PM: HMG firm to consolidate EC's machinery for free polls

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, June 9: Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala today reiterated his commitment to strengthen the Election Commission.

"The government will decide about the necessary amendments to be made in the existing legislation to strengthen the Election Commission after the High Level Committee for the Improvement of Election Management and Election Regulation submits its report," Koirala said.

He assured that the report to be submitted by the Committee in the line of providing the necessary logistics to the Election Commission would be implemented without any hitch.

"The book Nirbachan 2056 will serve as a valuable input to those willing to study the election trends, functioning of the parliament and Constitutional Monarchy in Nepal," Koirala told the launching of the Nirbachan 2056 published by the Media Line.

He said that the exercise would be more fruitful if a magazine encompassing election trends and the functioning of parliamentary democracy was published once in every three months.

Koirala said that it was imperative to curtail the high expenditure made during elections and put an end to all forms of perversions to make elections free, fair and impartial.

"The third general elections held in May last year was by and large free and impartial apart from some sporadic incidents of violence," Koirala said.

Chief Election Commissioner Bishnu Pratap Shah said that rhetoric alone would not contribute to empower the election Commission.

"Unless financial autonomy and adequate manpower is given to the EC its functioning cannot be free from impediments," Shah said.

Since the process of conducting the elections in Nepal primarily relies on the government machinery the elections are bound to reflect the level of expertise and the politicisation present in the bureaucracy, Shah said.

He said that signs of improvement in the line of empowering the EC were showing up as Prime Minister Koirala had set up a committee to sort out all the shortcomings.

British Ambassador to Nepal, Ronald H. Nash said that elections were the key to the consolidation of democracy, which in turn gave rise to a legitimate government and also expectations for the fulfilment of certain rights and services from the chosen government.

Nash said that the elections held in Nepal last year was well organised. Parties having proximity to the terrorist groups lost public support and the fear that the elections would be disrupted failed to materialise.

He said in the bid of the British government to support Nepal’s development endeavours, the Embassy also extended financial support for the publication of the Nirbachan 2056.

The book he said was the first election specific document in Nepal and was circulated to interested parties inside and outside Nepal.

Prakash Rimal of the Media Line said that the book comprised over 100 election bulletins and gave an insight into how the local media covered the May elections last year.

He said that the book would prove to be a useful tool for those willing to conduct a research on the election trends in Nepal.

Rimal said that the Media Line had recently launched a television programme in English aired every Sunday after the English news bulletin of the Nepal Television. The programme known as the "News Track" provides a round up of the current happenings in the political and social domains, he said.

Delivering the vote of thanks Ila Sharma also affiliated with the Media Line said that the book had given due coverage to the activities of all the political parties at the time of elections.

Prove usefulness, govt media told

Kathmandu, June 9 (RSS): Minister for Information and Communications Jayaprakash Prasad Gupta has said that the electronic media should be developed as a medium for disseminating people's opinions rather than merely functioning as government media, and should strive to quench the public thirst for information.

Minister Gupta said this at the closing ceremony today of a 5-day interaction programme on the existing news pattern at Radio Nepal and its improvement organised under the joint auspices of Radio Nepal and the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Radio Nepal Unit.

He noted that the time has come for communications workers and government media to prove their usefulness in the changed context.

Referring to the informative programmes in various languages being broadcast by Radio Nepal to keep the identity and uniqueness of the country's linguistic and cultural diversity alive, he said the Surkhet transmission centre is to broadcast a wide range of informative programming in the near future.

Minister Gupta also gave away certificates to participants of the interaction programme.

Acting executive director of Radio Nepal Shailendra Raj Sharma underlined the need for Radio Nepal to maintain its credibility and competitivity and said that efforts have been made to change its news presentation style.

Member of the board of director and deputy director Dhruba Thapa said that the interaction programme was held with a view to including topics of human interest and other interesting matter in radio programming and expressed confidence that it would be of help in news broadcasting in future.

Media trainer and senior journalist Dhruba Hari Adhikari stressed that the language of Radio Nepal should be simple, clear and attractive.

Senior editor Harish Chanda said we should work to contribute what we can to the nation rather than for what we can gain from it.

The function was presided over by FNJ Radio Nepal unit president Khagendra Khatri.

'Inform House of Panchkatiya incident'

Kathmandu, June 9 (RSS): Regular business of the House of Representatives could not pick up today after the opposition MPs boycotted the meeting citing that the appropriation of the budget was not balanced and transparent.

The meeting which got off to a slow start some seven hours behind schedule at 6.40 p.m. was adjourned by Speaker Taranath Ranabhat till 1 a.m. earlier after the opposition MPs boycotted the meeting arguing that the regular proceedings of the House cannot be started unless the mistakes in the appropriation bill are corrected.

Soon after the start of the meeting, CPN-UML's Subas Chandra Nemwang demanded information about the queries put forward by his party about the appropriation heads.

Govinda Bikram Shaha of the RPP demanded that the Home Minister should inform the house of the Panchkatiya incident which took place Wednesday.

Hem Narayan Yadav of the CPN-UML complained that there have been irregularities while distributing voters' identity cards and those who opposed it are harassed and assaulted by the goons.

NC's Tanka Prasad Sharma Kandel demanded action against those who assaulted with Khukuris student leader Krishna Bahadur KC of Baglung district who is undergoing treatment at a local health post.

Arjun Prasad Joshi and Rajendra Kharel of the same party urged that parliamentary business be advanced since this is the venue for finding solutions to the people's problems, adding that it is because of the House adjournment we have not been able to give serious attention to Nepali patriots who have been implicated in a "RAW" report.

NC's Shiva Prasad Humangain and Arjun Jung Bahadur Singh remarked that the oppositions should not adjourn the House since this is the time for discussions to resolve the urgent probelms facing the country and spoke of the need to rescue 12 persons who have been stranded in the swollen Seti and Kalanga rivers caused by incessant rains.

CPN-UML's Parshuram Meghi Gurung said the House cannot be kept in the dark while RPP's Netra Lal Shrestha noted that there is partiality in budget appropriations, programmes do not mean for recruiting party workers and attention should be given to the people victimized by both the police and the Maoists who are camping near Bhadrakali.

Lilamani Pokhrel of Samyukta Janamorcha, stressing the need to make every government activity transparent, said there is ample room for correction in the budget.

Mrigendra Kumar Singh Yadav of Nepal Sadbhavana Party said the opposition has no trust at all in the activities of the government. He also stressed the need to correct the budget appropriation.

Bharat Kumar Shaha of Nepali Congress urged the opposition benches not to disrupt the parliamentary proceedings since the Prime Minister has already expressed his commitment to allocating budget in lump sum for the development of some districts and spending the budget on the basis of all party consensus.

RPP's Renu Kumari Yadav accused the committee headed by Sher Bahadur Deuba of failing to initiate the process of dialogue with the Maoists and alleged that the B. P. with the Poor and women's awareness and income generation programmes were meant for giving job to congressmen.

Ram Chandra Tiwari of the NC said the budget has been appropriated in such a manner as to promote the interest of the country and the people; the government is not obliged to satisfy every demand of the opposition.

CPN-UML's Prakash Jwala and K. P. Sharma Oli also criticized the budget appropriation.

When NC's Romi Gauchan was about to speak, CPN-UML MPs created a commotion and at about 7:00 walked out of the House. RPP and Nepal Sadbhavana Party MPs also followed suit.

Valley, other places to experience more pre-monsoon showers

BY NEERAJ NATH PANDEY

Kathmandu June 9:This year, as compared to previous years, the Kathmandu valley and other places of the kingdom will be experiencing more pre-monsoon showers. Altogether, in the month of May the capital city and other places of the Mid-Eastern and Western zones of the kingdom received heavy rainfalls for 14 days, totaling 167.5 mm. The normal measure should have been 105.3 mm. It rained for an average of 10 days in the Mid-Western and Far-Western zones during the same period.

According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, compared to previous years, it drizzled 60 per cent more this year. Similarly, Bhirahawa and Simara experienced 150 per cent more rainfall this year. While, on the contrary, it rained 40 per cent less in Dhankuta, during the same period.

This pre-monsoon rain has drastically decreased the temperature of the valley. The metropolis experienced a high of 32.3 degrees Celsius on May 14th while other cities in the Terai faced a scorching heat in between 37-39 degrees Celsius. ‘But this is in fact a decrease while comparing the temperatures of the same period of previous years’, says Keshav Das Shrestha, Meteorologist at the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Ministry of Science and Technology. ‘It is because of the cyclonic depression in places like Orissa in India that is the cause of this pre-monsoon rain’, Shrestha said adding ‘Pokhara experienced the highest quantity of rain (580.9 mm) in the month of May in the whole of the country. The normal measure should have been 325.1 mm'.

According to Shrestha, the monsoon this year has already concentrated itself on the Eastern sectors of Bangladesh and North-Eastern places of India, specially in the state of Orissa. But because of the continuation of Western atmospheric pressure above 5 thousand feet of Nepal, the real monsoon will only begin from June 10, he informed. The monsoon, it is learnt will enter the kingdom from the east on June 10.

Contrary to wide expectation of damage to maize crop because of these incessant rains that have arrived earlier this year, Shrestha assured that ‘it will do no harm to maize but will better the grain harvest in the valley'.

The farmers of the valley and elsewhere in the Terai have been expecting a lesser amount of rainfall during the peak rainy seasons beginning the month of Asar (mid June) because of the heavy rains in the month of May. Although, this cannot be substantiated, a relative dry monsoon season could do tremendous damage to the paddy and other harvest especially in the inner Madhesh districts of the country.

Role of free judiciary emphasised

Bhaktapur, June 9 (RSS): Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya has emphasised the need for the legal practitioners, who are an important segment of the society, to be active in providing accessible justice to the poor, innocent and oppressed people.

Inaugurating the 17th meeting and the annual general meeting of the Central Executive Council of the Nepal Bar Association here today, Mr Upadhyaya said that as the role of independent and impartial judiciary would be important in creating a democratic society, all the legal practitioners should remain impartial and honest.

Emphasising the need for the legal practitioners and judges working in the legal field to undertake self-evaluation and analysis to eliminate distortion and inconsistencies seen in the judicial sector, Chief Justice Upadhyaya noted that the people's faith in judiciary would rise if the analysis of the courts could be presented to the people.

Attorney General Badri Bahadur Karki said that there was no alternative to democracy and the yardstick to assess the extent of democracy in the country was courts.

Chief Judge of the Appellate Court Patan Min Prasad Rayamajhi said that the need of the day was an efficient and honest bar.

Senior advocate and former president of Nepal Bar Association Mukunda Regmi emphasised the need for the legal practitioners to stay away from inappropriate activities and said that they should be disciplined, ethical, studious and shoulder the responsibility of administering justice.

Former speaker Daman Nath Dhungana said that the constitution has vested tremendous powers to the courts and capable people were needed to exercise these powers.

Senior advocate Sarbagya Ratna Tuladhar, president of Nepal Bar Association Harihar Dahal, former president Radheshyam Adhikari and a host of other speakers emphasised the need for the legal practitioners to be honest and impartial.

President of Bhaktapur district Nepal Bar Association Sashi Chandra Mishra presided.

Ways to improve textbook on civic education discussed

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Birgunj, June 9: University teachers from the different campuses and schools of Birgunj came together to discuss on ways to improve a textbook on civic education that has been recently introduced to the higher secondary curriculum.

Prof. Ram Kumar Dahal from Tribhuvan University, in his presentation, said: The world has witnessed revolutions of epic proportions in the quest to transform people into citizens. Nepal too is trying to do the same. Where will students get the knowledge about the Constitution and their rights, since many existing courses of study do not offer this opportunity? As a result, people, especially from remote parts, do not know their rights, let alone exercise them.

Local Thakur Ram Campus teacher Raghunath Prasad said that Nepal Parichaya was there in the past to serve the need for civic education of campus students of all faculties. Similar needs were served by the compulsory subject, Nepali. "This was a product of the National Education Plan but ran into controversy due to political reasons. Today, politics has taken such dimensions that teaching is hardly carried out in the colleges. Let the same not be the case with the introduction of this subject", he said.

Bhagyanath Prasad Gupta, a political activist, said, "This is the second time that we have had democracy, therefore, we need to be concerned about its preservation. The past ten years have cast negative shadows on democracy."

Indu Shekhar Mishra, also from Thakur Ram Campus, said that the book does not provide the experience gained in the past ten years. "We need to review the gains and losses made during that time and bring them to the
people. There are social ills like Devaki and Badi traditions which should have been included in the course of study. After all, it is the students who will be leading the country tomorrow," he said.

He also thought that the book was politics-heavy. "It needs to include cultural and economic aspects as well," Mishra said.

Satyadev Prasad Yadav, from the same campus agreed the need for expansion of the book's content to include social, economic, traditional and cultural aspects. "This seminar proves that we are concerned about the kind of society we want to build. There was a subject called Panchayat in the past, so we are not alien to such a curriculum. Civic education is a must for democracy to function properly," he said.

Yadav also wanted to know if it was possible to deal with those students passing out from foreign universities but coming to Nepal later on to work. "Do they not need civic education," He
asked ?

Dr. Mahendra Gupta showed his dissatisfaction with the way the whole 10+2 system was being run. "The course of study is so advanced that it can be properly adopted if we are to import foreign books. We cannot provide the students with those books on time. Additionally, the credit hours allotted for the advanced course is just too little. The capacity of students needs to be analysed before introducing new subjects like this one," was his conclusion.

From the chair, Bhagwan Yadav, Hari Khetan Campus chief, also thought that the 10+2 system needed riviewing because it is not faring well right now because most of the higher secondary schools have been opened by businessmen and teachers coming together, making it largely a business affair. "Even employees working to create and promote the 10+2 system have been borrowed from other institutions temporarily to work for the system.

"New courses are being enforced in higher classes first, before even providing orientation to teachers and without first introducing the course to lower classes", Yadav said.

Lalbabu Yadav from TU explained the rationale for teaching the subject in his presentation. "People need to be transformed into citizens," he said. "Only awareness about their rights and responsibilities can make them so."

The book under discussion, titled "Nepalese Contemporary Society", was prepared by Nepal Foundation for Advanced Studies with cooperation from Friedrich Ebert Stiftung of Germany. The book is being taken to various parts of the Kingdom to collect suggestions from the stakeholders of 10+2.

"It is a product of about a dozen seminars held in different parts of the Kingdom," said Ananda Shrestha, executive director of NEFAS, to initiate discussion. Shivaraj Dahal, also from NEFAS, gave the vote of thanks at the end of the session.

Bastola attends funeral of late Obuchi

Kathmandu, June 9 (RSS):Minister for Foreign Affairs and special envoy Chakra Prasad Bastola, Royal Nepalese ambassador to Japan Kedar Bhakta Mathema and deputy chief of protocol Deepak Dhital today attended the funeral of former Japanese prime minister the late Keizo Obuchi and offered flowers at the alter set up for the occasion.

Later in the evening they also attended a reception hosted by Prime Minister Yoshio Mori and offered condolences to Mrs. Obuchi and members of the Obuchi family, according to the Royal Nepalese Embassy in Tokyo.

On the occasion, Mrs. Obuchi told Mr. Bastola how much she and other members of her family had enjoyed their visit to Nepal with the late Keizo Obuchi some years ago.

Mr. Bastola responded that with Mr. Obuchi's death, Nepal has lost a good friend.

His Majesty felicitates

Kathmandu, June 10 (RSS): His Majesty the King has felicitated President Jorge Sampaio of the Portugese Republic on the occasion of the National Day of Portugal.

In a message of felicitations, His Majesty has extended best wishes for the President's personal health and happiness as well as for the progress and prosperity of the people of Portugal.

HM grants audience

Kathmandu, June 9 (RSS): His Majesty the King granted audience to Mr Abdualah Omar Barry, ambasador of Saudi Arabia to the Kingdom of Nepal at the Royal Palace this evening.

The Saudi Arabian ambassador is leaving for home on completion of his tenure in Nepal.

Nepal Adarsa School completes 50 years

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, June 9: His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev attended the golden jubilee function of Nepal Adarsa Secondary School at Ganabahal here this morning.

On the occasion, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince gave away letters of commendation to teachers and staff that have served the school for more than 25 years.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Education Amod Prasad Upadhyaya said that although the country has more than one hundred thousand teachers, more than half of the total population are still illeterate. "The Nepal Adarsa Secondary School was opened in 2007 B.S. with the active participation of the general public that wanted the light of knowledge to spread in the society," Minister Upadhyaya said.

Hari Shankar Shrestha, Member of the School Management Committee informed that although being a government school, ninty-nine per cent of the school's students that appear for the S.L.C. examination every year have been passing and even receiving good divisions. He also called upon for the end of political interferance in schools.

Sharda Bhakta Shrestha, Principal informed that there are at present 639 students receiving education in the school.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince inspected the classrooms and the science laboratory of the school.

HRC officials meet Koirala

Kathmandu, June 9 (RSS):Chairman of National Human Rights Commission Nayan Bahadur Khatri and all members of the commission met Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala today and requested him to make necessary arrangement for physical infrastructures for the Commission.

Also today, Commission Chairman and members met the people from the Maoist affected areas presently staging a relay strike at Bhadrakali and expressed their concern toward the problem.

The Commission in a letter to the Cabinet Secretariat yesterday demanded information within a week on the news published regarding the murder and arsenal in Khara of Rukum district, minimum wage and liberation of Kamaiyas or bonded labourers, boycott of the Chamar community in Lahan and the persons missing so far.

National Human Rights Commission has, in carrying out its work effectively, hoped for suggestions and cooperation from His Majesty's Government, various political parties, government bodies, civic society and organisations working in the field of human rights, the communications sector and intellectuals.

The Commission has also stated that it has started functioning by setting up its office at Harihar Bhawan, Pulchowk.

Elders draw attention of govt on different issues

Kathmandu, June 9 (RSS):Bachaspati Devkota of CPN-UML, speaking during special time at the meeting of the National Assembly today, drew the attention of His Majesty's Government to the need to recover loans issued by Napal Bank Ltd., the Agricultural Development Bank and Rastriya Banijya Bank, correct irregularities, end the tendency to issue loans under undue pressure and write off loans issued to farmers.

Dr. Ram Man Shrestha of CPN-ML said the government should devote its attention to the fact that the increased facilities sanctioned by the government of the UK for Nepalese in the British forces are just nominal.

Gangadatta Joshi of Nepali Congress asked the government to provide relief to families affected by recent incessant rains and give attention to the epidemic of fever in the Far-Western Region.

MP Rajeshwar Devkota said that the government should ponder how to deal with India and what tack it should take for dialogue at a time when the Magazine India Today is levelling accusations and blame at Nepal.

Shukra Raj Sharma of Nepali Congress suggested maintaining a complete record of land under the government's ownership and drew attention to land encroached upon by landless settlers and other encroached lands such as the Shantibanvatika, bus parks, ex-servicemen's association premises and roads.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly, at its meeting today accepted the proposal presented by Minister for Health Dr. Rambaran Yadav calling for consideration of the Nepal Health Service (second amendment) Bill, 2057.

Earlier, MPs Devendra Ghimire, Devraj Ghimire and Ramchandra Bhattarai took part in discussions over the proposal.

The national assembly will meet again on June 12 at 1 pm.

HMG expresses deep sorrow

Kathmandu, June 9 (RSS): His Majesty's Government (HMG) has expressed deep sorrow at the tragic death of Mr. C. V. Goonaratne, Minister for Industrial Development and the loss of several innocent lives in the cowardly and despicable act of terrorism in Sri Lanka and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

According to the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, HMG has always condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The tragic event in Colombo has once again reinforced the need to enhance cooperation in the fight against the scourge of terrorism, he added.

Film fest on World War II to be organised

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, June 9: A week-long film festival on World War II is to be organised in Kathmandu jointly by Russian Centre of Science and Culture and Kathmandu Film Society.

The film festival is to begin from June 13 and will continue till June 16 at the auditorium of the Centre, it is stated in a press release issued by RC SC.

The objective of the film festival is to bring audience the fact of history through the eyes of Soviet directors how the Great Patriotic War started in 1941, how Soviet people showed their determination and dedication to save their motherland and how they sacrificed their lives in the War, says the press release.

Russia is observing the year 2000 as the 55th anniversary of the victory of Soviet people over fascism. Four feature films "Cranes are flying", "Soldiers", "Only old boys go to combat" and "On the way to Berlin" will
be screened during the film festival.

These films were developed by the State Cinematography Committee of the Russian government for the 55th anniversary of the victory over fascism. The feature films are to be screened free of cost.

Entrance fee scrapped

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, June 9: His Majesty's Government, in a decision taken last week, has scrapped the entrance fee being charged by the Boudhanath Area Development Committee for foreigners visiting the Boudhanath Stupa. Hundreds of tourists visit the historic site of Boudhanath and also the surrounding area every day.

The Committee had been charging Rs. 15 per person for citizens of the SAARC region and Rs. 50 per person from people of other countries. Local people informed that the fee was being taken without the permission of the Ministry of Tourism.

The local people had vehemently protested about the imposing of entrance fees for tourists wanting to visit the Boudha Stupa and they have heartily welcomed the present government decision.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Boudha Ghyang Guthi and the Chiniya Lama, Serab Dorje Lama has welcomed the decision of the government to scrap the entrance fees imposed for tourists going to Boudhanath Stupa. In a press release issued today, the Chiniya Lama has said that His Majesty's Government has respected the wishes of the entire people of the area by taking the present decision on doing away with the entrance fees.

Carpet export on decline

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, June 9: The export of carpet witnessed a sharp 50 per cent fall during the first three months of the year 2000 compared to the last three months of the previous year.

Nepal exported 669 thousand square metres of carpet during the last three months of the year 1999, while the total export by the end of March this year was only 336 thousand square metres.

Saturation of German market (major importer) and Nepal’s inability to explore the new markets, devaluation of German currency and Euro and the flow of cheaper Indian carpet have been the causes for the downward trend in the export of the major foreign currency earner.

Export tax will affect carpet business further, Nepal Carpet Exporters’ Association (NCEA) President Kabindra Nath Thakur told the first annual general meeting of the Association here this afternoon. Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya has proposed tax on export earning in the budget for the Fiscal Year 2000/2001 presented in the Parliament a couple of weeks ago.

The government and the carpet traders should work together to address the problems facing the carpet industry and diversify the carpet market, Thakur said.

Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Ram Krishna Tamrakar defended the export tax and said that the government’s policies were oriented toward industrial development and export promotion.

Tamrakar said that the government would push ahead the work of export promotion zone in Birgunj in co-operation with India. He also said that works would begin soon to regulate the Nepal-India boarder to check the unauthorised trade.

"The challenge facing us is to excel in the market," President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Pradeep Kumar Shrestha said. "The manufacturers should give special importance to design and quality to do well in the international market."

Shrestha appealed to the government to develop necessary infrastructure to make Nepalese carpet competitive and assure its access to the market. He also called for initiatives to reach the fruits of carpet business to the small manufacturers.

President of Central Carpet Industries Association A. G. Sherpa said that the government’s decision to levy tax on export earning would mar the carpet industry that provided employment to thousands of people.

Officiating President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Jagadish Prasad Khetan also said that the export tax would have negative impact on export oriented industries.

On the occasion, Minister Tamrakar gave away awards to Paramount Carpet Industries, Poomori Carpet and Pioneer Carpet three biggest carpet exporters in 1999.

The AGM also announced the new executive committee headed by Kabindra Nath Thakur. Deepak Bhattarai, Anup B. Malla and Deepak Bajracharya have been elected as first vice president, second vice president and general secretary respectively. Ramesh Adhikari has been named the new secretary and Kamal Mani Panthi treasurer.

The members include Hirandya Prakash Dhar, K. P. Ghimire, Kishan Sahani, Lalit Agrawal, Nawang Lama, Pramod Raj Satyal, Sandeep Sharda, Shakti Begani and Tsultrim Nawang Shrestha.

Efforts underway to provide relief to flood-hit, says Joshi

Kathmandu, June 9 (RSS): Home Minister Govinda Raj Joshi has said that efforts are being made to provide relief to those affected by heavy rains last week. Heavy downpour triggered flash flood causing some loss of life and property, and damage to physical infrastructures, he added.

Making a statement of public importance at the House of Representatives and the National Assembly today, Home Minister Joshi said the construction of embankment along the border in Banke district by the Indian government is likely cause flooding thereby affecting 1723 households and 1951 families. Efforts are underway to immediately shift the vulnerable families to a safer place and provide them with necessary relief materials, he added.

The Mahakali river flood caused by the heavy rains swept away the bridges at Jauljibi and Dattu on the Nepal-India border, damaged a bridge near Khalanga district headquarters thereby disrupting movement, washed away the embankment near the forest office at Bangabazaar, destroyed the diversion constructed by Baitadi-Darchula road project and swept away one woman and a child.

Likewise, the Seti river flood has affected about 70 families at Dungad VDC in Baitadi district, he said, adding as a precaution some families are being shifted to safer places and relief is being provided to the 30 families at ward Nos. 5 and 6 of Khairichandanpur VDC, Bardiya district who were affected by the Chandanpur river flood.

He also gave details about the damage caused by river floods in Bajhang district and said that efforts are being made in coordination with all sectors concerned to provide timely relief to the affected people.

Informing parliament about the incident that took place in Panchkatiya of Jajarkot district on Wednesday said since it was raining hard when exchange of fire was taking place between the police personnel of Panchkatiya police post and the terrorists in the night, the police personnel were instructed from the centre to leave the post and go to the district headquarters.

So far, 36 police personnel along with their arms have reached the district headquarters, he said, adding five others have not reached the district headquarters but are safe and sound, while a search is under way for the rest.

Two Maoists were killed when the police personnel retaliated after they came under the attack of Maoists when they were returning from the site of the incident.

Since a helicopter they flew from Kathmandu could not reach the site of incident due to bad weather, further details are not yet available, he said.

Article in 'India Today' baseless, malicious

Kathmandu, June 9 (RSS): Home Minister Govinda Raj Joshi has said that the article in India Today Magazine alleging increased Pakistani ISI activity in Nepal and the so called report about this on the internet are totally baseless, malicious and motivated.

Mr Joshi said this while furnishing information of public importance at the meeting of the National Assembly today.

He also referred to the Prime Minister's recent reaction to the report describing it as being malicious and motivated and containing no truth, and its condemnation by the Foreign Ministry as a despicable attempt to vitiate the atmosphere of harmonious ties between Nepal and India.

Meanwhlie, CPN-UML has said that the mentioning of names of the party leaders and workers in the recently published report of "India Today" magazine and the internet report prepared by the Indian Intelligence Organisation (RAW) making allegations like "being involved in ISI activities", and "being involved in Pakistani campaign against India," etc. are baseless and untrue.

The CPN-UML has also condemned such false and misleading news reports.

CPN-UML which likes to relate itself with all neighboruing countries on the basis of mutual benefit, equality and the principles of Panchasheel does not believe in conspiracy but would not lag behind in raising voice for the interest and freedom of its country, says a statement issued by the party here today.

The statement also demands that the Indian government clarify its position on this matter.

Likewise, CPN-ML general secretary Bamdev Gautam has said that the report made public by "India Today" during the visit of the Indian Prime Minister's principal secretary and security advisor Brajesh Mishra has not only intervened in the self dignity and domestic affairs of Nepal but has raised a serious question over the attitude of Indian leaders.

Strongly protesting and condemning the report, Mr Gautam demanded that His Majesty's Government make public an official statement on behalf of the sovereign state of Nepal and its self-respecting Nepali people.

National folk music, dance fest opened

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, June 9: Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Tarini Datta Chataut today inaugurated National Folk Music and Dance Festival jointly organised by Royal Nepal Academy and Nepal Tourism Board.

Fourteen groups representing the all the zones of Nepal are taking part in the festival that will run for three days.

According to the organisers, the first of the competing groups will be given a prize of 25 thousand rupees while the second and the third will receive 20 and 15 thousand rupees respectively. The rest 11 participating groups will be given a consolation prize of five thousand rupees each, they said.

Minister Chataut, who is the Joint Chancellor of the Academy, said that such programmes would not only preserve the national culture and heritage but would promote tourism, one of the most important sources of foreign currency income.

"Since art, culture, music and literature are an integral part of national identity, the nation’s development is reflected in the promotion of these sectors," he said.

The Academy’s Vice Chancellor Poet Mohan Koirala said that the Academy was committed to promote folk dances and music with the available sources.

The Festival Co-Ordinator Nir B. Shah said some 400 thousand rupees was spent in the programme. "But the amount is negligible in comparison to its achievement in our efforts to preserve national culture."

Nepal Tourism Board Executive Chief Pradip Raj Pandey said NTB, dedicated to promote tourism, would play significant role in preserving national culture and heritage.

The Academy Member-Secretary Dr. Tulsi Prasad Bhattarai extended the vote of thanks to all who contributed to the successful completion of the programme.