Chitwan District Research Articles

Secondary Level Teachers’ Job Satisfaction in Nepal: A Case of three Districts

This study investigated the job satisfaction level of the secondary level teachers of Tanahun, Kaski and Chitwan districts in Nepal. Basing on the survey design of quantitative research, method, data were collected from 292 respondents through structured questionnaires. Five-point Likert-scale technique was used for collecting data. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-test, and one-way ANOVA test were used to analyze the data. This study found that the majority of respondents were satisfied with the job nature, pay and fringe benefits, members’ cooperation to work, and the working environment of a school and in the teaching profession. However, they were not satisfied with the mechanism of school supervision and promotion process and procedures, independent F-test and t-test are satisfied with a 95% confidence level. There is no meaningful difference (P-value is less than 0.05) between teaching experience, gender, and job satisfaction level. The policy makers should consider the view of employee about their job perception at the time of making rules and regulation related to the employee, the government should make clear rules and regulation related to promotion process.

Financial Feasibility and Prospects of Commercial Acid Lime Farming in Nepal

Research was conducted to assess the economics of commercial acid lime production and prospects of lime farming in Nepal. Morang, Sunsari, Chitwan and Nawalparasi districts of Nepal were selected as the study area after having consultation with concerned agricultural personnel. Altogether 70 farmers (19% of the sampling population) were randomly selected from the sampling frame to collect the primary information. The financial analysis of acid lime farming per hectare of land estimated NPV (12% discount rate) NRs. 4828734/ha, BCR 2.2, IRR 40% and the Pay-back period of 5 years, 5 months and 26 days. The BCR greater than one, IRR three times higher than discount rate, high NPV (return on investment more than cent percent) and payback period less than one-third of the total productive age of the lime orchard showed the financial feasibility of commercial acid lime farming in Nepal. The regression revealed that the import, production and productive area were found to be increased at the rate of 32, 6, and 8 percent per annum respectively while that of productivity was found to be decreased by 2.4 percent per annum (p< 0.010). There is a huge opportunity for acid lime farming in Nepal as the demand is much higher than the domestic production resulting voluminous import. Agribusiness promotion strategies focusing on market development should be introduced that would contribute to enhance the national acid lime production and promote the domestic market.
 Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 10, Issue-1: 10-15.

Factors affecting adoption intensity of climate change adaptation practices: A case of smallholder rice producers in Chitwan, Nepal

This study examines how smallholder rice producers' adoption intensity for climate change adaptation practices (i.e., improved varieties, irrigation practices, direct seeded rice, integrated pest management, and adjustment in crop calendar) is influenced by access to Extension services, training, weather-related information, and membership in farmer groups or cooperatives (referred to as “institutional resources”). We use survey data collected from 359 smallholder rice producers in the Chitwan district of Nepal in 2019. The results indicate that: (1) access to institutional resources significantly enhance the likelihood of adoption of more climate change adaptation practices; (2) high intensity climate change adaptation practice measured by the adoption of three, four, and five practices significantly increases with access to institutional resources; (3) intensity of adoption of climate change adaptation practices is reduced with greater adaptation alternatives available to rice producers; and (4) lack of information and technical knowledge are the most important reasons for non-adoption of climate change adaptation practices by smallholder rice producers. The results are valuable for policy makers and planners to prioritize training opportunities and allocate scarce resources to enhance climate change adaptation and improve sustainability of rice production practices.

PROFITABILITY AND RESOURCE USE EFFICIENCY OF CAPSICUM PRODUCTION IN CHITWAN DISTRICT, NEPAL

Unavailability coupled with inefficient and inappropriate use of resources is culminating into diminishing profitability and efficiency of vegetable production. This study aimed to analyze cost of production and resource use efficiency of capsicum enterprise in Chitwan district of Nepal uses Cobb-Douglas production function analysis to investigate the effects of different inputs on the returns from capsicum enterprise. Besides, descriptive statistics and t-test were also used. Primary data was collected from 66 randomly selected capsicum producers in Rapti Municipality and Bharatpur Metropolitan City using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires. The total cost of production of capsicum in Chitwan district is NRs. 1,067,075.65 per ha; labour accounting the most of it at 22.14%. Capsicum production is found to be a profitable enterprise (BCR≈2). The return from capsicum production is likely to increase through improvements in use of fertilizer and plant protection inputs. Similarly, plant protection, seed and fertilizers are underutilized while labour, land preparation and harvest inputs are overutilized. In light of these findings, it is suggested that resources need to be allocated optimally in suggested proportions to get maximum returns. Also, labour costs can be minimized by introduction of mechanization for intercultural operations.

Comparative Study on Antioxidant Activity of Propolis of Apis mellifera from Different Regions of Nepal

Propolis is a waxy material obtained from honey bee hives. The physical and chemical property of this product is variable based on the source of hive, plant biodiversity where honeybee feed, season of collection, geographical origin etc. Propolis has several useful chemical compounds, and among them polyphenols are mainly contributing for their broad spectrum of medicinal quality such as antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities as well as antioxidant properties. The present study aims to analyze the ethanolic extract of propolis for their phenol and flavonoid content as well as its antioxidant characteristics. The samples (SPLs) were collected from farmers of six different locations of Nepal i.e. Jhapa, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Banke and Chitwan districts. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were measured by Folin Ciocalteu method and the aluminum chloride method respectively expressed as the gallic acid (GAE) and quercetin (QE) and equivalent (GAE) per gram. The Diphenyl-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay method was used to evaluate the free radical scavenging activity. The antioxidant effect of propolis was reported in ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity per gram of propolis. The highest content of phenolic and flavonoid content was found in sample SPL 2. The range of these compounds' concentrations were from 127.36±5.50 mg GAE/gram to 242.7±4.50 mg GAE/gram. Similarly, total flavonoid content ranged from 1.3197±0.0261 QE mg/ grams to 5.3921±0.0261 QE mg/ grams. Whereas samples from SPL 2, and SPL 5 showed highest antioxidant properties. All samples were found to have strong antioxidant capacity which was greater than standard. It is concluded that there is no direct correlation on total antioxidant property of propolis with their total phenolic and total flavonoid content among collected samples. The phenolic characteristics of the samples were variable to the geographical location, and plant diversity of their origin.

Use of Stimulus Variation Skill in Teaching Health Education

This study has assessed the state of knowledge about stimulus variation skills and practical classroom use among college-level health education teachers. Using a qualitative phenomenological study design, the researchers collected data from health education teachers teaching master's health education in Dolakha, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Chitwan districts. Eighteen health education teachers participated in in-depth qualitative interviews, nineteen teachers' classes were observed, and 4 focus group discussions including 26 teachers were conducted. The qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The results found out from this study demonstrated that there was confusion among teachers whether stimulus variation was a motivational skill or it was a matter of pedagogy. It showed that the participants had a little knowledge of purposeful movement inside the class, effective and appropriate use of gestures, change in speech pattern, interaction style, sense channels, postures and many more stimulus variation skills. Some teachers used intentional movement, and a smaller number of teachers used sensory channel changes and postural changes. In this regard, education college teachers need re-orientations on using all six stimulus variation skills.

Role of Social Media in Commercial Vegetable Farming for Rural Development

This study explores the role of social media in commercial vegetable farming for rural development. A study of Bharatpur metropolitan city ward no 5 Chitwan district. The objective of the study is to explore the role of social media in commercial vegetable farming for rural development. The use of social media in commercial vegetable farming is increasing rapidly now days. Many agricultural service provider companies are giving better facilities to the farmers. Social media allows users to communicate directly with the customer’s service provider’s information sharing centers etc. Farmers are using social media to increase their produce at each stage. Rural development means as overall development such as social, economic, political and cultural of rural society. Commercial vegetable farmers have been impacted by social media in all aspects of their lives. The research design adopted in this study is exploratory as well as descriptive types. The universe of the study was commercial vegetable farmers in Ward No. 5 of Bharatpur Municipality. Out of the total number of commercial vegetable farmer households, 20 households have been sampled using the quota sampling and purposive sampling methods. The data has been collected from the Rambagh, Gulabbag, Kailashnagar, and Narayanpur areas. Each area 5 respondents has been selected for the study. The study shows that 5 % respondents were used own land and 95% respondents were used leasehold land for commercial vegetable farming. Similarly 40 % respondents were used YouTube, 35 % respondents were used Facebook and 25% respondents were used Tik Tok for agriculture information. In the study area, social media seem to have a positive effect on commercial vegetable farming. Commercial vegetable farming support to livelihood, capacity building, empowerment, increase in living standard, saving habit, access to financial institutions, agricultural inputs services and market in the study area. Commercial vegetable farming has been playing a significant role for rural development in this area.

Knowledge and Preventive Practice of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Among Tuberculosis Patients in Chitwan District

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the world's most serious infectious diseases caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis typically attacks the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body.
 Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted patients who were suffering from tuberculosis and taking Anti-TB medicine from different DOTS center of Chitwan District during the 22nd August to 3rd September 2021. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools in SPSS-20. p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
 Results: Out of 285 respondents regarding age majority (41.8%) of respondents belong to the age group of 20–34 years. The mean and SD of age was 42.77±1.019 years. More than 60% respondents had good level of practice on preventive measure. None of the variables was found to be statistically significant.
 Conclusion: Most of the tuberculosis patients had not good level of knowledge and preventive practices so DOTS center and local government need to make strategy on preventive measure.

Cognitive bias and stock investment decisions among the individual investors

Decision-making is a complex activity and cannot be made in a vacuum. Human behavior is the fundamental concern for stock investment decisions of the individual investors. This study sought to establish the cognitive biases which influence the individual investors’ stock investment decisions. Descriptive cum causal-comparative research design was employed. A sample of 385 individual investors was used among the stock investors in Chitwan district. Final usable responses were collected from 273 individual investors via 5-point Likert-type self-administered closed-end structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics by using SPSS - 25 and MS excel. This study found that overconfidence bias, excessive optimism, herding bias, and accounting information has significant positive influence on equity investment decisions of the investors. Evidence indicates that cognitive bias plays the significant role for stock investment decisions of the investors. Finally, this study concluded that investors should properly aware and handle such biases for better investment decisions to obtained the appropriate return on investment decisions and such biases should be properly handled by the investors through participation in training, education, seminar and information analysis. The study also suggests that the NEPSE and SEBON should offer proper investment education, financial literacy related to stock market and knowledge to investors in order to minimize the adverse effects of such biases.

Seasonal Variations of Algae in Relation to the Water Quality at Kingfisher Lake, Central Nepal

Algae can be found in the sea, freshwater and wastewater all around the world. Although the majority is microscopic, some are large. In this study, a total of 44 samples, were collected in two seasons (pre-monsoon and post-monsoon) in the years 2021-2022 from Kingfisher Lake, located in the Bharatpur, Chitwan District. A total of 51 algal species belonging to six classes were recorded. Information on the distribution of algal flora of Kingfisher Lake was collected and the data revealed that the dominant members belong to the classes Bacillariophyceae and Zygnematophyceae, each having 15 species; followed by Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Euglenophyceae. Similarly, the physico-chemical parameters of water were measured by a digital portable multiparameter (HI98194) in the field. Water temperature was low during post-monsoon season. Electrical conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Oxidation Reduction Potential and Dissolved Oxygen were high in post-monsoon season while the pH of the lake water was alkaline and low pH in post-monsoon season. The number of algal species was found higher in pre-monsoon season than in post-monsoon season. The study showed that the lake is rich in algal species. Presence of the species like Closterium sp. and Oscillatoria sp. indicate that the lake is eutrophicated and polluted. Thus, further investigations were needed.

Transforming nutritional behaviors of basic school children through school-based participatory nutrition education program: A study protocol

Dietary habits build on in the formative years persist across the lifespan; therefore, developing healthy nutritional behaviors is crucial among school-going children. The school education can be a powerful influence in modifying the nutritional behaviors of children. Available evidence indicates that school-based nutrition education may promote improved dietary behaviours of school children if it is integrated with motivation, action, and a supportive environment. This study aims to design, implement and evaluate a school-based participatory nutrition education program (SBPNEP) to transform the nutritional behavior of students through participatory action research (PAR). This study uses a transformative mixed-method design as part of the PAR methodology. Five co-educational community schools are selected from Chitwan district of Nepal following the inclusion criteria of NORHED Rupantran Project under Tribhuvan University. Among the five schools, one is selected as the ‘action school’ where intervention sessions will be implemented. The remaining four schools serve as the ‘reference schools’ where effective intervention components of the action school will be replicated. Basic school students, their parents, basic school science and health education teachers, and school leaders are the co-researchers of this study. Both quantitative tools and qualitative methods will be used to generate the data. Quantitative data will be analyzed using inferential statistics (bivariate and multivariate), whilst the interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) method will be used for meaning making process of the qualitative data. Three components of the intervention also said to be PAR cycles: sensitization and motivation’, ‘nutrition pedagogy’ and ‘creating a supportive environment for sustainability’ will be implemented following an iterative process of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting of the PAR cycle. The effectiveness of the intervention activities will be evaluated under three phases: short-term, mid-term, and long-term.

Behavioural Finance and Stock Investment Decisions

Market anomalies is the source of inefficient market where investors can generate abnormal return which is the centre point of behaviour finance. Behavioural finance incorporates the human behaviour, cognitive and social aspects, emotions, moods and psychology of the individual investors that might create investment mistakes. This study focuses on exploring the influence of behavioural finance on stock investment decision of the master level students in Chitwan district due to poor literature available in this field. This study is based on quantitative approach of research and utilizes analytical research design. The sample of the study is 284 students with usable response rate of 60.21 percent. This study utilizes reliability analysis, descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. Evidence indicates that herding, loss aversion, overconfidence and risk propensity has significant positive influence on stock investment decisions among investors. Finally, this study concluded that behavioural finance plays the key role while making stock investment decision of the students. In investment decision, investors should properly understand financial behaviour biases that facilitates investors while making superior investment decisions as well as risk propensity will make investors aware of fears, nervous and uncertainty toward risks which might occurs while making stock investment decisions.

Echocardiographic Study Among Traffic Police Personnel in Central Nepal

Background: Echocardiographic studies among traffic police personnel are lacking in the world including in Nepal. So, this study is planned to detect any structural cardiac abnormalities in this specific group population. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among fifty traffic police personnel working in the Chitwan district of Nepal. All underwent two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography in Chitwan Mutu Aspatal. Results: The age ranged from 21 to 55 years, with a mean age of 35 years. Males were predominant (46/50) and 14(28%) were diagnosed as hypertensives. Mild MR was detected on 11(22%) participants. Conclusion: This is the first reported observational study so far among the traffic police personnel in Nepal. There is a high incidence of systemic hypertension among these populations though no major cardiac structural abnormalities were detected.

Feminization of Agriculture in Nepal and its implications: Addressing Gender in Workload and Decision Making

The study assesses the two approaches of feminization: labor and managerial, and explores the implication of feminization in agricultural production in Gorkha and Chitwan district of Nepal. We examine the degree to which men, women or men and women jointly make agriculture-related decisions, and discuss the labor feminization and managerial feminization using five domains of the Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI), relative to the degree to which women’s decision-making power relates to the feminization of agriculture leading to women empowerment and food security. The results revealed that the average workload for women (86.50 hours/week) was more than that for men (55.52 hours/week). Workload was found significantly affected by the total cultivated area (ha), gender of household head, occupation, number of livestock holdings, number of children, number of elders and household location.All aspects of operational and strategic decision making were dominated by jointly made decisions, except in the case of income utilization where female showed dominance. The implication of feminization in agriculture is reflected by reduction in cropping cycle, lower productivity of cereals and vegetables which led to food insecurity by own production. The income from remittance was observed to be mainly used for consumption purposes to ensure food security. It appears that the feminization of agriculture leads to women playing not only important role in decision-making but also more responsibilities and heavier workloads without necessarily resulting in empowerment and improvement in well-being.

Determining factors and impact of household income on dairy cattle insurance in Nepal

Nepalese agriculture insurance market is dominated by livestock sector and cattle are the most popular class of animal in livestock production system. This study was conducted to identify the determining factors and impact of household income on dairy cattle insurance. This study was based on the field survey conducted in Chitwan and Nawalparasi districts of Nepal. A total of 160 households were sampled using a stratified simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a pre-tested interview schedule and focus group discussion (FGD) in 2017. The result of t-test showed annual household income, income from milk sell, and average cattle holding significantly higher in cattle insurer farmers than that of non-insurers. A probit model was used to assess the factors affecting the decision for the adoption of cattle insurance. The probit model revealed that cattle breed, access to loan, income from livestock, and number of cattle had a positive and significant relationship with the adoption of cattle insurance whereas, household size and district dummy had a negative and significant relationship with the adoption of cattle insurance. Income regression function revealed that the adoption of insurance, the number of cattle, and the district of the respondents had a positive and significant relation with income from livestock. The instrumental variable model adopted to combat endogeneity bias showed that adoption of insurance and district of the respondents had a positive and significant relation with income from livestock. Although the results are farmers specific, findings have implications for policymakers regarding promotion of improved breeds and facilitation of farm credit.

Relationship between udder and teat conformations and morphometrics with milk yield in Murrah buffaloes

Udder and teat conformations and measurements play a vital role in milk productivity and mastitis resistance in dairy buffaloes. The study was conducted on apparently healthy 24 Murrah buffaloes running on different parities selected from 3 different farms in the Chitwan district of Nepal to find the relation between phenotypic characteristics of udder and milk yield. The shapes of the teat and udder were evaluated by a visual appraisal that revealed 42.7% funnel, 26% bottle, 16.7% cylindrical, 14.6% conical-shaped teats, and 37.5% round, 33.3% bowl, and 16.7% goaty, and 12.5% stepped shaped udders. The average length, width, and depth of the udder were determined as 54.50±0.92 cm, 19.33±0.46 cm, and 27.50±1.10 cm, respectively, while the respective length and diameter of the teat were 8.46±0.17 cm and 3.59±0.07 cm. Within udder quarters, teat length was significantly different (p < 0.05) though the diameter was non-significant. However, the teat length and teat diameter differed along the teat and udder shapes showing the highest measures at bottle-shaped teats and goaty-shaped udder. The average milk yield/day recorded was 5.90±0.36 kg per buffalo. Higher milk yield was observed in the round-shaped udder and conical-shaped teat. The correlation of udder width (r= 0.237, p<0.05) and teat length (r= 0.222, p<0.05) was observed significantly positive but that of teat to floor distance (r= -0.232, p<0.05) was negative with milk yield. Hence, the selection of Murrah buffaloes for milk production traits should consider the dimensions of the teat and udder.

Community College Teachers’ Perceptions and Practices of ICT Integrated Teaching

In the present pedagogical context of higher education in Nepal, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) integration in classroom pedagogy has become an evolving phenomenon. The community college teachers of Chitwan district are gradually shifting to technology-enhanced classroom pedagogy from the conventional mode of instruction for better teaching and learning outcomes. Although the stakeholders have emphasized ICT integrated pedagogy, teachers have experienced several barriers to its effective integration in the regular classroom activities. In this context, the present study examined community college teachers' perceptions and practices of integrating ICT in the community colleges in Chitwan, the perceived barriers to its effective integration, and ways of overcoming such barriers. The study was carried out employing a quantitative research approach and survey design. The researcher used the Convenience Sampling Method to purposively collect responses from forty teachers from nine community colleges teaching at bachelor’s and master’s levels. The data collected through the questionnaire were analyzed using percentage and frequency distribution statistical tools. The analysis of responses revealed that the status of ICT integration in the classroom did not seem satisfactory, although the teachers had positive perceptions of technology-supported teaching. The perceived major barriers were lack of enough ICT-friendly infrastructures and resources, insufficient ICT-based professional development opportunities, and the lack of students’ digital literacy. The findings of the research imply that community colleges and faculties need more ICT-based teacher development programs, well-equipped ICT infrastructure, budgetary support, increased digital competence and accessibility of students, and an inculcation of ICT-based pedagogical culture to enhance its effectiveness for better teaching-learning outcomes.

Facial indicator in the determination of maxillary central incisor length in Nepalese population – A clinical study

Background: The maxillary anterior teeth are important in achieving pleasing facial and dental esthetics. Among those, the central incisor has a key role in determining the esthetic as they are the most dominant and visible teeth during smile. Determining the proper size of these teeth is important but difficult in the absence of pre extraction records in edentulous condition. Aims and Objectives: This study was conducted to find a suitable guide in determining the length of the central incisor by correlating it with some independent facial structure like nose length in a small population of Chitwan district. Materials and Methods: The distance from the bridge of the nose to the base was compared to the length of the maxillary central incisor in 321 patients of both sexes between the age groups of 20–35 years. The actual length of the maxillary incisor was measured and also calculated by regression analysis to determine some fixed ratio. The calculated value by this ratio was compared to the actual measured value to find if the difference was significant. Results: The difference between the calculated distances and the actual measured distance was found to be 0.340 in males and 0.266 in females, which was statistically significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: The distance from the bridge of the nose to base of the nose may be used as a reference to estimate the length of the central incisor in the Nepalese population, although sample included subjects from the central Chitwan District of Nepal.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis in Dairy Cattle of Chitwan, Nawalpur and Rupandehi Districts of Nepal

The cross-sectional study from July 2018 to September 2018 was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) in cattle of the Chitwan, Nawalpur, and Rupandehi districts of Nepal. The existence of antibodies against IBR was investigated in 92 serum samples obtained systematically from 55 cattle herds using Indirect-ELISA. A questionnaire interview was done to collect individual and herd-level data. The association between categorical variables and the outcome variable (seropositive) was assessed by bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis in SPSS version 19.0. The seroprevalence of IBR was 18.48% (95% CI: 11.1-27.9), and district, breed, and herd size were identified as potential risk factors for IBR seropositivity. Significantly higher risk for IBR was found in Chitwan (Percentage-Positive “PP” = 36.37%; Odd ratio “OR” = 5.211; p = 0.008) than in Nawalpur (PP = 9.38%; OR = 0.931) and Rupandehi (PP = 10.00%). PP of IBR was significantly higher in Jersey crosses (PP = 30.00%; OR = 2.893; p = 0.048) than Holstein Friesian crosses (PP = 12.90%). Similarly, herds with more than 10 cattle (PP = 33.33%; OR = 4.167; p = 0.042) were found significantly at higher odds for seropositivity than herds having less than 10 cattle (PP = 10.71%). Due to the moderate prevalence of IBR among cattle in Nepal, this study recommends conducting additional planned research on IBR at the national level to safeguard the country's dairy businesses from potential financial losses.

Feasibility of Payment for Ecosystem Services in Khageri Sub-Watershed, Chitwan, Nepal

The study entitled “Feasibility of payment for ecosystem services in Khageri sub-watershed, Chitwan, Nepal’’ was undertaken in Chitwan district focusing to explore the major ecosystem services and their potential services buyer and seller and to determine willingness to pay for the ecosystem services and willingness to accept for ecosystem services. For this, household survey was done in both upstream and down streams communities to understand people perception on WTP and WTA for ecosystem services. In addition, focus group discussions and key informant interview was done in both upstream and downstream community to identify the major ecosystem services by using the snowball technique and their potential services buyer and service sellers. The study show majority of people of upstream and downstream community around Khageri watershed have strong WTP and WTA for ecosystem services. Thus they have strong WTP and WTA for ecosystem services. Most of the respondents have preferred community group as potential institutions for collecting and providing compensation. Thus, Developing a PES in Khageri sub watershed is socially acceptable and financially feasible. For this the proper institution should be identified and their respective roles should be fixed and developing a national PES policy is needed. Conducting of capacity building and awareness program among the upstream and downstream is required for the successful implementation of PES mechanism.