KATHMANDU: The Council of Ministers, in a meeting held today, announced the minimum support price for winter paddy (chaite dhan) for the ongoing fiscal year 2080/81 BS.

Winter paddy with moisture content up to 18 percent has been fixed at Rs 2,728 per quintal.

Moreover, the cabinet has devised a mechanism for determining the minimum support price for winter paddy with moisture levels exceeding 18 percent.

This will be based on the adjusted weight, calculated by reducing 1200 grams per quintal for each additional percentage of moisture.

Additionally, the government has allocated Rs 77.5 billion each for the seven provinces and the local levels as part of the revenue sharing framework for the fiscal year 2081/82 BS.

Furthermore, a fiscal equalization grant of Rs 60 billion for the provinces and Rs 88 billion for the local levels has been approved.

In administrative appointments, Rishiram Bhandari, Rajendra Bahadur Lama, and Ram Prasad Sapkota have been appointed as executive committee members of the Nepal Tourism Board.

Dr. Hari Prasad Lamsal has been promoted to the post of Secretary (gazetted special category) within the Nepal Administration Service Grouping.

The cabinet has also endorsed the annual report for the fiscal year 2079/80 BS, which will be submitted to the President for further action.