the current fiscal year. renounced politics after the mul- were good until the imposition of the collected,” Dhakal said. “But, the goods and services due to the Covid- compared to 28.8 percent last year. Earlier in May the court had ti-party system was restored in the lockdown in April-end.” disruption caused by the second wave induced closure of businesses. “As per the law, taxpayers can pay ordered the government to give busi- country and started a career in jour- After the second wave of pandemic of the pandemic affected tax collec- “Now, the cash flow is almost nil tax by calculating the amount on nesses 30 days to pay the taxes after nalism. Magar had been associated hit the country in early April causing tion lately and it will be challenging and businesses cannot collect and pay their own. If there has been no profit, the lockdown is lifted. The court had with the Kantipur daily since its huge loss of lives and overwhelming to meet the target for the current the VAT and excise duties even though they can submit tax details only issued a similar order last year too inception. He is survived by his wife the country’s health system, the fiscal year.” we know that businesses collect such and pay no tax. If they are in loss, they when the government imposed a lock- and two daughters. government authorities had He, however, said that the Supreme taxes from customers,” Golchha told can carry over the loss to next year down from March 23 to July 21. Highly infectious new AY.1 variant of coronavirus found in infected people ARJUN POUDEL (B.1.617.1), which is termed as variant of KATHMANDU, JUNE 21 interest have been detected in Nepal. “Studies show these variants are more The highly infectious K417N, a sub-lineage infectious and affect people of all age of B.1.617.2, known as Delta variant of the groups,” reads the statement. coronavirus, has been confirmed in swab It is reported that the K417N, sub-line- samples of the infected people in Nepal. age of B.1.617.2, known as Delta variant, The new sub lineage is also termed as was first identified in March in Europe, “Delta Plus” in India. scroll.in quoted VK Paul, chairperson of According to the Ministry of Health and National Expert Group on Vaccine Population, of the 48 swab samples of Administration in India, as saying. The infected people, on which whole genome new variant is not yet identified as a vari- sequencing was performed, the Delta vari- ant of concern. ant of the virus has been detected in swab Earlier in May, highly infectious sub samples of 47 people. lineages B.1.617.2 and B.1.617.1 were con- Among the 47, the new sub-lineage firmed in Nepal and found responsible for K417N also known as AY.1 has been a new surge in the infection. identified in swab samples of nine infected Meanwhile, Nepal on Monday reported people. 1,584 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 “The mutation K417N also known as hours taking the nationwide infection AY.1 has been detected in 10 countries tally to 622,640. Similarly, 713 people including Nepal as of now,” reads a press tested positive in a total of 4,321 antigen statement issued by the Ministry of Health tests, according to the Health Ministry. and Population. As of Monday, 3,275,849 PCR and 146,883 Alpha variant of the virus has been antigen tests have been carried out across detected in swab samples of one infected the country. person. A total of 6,583 PCR tests were per- The National Public Health Laboratory formed in the past 24 hours, according to had collected swab samples of infected the Health Ministry. people of different age groups from May 9 In its regular situation report, the min- to June 3 from various places throughout istry did not mention the death toll over the country. the past 24 hours. It, however, reported 46 Those swab samples were sent for whole Covid-19-related fatalities, which included genome sequencing at the World Health the number of deaths managed by Nepal Organisation-identified Center for Army on different dates. Excellence in Genomic, the Institute of The countrywide death toll has now Genomics and Integrative Biology reached 8,772. The number of active cases (IGIB) in Delhi on June 9, according to the stands at 53,940. Health Ministry. According to the ministry, 559,928 infect- Along with these, Delta variant ( ed people have recovered from the disease B.1.617.2), Alpha (B.1.1.7) to which the so far; 3,130 of them in the last 24 hours. world Health organisation identified vari- Kathmandu Valley recorded 379 new POST PHOTO: ANGAD DHAKAL ant of concern and Kappa variant infections in the past 24 hours. Farmers transplant rice seedlings in paddies at Godawari, Lalitpur on Monday. Nepal resuming and adding more flights to labour destination countries The decision will bring relief to thousands of Nepali migrant workers stuck at home and abroad, as well as help in the repatriation of bodies of Nepali workers.

CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL Pushkar told the Post. “It’s not that 100 According to him, more flights will flights will resume to Kuwait, Bahrain, ment decision to resume flights paves can be brought home in just two trips KATHMANDU, JUNE 21 percent flights have been opened be added to Qatar, India, China and Oman, Japan and Thailand, among the way for their return,” said Din by a wide-body plane,” said Subedi. immediately, but a limited number of Turkey—countries where the govern- other countries. Bandhu Subedi, spokesperson for the “Elsewhere, in Saudi Arabia, some The government’s decision to allow flights for most of the countries will ment has already allowed a limited With the resumption of internation- Foreign Employment Board, the 20-22 dead bodies remain stranded. more flights to and from major labour be allowed soon.” number of regular flights—whereas al flights, it is expected that Nepali government agency responsible for With more flights, the backlog of bod- destination countries is expected to migrant workers will get some relief the welfare of migrant workers. ies will be cleared.” provide a much-needed respite for as they will be able to travel for over- “There is no exact number on how Increased number of flights will thousands of Nepali migrant workers seas jobs. Many migrant workers many workers are stuck abroad. also help in the gradual revival of the stuck at home and abroad. stranded in various countries due to However, there are around 1,500-2,000 labour migration sector, which has Following up on the recommenda- travel restrictions will also be able to Nepalis waiting to return home from been experiencing a downturn since tions of the Covid-19 Crisis return home. each of the popular labour destination the first wave of the pandemic last Management Centre (CCMC) to gradu- Since the suspension of interna- countries. These are mostly those year. As international flights got sus- ally ease international travel restric- tional flights from May 7, due to workers whose contracts or visas pended, thousands of Nepali workers, tions, the government has decided to the rising coronavirus cases, many have expired.” who had already moved ahead with resume flights with six countries— Nepali migrants have been languish- More flights will also help in repat- the recruitment process, could not Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, ing in various labour destinations, riating the bodies of migrant workers migrate. Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Japan, and mainly in the Persian Gulf countries that have piled up in many destination Regular scheduled flights will start Turkey. and Malaysia. Migrant workers countries. operating from this week after avia- According to Krishna Hari Pushkar, who had already bought their tickets According to Subedi, around 70 to 80 tion authorities of Nepal and destina- a spokesperson for the centre, there to return home after the expiry bodies of Nepali workers are stranded tion countries complete the necessary will be more flights from and to major of their work contracts were in different destination countries, arrangements. destination countries where regular especially affected by the suspension although some bodies have been “We need to gradually step up eco- flights were operating before the of flights. repatriated after the resumption of nomic activities and return to normal imposition of restrictions. “In destination countries, there are limited flights. life while following health protocols,” “Not only those six destinations, Nepali migrant workers who wanted “We have been repatriating bodies said Pushkar. “We also need to main- but flights will gradually resume to POST FILE PHOTO to return home but could not do so due regularly. However, more than 40 are tain global connectivity as living with more countries in coming weeks,” International flights to and from Nepal have been suspended since May 7. to the flight suspension. The govern- still stuck in Malaysia. All the bodies Covid is the new normal.”

C M Y K TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2021 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL Deficit of entrepreneurial intent Politics, gerontocracy-style Mere policy announcements The very politicians who fought for democracy are unlikely to bear the hold on to power and influence stubbornly. desired fruits.

The 14th general convention of the Nepali Congress slated for September offers an opportunity for a hard reset it desperately ACHYUT WAGLE needs to stay relevant. While there are concerns about whether the convention will take place amid the threat of a third wave of the pandemic, the graver issue for an umpteenth time is wheth- er the old guards in the Nepali Congress will leave the way for the new generation of leaders who have time and again pressed for a change of the guard, alleging poor performance by the The budget for the upcoming fiscal year not only continued the govern- leadership, both internally and nationally. But party president ment’s four-year-old ‘educated youths Sher Bahadur Deuba’s intent to continue for a second term, and self-employment scheme’ by provision- challenges from other old faces who already engage in forging ing for loans against academic certifi- cates but increased the amount almost alliances, are bigger hurdles to overcome for the younger by four times to Rs2.5 million per bor- generation. rower. The scheme on the face of it Recent reforms in the party statute mandate that Congress looks very attractive. The youths who hold a minimum of a bachelors’ degree elects at least 15 percent of the leadership positions in all levels are eligible for it. The interest rate ceil- of the party from the 18-30 age group and 33 percent women. The ing the banks can charge on borrowers voter age composition of the party shows that 70 percent of the is fixed at 5 percent and the difference in interest between the interbank rate voters are between 18 and 60 years. As many as 33 percent of the and the rate charged to the borrowers voters are from the 18-40 age group, and 37 percent are aged is subsidised by the government. The between 41 and 60. Now, let’s look at the age composition of the proposed budget has earmarked Rs13 billion only for the interest subsidy on top rung leaders who plan to secure leadership and major posi- the government-announced conces- tions. Deuba, the incumbent president who has his eyes on a sional loans, including this scheme. second term, is 74. Vice-president Bimalendra Nidhi, who also But ironically, according to the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) only 139 people wants to vie for the position, is 63. Senior leader Ram Chandra have borrowed under the programme SHUTTERSTOCK Poudel is 75 and long-time rival Krishna Prasad Sitaula is 71. since then Finance Minister Yubaraj Yes, there have been a few efforts to evidenced by the fact that the borrow- This, in turn, raises questions on our General secretary Shashank Koirala is 61. Among other central Khatiwada announced in the budget for facilitate the process. NRB issued a sort ers are also not ready to shoulder the 25 education system that, as widely per- the fiscal year 2018-19 with a loan limit of moral suasion to BFIs in September percent of the premium of the insur- ceived, fails to instil soft skills like committee members and senior leaders, Shekhar Koirala is 69, of Rs0.7 million. The banks and finan- 2018 asking them to initiate lending to ance on the loan. The candidates for the trustworthiness, creativity and the Prakash Man Singh is 64, Ram Sharan Mahat is 69, and Arjun cial institutions (BFIs) have so far dis- youths against the academic certifi- loan more often than not fail to present ability to articulate ideas. In order to Narsingh KC is 72. bursed Rs65.1 million rupees of loans cates as per the government plan. a viable business plan, complain banks. upend this general climate of hopeless- to the youths between 25-40 year; that Ministry of Finance had also concur- ness, management education—which Gerontocracy is not just a Congress problem. Across the averages to Rs0.46 million per ticket. rently developed a working procedure. Lacking originality has the onus of producing future entre- country’s political spectrum, it is often cited as the numero uno The benchmarks set out for disburse- This prolonged blame game, mainly preneurs and managers for the coun- reason for hurting the fledgling democracy, both within the Bottlenecks ment included that the borrower must between the banks and borrowers, has try—undoubtedly needs a thorough The government, without addressing be a bachelor’s degree holder, has taken not only pushed the whole scheme to introspection and calibration. Two party and the country. Compared to the median age of Nepal, the structural and legal bottlenecks so at least a week-long skill-orientated the brink of failure but unfolded an gaps are glaring. One, our management which is 24.6 years as per the latest demographic profile, our as to enable youths to access the loan, training and should present a loan pro- entirely new dimension of more over- education apart from textbook knowl- politicians are not so young. They are often criticised for deny- seems obsessed only to expand the bor- posal with a convincing business plan. arching problems surrounding the edge completely lacks architecture for rowing limits, ostensibly, for crude pop- To distribute the risk, insurance on entrepreneurial intents and skills of entrepreneurial innovation, firm incu- ing the opportunity to the younger generation. It is Nepal’s ulism. Among several other structural the loan was made mandatory. Seventy- ‘educated’ Nepali youths. This perhaps bation and systematic research on tragedy that the very politicians who fought for democracy and issues, the recovery risk of the banks five percent of the insurance premium will have deep running repercussions product development, market prospects remains paramount. With the substan- and business sustainability. Two, for equal opportunity stubbornly hold on to power and influence is borne by the government and the on the economic future of the nation tial expansion to the limit on per per- rest 25 percent by the borrower. The and the individual well-being of its lack of integrated pedagogy related to for their vested interests and personal legacies while repeatedly son borrowing, the risk on BFI invest- central bank later issued a revised ver- citizens. entrepreneurship and management ditching the youth force that they piggyback on time and again. ment also seemed to have proportion- sion of ‘Integrated guidelines for inter- The executives of the banks insist with the vocational skill-oriented uni- ately increased. In a recent post-budget est subsidy on concessional loans 2020’ that the potential young graduate bor- versity degrees like engineering, infor- Politics, gerontocracy-style, has cast dark clouds over the politi- discussion, the governor of NRB, to BFIs. But none of these initiatives rowers are appallingly uncreative, lack mation technology and several others, cal parties. It has disillusioned the youth, which will have Maha Prasad Adhikari confessed that helped to bolster the confidence even minimum skills to develop a con- the overall prospect of entrepreneurial far-reaching consequences for Nepali society. BFIs are naturally apprehensive of the BFIs. As the result, the actual vincing business plan that incorpo- growth as well as employment genera- about the impending risk on the recov- uptake of the loan remained extremely rates market surveys for their proposed tion in the economy remain distress- After failing miserably in the 2017 general elections, the ery of this type of lending and, there- low at about 4 percent compared to, for products, cash-flow management and, ingly low. Congress has been in a shambles. That the party, which calls fore, it remained challenging to example, the allocation of Rs142 also, weigh on the associated business Without a Darwinian approach to itself the vanguard of democracy and rule of law, is struggling implement. billion in the current fiscal that ends risks. The youths who wanted loans bridge the gap of entrepreneurial defi- Bankers insist that the loan could be on July 15. also allegedly lacked general knowl- cit in the investment-innovation-indus- to hold its periodic general convention itself is a shame. easier to disburse if some immovable There is a general agreement among edge about loan repayment obligations, try ecosystem, mere policy announce- Factional feuds appear to have become the party’s inherent assets were also pledged as collateral key stakeholders—the Ministry of instalment calculations and the con- ments and monetary incentives character, which a democratic party definitely not must be along with their academic certificates. Finance, NRB, BFIs and borrowers— cept of a phased release of the funds as like the one on concessional loans Otherwise, a ‘tracking’ problem can that Rs 2.5 million is not a small amount the project progresses. The general per- against academic certificates, as this proud of. If the old guards are accused of failing to steer the occur when, say, a borrower with a dif- of money for a startup. But the banks ception is that the banks must right experience shows, are unlikely to bear party, youth leaders too need to share some of the blame. For ferent ‘permanent address’ as opposed contend that the potential borrowers away be obliged to disburse the entire the desired fruits. The government once, the leadership should stop bickering and channelise their to what’s mentioned in the legal docu- actually lack honest entrepreneurial amount of Rs2.5 million. Also, the ones should not only understand the reasons ment applies for the loan in a bank intent and most of them who visit the looking for instant loans could be those for its failure but must come out with a energy to hold the general convention so as to reinvigorate the located in a city away from their bank for the purpose tend to consider it less industrious—both in studies and feasible remedy, better sooner than grand old party. hometown. as the government’s free dole out. It is entrepreneurship. later. A digital bridge to social support

nation of some services.’ In fact, For all its benefits, a Alston warned, digital welfare sys- tems often ‘punish the poorer classes.’ digital approach to For example, unrestricted data match- ing is used to expose and penalise the welfare programmes might ‘slightest irregularities’ in the records of welfare beneficiaries, sometimes exclude the needy. resulting in denial of critical services. Technological solutions cannot be used as a means to slash budgets and LAURA ALFERS shift responsibility from the state to grassroots organisations serving the poor. Governments that apply digital technologies to social-welfare pro- grammes must also ensure equity in the systems and institutions in which these programmes are embedded. For starters, as governments invest For all its devastation, the Covid-19 in the digital transition (including by crisis does have a silver lining: it has directing large amounts of funds to shone a spotlight on important policy the private sector), they must also lapses—beginning with the lack of support the work of grassroots organ- social protection for the world’s two isations providing essential last-mile billion informal workers. But address- services to connect people to their ing this failure will require more than entitlements. As it stands, few grass- social programmes; it will also require roots organisations in the Global governments to bridge the digital South are able to raise the financial divide. resources needed to sustain their During the pandemic, social pro- work. grammes supporting the ‘missing Moreover, governments must create middle’—informal workers who are mechanisms for meaningful consulta- excluded from standard employ- tion with these organisations, in order ment-linked social security and often to design programmes that meet tar- do not qualify for social programmes get groups’ needs, monitor and assess that target the very poor—relied heav- progress, and make necessary chang- ily on digital technologies. es. Frontline bureaucratic workers, Registration happened on smart- such as social workers and registra- phones. Governments verified benefi- tion officials, will also need greater ciaries using digital identification sys- support, including to expand their tems. Payments landed in e-wallets. PHOTOGRAPHERINCOGNIT/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM ranks in some cases. This welcome use of digital technol- Supplementary Data code. According to Leeuw, ‘It would have Likewise, in Delhi, informal work- Delhi Coordinator for Women in Of course, closing the digital divide ogy streamlined procedures and ena- This promised efficiency, but also just been easier if [the South African ers struggled with digital applications Informal Employment: Globalising should also be a high priority. That bled workers to avoid face-to-face kept the application out of reach for Social Security Agency] had sent offi- for the Pradhan Mantri Street and Organising. ‘Or if they are means expanding access to digital interactions when they applied for or many waste reclaimers. According to cials around to our workplaces to help Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi migrant workers, the card might be technologies, including mobile phones collected benefits. But this approach Steven Leeuw, an active member of people sign up for the grant.’ (SVANidhi) scheme—a government back in the village, and then they and broadband internet, and ensuring also implies an obvious risk: exclu- the African Reclaimers Organisation There are similar stories around loan programmes designed to support might not have the same mobile phone that people have the knowledge to use sion of those on the wrong side of the (ARO), ‘90 percent of the people we the world. In Mexico City, the cash street vendors. Not only was the appli- number, and have to go through the them. And grassroots organisations digital divide. work with don’t have a cell phone. If grant offered to non-salaried workers cation available only online, it was process of linking a new number to have a vital role to play here as well. The experience of informal waste they do, it’s usually an old one that was initially accessible only through also not written in colloquial Hindi, the card.’ But, in the meantime, the digital reclaimers here in Johannesburg is doesn’t really work, or they don’t have an online application. ‘I went three and the website crashed frequently. These are hardly isolated incidents divide must be bridged to enable the instructive. When the South African money for data, or anywhere to access times to the internet cafe to scan docu- Moreover, applicants were initially or cherry-picked anecdotes. A 2019 most vulnerable to access crucial gov- government introduced the Social free WiFi.’ ments and send emails,’ said one required to have an Aadhar Card (a report by the then-United Nations ernment support. Relief of Distress cash grant for Fortunately, the ARO stepped in to worker. ‘How are those who don’t form of digital identification linked to Special Rapporteur on extreme pover- adults excluded from other forms of help members apply. That meant not know how to read and write and who biometric and demographic data) ty and human rights, Philip Alston, Alfers is Director of the Social government support during the pan- only filling in and submitting applica- can’t pay for the internet cafe going to linked to a mobile phone number, found that the digitisation of welfare Protection Programme at Women in demic, applications were to be submit- tions, but also performing any addi- do it?’ After protests by workers’ which created a host of other prob- often leads to ‘deep reductions in the Informal Employment: Globalising ted by a website form, email, tional administrative steps if the ini- organisations, the government added lems. ‘Not all workers have an Aadhar overall welfare budget, a narrowing of and Organising. WhatsApp, or an Unstructured tial application was rejected. a manual application option. Card,’ according to Shalini Sinha, the beneficiary pool, [and] the elimi- — Project Syndicate

C M Y K 05 | TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2021 MONEY FOREX Pathao, Tootle to resume US Dollar 118.87 Ilam sees hard times ahead Euro 141.44 Pound Sterling 164.87 services from Tuesday Japanese Yen 10.79 as tourists stop coming Ride-hailing service providers had discontinued operation Chinese Yuan 18.38 If the situation continues, a large section of the population will lose jobs, insiders say. Qatari Riyal 32.65 after prohibitory orders were imposed on April 29.

Australian Dollar 89.32 enough to travel and let their wander- lust take over. KRISHANA PRASAIN be no obstacle from traffic police. Malaysian Ringit 28.66 Entrepreneurs who had been strug- KATHMANDU, JUNE 21 “We will only check odd and even gling to pay their repayment instal- numbers of private vehicles,” said Saudi Arab Riyal 31.70 ments, were cheered when visitors Ride-hailing service providers Pathao Bhattarai. Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank reappeared, and they made a good and Tootle said on Monday they would The ride-hailing service providers recovery in a short span of time. resume operation from Tuesday. discontinued their service after the But their happiness did not last As per the revised prohibitory prohibitory orders were put in place Shares long. The second wave started in mid- orders in Kathmandu Valley, which from April 29 to check the spread of April and peaked in May, and was even will come into effect from Tuesday, the coronavirus. Nepse 2,834.40pts -2.45% more dangerous than the first which private vehicles like car, jeep and van, Surakchya Hamal, marketing man- has so far killed over 5,000 people. including two-wheelers and taxis have ager of Pathao, said that the company HIGHEST LOSERS Hemu Bhujel, a trader from Harkate been allowed to operate following the was receiving more than 100 queries PFL UPCL UNHPL HDHPC LEC GMFIL -9.26% -9.12% -8.81% -8.62% -8.52% -8.42% near Kanyam, said she used to earn odd-even rules. daily from riders and customers ask- around Rs100,000 monthly by selling The ride-hailing service providers ing them when the company will MODERATE LOSERS PROFL PMHPL JOSHI GHL HURJA SINDU vegetables and gift items. “With Covid- have said they would also resume resume services. -8.4% -8.2% -7.82% -7.8% -7.67% -7.63% SHUTTERSTOCK 19 raging again, it has become a diffi- operations abiding by the odd-even Pathao, which has 92,000 bike rid-

MODERATE GAINERS Celebrated as the queen of the hills, Ilam offers a moderate climate amid tea plantations. cult life for us,” she said. rule. ers, was doing 60,000 trips daily before NTC KEF SRBLD83 LEMF PBLD84 LBLD86 A string of more than 200 shops Sixit Bhatta, co-founder and CEO of the lockdown was imposed, the com- 1.73% 1.76% 1.89% 1.89% 1.91% 1.99% BIPLAV BHATTARAI Celebrated as the queen of the hills, selling vegetables and gift items Tootle, said that the company is all set pany said. HIGHEST GAINERS ILAM, JUNE 21 Ilam offers a moderate climate amid extend from east Pathivara to Fikkal. to resume the operation from Tuesday. The ride-hailing service providers SBLD83 NBLD82 NBBD2085 HIDCL KBLPO NABBC tranquil tea plantations. Tourists buy tea, hard cheese, lolli- Private vehicles like cars, jeep and said that the riders will need to follow 2% 2% 3.65% 4.33% 9.52% 9.97% As 2020 got underway, Nepal’s hotel The history of tea growing in Ilam pops and vegetables. The business van are allowed to ply with not more the health safety protocols and service industry was at the peak of an expan- goes back to 1863, and its gentle green directly benefits entrepreneurs and than four people while taxis have been takers also need to follow the meas- sion frenzy. hills covered with tea bushes are farmers in rural areas. allowed to operate by keeping not ures while taking the service. Dambar Khadka of Ilam in the east- prime attractions for tourists. Nearly 100 horse traders in Kanyam more than three passengers. Hamal said that the customer will PRICE PER TOLA ern past of the country too had been Ilam Tea Estate, the first in Nepal, and dozens of homestays in Antu have Two-wheelers are allowed to keep be made aware through notifications BULLION making big plans. He had bought along with Kanyam and Antu Tea also fallen on hard times due to the pillion riders. in the app to wear a mask, sanitize 55 ropanis of land in the ecotourism Estate, draw hundreds of tourists and declining number of visitors. Tootle has more than 50,000 riders hands and follow health protocols. Fine Gold Rs 90,400 destination of Kanyam to build a tea enthusiasts to observe the entire As tourist arrivals started drying which it calls Tootle partner and Bhatta said that there won’t be any luxury resort. process of tea production—from culti- up due to the pandemic, life has 400,000 customers as per the compa- changes in fares. Silver Rs 1,295 The Rs1.5 billion hotel would offer a vation, cutting and picking of tea become difficult for everyone. ny’s website. Due to cheaper rates compared to host of recreational activities leaves to their processing and sam- Rajan Pradhan, general secretary Senior Superintendent Janak taxi fare, fast and easy to commute, SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA like casino, shopping mall, park and pling. Like many other tourism hot- of the Suryodaya Chamber of Bhattarai, chief of Metropolitan ride-hailing services have gained mini train. spots across the country, Ilam’s pro- Commerce and Industry and co-treas- Traffic Police Division, said that much traction with nearly 2.5 million But almost overnight, the tourism gress is hindered by lack of infra- urer of the Federation of Hotel as the government has allowed people in Kathmandu Valley down- GASOLINE WATCH industry went into a downward spiral structure. Khadka is one of the sever- Entrepreneurs of Province 1, said it private vehicles to operate, there will loading the app to request a ride. the likes of which entrepreneurs said al entrepreneurs who have seen the would be a catastrophe if the situation they had never seen before. Tourism opportunity in the eastern hill dis- lasted. “We did not get any relief pack- demand plunged with no foreseeable trict. But his plan has been shattered ages from the government last year,” end, and new development came to a by Covid-19. he said. “If the government does not screeching halt. Bijay Rai, who has leased a house to start any relief programmes for entre- Pause or proceed? Many entrepre- run a hotel at Ilam bus park, had just preneurs, it will be hard to revive our neurs like Khadka are in a fix. “My completed a new project when the businesses.” project suffered right after the coun- Covid-19 pandemic brought calamity. There are 450 hotels in the district try was hit by the coronavirus in He had hoped things would settle that provide 2,300 jobs. 2020,” Khadka said. “Now, everything down in 2021 after a disastrous 2020. “The situation is becoming worse has become complicated. There is no Rai had spent Rs40 million on the by the day. If it continues, it will drive end in sight to Covid-19,” he said. project, and now faces ruin following a large section of the population into Khadka had prepared a master plan the second wave of the pandemic. He unemployment,” said Devi Poudel, and even procured construction mate- is wondering how he is going to repay president of the Hotel Entrepreneurs’ rials like iron and steel, cement, grav- his bank loan. Association of Ilam. el and sand to build the resort. He is “The government should launch According to the association, last deeply troubled. “I cannot move subsidy programmes to save our year the district suffered losses forward, and I cannot withdraw from investment,” he said. “Otherwise we amounting to Rs720 million per the project.” are finished.” month. There are 200 hotels with an Ilam attracts travellers who come to Tourists, mostly domestic, had investment of Rs300,000 to Rs500,000 enjoy stunning views of the rising started coming back to Kanyam and each, 190 hotels with an investment of sun. Vacationers, especially from Antu in autumn 2020. The government Rs10 million to Rs20 million each, and POST FILE PHOTO parts of the Tarai and India, head for had withdrawn the lockdown in July, 60 hotels with an investment of Rs10 The ride-hailing service providers have said they would resume operations abiding by the Ilam to escape the heat of the plains. and people had become confident million to Rs100 million each. odd-even rule.

Standard Chartered ‘It lessens my bills’: $500 payments tested in upstate New York Bank Nepal launches banking APIs ASSOCIATED PRESS County Executive Patrick Ryan. KATHMANDU: As a part of its dig- NEW YORK, JUNE 21 Ryan saw cash payments as a way to ital initiatives, Standard help local families struggling to get Chartered Bank Nepal has Annette Steele isn’t destitute or unem- ahead, or even get by, as the pandemic launched API (Application ployed. But for a year she’ll be receiv- ebbs. Many people in the county were Programming Interface) ing $500 per month in no-strings-at- already stretched thin by housing costs Banking in Nepal which tached payments as part of an experi- before the pandemic, when a large will be instrumental in shaping mental universal basic income pro- influx of New York City residents led to delivery of financial services gramme in upstate New York. skyrocketing real estate prices, he said. in the Banking industry. The Places from Compton, California, to The first payments were made in bank has gone live with the Richmond, Virginia, are trying out mid-May. Recipients of the money can first API Banking with one guaranteed income programmes, spend it as they wish, but will be asked of its global clients in the coun- which gained more attention after the to participate in periodic surveys about try, reads the press release pandemic idled millions of workers. their physical health, mental health issued by the bank. The API Steele, a special education school and employment status. connectivity will help the aide, is getting her payments through a The Centre for Guaranteed Income bank’s customer to exchange programme in Ulster County, which Research at the University of data & integrate their eco-sys- covers parts of the Catskill Mountains Pennsylvania, which the school formed tem securely and in real-time. and the Hudson River Valley. with the Mayors for a Guaranteed In Nepal, Standard Chartered During the pilot programme, funded Income, is evaluating the pilot pro- Bank has launched Account by private donations, 100 county resi- gramme. Recipient Eric Luna, a 26-year- Enquiry, Notification and dents making less than $46,900 annual- old electrical lab technician, said the Move Money APIs. ly will get $500 a month for a year. The money will help pay the bills at the income threshold was based on 80 per- home he recently helped his parents cent of the county’s average median buy in Wallkill. But he also hopes to set income, meaning it includes both the some aside, possibly for a master’s poor and a slice of the middle class— degree. people who face financial stress but “I’m also learning how to save money might not ordinarily qualify for gov- AP/RSS as well,” he said. “So this will be a ernment aid based on income. People walk on one of the main streets in Ellenville, New York. Less than 100 miles north of New York City, Ulster County is popular destination for learning experience.” For researchers, the pilot could give weekenders headed to Woodstock or the Catskill Mountains. Though pretty, there are pockets of poverty. There were more than 4,200 appli- them a fuller picture of what happens cants for the programme in a county of when a range of people are sent pay- her retired husband. “People think headed to Woodstock or the Catskill remote areas many miles from bus 178,000 people. Centre for Guaranteed ments that guarantee a basic living. because you’ve been working so many Mountains. Its big city, Kingston, is lines and supermarkets. “Showing that Income Research co-founder Stacia For Steele, 57, it’s a welcome finan- years, that you make this tremendous small, with 23,000 people. this approach will work not just in West, who is evaluating more than 20 cial boost that helped her pay for car amount of money. But no, actually.” Basic income programmes elsewhere urban areas, but for rural parts of the such pilot programmes, is interested in insurance and groceries. Less than 100 miles (160 kilometres) tend to focus on cities. In contrast, this country—which we know is one of our seeing how spending compares to cities “It lessens my bills,” said Steele, who north of New York City, Ulster County upstate programme stretches out over a big national problems—I think there’s like Stockton, California, where more lives in the village of Ellenville with is a popular destination for weekenders mix of places: a city, small towns and great opportunity there,” said Ulster than a third went for food.

k|b]z ;/sf/ ef}lts k"jf{wf/ ljsf; dGqfno UK financial sector urges caution k"jf{wf/ ljsf; lgb]{zgfno vfg]kfgL l;+rfO tyf phf{ lasf; sfof{no over any ‘work from home’ law s0ff{nL k|b]z, b}n]v REUTERS think hard about what they are asking af]nkq :jLs[t ug]{ cfzosf] ;"rgf LONDON, JUNE 21 people to come into the office to do and Industry officials what can be done from home. k|sflzt ldlt M @)&*÷)#÷)* How people divide their working say employers “Ultimately it will become some- hours between home and office should thing of a competitive advantage if pk/f]Qm ;DaGwdf o; sfof{noaf6 b sf7df08f} kf]i6 /fli6«o b}lgs klqsfdf ldlt @)&*÷)@÷@* df k|sflzt cfyL{s develop naturally over time and should make their you can get the balance right on some k|:tfj vf]Ng] ;DaGwL ;"rgf cg';f/ lgDg pNn]lvt Kofs]hdf lgDgcg';f/sf] af]nkqbftf Go"gtd d"NoflÍt ;f/e"t ?kdf not be forced into law, senior financial of these things, give people a bit more services industry officials said own decisions. flexibility to act as grown-ups,” k|efau|flx b]lv :jLs[ltsf] nflu 5gf}6 ePsf]n] ;fj{hlgs vl/b P]g @)^# sf] bkmf $& sf] k|of]hgfy{ ;f]lx P]gsf] bkmf @& on Monday. Richards said. sf] pk bkmf @ adf]lhd ;DaGwLt ;Dk"0f{ af]nkqbftfsf] hfgfsf/Lsf] nflu of] ;"rgf k|sflzt ul/Psf] 5 . Britain has indicated it may legis- “I don’t think a legislative approach late to allow people to work flexibly by propriate,” Bruce Carnegie-Brown, probably is the right answer, I think l;= Go"gtd d"NoflÍt saf]n cÍ -Eof6 / dividing their time between the office chairman of the Lloyd’s of London this will find its own natural equilibri- 7]Ssf g= sfdsf] laa/0f ;f/e"t ?kdf k|f]lehgn cfO6d and home, building on the experience insurance market, told City & um,” she added. g= of millions who have worked from Financial’s City Week event. Karan Bilimoria, president of the k|efau|flx af]nkqbftf ;lxtsf]_ home since Covid-19 forced lockdowns “We have to allow different sectors Confederation of British Industry, Rural Electrification at Various Places in March last year. of the economy to adapt in different an employers’ body, said employers WIEDO/CTA/ of Chamunda Bindasaini, Aathbis T.D.R.-Singh-Dawa JV, New Many firms have already said ways to address this opportunity, should make their own decisions ! REP-04/ &,&&,*@,$@(.^* they plan a mix of home and office frankly, for a more mixed economy of on the mix of working from home Municipality and Thatikad Rural Baneshwor, Kathmandu 2077-78 working once pandemic restrictions remote and physical work.” or office. Municipality are lifted. Anne Richards, chief executive of “It would be the wrong thing to “This is going to evolve, clearly, and asset manager Fidelity International, force this to happen, it should evolve sfof{no k|d'v that’s why legislation would be inap- said employers were being forced to in its own way,” Bilimoria said.

C M Y K TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2021 | 06 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Hernandez goal secures draw for Venezuela Rain washes Qualifier Liudmila Samsonova out fourth claims first WTA title Venezuela, missing 12 players due to Covid-19, overturn the deficit twice to salvage a 2-2 draw against Ecuador. BERLIN: Qualifier Liudmila AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE cheted back to him off a back-tracking day of play Samsonova won her first WTA title RIO DE JANEIRO, JUNE 21 defender and Plata poked home. with victory over Belinda Bencic in Soon after, captain Valencia had a AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE the final of the Berlin grass court Ronald Hernandez scored an injury chance to wrap things up but shot SOUTHAMPTON, JUNE 21 tournament on Sunday and was then time equaliser to earn minnows wide with only Farinez to beat. After handed a wildcard to make her Venezuela a share of the spoils in a 2-2 his earlier heroics, Plata was at fault Rain meant there was no play at all in Wimbledon debut. Samsonova, 22, draw with Ecuador at the Copa for Venezuela’s equalizer, caught out Monday’s fourth day of the World Test made a mockery of her world ranking America on Sunday. of position as Hernandez ran past him Championship final between India of 106 to recover from losing the first Ecuador twice took the lead through to head Edson Castillo’s long ball into and New Zealand at Southampton— set to earn a 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 victory over Ayrton Preciado and Gonzalo Plata the box past a stranded Ortiz. the second time in the match a day’s Swiss fifth seed Bencic. After the either side of a powerful headed goal “These lapses in concentration are play had been washed out without a match, Samsonova revealed she had from Venezuela’s Edson Castillo. It costing us points, but we have to keep ball bowled. been granted the final main draw was a remarkable achievement for a pushing knowing this is the (right) Overnight and early morning rain wildcard into Wimbledon which team still missing 12 players due to path,” said Ecuador’s coach Gustavo meant the pitch and square at starts on June 28. “They just told me testing positive for Covid-19 or injury. Alfaro. Hampshire’s headquarters remained that I’m going to have the wildcard “I have no words to describe my Peru bounced back from their open- fully covered when the match should for the main draw, so I’m so happy,” admiration for these lads,” said ing 4-0 defeat to Brazil to stun have resumed at 10:30 am local time. Samsonova said. It was another dis- Venezuela’s coach Jose Peseiro. “The Colombia 2-1 thanks to a Yerry Mina Play was finally abandoned for the day play of power tennis from the way they played for the first time in own goal. Sergio Pena gave Peru a first at 3:00 pm, with Friday’s first day hav- Russian who stunned former world the professional team, they’re here half lead but Miguel Borja equalised ing suffered a similar fate. number one Victoria Azarenka in showing an ability to sacrifice, to from the penalty spot early in the sec- Match referee Chris Broad, howev- Saturday’s semi-final. fight, to defend the Burgundy (jersey), ond period. However, Mina inadvert- er, has a special dispensation to extend which excites me.” ently bundled the ball past goalkeeper this final into a sixth day—men’s Tests England, Sri Lanka ODI series The point left Ecuador bottom of David Ospina from a corner to hand usually only last a maximum of five the five team group on one point, with Peru victory. days—if he feels that will compensate to have increased crowds Venezuela a place and a point above Colombia were in the ascendancy for time lost in the game. An absorb- LONDON: England’s one-day interna- them after having played a game more. early on but Juan Cuadrado lashed ing day of high-quality cricket on tional series against Sri Lanka is set Hosts Brazil lead the group with a over and Borja’s shot was deflected Sunday, cut short by bad light despite to take place in front of larger than perfect two wins from two ahead of inches past the post. Peru took the use of the Hampshire Bowl’s flood- anticipated crowds after being includ- Colombia, who lost 2-1 to third-placed the lead on 17 minutes as Yoshimar lights, ended with New Zealand 101-2 ed as a British government test event, Peru in Goiania. Yotun took aim from almost 30 yards in reply to India’s first innings 217—a it was announced Monday. An Ecuador were off to a bright start out to the left, and when his deficit of 116 runs. England and Wales Cricket Board with both Leonardo Campana and stunning shot came back off the far New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson took statement did not reveal the exact Enner Valencia shooting narrowly post, the ball fell kindly to Pena to an impressive 5-31 in 22 overs—the numbers involved but next week’s wide from good scoring positions. drill home. towering paceman’s fifth five-wicket matches at Durham, the Oval in Cristian Casseres was Venezuela’s AP/RSS Colombia were given a lifeline early haul in just eight career Tests. London and Bristol will be exempted main threat but he skied one great Venezuela’s Edson Castillo (left) scored the first goal and assisted for next in their Copa in the second half when Borja got in Blackcaps opener Devon Conway fell from current strict limits imposed on chance from 12 yards out, before America match against Ecuador at the Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Monday. behind Peru’s defense only to be for 54 two balls before the close. It was outdoor events following the corona- breaking the offside trap and seeing brought down in the penalty area by a his third score of over fifty in just five virus pandemic. England have his chip over goalkeeper Pedro Ortiz Farinez. Campana as Ecuador looked to hit rash challenge from goalkeeper Pedro Test innings following his debut already played in one such pilot cleared off the line by Pedro Hincapie. Venezuela were level, though, just back immediately. Gallese. Borja made no mistake from against England at Lord’s this month. event, with more than 17,000 fans The deadlock was broken in scrap- six minutes into the second half when They did move back in front 19 min- 12 yards, sending Gallese, who was India, as New Zealand had done allowed in daily for a Test match py circumstances six minutes before Castillo rose unmarked eight yards utes from time after a length of the booked for his challenge, the wrong after winning the toss, bowled well in against New Zealand at Edgbaston in halftime. Pervis Estupinan sent a free- out to plant a bullet header from Jose field counter-attack from a Venezuela way on 53 minutes. helpful conditions with fast bowler Birmingham. But next week’s games kick into the box that Campana won in Martinez’s cross into the top corner, corner. Plata ran from one box to the Yet 10 minutes later Peru were back Ishant Sharma having figures of at Durham, the Oval and Bristol will the air, causing havoc before Preciado leaving Ortiz rooted to his line. Three other with the ball and although in front as Colombia’s giant centre- 1-19 in 12 overs at Sunday’s close not be subject to the current strict stabbed home the loose ball after it minutes later, Farinez got down Farinez saved his tired effort, back Mina deflected a Christian Cueva and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin limits for outdoor events. (AGENCIES) ricocheted off goalkeeper Wuilker quickly to save a header from Christian Noboa’s follow-up rico- corner into his own net with his chest. 1-20 in 12. Up to 10,000 spectators to be allowed at Tokyo 2020 venues, despite warnings

REUTERS event going ahead with fans. before, are extended or due to any top health experts on Friday said ban- baseball game in Tokyo on Sunday. Institute’s Takahide Kiuchi. The TOKYO, JUNE 21 Japan has largely avoided the kind other anti-infection measures in force ning spectators would be the least Ticket revenues are likely to be announcement followed five-way talks of explosive coronavirus outbreaks at the time, according to organisers. risky option. reduced by more than half from an among Tokyo 2020 organisers, the Up to 10,000 domestic spectators will that have devastated other countries, Spectators from overseas have “I am concerned not just about the earlier expected 90 billion yen ($817.14 Japanese government and that of the be allowed in Tokyo 2020 venues, but vaccine roll-out was initially slow already been banned. The national increase in the number of people com- million), Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro capital, Tokyo, and the international Olympics organisers said on Monday, and the medical system pushed to the stadium, built for the 1964 Tokyo ing to watch the Olympics itself but Muto told a briefing. He said he want- Olympic and Paralympic committees. a decision that cuts against the recom- brink in some places. The limit for the Olympics and due to host athletics and also about the loosening of people’s ed to discuss with the Tokyo and Before the meeting, IOC President mendation of medical experts who Games, scheduled to begin on July 23, football this time, would have held sense of urgency by hosting the national governments on how to cover Thomas Bach said the vaccination said holding the event without fans “will be set at 50% of venue capacity, 68,000 fans but now will be at a sliver Olympics with spectators,” Haruka the shortfall. Initially organisers sold rate for athletes and officials residing was the least risky option. up to a maximum of 10,000 people”, of that. However, TV deals, such as Sakamoto, a physician and researcher some 4.48 million tickets and the gov- in the Olympic village was now “well The announcement ends months of organisers said in a statement. that with NBC Universal for 17 nights at Keio University, told Reuters before ernment had expected a windfall for above 80%”, exceeding the IOC’s ini- speculation and highlights Japan’s But the cheering - for a victory or a of US prime time coverage, will the decision. tourism. Some 840,000 tickets have tial expectations. determination to push on with the plucky underdog - will likely be ensure the Games are beamed around Some 65% of the public want the since been refunded, but the caps Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has Games and salvage the multi-bil- quelled as shouting will be prohibited. the world. event postponed again or cancelled, a mean another decrease, bringing the said he would not rule out holding the lion-dollar extravaganza amid public Organisers also said masks would be Organisers are still considering poll by broadcaster Asahi News total number down to 2.72 million tick- Olympics without spectators if the opposition and deep concern about a required and spectators be requested whether to allow alcohol to be served Network found. Nearly 70% said they ets, Muto said. capital was under a state of emergen- resurgence in infections. The decision to travel directly to venues and go in venues, Tokyo 2020 President Seiko thought the Games would not be held Capping the number of fans at both cy for Covid-19. “In the event a state of was widely expected after some recent straight home. Numbers could be fur- Hashimoto said. Even as experts safely and securely, the poll showed. the Olympics and Paralympics would emergency was declared then we can’t comments by organisers and as the ther reduced after July 12, depending voiced concern, Hashimoto had previ- Events with spectators have already reduce the expected positive economic rule out not having spectators,” he government’s own medical experts on whether “quasi emergency” Covid- ously said she was eyeing allowing up been happening in Japan. Some 7,600 impact from the Games by about 5% told reporters during a tour of vacci- last week appeared resigned to the 19 measures, due to expire the day to 10,000 fans. Some of the country’s fans attended a Yakult Swallows pro according to Nomura Research nation sites in Tokyo on Monday. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Some much-needed clarity awaits on Tuesday’s hori- You’ve been digging through the dumpster of your You’ve been completely re-evaluating your direction Your work circumstances have been an ongoing zons, Aries. Mental Mercury ceases its retrograde subconscious in recent weeks, Cancer. Needless to in life, Libra. Mercury’s retrograde phase asked you point of confusion, Capricorn. Tuesday’s skies begin motion and turns direct today, pushing educational say, you’re ready to come out and clean yourself off ! to dig deep and revisit your current educational to clear the fog around your job story, as Mercury or self-expression projects back into full swing. Under Tuesday’s skies direct your attention towards plans and the tools you’re employing for self-expan- turns direct. This transition brings energy, and pur- your work circumstances. sion. pose towards finding the next step.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Your financial story is beginning to straighten back What are you aiming for, Leo? Messenger Mercury’s As a Scorpio, you’re no stranger to exploring the The cosmos has been pushing you to explore what’s out today, Taurus. Mercury’s retrograde phase reach- retrograde phase has been helping you wrestle with shadows cast within intimate relationships. You’ve missing from your life, Aquarius. The answer most es its conclusion today, helping you find clarity your ambitions. Tuesday’s skies push group-based been rummaging through the meaning of these pow- likely has centred around joy, fun, and pleasure. around any messy issues of late that have concerned projects back on track and bring clarity to your aspi- erful relationships in recent week. Today you will Tuesday’s skies bring drive and clarity to creative the stability of your income. rations. see clarity in your intimate partnerships. projects and romantic involvements.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Your world is coming back into focus today, Gemini. As a Virgo, you honour clarity above confusion. The universe has been urging you to take a closer Your foundations have been shifting beneath your Your ruling planet, messenger Mercury, has been Tuesday’s skies arrive with welcome news on that look at how you handle your closest relationships, feet, Pisces. After weeks of introspection and rear- dancing backwards through its retrograde phase for front, as your ruling planet, quick-thinking Mercury, Sagittarius. Mercury’s retrograde phase has pushed rangements, you’re ready to move out of your past weeks. Tuesday’s skies bring a welcome change of finalises its retrograde period. You’re ready to move you to reflect on how you get your needs met vs. how and into your present. Today, direct your attention pace bringing a dose of clarity. forward with your ambitions with precision. you strike a working compromise. towards career and reputation matters. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2021 | 07

Dembele out of Euro AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Austria beat Ukraine 1-0 to reach last 16 BUDAPEST, JUNE 21

France have lost Ousmane Dembele for the rest of Euro 2020 Austria, who advances from the group stage at a major tournament for the first time since 1982 World Cup, will play Italy on June 26. after X-rays showed the Barcelona winger’s knee injury would not heal in time, the French Football Federation said front of their own fans at the home of Ajax, on Monday. and so the 1988 European champions knew Dembele, 24, was hurt in the closing minutes of the 1-1 they were heading for a knockout tie in draw against Hungary in Budapest on Saturday after coming Budapest next weekend. on as a substitute. X-rays on Sunday evening showed he would North Macedonia, meanwhile, were not be back before the end of the Euros. already out after losing their first two Dembele came off the bench in both France’s matches in games in their debut appearance at a major the Euros. He replaced Adrien Rabiot for the final seconds of tournament. They leave without a point, the opening win over Germany and replaced Rabiot again but they will never forget this campaign after 57 minutes in Budapest with France losing and hitting and this game will be best remembered as the post with a shot before limping off in the 87th minute. the last of veteran 37-year-old striker Goran Under UEFA rules which only allow for goalkeepers to be Pandev’s international career after two replaced during the tournament. France cannot call up a decades. stand-in for Dembele, who has 27 caps. He was gifted a Dutch shirt with the Dembele, who was part of France’s World Cup winning number 122—the number of caps he has squad in Russia in 2018, had a good run up to Euro 2020, scor- won—before kick-off, and was given a ing in a World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan in March guard of honour by his team-mates as well and against Wales in a friendly at the start of June. as an ovation from the home fans on being Coach Didier Deschamps has other worries ahead of replaced midway through the second half. France’s final group game against holders Portugal in But the North Macedonians couldn’t sign Budapest on Wednesday. Defender Benjamin Pavard took a off on a high, with Pandev setting up knock against Hungary and starting strikers Karim Benzema Aleksandar Trajkovski for a shot off the and Antoine Griezmann as well as Coman and backup defend- post when the game was still goalless. They er Lucas Hernandez are nursing injuries. also had two goals disallowed for offside and felt that the Netherlands’ opener in the 24th minute should not have stood. Pandev felt he was fouled on the edge of Gilmour to miss Croatia clash the Dutch box by Daley Blind but the AP/RSS Romanian referee allowed play to go on and AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Austria’s Christoph Baumgartner (19) scores a goal against Ukraine during their Group C match at the National Arena stadium in Bucharest on Monday. the home side broke forward. GLASGOW, JUNE 21 Depay exchanged passes with Donyell AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE had scored in the first two group games. Malen before finishing and the goal stood Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour tested positive for coronavi- BUCHAREST, JUNE 21 EURO 2020 STANDINGS Baumgartner’s evening ended prema- following a VAR check. rus on Monday, dealing a huge blow to Scotland’s hopes of turely due to injury and his replacement PSV Eindhoven forward Malen and Ajax making it beyond the group stages of a major tournament for Christoph Baumgartner’s first-half goal Group C Alessandro Schopf soon set up Arnautovic, midfield prodigy Ryan Gravenberch came the first time at Euro 2020. sent Austria through to the last 16 of Euro Teams P W D L GF GA PTS the former Stoke man dribbling wide in for Wout Weghorst and Marten de Roon Gilmour picked up the man-of-the-match award in Friday’s 2020 on Monday after a 1-0 win over Ukraine Netherlands* 3 3 0 0 8 2 9 moments after Konrad Laimer’s curling as the only two changes made to the Dutch 0-0 draw against England at Wembley in his first internation- that left their opponents facing an anxious Austria* 3 2 0 1 4 3 6 effort was punched away by Bushchan. line-up by De Boer. He stuck with his much al start. But he will miss Tuesday’s clash against Croatia at wait to see if they qualify. Ukraine 3 1 0 2 4 5 3 Austria nearly handed Ukraine a way criticised 3-5-2 formation—before tweaking Hampden with Scotland needing to win to have any chance of Hoffenheim midfielder Baumgartner North Macedonia** 3 0 0 3 2 8 0 back into the match when Stefan Lainer it in the second half—but was reluctant to progressing to the last 16. turned in David Alaba’s corner on 21 min- headed Viktor Tsygankov’s free-kick rest too many players with six days after No other members of the squad have been required to utes in Bucharest as Austria pipped *qualified **eliminated towards his own goal, but Bachmann react- this until their next match. self-isolate as a result of coming into close contact with the Ukraine to second place in Group C behind ed well to preserve the victory and a spot in After Depay’s opener, Denzel Dumfries 20-year-old at Scotland’s training base in Middlesbrough. the Netherlands, who saw off North North Macedonia. the knockout phase. came close to making it 2-0 before they ran Another Scotland midfielder, John Fleck, was also forced to Macedonia 3-0 to maintain perfect start Austria coach Franco Foda recalled away with the game early in the second isolate for 10 days prior to the tournament after testing posi- at Euro. Marko Arnautovic after the forward missed Netherlands top group half. Matthijs de Ligt had a header cleared tive during a training camp in Spain. Austria will play Italy at Wembley on the 2-0 defeat by the Netherlands while In Amsterdam, the Dutch captain, who off the line prior to Depay squaring for June 26 after advancing from the group serving a one-match ban for insulting a signed for Paris Saint-Germain from Wijnaldum to make it 2-0 six minutes into stage at a major tournament for the first North Macedonia player in their opening Liverpool just before the tournament the second period. Today’s Fixtures time since the 1982 World Cup. Ukraine, game. began, scored twice in the second half at Another delightful move brought the eliminated in the group stage at the past Needing victory to be assured of a place the Johan Cruyff Arena after Memphis third goal just before the hour as Malen’s two European Championships, must wait in the next round, Austria went ahead as Depay had put them in front. pass found Depay whose shot was saved by to find out if they advance as one of four Baumgartner beat 18-year-old defender Depay, fresh from sealing a transfer of Stole Dimitrievski only for Wijnaldum to best third-placed teams. Illia Zabarnyi to Alaba’s corner and poked his own to Barcelona, could claim assists convert the follow-up for his third of the Andriy Shevchenko had ruled out his beyond Georgiy Bushchan. for both of Wijnaldum’s goals as Frank de tournament. Ukraine team playing for the draw they Ukraine came close to an equaliser when Boer’s side made it nine points out of nine Weghorst then hit the bar within needed to finish as runners-up, having Mykola Shaparenko drew a good low save in Group C. They had already secured qual- moments of appearing off the bench and snapped a run of six straight losses at from Daniel Bachmann, the rebound just ification for the last 16 as group winners the Netherlands look in good shape, albeit the competition with their 2-1 win over eluding a lunging Andriy Yarmolenko, who after defeating Ukraine and Austria in with tougher tests lying ahead.

Players to Watch Croatia vs Scotland Raheem Sterling (England) Tomas Soucek (Czech Republic) 00:45 NST, Wesnesday Czech Republic vs England Southgate picking Sterling despite his The former Slavia Prague player was 00:45 NST, Wednesday lacklustre season at Man City instead behind West Ham’s spectacular rise of Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish in the Premier League last season as caused social media storm but the the Hammers secured a place in the winger silenced his doubters scoring Europa League for next season. The Results against Croatia to set the tone for defensive midfielder, who played all England’s campaign at Euro. If he can 38 games and scored 10 goals for West Ukraine 0 - 1 Austria find his top level, the Three Lions will Ham, is indispensable for Czech North Macedonia 0 - 3 Netherlands have a potent weapon on their hands. Republic and a solid wall in front of When wide on the left, his pace is the Czech defence. He a real threat electric and can dazzle defenders. from set-pieces as well. England aim to reignite Euro campaign AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Southgate’s side were only margin- the Czech game as he looks to revital- LONDON, JUNE 21 ally better in a 1-0 win against Croatia ise a team yet to hit their stride. His in their first game and there are biggest selection issue concerned cap- Gareth Southgate insists England can mounting concerns that a potential tain Harry Kane, who has yet to score overcome their growing pains as his last-16 meeting with France, Germany or even manage a shot on target in the young side aim to get their Euro 2020 or Portugal could prove too much for tournament. The subdued Tottenham campaign back on track by winning England to handle. striker was substituted in both games, Group D against the Czech Republic Southgate acknowledged it is a sparking calls from some critics to on Tuesday. learning process for England as they leave him out. England are level on four points come to terms with the unique pres- But dropping the Premier League’s with the Czechs and will be guaran- top scorer this season would have teed a first-place finish if they win been a huge gamble for Southgate, their last group match. A victory at England can qualify who on Sunday confirmed Kane will Wembley feels essential for England to start. “He is fundamental not only to lift the gloom that descended after with a win over the the goals he scores but the build-up they were booed off following Friday’s play and everything else he brings. He lacklustre 0-0 draw with old rivals Czechs but a draw is our most important player, there is Scotland. no doubt about that,” Southgate said. With an average age of 25 years and would see both Foden and Mount have struggled to 31 days, England’s starting line-up link up with Kane, while Raheem against Scotland was the youngest teams advance. Sterling’s winner against Croatia was they had ever fielded in a major tour- one of his few influential moments so nament. Chelsea duo Mason Mount far. Aston Villa playmaker Jack and Reece James and Manchester sures of tournament action. “This is a Grealish, Borussia Dortmund winger City’s Phil Foden have already won relatively inexperienced group, I Jadon Sancho and Manchester United trophies with their clubs, while think the third least caps in the tour- forward Marcus Rashford could come Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips have nament,” Southgate said. “Against in if Southgate tries to improve the earned rave reviews on the Premier Scotland it was a young team so that’s supply lines to Kane. League stage. But there is nothing a different experience for a lot of them Southgate is well aware that quite like the intensity of an interna- than they’ve every faced before. England’s fans were restless during tional competition and just a handful They’ve just about survived it. We the Scotland stalemate, but he called of England’s current crop have tasted want to be better and that’s what we’re on them to be patient while his young- it before. That lack of experience going to work through in the next few sters get back on track. “The impor- showed up in England’s failure to deal days before we play the Czech tant thing is they’re going to need to AP/RSS with Scotland’s astute game-plan and Republic.” feel that support and to feel that Georginio Wijnaldum of the Netherlands (left) celebrates with Memphis Depay after scoring a goal well-drilled defence. Southgate has hinted at changes for warmth,” he said. during the Euro 2020 Group C match against North Macedonia at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam.

C M Y K TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2021 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Do you still need an antivirus software in 2021? While modern operating systems are equipped to offer some level of protection against viruses, having antivirus softwares provide that extra layer of security.

PRAJESH SJB RANA But for added protection to privacy, KATHMANDU some also offer VPN services and soft- ware webcam kill switches. e have come a Extra security is all well and good, long way from but it doesn’t help very much if they glitching hog all of your system resources. And Windows screens in the past, antivirus softwares have to adware and been notorious resource hogs, com- just plain annoy- pletely freezing your computer while Wance viruses. Windows 10 today an active scan is running. With how doesn’t feel as unsafe as the operating invisible Windows Defender is, this system in its earlier days. Viruses are doesn’t seem to be a problem with mostly controlled by Microsoft’s Microsoft’s in-house offering, but in-built Windows Defender and with what about the third-party ones? proper digital hygiene, tech-savvy peo- Installing any new antivirus is defi- ple can identify phishing attempts and nitely going to take up some of your viruses manually. Considering how system resources but it’s not as bad Windows automatically protects you today as it was in the past. This is also from digital threats, do you need an because hardware has continued to antivirus software in 2021? evolve over the past decade, and what While yes, viruses have been con- felt like heavy programs in the past, trolled to some extent in modern oper- now run easily on one core of your ating systems, we have also seen some CPU, leaving you with plenty of paral- malicious applications plague digital lel processors to work off of. users in the recent past. WannaCry Kaspersky, ESET, and McAfee all raise was the infamous ransomware cyp- system resources by a couple of per- toworm that encrypted around 200,000 cent while idle, but these are minimal computers across 150 countries. increases that don’t necessarily affect Mydoom, a worm, is considered one of system processes unless they’re run- the fastest spreading email worms ning active scans. Norton was the with computers getting affected even heaviest and still, system performance today since its inception in 2004. As was only slightly affected. security has changed, so have the Considering everything, would I rec- many viruses that infect your comput- ommend installing an antivirus on your er. While in the past, viruses were modern 2021 computer? Absolutely. The mainly designed to annoy or display added protection offered by any of these unwanted information, the current security solutions will help not only landscape of the digital world has also protect your computer from infections given rise to more complex viruses but rather act reactively to malicious with a specific purpose. Malware, like software as well. Additional services Stuxnet, have even been used to disa- like Password Managers and VPNs are ble and disrupt nuclear power plants a must use today, and even if you don’t and engage in cyber warfare. end up shelling out money for any of Antivirus software like Windows these antiviruses, free Password Defender is good in detecting known Managers (BitWarden) should be an threats, blocking unwanted applica- essential program for any internet den- tions and network attacks but newer izen to keep their online accounts safe. and newer viruses are developed PIXABAY Getting one of these paid antivirus which might not be identified in virus in a system that internet users need to softwares come equipped with software is definitely going to help pro- databases. These new variants can be more worried about. The power of machine learning and artificial intel- tect your data better, but they also easily pass through antivirus scans your computer to be used as a botnet Extra security is all well and good, but it ligence-based threat detection. Some, come at a cost. Which is why, we recom- and by the time they are detected, they and access to your personal data can be doesn’t help very much if they hog all of like Kaspersky and McAfee, also offer mend the default Windows Defender might already have wreaked havoc on disastrous these days. Third-party anti- Password Managers to help compli- too, for those looking for a free solu- your computer. And even more than virus softwares, while providing all the your system resources. cate your passwords and keep them tion. Viruses aren’t what they used to direct network attacks, social engi- services of Windows Defender, also safe. Further features like be, they’re used more nefariously today neering infections are also one of the offer some great tools to keep you that Ransomware remediation help you than ever before which is why thinking most common ways that computers extra bit safe on the internet. as well but if you want to pay for the versions of any of these third-party protect your files even after your com- about cybersecurity should be a must are infected. If you don’t know what to Antivirus softwares like Kaspersky service, there are local dealers for services would add a few new features puter has already been infected by a to keep yourself safe in the digital look for, an exact copy of Facebook’s Internet Security, ESET Internet them. For a free service, however, we but for the most part, Windows ransomware. Threat detection for all world. login page might be a phishing site. Security, Avast Antivirus, McAfee and recommend staying with Windows Defender should work fine. of the aforementioned antivirus soft- While known threats are easy to BitDefender are all available in Nepal Defender since the integrated soft- Paid versions of these services are ware are impeccable, helped by the Rana is a Kathmandu-based tech protect against, it is the newer ones through eSewa or Khalti. All of these ware works really well with Windows where their value truly resides. fact that threat detections are now writer who has been covering all that use unknown vulnerabilities with- antivirus softwares have free versions and is very light on resources. Free Almost all of the third-party antivirus shared across all antivirus softwares. things tech for the past decade.

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