Visit has ended confusion with India, says Koirala

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, August 6:Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala returned home today from a week-long official visit to India. Talking to the media at the Tribhuvan International Airport, the Prime Minister said it was a good-will and a confidence-building visit and that he had returned with the goodwill of the Indian government and the people.

At hand to warmly welcome him back were his Cabinet colleagues, chiefs of constitutional bodies, representatives of the foreign diplomatic missions, MPs and other dignitaries.

"I have returned with full satisfaction and this visit has ended the confusion that existed between Nepal and India in the last four years," Prime Minister Koirala told the media gathered at the VVIP lounge of the T.I.A. The Prime Minister had returned from Banaras to Kathmandu by a Necon Air flight.

He said no Nepalese Prime Minister had visited India in the last four years, and there also was no exchange of views and interaction between the two countries at the ministerial or even at the secretarial level.

Before the visit Prime Minister Koirala had said that he would talk with the Indian leaders about the relations between the two countries in totality. He said he did.

"I told the Indian leaders that the relations between the two countries in the last fifty years has to be reviewed to keep up with the changing world especially in terms of development in science and technology that have narrowed the world, but broadened the global economic horizon." He also said the Indian leaders have accepted Nepal’s proposal to move forward with a new vision in view of these realities.

Now, the mechanism to review the relations has been prepared and that it will be done within a certain timeframe, Koirala said. He said every aspect of Nepal-India relations comes under that framework.

Koirala said his visit was even more important because he had it scheduled while the Budget session of the Parliament was in progress. "Before leaving for India, I had asked Parliament why the lawmakers did not ask me about my India visit. I shall tell the Parliament about everything that took place during the official visit before apprising it to the nation."

Speaking about the opposition parties skepticism about the outcome of the official visit, the Prime Minister said now they will have to change their opinion.

The Prime Minister said no such permission had been given for the construction of the Koshi High Dam. Only a process has been forward regarding the Koshi High Dam and the Sunkoshi diversion. But, he said, Nepal’s priority lies in the Sunkoshi diversion.

Regarding the Bhutanese refugee problem, Koirala said as the talks between Nepal and Bhutan has progressed ahead considerably he has asked India to use its good offices to find a solution to the problem. He, however, added that he talked with the Indian leaders about the refugee problem taking into consideration the security aspect.

On the Laxmanpur Barrage, Prime Minister Koirala said the issue will be resolved by the technical personnel of both the countries on the basis of on-the-spot inspection. In the future, any such project and plan would be made only after the consultation between the two countries.

Nepal, he said, has emphasised on the Kalapani issue among the border problems, "The joint communique has also specifically pointed out the Kalapani issue," he said.

The Prime Minister said India has also accepted Nepal’s concern about the Maoist problem and that Nepal also needs to take into consideration India’s security concerns.

The Prime Minister said that the official visit had not left any issue untouched. "The opposition parties will find nothing to question about the visit."

Melamchi must for Kathmandu, says Bhattarai

Kathmandu, Aug. 6 (RSS): Ex-prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai has stressed the need for all the Nepalese to remain alert to maintain the image and prestige their forefathers have earned for them.

Mr Bhattarai was speaking at a function held here today to felicitate Dr Ganesh Yonjon, who recently earned honorary doctorate from Lincoln University of California, U.S.A.

Since the water of the Melamchi River is indispensable for resolving the drinking water problem in the capital the people of Sindhupalchok district should cooperate in the implementation of the Melamchi Project, he said.

Exploitation of water resources and tourism potentials alone is the key to the country’s development, he said, adding if this happened the country will prosper within 15 years.

At the function, Mr Bhattarai on behalf of more than 25 social organisations of Kathmandu and Sindhupalchok districts felicitated Dr Yonjon by wrapping a shawl around him.

Dr Yonjon, who received the honorary doctorate for his significant contribution to the development and environmental management of rural areas, is the first one to receive the title in South Asia as a whole.

At the function, MP Mohan Bahadur Basnet, Sindhupalchok DDC vice chairman Dambar Aryal, VDC Association president Dharma Krishna Shrestha and others spoke about the contribution of Dr Yonjon.

President of Sunkoshi Literary Academy Krishna Prasad Parajuli presided.

‘All N-weapons should be destroyed’

Kathmandu, Aug. 6 (RSS): Rajparishad Standing Committee Chairman Dr Kesarjung Rayamajhi said all nuclear weapons in the world should be destroyed in order to save the earth from the scourge of war.

Dr Rayamajhi was speaking at a talk programme organised by Kalanki Social Sports Association calling for the destruction of all weapons of mass destruction on August 6, the day an atom bomb was dropped in Hiroshima of Japan.

Stating that the world still possesses 35,000 nuclear weapons, Dr Rayamajhi said that the programme organised in commemoration of the hundreds of thousands of people killed in the atomic bombing in Japan will be very important in spreading the message of world peace.

From the chair, Association president Ramesh Rayamajhi pointed out the need to declare August 6 "Anti-nuclear Day".

Earlier, a peace procession beginning from Kalanki Chowk passed through Kalimati, Tankeswor to reach Swoyambhu Chaitya.

Paudel urges Bhutan to take initiatives

Biratnagar, Aug. 6 (RSS): Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Development Ram Chandra Paudel, who is also looking after the Prime Minister’s portfolios, has said that human development forms the main basis of globalisation in the present context.

Paudel, while inaugurating a newly constructed annexe for emergency services at Koshi Zonal Hospital here today, urged for easing of human suffering by expanding facilities at hospitals.

Stating that today’s political system is a participatory one, the Deputy PM noted that His Majesty’s Government is ready to cooperate in people’s endeavours to fulfill their goals.

Vice chancellor of BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences Dharan Dr Shekhar Koirala observed that health is the mainstay of human development, adding that building alone is not enough for services, what is required more is the commitment and relentless services of health personnel.

Many others including Biratnagar Mayor Ramesh Chandra Paudel and medical superintendent of the hospital Dr Gyanendra Giri said the hospital has long been providing quality services not only to the people of the eastern region, but also to the people from across the border and far-flung areas.

The function was chaired by member of Rajparishad Pandit Megharaj Sharma.

On the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Paudel honoured Rameshwor Agrawal and Devaki Nandan Mundad by wrapping shawls around them for their contribution to the building.

The 18-room annexe with beds, meeting hall and other rooms was constructed at a cost of one million rupees.

Today also, Paudel also inaugurated a ward for providing consultations on HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

At a press meet organised by Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Morang. Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Paudel has said since the problem of Bhutanese refugees is a problem forced on us, we have urged the Bhutan government to take initiatives to take its citizens back home.

Stating that international institutions and organisations which have been taking care of the refugees are about to take their hands out of this, the Deputy Prime Minister remarked that the Bhutan government should take its citizens back since their presence in Nepal has resulted in social, economic and environmental problems.

Those who try to pursue a policy of violence by striking terror into the people will never be successful and the people will not get justice either, he said adding, the NC government has taken initiatives to find an all-accepted way-out to resolve the politics of killings adopted by the Maoists.

The Deputy PM also apprised journalists of the fact that dialogues, agreements and discussions held between the two countries during Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s goodwill visit to India have turned out to be very encouraging in resolving problems other than those which are long-standing.

Noting that the traditional relationships between the two countries are multi-faceted and by virtue of this, minor problems are solved through talks and dialogues, Paudel remarked that as both countries have also realized the need to solve the Kalapani problem, the visit is satisfactory.

Nepali Congress is always trying to sit together with the main opposition party and resolve problems for the sake of the nation and democracy, he reiterated.

FNJ Morang president Dipak Dahal also spoke on the occasion.

KMC budget relies on grants

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, August 6:Kathmandu’s Mayor Keshav Sthapit today presented 1.04 billion rupees package to foot the expenses for the Fiscal Year 2000/2001.

Labelled as ‘innovative’, the budget estimates with a deficit of over 230 millions rupees relies largely on grants and loans.

Kathmandu Metropolis has a target of generating 380 million rupees through its sources while it aims at recovering 430 millions rupees through grants, 170 millions through long-term loans and 59 millions through other kinds of loans.

The development and regular expenditure estimates are 640 millions and 392 millions respectively. The budget is expected to be approved Monday.

The revenue mobilisation target seems high when seen against the performance of the first ten months of the previous FY. The Metropolis office generated 230 million rupees during that period.

Mayor Sthapit however promised of strong measures to meet the revenue mobilisation targets. He said that the Metropolis office would review the tax on land and house as well as business. "We will take stringent measures to make the bigger businessmen pay for the service they enjoy," Sthapit said addressing the inaugural ceremony of the fifth Metropolis council meeting here this morning.

Sthapit said that the Metropolis had set aside 10 million rupees to begin the work to build Ganeshman ENT hospital. "We also have a plan to build six overhead crossings in different parts of the city in collaboration with the private sector."

Maintaining that the donors and the private sector were forthcoming in matter of developing the city, Sthapit said, "The Metropolis office is preparing an integrated development plan with the assistance of the European Union and the World Bank." EU has funded Kathmandu Valley mapping programme while the World Bank has assisted in preparing city development strategy.

Deputy Mayor Bidur Mainali showed concern over the Mayor’s proposal to take loans from the multilateral donor agencies to cover the large deficit. "We should be selective in matter of accepting loans to lessen the burden of repayment." The Metropolis has set aside 30 million for debt service in the new budget estimates.

In the ceremony inaugurated by senior Metropolis member Thumalal Lamsal, members Barsharam Bhandari, Yogendra Kumar Shrestha, Chandra Nanda Newa stressed on team spirit to develop infrastructure and enhance services.

Polio drops to be administered

Pokhara, Aug. 6 (RSS): Polio drops will be administered three times to children below five years of age in the coming month of Mangsir, Magh and Falgun under the National Immunization Programme 2057.

December 9, January 20 and March 3 have been set as the dates for that purpose.

According to Child Health Division, work is in progress to administer the polio drops in the mountain region on August 19, September 23 and November 4.

This information was given at the inaugural function of a two-day workshop on "National Immunisation Day 2057" hosted by Western Region Health Services Directorate with the cooperation of World Health Organisation and UNICEF.

The objective of the workshop is to hold discussions on making the campaign successful by learning from the experience of the last four years.

Special secretary at the Ministry of Health Dr. Somnath Aryal, inaugurating the workshop, said that the concerned authorities should be serious about the immunisation so that proper replies could be given to the people when they ask about the benefit of the programme.

Director of the Department of Health Services Dr. D. B. Chataut, head of the child health division Dr. Balkrishna Subedi, and a host of other speakers expressed their views on the occasion.

EurOrient arriving today to apply for Arun III license

BY NAVIN SINGH KHADKA

Kathmandu, Aug.6:Two days before its deadline to respond to the official invitation ends, EurOrient is arriving here tomorrow to apply for the license to develop the resurrected Arun III hydropower project.

The American Company dispatched a letter to the Ministry of Water Resources earlier last week, mentioning its arrival on August 7. Department of Electricity Development has also received a copy of the letter.

Accepting its proposal, the government one month ago provided EurOrient Investment Banking Group a letter of intent inviting it to apply for the development license of Arun III. It was the same letter that offered a one-month deadline to the Los Angeles based Company to apply for the license.

It still remains unclear whether EurOrient will apply for a survey license or it would go for the construction license for the 402 MW hydroelectric project.

"We will first hold discussion with EurOrient, then only we will decide what license to issue," said Dr. Kishor Babu Aryal, Director General at the Department of Electricity Development (DED).

For the survey license, all that the American Company will have to do is simply apply for it.

But, since the officialdom already has the project’s detail design — prepared in the mid 90’s with the assistance of the World Bank — EurOrient may not apply for the survey license, officials here believe.

If it chooses to apply for construction license, the American Company will have to pay Rupees 40 million as performance assurance, much like a Bank Guarantee. It will also have to submit its Power Purchase Agreement (in this case, with India), environmental clearance from the Ministry of Population and Environment, and its financial commitment for the project.

The American Company, according to its local representative Binaya Amatya, may present the bank guarantee, its job schedule and its financial arrangement. "Though informal talks for the PPA is already underway, the agreement will take place in the next phase."

Billed at US Dollar one billion, the project is designed basically to export power to India. Which means, the American Company will have to sign the PPA with India.

The 402 MW hydropower plant is estimated to cost US Dollars 2,500 per KW -- half the price tagged to what was known as Baby Arun some five years ago. The 201 MW Arun III — Baby Arun — had kicked much dust of controversy in the mid 90’s before it was given a kiss of death following World Bank’s decision to pull out of the project.

This time, no donor agency is directly involved in the revised-version of Arun III. Entirely being built by a private investor, the project is expected to take six to seven years for its completion.

Arun III is one of the 11 hydropower projects the government has already issued letter of intent to different private parties requiring them to apply for project development licenses by Wednesday.

"Some of the other proponents have already applied for the development of such projects," said Lekh Man Singh Bhandari, Deputy Director General at DED, who also heads the Privatisation Division in the Department.

After Arun III, the 301 MW Dudhkoshi tops the new project list the government has decided to hand out to independent power developers. ASTQ Holdings, a Canadian Company, has already applied for the production license of this project — estimated to cost US Dollars 690 million.

The still under-discussion Hydropower Policy 1999 states that export-oriented private hydropower projects will have their production license valid for 20 to 25 years once they start generating power.

The same policy has it that these projects will have to pay Rupees 1,500 per kilowatt of power they generate as capacity royalty and 7.5 per cent of the generated power per hour as energy royalty. These provisions, the draft policy states, will be applicable for the first 15 years. After that, both the royalties will double.

‘Make public extent of damage caused by floods’

Kathmandu, Aug. 6 (RSS): CPN-UML, in a press release issued here today, has demanded that HMG make public the extent of the damage caused by recent floods and landslides triggered by heavy downpour in different parts of the country and provide immediate relief to the victims.

Paying tributes to those dead in the floods and landslides and expressing condolences to the bereaved families, the party has wished speedy recovery to the injured.

The party has also called upon its local committees and class organisations to actively involve themselves in relief operation.

‘Disabled need to be treated with love, care’

Gorkha, Aug. 6 (RSS): Gorkha DDC chairman Chetman Shrestha, inaugurating the fourth annual assembly meeting of the Gorkha Deaf Association here recently, said since the deaf and the blind are also members of this society, they should not be treated indifferently, but with care and love.

On the occasion, Mr Shrestha also distributed prizes and clothes to deaf children of Manakamana Deaf School Gorkha run by the Association.

Senior planner and advisor to the Association Dr Bharat Prasad Dhital observed that the deaf and the blind should be also allowed to live a dignified life and spoke of the need to create an atmosphere under which every one including the disabled can contribute to the task of nation-building.

Central member of the National Association of the Ddeaf and Hearing Impaired Nirmal Devkota and central member of the Deaf Association Samir Sherchan spoke of the need of goodwill, cooperation and sympathy for the deaf and the blind to make them useful members of society.

Many others also expressed their views at the function chaired by district president of the Association Ram Kushal Pant.

On the occasion, Association secretary Rom Bahadur Thapa presented an annual report of the association and the treasurer a financial report.