Police Welfare refuses to get its books checked

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KATHMANDU, Nov 9 - Auditor General Bishnu Bahadur K.C. today said that the Police Welfare Fund (PWF) has failed to follow regulations and has refused to have their account books checked.

"The police, which is an agency under the government, cannot open a non-governmental organization which is for private citizens and not government workers," K.C. told parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

The regulations require any NGOs to first register with the Social Welfare Council (SWC) before operating in the country and file annual reports detailing its activities.

PAC is investigating the agreement between the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and the Police Welfare Fund (PWF). IOC last year had signed a deal with PWF to rebuild a petrol station on the southern perimeters of the police headquarters at Naxal.

In exchange, IOC got the exclusive rights to supply all lubricant and grease for the 45,000-personnel of Nepal Police for the next 15 years that would amount to millions of rupees.

PAC formed a sub-committee to probe into the deal under the coordination of Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani and has N P Saud and Krishna Lal Maharjan as members.

"If an NGO signs a deal with a foreign party then it needs to immediately apply to SWC which PWF has not done," K.C. said, adding that PWF has refused to allow his office to audit the account books despite repeated attempts.

The law says that any government agency or office operated by government funds must get their books audited by the Auditor General’s Office.

Police officials have maintained that since PWF is registered as an NGO, it is exempted from such provisions. However, K.C. said the process of registering it as an NGO is illegal.

"What if other government agencies begin to open welfare funds and make it mandatory that staff contribute part of their earnings to it...what if the customs department makes it mandatory that every truck pay Rs. 500 towards the welfare fund? This will just give way to anomalies," said K.C.

Police personnel who go aboard on trips like the United Nation peace keeping force are forced to contribute at least 10-25 per cent of their total earnings to the fund. "Not even the government or the cabinet can do such a thing. Such an arrangement can only be made if a law to that effect is adopted by the Parliament," he said.

Records obtained by K.C.’s office show that police spent Rs. 5.2 million on PWF. And the members of the Board are automatically appointed and not elected as required by regulations.

The land where the petrol station is built is also part of the police headquarters which is government land.

Inspector General of Police Pradip Sumshere Rana has already admitted that there has been a mistake in the agreement between IOC and PWF.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this arrangement was signed by IOC and PWF on September 17, 1999, giving IOC not only exclusive rights to supply the grease and lubricants but also its dealers to fix the price they want without negotiations.

Deuba warns of mishap in NC

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JANAKPUR, Nov 9 -Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today said there could be an accident in the party if an old person tries to take heavy responsibilities of both the party and the government.

Deuba was hinting on Prime Minister and Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala’s declaration to contest the top party post in the General Convention of the ruling party early next year.

"For a person nearing his eightieth birthday, running a government is like carrying a heavy load of a mountain. If an old man is given another load of the party, there might be accident," Deuba said, a day after he announced his candidacy against his political boss.

On Tuesday, Koirala announced he was seeking re-election to the party’s topmost post "to fulfil many promises I (Koirala) made in the 9th General Convention".

Chief among those goals, Koirala said was to better manage and strengthen the party. Also, a bill on political parties now pending in parliament, needed to be shepherded through the legislature, he had said.

Meanwhile, Deuba says that he was contesting "to protest nepotism and the anomalies in the party." Deuba had said that "with ills like these prevalent in the party, we cannot solve issues like Maoist insurgency, poverty or illiteracy".

Displaying his belligerent mood, Deuba said, "Conditions warrant snatching away party president’s post."

Pradip Giri, a Koirala critic, said that Koirala is himself candidate, election officer and judge who gives verdict on disputes.

He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating Barahari Drinking Water Project in Barahari in Dhanusha district.

Under the project, 2.5 litres water per second from Barahari Khola and half a litre per second from Khoksi Khola will be stored in a tank in Bengadabar. The tank with a capacity of 150 thousand litres is expected to provide 24-hour water supply through its 280 taps.

Tourism sector heading for showdown

By Gopal Tiwari

KATHMANDU, Nov 9 - Tourism entrepreneurs who are reluctant to meet the demands of hotel employees announced today that they would be compelled to shutdown all hotels and other tourism related organizations effective November 19, if the employees stuck on to their demands and continued their agitation.

The announcement was made at a hastily organized joint press conference called by all tourism related organizations Thursday.

The hotel employees have already given their ultimatum to close all hotel industries in the country if their demands are not met. They have been demanding with hoteliers to impose additional service charges to share the benefits of all hotels’ transaction.

Speaking at the press meet today, Narendra Bajracharya, President of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) declared, "All hoteliers will be compelled to close down their services if the hotel employees forced the imposition of 10 per cent extra service charge". He also said that to charge 10 per cent service charge instead of tips is not correct. "Tips is a voluntary payment made by the tourists and not on compulsions", he said .

Bajracharya today made it clear that the strike was going on not due to employees of the hotel but because of external forces (Central Trade Union leaders of both Congress and Communist parties) of the country.

It is the conspiracy of the other forces to damage the hotel industry, one of the very sensitive sectors of the economy which has been earning more than 100 million dollar alone every year and employing more than half a million people in the country directly or indirectly, Bajracharya said.

Tourism industry is already in trouble due to Indian Airlines hijacking and the deteriorating politico-economical environment of the country.

HAN, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC), Nepal Association of Travel Agents (NATA), Nepal Incentive and Convention Association (NICA), Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO), Nepal Association of Rafting Agents (NARA), Tourist Guide Association, Board of Airlines Representatives Nepal (BARN), Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN), among others had jointly submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister regarding the 10 per cent service charge, but the government is yet to put forth any solution to it.

Madhav Neupane, Chairman of Central Hotel Workers Union (CHWU) said, "We will not compromise on our demand for 10 per cent additional service charge. If the demand is not met by 19 November, 2000, all hotel employees will go on nationwide strike for an indefinite period."

Lukewarm response to Govt subsidy on kerosene

By Razen Manandhar

KATHMANDU, Nov 9 - The Government’s notice to distribute five litres of kerosene per family at subsidized rate has received a lukewarm response from estimated three hundred thousand families residing in three districts of the Kathmandu Valley which houses five municipalities and 131 VDCs, local representatives said.

The provision of providing 5 litres of kerosene per family per month as a relief measure against the recent hike in fuel price has become irrelevant in Kathmandu Valley, where average members in a family is 6 persons, going by the Population Census 1990.

But in core city areas like Ason, Mangalbazaar, Taumadi, Kirtipur and Thimi, where joint family system still exists, it is not unusual to find 15 members of a family sharing a single kitchen.

On an average a family of six needs about 30 litres of kerosene per month for cooking purpose alone, according to Prem Suwal, Mayor of Bhaktapur Municipality.

Home Ministry decided on October 24 to distribute coupons for kerosene at subsidized rate of Rs 15.50 (which is almost half of the market price). But, the bundles of coupons are collecting dust in municipality offices for last two weeks because the people are not interested and also the municipalities are reluctant to distribute them.

Mayor Suwal said some locals residents did come to ask for the coupons but their interest died when they knew how much of kerosene they could buy with it. "The provision is far short of minimum need...it is just a farce," Suwal said.

Tilak Bajracharya of Mahabaudha, Kathmandu has 35 members in his family who share the same kitchen. For him, the monthly ration of 5 litres of kerosene is only a proverbial drop in the ocean. Says Bajracharya, "The coupon does not serve any purpose for us. The quota is enough only for a day or two."

The Chairman of Consumers’ Forum Nepal, Harendra Bahadur Shrestha says the subsidy for five litres of kerosene is simply not justifiable. "This decision is the most impractical and uncalculated move a government can make," he says. "The coupon system gives ample room for manipulation and misuse."

Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur municipalities refused to distribute the coupons arguing that the provision was "insufficient and would cause havoc if distributed as such".

According to Bikram Adhikari of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Store Department, a total of 80 thousand coupons only have been sent for 35 wards. Lalitpur and Bhaktapur municipality officials are also facing similar problems.

KMC Ward No 28 Chairman Subhan Kumar Shrestha said 592 coupons are allocated for his ward while there are over 800 families "In such a situation, we can’t provide service to the local residents."

Kathmandu Mayor Keshav Sthapit said the KMC board decided not to distribute such coupons unless the quota is made practical. "The government created the problem by making such a serious decision without consulting us. Now it should face the consequences," said he.

Assistant Chief District Officer of Kathmandu Ek Mani Nepal said extra provision of subsidized kerosene for those who share the same kitchen is not possible.

21st Century: A century of socialism for justice

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KATHMANDU, Nov 9 - The Socialism 21 Conference organized by the CPN-UML concluded today calling the 21st century as the century of Socialism for justice, freedom and peace.

The meeting concluded that socialists, while restlessly engaged in class struggle for the abolition of all forms of exploitation and oppression, must also lead, support and participate in the people’s movement for the attainment of civil liberties and healthy environment and to end discrimination related to gender, race and caste.

According to CPN-UML’s Central Member Pradip Nepal, the meet also insisted that socialists around the world intensify their resistance against common threats from imperialist globalisation and continue to lead and support the national liberation movements and movement for democracy throughout the world.

Different forms of struggle to achieve socialism should be respected and regular dialogues should be held to enhance mutual understanding and socialists should earnestly defend the achievements of socialism in all countries.

They also said that socialists throughout the world should forge alliances and strengthen solidarity to advance the common cause of human liberation, commenting that the 21st century is the people’s century, century of socialism for justice, freedom and peace.

The international conference focused on three major areas of socialist revolution.

The role of socialist state, consolidation and mobilization of people’s power and alternatives and possibilities in building socialism in the 21st century were the main areas of discussion during the conference which according to the organizers was attended by representatives of 19 countries and 28 organizations.

NC split over support to Koirala, Deuba

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KATHAMANDU, Nov 9 - Nepali Congress (NC) leader and close confidante of Krishna Prasad Bhattarai Yog Prasad Upadhyay today said he would prefer second generation leader as the party’s new president, two days after Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala declared his candidacy for the party presidentship.

Other NC leaders speaking at a face-to-face programme organized here today by the Reporters’ Club, however, said they would vote for Koirala as he still enjoys "sound health and is the seniormost leader" of the country’s oldest party.

"I am in favour of encouraging younger generation leaders even though Koirala himself is very much capable," Upadhyay said, hinting that he favours former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba (as the party’s new president) to septuagenarian Koirala.

Prime Minister Koirala, 76, has been handling the post of the party president since 1996.

NC leaders Beni Bahadur Karki, Jagannath Acharya, Narendra Bikram Nemwang and Sri Bhadra Sharma, however, said that they are very happy with Koirala’s decision as "it shows how eager he is to lead the party".

Besides drawing up fresh policies and plans, the ruling party is due to elect its new president during its 10th General Convention which is scheduled to be held in Pokhara early next year.

Prime Minister Koirala on Tuesday expressed his desire to stand in the elections, but former NC president Bhattarai in a statement issued to the press late Wednesday refused to extend support to Koirala. Another close confidante of Bhattarai, former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, has also declared his candidacy for the coveted post.

Need for reform in laws for gender equality, says CJ

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KATHMANDU, Nov 9 - Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyay today pointed out the need to amend some of the laws so as to promote the situation of human rights and gender equity in the country.

"We have not yet been able to reform our laws in such a way as to check the violation of human rights such as gender discrimination," Upadhyay said here Thursday. "There is no such thing as gender equity in our society, and it is mainly because of poverty, our conservative mentality and traditional attitudes."

He, however, did not name the laws needing amendments.

Upadhyay was speaking at the start of a three-day interaction programme on Gender Equity and Justice, jointly organised by the Judges’ Society-Nepal, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, Social Welfare Council and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The programme’s main objective is to give an opportunity to the judges to discuss the bias judgements involving violence against women and to sensitize them to provide gender neutral justice, to inform and familiarize judges with the ways in which CEDAW and other human rights instruments can be used to assist in providing equal justice to women, among others.

Judges from the Supreme Court, Appellate and various district courts, NGO representatives and government officials are participating in the meet.

Speaking at the function, UNDP’s Country Representative for Nepal Dr Henning Karcher stressed the need to provide education and health care services to women, noting that the life expectancy of women in Nepal is very low and that the literacy rate amongst women is just 5.4 per cent, as against 29 per cent of males.

He also said that the laws should keep pace with the changing society or else the laws will fail to ensure justice.

A spokesperson of Maiti Nepal, an NGO, called on the general public to help enforce the laws dealing with women’s rights and equality. She generally gave examples of women who turn to the law, the often negative reaction of the society and the pre-and post-court trauma.

Experts stress decentralization

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KATHMANDU, Nov 9 - Experts converged here to draw up a master plan to develop rural road infrastructure today stressed the need to decentralize local bodies and the need of proper coordination between the government departments and the donor communities.

They expressed concern that despite the introduction of the Local Self Autonomy Act, not much headway has been made to decentralize. Experts have gathered here for a two-day "rural road coordination workshop" which is being organised by the Department of Local Infrastructure Development of Agriculture Roads (DoLIDAR) in cooperation with the UK’s Department for Internatinal Development (DFID) and International Labour Organization (ILO).

"Still there has been no decentralisation, no matter how much we talk of it," said Krishna Sapkota, Chairman of the Association of the District Development Committee, Nepal (ADDN). "Officials at the centre should not label local bodies incompetent, but they should delegate complete authority."

It is estimated that the Ministry of Local Development annually channels as much as Rs 3 billion to the local bodies--such as District Development Committees, Municipalities and Village Development Committees. Of which the government’s share is 80 per cent and that of donor 20 per cent.

Experts, however, say the government still does not have a clear-cut policy to fund the rural roads.

The DoLIDAR was instituted two years ago to meet the objective of the 20-year Agricultural Perspective Plan (APP) which requires the construction of the rural (agriculture) roads to facilitate the supply of agricultural products to the markets.

Aside this, the Ninth Five Year Plan which is currently running in its fourth year, aims to construct 2,238 kilometres of agricultural roads. However, only 100 km road has been constructed till now, according to officials.