Women activists off to Dhaka

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, June 21: Five women activists under the sponsorship of National Network Against Girl Trafficking flew to Dhaka today to acquire first hand information on the problem of Girl Trafficking and efforts underway to fight against the social menace.

The activists include Iswori Upreti from Nuwakote, Rajeswori Singh, Kailai, Nirmala Shrestha, Kavre, Hari Priya Pandey, Tanahu and Goma Devi Gurung, Kathmandu.

The five women activists who are visiting Bangladesh on a week-long visit have been working at the grassroots level to check girl trafficking.

Nepal and Bangladesh are countries facing similar problems of girl trafficking.

‘Reform agriculture for development’

Kathmandu, June 21 (RSS): At today’s meeting of the National Assembly, MP Kedar Prasad Neupane of the CPN-UML drew the attention of the Minister for Land Reforms and Management on the necessity to implement the Badal Commission land reform report.

Mr Neupane pointed out the need to implement agricultural revolution plan for the development of agriculture as it is a major bisis for developments.

He stressed the need to implement the Badal Commission report put forward in an integrated manner, the need for irrigation, agriculture road, agriculture industry, market and welfare of the workers for a agricultural productivity growth and poverty alleviation.

Responding to the call attention, Minister for Land Reforms and Management Siddha Raj Ojha said most of the recommendations have been implemented by taking the report of the Badal Commission seriously.

He said skill-oriented training has been conducted for the livelihood of the Kamaiyas by legally ending the Kamaiya system, minimum wages have been fixed for the agro workers, the dual ownership of land has been ended, and the agro roads, industry and irrigation have been increased as far as the resources have permitted and added that the plotting and land utilization policy is being studied for implementation as soon as possible.

MPs Surendra Prasad Pandey and Devraj Ghimire of the CPN-UML had sought clarification from him.

At the meeting, chairman Dr. Mohammad Mohsin read out the communication received from the Royal Palace thanking the National Assembly for the vote of thanks presented to His Majesty for addessing the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on May 19.

The National Assembly meets again at 12:00 noon on June 26.

Meanwhile, CPN-UML’s Bir Bahadur Singh, speaking during special time at the National Assembly today, said the dam being constructed unilaterally by India in Baharaich district has submerged a total of nine VDCs in Banke district which is against international rules.

Mr Singh also strongly denounced the killing of former Siraha DDC chairman and NC leader Chandra Narayan Yadav and spoke of the need to arrest the guilty persons.

MP Rajeswor Devkota spoke of the need to find an outlet for rescuing the people of the five VDCs which have been submerged by the dam constructed on Indian side.

Keshav Lal Shrestha of the CPN-ML noted the construction of Laxmanpur Barrage by India has affected some 15,000 people of five VDCs in Banke district, adding that construction of dams in Sarlahi, Rautahat, Siraha, Dhanusha, Kakarbhitta and Inaruwa has affected the people living nearby.

MP Mohan Raj Sharma Chapagain observed that government’s plans are not likely to eradicate poverty and the government should be serious about corruption control and the issue of law and order.

NC’s Mahendra Kumar Mishra strongly demanded that the murderers of Chandra Narayan Yadav be punished.

CPN-UML’s Gaura Koirala spoke of the need for the Landless Squatters Problems Resolution Commission to be serious about resolving the problem in Rupandehi district.

NC’s Jeevan Prem Shrestha urged that His Majesty’s Government seriously take the issue of 78-page long "Game Plan" which is not in favour of Nepalese interests.

Agreement signed

Kathmandu, June 21 (RSS): An agreement has been reached between the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Blue Chips International Pvt. Ltd. on developing software to systematise certificates of origin.

Upon introduction of the new system for goods manufactured and produced in Nepal for export to India and third countries since 1997, a software package can be developed for district and town level organisations under the FNCCI to issue certificates of origin on an effective and regular basis.

With such a package, uniformity and transparency can be maintained in the particulars the certificates of origin.

FNCCI hopes that all the district and town level organisations which have authority to issue such certificates would extend their co-operation in this endeavour.

General secretary of the FNCCI Badri Prasad Ojha and director of Blue Chips International Jitendra Bahadur Shrestha signed in the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

1366 people so far killed, Joshi informes NA

Kathmandu, June 21 (RSS): Home Minister Govinda Raj Joshi gave a statement of public importance at the National Assembly today.

Mr Joshi informed the meeting that a total of 1366 people have already lost their lives, property worth over Rs 180 million has been looted, and some industries and helicopters have been damaged .

A total of 2421 people involved in terrorist activity have surrendered and 217 persons have been kidnapped by the terrorists, of which 21 have been killed, while 113 persons have been returned. The remaining 87 are still in the control of the terrorists.

There have been 576 cases of looting, 281 cases of beating, 352 cases of explosion, 152 cases of arson, 221 cases of assaults on police posts, 835 cases of clashes with the police, 20 cases of vandalism at telecom centre and 19 cases of assaults on foreign-aided agencies.

According to the Home Minister, police arrested 5565 persons in connection with investigations and released 3944 persons after investigation.

Mr Joshi said since the Maoist problem is not a problem of a particular section, region or party, but a problem of the nation, all the political parties, intellectuals and the public should provide constructive suggestions for its solution.

On the occasion, the Home Minister also praised the role of the police who are fighting for the sake of the nation risking their own life.

Rights for oppresed emphasised

Kathmandu, June 2l (RSS): In the l0 years since the restoration of democracy, the downtrodden communities, which comprise 20 per cent of the total population of the country, have not been able to enjoy the rights provided for under the constitution, on par with other communities.

This complaint was voiced by leaders of the downtrodden and intellectuals participating in an interaction programme on a movement for the rights of the downtrodden organised here Tuesday by the Nepal Society for the Liberation of the Downtrodden and Oppressed Communities central working committee.

Addressing the programme, National Assembly member Lal Bahadur Bishwakarma said that although the Civil Code and the Constitution have ended the practice of untouchability and communal discrimination, these laws have not taken effect in practice. He drew the attention of the government to the need for sanctions against individuals engaging in such practices.

Former MP and chairman of the Downtrodden Rights and Communal Discrimination Concern Center Man Bahadur Bishwakarma said although the problem of the downtrodden has become aggravated throughout the country, the government is not showing any sensitivity towards this, adding that the demand of the downtrodden is to be allowed to live as equals within the parameters of the rights provided for by the constitution and the laws.

Downtrodden NGOs federation chairman Chakraman Bishwakarma said the downtrodden would not be uplifted until there is change in the existing social structures and the downtrodden are represented at the decision making level.

Kamala Himchuli of the Downtrodden Services Association called for downtrodden solidarity to further the downtrodden liberation movement.

Central member of the Society Hasta Bahadur Bishwakarma said the government has not paid attention to the l8 point demand presented to the Prime Minister last year including a demand for reservations. The society is therefore to picket Singha Durbar on June 23 and start a fast from the 24th to press for fulfillment of the demands.

During the interaction chaired by chairman of the society Padma Lal Bishwakarma, member of the Human Rights Commission Kapil Shrestha, chairman of the Human Rights Preservation Forum Padma Ratna Tulahar, chairman of the Nepal Downtrodden Association Man Bahadur Bishwakarma, Gopal Shivakoti ‘Chintan’ of Inhured International Nepal, Kul Raj Ghimire of Grinso Nepal, DB Sagar of the Foundation for Popular Uplift and others also expressed their views.

Govt attention drawn over irregularities

Kathmandu, June 21(RSS): Ishwar Pokharel of CPN-UML taking part during special time at the meeting of the House of Representative today spoke of the financial irregularities taking place at the Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation and Tribhuwan International Airport customs office.

He said Royal Nepal Airlines has developed as a centre for smugglers and privatisation is being carried out at a very low price at a time when the Public Accounts Committee is investigating the purchase or lease of new aircraft.

He requested the government not to dismiss employees who have been serving the corporation on contract basis for more than a decade.

Narayan Sharma Poudel of the Nepali Congress condemned the murder of NC worker Chandranarayan Yadav in Siraha district and demanded stern action against the guilty.

He demanded declaration of Rampur Agriculture Campus as an agriculture university since all the infrastructure has been set up. He also demanded river control, preservation of forests and an arrangements for irrigation in Chitwan.

Lilamani Pokharel of United People’s Forum drew the attention of the government to the plight of some 1,700 families displaced by the barrage erected along the Rapti river by India.

He also observed that Nepal’s sovereignty has been challenged through the erection of the barrage by India in disregard of international norms and practice that require seeking consent from the other party for any construction work within a distance of 8 km from the border.

Ramchandra Tiwari of Nepali Congress complained about fees being collected at highschools despite the policy of free education and about a policy of posting a peon and non-gazette second class staff member at every public school not being put into effect.

He demanded that the government increase salaries for the teachers in proportion to government employees.

Referring to a market close down in Biratnagar the other day at a call from the employees of Biratnagar Jute Mills following its close down since May 29, Bharat Mohan Adhikari of CPN-UML asked the government to make necessary arrangements for resumption of its operations in view of the resignation of its executive chairman which has been accepted.

Narayan Man Bijukchhe of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party drew the attention of the government to the dismissal of employees which is under consideration at Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation and demanded that a report submitted by technicians to HMG concerning erection of a barrage along the Rapti river be provided to the House.

Dil Bahadur Lama of Nepali Congress demanded an arrangement for bathing and lodging for devotee at Gosainkunda where a pilgrimage takes place twice a year.

He also suggested action against police personnel who fled from Jajarkot Panchakatiya and setting up of a separate entity in place of the National Investigation Department.

Pradeep Kumar Gyawali of CPN-UML accused the government of obstructing the developmental work of local bodies and said the local development amount has been frozen for Birgunj Municipality for political revenge instead of waiting for a report on alleged irregularities at the municipalities.

Narayan Singh Pun of Nepali Congress laid emphasis upon the mobilisation of a national security force, resistance at people’s level and setting up of a national planning and co-ordination committee at the centre as well as at regional level.

Chitra Bahadur K.C. of National People’s Forum urged that the political leader and MPs visit the Maoist affected areas instead of just speaking up in Parliament.

He termed the ban against the publication of Avichalit Weekly published from Birgunj as throttling of press freedom.

Dambar Singh Samba-hamphe of CPN-UML demanded that the government take action against the manpower company and its agents involved in despatching the dead body of another persons instead of that of Ram Bahadur Gurung of Panchthar Raniban-1 who died in Saudi Arabia.

RNA: Int’l music day celebrated Music breaks  all barrier, says Poudel

BY STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, June 21: National music festival was organised amid a special programme at Royal Nepal Academy today to mark the International Music Day, which is observed on June 21 throughout the world.

Various glimpses from classical, folks and modern music and songs were presented on the occasion.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Development Ramchandra Poudel, inaugurted the function by beating a pair of Jhyali (traditional Nepali musical instrument), said that music is an international language that breaks all kind of barriers in the world.

"Music, art and literature are the heritages of the country upon which existence of every nation depends," Poudel added.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Tarini Datta Chataut said that efforts were underway to establish a Music Academy to further boost the traditional folk and modern music.

Harihar Sharma, General Manager of Sanskritik Sansthan (Culture Corporation) said that the Sansthan had been organising various cultural programmes for keeping alive the nation’s art, culture and music.

The International Music Day that was started from France in 1882 has been observed in Nepal from 1987 under the initiative of French Cultural Centre. The Day, which conveys the message of international goodwill and peace in the world, is being officially observed in Nepal since last year.