NTC to slash mobile call rates

By Ram Sharan Sedhai

KATHMANDU, April 1 : Nepal Telecommunications Corporation (NTC), the state-run telecom monopolist, is doing homework to making incoming calls free and slashing the outgoing call charge of cellular mobile phones soon.

The NTC, which has been charging Rs 4 per minute for an outgoing call and Rs 2 a minute for an incoming call, excluding VAT and other taxes on both calls, is making incoming call free and lowering the charge on outgoing calls on the basis of usage. The review of the mobile phone call charges will come into effect any time during Baishakh, the first month of Nepali calendar (mid-April to mid-May).

Apart from scrapping the charge on calls received and reducing the charge on calls generated, the Corporation is also planning to provide some calls free by introducing different tariff plans.

Keshab Bahadur Shah, General Manager of the NTC, said, "We are doing home work to make incoming call free and slash the tariff on outgoing calls of cellular mobile phone shortly with a view to facilitate the subscribers".

The charge on outgoing calls cannot be reduced across the board, particularly those who make least use of mobile phone, as the Corporation needs to sustain and recover the operation cost of the service, he said.

The step is being taken as per the policy of the Corporation to gradually reduce the charges of cellular mobile phone making it affordable to a larger number of aspirant cell phone subscribers, he said.

He further said that the Corporation has lowered the charges of mobile phone from Rs 6 per minute a call to Rs 4 for per minute call within three years and the process of scaling down the charges would continue to the lowest possible extent.

"The NTC should not be blamed for charging high tariffs being a monopolist as we have been reducing the charges gradually," said Shah brushing off the allegation.

Besides, making the new service more competitive in terms of affordability, we are also working on improving the quality of the service. The number of base transceiver stations (BTS) has been raised to 34 from 24 at the beginning. Recently we have installed 2 BTS at different locations of the capital considering the flow of traffic, said Madan Kaji Shakya, Director of New Services Directorate of the NTC.

We are also expanding the cellular mobile phone service to the major cities and townships outside the Kathmandu Valley. We are going to provide the service in Bharatpur and Hetauda as a New Year gift to the people of the cities.

The Corporation has set a target of expanding the cell phone service from Mechi to Mahakali within the current fiscal year, he informed.

Necessary equipment has already been dispatched to Dhangadhi and the service will operate soon. Cellular mobile phone will be distributed in Nepalgunj after Dhangadhi, he added. He also said that the NTC has a plan to erect BTS at major points along the Prithvi and Mahendra highways and providing the service at the main cities and townships along the East-West Highway.

The NTC so far has distributed over 30,000 cellular mobile phone connections in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Birgunj and Biratnagar where the service is currently available. With its expansion of 50,000 lines capacity, the sole operator has the installation capacity of additional 40,000 mobile telephony connections.

Survey reveals public faith in judiciary eroding

KATHMANDU, April 1 (PR)- Around 57 per cent of the public do not have faith in receiving justice from the court. Furthermore, 10 per cent of the public expressed bribing a judge, suggesting that there is corruption in the judiciary.

The above are some of the findings of the survey report on "Public opinion of justice and the performance of judiciary in Nepal". The report was released at a programme organised by Nepal Law Society (NLS) today.

The report, the result of the first ever attempt ventured in the sector of judiciary in Nepal, was conducted by NLS in co-operation with the Asian Foundation. The objective of the survey was to assess the people’s knowledge and attitude about judiciary and their expectations of the change needed for improvement. 

The opinions of 5,448 individuals consisting of a mix of general public (5,037); industrialists (151); and judges, lawyers, academicians, and officials of courts (260) is reflected in the report. The survey was conducted in February-March 2002, covering 31 districts.

"The survey has tried to capture the perceptions of the people on the effectiveness of the judiciary after democracy," said Govinda Das Shrestha, team leader, Survey Programme.

Some other interesting findings of the survey were that almost three out of four respondents felt that time taken for adjudication is long. Similarly, 45 per cent of the respondents felt that it is expensive to go to court for resolving disputes.

Moreover, it was found that the case of corruption was three times worse among court officials, then judges with 31 per cent of the public claiming of bribing them. Twenty-one per cent expressed their opinion that most of the judges decide cases impartially.

Speaking on the occasion, Nick Langton, Representative of the Asia Foundation, quoting the survey said that the public felt lawyers were harsher than judges while gaining justice. "Working for fifteen years in Nepal, it is seen that the courts are unable to enforce law in a healthy manner," said Langton.

The survey, states that, the three important reforms identified by the general public include elimination of corruption, fair decision and efficient judges/court officials. Whereas the opinion reflected by the judicial sector included effective system of evaluation of judges, reform of procedural laws, and the establishment of judicial police for effective implementation of court decisions.

"Petty cases needs to be adjudicated by other courts, thereby decreasing the pressure of the Supreme Court," said Justice Govinda Bahadur Shrestha, "There should also be a study to reduce the current court costs."

Similarly, Anup Raj Sharma, Chairman, NLS, said that the findings show that the court seems to have less corruption in the 12 years than other institutions. He also added that administration officials were seen to be more corrupt than judges.

Maoists hold talks with RPP, NSP leaders

Post Report

KATHMANDU, April 1 : In a bid to exchange ideas to bring the present truce to a logical end through all-party agreement, the Maoist negotiators for the peace process, today met separately with Pashupati Shumsher Rana, chairman of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and Hridayesh Tripathi, leader of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP).

During their meeting with Rana, the Maoist negotiators said they are sincere for the talks and wanted solution to all the problems, through amicable means but complained that the government was "unnecessarily" delaying in holding talks with them.

Talking to the reporters after the two-and-half-an-hour meeting with the Maoist leaders, RPP chairman Rana said both the sides have principally agreed to bring the talks to a positive end at all cost.

Chief Maoist negotiator, Dr Baburam Bhattarai said there were comprehensive discussions on how to bring the present peace talks to a logical end. He, however, could not state what the strategies were to ensure success of the talks.

"Our meetings with the major political parties have increased hopes that the peace process will give a positive result this time," said Dr Bhattarai. "Most of the parties including the RPP are positive towards the issues we raised."

He said an agreement was made at today’s meeting to develop a common mechanism to reduce ideological and perceptual differences between two parties.

Rana however said there were some fundamental issues still left to be debated with the Maoists and today’s talk was just an exchange of ideas between the two parties.

"We are yet to be convinced to support their demand for a constituent assembly elections," said Rana.

The Maoist negotiators also complained that there were several issues—which revolved around defining the code of conduct, agreed between the government and the Maoists—, yet to be settled. Dr Bhattarai, however did not clarify what were the issues.

All the five rebel leaders- Dr Bhattarai, Ram Bahadur Thapa (Badal), Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Matrika Yadav and Dev Gurung- held an one-and-half-an-hour long meeting with NSP leader Tripathi at the latter’s residence, immediately after their meeting with RPP chairman Rana.

Talking to The Kathmandu Post after the meeting, Tripathi said he found the Maoist leaders very sensitive towards the peace talks as compared to the talks they had held earlier in the past with the government.

Tripathi said there was similar stance between two parties on the issue of constituent assembly elections and there were possibilities that both the parties could arrive at a common point about federal system of the government.

"They looked mature this time. So the state should not miss this opportunity to bring them into mainstream and peaceful politics," added Tripathi.

He also said the Maoists wanted active cooperation from all the political parties, to explore an amicable solution from the table.

Maoist leaders Bhattarai and Mahara also met with the leaders of Nepal Workers’ and Peasants’ Party (NWPP), at Bhaktapur on Tuesday afternoon, as a part of their series of meetings with the political parties.

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress president GP Koirala today met with RPP chairman Rana "to reconfirm that RPP was still against all types of regressions".

Journo’s widow goes begging

By Tika Bhatta

DEURALI, (Ramechhap) April 1 : Forty-year-old Sita KC of Deurali, is left to beg for survival ever since her husband, a journalist, was shot dead by security personnel five months ago, for alleged involvement in Maoist activities.

Raj Kumar KC, a journalist who once worked as district correspondent of the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), was shot dead on October 23.

"Produce from two ropanis of land lasts only two months. I work hard but that is not enough to feed my children. This has left me with no alternative but to beg," Sita lamented.

Her eldest daughter Uma works as a domestic help in the house of a teacher. That helps her to provide money for the school uniform. But other children, aged between seven and 12 years, do not contribute to the family income. Chances are she may withdraw her children from school as she is unable to meet the expenses.

However, claims are in place that Raj Kumar indeed worked for the rebels after giving up the RSS job. Army personnel had picked him up soon after he had come back from Manthali on October 23 last.

Denying that her husband could be a rebel activist, Sita however conceded that he would often go missing without citing any reasons. All that he used to say was that he was buying a plot of land in Manthali.

Worst part is the widow does not have any relative who can bail her out. As if her hardships were not enough, the bank may soon auction off the plot of land her husband had pawned, for a sum of Rs one hundred thousand. "I wonder what I will do once the bank takes possession of my land," Sita further bemoaned.

Govt raises public transportation fares

Post Report

KATHMANDU, April 1 : Following the hike in the price of petroleum products last week, the government today conceded to the transport entrepreneurs demand partially and increased the public transportation fare by 16 to 20 per cent.

A press release issued here today by the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management has said that the fare for the short and long route public vehicles has been increased by 18 and 16 per cent respectively.

Likewise, the government has also decided to hike the fare of metre-taxi by 16.6 per cent and metre-tempo by 17.6 per cent.

The new fares will be effective from tomorrow.

With this latest hike, the passengers will now have to pay Rs 14 per km for taxi and Rs 10 per km for three wheeler, an increase of Rs two per km for taxi and Rs 1.5 per kms for tempos.

In case of other short route public vehicles, the government has decided to hike the fare by 20 per cent.

The decision to increase the transport fares is based on the recommendations provided by Transport Fare Review Committee-a joint committee comprising the government officials and the private sector.

The Federation of Nepalese Transport Entrepreneurs (FNTE) had unilaterally decided to hike transport fare by 30 per cent on long route public vehicles and 40 per cent on short route vehicles.

Chhabiraj Pant, Director General of Department of Transport Management and co-ordinator of the fare review committee said that the committee decided the fare hike unanimously.

People’s sovereignty is core of our demands: Dr Bhattarai

By Prateek Pradhan and Guna Raj Luitel

KATHMANDU, April 1 : Dr Baburam Bhattarai, coordinator of the Maoist dialogue team, who surfaced in the public on Saturday, provided his first print media interview to The Kathmandu Post and its sister publication Kantipur today. In his interview, Dr Bhattarai made it clear that Maoist party had come to the dialogue as no regime - the government and Maoists - was in a position to lead the country by itself.

Dr Bhattarai showed strong commitment towards the peace process, and said that the bottom line of the Maoists’ demand was people's sovereignty. He also made it clear that the Maoist leaders have been working from inside the country, and not from any foreign land. Excerpts from the interview:

The Kathmandu Post: Tell us something about how life was like after you went underground in 1996?

Bhattarai: In general, people think being underground is literally disappearing beneath the surface, or hiding in a dark room or a jungle. We also felt kind of uneasiness in the beginning. However, it just meant avoiding certain people. In fact, during the underground years we were always openly active among the villagers, and we were moving around with our militia. I always moved in the open in broad daylight in Gorkha and in other districts. Our cadres and leaders have always done so. Hence, we shouldn’t look at it as a big suspense.

TKP: Which districts were easier to move around? How often did you and other top Maoists visit the capital?

Bhattarai: Let’s not get into the technical details. Our responsible leaders went almost everywhere. As there was a lot of hype about the Siliguri talks, people thought that we were mostly in India, which was not true. The Siliguri talks were organised for the convenience of the other group. We had invited them to our control area but they denied. They were afraid that intelligence would follow them. Saying that, we don’t rule out making various trips to foreign countries arranged by our friends. We went to the USA, Russia, China and India. Still, we were based mostly in the villages.

TKP: Did you also go to England?

Bhattarai: I don’t mean I went to all these countries. Our friends went abroad as and when needed. One newspaper even wrote that a reporter saw my wife and daughter in London, whereas they are very much here, and my daughter is studying "here".

TKP: How long did you plan for underground politics and insurgency?

Bhattarai: In the policy level, we were convinced that over 200-years of state rule had seen only a few people cornering all the benefits, while the majority marginalized and oppressed. Hence we always voiced for the restructuring of the state power.

We raised the issue peacefully for a few years after the restoration of democracy in 1990, which we continued even when we were in the People’s Front. However, the then rulers were in no mood to listen to our legitimate demands, forcing us to take up arms. As we started the armed struggle our strength grew significantly.

TKP: While underground, what difference did you see in the comments from the public?

Bhattarai: We consider it as class difference. People in urban areas have certain level of prosperity, which changes their viewpoint about the world and society. Hence, the urban people’s understanding of the revolutionary movement is completely different from that of the rural people. When we met oppressed rural people, they used to recognize us, understand our mission. The people never revealed our secrets. We were sometimes anxious and worried when we had to move around in the darkness amid fear. But we never had to do so. In many places we met several people who knew us, but the government never ever got a hint. Our militants took action in Arghakhanchi, and the same group went up to Jumla, but the so-called intelligence network of the government didn’t have a clue? It proved their incompetence and people’s faith on us.

TKP: Do you think it happened because the state had crumbled? If the state machinery was effective, it would be difficult, no?

Bhattarai: The well functioning state would have taken care of the country and the people, which would itself dismiss the justification of the movement. People want change, and support the rebellion only when the state fails.

TKP: When your party initiated the movement you criticized that the situation was not favourable for the revolution. How did your party conjure up maturity of the situation?

Bhattarai: We have creatively implemented Marxism, Leninism and Maoism in Nepali land, which we call Prachanda Path. We were pretty sure about the inability of the social structure to continue in its deformed stage. We used to say that the conscious mass was not playing the role. We wanted the old leadership to bring out a completely different ideology; it didn’t happen. So we revolted against the old leadership and formed CPN (Maoist). We realized the ground reality and brought the appropriate ideology.

TKP: Did international situation play a role in the initiation of your movement?

Bhattarai: We feel pity for the lack of knowledge in some people. The existence of class conflict in the society is explained in the communist manifesto written a century and half ago. We do not need anyone to teach us the fact. We are sorry that the old and opportunist communist leadership could not implement it.

TKP: It is alleged that Maoists started their movement with the influence from RIM (Revolutionary International Movement), what do you say?

Bhattarai: This too is the lack of information. The RIM is nothing abstract, it’s an organization made up of people like us. If such a movement could be instigated only by the RIM, similar revolutions would have emerged everywhere in the world.

TKP: Your movement is alleged as dishonest revolution. Your party was only influenced by the success of UML’s initial movement of killing people, which placed them comfortably in politics. How do you see it?

Bhattarai: If people contemplate to clinch power through wrong and terror techniques, it is another example of low mentality. If it was so simple, why didn’t they start it? I don’t think they came into the politics to become a saint.

TKP: Do you consider, so far that you have been successful?

Bhattarai: It has been proved by the situation. Where were we seven years ago? When we handed 40-point demand to the government in 1996, people had a different opinion about us. How are they looking at us now? The difference tells our success. The exhilaration that has emerged in the oppressed villagers also tells the story.

TKP: You have been talking about a new kind of multiparty system. How would that be?

Bhattarai: The multiparty system we are talking about is much different than the people’s multiparty democracy being bandied by the UML. Society consists of different classes of people, and the parties represent these diverse people, so multiparty would remain in the society. Communist party is the representative of proletariats, but there are other classes too. In between communist and reactionary parties there are many who should also be allowed to compete. The party of proletariats should be competing with more than one party, which helps to correct its mistakes. The existing multiparty system in the country involves just the sharing of power among various groups of capitalists. The multiparty system we are talking about should have representation from various groups, castes and regions.

TKP: If the peace talks fail to bring the kind of multiparty system, would you agree on it?

Bhattarai: The current politics is a conflict between two regimes and three political forces. For the strategic balance, no party side can lead the country alone. As such we are advocating for a progressive solution. The major agenda of the talks is for all three forces - pro-monarchists, parliamentary parties and us - to come out with a solution from give and takes. The new system would not be like Panchayat or the current parliamentary system. It has to be a step ahead of multiparty parliamentary system. How far we will achieve it depends on the negotiation.

TKP: In this negotiation how much compromise is required from the king, parliamentary parties and your party?

Bhattarai: It will be decided only after we sit in the talks. Everyone has to show certain flexibility. The bottom line should be the interest of the general public.

TKP: You have said that your party has come to the negotiation having faith in the people and the country. How come suddenly you felt it necessary to believe the people?

Bhattarai: The old regime had to fulfill a responsible role, but they haven’t done so in last two months. In such a situation we have decided to come for the talks, believing in the people and the country. If we can bring the force in line it would be nice, if not the people would take care of them, and that’s why we are here for the dialogues.

TKP: In your first press conference in the public you had urged the king to make certain sacrifice, what exactly is the sacrifice you were talking about?

Bhattarai: The Shah dynasty has ruled the country longest, for 200 years. Hence the monarch has to take responsibility of the ills that is here for over two centuries. After that the political parties should also take the responsibility for the ills that happened during their rules. I think the newly emerged force should also take responsibility in certain proportion.

TKP: You have been talking about people’s sovereignty, what’s that?

Bhattarai: It is people's sovereignty we are talking about. Our country has to be saved from the imperialist nature of the big countries. There’s also the issue of internal nationality. If the educated and mindful people oppress minorities the internal nationality won’t be strengthened. The nationality can be safeguarded only by proffering people’s rights to the people. In Panchayat they said only the king could safeguard the nationality, which proved wrong in practice. The monarchy could not change the unequal treaties. It’s proved that nationalism in real sense could not be built without any initiatives from the people.

‘Witch-hunters’ strike again

By Leelanath Ghimire

SINDHULI, April 1 : Neighbours in Nangedanda village of Jhanga Jholi Village Development Committee (VDC) allegedly tried to burn alive a 76-year-old woman on charges of her being a witch, inside her own home, on Saturday night.

Chiranjivi Dahal, the son of Bhakta Kumari, claimed that his neighbour Lal Bahadur Dahal and his family members attempted to burn his mother alive at a time when he was out of the home.

They also set her home on fire but other villagers put out it immediately. The village is located about 25-km away from Sindhulimadi, the district headquarters.

Chiranjivi said that Lal Bahadur and his family members used to threaten his mother with murder and used to accuse her of practising witchcraft.

"They set ablaze my mother’s home two days after I left my home for personal business," Chiranjivi said, "I had earlier warned them against any mischief to my mother."

Bhakta Kumari the victim said that the Lal Bahadur’s family gave her mental torture and accused her of being a witch, as the latter’s son was caught red-handed while stealing her home.

Spirit of ghode jatra lays to rest Tundi demon

By Bikash Sangraula

KATHMANDU, April 1 : People started pouring in around Tundikhel right from noon. They formed an impressive mass in central Kathmandu, trying their best to gain entrance into the colorfully decorated parade ground to watch the horse races from a closer distance. But then, the security had been beefed up and no one was allowed entrance without invitation cards.

"This is a unique festival," said Namgyal Shrestha, who had climbed up a tree, west of Tundikhel, securing his ‘seat’ in a branch, so as to view the proceedings without visual disturbances. "There are very few religious rites to be performed during Ghode Jatra. It is all fun and no formality," he said.

However, the atmosphere inside the parade ground was intensely formal. White, brown and black stallions, ponies, as well as Indian, Pakistani and Australian horses could be seen stamping their hooves on the ground in preparation of the race. "It is rare these days to see horses in Kathmandu, let alone horse races," said Brijesh Joshi, one of the spectators. "This is the day when one can have one’s fill of watching these graceful animals."

The performance today was staged by the King’s Household Cavalry, that was established by King Surendra Bir Bikram Shah about 150 years ago. History has it that this cavalry unit exhibited spectacular bravery during the Nepal-Tibet war of 1911-12. Located formerly at several places including Basantapur, Balaju and Pipa Goswara, this unit is now located at Singha Durbar. The unit has been performing at state ceremonies ever since its inception. The unit is presently commanded by Lt Col. Govinda Bahadur Basnyat.

Upon arrival, Their Majesties the King and Queen, Crown Prince, Crown Princess, Nawa Yuvaraj and Nawa Yuvaragyi were offered the royal salute by the mass band of the Royal Nepal Army. The brass and pipe bands performed alternately during the rest of the proceedings.

"It is nice to see Their Majesties gracing such traditional festivals," said Bibek Chamling, one of the spectators. "That brings home the point that the king is the figurehead, no matter the political developments."

Trained riders mounted on equally trained horses competed in the pony race, charger race, show jump, tent pegging, handkerchief picking, coach dressage, drill ride, vaulting and Hungarian Post, mixed jump and fire jump. In addition to the dignitaries, the performance was watched by thousands of common people, who had formed a perceptible belt of humanity around the parade ground. They eased up the atmosphere of formality by cheering at the performers.

The winners of the races were awarded prizes by the king.

Various beliefs abound concerning the origin of the Ghode Jatra festival. One school of belief says that there lived in Kathmandu in ancient times, a demon called Tundi. The demon had wrecked terror among the Kathmanduites. After a historic struggle, the citizens buried the demon at Tundikhel. In order to make sure that the spirit of the demon does not rise from the grave, the Tundikhel area is thumped every year with the mighty hooves of horses.

"The sound of thumping hooves scares the spirit of the demon," said a credulous Mohan Man Tamrakar. "This parade is essential to ensure that the evil spirit does not spoil our creative endeavors," he added, fixing his eyes at the graceful horses.

Another version has it that in the olden days, the kings of Kathmandu used to visit the Bhadrakali temple in a courtly cavalcade. That could have developed into horse parade and later evolved into a contest form, as they are held today.