In a recent update, Nepal’s Internet Service Providers (ISP) and Telecom Service Providers (TSP) increased subscription and service charges starting today, July 17, 2018!

This major move comes as a result of Nepal Government’s announcement regarding increment of Telecom Service Charges (TSC) in the FY 2018-19 Budget.

Nepal Government states that people’s increased usage of social-networking apps such as WhatsApp and WeChat for making calls has led to the arrival of this imposition.

Following this decision, internet providers will be charged with 13 percent TSC and telecom companies an additional 2 percent leading to 13 percent TSC.

“Internet fees will be hiked by almost 14 per cent effective from Tuesday. As ISPs cannot bear the added financial burden from the new tax system, we are adjusting internet cost accordingly,” says Sudheer Parajuli, Former President of the Internet Service Providers’ Association of Nepal (ISPAN).

ISPs and TSPs including Ncell have modified TSC for internet fees and voice calls in accordance with the provision laid down by the government.

Before the government provision, an internet subscription of 15 Mbps per month costed Rs 1,000, which will be now be increased to Rs 1,150. Voice calls were being offered at one rupee per minute.

“At a time when the government is aiming to increase people’s access to internet and technology, increased internet cost will directly affect this plan,” says Parajuli.

Earlier, many ISP providers had expressed their dissatisfaction over the new development and said that this decision will not only financially burden providers but also serve as a major roadblock for the development of the Nepali Information and Communication Technology industry.

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According to a report from the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) on July 3, 2018, transplantation has been done on about 22 percent of the 1.55 million hectares of paddy fields leading to a coverage of 342,631 hectares of land so far.

Going by the statistics, this is the fastest transplantation rate witnessed in many years! say officials

“The sole reason for the faster transplantation is the early monsoon which entered Nepal two days earlier this year compared to its normal schedule,” says Ram Krishna Regmi, Chief Statistician, Land Management and Cooperative (MoALMC), MoA.

According to Regmi, the influence of the monsoon on the agricultural sector and specially paddy transplantation will be assessed only after transplantation in the Tarai region increases. Tarai is the largest paddy producing region in Nepal and is home to 71 percent of its rice fields.

“During this period, if there is good and unified rainfall, the transplantation coverage will increase,” he says further.

Regmi opines that rain is crucial for top-dressing during August as it a key factor in driving productivity. “If the rainfall pattern is as good as projected, we can expect a bumper paddy harvest of up to 5.5 million tons in the next fiscal year,” he adds.

Transplantation Trends Across Nepal – FY 2018-19

• The highest transplantation rate is noted at:
  • 72 percent of the 178,096 hectares and 24.84 percent of the 312,547 hectares in the mid-western and western regions
  • 66 percent of the 439,328 hectares and 16.19 percent of the 445,938 hectares in the central and eastern regions
  • 65 percent of 1.09 million hectares in the Terai region
  • 21 percent of 58,158 hectares in the mountain region
  • 09 percent of the 399,675 hectares in the hilly region
• The lowest transplantation rates were noted at:
• 55 percent in Banke district
• 50 percent in Saptari
• 3 percent in Parsa
• 5 percent in Mahottari
• 7 percent in Dhanusha
• 8 percent in Sarlahi, Siraha and Bara

Past Trends in Paddy Plantation

• During the same period last year, paddy transplantation was completed on 20 percent of the 1.55 million hectares

Observation: The transplantation rate this year increased by 2 percent

• Paddy production slumped by 1.49 percent to 5.15 million in FY 2017-18 as compared with a 21.66 percent increase resulting in a record high of 5.23 million tons in 2016-17

Paddy production contributes to 20 percent of the total agricultural production in Nepal.

Also Read:

•  Nepal Welcomes ‘National Paddy Day 2018’

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