Program, Policy likley to be tabled on June 29

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KATHMANDU, June 22 - The government today presented a draft copy of the programs and policies for the upcoming fiscal year to King Gyanendra which, if everything goes by schedule, will be presented by June 29.

The presentation of this policy document that roughly outlines the government’s strategy for the next fiscal year is the first of scheduled businesses during the budget session.

It will be the first time the new Monarch will be addressing the joint session of the parliament attended by members of both the House of Representatives and the National Assembly.

The 20th parliamentary session convenes on Monday. Speaker Taranath Ranabhat will announce the date for deliberation of the policy document on the first day.

The announcement of the programs and policies will be followed by few days of discussions to be followed by the prime minister answering to concerns raised by the lawmakers. The government would present a proposal to thank the King for the deliberation which will be put forth for a vote. Approval of this proposal is considered endorsement of the document by the parliament.

Usually the government, holding majority of the votes in the House, gets the proposal through. However, few years back, a rebellion in the Nepali Congress had led to nearly half its lawmakers staying away from voting thus failing the proposal.

Premier Girija Prasad Koirala, who was also the prime minister then, declared dissolution of the Lower House of the parliament and proposed fresh mid-term polls.

This, however, is quite unlikely this time, even though a faction within the party has been rebelling against Koirala, they have pulled behind Koirala so far in matters concerning the government.

The policy document this year was prepared by just some senior ministers and forwarded to the Royal Palace. In the previous years, prior to presenting the document, it was discussed both in the party and at the cabinet level.

The draft would again be passed back to the government by the King. On the day of the presentation, the Prime Minister will hand over the document to the King to read it out.

It is still unclear if the government’s programs and policies will have to pass through rough waters as the opposition parties, already pressing for the Prime Minister’s resignation over the Lauda Air bribery case, now have added ammunition.

Prime Minister Koirala, who also holds the portfolio for Royal Palace Affairs, is expected to be grilled over the June 1 Royal Palace massacre.

And add to that, the government’s recent enforcement of the Public Security Regulations, 2001 is also expected to get some fire blown at the government.

Maoists escalate attacks in PM’s hometown

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BIRATNAGAR, June 22 – Despite massive police mobilization at various places in this eastern hub of the country and the Prime Minister’s hometown, Maoist rebels exploded bombs at different places of the town, Friday.

Maoists today exploded bombs in two shops belonging to Indians at Urlabari, Morang. The rebels hurled petro bombs at Balaji Small Industry, Urlabari-6 early this morning, causing minor damage. Mittalo Kirana Store located at Urlabari-4 also became the target of similar attack.

Earlier on Thursday, massive police mobilization was alone after the rebels attacked two shops at Pathari-1. Police reported that nobody has been arrested in connection to the bomb blasts so far.

Census likely to go crippled

 By Subas Risal

KATHMANDU, June 22 - Though the ‘Census Reference Day’ is being observed today nation-wide, there is a big question mark whether the on-going tenth national Census will produce authentic data.

Maoist rebels, who have grip in a sizeable chunk of Mid-Western Region, have prevented the enumerators from collecting data in a number of districts in this region. This has undoubtedly left a big question mark on the successful conclusion of the tenth national Census.

Central Bureau of Statistic (CBS) says that it will have to resort to the estimations if the Maoist rebels continue to block the reach of the enumerators in areas under their control. " But we will try our best to complete the Census even in Maoist-affected districts," said Keshav Raj Sharma, Director General of CBS.

However, as the Maoists seem bent upon obstructing the Census in areas under their control, the Census fieldwork, is likely to remain crippled.

DG Sharma admitted that enumerators were barred and forced to leave the districts. "We have received a report saying that the rebels have deliberately seized the documents from the enumerators."

Under such circumstances, the CBS seems to be left with no options but to opt for guesswork - "estimation," to use the expert’s terminology.

The CBS is likely to use the data of the past Census, taken ten years back, to project estimations for the current Census. But what about incorporating data from new areas such as statistics on disabled, women’s property and various new dimensions of ethnicity?

There was a strong reservation against the Census from different ethnic groups as their major grievances were ignored. Different organisations related to ethnic groups have been claiming that their demand of involving themselves in the exercise has been completely ignored. The projection based estimations are further likely to fuel the controversy. .

CBS says, since the last Census there has been conducted a lot of surveys on nationalities by Nepal Nationalities Development Committee, a committee recognised by the government. "First, we will consult with the committee then only go for estimation. We will try our level best to acquire the authentic data," said Deputy Director of the CBS, Radha Krishna G.C.

Govt urged to scrap Regulations

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KATHMANDU, June 22 - Various experts today pointed out that the government should scrap its recently formulated Public Security Regulations-2001 as it tries to take away fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

Speaking at a programme attended by Human Rights activists, lawyers, professors and journalists among others, Senior Advocate and former Speaker Daman Nath Dhungana said that the Public Security Regulations formulated on May 21 and brought to public notice earlier this week is against the people’s fundamental rights, democracy and Constitution. "All sections of society should, therefore come together to pressurise the government to scrap such regulations," said Dhungana.

Even after the restoration of democracy in the country, the commoner has not realised their democratic rights and the government instead of bringing out liberal laws as envisaged by the Consitution, brings out such laws that is against the Constitutional spirit and rights.

Dhungana argued that the Public Security Regulations was against the spirit of the Constitution and violated the provisions of the Public Security Act-2046 BS (Nepali calender).

The Regulations published in the Nepal Gazette on June 18, is in accordance with the clause 14 of the Public Security Act- 2046 BS. The Regulations has given the right to the local administrator to keep any body under solitary confinement, or limit their movement to a certain areas and even prevent one from travelling abroad if the officials are convinced that the suspected persons are about to harm the country’s sovereignty, integrity, violate law and order.

As the Regulations points out that adequate basis can be considered when the local administrator is "convinced", many argue that this is an "unlimited power" which can be grossly misused.

President of the Nepal Bar Association Sindhu Nath Pyakurel said that the regulation should be formulated in accordance with the Act. But the government instead has tried to push away with something that is not allowed by the Act and the Constitution, said Pyakurel.

General Secretary of the Samyukta Jana Morcha Nepal Lilamani Pokharel said that it is the sixth attempt of the government to curb the democratic rights.

Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel yesterday had pointed out that the Regulations was just a clarification of the Clause 14 of the Public Security Act, 2046 BS and it in no way violated the present Constitution. Meanwhile, the Parliamentary State Affair Committee (SAC) has summoned Poudel to question him on the issue on June 26.

Canada denies visas to Nepali cricketers

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KATHMANDU, June 22 – Nepal’s participation in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Trophy, getting underway from June 28 in Toronto, looks uncertain after four of the Nepali team players were denied visas for their travel to Canada. The 17-member Nepali team, including one umpire and two officials, was scheduled to fly for Toronto on Saturday—June 23.

According to the officials at the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), the Canadian Embassy in New Delhi denied visas to the team captain Raju Khadka, Kush Gurung, Raj Kumar Pradhan and Birendra Bikram Shah.

"We have followed the ICC guidelines and all the necessary documents from them, which we presented to the embassy officials," said Pramod Kumar Upadhyay, CAN vice-president. "We don’t understand why the embassy denied visas to our players."

He said that the team officials have approached the Royal Nepal Embassy in New Delhi for assistance. "The Canadian officials were unconvinced despite the request from the Nepali Embassy," he said, adding that they have already informed about the issue to the CAN officials – president Jaya Kumar Nath Shah, vice-president Shree Harsha Koirala and general secretary Binay Raj Pandey, who are attending the ICC general assembly in London.

The players, who were denied visas were more forthcoming, though. According to the team captain, Raju Khadka, the way the visa counsellor, Robert Romono, talked to us gives an impression that Canada did not want teams from countries like Nepal to enter their country.

However, the CAN officials have not lost hopes yet. "Talks are on with the ICC officials and we’re hopeful the issue will be resolved soon," Upadhyay said.

A total of 24 ICC associate member countries are competing in the tournament. Top three teams—both finalists and the winner of the qualifying final— will gain automatic entry to the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. Nepal, pooled alongside Namibia, West Africa, Gibraltar, Italy in Group A of Division 2, is scheduled to take on Namibia at Eglinton Flats on June 28.

The countries will also play a couple of friendly games before the actual tournament gets underway. According to that, Nepal will meet Bermuda and Ireland on June 25 and 26 respectively.

US Nepalis concerned about Nepal

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KATHMANDU, June 22 - At present, it is estimated that there are 20,000 Nepalis living legally in the United States and Canada, and most of them are concerned about their homeland.

Despite the strong love and desire to do something for their motherland or the country with their ancestral roots, they find it very difficult. The reason is instable political situation and the lack of good government policies.

At a program in the Capital today, Ramesh N Amatya, President of Nepalese American Council, speaking to the journalists explained several things about the Council and the Nepalis living in the United States.

The Nepalese American Council, as stated by Amatya, was formed in 1991 with mission to coordinate, cooperate and collaborate among Nepalis and Nepal related associations to advocate the interest of the Nepali communities in the USA and Canada. The major goals of the council ranges from facilitating assistance in the socio-economic development of Nepal and advocating democratic principles and basic human rights to promoting and preserving Nepali Culture and Heritage.

The council has already started working towards its goal by taking initiatives like facilitating academic exchanges and sending books and medicines to Nepal.

Amatya, also explained that the council was putting some effort to keeping intact the Nepali identity alive in the foreign land.

"One of the main problems we have faced is that the children who are born there or have gone there in a very young age know nothing of our culture, religion and country. Therefore in order to give the children and young people learn their native language the council has established Internet-based Nepalese Children Institute, Nepali Learning Centre and Internet-based Youth and Children books, arts and video," says Amatya.

Amatya adds that there are a lot of potential opportunities that Nepal can exploit from the non residential Nepalis, like technology transfer, investment projects and tourism promotion. But for that no specific government policy makes it difficult for the non resident Nepalis to invest in Nepal.

"It would be easier if the Nepali Government arranges for a special visa for us and grants us special status as non resident Nepalis(NRN) like the India has given to NRIs," Amatya says.

Times have changed, Katte-Bahuns are outcastes no more

By Razen Manandhar

KATHMANDU, June 22 - Sanjita Lama, a housewife living on the banks of the Bagmati River near Pashupatinath temple, has something else to pass her time these days.

She watches hundreds of visitors knocking the small iron gate of her next door Brahmin neighbour, the 75-year-old Durga Prasad Sapkota, who became the talk of the town last week as he consumed the Katto meal on the 11th day ritual of Late King Birendra on June 11.

And she says, its "foolish" to consider Sapkota a social outcast at this modern age, just because he consumed the Katto. Unlike, the earlier days, Sanjita’s thinking is totally different just like her other neighbours - something that is visible in the locality, thronged by hundreds of visitors since the ceremony.

"Why should we hate somebody at this modern age just because he had something belonging to our beloved King? We are rather proud to be his neighbour," says Sanjita, who is in her mid-thirties.

Dating back to history, the person who eats the "impure meal", prepared on the 11th day ritual after the death of any King since the Malla era, is despised by the whole residents of the Valley and they ultimately chase the person out. The Brahmin is also prohibited to continue his religious profession as a priest, in a temple or preaching during religious gatherings.

Local priests say that Katto is the most hateful thing a Brahmin can imagine to consume. They assert that once a Brahmin eats Katto, his future as a religious preacher is doomed.

"In the past, they were not allowed to return to their homes after consuming the Katto. They were derogatorily named Katte-Bahuns and forced to quit the Valley. Even I was one to throw stones at them and chase them away to the borders of the Valley," claimed an aged Brahmin in Pashupatinath.

But times have changed. The Sapkota Brahmin couple has somehow become a jewel of the locality. The curious neighbours as well as others keep visiting them almost every hour.

Similarly, Devi Prasad Acharya, 65, who consumed Katto of Late King Dipendra, also says he feels lucky to have such nice neighbours. "Everybody is kind to me¼In fact, they have even turned more loving after the Katto-eating ceremony," he says.

This is the first time in Nepali history that the Brahmins who had consumed the Katto are allowed to return to their residence within the Valley. And the neighbours no more frown at them, unlike what had been in the earlier cases.

They were brought back to their homes in a police van on June 17 after living three nights at Kattepati in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur.

Acharya said that unlike my previous anxiety, all behave nicely to me and most are curious to know how much I get from the "Royal treasure".

Apart from a hefty sum of money, both of the Katto-Bahuns received around 10 Tolas of gold and 10 kg of silver, excluding the furniture, provisions and antique gifts, for eating the "forbidden meal."

Though it is an alluring ritual, that has come down since ages, Brahmins hardly volunteer to eat Katto, fed in the name of a dead king. So much to that, one Bharat Sapkota was elected earlier but he later rejected the proposal just one day before the function, according to the Royal Palace officials

The people say the Brahmins were socially considered outcasts because he accepted a dead person’s possessions and there was a custom of adding some "unwanted things" in their meal. However, the Brahmins themselves are not sure whether anything like that is practised till date or not.

After they eat Katto, they were redressed as the Late King himself, given a replica of a crown, with the Late King’s ornaments, shoes as well as the sunglasses before riding him on an elephant on the Katto ceremony.

Dollar fee at TU impedes Indian- Nepali students' enrollment

By Nitya Nanda Timsina

KATHMANDU, June 22- Even though India gave constitutional recognition to Nepali language by endorsing it to the Eighth Schedule in 1992, the Nepali speaking students in India continue to swarm Tribhuvan University for their MA and Ph.D. in the last couple of years.

Pradeep Khanal and Mangal Phuyal from Assam State of India came to Nepal to do research in Nepali language, literature and history, unable to find the same in their native universities.

"An astounding number of Nepalis in India has no university to carry out their research works on Nepali language, literature and history," says Pradeep Khanal, a research scholar at the Tribhuvan University who is also the President of International Nepali Students’ Organization (INSO).

Ethnic Nepali population from the seven North Eastern states of India comprising Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal, Tripura and Nagaland face daunting obstacles to continue their higher education in India citing government’s apathetic attitude towards their demanding need to facilitate research in Nepali language in India.

They feel trapped between Nepal and India. In their country of innumerable colleges and hundreds of universities, they have no opportunity to pursue their studies and in Nepal, they have to meet the cost like - any foreigner - in dollars.

Students in doldrum as SLC result is delayed

By Purushottam Kattel

KATHMANDU, June 22 - Most of the students waiting for the School Leaving Certificates (SLC) result are in dilemma as their future studies prospects are at stake because of delay in announcement of the results. Earlier, the Board of Controller of Examinations used to announce SLC results by the beginning of July, but the national tragedy seems to have postponed this year’s results indefinitely.

For those who want to study in Nepal, the problem is not that big, even though any delay in getting the result is frustrating for any student. "Alright, the Royal Palace tragedy is more bigger issue than our result, but why didn’t the concerned body inform the actual date of the result and help us to concentrate on our future planning," burst Rachana Adhikari, an SLC student from Martyrs Memorial School, Gyaneshwor.

Students, wishing to study abroad or at least India, are the real victims of the lack of information from the related body. Usually (and universally too), all academic years begins in June and the student have to furnish their certificates within June to the new institute/school. Provisional certificates are not accepted after June in any university, colleges or schools outside Nepal.

Many parents and the students are dumbfounded by the Board’s apathy over students’ anxiety. In reply to a query to The Kathmandu Post about the way out of the current problem, Shah Dev Bhatta, Controller of the SLC examination says, "We are planning our best to publish the results within Ashad (second week of July) provided all other things remain the same". "Almost all the answer sheets have been checked and being de-coding. Of the 36 correction centers, ten have submitted their results until today," adds Bhatta. The controller also informed that the newly implied system of decentralization and coding/de-coding proved tough at district level as altogether 101,000 answer sheets underwent through the new system.

Most of the parents of the border areas and especially the Kathmanduites send their children to India or third countries with the hope of making their career sellable in the modern academic market. Govinda Adhikari, a United Nation’s staff working at United Nation High Commissioner for Refugee, Jhapa, is in limbo since he has no inkling about the date of the SLC results either from the government-run or private sector media. Yet, Adhikari is set to send his son for higher studies to India - Sikkim, Kalimpong or Darjeeling. " My elder son is doing well now under Kathmandu University courses only because he spent two years at St. Xaviers School, Sikkim which helped him to mature, be disciplined and provide personality growth, " added Adhikari.

There are thousands of parents and students awaiting early SLC results like Adhikari. In this connection the board should at least make clear its strategies in advance, after all it involves the future of so many students.

South Asia UNHCR chief in Jhapa 

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BIRTAMOD, Jhapa, June 22- South Asia Chief of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Hiro Mistu Morry, inspected the Damak-based UNHCR office on Friday.

Morry also acquired information about the living condition of the Bhutanese refugees living in misery in the seven camps for over a decade. UNHCR has been providing the refugees humanitarian assistance since they were forcibly evicted from Bhutan a decade ago.

Although authorities officially declined to provide details of her visit to the refugee camps, UNHCR sources said Morry would be visiting Goldhap camp on Saturday. The source said that Morry would also be visiting Bhutan after her Nepal visit.

It may be recalled that the Joint Verification Team (JVT), comprising five members from each side of Nepal and Bhutan, has been verifying the Bhutanese refugees since March 26.

According to the latest statistics available from the Damak-based JVT office, 3,575 people from 567 families living in Khudunabari camp have been verified as of Friday.

Morry is expected to press the Bhutanese authorities for speeding up the verification process to ensure early repatriation of the refugees.

UNHCR and other international communities, including the European Union, have expressed their dissatisfaction over the slow progress in the refugee verification.

Experts say that it would, take at least six to seven years to verify all the refugees unless an improvement is made in the existing verification process.

Around 100,000 Bhutanese refugees have been languishing in eastern Nepal for over a decade after they were forcibly evicted from their homeland under the Druk government’s ethnic cleansing policy.