by Anita Krishnan | 05 May, 2013

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), which is the only corporation responsible for the smooth flow of petroleum products in Nepal, also happens to be the government’s largest borrower. It currently shoulders a debt of Rs 16.52 billion and had a cumulative loss of Rs 12.99 billion by the fiscal year 2010-11. Besides this, NOC has an outstanding loan to pay to banks and other financial institutions amounting to Rs 23.23 billion. There have also been several cases where the government has provided billions to NOC to clear its debts with the Indian Oil Corporation.

by Shreeya Neupane | 24 April, 2013

Nepal’s history of industrial conflict can be traced back to the discord in Biratnagar Jute Mill in 1947. The ensuing labour movement finally culminated in the Labour Act 1992, the implementation of which was one of the first attempts at institutionalising industrial relations. Since its inception, numerous attempts have been made at amending the law and making it more reflective of the changing industrial setting.

by Koshish Acharya | 18 March, 2013

Recently, the government first decided to hike the price of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) by Rs 630 per cylinder but withdrew its decision the very next day. Before the withdrawal, however, it faced harsh criticism and protests all across the country. Earlier, the government had planned to enforce a colour-coded (red and blue) cylinder system for household and commercial use respectively by August, 2012, which was postponed to October, 2012.

by Pramod Rijal | 04 November, 2012

The energy emergency may have forced ministry to push through few acts and get few projects running in the last few years, but any mega hydropower project requires at least five years for completion. The contingency plan of running diesel plants or importing 200 MW from India is an expensive, not to mention unsustainable plan. So, there is little alternative but to cope with long hours of load shedding in the meantime.

by Sarita Sapkota | 07 October, 2012

In a country where essential goods and services such as fertilizers, fuel, cooking gas, electricity, water, garbage management, transport, airline and other n number of things are so deeply entwined with political decision making, one does not have the freedom to choose politics but the politics chooses people.

by Prabhat 'David' Shrestha | 09 September, 2012

The international franchise of KFC and Pizza Hut outlets operated by Devyani International Nepal have recently been added to the list of companies like Surya Nepal and Fire and Ice Restaurant who have become victims of Nepal's labour politics.

by Pramod Rijal | 26 August, 2012

Looking at the current trends of supply and demand of electricity, one can safely assume that Nepal's energy crisis will continue for at least the five upcoming years even if all the committed projects are constructed without obstruction. By 2016, with the completion of Upper Tamakoshi, Nepal's estimated supply of electricity will be 1205 MW in dry season which would mean we would still have a deficit of 305 MW.

by Surath Giri | 30 July, 2012

Economic inequality is one of the most popular issues in our political and economic discourses. With the eruption of Occupy Wall Street Movement around the world, the debate has resurfaced in the global scenario too. In our context, where even totalitarianism is sought after for the sake of equality, economic equality through government actions are considered undebatable. The issue no matter how well-intentioned it may be, begs for a different perspective too.

by Pradipan J. Thapa | 02 July, 2012

The issues of improving the scenario of sub-sistence farming, increasing productivity and commercialisation of agriculture are a major agenda of the govern-ment. However, little success observed in these areas suggests that there are several practical bottlenecks in the implementation.

 One such bottleneck lies in the fertiliser scenario. Over the years, the use of chemical fertilisers has increased tremendously in Nepal and as subsidised chemical fertilisers dist-ributed by Agriculture Inputs Company Limited (AICL) have not met the total demand of farmers, 

it is being met by informal means of import.



by Sarita Sapkota | 07 June, 2012

Over the past two decades, the realization of the importance of education has flourished among the general population across Nepal. Additionally, ‘quality education’ has been in mainstream discussion for a long time. With the massive involvement of the private sector in the ...