Feb 16, Kathmandu - The Nepal Panchanga Niryanak Samitee under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation has announced a new policy requiring mandatory approval before publishing Panchang and wall calendars. This move aims to prevent errors related to festivals, dates, auspicious timings, and public holidays.

According to the committee, as per the provisions of the 2077 formation order and the 2079 management guidelines, any individual, organization, or community intending to publish Panchang, wall calendars, pocket calendars, or table calendars must obtain prior approval from the committee.

Failure to do so could lead to the confiscation of unapproved publications, suspension of publication, and fines ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 100,000, due to potential discrepancies in festival dates, auspicious timings, or government holidays.

Approved Panchang and calendars must clearly display the approval letter and registration number. A committee, led by the head of the Culture Department along with representatives from the Home Ministry, committee members, and Panchang experts, has been formed for oversight.

Since 2079, approval has also become mandatory for wall calendars, in addition to Panchang.

The Ministry's Executive Director Laxman Panthi and Chairman Shambhu Prasad Dhakal have urged relevant agencies, local bodies, administrative offices, educational institutions, entrepreneurs, and cooperative sectors to cooperate with this new regulation to ensure accuracy and reliability in published calendars.