Municipal council budget

MAHENDRANAGAR: The ninth municipal council meeting of Mahendranagar municipality started here on Wednesday. Mayor Tez Bahadur Dhungel presented a budget estimate of Rs 49.945 million for the fiscal year 2004-05. The municipality has allocated Rs 10 million to build a shopping complex in front of the municipal office. — RSS

Rice output to increase

KATHMANDU: Production of rice is expected to increase significantly this year compared to the last 50 years. The production is expected to be 4,456,000 metric tonnes, an increase of 7.82 per cent compared to the last year, states a press release issued here by Nepal Agricultural Research Counci. — RSS

Demand for furniture up

TANSEN: Demand for the mudas (bamboo and rattan stools) made by inmates of Palpa district jail has gone up. 10 persons are involved in the making of bamboo and rattan stools, according to the jail guard. Majority of the prisoners are involved in dhaka knitting, basket making, sweater knitting, tailoring and thanka paintings in the jail. —RSS

Illegal goods seized

BHADRAPUR: Revenue patrolling team of Jabarjang battalion of Royal Nepalese Army confiscated sacks of urea fertiliser, white cement, sugar, tins of ghee, lentil, fans, stationery goods, peas and kitchen utensils, brought in through illegal means in the country. —RSS