Viral fever has spread in Saptari district's Kanchan VDC and rural areas of Mahottari in the past one week.
At least 150 persons have been suffering from the illness in Saptari. The patients complain of headache, cold and high fever. Some of the patients are also suffering from diarrhoea, a patient, Ram Narayan Pandit, said.
According to a local, Rup Narayan Thakur, the situation has worsened due to the absence of health workers at the sub-health post in the VDC, 22 km west of the district headquarters, Rajbiraj.
Assistant health worker Indra Lal Yadav sometimes visits the sub-health post for an hour and never cares for the patients, Thakur alleged.
Rainfall has further complicated matters as roads by which patients are taken to hospitals are in bad shape, Thakur said.
"Health workers seldom visit the health post in our village and we are having problems taking the patients out of the village for treatment due to the poor condition of the roads," he said.
Saptari district public health administrator Rakesh Kumar Thakur said he has no information on the outbreak of the disease and the absence of health workers at the sub-health post.
In Mahottari, the number of viral fever patients visiting hospitals and health centres have gone up in the past one week. Most of the rural areas in the district are in the grip of the disease. Most of the patients visiting the district hospital in Jaleshwor have fever, a health worker Anita Sharma, said.
Twenty-five-30 fever patients have also been visiting health centres at Gaushala, Bardibas, Ramgopalpur and Balana daily, the health centres said.
A sudden surge in the mercury level and polluted water may have caused the spread of the disease, the head of the district hospital, Dr Pawan Thakur, said. "The viral fever may develop into kala-zar and typhoid if patients don't get timely medical treatment," Thakur added.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Cops’ informers find YCL more lucrative
Majority of junior policemen ready to give them dope, claims YCL
Valley cops, who have been drawing a lot of flak for their failure on the law and order front, have another headache: their informers are deserting them for the Young Communist League. Valley cops stumbled upon this bitter truth when they recently found that some of their informers were not tipping them off. "Later it turned out that they had switched loyalties to the YCL," a police official at the Metropolitan Police Crime Division (MPCD) told The Himalayan Times. MPCD officials say cops depend heavily on the informers.
"We can't get all the information on our own because people don't open up to us," an official said.
Informers are motivated by several reasons. "Some of them regularly provide information about their business rivals, whereas some tip us to exact revenge on their personal or family foes," a high-level police official at the Narcotic Drug Control Law Enforcement Unit (NDCLEU) said. But few make a living out of it. According to police officials, many work for a specific case and then go mum.
"The whole business is kept under wraps. We don't tell it to anyone, not even to our immediate bosses," inspector Jiban Shrestha at the MPCD said. Police officials admit that many informers are petty criminals. "We convince them to work as informers," DSP Bikash Khanal at the NDCLEU said. Often the cops pay them from their own pockets.
The police have no clear policy about paying informers. The Police Headquarters allocates very little for offices like MPCD and NDCLEU under the different heads and the office provides cash to informers in case of big seizure or when they help net a big fish.
SSP Kuber Rana at the NDCLEU admits that they receive some cash from the headquarters under "programme budget".
Rana, however, says all of that is not supposed to be spent on informers, as nobody knows how many of them are working under a police office. "We have to spend part of that money for training the cops and building their capacity," he added.
Asked why YCL was poaching police informers, YCL's Kathmandu district president Jwala said, "Not only the informers, 70 per cent of junior police officials are ready to join us. However, we have to be on our toes to ensure that informers don't leak our information to the state." Adapted from the himalayan times.
Valley cops, who have been drawing a lot of flak for their failure on the law and order front, have another headache: their informers are deserting them for the Young Communist League. Valley cops stumbled upon this bitter truth when they recently found that some of their informers were not tipping them off. "Later it turned out that they had switched loyalties to the YCL," a police official at the Metropolitan Police Crime Division (MPCD) told The Himalayan Times. MPCD officials say cops depend heavily on the informers.
"We can't get all the information on our own because people don't open up to us," an official said.
Informers are motivated by several reasons. "Some of them regularly provide information about their business rivals, whereas some tip us to exact revenge on their personal or family foes," a high-level police official at the Narcotic Drug Control Law Enforcement Unit (NDCLEU) said. But few make a living out of it. According to police officials, many work for a specific case and then go mum.
"The whole business is kept under wraps. We don't tell it to anyone, not even to our immediate bosses," inspector Jiban Shrestha at the MPCD said. Police officials admit that many informers are petty criminals. "We convince them to work as informers," DSP Bikash Khanal at the NDCLEU said. Often the cops pay them from their own pockets.
The police have no clear policy about paying informers. The Police Headquarters allocates very little for offices like MPCD and NDCLEU under the different heads and the office provides cash to informers in case of big seizure or when they help net a big fish.
SSP Kuber Rana at the NDCLEU admits that they receive some cash from the headquarters under "programme budget".
Rana, however, says all of that is not supposed to be spent on informers, as nobody knows how many of them are working under a police office. "We have to spend part of that money for training the cops and building their capacity," he added.
Asked why YCL was poaching police informers, YCL's Kathmandu district president Jwala said, "Not only the informers, 70 per cent of junior police officials are ready to join us. However, we have to be on our toes to ensure that informers don't leak our information to the state." Adapted from the himalayan times.
Friday, July 06, 2007
King's gala feast incenses umpteen stomachs
Himalayan News Service, thehimalayantimes.com
Activists of the Democratic National Youth Federation and the All Nepal National Free Students' Union protesting the planned celebrations of king Gyanendra' s birthday on Friday. YCL to block all roads leading to Narayanhiti
The Young Communist League, the youth-wing of the CPN-Maoist, will "strongly" protest the holding of the rally by the pro-monarchy activists and the lavish dinner to mark king Gyanendra's birthday.
The king is planning a series of lavish dinners from Friday through Sunday to celebrate his 61st birthday at the palace, where politicians, industrialists, pro-monarchy intellectuals, diplomats and others have been invited. Most of the diplomats and politicians have, however, declined the invite.
"We will take to the streets and teach a lesson to those who want to revive monarchy and undermine the achievements of Jana Andolan II," YCL chairman Ganesh Pun said while addressing a programme at Reporters' Club today.
He said thousands of people will take to the street to foil the king's plan to show his "strength". "We are not planning any confrontation but we are not sure how peaceful we are going to be. That will depend on the situation," he added. Pun added that Minister for Information and Communications Krishna Bahadur Mahara had clearly said such activities by the king should be stopped.
While, Lekhanath Neupane, the president of the All Nepal Independent Student Union-Revolutionary criticised the youth and student wings affiliated to the other parties for not showing the same enthusiasm to foil the king's programme.
UML leader Shankar Pokharel said no politician in the government, or public figures should attend the birthday bash. Those going to the party should be penalised, he added.
General Secretary of CPN-ML CP Mainali urged the government to issue directions to ban such programmes that might spark clashes and violence.
"We are doing our best to avoid confrontation so that the government may not be blamed for what happens in the due course," said NC leader Balkrishna Khand.
Binod Kayastha, the chairman of NC-affiliated Tarun Dal, said they were waiting for party leadership's directions on how to protest the king's party.
Dr Sundar Mani Dixit, a leader of the civil society movement, claimed that the king was hosting the party with the approval of top leaders from the ruling party and the army might support him. "This incident will clearly show who stands for the republic and who wants to revive monarchy," he said.
The king is planning a series of lavish dinners from Friday through Sunday to celebrate his 61st birthday at the palace, where politicians, industrialists, pro-monarchy intellectuals, diplomats and others have been invited. Most of the diplomats and politicians have, however, declined the invite.
"We will take to the streets and teach a lesson to those who want to revive monarchy and undermine the achievements of Jana Andolan II," YCL chairman Ganesh Pun said while addressing a programme at Reporters' Club today.
He said thousands of people will take to the street to foil the king's plan to show his "strength". "We are not planning any confrontation but we are not sure how peaceful we are going to be. That will depend on the situation," he added. Pun added that Minister for Information and Communications Krishna Bahadur Mahara had clearly said such activities by the king should be stopped.
While, Lekhanath Neupane, the president of the All Nepal Independent Student Union-Revolutionary criticised the youth and student wings affiliated to the other parties for not showing the same enthusiasm to foil the king's programme.
UML leader Shankar Pokharel said no politician in the government, or public figures should attend the birthday bash. Those going to the party should be penalised, he added.
General Secretary of CPN-ML CP Mainali urged the government to issue directions to ban such programmes that might spark clashes and violence.
"We are doing our best to avoid confrontation so that the government may not be blamed for what happens in the due course," said NC leader Balkrishna Khand.
Binod Kayastha, the chairman of NC-affiliated Tarun Dal, said they were waiting for party leadership's directions on how to protest the king's party.
Dr Sundar Mani Dixit, a leader of the civil society movement, claimed that the king was hosting the party with the approval of top leaders from the ruling party and the army might support him. "This incident will clearly show who stands for the republic and who wants to revive monarchy," he said.
Palace seeks govt security, gets it
The Home Ministry has asked the District Security Committee, Kathmandu, to make necessary security arrangements for King Gyanendra's 61st birthday bash.
Home ministry spokesperson Baman Prasad Neupaney said the ministers had directed the committee to provide security responding to the royal palace's request. "Whenever the palace organises a function, they write to us demanding security and we provide it. It has been happening for years," Neupaney told THT.
According to the ministry, Chief District Officer heads the five-member security committee that includes District Police Chief, a Senior Army Official and a senior Armed Police Force official.
Home ministry spokesperson Baman Prasad Neupaney said the ministers had directed the committee to provide security responding to the royal palace's request. "Whenever the palace organises a function, they write to us demanding security and we provide it. It has been happening for years," Neupaney told THT.
According to the ministry, Chief District Officer heads the five-member security committee that includes District Police Chief, a Senior Army Official and a senior Armed Police Force official.
According to a source, security personnel will be deployed from 9 am tomorrow in view of protests announced by the alliance of students' wings affiliated to the eight political parties.
Meanwhile, YCL cadres took out a torch rally from Sundhara and turned the rally into a corner meeting at Ratnapark this evening to protest the dinner party organised to mark the king's birthday. YCL's valley in-charge Sagar said they would block roads leading to Narayanhiti Palace tomorrow.
Meanwhile, former PMs Surya Bahadur Thapa and, Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Kirtinidhi Bista, former ministers Badri Prasad Mandal, Durga Pokhrel and Din Bandhu Aryal attended the party hosted by Crown Prince Paras to mark the king's birthday today.
According to Mohan Shrestha, publicity chief of the birthday committee, Dr Tulsi Giri is expected to attend the party on Sunday. Chief of Army Staff Gen Rookmangud Katawal did not attend the party. From thehimalayantimes.com
DDR not applicable for Maoists: says Prachanda
Maoist chairman Prachanda has said that the model of DDR (Disarming, Demobilisation and Reintegration) will not be applicable for restructuring of the Maoist army.
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| Prachanda and Dr. Baburam Bhattarai in a meeting in Switzerland. Photo courtesy: Nepalese People's Progressive Forum (File Photo) | |
Addressing a programme in Geneva, Switzerland, Prachanda said that since Maoists' People's Liberation Army (PLA) had fought for people, the DDR model cannot be applicable for them. "It should rather be applied on the old army," he said.
Prachanda said the PLA should be reintegrated into the Nepali Army and their soldiers be given security duties. Any plan to engage them in other duties would be unfortunate, he said.
Prachanda and Dr. Baburam Bhattarai are currently in Switzerland.
King requests for security
In the wake of warning by the student and youth activists affiliated with the eight political parties to foil the birthday party of King Gyanendra planned by monarchists, the King has appealed to the government to provide adequate security, reports Nepal FM.
The King has made the request to the Home Ministry asking for security cover during the birthday celebrations, says the report.
It adds that the Home Ministry has replied positively by agreeing to consider the request.
The monarchists are planning to gather in Tundikhel and march to the royal palace to extend greetings to the King on the occasion of his 61st birthday on Saturday. "We are not planning to raise any slogan. We will simply march to the palace silently," said Dr. Durga Pokharel, former minister and co-chair of the committee formed to organise the King's birthday.
Earlier on Thursday, student and youth activists of eight parties had decided to hold demonstration and foil the royal reception. They claimed that the King has no authority to hold receptions since he is no more recognised by the constitution.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Move to ban arms on planes
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal is drafting a bill that will ban air passengers carrying arms while travelling. CAAN deputy director general Bharat Dhakal said this at a programme organised by the CAAN here today. He also said that all airports in Nepal are unsafe.
Weapons carried by security guards of the Prime Minister, ministers and other VIPs will be allowed inside the plane only after the ammunition has been taken out, Dhakal said. Currently, security guards of VIPs carry loaded weapons while boarding the plane.
The bill will require everyone to remove ammunition from weapons before boarding the aircraft. The ammunition will be stored in a safe place.
Those attending the programme underscored the need to come up with a code of conduct for air travelling. Suggestions were offered by participants on whether to allow inebriated passengers to board a plane.
Weapons carried by security guards of the Prime Minister, ministers and other VIPs will be allowed inside the plane only after the ammunition has been taken out, Dhakal said. Currently, security guards of VIPs carry loaded weapons while boarding the plane.
The bill will require everyone to remove ammunition from weapons before boarding the aircraft. The ammunition will be stored in a safe place.
Those attending the programme underscored the need to come up with a code of conduct for air travelling. Suggestions were offered by participants on whether to allow inebriated passengers to board a plane.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
$1.69 lakh WWF grant for hydel project
The WWF Nepal will provide a grant assistance of $1.69 lakh to the Kanchanjunga Conservation Area Management Council (KCAMC) for the execution of a 35-KW micro-hydro project.
Tseten Dandu Sherpa, chairperson of the KCAMC, and Anil Manandhar, country representative of the WWF Nepal, signed an agreement here today to fund the 'Micro-hydro Project for the People and Biodiversity in the Kanchanjanga Conservation Area'.
The local community will also contribute nearly $16,000 through labour and local transportation. Once executed, the project will light up 77 households in Ghunsa and Phale.Work on the project will start from July and end by June.According to officials at the WWF Nepal, the micro-hydro project aims to promote sources of renewable energy in order to enhance technical and managerial capacities of local institutions.
They said the community will assume ownership of the project. The project will generate income from enterprises that will raise the living standards of the locals and help in the conservation of the area. On September 22, 2006, the government had decided to hand over the management of the KCA to the KCAMC.
Tseten Dandu Sherpa, chairperson of the KCAMC, and Anil Manandhar, country representative of the WWF Nepal, signed an agreement here today to fund the 'Micro-hydro Project for the People and Biodiversity in the Kanchanjanga Conservation Area'.
The local community will also contribute nearly $16,000 through labour and local transportation. Once executed, the project will light up 77 households in Ghunsa and Phale.Work on the project will start from July and end by June.According to officials at the WWF Nepal, the micro-hydro project aims to promote sources of renewable energy in order to enhance technical and managerial capacities of local institutions.
They said the community will assume ownership of the project. The project will generate income from enterprises that will raise the living standards of the locals and help in the conservation of the area. On September 22, 2006, the government had decided to hand over the management of the KCA to the KCAMC.
China’s Everest road plan draws experts’ flak
China's plan to build a highway on the side of Mount Everest today drew sharp criticism from experts in Nepal and India.Country representative of WWF Nepal Anil Manandhar said in Kathmandu that China's plan to construct the highway is the result of the country's total disregard to the world's tallest mountain and its environmental and cultural values.
China's state media on Wednesday said that the country plans to build a highway on the side of Mt Everest to pave way for the Olympic torch's journey to the peak of the world's tallest mountain. "China's idea of reaching the mountain top by road is a foolish one and driven by a total disregard to world environment," Manandhar said. He added that road at the sacred and serene area would usher in human activities that will cause an irreparable damage to the atmosphere on the mountains, which is already suffering from pollution.
"I cannot believe it. I don't know whether it was a government policy or some enthusiastic development worker just wanted to see the world react to the idea." Spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology Khumraj Punjali said it is too early to comment on the plan. In New Delhi, experts and analysts voiced serious concern about the highway plan. They said the proposed road would invite pollution and result in the collapse of the eco-system.
Professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Dr SD Muni, said Nepal should worry more about the adverse effects the road would have on the country. Secretary of the Indian Mountaineering Federation PC Rautila said rare and endangered flora and fauna are already under threat in the fragile eco-system and the road would make matters worse.
A senior official of India's Centre for Policy Research said all countries should protest the move. Meanwhile, sources in the Indian capital said Chinese authorities in charge of the project are likely to hold talks with Nepal on the project.
China's state media on Wednesday said that the country plans to build a highway on the side of Mt Everest to pave way for the Olympic torch's journey to the peak of the world's tallest mountain. "China's idea of reaching the mountain top by road is a foolish one and driven by a total disregard to world environment," Manandhar said. He added that road at the sacred and serene area would usher in human activities that will cause an irreparable damage to the atmosphere on the mountains, which is already suffering from pollution.
"I cannot believe it. I don't know whether it was a government policy or some enthusiastic development worker just wanted to see the world react to the idea." Spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology Khumraj Punjali said it is too early to comment on the plan. In New Delhi, experts and analysts voiced serious concern about the highway plan. They said the proposed road would invite pollution and result in the collapse of the eco-system.
Professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Dr SD Muni, said Nepal should worry more about the adverse effects the road would have on the country. Secretary of the Indian Mountaineering Federation PC Rautila said rare and endangered flora and fauna are already under threat in the fragile eco-system and the road would make matters worse.
A senior official of India's Centre for Policy Research said all countries should protest the move. Meanwhile, sources in the Indian capital said Chinese authorities in charge of the project are likely to hold talks with Nepal on the project.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Minister Ask Professors to Stay Above Politics
Minister for Education and Sports Pradeep Nepal on Monday said that mere educational policies would not help develop the education sector, but professors should stay above politics to realise actual development.Speaking at a programme on Higher Education in National and International Context, Nepal said, "We talk of new Nepal but we have yet to replace our old attitudes with new ones."
However, he said that the professors should be politically conscious but not guided by politics.He underlined the need of technical, vocational and employment oriented education. "If we want to build a new Nepal, we need human resource with capacity and calibre to bring about changes in society, for which we need technical and vocational education," he said."If the country continues with the old educational policy, we better not expect any changes. There is a need of a complete overhaul of the current education policy," he said.
Prof Dr Mana Prasad Wagle presented a paper on academicians in higher education. In his paper Prof Wagle emphasised the active role of professors in higher education. Prof Dr Harsa Narayan Dhaubadel and Basudev Kafle had commented on his paper.Gobinda Raj Gajurel presented paper on Nepali examination system and Prof Dr Tirtha Parajuli commented it.
Pavlovian response to abdicate-soon remark
Himalayan News Service
PM downplays it; royalists tight-lipped
PM downplays it; royalists tight-lipped
Kathmandu, June 18:
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's widely-reported comment that if king Gyanendra and his son, crown prince Paras, abdicated, the ruling establishment could think of a minor as the monarch, triggered a knee-jerk reaction today, and Koirala, according to reports received by the newsdesk, downplayed the import of his remarks.
Reacting to Koirala's reported "suggestion" to the king and his son, Maoist generallisimo Prachanda said Koirala was trying to protect the monarchy by going against the decisions of the eight-party alliance.
Reacting to Koirala's reported "suggestion" to the king and his son, Maoist generallisimo Prachanda said Koirala was trying to protect the monarchy by going against the decisions of the eight-party alliance.
"This indicates that the Nepali Congress is against the eight-party unity and it wants to see
the monarchy continue," Prachanda told reporters after addressing Maoist MPs in Singha Durbar.
His remarks undermine the second amendment of the Interim Constitution and also intimidate the importance of the decision the parliament has taken," Prachanda said.
Prachanda said his party does not want monarchy in any form.
Prachanda also accused the government of not showing eagerness to hold a Constituent Assembly election.
"Our leader (Prachanda) called upon us to prepare for Jana Andolan-III as Jana Andolan-II could not meet our demands in reality," Maoist MP Khim Lal Devkota said.
Prachanda said that the 12-point agreement between the seven-party alliance
and the Maoists was very clear on bringing in a republican set-up.
His deputy Baburam Bhattarai called upon the MPs to create an environment that would be favourable for state restructuring.
But Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala claimed that the remarks were "misreported by the media due to low English comprehension level."
He said this while talking to a group of reporters who had gone to Koirala's residence to cover the Nepali Congress (NC) Parliamentary Party (PP) meeting.
"I was misquoted. May be the problem was I had spoken in English and the mediapersons who disseminated my views had low English comprehension level," Koirala said, whenreporters asked him about his remarks reported in THT and other dailies.
Members of a delegation which had accompanied visiting Pakistani journalists to the PM's residence yesterday had said that Koirala had told them that he had told King Gyanendra and his son Paras "to abdicate before the elections, if they were keen to see that monarchy continued in Nepal." Koirala was also reported to have said that since Gyanendra and his son Paras were unpopular among the masses, they should leave the country before the elections, or stay on as businessmen, pure and simple.
Koirala also denied having said that a minor could be picked up as the monarch if king Gyanendra and his son abdicated. Meanwhile, talking to representatives of the striking teachers, Koirala said that he was committed to holding elections by mid-December and that the nation and the people could come under a worse scenario if the elections were not held. "I have taken the responsibility of my lifetime. I will see to it that elections take place."
AFP reported UML leader Jhala Nath Khanal as saying: "The PM's attempt to save the monarchy is unacceptable. Our party has always been in favour of abolition of the monarchy and will not review our decision in the future," he said.
A thorough scanning of the Internet and news agencies failed to provide any response by the royalists or yesterday's royalists to the PM's widely-reported 'abdicate-soon' suggestion.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Koirala, Prachanda smoke the peace pipe
Maoist chairman Prachanda and his deputy Dr Baburam Bhattarai met Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter's residence this morning. They sorted out differences that had surfaced after the PM's comment on the activities of the Young Communist League (YCL) last week.
The trio agreed to form a committee under the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction to make cases of disappearances public.
A Maoist source told this daily that the PM "realised" that he should not have publicly branded the Maoists' youth wing as a criminal league. Koirala called the YCL a criminal league after the latter captured businessman Sitaram Prasain and handed him over to the police.
Prasain was wanted by the Nepal Rastra Bank for irregularities in a financial institution he chaired.
The source said the PM was "positive" on institutionalising the agenda of a republican order through constituent assembly election for which he expressed his "firm commitment."
The meeting mainly focused on the issue of republic through the election, the source added.
The leaders agreed not to make public issues on which they differ, and committed themselves to resolving those issues through dialogue.
They also agreed that the eight-party unity must be kept intact until a new constitution is drafted.
Poudel also said that a committee would be formed to make public the cases of disappearance.
According to the Human Rights Year Book, 2007 published by Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC), 783 people were disappeared by the state and 105 by the Maoists.
No question of doubting India, says Prachanda
Maoist supremo Prach-anda today said his party has no doubts on India's intentions. Prachanda had rapped India after reports appeared in the media that India favoured an alliance between the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML.
Those reports had said that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during a recent meeting with a UML delegation in New Delhi, stressed the need for a permanent alliance between the NC and the UML to ensure democracy and lasting peace in Nepal.
In a a statement issued here today, Prachanda denied his party's involvement in hurling stones at a vehicle carrying US Ambassador James F Moriarty in Jhapa. He said his party did not target any foreigner even during the decade-old conflict and it was unimaginable to do so at the time of the peace process.
"I would like to remind all that we had asked the government to investigate the Jhapa incident immediately after it occurred, "he said Prachanda and another Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai also met United Nations secretary general's personal representative, Ian Martin at his residence today and discussed the verification process of the Maoist combatants in cantonments. They agreed to start the second round of the verification at the earliest. The process has been stalled due to differences between the government and the Maoists over payment of monthly allowance to the fighters.
In the statement, Prachanda stressed the need to create a new basis for political unity among the parties. "People will not be assured of the assembly election unless the date is fixed," the statement said.
Prachanda said the government was reluctant to release political prisoners, make public the status of the disappeared, provide relief to victims of the conflict, reconstruct destroyed infrastructure and manage cantonments and combatants' allowances.
According to IANS, Prachanda also recalled India's positive role during the ongoing peace negotiations as well as New Delhi's pledged assistance to the CA election.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
SC Told to Fight Corruption in Judiciary
The Nepal Judicial Employees' Concern Committee (NJECC) on Sunday called the Supreme Court to investigate and punish the corrupt officials in the judiciary.
"The Supreme Court should act seriously on the issues mentioned by the Global Corruption Report of Transparency International-2007 and the reports published in newspapers," the NJECC said at a press conference on Sunday to make public the six-point declaration of the two-day NJECC conference.
The conference formed a new executive headed by Binod Adhikary.
"The Supreme Court should act seriously on the issues mentioned by the Global Corruption Report of Transparency International-2007 and the reports published in newspapers," the NJECC said at a press conference on Sunday to make public the six-point declaration of the two-day NJECC conference.
The conference formed a new executive headed by Binod Adhikary.
"The apex court should think about how to deliver justice effectively and to keep the judiciary clean," press release issued by NJECC chairman Adhikary, said.
The conference also called the Supreme Court to provide salary sufficient to manage their livelihood and demanded an additional 50 per cent of their salary as incentives because "they have been assisting the judges in delivery of justice."
They also demanded housing allowances and sought security for public servants and stressed on the need to promulgate the Civil Service Bill and respect Trade Union rights as guaranteed by the Interim Constitution 2007
Nepali Tourism Promotion in SE Asian Countries
The stakeholders of Nepali tourism industry are organising South East Asia Sales mission in three countries beginning from June 5.
The mission, which is targeted at the outbound travellers potential in the South East Asia Region, is being jointly organised by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and PATA Nepal Chapter in cooperation with Nepali embassy in Thailand, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), and Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) in three countries - Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. The event will last till June 8.
The programme is scheduled for June 5 in Bangkok, where Lumbini- the birthplace of Lord Buddha and Buddhist pilgrimage sites are going to be highlighted as the major attractions. Likewise, being also a pioneer country in adventure activities, Nepal will be focusing its soft adventure attractions, too. The sales mission also aims to promote the idea of - exchange the tang of mountain with beaches - among the visitors' experience of the two countries.
In Malaysia and Singapore, the road show will be graced by Prithvi Subba Gurung, minister for culture, tourism and civil aviation. Madhav Prasad Ghimire, secretary of ministry of culture, tourism and civil aviation is scheduled to address the road show in Singapore.
During the road show, Mt Everest summiteers from Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia will be felicitated. The organisers say that the event would help fetch more tourists to Nepal from this region.
Recently, numerous international airlines have increased flight frequencies to Kathmandu, and some new ones have also started their operations to Nepal. The positive trend in international visitors' arrival to Nepal continued with a staggering growth of 78.8 per cent in April 2007.
This is a record high growth by air route in April since 2002. Asian countries (Japan, China, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand) have contributed a substantial growth of 137.4 per cent.
The Nepali delegation will be led by NTB and PATA Nepal along with 12 private companies during the event.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Oil Supply Situation to Normalise by Monday: Mahato
At a time when the whole country is reeling under a severe petroleum supply crisis, Rajendra Mahato, minister for industry, commerce and supplies on Saturday claimed that supply would be back to normal within a couple of days.
However, his claim after the state-run petroleum entity - Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) yesterday warned that the supply of petroleum products would worsen further unless an immediate arrangement to clear the dues of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is made.
Speaking at an interaction organised by the Reporters' Club here on Saturday, Mahato said that the government would clear the last two months' dues of about one billion rupees to the IOC by Monday. "The government, in principal, has agreed to release Rs 1.0 billion to clear dues and import bills for the months of April and May," he informed.
He further said that the senior leaders of eight ruling parties have been apprised about the supply situation and NOC's financial condition. "The present crisis, mainly, is due to our inability to pay the dues on time," Mahato said, adding that the government has now left with two options either support NOC with Rs 500 million each month or adjust the prices of the petro products at par with the international price.
He, however, said that final decision to adjust the prices of petroleum products lies with the eight parties and the government. "If the eight-party alliance gives a green signal, government will make a gradual upward adjustment in prices. So, people won't feel a huge burden of price hike," Mahato said.
He also disclosed that options have been sought to involve private sector for the trading of petroleum products. "At the beginning, government plans to handover the trading of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to private parties," he said.
To ensure smooth supply of the petroleum products, the government needs to provide the NOC with financial support of about Rs 4 billion, if the prices are kept static unless the constituent assembly elections is held. The support is required to meet the monthly losses of Rs 254.8 million and additional payment of Rs 240 million to clear dues to IOC.
According to him, NOC's current total liabilities stand at Rs 10.20 billion including Rs 5.96 billion dues of IOC and Rs 4.26 loans of various domestic financial institutions.
Most petrol pumps went dry four days back, while the NOC's stock yesterday dropped to an all-time-low at 'dead stock' level. NOC has already stopped distribution of petroleum products from Friday evening in the valley, stating that it cannot use the dead stock.
However, his claim after the state-run petroleum entity - Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) yesterday warned that the supply of petroleum products would worsen further unless an immediate arrangement to clear the dues of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is made.
Speaking at an interaction organised by the Reporters' Club here on Saturday, Mahato said that the government would clear the last two months' dues of about one billion rupees to the IOC by Monday. "The government, in principal, has agreed to release Rs 1.0 billion to clear dues and import bills for the months of April and May," he informed.
He further said that the senior leaders of eight ruling parties have been apprised about the supply situation and NOC's financial condition. "The present crisis, mainly, is due to our inability to pay the dues on time," Mahato said, adding that the government has now left with two options either support NOC with Rs 500 million each month or adjust the prices of the petro products at par with the international price.
He, however, said that final decision to adjust the prices of petroleum products lies with the eight parties and the government. "If the eight-party alliance gives a green signal, government will make a gradual upward adjustment in prices. So, people won't feel a huge burden of price hike," Mahato said.
He also disclosed that options have been sought to involve private sector for the trading of petroleum products. "At the beginning, government plans to handover the trading of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to private parties," he said.
To ensure smooth supply of the petroleum products, the government needs to provide the NOC with financial support of about Rs 4 billion, if the prices are kept static unless the constituent assembly elections is held. The support is required to meet the monthly losses of Rs 254.8 million and additional payment of Rs 240 million to clear dues to IOC.
According to him, NOC's current total liabilities stand at Rs 10.20 billion including Rs 5.96 billion dues of IOC and Rs 4.26 loans of various domestic financial institutions.
Most petrol pumps went dry four days back, while the NOC's stock yesterday dropped to an all-time-low at 'dead stock' level. NOC has already stopped distribution of petroleum products from Friday evening in the valley, stating that it cannot use the dead stock.
SCHOOL SHUTDOWN: Cops rain lathis,talks under cloud
Agitating teachers who were staging a sit-in in front of the Ministry of Education and Sports today clashed with the police, jeopardising the talks between the representatives of the protesting unions and the authorities scheduled for tomorrow.
More than 80 persons were injured in police lathicharge on the demonstrators who were trying to burn the effigy of Minister for Education and Sports Pradip Nepal. The police even had to fire at least 18 teargas shells at Keshar Mahal chowk and Ratnapark to disperse the protesters. The police said they had to act after the agitators mercilessly beat up a man saying he was a vigilante. "When we tried to rescue the man, they pelted stones at us," a police official said.
After the incident the agitating Nepal Educational Republican Forum, Institutional School Teachers Union and the student unions organised a chakka jam from 3 pm to 5 pm in Chabahil, Gyaneshwor, Koteshwor, Bhotahity, Maharajgunj, Teku, Satdobato and Ekantakuna. It took two more hours before the smooth flow of traffic was restored.
Umesh Shrestha, president of PABSON, said the incident could affect the dialogue scheduled for tomorrow. However, NERF president Gunaraj Lohani said, "The education minister should apologise for police action." He said the ministry should meet the treatment expenses of those injured.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Education and Sports Mohan Singh Rathore said the incident should not hamper the dialogue.
More than 80 persons were injured in police lathicharge on the demonstrators who were trying to burn the effigy of Minister for Education and Sports Pradip Nepal. The police even had to fire at least 18 teargas shells at Keshar Mahal chowk and Ratnapark to disperse the protesters. The police said they had to act after the agitators mercilessly beat up a man saying he was a vigilante. "When we tried to rescue the man, they pelted stones at us," a police official said.
After the incident the agitating Nepal Educational Republican Forum, Institutional School Teachers Union and the student unions organised a chakka jam from 3 pm to 5 pm in Chabahil, Gyaneshwor, Koteshwor, Bhotahity, Maharajgunj, Teku, Satdobato and Ekantakuna. It took two more hours before the smooth flow of traffic was restored.
Umesh Shrestha, president of PABSON, said the incident could affect the dialogue scheduled for tomorrow. However, NERF president Gunaraj Lohani said, "The education minister should apologise for police action." He said the ministry should meet the treatment expenses of those injured.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Education and Sports Mohan Singh Rathore said the incident should not hamper the dialogue.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
King has become a commoner: PM
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala today said his party, the Nepali Congress, would announce its stance on the future of monarchy before the Constituent Assembly election.
He also told Nepali journalists here that the king's status currently is that of a common man.
The PM said that the issue of the king and monarchy as a whole were part of his main agenda while approaching the people for the CA polls.
Replying to a query on whether King Gyanendra would allow the polls to be held in the country, Koirala said that currently the king's status is that of a civilian and that there is nothing to fear from him. "Whom are you talking about? King Gyanendra or Gyanendra? Be sure of his designation; he is like any civilian now," he said.
On the unification of the two Congress parties, Koirala said he would resume serious talks on the merger after he returns to Kathmandu. Stating that talks at various levels were on for resolving the Tarai problem, Koirala said he himself would chair the talks if need be. Koirala also said the coalition government should continue for the next few years in view of the country's weak economy.
On the Bhutanese refugee issue, he said he suggested the Bhutanese PM that he give the international community a surprise by simply inducting the refugees into the democratic process of Bhutan. The Bhutanese PM was positive, Koirala said.
Also today, Koirala met former Indian PM Atal Behari Vajpayee. The duo discussed the peace process in Nepal, the Tarai agitation and monarchy, the PM's foreign affairs advisor Dr Suresh Chalise said.
Koirala told Vajpayee that Indian cooperation was essential for holding the CA polls. Vajpayee assured Koirala of his cooperation in resolving the Tarai issue, Dr Chalise said.
He also told Nepali journalists here that the king's status currently is that of a common man.
The PM said that the issue of the king and monarchy as a whole were part of his main agenda while approaching the people for the CA polls.
Replying to a query on whether King Gyanendra would allow the polls to be held in the country, Koirala said that currently the king's status is that of a civilian and that there is nothing to fear from him. "Whom are you talking about? King Gyanendra or Gyanendra? Be sure of his designation; he is like any civilian now," he said.
On the unification of the two Congress parties, Koirala said he would resume serious talks on the merger after he returns to Kathmandu. Stating that talks at various levels were on for resolving the Tarai problem, Koirala said he himself would chair the talks if need be. Koirala also said the coalition government should continue for the next few years in view of the country's weak economy.
On the Bhutanese refugee issue, he said he suggested the Bhutanese PM that he give the international community a surprise by simply inducting the refugees into the democratic process of Bhutan. The Bhutanese PM was positive, Koirala said.
Also today, Koirala met former Indian PM Atal Behari Vajpayee. The duo discussed the peace process in Nepal, the Tarai agitation and monarchy, the PM's foreign affairs advisor Dr Suresh Chalise said.
Koirala told Vajpayee that Indian cooperation was essential for holding the CA polls. Vajpayee assured Koirala of his cooperation in resolving the Tarai issue, Dr Chalise said.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Locals protest Maoist vandalism
Civilians and students at Ramnagar (Mirchaiya), protesting the Maoists' destruction of a private school building, today disrupted traffic on the highway for three hours - from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.
They demanded that the Maoists apologise for their act, return looted goods and restrict their entrance in the educational sector.
Traffic resumed after the local administration, the Maoists and the school administration agreed to hold a trialogue on April 23, the Mirchaiya area police office (APO) said.
Local Maoist cadres destroyed the building of Chandra Jyoti School that was being constructed by Dhaniklal Shah and Kishor Khatiwada on 10 katthas of land at Mirchaiya-4 at 11 pm on Tuesday. The Maoists took the construction materials away on a tractor.
"The Maoists were threatening since the start of the construction of the school building," Dhaniklal Shah said, adding that they had been claiming that the land belonged to Shova Shahi of the royal family. Shah and Khatiwada claimed that they purchased the land from Birenda Shah of Kalyanpur for Rs 30 lakhs last year.
Meanwhile, Maoist district secretary Abinash said that the land belonged to a relative of the royal family. "Our cadres stopped construction of the building.
Their stance was that the building should not be built on that land at a time when the process of nationalising the property of royal family has been initiated," he added
They demanded that the Maoists apologise for their act, return looted goods and restrict their entrance in the educational sector.
Traffic resumed after the local administration, the Maoists and the school administration agreed to hold a trialogue on April 23, the Mirchaiya area police office (APO) said.
Local Maoist cadres destroyed the building of Chandra Jyoti School that was being constructed by Dhaniklal Shah and Kishor Khatiwada on 10 katthas of land at Mirchaiya-4 at 11 pm on Tuesday. The Maoists took the construction materials away on a tractor.
"The Maoists were threatening since the start of the construction of the school building," Dhaniklal Shah said, adding that they had been claiming that the land belonged to Shova Shahi of the royal family. Shah and Khatiwada claimed that they purchased the land from Birenda Shah of Kalyanpur for Rs 30 lakhs last year.
Meanwhile, Maoist district secretary Abinash said that the land belonged to a relative of the royal family. "Our cadres stopped construction of the building.
Their stance was that the building should not be built on that land at a time when the process of nationalising the property of royal family has been initiated," he added
Saturday, April 07, 2007
King has become a commoner: PM
King has become a commoner: PM
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala today said his party, the Nepali Congress, would announce its stance on the future of monarchy before the Constituent Assembly election.
He also told Nepali journalists here that the king's status currently is that of a common man.
The PM said that the issue of the king and monarchy as a whole were part of his main agenda while approaching the people for the CA polls.
Replying to a query on whether King Gyanendra would allow the polls to be held in the country, Koirala said that currently the king's status is that of a civilian and that there is nothing to fear from him. "Whom are you talking about? King Gyanendra or Gyanendra? Be sure of his designation; he is like any civilian now," he said.
On the unification of the two Congress parties, Koirala said he would resume serious talks on the merger after he returns to Kathmandu. Stating that talks at various levels were on for resolving the Tarai problem, Koirala said he himself would chair the talks if need be. Koirala also said the coalition government should continue for the next few years in view of the country's weak economy.
On the Bhutanese refugee issue, he said he suggested the Bhutanese PM that he give the international community a surprise by simply inducting the refugees into the democratic process of Bhutan. The Bhutanese PM was positive, Koirala said.
Also today, Koirala met former Indian PM Atal Behari Vajpayee. The duo discussed the peace process in Nepal, the Tarai agitation and monarchy, the PM's foreign affairs advisor Dr Suresh Chalise said.
Koirala told Vajpayee that Indian cooperation was essential for holding the CA polls. Vajpayee assured Koirala of his cooperation in resolving the Tarai issue, Dr Chalise said.
He also told Nepali journalists here that the king's status currently is that of a common man.
The PM said that the issue of the king and monarchy as a whole were part of his main agenda while approaching the people for the CA polls.
Replying to a query on whether King Gyanendra would allow the polls to be held in the country, Koirala said that currently the king's status is that of a civilian and that there is nothing to fear from him. "Whom are you talking about? King Gyanendra or Gyanendra? Be sure of his designation; he is like any civilian now," he said.
On the unification of the two Congress parties, Koirala said he would resume serious talks on the merger after he returns to Kathmandu. Stating that talks at various levels were on for resolving the Tarai problem, Koirala said he himself would chair the talks if need be. Koirala also said the coalition government should continue for the next few years in view of the country's weak economy.
On the Bhutanese refugee issue, he said he suggested the Bhutanese PM that he give the international community a surprise by simply inducting the refugees into the democratic process of Bhutan. The Bhutanese PM was positive, Koirala said.
Also today, Koirala met former Indian PM Atal Behari Vajpayee. The duo discussed the peace process in Nepal, the Tarai agitation and monarchy, the PM's foreign affairs advisor Dr Suresh Chalise said.
Koirala told Vajpayee that Indian cooperation was essential for holding the CA polls. Vajpayee assured Koirala of his cooperation in resolving the Tarai issue, Dr Chalise said.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
अन्तरिम सरकार गठनबारेको वार्ता लम्बियो
| अन्तरिम सरकार गठनबारेको वार्ता लम्बियो | ||||
| माओवादी सहितको अन्तरिम सरकार बनाउने कुरा फेरि लम्बिएको छ। यो विषयमा निर्णय गर्ने अपेक्षा गरिएको आठदलका शीर्ष नेताहरूको बुधवारको बैठकमा सरकार बनाउने बारे कुरै भएन। माओवादी ज्यादतीको विरोधमा एक्कासी चर्केको उद्योगी र व्यापारीहरूको सडक आन्दोलन र रौतहटमा माओवादी कार्यकर्ता र मधेशी जनअधिकार फोरमका कार्यकर्ताबीच भएको रक्तपातपूर्ण भीडन्तको छायाँमा परेको सो बैठक तिनै दुई विषयमा केन्द्रित रहेको थियो। छानवीन उद्योगी र व्यापारीहरूलाई सुरक्षा दिने र रौतहट गोली काण्डको छानबीन गर्ने दुइ प्रमुख निर्णय गर्दै बैठक सकिएको थियो। सहभागी एकजना नेता नेकपा एमालेका झलनाथ खनालका अनुसार अन्तरिम सरकारको गठनको कुरा एजेन्डामा नै परेन। प्रधानमन्त्री गिरिजाप्रसाद कोइराला र माओवादी अध्यक्ष प्रचण्डकाबीच अन्तरिम सरकार गठन गर्नेबारे अनौपचारिक कुराकानी भएको थियो, तर मन्त्रालय बाँडफाँडबारे बल्झिएको विवादको समाधान निस्कन सकेन। बरू प्रधानमन्त्री कोइरालाले अन्य दलका प्रमुख नेताहरूसंग बिहिवार र शुक्रवार थप परामर्श गर्ने तय भएको बताइएको छ। माओवादी अध्यक्ष प्रचण्ड बिहिवार पार्टी कार्यक्रमका सिलसिलामा जुम्ला जाने भएकाले शीर्ष नेताहरूको अर्को बैठक शुक्रवार मात्र हुनेछ। निर्णायक हुने भनिएको उक्त बैठकपछि मात्र अन्तरिम सरकारको टुंगो लाग्ने आठदलका नेताहरूको भनाइ छ। काठमाण्डौंस्थित बीबीसीका एक संवाददाता भन्छन्, "यस्तो भनाइ पटक, पटक गलत सावित भएकाले माओवादी सहितको अन्तरिम सरकार गठन गर्ने कुरा अझै पनि अनिश्चयको घेरामा छ।" http://www.bbc.co.uk/nepali/news/story/2007/03/070321_int_govt_talks.shtml | ||||
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