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Action plan on civil service reform discussed BY A STAFF
REPORTER Kathmandu, Apri.
8: The workshop was
organised to discuss the findings and recommendations of a technical assistance project,
funded by ADB, to formulate an action plan on civil service reform in Nepal. About 135
representatives of HMG, ADB, donor agencies, and civil society attended the workshop.
Participants provided comments and views on the proposed programme for civil service
reform as contained in the report. The objective of
the civil service reform programme is broadly to enhance policy development and service
delivery by reforming the organisation and management of the civil service. Possible
initiatives under the proposed programme will seek to (i) develop more effective
leadership for change management at all levels of the civil service, (ii) enhance civil
service efficiency, (iii) strengthen anti-corruption measures, (iv) develop a capable and
motivated civil service, and (v) develop a performance-oriented and accountable civil
service. Proposed actions
under the reform programme will include reorganisation of government ministries,
strengthening of constitutional oversight bodies, legislative reform to improve the
transparency and accountability of the civil service, reforms to provide additional
incentives to civil servants, and introduction of standards for customer service in key
service delivery ministries. It is proposed that the first phase of reform programme will
be implemented over a five-year period to begin in 2000. The overarching
objective of ADB's Country Operational Strategy for Nepal is to achieve a sustainable
reduction in poverty. A major difficulty in achieving this objective has been the lack of
efficiency, predictability, transparency, and accountability in key development and market
institutions. Since capacity building for improved governance is a critical success factor
for achieving the overarching goal of a sustainable reduciton in poverty, civil service
reform has been identified as one the key areas for governance reform. ADB approved the
technical assistance in December 1998, with a value of $630,000, to assist the government
to prepare a series of measures that would provide the groundwork for a broad civil
service reform programme in Nepal. The government's 1992 Administrative Reforms Commission
report was the basis of the work conducted under the technical assistance. The experts
under the technical assistance began work in June 1999, and initiatives under the
technical assistance included conducting a civil service census, establishing a
computerised personnel database, undertaking a functional review of ministries, and
consideration of a range of alternatives for fiscal decentralisation. Based on these
activities, a timebound action plan for civil service reform has been prepared. A Civil Service
Programme Loan, under which the action plan will be implemented, has been proposed for
approval by ADB in 2000, with a value of $20 million, depending on HMG progress in taking
a number of key preliminary actions prior to the loan. An ADB Mission that has been in
Kathmandu from 28 March 2000 to discuss in detail the scope of the action plan and
subsequent loan with HMG attended the workshop. Security of disabled persons stressed Kathmandu, Apr. 8
(RSS): From the chair,
Central President of the Association Surendra Bahadur Basnet said nothing could be
done through the initiative of a few social organisations alone for the
arrangements of proportionate employment as well as for the rights and duties unless
the programmes to be carried out in the multifaceted development of the disabled are
not included in the national policies of the government. Central member of
the Association Lok Raj Thapaliya said the responsibility for social security of the
disabled falls not only on the individual and the society but also on the government. Another central
member Mrs. Gita Rana said as there is a lack of skilled manpower for the training of the
disabled it is difficult to rehabilitate them. The government has to assist
the Association financially, she added. Member of the
International Cooperation Agency (CIA) for the disabled in Sweden Mrs. Ulla Lindberg said
her organisation has been cooperating with the Nepal Disabled Association in the Community
based Rehabilitation Programme (cbr) since the last 10 years. Work in concert for justice: CJ BY A STAFF
REPORTER Kathmandu, Apr.
8: Upadhyaya also said that it was necessary to discuss the issues relating to
quick disposal of cases so that justice is delivered to the needy. He referred to the
initiatives undertaken to overcome bottlenecks in the process of administration of
justice, and appealed to act in concert to achieve the goal of quick and accessible
justice. "The public should not suffer due to our weakness," Upadhyaya told
the inaugural session of a one-day workshop on ‘Enhancing Efficiency of the
Justices’ here this morning. Supreme Court Justice Laxman Prasad Aryal presenting his working paper said
that the present Constitution upheld the concept of an efficient judiciary, adding that
the justices should make every effort to enhance their personal as well as institutional
efficiency. Aryal further said that inefficiency on part of the judges would give the
public an impression that the judiciary was not fair. “The judges should take
personal initiatives to develop a clean image of the judiciary.” The non-governmental organisations can work with judiciary to make
significant contribution for enhancing the efficiency of the justices, said Aryral. Supreme Court Spokesman and workshop co-ordinator Kashi Raj Dahal said that
the justices needed to keep themselves updated with the new legal concepts and trends. Dahal said that the workshop would focus on important judicial issues related
to justice rendering such as hearing management and sentencing criteria. Rural Development Foundation (RDF) President Krishna Man Pradhan said that
his organisation is committed to good governance and interested to work to facilitate the
process of people’s access to justice. The foundations is working to help
develop alternative measures of dispute settlement, he added. He assured of the
Foundation's cooperation in executing activities to enhance social justice and good
governance. Organised jointly by the Judicial Council Secretariat and RDF, the
workshop aimed at discussing various issues related to justice dispensation so as to
ensure people’s access to justice. At the workshop four senior judges of the Supreme
Court Laxman Aryal, Kedar Nath Upadhyaya, Hari Prasad Sharma and Krishna Jung Raymajhi
presented working papers on different substantive and procedural issues relevant to
efficient administration of justice, Senior advocate Ganesh Raj Sharma also presented
paper on the theme of case hearing with particuliar reference to the role of lawyers. The workshop was participated in by over 40 lawyers and judges from the
supreme court, appellate courts and district court. World meet on heritage Bhaktapur to be developed as a cultural city: Poudel Bhaktapur, Apr. 8
(RSS): Inaugurating the
international conference at the Bhaktapur Durbar Square at a function today, Deputy Prime
Minister Ram Chandra Paudel said that His Majesty's Government would extend cooperation in
formulating necessary laws to declare Bhaktapur as a cultural city. Stating that the
legacy left behind by our ancestors as well as the cultural heritage and natural beauty
have proved to be a boon for Nepal, Mr. Paudel said that even though Nepal lagged behind
in the field of modernization, nepal has become a center of attraction for tourists
because of her religion, culture and art. Noting that
Nepalese would not have to remain poverty stricken if we can safeguard our our existing
art, property and heritages, Mr. Paudel wished the international conference success. President of the
Nepal Workers and Peasants Party and mp Narayan Man Bijukchhe called on His Majesty's
Government to make necessary arrangements for water and sewerage system and to develop
Bhaktapur as a place for touristic destination in order to safeguard the city's heritage. Stressing the
need to to carry out heritage conservation works by maintaining coordination between
offices of land revenue, Water Supply Corporation, Department of Archeaology, Sewerage
Development Corporation and Bhaktapur Municipality in the district, Mr. Bijukchhe
expressed the view that other municipalities would follow suit if Bhaktapur was developed
into a model city. Ms. Kris Endresen
of Nordic World Heritage Centre said that the heritage should protected in time as it
cannot be restored to its original state once it is destroyed. Additional
contribution can be made to the tourism sector if the cultures of the countries of Asia
and Pacific region can be safeguarded properly, unesco Regional Advisor for Culture
Richard Engelhardt said, adding many tourism related job opportunities could be generated
by safeguarding the cultures and heritages of these countries. Speacking from
the chair Mayor of Bhaktapur Municipality Prem Suwal said that the municipality was
committed to developing Bhaktapur city into the cleanest city of the Kingdom of Nepal and
a monument and cultural city in the Asian continent. Deputy mayor
Chaitya Raj Shankya, representative of the Norwegian Embassy R. Jensen and others wished
for the success of the conference. Earlier a team of
the representatives of the participating countries and experts had walked through
Bhaktapur city. The conference is
being participated in by representatives of the nine cities of Nepal, People's Republic of
China, Sri Lanka, Laos, Vietnam, Republic of Korea, Fiji, Malaysia and the Phillipines
enlisted in the World Heritage List. Security of disabled persons stressed Kathmandu, Apr. 8
(RSS): From the chair,
Central President of the Association Surendra Bahadur Basnet said nothing could be
done through the initiative of a few social organisations alone for the
arrangements of proportionate employment as well as for the rights and duties unless
the programmes to be carried out in the multifaceted development of the disabled are
not included in the national policies of the government. Central member of
the Association Lok Raj Thapaliya said the responsibility for social security of the
disabled falls not only on the individual and the society but also on the government. Another central
member Mrs. Gita Rana said as there is a lack of skilled manpower for the training of the
disabled it is difficult to rehabilitate them. The government has to assist
the Association financially, she added. Member of the
International Cooperation Agency (CIA) for the disabled in Sweden Mrs. Ulla Lindberg said
her organisation has been cooperating with the Nepal Disabled Association in the Community
based Rehabilitation Programme (cbr) since the last 10 years. Koirala committed to take bold decisions Kathmandu, Apr. 8 (RSS):Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala
has said that the bold decision he took to become Prime Minister has put his 50 years of
political career at stake. Prime Minister Koirala was inaugurating a colloquium on
"The achievements of the popular movement and present challenges" organised by
Nepal Tarun Dal central committee on the occasion of the Popular Movement Day-2056 B.S. The Prime Minister said that he took the bold decision to
become Prime Minister with the determination of providing relief to the people reeling
under poverty, hunger, deprivation and fear by maintaining law and order, controlling
corruption and establishing good governance. As a leader can never cower away from problems, I do not want
to cower away; I will rather face the problem, he said. Expressing the determination to become brave to implement the
bold decision, he asked one and all not to get angry when he takes any decision with such
determination. If I find any of my colleagues committing corruption, I will be compelled
to take strict action against him/her, the Prime Minister said. Committed as it is to ensure peace and security, the present
majority NC government has decided to make the national security council more active so as
to build an environment in which the people can live in peace in their houses and
villages. If I failed to provide enough security for the people to live
in their houses without any fear there will be no propriety of my Prime Ministership, Mr.
Koirala said. He asked the Nepal Tarun Dal and Nepal Students Union workers
to provide ideological support to the people in the villages, establish security
committees in the villages and help the people who have fled their villages to return to
their own villages. Speaker Taranath Ranabhat observed that constitutional
monarchy, multiparty democracy and human rights which have been attained as a fruit of the
restoration of democracy have come under attack now. All the people should remain alert
against the conspiracy which is being hatched to bring a division among the people, he
added. At present when some elements are out to debilitate democracy
the slogan of national unity and reconciliation has once again become imperative, he said
and alleged that the main opposition party CPN-UML has not fulfilled its responsibility
honestly. Home Minister Govinda Raj Joshi said since the Maoists are
acting as pawns in serving the interest of some elements and are all out to finish off
democracy, maintenance of law and order is the biggest challenge before the present
government. "We will not be in a position to stand the before people, if we
failed," he said. The existing legislation will be made more effective to
control corruption and irregularities, he said, expressing his determination to quit his
post if he committed any irregularities. Ex-NC general secretary Basudev Risal stressed the need for
party unity to protect democracy. From the chair, Nepal Tarun Dal President Balkrishna Khand
said the youth workers of NC are ever ready to fight for nationalism, democracy and the
people's rights. Govt committed to control corruption: Rai Pokhara, Apr 8 (RSS): On the occasion, Minister of State Rai also unveiled a stone
inscription in honour of the Parajuli family who donated land for the Higher Secondary
School at the Purano Tundikhel. Minister of State Rai gave away letters of commendation,
prizes and certificates to individuals contributing to the development of the school,
teachers and school staff completing more than 20 years of service with the school and
students for their excellence. He also gave away the "Shyam Prasad Panta Memorial
Award" and the "Bataju Scholarship Grants" on the occasion. Addressing the function, Mr. Rai said the present
Nepali Congress government was committed to consolidating the law and order situation and
corruption control in the country. He also dwelt on conservation of natural resources and
cultural heritage. Member of Parliament Mahadev Gurung underlined the need
for the important role of teachers, students and the parents in improving the quality of
education and enhancing the reputation of the school. Prakash Bahadur Gurung, MP, stressed that the knowledge
gained through education should be used to solve the day to day problems in life. Ram Janam Chaudhari, MP, underlined the need for
reforming the education policy in order to develop the education sector. Rajparishad member Ganesh Bahadur Gurung, district education
officer Yogendra Basnet, Ajad Shrestha, educationist Pradip Shankar Palikhe, Prem Bahadur
Shrestha, ward chairman Man Bahadur Gurung, teacher Krishna Udhasi and school principal
Hari Prasad Khanal also expressed their views at the programme presided over by acting
president of the programme organising committee Tirtha Shrestha. On the occasion, mother of the National Sports Council (NSC)
member-secretary Binod Shankar Palikhe, Mrs. Uttara Kumari Palikhe handed over
various sports goods to the school on behalf of her son. Dr. Jagdish Lal Baidya and brothers handed over Rs
101,111 for the "Manik Lal and Sindhu Kumari Baidya Scholarship Fund" set up in
memory of their late parents. On Friday, Minister of State for Land Reforms and Management
Gopal Rai inaugurated a newly constructed building of Karunanidhi Vidyashram at Simpani
Pokhara. The two storey building was constructed at a cost of Rs 5
million. Lady teachers of Switzerland contributed to the building of
the school which runs classes up to seventh grade. Agriculture Development Bank has also
provided loans for it. Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Mr. Rai said schools
should play a crucial role in strengthening the educational sector. The State Minister also gave away letters of honour to
various individuals for their contribution to the school building. A host of other speakers including MP Prakash Bahadur Gurung,
Rajparishad member Ganesh Bahadur Gurung and assistant dean Dr Tirtharaj Parajuli also
spoke at the function chaired by chairman of the Vidyaashram Management Committee Ram
Chandra Paudel. Meanwhile, Mr. Rai, in a meet with Nepali Congress workers
yesterday, said the government will work in such a manner that people's morale would be
boosted. ‘Ganeshman was a decicated leader’ Biratnagar, Apr. 8 (RSS): MP Singh, speaking at the "history speaks"
programme organised by the Morang branch of Ganesh Man Singh Foundation here the other day
on the occasion of the martyrs day, said today would remind us the noble objectives for
which the movement was launched. Central member of the Nepali Congress (NC) and head of the NC
Women's Department Mrs. Nona Koirala said that late B. P. Koirala and Ganesh Man
Singh were complementary to each other for the establishment of democracy in the annals of
nepaese history. Mrs Nona Koirala, narrating the story which she underwent for
the sake of democracy since the very inception of democracy, said Ganesh Man Singh was a
firm and courageous leader and never got tired of the fight for democracy. Former speaker and vice-president of Ganesh Man Singh
Foundation Daman Nath Dhungana pointed out the that Ganesh Man Singh was totally dedicated
to democracy and nationalism and had risen above party politics and cautioned against
democracy. Stating that the performance of the last ten years should be
evaluated to find out whether it was in line with the spirit ad commitment of the people's
movement and action taken against corrupts of all levels, he said that parliament is the
place where national issues are resolved in a democracy. It was informed at the programme that just as B. P.'s name
was linked to health to commemorate him, action plan would be launched linking
Ganesh Man Singh's name with agriculture. Earlier, floral tributes were paid to the late Singh. President of Morang district branch of Ganseh Man Singh
Foundation Torendra Man Singh presided over the programme. In Itahari, the Ganeshman Singh Foundation Sunsari organized
a colloquium on "dreams of Ganeshman and the present political scenario" in
dharan recently. Former speaker Damannath Dhungana said people are growing
disenchanted with democracy since no political parties and their leaders have appeared
democratic in their conduct. Foundation central president and former minister Prakash Man
Singh noted that the late Singh was an institution in terms of the hard struggle for
democracy and had significantly contributed to bring democratic restoration in the
country. President of the Foundation Sunsari Mohan Pradhan chaired the
function. S. Asianjouralists tederation constituted Kathmandu, Apr. 8 (RSS): Chief editor of Gorkha express Rajan Karki is the
vice-president, chief editor of Nispaksha Weekly Ram Prasad Khanal the general secretary,
chief correspondent of all India Radio and Doordarshan Ram Shagar Shukla the co-secretary
and editor of daily Nepal Samacharpatra Kapil Kafle the treasurer of the federation. Likewise, chief editor of X-Ray weekly Basanta Dhwoj Joshi,
reporter of Radio Nepal Khagendra Nepal, reporter of Nepal Television Manohari Thapa,
president of Samcharika Samuha Bandana Rana, chief reporter of RSS Chiranjivi Paudyal,
freelance journalist Ishwari Wagle, chief editor of Janasangharsha daily Balkrishna
Chapagai, and editor of Dawn published from Pakistan are the members of the federation. Senior journalists Narendra Bilas Panday and Dr. Hari Sharma
are advisors while Bangladesh, the Maldives, Bhutan and Sri Lanka will soon be represented
in the federation. The gathering has also decided to host a seminar concerning
the situation of journalism in South Asia and other topical issues by inviting journalists
and diplomats of all the seven countries. Time Magazine to published its first
global issue Kathmandu, Apr. 8 (RSS): The issues will be on sale for one month beginning Wednesday,
April 19, acording to Time Asia. The global "Heroes for the planet"
issue continues its series of profiles that began in 1998. The issue highlights solutions
to environmental problems and honors some of the individuals around the world who are
helping to put those solutions in place. The issue also recognizes kid "heroes for the
planet" worldwide in a special insert of time for kids published within the magazine. This is the first time that time for kids has been circulated
globally. In Asia, time has joined force with friends of the earth Hong
Kong, to raise money for river savers, a region wide appeal to protect and improve some of
the region's major rivers through monitoring, education, clean-ups, catchment protection,
tree planting and water conservation. A protion of the proceeds from newsstand sales of this
issue will be donated to the river savers campaign. Money will also be donated from the
proceeds from all corporate bulk sales. "Asia is rapidly becoming a water stressed continent in
today's global water crisis," said Mei NG, director of friends of the earth Hong
Kong. "due to logging and development, soil erosion and desertification is
happening at an unprecedented speed both at source and along river banks, putting our
rivers at serious threat." "at time we have long been committeed to indepth
environmental reporting and see the river savers compaign with friends of the earth
HK, as an excellent opportunity for us to demonstrate this commitment," said andrew
butcher, publisher of time asia. "by highlighting the plight of the region's
great rivers, we are able to mobilize almost two million readers across asia to help this
cause," he added. Asia is home to some of the world's greatest rivers which
provide drinking water, fish resources, transport waterway and recreation to billions of
people. The river savers campaign will draw attention to the plight
of, and help rehabilitate, threatened regions of four of Asia's greatest rivers. These
rivers are the Yangtze river (China), the yellow river (China), the mekong river (Thiland)
and the Ganges river (India). The ganges remains the main source of fresh water for
half the populations of india and bangladesh and nearly the entire populations of nepal. Over the past 1,000 years the river and its tributaries have
formed one of the largest flood plains in the world with the sediments from eroding
mountainous areas. Time is Asia's largest english language weekly magazine with
a circulation of more than 315,000. Its worldwide circulation is more than 5 million. Nepal accuses NC of neglecting mass
aspiratins Kathmandu, Apr. 8 (RSS): Addressing the mass meeting, cpn-uml General Secretary Madhav
Kumar Nepal said the 10 years of restoration of democracy in the country has not witnessed
works carried out in pursuance to the spirit of the popular movement and the aspirations
of the martyrs. Stating that the nepali congress should take the
responsibility for the anomalies and abberrations that have crippled the country during
the past 10 years, Mr Nepal noted that high morality and political discipline should be
maintained in order to consolidate the democratic system. He also called upon the maoists to give up the path of
violence and involve themselves in the national mainstream of development. Convenor of the mobilization committee and deputy leader of
cpn-uml Parliamentary Party K. P. Sharma oli accused the present government of misusing
power and encouraging congressization in every sector. Accusing the present government of ending the 17th Session of
the Parliament as it could not face the opposition, Mr Oli warned that the next session
will be obstructed if the demands of the party are not met. Cpn-uml standing committee member Pradip Nepal said
consolidation of democracy following restoration of democracy in the country has not
received much attention and that the Nepali Congress government is not working in the
interest of multiparty system, nation and the people. Committee member Vidhya Devi Bhandari said the cpn-uml had
declared the movement for the fulfillment of its 10-point demand. The path of violence
adopted by the Maoists has violated human rights, she added. From the chair, committee member Iswor Pokherel accused the
present government of not being able to maintain law and order, satisfy the public and
control corruption. |
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