Trouble brewing in NC
Koirala asked to relinquish premiership or NC leadership

By Binaj Gurubacharya

KATHMANDU, Aug 7 - Just four months after the change in premiership, trouble has hit the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) once again with at least five dozen party lawmakers beginning a signature campaign against Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

These rebelling lawmakers have not made public their actual demands or the number of people they have in their force. However, signatories told The Kathmandu Post that they want Koirala to either let go of the premiership or the party presidentship.

Koirala has declined to comply with the demand. Instead he met NC lawmakers at his official resident at Baluwatar today and told them that he would not step down.

According to the lawmakers present there, Koirala told them that there was no need for a signature campaign to change the party president and if they wanted to oust him from the position of the prime minister, then they could show majority and only do that through a vote of no-confidence in the parliamentary party.

The party's general convention is scheduled for later this year that will choose the party president.

Among the people who were present and expressed their views was Minister for Water Resources Khum Bahadur Khadka who is leading the signature campaign against Koirala.

"I believe that the same person should not hold two key positions and that has been my stand from the beginning. The party presidentship should be passed on to the second generation," Khadka told the gathering.

Koirala had assumed office in March after ousting his long time friend turned foe Krishna Prasad Bhattarai from office he held since NC won the general election in May last year.

Members close to Koirala had rebelled against Bhattarai and twice filed proposals of no-confidence against him at the parliamentary party seeking change in leadership. These rebels had accused Bhattarai of failing as a leader, maintain peace and security in the country and control corruption even among the members of the cabinet.

Bhattarai did resign in the second bid but Koirala had to fight an unexpected battle for the position of the leader of the parliamentary party with former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

Despite losing the election in voting, Deuba managed to clearly establish himself as the next on the pipeline to take over the party leadership and the only challenger to Koirala's grip on power in the party.

The years of tussle between Koirala and Bhattarai suddenly shifted to prospects of future battle between Koirala and Deuba. Deuba, beside having his own following, has now the support of Bhattarai's people too, making it even more difficult for Koirala to maintain his domination in the party.

Though conflicts and controversies are nothing new for the nations's most prominent party, supporters had expected things to settle down for a while with Koirala assuming the prime minister's office and Deuba not strong enough at the moment to topple Koirala.

However, when Koirala took over the office, he appointed many people from the Bhattarai camp too irking his own supporters who had expressed disgruntle over the move.

According to sources close to the prime minister, Khadka initiated the signature campaign against Koirala after he was criticized for his poor performance as the Minister for Water Resources in the review of the ministries conducted by the prime minister's office. Khadka instead demanded that he be appointed the Home Minister.

Minister Khadka, however, was not available for comments.

To resolve the situation, Koirala today proposed a reshuffle in the cabinet to include some people from the rebel camp. Bhattarai has already refused to the proposal.

Bhattarai is seeking complete dissolution of the Central Working Committee to be replaced by an ad-hoc committee that for now would choose an acting president and conduct the party's general convention scheduled for November this year.

Due to the situation in the party, the scheduled cabinet meeting held every Monday morning was not held today.

Encephalitis claims 3 in Kailali

TIKAPUR, Aug 7 (PR)- Three persons have died due to encephalitis in this mid-western Terai district since the monsoon started, doctors here said.

Out of 18 patients hospitalised at the Seti Regional Hospital, so far 2 persons have died while 10 others have returned home after recovery, according to Min Bahadur Saud, assistant administrator of the hospital. At preset 6 more encephalitis patients are being treated  in the hospital.

Another person suffering from encephalitis died at Tikapur health post recently.   Ram Dulare Chaudhary, 56, died because of the disease and one more patient is being treated in the hospital, chief of Primary Health Post Hom Nath Dahal said.

Medics say although encephalitis cases have not increased this time compared to last year, the danger is not over yet as there are  still chances of outbreak of the disease till October.

Rampant corruption in teachers' appointment All public school vacancies freezed

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, Aug 7 - The rampant corruption in the appointment of thousands of teachers around the country by the members of Parliament using their influence has finally prompted the Ministry of Education and Sports to freeze all the vacancies in public schools.

"The MPs would demand vacancy letter from the Ministry and carry it in their pocket, and they would provide it only if we were ready to appoint their henchmen" said a District Education Officer (DEO), requesting anonymity.

At present, all the 75 DEOs in the country are in the capital attending a workshop organised by the Ministry.

The teacher appointment process in the districts have been very irregular, with a few districts are running short of the teachers and in others there are five times more than required.

It is learnt that the District Education Officers (DEOs) have been successful in providing salaries to any number of teachers due to the lack of coordination between two units within the Ministry, responsible for providing the salary and keeping the records of number of teachers required in each district.

Chandra Bahadur Khadka, Director General at Department of Education (DoE), told The Kathmandu Post that in at least 15-20 districts, the DEOs were found to recruit more teachers than the vacancies earmarked for them. "If DoE creates four vacancies, as many as 20 are appointed," he cited an example.

However, with the new decision, the Ministry is hopeful to curb the malpractice.  "The Ministry has asked the DEOs to furnish all information regarding teachers' recruitment," said Chuman Singh Basnet, Joint Secretary and Spokesman at the Ministry. "We have asked the teacher-student ratio, number of teachers per subject and the addition of new schools."

Basnet said only after a thorough study of the statistics of the school teachers will the Ministry take the next step. He declined to spell out the "step" and provide the statistics.

However, Basnet said that they would respond to the vacancies of those districts that would send the details. "We will treat it on first come first serve basis," he added.

Maoists rule out immediate dialogue with government

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, Aug 7 - Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) today ruled out immediate talks with the government, confirming that it received a letter sent by former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

Deuba, who heads a High-Level Commission formed to bring the underground rebels to the negotiating table, had sent a letter to the Maoists' leaders last month.

While condemning the government's accord reached during Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's recent India visit to jointly curb terrorism activities in Nepal, the underground party, however, reiterated that it was in favour of talks.

"We want to make it clear that it would not be reasonable to send our representatives to hold talks as the government has failed to create the minimum environment," said a press release signed by Maoist General Secretary, Prachanda.

"The government seems to be intent on triggering civil war in the country, and destroying the minimum environment required to holding talks, rather than creating the environment."

Cessation of "war crimes" and relaxation in other measures taken by the government to quell the insurgency will form the basis for creating the minimum environment, say human rights activists.

"But, we want to reiterate that we will definitely send our representatives for talks, provided there is the minimum environment," the release said warning: "If the government's suppression of innocent people is to continue, the Girija-led government will have to bear all the responsibilities for the consequencies."

The release added, "The Koirala government's recent move to seek support with India to quell our `people's movement' during PM's recent India has made it clear that the Koirala-led government is going more and more against the nation and the people."

During his week-long official visit to India that started August 1, Koirala raised the issue of Maoists' base in India, and sought support of the Indian government to defeat Nepali Maoists' activities there.

Stating that the underground party had taken the attempts of Deuba, and various human rights groups positively, CPN (Maoist) has also expressed concerns over "state terrorism in the country sponsored by the government, and the government's priority to trigger the incidents of killing."

"Instead of creating the minimum environment for talks as suggested by the human rights activists and  the majority of the people, the government is causing `Bara massacre' and other massacres, triggering incidents of killings, leading to disappearances of dozens of our party colleagues including Comrades Matrika Yadav and Chitra Narayan Shrestha, and allocating billions of rupees buying arms and ammunition," Prachanda said in the release.

The government and the underground Maoist party, which has been waging 'people's war' since 1996, have in recent times exchanged letters to hold talks.

The over four-and-half-year-old war has already killed over 1,300 people, including police personnel, innocent people and Maoists.

Cheaters held

KATHMANDU, Aug 7  (RSS) -  The Standards and Weights Bagmati Zonal Office in Kathmandu has taken action against 1,823 businessmen in eight districts who used irregular standards and weights, during the fiscal year 2056- 2057 BS.

Similarly, 3,911 taxi and 10-12 tempo drivers have also been punished for tampering with the meters and over charging.

The office dispatched inspection teams to eight districts and inspected  64,524  weights, 10,224  balances,  13,380 litre measures and 960 meter rods.

The office also fined four gas companies selling under-weight (less than the specified 14 kgs and 200 grams) and 11 businessmen who sold under weight cement bags and collected revenue of Rs 1,556, 138, a 13 percent increase over last year's collection.

Bill passed

KATHMANDU, Aug 7 (RSS) - The House of Representatives at its meeting today passed the Martyr Gangalal National Heart Center Bill 2057 and the Cooperatives (first amendment) Bill 2057.

At the meeting, Health Minister Dr Ram Baran Yadav tabled the Martyr Gangalal National Heart  Center Bill along with the report of the population and social committee,  while Minister of State for Agriculture and Cooperatives Baldev Sharma Majgaiya tabled the Cooperatives (first amendment) Bill along with the report of the Natural Means and Resources Committee.

Also at the meeting today, Chairman of the Population and Social Committee Narendra Bahadur Bam tabled the Nepal Pharmacy Council Bill 2056 along with the   committee's report on the Bill.

Paras Shah's Pajero kills musician Gurung

By Kedar Ojha

KATHMANDU, Aug 7 - Musician Praveen Gurung died here last night after his motorbike was hit by a blue Pajero, allegedly driven by Prince Paras Shah, with the number plate Ba. 3 Cha. 692 near the eastern gate of the Royal Palace, police sources said.

The blue Pajero registered under the name of King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation sped towards Keshar Mahal after hitting Gurung. Though Gurung was rushed to Bir Hospital, the doctors declared him dead within 30 minutes.

Police Inspector Rajkumar Baidwar of Ward Police Office at Durbarmarg along with another police officer followed the speeding Pajero from Lainchour area. The patrol van of Durbarmarg Police Station returned from  Maharajgunj after they saw that Prince Paras Shah was on the driver's seat, sources said.

The Pajero sped away to a garage at Baluwatar via Lazimpat, Panipokhari and Maharajgunj from where Prince Paras Shah then called for his friend to send a white car belonging to Club Dynasty and then came to Durbarmarg Police Station, sources added.

"After the rumour of the death of the victim spread, two vehicles came to Durbarmarg Police Station with Prince Paras Shah. Getting off from the white car Prince Paras Shah pointed a gun at the police officer on duty and threatened to keep his mouth shut about the accident," the source said.

The body of late Praveen Gurung being prepared for last rites at Pashupatinath precincts on Monday.

Earlier, Inspector Baidwar, who had chased the Pajero, had reported the registration number of the Pajero to Police Control Room three times. Surprisingly, however, all the police units that prepared initial reports of the accident have recorded that Gurung was hit by an "unidentified" car.

When asked with the concerned higher police officials, they flatly denied knowledge of the accident saying they were out on patrolling duty at the time of the incident.

According to the source, Prince Paras Shah -- who has already been involved in  few other cases of road accidents -- had set out on his Pajero from X-Zone Disco at Kamaladi leaving his friends after a quarrel broke out and police entered the disco.

Deceased Gurung, whose last rites were performed today, had composed music for over 500 songs. He was employed at Rastriya Nach Ghar and the Yak and Yeti Hotel as a musician. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

No basic rights for indigenous people

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, Aug 7 - The nationalities and indigenous people are deprived of their basic rights though they comprise a large section of national population, Chairman of National Assembly Dr Muhammad Mohasin said.

He made this remark while speaking at the fourth national conference of Nepal Federation of Nationalities (NFN). Sixty communities are registered in the government statistics as nationalities and indigenous people, while it is estimated that there are over a hundred languages and their dialects are being used in Nepal.

Citing historical incidents, he said every community after taking over the power to rule, restructures the society in such a way that little room is left for other communities to come forward and compete with the rulers' community.

He added,"The parliament lacks proportional representation of the nationalities. If that big part of the population is undermined, any kind of tussle will be inevitable.

However, he also warned the nationalities that while demanding their rights, one should be cautious that any such emotional move may not affect the national unity.

Parshuram Tamang, the general secretary of NFN, said while the world is offering more rights to the nationalities and indigenous people, His Majesty's Government is always reluctant to recognize their power and contribution.

He protested against the government's decision to oust the Newars from the list of nationalities. "On the one hand the nationalities are taking initial steps to be united. On the other, the government has started creating rift among the innocent nationalities and weakening their movement."

He warned that demands for geographical division cannot be ruled out. "We want to participate and contribute in every step of nation building, to make a big and unified Nepal."

Kripasur Sherpa, the treasurer of the conference committee urged the government to form a Nationalities Development Ministry for the development of the nationalities who make 70 percent of the total Nepali population.

Leaders of various nationalities were present on the occasion. They were: Kisan, Kumal, Gangai, Chantyal, Jirel, Chepang, Jhangad, Tamoo, Tajpuriya, Tamang, Thakali, Thami, Tharu, Danuwar, Dura, Dhimal, Newar, Bote, Magar, Majhi, Meche, Yakkha, Yakthung, Rai, Rajbanshi, Lepcha, Balung, Santhal, Singsa, Sunuwar, Shyarba and Hyalmo.

The organizers asked the representatives of the nationalities to express their feelings in their mother tongues though many of them failed to do so.

After rhinos, now it's turn of arnas for translocation

By Beena Kharel

KATHMANDU, Aug 7 - First it was the rhinos. And now, it is the turn of wild water buffaloes (arnas). Encouraged by the success story of translocation of one-horned rhinos, wildlife officials are planning a similar project for the arnas.

Earlier this year, about 10 rhinos were translocated from Royal Chitwan National Park to Royal Bardiya National Park "at the sole initiative of Nepali experts". Since 1986, 52 rhinos have been translocated.

The project for arnas will kick off next spring after the completion of a detail study, which was earlier expected to take place by this autumn. According to a recent study, one hundred and fifty arnas are presently found in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) in eastern Nepal, so far the one and the only habitat of these animals.

It is already late for the study if the arnas are to be translocated according to the plans.

"The early onset of monsoon has hampered our study programme. Swollen rivers have made the Reserve virtually inaccessible," says Narendra Pradhan, Assistant Ecologist at Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation(DNPWC).

"As soon as the weather becomes favourable, we will speed up the work in real earnest," adds Pradhan.

Whether an ideal habitat for arna translocation is Chitwan or Bardiya remains to be seen.

"The study report will help us to decide on the site for the translocation," says Pradhan.

Flash floods and domestic buffaloes, among others, threaten the existence and "genetic purity" of the arnas.

Though late, wildlife experts have geared up to the urgency of translocating arnas before "it's too late".

While plans are afoot for translocating arnas, wildlife activists have raised concerns over the dramatic rise in poaching even in preserved areas.

"Over the last two years, poaching has escalated," says   Arun Rijal, Senior Programme Officer at King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation. He, however, could not provide figures to substantiate his claim.

Since last year, 44 rhinos have died. Ecologist Pradhan denies earlier reports that attributed all rhino deaths to poaching.

According to him, 27 of them had natural deaths. The rest were either electrocuted, poisoned, shot or hunted, explains Pradhan who, however, could not provide the data regarding poaching.

Currently, there are altogether 612 rhinos in protected areas of Nepal. The figure stands at 544 in Royal Chitwan National Park whereas in Royal Bardiya National Park it is 67 and only one in Royal Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve.

"The annual growth rate of rhinos of Chitwan is 3.8 percent," according to Diwakar Chapagain, officer at DNPWC.

Although the rhino translocation has registered a remarkable success, and the arnas are now in for similar treatment, conservationists feel the need to focus their attention also on other highly endangered species.

"Dolphins top the list of species close to extinction," says Chapagain deeply concerned.

Experts say that there are not more than 10 dolphins in the country.

"This is alarming. Compared to efforts made at preserving terrestrial wildlife, nothing has been done for aquatic animals,"  laments Rijal.

Permit to excavate sand condemned

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, Aug 7 - Nepal Consumers Forum (NCF) today expressed deep concern on the Kathmandu District Development Committee (DDC)'s recent decision to grant permission to private parties to excavate sands from the Valley's rivers.

At a press conference organized here today to highlight its concern, the Forum leaders also warned to continue protesting against the DDC move until it revoked the anti-environmental move.

"Those occupying responsible positions in the DDC are destroying the Valley's cultural and natural heritages by taking such moves," President of the Forum Harendra Bahadur Shrestha said. "If they do not revoke the decision, they will have to face humiliating defeat in the next elections."

The Forum has also filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court on August 4 after the DDC made the announcement calling for tender bids from private parties to open the Valley's rivers like Mahadevkhola, Dhobikhola, Manamatta, Bagmati, Bishnumati--for sand mining purpose.

"DDC should look for other alternatives to the rivers' sand, and finance its annual budget," Shrestha said, referring to the DDC's budget which is said to be financed mainly by the amount received after selling the river sand.

White sands excavated from the rivers are considered as best sand to carry out building construction and infrastructure development works.

Environmentalists, however, say excessive sand mining damages the rivers' ecosystem, besides leaving serious impacts on the local geology. The historic temple of Changunarayan which is situated atop a hillock 12 kilometres east of Kathmandu, has started to develop cracks due to sand mining, according to some locals.

The centuries old temple is one of the seven monuments of the Valley included in the list of UNESCO World Heritages.

He also claimed that the move is against the Local Self Autonomy Act 1998 and Local Self Autonomy Regulations, 1999.

The Valley, with an estimated population growth rate of 7 percent per annum, recorded a sharp rise in sand mining in the 1980s and 1990s. Besides pushing at least "a dozen bridges" to the brink of collapse, the sand mining has spoilt the ecosystem of the rivers.

"It's due mainly to this reason that our sacred rivers like Bagmati and Bishnumati have started to resemble open sewerage since long," Shrestha added.