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.
Friday, June 22, 2007
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 | ||||
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Nepal's PM pledges federal state
Nepal's PM pledges federal state
Nepal's prime minister, Girija Prasad Koirala, has pledged that a future Nepal will be federal in nature.
This is one of the main demands of southern Nepalese who have been demonstrating for the last two weeks.
Eight people have died in the protests. However, there have already been protests saying the prime minister has not conceded enough.
Nepal recently formed an interim coalition after its King abdicated power ending a decade long civil war.
Mr Koirala did not mention by name the Madhesis, or southern Nepalese, whose ongoing protests have resulted in the deaths.
But he did say all problems must be solved through dialogue, and that he had instructed a minister to form a committee to initiate this.
Devolution required
Madhesis are very much under-represented in government structures. One of their demands is for devolved, federal-style government.
Mr Koirala has now promised that a new permanent constitution, due to be written by an assembly elected later this year, will make Nepal a federal state.
He has also said he accedes to another of their demands, which is to increase the number of electoral constituencies in densely populated areas.
These include the southern plains.
Demonstrators in one southern city, Janakpur, have already staged protests against Mr Koirala's speech saying it does not go far enough.
An indefinite curfew in another city, Biratnagar, has already lasted more than 24 hours.
A BBC correspondent there says Madhesi protestors armed with bows and arrows are defying it.
Others have set a police station on fire. Police responded with teargas and live rounds.
Many of the southern protests have been peaceful but a steady stream of northern hill people who were living in the south have started fleeing their homes after being threatened.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Timeline: Nepal's political turmoil
Timeline: Nepal's political turmoil by Aljazeera.com
As Nepal prepares to hold municipal elections, Maoist rebels accuse the King of using the poll to consolidate power since he assumed total power a year ago.
Here is a chronology of the main events in Nepal's turbulent struggle for democracy. 1991: Multiparty democracy is established in
February 1996: The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) begins the Nepalese People's War in the west of the country.
June 2001: Crown Prince Dipendra guns down his parents King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya and seven other members of the royal family before turning the gun on himself. He dies two days later without regaining consciousness but under Nepalese law, was king during that time. His brother Gyanendra accedes to the throne.
2002: King Gyanendra sacks the government led by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for failing to quell the Maoist rebellion.
June 2004: Deuba is reappointed as prime minister.
2005
1 February: King Gyanendra sacks the government again and assumes total power initially for three years, appointing a new cabinet loyal to the Monarchy.
3 February: The King bans all dissent on his decision to assume power.
14 February: Maoist rebels begin a two week nationwide road blockade in protest against the King's seizure of power. Extra troops are ordered to police highways.
1 March: At least 70 Maoist rebels and four members of
20 March: 149 political activists are arrested across
8 April: 50 Maoist rebels are killed as 500 activists are arrested during pro-democracy rallies.
30 April: Gyanendra lifts the state of emergency he imposed upon seizure of power.
10 August: Maoists accused of blowing up a bus, killing at least 53 people, most of them civilians.
3 September: Maoists announce a three month unilateral ceasefire.
September: Police arrest hundreds of pro-democracy protestors. Activists vow to continue their campaign to restore democracy.
15 December: A soldiers kills 12 civilians after a row with villagers causing an alliance of the country's seven main political parties to call for a general strike in
16 December: Shops, schools and public transport come to a standstill as citizens obey call for a general strike.
2006
6 January: Louise Arbour, the UN human rights commissioner, urges rebels and government forces to stop fighting.
12 January: Around 150,000 people take part in the largest anti-monarchy rally to date.
20 January: Thousands of troops are stationed in
22 January: Hundreds of political activists are detained by police amid calls from the main political parties for a further strike.
1 February: Amnesty International calls on Gyanendra to release nearly 900 activists held in the run-up to the first anniversary of his seizure of power.
5 February: Maoists order a seven-day general strike, one of the longets ever by the rebels.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Nepal approves new constitution
Nepal has approved a new, temporary constitution to bring former rebel Maoists into an interim parliament and strip the king of his executive powers in favour of the prime minister.
The speaker of the lower house of parliament says the proposed interim constitution has been unanimously approved after no 'nays' were heard during voice voting.
The new parliament with 83 former rebel members is due to meet for the first time later today.
The speaker of the lower house of parliament says the proposed interim constitution has been unanimously approved after no 'nays' were heard during voice voting.
The new parliament with 83 former rebel members is due to meet for the first time later today.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
NepalBlogsNetwork celebrates a year of blogging!!!
NepalBlogsNetwork
...for better Nepal
...for better Nepal
URL: http://NepalBlogsNetwork.blogspot.com
Email: StoriesFromNepal@gmail.com
Total Blogs: 23 till 15/12/2006
Arena: Politics, Photography, Reality Stories, Culture, Cities, Personal
Varities: Blogs from Nepal, US, India, UK, China, Slovakia
Email: StoriesFromNepal@gmail.com
Total Blogs: 23 till 15/12/2006
Arena: Politics, Photography, Reality Stories, Culture, Cities, Personal
Varities: Blogs from Nepal, US, India, UK, China, Slovakia
You're all invited!!!
NepalBlogsNetwork proudly invites you to join to the network. It is a freelancer's organization in the internet dedicated to blogs associated or related with Nepal or respective concern.
Recently till December 15, 2006, 23 blogs are associated with it.
Recently till December 15, 2006, 23 blogs are associated with it.
Who can join?
You can join the network in any of the following conditions:
i. you have a blog that entails directly or indirectly about Nepal.
ii. you're a nepali or want to contribute to Nepalis blogs in the internet.
iii.you want to register your blog to NepalBlogsNetwork.
iV. you want to put NepalBlogsNetwork logo to your blog.
v. you want to control blogs under this network.
i. you have a blog that entails directly or indirectly about Nepal.
ii. you're a nepali or want to contribute to Nepalis blogs in the internet.
iii.you want to register your blog to NepalBlogsNetwork.
iV. you want to put NepalBlogsNetwork logo to your blog.
v. you want to control blogs under this network.
How to join?
Simply send an email to the administrator of NepalBlogsNetwork at StoriesFromNepal@gmail.com with subject JOIN NEPALBLOGSNETWORK.
i. include your blog's complete URL.
ii. include your valid email address.
iii.send most recent post at your blog or URL of the most recent post.
i. include your blog's complete URL.
ii. include your valid email address.
iii.send most recent post at your blog or URL of the most recent post.
What you get?
By joining NepalBlogsNetwork, you get lifetime benefits. Joining the Network means helping Nepal progress.
i. you get listed in directory of NepalBlogsNetwork, updated each Friday.
ii. share what and how can Nepal progress.
iii.get know other blogger's concerned with Nepal all round the world.
iv. find yourself go ahead in Nepalis arena of effective work implementation.
v. you get to display NepalBlogsNetwork logo in your blog.
i. you get listed in directory of NepalBlogsNetwork, updated each Friday.
ii. share what and how can Nepal progress.
iii.get know other blogger's concerned with Nepal all round the world.
iv. find yourself go ahead in Nepalis arena of effective work implementation.
v. you get to display NepalBlogsNetwork logo in your blog.
It's simple, you can share anything you want good or bad. Just show that your concern Nepal.
Thanking for your active participation.
Administrator,
NepalBlogsNetwork
Administrator,
NepalBlogsNetwork
-----------------------------
Few of our recommendation:
http://bloggingnepal.blogspot.com/
http://politicalnepal.blogspot.com/
http://nepal2006.blogspot.com/
http://pokhara.wordpress.com/
http://kathmandurocks.blogspot.com/
Friday, January 05, 2007
शोभातालका मुक्त कमैयाहरू ब्यवस्थित
पश्चिम नेपालको पाँच जिल्ला र राजधानी काठमाण्डौमा जुलुस धर्ना गर्दै विरोधमा उत्रेका मुक्त कमैयाहरूको आन्दोलन सरकारसंग सहमति भएपछि बिहीवारदेखि टुङ्गिएको छ।
पुनर्स्थापना हुन बाँकी झण्डै १८ हजार परिवारको पुनर्स्थापनाको माग गर्दै आन्दोलनमा उत्रेका ती परिवारहरूले यसअघि पनि सरकारसंग सहमति गरेका थिए।
सरकारसंग दोश्रो पटक भएको यो सहमति कार्यान्वयन हुन्छ या हुँदैन भन्ने बाँकी रहँदा कन्चनपुर जिल्लाको शोभाताल शिविरका एक हजार भन्दा बढी मुक्त कमैया तीन वर्षअघि ब्यवस्थित भएदेखि खुसी छन्।
३३२ परिवार मुक्त कमैयालाई सरकारी संस्थामा आवद्ध गराई जोत्न ट्र्याक्टर र पानीका लागी बोरिङ् र पम्पिङ् सेट उपलब्ध गराइदिएपछि थोरै भउपनि उनीहरूलाई आफ्नै जग्गामा खेतीपाती गर्न सुविधा भएको थियो।
मेहनतको फल
एकजना मुक्त कमैयाले बीबीसीलाई भने, ''घर सर सबै पाइयो, आफ्नो खुट्टामा उभिएका छौं जस्तो लागिरा'छ आजकाल। बच्चाहरू काममा पनि गैराखेका छन्। स्कूल पनि पढीरहेका छन्।''
सामूहिक रुपमा बेमौसमी तरकारी उत्पादन गरी छोराछोरीको पढाइ र घर परिवार चलाइरहेका उनीहरू विगतलाई सम्झिन पनि चाहँदैनन्।
ती परिवारहरू यतिखेर आफूहरूलाई जस्तै गैह्रसरकारी क्षेत्रको योजना अनि सहयोग हाल आन्दोलनमा उत्रिएका छूट मुक्त कमैया परिवारका लागि पनि सरकारी र गैह्रसरकारी क्षेत्रबाट गरिनुपर्छ भन्ने माग गरिरहेका छन्।
६ बर्षअघि मुक्त भएका कैलाली, कन्चनपुर, बांके, बर्दिया र दाङ्ग जिल्लाका ३५ हजार मुक्त कमैयाहरू मध्ये १२ हजार परिवारलाई सरकारले प्रति परिवार ५/५ कठ्ठा जग्गा, घर बनाउन १०/१० हजार नगद र काठ समेत उपलब्ध गराएको थियो।
सहयोगी संघसंस्था र मुक्त कमैया परिवारहरूका अनुसार झण्डै तीन हजार परिवारले परिचयपत्र र १८ हजार परिवारले जग्गा समेत पाउन सकीरहेका छैनन्।
Monday, December 18, 2006
Maternal mortality major problem in Nepal: World Disaster Report
World Disaster Report 2006 has projected maternal mortality as major problem in Nepal.
The report, released here Monday in a programme organized by Nepal Red Cross Society has stated maternal mortality in Nepal as disaster.
Statistics presented by the Ministry of Health and Population states that 539 women among each hundred thousand die in Nepal at the time of giving birth.
Releasing the report president of the society Ramesh Kumar Sharma explained about the efforts made to contain the maternal mortality.
Humanitarian Coordinator and Resident Coordinator of the UN system in Nepal Matthew Kahane suggested to pay attention in standard rural health service.
Editor of the report Jonathan Walter, General Secretary of the society Dev Ratna Dhakhwa, Coordinator, Health Sector Reform Unit at Ministry of Health Dr. Baburam Marasini, Dr. Indira Basnet also spoke on problems of maternal and child mortality in Nepal.
"Globally, unsafe motherhood silently steals over half a million lives a year. In Nepal, between 5,000 and 6,000 mothers die each year in childbirth. This death toll of one woman every 90 minutes makes Nepal one of the deadliest places in the world to give birth – yet their plight goes unreported," the report says.
"Meanwhile, an estimated 30,000 babies a year die before they are a month old. Behind these hidden tragedies lie delays in seeking care, delays in reaching a healthcare facility and delays in accessing adequate treatment at the facility," the report has added.
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