Oppn raise furore over electricity tariff increment Ask ADB terms to be made public

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, July 19 - Led by the main opposition CPN-UML, opposition parties today gheraoed the Speaker and stalled the House of Representatives proceedings demanding assurances from the government that it would not hike electricity tariff. They also demanded details on the loan conditions that could lead to hike in electricity tariff.

"Our party has decided that unless the government provides the House with details of the agreement reached and deal signed with Asian Development Bank (ADB) we will not allow any business to proceed," CPN-UML's politburo member Pradeep Nepal said.

CPN-UML, joined by most of the opposition parties demanded that the government provide details of the agreement that according to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) could soon hike the price of electricity up to 30 percent to meet the loan conditions set by ADB.

"Who is running the government: The party that secured a majority or the officials of ADB ... how can ADB say what kind of laws the parliament needs to adopt?" Nepal said. "This move by the government is criminal in nature .... it is against the nation."

Nepal's remarks followed more harsh criticism of the donor agencies who they blamed for the hike in prices and alleged them of setting loan conditions that lead to negative impact on the country and its economy.

"Both ADB and the World Bank are following the direction what East-India Company did before taking over India. We need to be very cautious towards these agencies," CPN-UML's Raghuji Pant said.

United Peoples' Front's Lilamani Pokhrel too demanded that the government should present details of the agreement signed between the government and the ADB immediately before the House proceeds with other business. "Despite the pledges by the government and adoption of a motion last year about controlling price hikes, this government is going against all its commitments to increase the tariff," he said.

Minister of State for Water Resources Ram Bahadur Gurung tried to calm the situation down and read out a statement outlining and justifying the agreement.

Quoting the conditions set by ADB, Gurung did admit that the bank had called for "adjustment" of the tariff if necessary to meet the figures set by it, make necessary changes in the Electricity Tariff Fixation Regulations and get the Electricity Leakage Control Bill through parliament at the earliest.

However, Minister Gurung's statement triggered more anger among the opposition parties. With the exception of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), the opposition lawmakers stormed to the front and gheraoed the Speaker who in turn called for adjournment of the House.

Representatives of ADB and the Finance Ministry had signed a US dollar 50 million (around Rs 3.5 billion) loan last week to fund rural electrification and power sector reform programs under the government's Eighth Power Project.

When the ADB loan was sanctioned over two years back, the lending agency had demanded that the Self Financing Ratio (SFR) be 23 percent compared to the 13 percent at present and Rate of Return (RoR) to 6 percent which is 2 percent at present. According to NEA, this would have calculated the price of electricity to be hiked by 60 percent.

Last year, the government hiked the price of electricity up to 30 percent (25 percent for Industrial purposes and 30 percent for general consumers). At present, a unit of electricity costs Rs. 6.50 on an average which, even by official admission, makes Nepal's price the costliest in South Asia and among the costliest in the world.

If hiked by 30 percent once again, the tariff could shoot up to Rs 8.11. In the last 10 years, the price of electricity has gone up by 240 percent in Nepal.

PM asked to seek status of 1950 Treaty from India

KATHMANDU, July 19 (PR) - Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad Bastola is unaware that an outline for revision of 1950 treaty agreed by all the major parties three years ago, had been presented to India for its consideration, said former foreign minister Kamal Thapa here today.

On 7th September 1997, the draft was agreed upon in the presence of Krishna Prasad Bhattarai (NC), Madhav Kumar Nepal (CPN-UML), Bamdev Gautam (CPN-ML), Surya Bahadur Thapa (RPP) and Gajendra Narayan Singh (NSP), among others. Except Bhattarai, all others are topmost position holders in their respective parties.

This was presented by the then Nepal Foreign Secretary Kumar Gyawali to his Indian counterpart, K.Raghunath during the then foreign minister Kamal Thapa's visit to India four days later.

"It is wrong for anyone to say now that the modalities for bilateral dialogue have to be discussed," said Thapa. "PM Koirala should demand from India its response to the said draft. The ball is in India's court, added Thapa.

Thapa also said that Koirala should focus on three limited objectives. "PM must strive to create an atmosphere of goodwill and trust to revive the high-level contact, frozen in the last three years; bring the dialogue on pending issues like 1950 Treaty, Kalapani occupation and Bhutanese refugees back on track; and try to solve current problems created by Laxmanpur Barrage and Special Additional Tax imposed by India on Nepali goods.

He also said Indian intelligence agencies routinely prepared secret reports on Nepal like the recent Nepal Game Plan (published in an Indian weekly) but India had never made it public. "Its motive and timing need to be questioned by the PM," said Thapa.

Former Nepali ambassador to India, Harsha Narayan Dhoubadel said issues of mutual benefit to Nepal and India and Nepal's national interest should first be identified by all Nepalis. "Only then can we hope for any concrete results," added Dhoubadel.

They were speaking at a face-to-face programme with media organised here today by Reporters' Club to discuss the agenda for Prime Minister Koirala's forthcoming visit to India. Former foreign minister Shailendra Kumar Upadhyay and former Nepali envoy to Japan, Bharat Prasad Dhital also addressed the gathering.

Later replying to reporters' questions, Thapa said the biggest stumbling block in Nepal-India ties was the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Whenever Nepal tried to raise any contentious issue with India, the latter always pointed to the Treaty. "This 50-year old Treaty is not applicable any more. I am sure no Nepali likes it," said Thapa.

Minister Bastola's writ petition quashed

KATHMANDU, July 19 (PR) - The Supreme Court today quashed a writ petition filed by Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad Bastola seeking to nullify the order issued by the Special Election Court Ilam to recount the ballots of Jhapa-4 constituency, from where Bastola won.

Meanwhile, according to our Ilam-based reporter, the Special Election Court Ilam postponed the date to recount the ballots to August 6. The recount was scheduled to start from today. Justice Ramesh Jha said preparatory works and necessary infrastructures required for the recount would be carried out in the run-up to the August 6 recount.

In Kathmandu, Supreme Court Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyay said it would be inappropriate to interfere and issue writ on a case which is under consideration in another court.

CPN-UML's Yukta Prasad Bhetwal who lost in the last May general elections by 26 votes from Jhapa-4 had filed a petition seeking to recount the ballots.

On Tuesday, Bastola filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court appealing to nullify the Special Election Court's "faulty...order" to recount the ballots.  Senior lawyers duo, Mahadev Prasad Yadav and Ganesh Raj Sharma, and advocate Radheshyam Adhikari pleaded on behalf of the writ petitioner.

Govt claims rapport with oppn

KATHMANDU, July 19 (PR) - The government of Nepali Congress claimed to have made a major breakthrough in reaching an understanding with the main opposition party and other opposition parties, specifically on corruption control, good governance, security measures and promotion of democratic norms.

Talking to the press today, Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel said that the government had achieved remarkable success in entering into agreement with the main opposition in the implementation of various social and economic programmes announced by the government.

The major achievement has come in the form of an understanding to establish an independent and high level central committee to implement government programmes like BP with the Poor, Self Employment in the Self Help programmes.  "There will be a high level 15-member central committee with top officials without any political interference along with a 9-member district committee with representation from all parties," Poudel said.

DPM Poudel is the coordinator of a high-level committee to enhance understanding with the opposition parties regarding the issues raised in the Parliament.  He was first appointed for the job by former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and later continued by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.  The other members of the committee are Home Minister Govind Raj Joshi, Foreign Affairs Minister Chakra Prasad Bastola, Communication and Information Minister Jaya Prakash Anand Gupta and Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya.

In the presence of all his committee members, except Minister Gupta, DPM Poudel said that a unique understanding between the opposition and the government had been growing, "which will strengthen the basic norms of democracy in the country."

The announcement of the government about the better relations with the opposition parties has come at a time when the opposition stalled the House today, lodging protest on likely hike in electricity tariff.

According to Poudel the Acts on Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Corruption Control and Special Court were the significant achievements arising from the coordination with the opposition.  He also mentioned that major decisions taken recently by the government were also the demands of the opposition parties.  Kamaiya eradication decision of the government was one of those demands, he said.

The amicable environment, as he added, had helped the government to implement the report of Revenue Leakages Committee, trim the administration, depoliticize teachers and policemen and formation of Human Rights Commission.Poudel also added that Prime Minister Koirala was in close interaction with the opposition leaders before his visit to India.   "This act of the Prime Minister will empower him to speak on behalf of the whole nation and the political parties," Poudel added.

Special Program for Kamaiyas

On the same occasion, Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya said that the government had prepared a special Bill for the welfare of Kamaiya (bonded labours).  He said there would be a committee to look after the welfare of Kamaiyas.

Acharya added that the current resources announced in the names of BP with the Poor, Self Employment Programmes and Poverty Alleviation Fund could also be utilized in coordinated and focused way to support Kamaiyas.

Capital to get non-stop water by 2006

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, July 19 - The much delayed Melamchi Drinking Water Project will be completed by the end of 2006, and that the multi million dollar project has already begun, officials and donor representatives said here today.

Disseminating information about the Project at a stakeholder meeting here Wednesday, they also said that the price of drinking water will double by the time the Melamchi water comes to Kathmnadu, and that "there will be 24 hour supply of clean drinking water all the year round."

Nepal Drinking Water Supply Corporation (NWSC), the state-owned entity which is the sole supplier of drinking water in the country, charges Rs 15 for a thousand litres of drinking water at present.

On completion of the US$ 340 million (Rs 24 billion) Project, however, the price of the same amount of drinking water may climb to Rs 32, according to Dinesh Chandra Pyakurel, Executive Director of Melamchi Drinking Water Committee.

"There is no funding gap now, and the hydro power component has been removed from the diversion scheme" he said. "The construction works of a 20-km access road from Melamchi-Pul to Timbu and bridges have already begun and will be completed by the end of this fiscal year...We can complete the project within next six years."

Pyakurel also said that the Project's hydro power component had been cancelled due to the lack of funds. The government was keen to include the hydro power component--with a capacity to generate between 25 to 5 MW power--in the Project's diversion scheme up until March.

Granted high priority by the government, the Project will divert 170 million litres of drinking water (mld) daily to Kathmandu Valley. The World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), (NORAD) Norway, SIDA (Sweden), JBIC (Japan) and a number of other donor agencies are providing assistance to the US $ 320 million Project.

In the annual budget for the fiscal year 2000/2001, the government allocated Rs 1.15 billion for the Melamchi Project.

"It (Melamchi) has come; it's here," said Arthur Macintosh of ADB, also Team Leader of a fact-finding mission which is currently holding consultations with the Project's stakeholder here.

"I know that there is no funding problem now. There is great confidence in everyone involved," he added, dismissing lingering doubts that the Project may never get completed.

Pyakurel said the Project's tunnel construction works will start early next year, immediately after the completion of the access road and bridge construction works.

A 26.5-km-long tunnel needs to be constructed from Ribarma to Sundarijal in order to divert the Melamchi water to the Valley's over 1.5 million populace who reel under acute shortage of drinking water during dry seasons.

While SIDA has already committed US$ 15 million for the Project's diversion scheme, Norwegian donor agency NORAD has also made the major commitment for the diversion scheme -- US$ 24 million.

According to Pyakurel the detail design works of the Project's water treatment plants have not yet started, neither has anything been done towards acquiring lands required for the diversion or the bulk distribution scheme, or towards compensating the locals.

He said the resettlement or compensation works would begin after the formulation of resettlement policy. "The policy will take into account all the problems likely to be faced by the people...we will make sure that they will be amply compensated."

According to him, a private company will start overseeing the Valley's drinking water supply works from some time next June-July.

Likewise, two Bills--Nepal Drinking Water Supply Bill (second amendment) and Drinking Water Monitoring and Tariff Fixation Bill --have been tabled in the parliament. The Bills, drafted in line with the donors' pressure, are likely to be passed by the on-going parliamentary session, say officials.

Ban plastic bags: Mahat

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, July 19 - Former Finance and Foreign Minister Ram Sharan Mahat today called for complete ban on use of plastic bags in the country which has been a reason for negative impact on the environment.

Mahat also said that his six-month-old dog swallowed plastic and suffocated to death. 

"About 80 percent of the garbage that comes out of Kathmandu City is plastic which is not biodegradable. I demand the government put a complete ban on use of plastic bags in the country," Mahat told the House of Representatives.

Lawmakers have raised from time to time the issue of negative impact of plastic bags and the impact it has on the environment but not much has been initiated on the part of the government.

"It is not just the environment but also animals that are suffering. Instead of using plastic, the use of jute and paper bags should be encouraged that would also benefit the domestic industry," he said.

His remarks followed applause from both sides of the House.

Continuing the concern for the deteriorating environment of the capital city, Mahat asked the government to check on the growing level of pollution on the Bagmati and Bisnumati rivers that flow through the capital city. "The drainage system built to carry excess rain water to the rivers are now connected to the sewage systems of the residents that is polluting the rivers," he said.

"The sewage from the houses are directly poured into these drainage system even in the new residential areas without using their own septic tanks. This trend needs to be immediately stopped," he added.

Mahat further demanded that the government set emission level for the Liquid Petroleum Gas operated micro-buses that have begun to arrive to replace the diesel operated three-wheeler, popularly known as Vikram Tempos. The Vikrams were banned from operating within the valley since September last year.

"There should be safety standards for these vehicles set by the government. The gas tanks are usually exposed which could be dangerous. They need to be concealed and the number of passengers allowed in these vehicles should be set," he said.

The government last year had banned the use of diesel operated Vikram Tempos that had been blamed for the worsening environmental conditions of the capital city. The government had allowed import of micro buses to replace these tempos at heavy discounts. Only 1 percent of duty was levied and the Value Added Tax was not imposed on these vehicles.

Artistes defend Niraula

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, July 19 - Friends of Mohan Niraula from artiste circle today claimed that police are unnecessarily behind Mohan Niraula, who allegedly declared that he was ready to shoot the Prime Minister if he was ordered. 

They said the fundamental right of Niraula is violated and the administration should take the responsibility of his security.

Niraula is an actor and film director. His expression made on July 8 at a programme organized by a ultra rightist youth group raised furore in the parliament. He spoke those words in front of former prince Dhirendra Shah who was the chief guest at the function.

A theatre artiste and a participant at the programme Bijay Bisfot said, "Niraula did not recite the term 'Prime Minister' but he recited the names - Girija, Khum Bahadur and Gachchhedaar to shoot," adding "his outbrust did not seem to be directed from someone else but it came out spontaneously in his rage."

According to Rabindra Khadka, an artiste and another participant at the programme, the atmosphere during the programme was somehow disturbing. "Niraula was a pro-democratic activist." Khadka said, "How could he speak against democracy ?"

"Though he uttered the word 'bullet' to shoot the corrupts, his motive was against prevailing corruption and wrong doers," he said. " I am also not against the killing of corrupts."

The organizers said Niraula had promised to attend the press conference which was organized by his friends on his behalf. But he failed to turn up. Plainclothes policemen were present outside the press conference venue in large numbers.

Senior NC leaders ridicule own party

By a Post Reporter

LALITPUR, July 19 - Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba  lambasted his own government for failing to meet its three promises: good administration, control of corruption and law and order, and predicted that it will never be able to translate the promises into deeds.

"It is too early to measure the performance of over three months old government. But judging by the present style of performance, the government cannot fulfil its promises at all,"Deuba said at a programme organized by Nepali Congress Lalitpur to mark B.P. Memorial Day. Deuba  criticized the "undemocratic attitude of "servitude and domination" within Nepali Congress (NC) and pointed it as the chief cause of degeneration of his party.

"That's why Maoists are killing our party workers. The Maoists have created psychological trauma within the party. As such our colleagues are running away from them," said Deuba.

Deuba announced that the Movement of Emancipation of Slaves has already kicked off, referring to the recent "unconstitutional" and "unceremonious" dissolution of different  district and sister committees of NC.

Speaking in a similar vein, Nepali Congress MP Bijay Kumar Gachchhedar criticised his own party, at large and the party's General Secretary Sushil Koirala, in particular for their" authoritarian and whimsical regime" within the party.

" Such leaders are branding the NC as the most undemocratic party of Nepal. People have accepted that this party is committing 100 per cent mistakes," said Gachchhedar." Our party has no hope unless and untill the demons of the party are wiped out,"he added.

Even the leftist CPN-UML are more democratic than the NC, said Gachchhedar who lauded his rival party's " democratic attitude and practice".

"The party cannot move ahead by just reciting names of B.P.Koirala and Ganeshman Singh. Its high time we changed our party's working pattern to competitive system," he said.

At the programme, the dismissed district leaders of NC, Omkar Shrestha, Prakash Man Singh and Radhesham Jhonche lamented that they have become the victims of highhandedness of some of the NC leaders.

RPP meet hails govt on Kamaiyas, flays on electricity

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, July 19 - Central Working Committee meeting of Rastriya Prajatantra Party today welcomed the government's decision to abolish Kamaiya system saying it is a positive step.

However, the party termed the decision as incomplete and added that only a decision made by the government cannot abolish the system of bonded labour without proper support system which has been rooted in tradition.

RPP also demanded strong legal provisions protecting the freed Kamaiyas, and economic opportunities for them to make them independent.

The RPP meeting protested "the government's attempt to increase electricity tariff by 30 percent on ADB's pressure."

"It is a bad decision to put the burden on Nepalese people which is the result of  Nepal Electricity Authority's inefficiency and  anarchy," a press release issued after the meeting said.

RPP also criticised the government for not being able to maintain law and order.The meeting was chaired by party president Surya Bahadur Thapa.

Town tense after police rape local

By a Post Reporter

AMARGADHI, Dadeldhura, July 19 - Headquarters of Baitadi district here has been tense since the last few days after locals have been demanding punishment for those policemen who had allegedly raped a local woman.

According to the locals, six policemen including a Sub-Inspector (SI) of Jhulaghat Police Station had raped twenty-year-old Mira Chand of Giregada Village Development Committee near Indo-Nepal border last Thursday.

According to the victim, she was raped by the Nepali policemen after they took her to their compartment. Mira, accompanied by her minor brother-in-law was heading for India to buy some household goods.

Meanwhile, Ram Krishna Bhurtel, the Chief District Officer, said that the investigation is under way and two policemen, including SI Guru Prasad Wagle, have been taken into custody.

Maoists shoot dead sub inspector

LAMJUNG, July 19 (PR) - Maoist insurgents shot a police Sub-Inspector to death today when he was on his way to his office, Lamjung District Administration Office said today.

Maoists fired bullets at Sub-Inspector Dal Bahadur GC from a corn field where they were hiding. GC was returning to the Piple Police Post located at the eastern part of the district after making a telephone call to his home, the administration office said. Other two policemen accompanying GC were unharmed, the administration office added.

The public communication office lies at some 20 minutes walking distance from Tinpiple Police Post.

Gastro claims 9 in Jajarkot

JAJARKOT, July 19 (PR) - Nine people died of gastro-enteritis in Jhapra and Pajaru VDCs lying in the western belt of the district over the last three days, according to Jajarkot District Public Health Office.

A senior Assistant Health Worker of the office informed through telephone that 5 of the dead were children and 4 were adults. A team of medical workers have been looking after other gaestro-enteritis patients.

Last year 7 people died in Dandagaon, Bajad and Shakla VDCs of the district due to gastro-enteritis.