His Majesty receives credentials

Kathmandu, Dec. 22 (RSS): His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev received the letters of credence from Ambassador of Sweden Johan Nordenfelt, Ambassador of Morocco Mohamed Louafa and Ambassador and head of delegation of the Commission of the European Communities Michael Caillouet amidst separate special functions at the Narayanhity Royal Palace today.

His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev said that the relations between Nepal and Sweden are characterised by friendship, cordiality and mutual understanding.

His Majesty said this while receiving the letters of credence from Ambassador of Sweden Johan Nordenfelt amid a special function at the Narayanhity Royal Palace today.

His Majesty expressed confidence that the goodwill and cooperation subsisting between the two countries will be further strengthened and expanded in the days ahead.

Stating that both Nepal and Sweden share a common political system of constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy, His Majesty said they also have common faith in the principles and purposes of the charter of the United Nations and hold similar views on many international issues.

Nepal and Sweden have been consistently participating in the United Nations peace-keeping operations around the world, thus contributing to the cause of world peace, security and stability, His Majesty noted.

His Majesty also appreciated the active role played by Sweden in promoting the socio-economic development of developing countries.

Earlier, presenting his credentials to His Majesty, Ambassador of Sweden Johan Nordenfelt said Sweden and Nepal have enjoyed a long tradition of friendly relations and cooperation, particularly in the international fora.

Both of them have a similar outlook on many fundamental questions, they share a mutual appreciation of the benefits of peace and stability and have important experiences in common in international peace-keeping, he noted.

Stating that as constitutional monarchies, the two countries share democratic values and dedication to their manifestation in a parliamentary system, he expressed his hope to see a further deepening of the friendly relations between the two countries and widening of contacts.

Meanwhile, His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev said that the bond of friendship between Nepal and Morocco has grown steadily to their mutual satisfaction ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1975.

His Majesty the King said this while receiving the letters of credence from ambassador of Morocco Mohamed Louafa amid a special function at the Narayanhity Royal Palace today.

Both the Kingdoms are committed to the United Nations Charter and as members of the non-aligned movement share a commonality of views on a number of global issues, His Majesty said.

His Majesty also expressed the hope that the existing cordial ties of friendship will contribute in expanding the areas of cooperation between the two countries to their mutual benefit in the days ahead.

Earlier, presenting his credentials to His Majesty, Ambassador of Morocco Mohamed Louafa said today we are brought together by the noble battle for peace, stability and development.

"Since the beginning we have reposed faith in the principle of a constitutional monarchy and democracy which are providing the respect of human rights and promoting the cardinal values of pluralism and tolerance", he said.

At the same time we share similar perceptions on the vital necessity to observe the sanctity of the principle of territorial integrity and non interference in the domestic affairs of sovereign nations, he observed.

In this context Morocco seeks to further cement these bonds and join forces with Nepal to forge a multi-dimensional partnership by enhancing the content and depth of our interaction in the fields of trade, tourism, handicrafts, agriculture and culture, he said.

He also expressed the hope that efforts would be accelerated towards a qualitatively new forward looking relationship to achieve a constant dialogue and a close understanding between the government and parliamentarian institutions of Nepal and Morocco.

Meanwhile, His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev said that Nepal and the European Commission have been enjoying friendly and cooperative relations ever since the establishment of formal ties in 1977.

His Majesty the King said this while receiving the letters of credence from ambassador and head of delegation of the Commission of the European Communities Michael Caillouet amid a special function at the Narayanhity Royal Palace today.

His Majesty appreciated the cooperation of the European Union in agriculture, rural development, energy and education which are also the priority areas of Nepal.

Noting that the countries of the European Union are also major development and trading partners of Nepal, His Majesty expressed the hope that bilateral trade, tourism and investment between Nepal and the European Union countries will continue to grow in the days ahead.

Stating that Nepal is committed to the ideals of SAARC with a view to promoting the social and economic development of the region through an enhanced level of interactions and mutual cooperation, His Majesty said "we are looking with great interest at the process of integration within the European Union."

The progress made by the European Union and the successive consolidation of its achievements over the years have been a source of inspiration to many regions around the world, His Majesty noted.

His Majesty also expressed the hope that the union will be ever more successful in fulfilling its objectives while remaining open to the outside world as ever.

Earlier, presenting his credentials to His Majesty the King, Ambassador of the Commission of European Communities Michael Caillouet said that based on respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law, the commission aims to support the sustainable economic and social development of Nepal, to promote two-way trade and investment and economic and cultural links, and to encourage exchanges and transfers in the fields of science and technology.

Appreciating the progress which Nepal has made and the concrete measures it has taken over recent years in the transition to a democratic society and a market economy, he said the commission is firmly committed to continuing its assistance to Nepal in order to consolidate and further that process.

Melamchi water to cost more

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec.22: A family in Kathmandu will have to pay on average Rs. 700 a month once water from the Melamchi River starts running through their taps in another six years’ time, Asian Development Bank (ADB) officials said here today.

This is for the 30,000 litres of water an average Nepali family consumes each month. Hence Kathmanduites will be paying Rs. 24 for a cubic metre of drinking water once the Melamchi project is completed.

"Among consumers here, there is a wide willingness to pay for water," said Richard Vokes, Resident Representative of the ADB, at a press meet here today. "There is, of course, no willingness to pay from the political level."

According to Vokes, even after increasing the present water tariff three-fold once Melamchi comes in, the government will still be providing a 50 per cent subsidy to the cost of the Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP).

Billed at US$ million 464, MWSP is the biggest ever drinking water project in the country designed to pipe in 170 million litres of water daily by 2006.

Vokes said that 60 per cent of the MWSP’s capacity was sufficient to meet the Kathmandu Valley’s current unmet demand. Even if the capital’s urbanisation continues to grow at the present rate of five per cent, MWSP will be able to meet the capital’s demand for another six to 10 years.

Kathmandu’s present demand for drinking water stands at 180 million litres a day while the Nepal Water Supply Corporation is unable to meet even half of that during the dry season.

Once the first phase of the project is completed, water from the Yangri and Larke Rivers that flow near the Melamchi in Sindhupalchowk district to the northeast of Kathmandu will also be channelled in.

Vokes said that water from the two rivers would be diverted through a tunnel of the MWSP in two phases. Phase I is scheduled to begin in 2011 while Phase II would begin in 2018. The entire project is expected to be completed by 2025.

The ADB Thursday approved its US$ 120 million loan for the MWSP. With the approval, ADB’s lending to Nepal in 2000 will total US$ 173 million for four loans along with a US$ 5.5 million in technical assistance grants. In 1999, ADB’s lending was only US$ 50 million.

The bank’s proposed lending for 2001-2003 consists of 11 loans totalling US$ 270 million, or an average of about US$ 90 million per year. "The projects to be supported are designed to reduce poverty, improve economic growth, support human development, improve environmental management and address key governance issues in the public and private sector," a press statement of the ADB said.

Crown Prince inaugurates N-SGI peace centre building

Kathmandu, Dec. 22 (RSS):  On the occasion of the 56th auspicious birthday of His Majesty the King, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev inaugurated the Nepal-Soka Gakkai International (N-SGI) peace centre building at Bafal, Kalanki, here today. The Soka Gakkai is an international Japanese religious organisation.

The N-SGI peace centre building was constructed at the cost of approximately Rs 27.5 million on 6.5 ropanis of land with the cooperation of Soka Gakkai International president Dr. Daisaku Ikeda.

The Soka Gakkai International, which was instituted with the objective of promoting Buddhism, peace and the development of culture, education and social service, has been working in Nepal since 1993. The institution has 300 members in Nepal.

On the occasion, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also graced the "the world boys and girls art exhibition" organised by the institution.

The art exhibition entitled "E.A.R.T.H." (enjoy, appreciate, realise, try and hope) has a total of 310 paintings selected from more than 100,000 entries from 161 countries and regions including Nepal.

The art exhibition has been organised by the Soka Gakkai International as a part of its efforts to promote international understanding and peace awareness. The exhibition will run for 17 days.

Upon arrival at the venue of the ceremony, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was accorded warm welcome by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Tarini Datta Chataut and N-SGI officials.

At the programme, president of Nepal-Soka Gakkai International Dr. Keshab Bahadur Shrestha said that the SGI is working towards the promotion of international peace and understanding and the development of humanity.

On the occasion, SGI vice-president Dr. Yoichi Kawada read out the message from SGI president Dr. Daisaku Ikeda.

Situation normal in Biratnagar

Biratnagar, Dec. 22 (RSS): The ANNFSU Morang district committee issued an appeal today urging the administration to resolve the problem without delay through the medium of dialogue.

The appeal says that the situation took a serious turn because the administration, instead of mediating the minor dispute between workers and students, resorted to the use of the police which opened fire all of a sudden.

The ANNFSU said the administration should make arrangements for the treatment of injured students, the students compensated for all the damage they incurred, action taken against those resorting to gunfire and those authorising them to do so as well as against the CDO who could not restore law and order, the concessional bus fares applicable to students under a past agreement maintained, the teaching activity which has come to a halt resumed at once and law and order guaranteed.

Meanwhile, the situation in Biratnagar, which became tense after police tried to bring under control the vandalising that took place over a dispute between bus operators and students was normal today compared to the past two days.

Bicycles, rikshaws and motorbikes plied the streets without hinderence but long distance day and night buses stayed off the roads.

Mahendra Morang Adarsha Multiple Campus has been closed indefinitely since yesterday.

Pharmaceuticals stores, tea shops and some other establishments opened sporadically from this afternnoon.

According to the district police office, students obstructed traffic at Tanki Sinabari Chowk on the Dharan-Biratnagar road today with the burning of tyres.

Seven police personnel, who were seriously injured in incidents yesterday and the day before, were sent to Kathmandu for treatment.

Work honestly, employees told

Birgunj, Dec. 22 (RSS): Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home and Local Development Ramchandra Poudel today instructed the CDOs, police officers and officers of the National Investigation Department based in the central region to fulfill their responsibilities honestly and confidently, and with a sense of commitment.

Deputy Prime Minister Poudel, who was speaking at the concluding function of the two-day regional conference of CDOs, police officers and officers of National Investigation Department based in the central region said that while fulfilling their responsibilities in controlling terrorist activity, the CDOs and police personnel should think that they are working for the people and for the protection of democracy.

Home Secretary Srikant Regmi stressed the need for the CDOs and police and other security personnel to relieve the people from fear.

IGP Pradip Shumsher J.B. Rana stressed the need for coordination among all security agencies in the face of the ongoing terrorist activity.

Head of the National Investigation Department Deviram Sharma stressed the need for reliable information and organizational reforms at the security agencies in order to fight terrorism.

NBL, RBB’s management to be handed over to pvt firms

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec. 22: The Ministry of Finance and Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the country’s central bank, on Friday said they were decided on handing over the management of two public sector banks to the private firms.

The management of Nepal Bank Limited (NBL) and Rastriya Banijya Bank (RBB) will be given on contract for a maximum period of three years beginning April 2001 to rescue them from the financial crisis that they are currently in.

Finance Secretary Bimal Prasad Koirala and NRB Governor Dipendra Purush Dhakal told the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee today that the government had decided to hand over the management of Nepal’s two largest commercial banks on contract in line with the financial reforms policy.

"It is the best option available to rescue them form the precarious situation they are in," they said.

Koirala said that the banks faced problems due to a faulty loan disbursement process, weak accounts maintenance system, poor management and information system and huge amounts of negative net-worth.

"The involvement of the private sector is expected to address these problems and improve their health."

Koirala said that the involvement of Nepalese experts with world-renowned managers would enhance their management skills also.

Governor Dhakal said that the banks would not be privatised for now. "Neither will the shares be sold to the public…only the management will be given on contract."

The government has selected eight firms – four each for NBL and RBB - out of the 41 firms that had applied for the management contract. The management of the banks is being given on contract according to the recommendation of KPMG, an international consultant.

Governor Dhakal said that the banks had already started work according to the instructions of the NRB to avoid further deterioration of the banks by the time the management is transferred.

Dhakal also said that the central bank had constituted a committee to monitor whether NBL and RBB abided by the instructions, adding actions would be taken if they failed to.

Dhakal said that the committee to represent the Finance Ministry, NRB and the concerned bank would be functional even after the management of the banks were given on contract. The banks would be given authorities to take decisions regarding their everyday business.

Finance Secretary Koirala said that the aim behind the management transfer was to learn from the foreign managers. "We should make sure that the contracts are in the interest of the banks."

In the meeting presided by the Chairman of the PAC, Governor Dhakal said that the supervision committee would regularly analyse the performance indicators. He said that things would be settled according to Nepalese laws and the selected managing companies would be asked to compensate the banks in case they further incurred loss.

Living god, goddess to get new facilities

Kathmandu, Dec. 22 (RSS): His Majesty’s Government has decided to provide new facilities effective from Srawan 1, 2057 B.S. (July l6, 2000) to the living Goddess and God Sri Kumari, Sri Ganesh and Sri Bhairav in addition to the existing facilities as they are an indispensable part of national culture, in order to impart liveliness to the nation’s glorious cultural and religious traditions.

Under the decision, Sri Kumari, Sri Ganesh and Sri Bhairav will get a proper education, their standard of living and nutrition level will be enhanced and housing will also be made available to Sri Bhairab and Sri Ganesh, a press release issued by the Ministry of Finance stated. Housing is already provided to Sri Kumari.

Similarly, pension amounts will also be increased for Sri Kumaris now living a retired life and Sri Ganesh and Sri Bhairav will also be provided the same facility thereby making life more comfortable for them, it adds.

HMG has also decided to provide Rs. 1,260,000 in order to protect and promote the Jyapu Guthis (trusts) in 63 toles within Kathmandu Metropolis which have been preserving ancient traditional music and musical instruments through the ‘Nasadya’ worship performed in honour of the guru of this musical tradition.

Convention will end NC row, says Koirala

Janakpurdham, Dec. 22 (RSS): Prime Minister and Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala has said that the elections held from the village to the district level in connection with the 10th general convention of the Nepali Congress have injected new life into the party.

Prime Minister Koirala, who was addressing a gathering of NC workers at the Janakpur Cigarette Factory premises today, alerted party workers against what he said was a conspiracy being hatched to debilitate the Nepali Congress and drag it into unnecessary controversies.

Regardless of any such conspiracies, the in-party wrangling will automatically come to an end once the general convention is over, he observed.

The Prime Minister said since former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and himself are getting old, a necessary process has already been initiated to transfer leadership to the younger generation.

Asking the younger generation to have patience, he expressed the belief that the idea of electing 50 percent of central working committee office-bearers will pave the way for youth leaders to come into the party leadership.

Stressing the need to strongly resist the terrorist activities of the Maoists, he urged party workers to form security committees in the villages and provide security to the people in close cooperation with the police.

Minister for Finance and Defense and NC central member Mahesh Acharya said the politics of violence pursued by the Maoists has been a big obstacle to the institutional development of democracy.

Stating that the Nepali Congress is fighting against poverty, Acharya said as Girija Babu is the advocate of party unity all party workers should rally behind him.

NC central member Miss Shailaja Acharya spoke of the need to provide new energy and direction to the party.

At present when the Maoists are perpetrating violence and terror and deriding the constitution as a failure, it is imperative on the part of NC workers to strive hard for protecting democracy, she said.

NC central member and spokesman Narahari Acharya said the 10th general convention of the Nepali Congress will make an assessment of the 10 years since the restoration of democracy and evaluate the performance and weaknesses in fulfilling the
party’s responsibilities toward the people.

Earlier, upon arrival at Janakpur airport, Prime Minister Koirala was welcomed by Health Minister Ram Baran Yadav, Deputy Speaker Chitralekha Yadav, NC central members Mrs Lila Koirala and Maheshwor Prasad Singh and MPs Ananda Prasad Dhungana, Smriti Narayan Chaudhari, Krishna Pratap Malla, Mahendra Kumar Raya, Ram Chandra Tiwari and Nagendra Yadav.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister and NC president Koirala has said that both law and morality are needed to do away with corruption.

During separate meetings he had with party workers of Sarlahi, Siraha and Sindhuli district today, Prime Minister and NC President Koirala said on the one hand the people are aspiring for development, while on the other the Maoists are perpetrating terrorism and acting against the aspirations of the people.

Describing the forthcoming 10th general convention of the Nepali Congress as very important, he said 50 per cent of the seats in the central committee will be fulfilled by election.

A process has already been initiated to make sure that even in the absence of the existing leaders the younger generation will be able to run the party smoothly, he said.

Stating that a big conspiracy is being hatched to finish off the Nepali Congress, he said ninety per cent of the victims of the Maoists are Nepali Congress workers because the latter live with the people in the villages.

Describing as unprecedented the way the elections were held at different levels of the party in connection with the 10th general convention, NC President Koirala said he is resolute about restoring party unity.

NC central member Miss Shailaja Acharya was of the view that the Nepali Congress needs self confidence and high morale to resolve the Maoist problem.

The terrorist activity of the Maoists has posed a threat to the parliamentary system, she said, adding the responsibility of protecting democracy has fallen on the shoulders of the Nepali Congress.

During their meetings with the Prime Minister, the party workers apprised the former of various problems of their districts.