10 locations chosen for hill cities

KATHMANDU, JUL 28 - The government has selected 10 locations along the Mid-Hills Highway and north-south link roads in all five development regions to establish new cities. However, the National Planning Commission (NPC) has yet to approve the proposed sites.

Based on a feasibility study carried out by RIBS Engineering Consultant, the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction has proposed Phidim (in Panchthar district), Basantapur (Terhathum), Khurkot (Sindhuli), Baireni Galchhi (Dhading), Dumre (Tanahun), Burtibang (Baglung), Chaurjahari (Rukum), Raakam (Dailekh), Sanfebagar (Achham) and Patan (Baitadi) as potential locations to set up modern cities.

The locations will have a capacity to accommodate a population of 30,000-50,000. The planned modern cities are targeted at reducing the trend of migration from the mountains and hills to the Tarai besides increasing the possibility of developing hilly areas having economic potential.

Work permit issue: Govt asks INGOs, NGOs for foreign workers’ details

KATHMANDU, JUL 27 - The government has started demanding details of foreign workers employed by diplomatic missions and non-governmental and private organisations. The move is targeted at compiling information about foreigners working in Nepal before taking action against organisations employing foreigners without an employment permit.

The Department of Labour has recently asked for details about foreign staff from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), GIZ Nepal and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) through the Association of International NGOs in Nepal. The department has also asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to correspond with all the diplomatic missions in Nepal to provide information about employees who do not enjoy diplomatic privilege.

The department also asked the National Sports Council to submit information about foreign sportspersons in Nepal. The department has been preparing a list of multinational companies in Nepal to obtain details about their foreign workers.

Auto registrations in Bagmati down 22pc

KATHMANDU, JUL 22 - Registrations of vehicles in the last fiscal year in Bagmati zone, the country’s largest automobile market, were down 22.13 percent compared to fiscal 2009-10. Automobile dealers have attributed the slump in registrations and sales to the hike in excise duty and liquidity crunch in bank and financial institutions (BFI).

According to the Bagmati Zone Transport Management Office, 64,010 vehicles (four wheelers and two wheelers) were registered in Bagmati during fiscal 2010-11, down from 82,204 in 2009-10. Bagmati accounts for 60 percent of auto registrations and sales in the country. 

The number of motorcycles registered in 2010-11 stood at 53,690, down from 69,369 in the previous fiscal.

FCAN concerned over low capital expenditure budget

KATHMANDU, JUL 20 - The Federation of Contractors’ Associations of Nepal (FCAN) hailed the timely budget presentation saying that it will give momentum to the infrastructure development. However, it expressed dissatisfaction over the small amount of allocation for capital expenditure.

Of the total budget of Rs 384.9 billion, only 18.86 percent has been earmarked for capital expenditure.

Making public its official statement on the budget at a press meet here on Wednesday, FCAN President Yakshya Dhoj Karki said the capital expenditure budget will not be sufficient for the timely completion of large projects of national importance.