Power supply

MORANG: Industrialists, who were on strike demanding electricity, have withdrawn their agitation following an agreement. According to it, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has to provide additional 20 MW of electricity to the industries situated in Sunsari-Morang corridor. The agitating industrialists and NEA executive director Dr Jibendra Jha signed the pact in this regard. NEA has also pledged to repair Tankisinwari-based multi-fuel of 39 MW and bring it back into operation within six months. Dinesh Golccha, president of Morang Industries’ Association, said an agreement has been made to bring two feeders out of three into full operation within a month and reduce daily load-shedding by six hours.

Minister in Israel

KATHMANDU: Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives Mrigendra Kumar Singh Yadav left for Israel on Sunday to sign a memorandum of understanding between the governments of Nepal and Israel on agricultural cooperation. In his absence, Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachchadar will look after the Agriculture Ministry also, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers has said.

Chamomile farming

BANKE: Farmers of Mahadevpuri VDC in Banke district have turned to chamomile farming, abandoning growing wheat. Over a hundred farmers have begun commercial chamomile farming in the VDC. The process was started by six farmers four years ago. Farmer Karna Bahadur Khadka said people in wards 2, 5, 6 and 7 are growing chamomile on 25 hectares of land. He said farmers used to earn maximum Rs 40,000 through wheat production per hectare of land but now they make Rs 700,000 from chamomile farming per hectare. Most farmers said the oil extracted from chamomile is sold at Rs 35,000 per 100ml.

Market monitoring

DHUNCHE: The local administration in Rasuwa has started market monitoring to provide daily commodities to consumers. According to the Rasuwa District Administration Office, market monitoring is underway in Syafrubesi by a team led by the chief district officer. The team includes civil and armed police chiefs, Rasuwa Chamber of Commerce and Industries president and a member from the National Investigation Department, said the office. Most of the shops were found without PAN number and not displaying the price list of commodities, said acting Chief District Officer Yuba Raj Mainali. They have been directed to take the PAN number and put on display the price lists, he said. The traders found running their business without obeying the rules, he said.