Sugar mills shut PARASI: Sugar mills in Nawalparasi district have closed down due to lack of sugarcane. Three big sugar mills in Nawalparasi district are closed for over 10 days after the farmers did not supply sugarcane. Lumbini, Indira and Kudiya Sugar Mills including others closed after they did not get sugarcane due to the farmers’ protest. Sugarcane farmers refused to supply sugarcane while demanding their previous dues and a price hike. The farmers are demanding Rs 420 per quintal. Farmers said they would not resume sugarcane supply unless their demands are addressed. Customs disrupted GAUR: The government has to bear revenue loss of millions of rupees as Gaur customs office is closed since the past four days. Businesspersons and customs agents halted business and transaction after armed police personnel misbehaved with businesspersons and seized their goods last Monday. All export and import goods are stranded in Bairganiya of India due to the office shutdown. Lumber impounded JHAPA: A joint team of forest officials and police seized 10 cubic feet illegally logged timber near the Kankai River early Wednesday morning in Jhapa district. The seizure marks the start of efforts of forest officials in the district to tackle timber smuggling and slow down deforestation. Hari Bishwokarma of Area Forest Office, Surunga, said they impounded the lumber when the smugglers were trying to take it to their destination. Orange fest begins PARBAT: An orange fair has started in the district headquarters to commercialize local production. According to the organizers, 60 stalls have been set up in the three-day fair that started on Tuesday. The event will feature folk songs, panchebaja competitions and other musical events. Youths let down MYAGDI: The much-hyped Self-Employment Programme has left youth in Myagdi district disappointed. Youths, who applied for the collateral-free loan, have not received the government loan yet. Of the 2,300 youths who had filed applications at the Myagdi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, only 1,700 have received orientation and training. “Five months have passed since we underwent the training, but we have not received the loan. Our dreams are shattered,” said Shishir Malla, of Piple. On a daily basis, at least 50 youth flock to banks in Beni for the loan, only to be told that no circular has come.