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The Nepal Airlines Corporation is facing several economic crises due to the severe mismanagement, irregularities, and mismanagement. 

In this context, a report prepared by a committee headed by the former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, Dipendra Bahadur Chhetri, has come up with a slew of recommendations to improve the national flag carrier. 
The long-term debt of the NAC stands at Rs 47bn. Looking at the current situation, it seems that the corporation will not be debt-free; in fact, it is likely to carry more debt. The report states that if  the NAC continues to operate this way, it will not be able to pay its debt.

According to the report released by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, even if new aircraft are added to its fleet, it will take a long time for the NAC to pay off its loans. To free the corporation from debt and make it profitable, the Chhetri-led committee recommends several solutions, such as converting into a corporate company by collaborating with strategic partners and dividing the company into three entities. 

The committee suggests that once the corporation is turned into a company limited, it can allocate shares up to a maximum of 40 percent to strategic partners. The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance should hold 26 percent of the total shares and the Ministry of Tourism 25 percent. It also advises allocating shares to organizations and employees. 

The committee has further suggested forming a board of directors with seven members, chaired by the secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. The members include representatives from the airlines, Ministry of Finance, strategic partners, and aviation experts.

As for dividing the company, the committee suggests breaking it into three parts: parent (holding) company, international flight subsidiary company, and domestic flight subsidiary company.
The committee states that the parent company should provide aviation-related professional training, maintenance and repair of aircraft and related equipment, ground service operation, catering arrangements, and technical and other services to the subsidiary companies as needed.

By dividing the role and responsibility, the committee reckons that the management and operation of the airlines will be more streamlined and effective.  

Five-year-old Reeyaz Pudasaini embodies a generation absorbed in virtual realms. His leisure hours are dominated by mobile games, a habit spanning several years. Struggling academically and frequently embroiled in conflicts, he has become a recluse, avoiding any companionship. “I am comfortable alone,” he shares. “I get mad whenever my parents or siblings bother me.”

The allure of digital victories on mobile games has consumed him, replacing human connections. His digital addiction has blurred the line between reality and the virtual world.  Recognizing the seriousness of his behavior, a school counselor is trying to help Reeyaz adjust his attitude and make him more sociable. These days, he is taking up guitar and swimming lessons.

The story of Reeyaz is far from unique, with a prevailing trend seen across the country.  A parallel narrative emerges through Arika Dahal's story. Obsessed with online appearance and popularity, the twelve-year-old began contemplating cosmetic surgery to fix her nose and lips. Worried, her parents had to take her to a counselor.  

“She used to be the top student in her class,” says her father Anjan. “Her descent started after I made the mistake of giving her a mobile phone. She got hooked into TikTok which gave her the idea about beauty standards.”

In a world where self-alteration is just a click away, reality distorts. With the help of her counselor Arika is on the journey to self-acceptance, signaling a transformation from distorted self-perception to embracing one's uniqueness.  The tales of Reeyaz and Arika demonstrate how modern parents are enabling the digital addiction of their children by handing them smartphones at a very young age. They do not realize that the damaging allure of screens beckons even the youngest ones. 

In a paradoxical pursuit of solace, parents furnish the tech-enabled stimuli to their children that inadvertently subvert their growth. Experts decry this parental blind spot, urging due diligence in curating a virtual milieu befitting the developmental contours of the young minds. They say by fostering open conversations, parents can facilitate healthy digital practices, allowing children to explore while safeguarding their emotional well-being.

“Parents and teachers should be aware about the cognitive disorders of excess social media use on children. They must teach children safe online practices,” says Namrata Thapa, child psychologist.  “Children who spend too much time using online media may be exposed to a subtype of behavior known as Problematic Internet Use. Heavy gamers are at risk for Internet gaming disorder, where they have little interest in real-life or real-life relationships.”

Adolescents ensnared in the digital labyrinth exhibit anemic predilections for offline interactions, distorting the primal tenets of socializing. This curious paradox augments vulnerability, perpetuating a vicious cycle wherein the digital shelter belies a subtler kind of isolation.

Technology’s impact stretches beyond the psychological realm. The invasion of smartphones into sleep patterns affect young minds that require rejuvenation. The ergonomic impact, manifesting in neck and back discomfort, mirrors an unhealthy lifestyle driven by screen time.

In the world woven with digital threads, a generation's fate hangs precariously. As guardians, as society, the responsibility is clear: to tether children's soaring dreams and boundless curiosity to the shores of informed guidance. The digital realm is a canvas of both possibility and peril, which demands vigilance, dialogue, and above all, the preservation of childhood's innocence.

Things to do for your child’s digital wellbeing:

• Be aware of online risks: Parents and guardians should be aware of the risks associated with children using online platforms. Teach children about online safety, privacy settings, and responsible behavior on social media.

• Age-appropriate content: Ensure that children are exposed to age-appropriate content on the internet. Guide your children in using technology and consuming content that is suitable for their age.

• Promote balanced screen time: Encourage a healthy balance between online and offline activities. Excessive screen time can have negative effects on physical and mental health.

• Balance social media use: Instead of outright banning social media, teach children how to use it responsibly and safely. Discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of social media use.

Encourage offline activities: Encourage children to engage in outdoor activities, hobbies, and real-life interactions to foster a healthy balance between online and offline experiences.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has prohibited commercial buildings and hospitals from imposing parking fees. This provision was introduced via the metropolitan city’s annual budget speech.

Under the new policy, business establishments must offer complimentary parking to customers using services within the same premises. According to this regulation, parking fees cannot be charged by hospitals, private markets, restaurants, or malls. Nabin Manandhar, spokesperson for the KMC, clarified that no charge will apply if individuals work in the same building or utilize stalls within it. However, a fee would be imposed if one is using the space merely for parking.

Rajani Khanal shared with ApEx her experience of being charged Rs 450 for 3 hours of parking at a multiplex to watch a movie. When she informed the parking staff about KMC charges and regulations, they showed here a printed announcement from the respective wards, suggesting these regulations didn't apply there. Effective implementation of this rule by the ward offices is crucial for its consistent application across the KMC. The disregard of the regulations by the ward offices is worrying.

In the past, business establishments were free to set parking charges on their own. These rates would often surpass KMC rates. Furthermore, hospitals were observed charging parking fees that exceeded their premises' designated costs by over four times. Despite local authorities' commitment to alleviate parking challenges in the valley, the problem is worsening due to the growing vehicle numbers and persistent traffic congestion. This especially impacts short-term parking, particularly for four-wheelers. Locating parking spaces in areas like Durbarmarg, New Road, Narayanchaur, Bagbazar, Balkhu, and Sorhakhutte has become nearly impossible.

 KMC has introduced differential rates depending on the location. Zone No. 1 encompasses areas like New Road, Dharmapath, Kantipath, Durbar Marg, inner urban areas, Tripureshwar, Ratnapark, Bhotahiti, Kesharmahal, Lainchaur, and other central Kathmandu locations. Similarly, areas beyond Zone No. 1 are designated as Zone No. 2. 

Here, parking fees are half the rates of Zone No. 1. People have to pay Rs 15 per hour for two-wheelers, Rs 40 per hour for four-wheelers, and Rs 100 per hour for larger vehicles in Zone No. 2. However, parking attendants are charging arbitrary rates and also showing reluctance to provide receipts after payment. The neighboring Lalitpur Metropolitan City has implemented the parking fee policy within its jurisdiction. Therefore, Kathmandu Metropolitan City should collaborate with ward offices to address these issues.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team, led by  Tidiane Kinda, conducted a staff visit to Kathmandu during July 20-26 to discuss recent macroeconomic developments and the implementation of the Fund-supported program. 

During the visit, the team discussed with Nepal government officials on the various aspects of Nepal’s current economic situation. At the end of the visit, Kinda said that following an economic slowdown last year, growth is projected to rebound in FY 2023/24, inflation is expected to recede, and the external position will continue to strengthen.

Cautious and data-driven monetary policy has set an appropriate stance to maintain price and external stability. Continued vigilance on banks’ asset quality and stepping up supervisory efforts remain key to preserving financial stability, he said.  Prudent execution of the 2023/24 budget is crucial to secure fiscal sustainability. Implementing measures envisaged in the 2023/24 budget would improve the efficiency of capital expenditure, he added. 

“The authorities’ ongoing efforts in meeting key commitments under the Fund-supported program, with the support of IMF’s technical assistance, are welcome.”  Performance under the program will be formally assessed in the context of the third review of the Extended Credit Facility, which is expected to be undertaken later this year, he added.