Hijacked Indian plane lands at Dubai Airport

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec. 24:Eight people were Nepalese among the 178 passengers on board the Indian Airlines flight, which was hijacked as the plane entered the Indian airspace  half an hour after takeoff from Kathmandu.

The Nepalese have been identified as Sanjaya Dhital, Janak Shrestha, Shanti Shrestha, Rohna Pathak, Rosan Dahal, Gajendra Man Tamrakar, Hit Kumari Shrestha and Nilam Prasad Chapagain, Airport officials said.

The IC 814, which took off at 4.27 p.m., has landed at Dubai Airport at 1.48 a.m. hours after it was intercepted from the Indian airspace around 6 p.m., CNN said. The plane was said to have headed for Dubai shortly after refuelling around 10 p.m. at Lahore, where it was denied landing earlier.

TIA said the Delhi bound plane, which was flying on low fuel, then returned to India and stopped briefly at Amritsar, where four passengers were said to have been shot dead over argument during refuelling, news agencies said. The report, however, is yet to be confirmed by any official sources. 

The plane then took off and headed for Lahore again, where it landed despite an initial refusal of permission and in the absence of runaway lights, an AFP news datelined Lahore said.

As of writing this at two a.m., the hijacked aircraft is said to have landed on Dubai airport after the Taliban Govenrment didn’t grant permission to land on an Afghani airport.

Meanwhile, an emergency cabinet meeting has condemned the act of terrorism and expressed serious concern about the incident. The cabinet has appealed to all the concerned agencies to extend cooperation for the safety and rescue of all the passengers and the crew members of IC 814.

The meeting held in the evening has also directed the Civil Aviation Safety Committee, which is headed by Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister, to take immediate steps in all areas, including the security measures.

Civil Aviation Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, Home Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka, Assistant Civil Aviation Minister Narayan Singh Pun and top ranking police officials rushed to the airport just as the news broke here.

“An alert had been received some three and a half months ago warning that any plane could be hijacked or exploded in any part of the world,” Assistant Minister Pun said. “This was briefed to the Prime Minister and a high level meeting, which included the Prime Minister, had also discussed the warning,” he said.

Security measures had then been beefed at the airport in the days following the warning, he said.

So far there has been no words from the hijackers and their motive remains unexplained. “It is too early to try to figure out who may be responsible for the hijack,” Indian Embassy’s First Secretary Manoj Bharati said in the evening.

Indian officials said the hijackers were heavily armed and possessed A-K 47 assault rifles, hand grenades and pistols. There has not been any kind of contact with the hijackers, who could be separatist Indians from the north, news agencies said. 

There were 189 people on board including 11 crewmembers, 150 of them Indians, the Indian Airlines Kathmandu office confirmed. “There were five Swedes and one each from Canada, Spain, Japan and Belgium,” the Airlines said.

“Five others on board remain unidentified,” according to airlines officials.  

NC decides to end debate on changing leadership in govt

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec 24: The Nepali Congress top brass has decided to close down the debate of changing the party’s leadership in the government, party sources said.

The NC Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting that met last week had asked party President Girija Prasad Koirala and Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai to hammer out a conclusion regarding the demand of the lawmakers to change the party leadership.

The NC lawmakers had put up the demand maintaining that the present leadership in the government had failed to perform effectively.

“Both the leaders have decided to maintain status quo and the Prime Minister has given the word to the party President that he would give his decision regarding the demand of the lawmakers at an appropriate time,” NC spokesman Narahari Acharya told reporters at the end of today’s CWC meeting.

Acharya said that the issue of altering the leadership in the party had been put aside for the time being.

“Since the Prime Minister has already given the word to the party President that he would work towards making the government more effective by taking the necessary measures, it is up to the Prime Minister to decide whether any changes in the present cabinet is required,” Acharya said in response to a query regarding the possibility of changes in the Cabinet.

The CWC also discussed the base paper prepared by a committee headed by the party’s General Secretary on the probable measures, which could be adopted to tackle the Maoist insurgency.

Necessary amendments in the base paper will be incorporated before talks are initiated with other political parties in order to forge a national consensus on the Maoist issue, Acharya said.

The meeting endorsed the dissolution of 13 district committees made earlier by the party President, he said.

Acharya said that at the outset of today’s meeting party President Koirala wished for the long life and sound health of Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai on the occasion of his 76th birthday. All the CWC members also extended their best wishes to Bhattarai, he said.

He said that the meeting of the parliamentary party to be held tomorrow in the afternoon would give continuity to the discussions.

DEBATE: Accord reached

UK govt announces substantial increase in pensions for Gurkhas

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec. 24:The British government today announced an increase of 100 per cent at the minimum in pensions and gratuities for Gurkha service pensioners that will become effective from 1 April 2000. The decision has drawn mixed reaction from the Gurkhas campaigning in Nepal for “pension and gratuities equivalent to their British counterparts”.

Under the new arrangements, the pension and gratuities rates will range from Rs. 7,043.55 per month for rank below Corporal and Rs. 23,612.80 for a Major. The revised pension package also makes one-rank-one-pension arrangements as against the four different rates earlier that paid least to the soldiers retiring before 1969. A press release issued today by the British Embassy in Kathmandu said that the increases that range between 100 per cent and 185 per cent reflects the “Indian Government Fifth Pay Commission’s recommendations”.

The press release also claims that the new increases are “a result of the examination of Gurkha pensions and gratuities” and that they “remain related to Indian Army regulations under the terms of the Tri-Partite Agreement between Nepal, India and UK.” Earlier this year the British government had formed a ministerial working group under the chairmanship of British Arm Force Minister John Spellar to examine and report on Gurkha pensions by end of this year. The press release also emphasises that the “examination is not subject to further negotiation”.

“Pensions will continue to be paid immediately after 15 years service and where appropriate passed to widows and then to children up to the age of 25 years. Pensions have been examined to take into account, for the first time, the Indian Government package of welfare benefits in kind available to Indian Army pensioners,” said the British Embassy statement.

Expressing happiness over the doubling of their pensions Nepal Ex-Servicemen Association (NEx-SN) President Dipak Bahadur Gurung described the British Government’s latest initiative as “partial success” of the Gurkha campaign for equal pension for Gurkha soldiers as their British counterparts serving the British Army receive. “We had expected much higher increase in the pensions. But, it is our compulsion that we welcome the decision of our employer for the time being,” he said.

He also claimed that the British government had given his organisation a written commitment three years back for the increases in pensions that came today. “We will continue to put diplomatic pressure on British government for fulfilment of our demands,” he said. However, Gurung said that his organisation was against “any fierce demonstrations” that may embarrass the British government.

Another faction of the campaigning Gurkhas, GAESO (Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen Organisation) declined to make an “official reaction” till its standing committee meets on Saturday. However, the GAESO sources claimed that the British government’s decision of 100 per cent increase in pensions was “not a matter of celebration.”

“Its not only money we are fighting for, it’s the status of equality that we demand. The British government’s latest decision is only an attempt to down play our campaign,” GAESO standing committee member Bhupendra Nembang said. He further said that his organisation would continuously maintain their campaign for “equality for Gurkhas”.

  RSS Adds: His Majesty’s Government welcomes the recent decision by the British Government to raise the pensions provided to the retired British Gurkha soldiers effective from  April 1, 2000.

  The pension increase ranges between 100 per cent and 192 percent at different levels, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  Earlier in October this year, the British Government brought the payments to the families of Gurkha soldiers killed in  service broadly in line with their British counterparts.

  His Majesty’s Government had made representations to the British Government at various levels to make the benefits and pensions provided to the Gurkha soldiers equitable and just, in view of their outstanding contributions.

  This was also one of the major issues discussed during the Prime Minister’s visit to London in October this year. The recent decision is a significant step forward towards this direction.

  Elaborating on the recent decision to raise pensions to the British Gurkhas, the spokesman of the Foreign Ministry said a communication on decision of the British Government to raise the pensions was handed over to Minister for Foreign  Affairs Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat by the British Ambassador in Kathmandu yesterday.

  According to the decision, the monthly pensions payable to the British Gurkhas ranges from Rs. 7043 at the lowest end to Rs. 23,612 at the upper end. The increase at various levels ranges from 100 per cent to 192 per cent.

  British Prime Minister Tony Blair has also sent a message to Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, in which he has referred to his discussions on this issue with Prime Minister Bhattarai last October in London.

  In his message, Prime Minister Blair has also said that the recent hike in pensions highlights the exceptional and loyal service of the Gurkhas over generations.

  In a similar message to Minister for Foreign  Affairs Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook has said that the increase in pensions reflects the great esteem in which the Gurkhas are held in Britain and thanks the Foreign Minister for the attention he had given in this matter. 

Win faith of people, UML workers told  

Pokhara, Dec. 24 (RSS):   General Secretary of CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal has said that the nation needs a great movement and total change to free its people from exploitation.

  Inaugurating the 3rd meeting of the party’s National Council here today, General Secretary Nepal observed that the world scenario has not been suitable to move the communist movement forward.

  He said that despite the murder of party leaders Madan and Ashrit and demise of Manmohan Adhikari, the party is heading forward with the guidelines of the late leaders.

  A large number of party workers are entering the party  again after abandoning the faction that emerged following the sixth general convention, he said adding that  deliberations will be held during the meeting of National Council to save the party from the extremist ideologies of the far left and far right.

  He also underlined the need for all party workers  to have faith in their  party in order to win the faith of people as the extremists have no future at all.

  Expressing the conviction that the meeting will fulfil four responsibilities including  offering suggestions through deliberations on the reports of the General Secretary, he made it clear that the meeting to be convened every year is being held after a gap of 22 months since the sixth general convention due to various reasons.

  Coordinatior of the National Council main management committee Jhalanath Khanal  said  the CPN-UML remains the mainstream of the Nepalese communist movement although a  selfish and opportunist group came into being after the 6th general  convention.

  General Secretary Nepal chaired the function at which party standing committee member Pradeep Nepal spoke about the programme of the meeting.

  Altogether 343 party central committee members, central advisors, office bearers of central discipline and auditing committees, secretaries of the district committees, secretaries of sister organisations, nominated members of the National Council and lawmakers took part in the three day meeting.  

Indian aid in telecom sector lauded

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec. 24:Chaudhari Group Nepal and Crompton Greaves India today signed an accord to jointly launch business activities for the development of infrastructure in the fields of power and telecommunications in Nepal.

The joint venture, named as “The Millennium Alliance,” coincides with the 55th birth anniversary of His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev.

Crompton Greaves, one of the largest industrial houses in India, offered Time Division Multiple Access Point to Multi-Point system (TDMA-PMP) to Nepal Telecommunications Corporation ( NTC) as a sample. TDMA-PMP is a digital radio which also includes the digital switch to provide a total solution both for switching and connectivity and caters to the rural, low density, semi-urban and other areas with growing subscriber requirements.

Inaugurating the function here this evening, State Minister for Information and Communications Govinda Bahadur Shah lauded Indian cooperation to Nepal in the fields of telecommunications and expressed the hope that such bilateral business ties would further consolidate the friendly relation between Nepal and India.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal K. V. Rajan said that Indo-Nepal business ties was growing significantly in the recent years.

NTC General Manager Chet Prasad Bhattarai said that Nepal would adopt TDMA-PMP system in telecommunications if proved successful. He said that the participation of people and private sectors would ease the burden of NTC in expanding telecommunications services in the rural parts of the country. “The new system supports the government’s ambitious plan to provide telephone services to all the village development committees of the country.”

Chairman and Managing Director of Crompton Greaves K. K. Nohria said that his company was interested in developing Nepal’s infrastructure in the fields of power and telecommunications.

Speaking earlier at a function organised  to sign Memorandum of Understanding, Nohria said that they were interested in investing in hydropower. 

NC discussion on Maoist problem

  Kathmandu, Dec. 24 (RSS):  The Nepali Congress Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting today discussed a working paper on the resolution of Maoist problem and approved it after necessary refinement.

  The meeting also gave its approval to the  September 3-dissolution of party district committees in Parsa, Kapilvastu, Makwanpur, Nuwakot, Lalitpur, Jajarkot, Palpa, Banke, Rukum, Dadeldhura, Dailekh and Pyuthan, and October 31-dissolution of the same in Okhaldhunga, and the formation of NC district ad hoc committees in the districts.

  The meeting was chaired by party president Girija Prasad Koirala.

  The NC CWC meets again at the central party office on Monday.

Drinking water scheme launched in Lumbini zone 

Butwal, Dec. 24 (RSS):   The third phase rural drinking water and sanitation cooperation programme of the Lumbini Zonal Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Project has been launched recently.

  This third phase programme is a continuation of the project in operation since 1989 through cooperation between hmg and the government of Finland.

  The project period is four years from 056/57 B.S. to 2059/60 B.S. and  implementation rests with the VDC and the community.

  For the period a budget of Rs 494 million has been allocated. The District Development Committee has to make a compulsory contribution  of eight per cent of its internal income to the district drinking water and sanitation development fund.

  The total population to be benefitted from this phase depends upon the  cooperative work of sharers involved, the DDC, consumer groups, the administrative organisations  which shoulder the  responsibility for the drinking water and sanitation  sector at the district and village levels and various non-governmental organisations and will differ from district to district, it is learnt.

  According to the amount received for the investment, altogether 216,000 people will benefit from drinking water and  52,000 people will  benefit from the sanitation facilities.  The hilly region will be prioritised  for the drinking water and the Terai region in  sanitation.

  The programme covers all the six districts of Lumbini Zone, namely Palpa, Gulmi, Arghakhanchi, Kapilbastu, Rupandehi and Nawalparasi.

  The programme is in operation under the Ministry for Local Development. This project will be implemented in cooperation with the  district development committees involved and aims to provide drinking water and sanitation facilities to the   entire population of  Lumbini zone.

  According to the survey for the project, the main problem of the hilly region is lack of drinking water supply and  in the  Terai  region, it is lack of environmental sanitation.

  Acting team leader of the Nepal-Finland Cooperation Programme Ashko Rutila said the basic change in the concept of  the third phase from the second phase is the compulsory contribution to be made by the districts in launching the project.

  Another concept is assisting the self-reliance activities of the community. The programme aims to assist technically those community users who invest more for becoming self reliant.

  Rutila is hopeful that the system adopted in this phase will help  in the implementation  of national policy and the Local Autonomy Act concerning rural infrastructure development.

  In this phase work will be done on collection of rain water and development of  low cost  sanitation.

  Technician of the project Kalawati Pokhrel says the technology developed will be marketed without any help from the donor agencies and drinking water and sanitation facilities provided to more and more people.

  In the first phase of the project 234,000 people will receive drinking water  whereas  126,000 received it  in the second phase.

  According to technician Pokhrel the third phase programme will be able to develop infrastructure at local level, bring about  efficient mobilisation of resources, use  new concepts and develop new technology.

  Meanwhile, in Nepalgunj, around 1,979,200 people out of the population of 2,899,837 in the mid-western development region have access to clean drinking water, according to the Drinking Water and Sewerage Development Regional Office.

  Out of 197 district level drinking water projects being implemented in the region by last fiscal year, 145 have been completed and 50 projects achieved 50 to 90 per cent progress.

  His Majesty’s Government has been implementing drinking water projects across the country in keeping with its commitment to providing clean drinking water to all by the year 2000.

  Rural drinking water projects using pipes, pumping projects with overhead tanks, deep tubewells dug under the drinking water projects and a maintenance and sanitation programme are being carrying out in the region under joint cooperation.

  A total of 13 rural drinking water projects, two pumping systems, three deep tubewells, 60 sanitation and maintenance programmes and 10 joint coooperation programmes were completed in the region last fiscal year and some 55,693 people benefited.

  The district level projects completed last year have been handed over to local users’ groups at Maranthana in Pyuthan, Gairi in Dailekh, and Kharda and Ghartoli in Kalikot district, it is learnt.

  The progress with drinking water projects in the region is however  low due to passivity on the part of users’ groups, geographical remoteness, non attendance of offices on time after the transfer of employees, delay in submitting tenders for pipes and failure to release the budget on time.

  Several drinking water projects in Rapti zone are facing non-availability of G.I. pipes and fitting materials due to the restrictions on the transportation of such materials imposed by the police.

  unicef has also contributed in providing drinking water to this region. 

NEA cuts off power in two municipalities

Tulsipur, Dec. 24 (RSS):  Two municipalities in Dang District will have to get by without electricity since Nepal Electricity Authority Dang branch has cut off the power for street lamps since December 17 in accordance with its decision to disconnect power supply in 8 municipalities of the Mid-Western and Far-Western regions.

  The municipality, established in 2035 B.S., has to clear electricity tariff dues of Rs. 1,199,000.

  Similarly, Tulsipur Municipality, which was given recognition as a municipality in 2048 B.S. also owes  Rs. 1,400,000 to NEA, Dang branch.

  But, Tribhuwannagar Municipality claims that NEA has to pay the amount of Rs. 1,700,000 spent to date by the municipality on installing poles and wire for electrification in the municipal area, and says it is unjust  for NEA to seek only  what is dues it and ignore what it has to pay.

  Tulsipur Municipality, likewise, is of the opinion that NEA cannot just enjoy the benefit of investments made by the municipality for electrification in the town area.

  Executive Officer at Tribhuwannagar Municipality Tuphan Singh K.C. maintains that NEA, in return, has to clear up Rs. 500,000 out of the investment of Rs. 1,700,000 after deducting for tariff arrears.

   The chief of NEA, Dang branch said that there should have been an agreement between the municipalities and NEA prior to making such investments and NEA has to collect its arrears any how.