Four parties, including UML, demand for House revival

Yuvaraj Acharya

KAHMANDU, Feb 12 The four major political parties today appeared moving closer in demanding revival of House of Representatives.

A meeting of Communist Party of Nepal, Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), Nepali Congress, Nepal Workers’ and Peasants’ Party and People’s Front Nepal decided that the dissolved House should be revival in order to end the current political impasse.

The CPN-UML puts seal of approval on the demand for the House revival as the first option, but reiterated that formation of an all-party government should be the next alternative.

"We agreed that the king has an option either to reinstate the dissolved House of Representatives or to form an all-party government, " said Madhav Kumar Nepal, the General Secretary of CPN-UML.

The meeting also asked the king and the Maoists to clarify their stance on the four critical issues, namely, people as the repository of sovereignty, constitutional monarchy, multiparty system, human rights and the rule of law.

"It is important that the Maoists and the king make their positions clear on these issues," said a press release issued after the meeting.

Amik Sherchan, chairman of People’s Front Nepal, said the difference among the four parties on the issue of correction of the October 4 royal move have now ended with today’s meeting.

The meeting also decided to go ahead with the joint movement "to transfer power back to people;" however, it could not agree on the modality and timeframe of the joint movement. "The leaders agreed to decide the specifics of the movement in the next meeting," says the press release.

Narayan Man Bijukchhe, convener of the meeting and NWPP chairman, said the meeting stressed on the need to guard the present situation to avoid any anti-people agreements between the Maoists and the king.

He said that the NWPP has proposed a non-cooperation movement against the present government at all levels. "Discussion on the issue would take place in next meeting," Bijukchhe said.

A joint press statement issued after the meeting also stated that all the parties would boycott the government’s programmes. They also decided not to cooperate with the anti-graft mobile teams formed by the government nearly a month ago.

The meeting, however, took the cease-fire agreement arrived between the government and the Maoists as a positive step. "But there are several questions to be answered regarding the whole process," the press statement said.

The meeting also urged the Maoists not to hold any round-table meetings at local level before an agreement is reached at the national level.

Truce a strategic balancing act: Prachanda

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KATHMANDU, Feb 12 CPN-Maoist leader Prachanda has conceded that the cease-fire declaration was a part of a strategic balancing act following government’s willingness to concede certain demands of them.

"The decisions like taking the CPN-Maoist off the terrorist list and annulling the red corner notices against its leaders created atmosphere conducive for declaring cease-fire followed by dialogue," Prachanda said in a statement here today.

Saying that the offer of talks is the continuation of the war by another means, the statement further said that the party would love to see people ending up empowered without any more shooting. However, he has also expressed seriousness towards the talks in the interest of "nationalism, democracy and resolution of basic problems faced by the people."

Much in line with sentiments expressed while announcing the cease-fire, the statement issued in the run up to the eighth anniversary of the insurgency has said that the leadership was aware of the conspiracy being hatched by "the outgoing regime and imperialist and expansionist forces."

UML unable to come up with fresh vision

By Ghanashyam Ojha

KATHMANDU, Feb 12 The seventh convention of the Communist Party of Nepal - Unified Marxist & Leninist (CPN-UML) was not only marred by internal conflicts, but was also undermined by the unprecedented cease-fire between the government and Maoists.

The political analysts flayed the ego-game played between the top-notch leaders, and also criticized the party for lack of clear vision on other political agenda.

"The UML’s decision to remain open to all possible options was an example of lack of political vision," said Surendra KC, a left political analyst and a professor of history at Tribhuwan University(TU). The seventh convention decided to keep all options open regarding the peace-talks with Maoists.

However, the re-elected General Secretary, Madhav Kumar Nepal defended the decisions of the convention. "It would be unrealistic to stick with a specific option at such fluid political situation," he said. Apart from the Maoist issue the convention had innumerable issues to deal with, the duty they hardly fulfilled. The convention failed to address even the previously announced resolutions, like the perspective towards the palace after October 4 takeover. It had earlier declared the palace as a direct political opponent, and announced a strong protest programme.

KC accuses UML of still maintaining a dubious role. "The convention did not explore any essential decisions but it further pushed the party to more complications," KC said.

Another political analyst Krishna Khanal, professor of political science at TU, agrees that the UML could not come up with concrete decisions from its seventh national congress.

The party also kept silence on their earlier decision about Maoists being ultra leftists, and its declaration to fight for the multi-party democracy, constitutional monarchy and people’s sovereignty.

Analyst KC foresees a tough challenge for the UML in future. "Since the Maoists are maintaining revolutionary politics, it will override UML if it comes up as a political force," KC said.

Khanal, however, does not consider Maoists as a big political threat for the UML. However, he agreed about the future challenges.

"UML has a bigger challenge in the days to come," Khanal said. "But they will be able to maintain a balance."

Despite the overwhelming majority, General Secretary Nepal doesn’t look strong enough to pacify the internal conflicts in his communist party. The adamancy on the part of K P Sharma Oli, a powerful leader in the party, to withdraw his dissent paper until the last minutes proves his intention.

"I have sown the seeds of the presidential system in this convention, and I’m sure that my paper will be overwhelmingly accepted in the eighth general convention," Oli told The Kathmandu Post, immediately after the convention.

It proves the continued race in the party. Not to mention Oli’s open criticism of the party leadership for the foul game played during the election. However, the current party balance in Nepal’s for has shut the door for any bigger split in the party in near future.

The other aspect of vision failure is the political confusion. The perennial dilemma of the UML, whether to go more radical or liberal, remained unresolved even after the convention. And this is the dilemma that is not easily resolved. If the party chooses to go radical, it will have tough competition from the Maoists, and if it goes on liberalism, Nepali Congress will supersede it.

"The lack of democratic system within the party would never let the conflict subside in the UML, which will restrain the party to become dynamic," said Surendra KC.

NHRC seeks Indian co-operation to check women trafficking

By Bikash Sangraula

KATHMANDU, Feb 12 The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is to form a committee shortly, comprised of representatives from NHRC and its Indian counterpart, to check the rampant trafficking in women and children across the open Nepal-India border.

"Trafficking in women and children to India cannot be controlled without co-operation from India," said NHRC chief Nayan Bahadur Khatri, speaking at an interaction programme today, adding, "We are working in the direction of forming a committee consisting of members from the human rights commissions of Nepal and India. For that purpose, we have already held secretary-level talks with our Indian friends."

A month ago, NHRC formed the National Rapporteur’s Office (NRO) to co-ordinate anti-trafficking activities being independently conducted by various national and international organisations in the country. According to national rapporteur, Renu Rajbhandari, the NRO has been formed to assist independent organisations.

"For achieving the goal, we will perform monitoring, investigating and reporting activities in the field," said Rajbhandari, presenting a preliminary work-plan drafted by NRO. Apart from facilitating various functions in the anti-trafficking campaign, the office will also work towards ensuring that international human rights standards are observed during the rescue and repatriation of trafficked women and children, according to Rajbhandari.

Commenting on the draft, Mohan Man Sainju, former vice-chairman of National Planning Commission said that absence of a resource centre was a major hurdle impeding Nepal’s anti-trafficking campaign. "We still cannot confidently comment on the status and trend of trafficking in Nepal. A reliable resource centre is a pressing need. Similarly, distinct periodic plans are imperative if NRO wants to make a significant impact in the scenario," he said.

Sainju also said that eliminating the trafficking in women and children in Nepal is no longer a localised problem.

"While we previously ascribed this problem to poverty and believed it to be limited to the so-called lower castes, the problem has dramatically transcended such barriers lately," he said. "This is a big business now. Many influential groups have serious economic interests in this business, and extra caution is warranted while dealing with the problem."

The formation of NRO is an experimental move. Its formation and the slated co-operation between Nepal and India are seen by many independent organisations working in the area as a major breakthrough.

Nepal-India railways talks extended

By Milan Mani Sharma

KATHMANDU, Feb 12 The three-day negotiations on Nepal India Railways Agreement (NIRA) has been extended for a day after the talks teams from Nepal and India failed to resolve differences on the
issue of customs inspection and terminal management on Wednesday.

During the negotiations today, India strongly raised question over modality of Inland Container Depot (ICD) operation and sought its presence in the management of the ICD. India had submitted a proposal in this line earlier, which rules out third party’s involvement in ICD management.

Sources said that India voiced strong for TMC against Nepal’s demand of issuing customs clearance to its third country imports at the ICD, Birgunj. The customs clearance at Birgunj is a major demand of Nepali side while operating direct railways between Kolkata port and ICD.

"However, the Nepali side still differs on Indian proposed procedures while inspecting containers at Raxaul," he said. Inspecting containers at Raxaul is said as another Indian conditions for agreeing to Nepal’s stance of customs clearance.

While the Indian side claimed that proposed procedure was simple than the existing practice, Nepali officials argued that it still hinders free movement of cargo train. Although the Nepali side on Tuesday agreed to be flexible on the new procedures, it realised that the practical hassles under the provision were still higher, the source added.

Nepal has been insisting for ‘one-time lock system’, ensuring direct entry of the containers to the ICD once they had been inspected and locked in Kolkata. "Nonetheless, we hope to resolve existing differences during tomorrow’s negotiations," he said.

The modality of customs procedure, transit arrangements and railways operation was discussed during the day. The NIRA is important to the country for operating the ICD. In its absence the World Bank funded multi-million dollar project has been failing to yield desired results, despite being completed two years back. The operation of ICD is expected to slash transit costs by almost 40 per cent.

Likewise, a separate bilateral negotiation on cross-border movement of motor vehicles connecting major cities of two countries has been extended for sixth day after the Indian side denied to open major cities and routes for operating direct bus services. It was scheduled for two days only.

The talks today ended inconclusively after India raised the issue of security while opening major cities like Delhi, Kolkata and Patna, among others for Nepali bus services, said a member of the negotiating team. Countering the Indian argument, the Nepali team denied to connecting Kathmandu with any of Indian cities.

"We are adamant on not opening Kathmandu for Indian passenger vehicles if India is not to open Delhi for Nepali vehicles," said the source. Instead, the Nepali side held firm to its stance of restricting the Indian vehicles up to Hetauda and Narayanghat only, if India targeted short distance passenger services, he added.

Nepal has been focusing on linking tourists and religious destinations. Asking India to open cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Banaras and Patna, among others, it had proposed three routes linking Kathmandu with Kolkata, Delhi and Banaras. Direct vehicle operation with these cities has been sought to tap the business of 100 of thousands Nepali migrant workers in India.

New policy on the anvil for domesticated elephants

By Kiran Chapagain

KATHMANDU, Feb 12 The government is to introduce a policy that will guide conservationists to ensure proper care and conservation of government owned domesticated elephants, said officials.

"We are working to prepare the Policy on Management of Domesticated Elephants in the country that will also permit elephants kept by individuals to enter national parks," Chandi Prasad Shrestha, secretary at the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, told The Kathmandu Post.

Once the policy comes into force, the pachyderms will be allowed to graze inside the parks, just like the government-owned elephants. Eighty domesticated elephants, used for carrying tourists inside the park are owned by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), while the rest belong to the lodges, resorts and the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC).

This new provision overrides the existing policy that allows only government-owned elephants and some private elephants, reared inside the parks by hotels and lodges, to roam freely inside the parks.

Officials of the DNPWC say that efforts along this line had been mooted as early as ten years ago. However, the requests of individual elephant owners were not accepted then, as conservationists at the ministry were against the move, on the ground that the permission would have far-reaching impacts on the park ecology.

Some conservation experts at DNPWC are still against the new policy. The ministry, on its part, is conducting an environmental impact assessment before the policy is translated into practice.

The policy also aims to upgrade the existing elephant breeding centre based in the Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP), the only elephant breeding centre in the country. The existing breeding centre, established in 1984, is not up to standards, official concede.

The policy proposes to link management and conservation of the 184 domesticated Asian elephants, including 104 private ones, with tourism activities. A sizeable chunk of the income generated through the elephants is to be allocated for the elephant-breeding centre.

Officials hope that the new policy will solve the problems related to domesticated elephants. A three-month study carried out by Babu Ram Yadav, an elephant expert at the DNPWC, points out that the shortage of caretakers for the elephant is the major problem for proper management of domesticated elephants in the country.

The study states that there are 23 posts of elephant caretakers (Mahuat, Pachhuwa and Phanit) vacant at present, which underscores the need to ensure proper care of the elephants.

This problem has taken on an urgency of its own, as the ministry has not been able to make appointments for caretakers. The Public Service Commission (PSC), which is the authority to undertake the official recruitment, has not shown any interest nor responded, Shrestha added.

The study further states that, problems related to habitat, quality fodder, medicines and lack of proper facilities for veterinarians at the five stables and the breeding centre are causes detrimental to the management and conservation of domesticated elephants.

"The new policy will address these problems too and will contribute to make Nepal a model country for management and conservation of domesticated elephants," secretary Shrestha added.

CIAA sues ex-NCCN chief

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KATHMANDU, Feb 12 The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) today filed a case against Ramagya Chaturvedi, former general manager of National Construction Company of Nepal (NCCN), for amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Chaturvedi, who had been the general manager of Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC) and Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) also, was charged with amassing more than Rs 77.16 million of which he was unable to substantiate the legality of Rs 69.17 million.

A press statement issued by the CIAA today said that Chaturvedi has deposited Rs 1.66 million in Nepalese banks and more than 14.48 millions in State Bank of India and United Bank of India.

The CIAA claimed that it found during the investigation that Rs. 3 million rupees was invested by Chaturvedi in the name of his son Abhishek in Om Research Institute, 3 million rupees in Nepal Medical College in his own name and 500 thousands in Shikhar Paints.

Chaturvedi had claimed during the CIAA’s interrogation, that most of the asset was received as dowry at his marriage, some of it was agricultural income and profit gained from Kamala Carpet Industries.

The CIAA has suggested confiscation of all assets not substantiated as legally earned income and a fine equivalent to the illegal amount, along with five years imprisonment.