StanChart’s scheme

KATHMANDU: Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Ltd has launched Diva Account. The account is a variant of the generic local currency savings accounts, designed and packaged for women. Account holders will get 0.5 per cent more interest than on normal savings account. Minimum balance for opening the account is Rs 500. The account will also provide an option for free accidental insurance coverage upto Rs 200,000. — HNS

SBL bonus shares

KATHMANDU: Siddhartha Bank Ltd (SBL) has decided to distribute 15 per cent bonus shares and 50 per cent rights shares, subject to Nepal Rastra Bank. According to a press statement, the paid up capital of the bank which was Rs 828 million increased to over Rs 1.42 billion. The bank posted an increment of 72 per cent in the operating profit compared to the same period last year, according to a bank statement. SBL plans to set up 10 more branches. At present, it has 10 branch offices. — HNS

Tourism on the rise

BABIYACHAUR: Tourist arrivals in Myagdi went up significantly during the first four months of the current fiscal. According to data, 16,598 foreign tourists visited during the period. The number is more by 25 per cent from that during the same period the previous year. Mostly, tourists coming to the district trek to Pun Hill, Ghorepani, Surung, Tatopani, Dana, Round and Dhaulagiri. — RSS

Water resources issue

KATHMANDU: Member of the World Dam Commission and leader of Save Narmada Movement, Medha Patkar, has emphasized on systematizing the flow of rivers by learning from the losses incurred due to flood in Koshi River. Speaking at a programme organised here by the Water and Energy Users’ Federation Nepal, Patkar said the use of water resources in South Asia should be on the basis of mutual interest. Nepal’s water resources expert Ajaya Dixit said water should be shared by Nepal and India in a transparent manner. The programme was presided over by chairman of Rastriya Sarokar Samaj, Hutaram Baidya. Federation chairman Ram Chandra Chataut also expressed his views. — RSS

Shutdown’s flipside

DAMAULI: The number of devotees headed for Manakamana Temple on foot has increased after the shutdown of the cable car since the past three weeks. Business in Ambukhaireni of Tanahun on way to the temple has increased after the shutdown, said locals. Small-time business people in Banauti, Sapedanda, Dhadbari and Hatiya, who had been hit by the loss of custom due to the cable car service, are making good money now. Around 1,500 to 2,000 devotees visit the temple via the route. — RSS