Defend democracy when it is in peril, PM tells journos

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, May 3:Prime Minister Girija Prasad Kiorala has said that journalists have to be more responsible in their duties at the present context when democracy is at stake.

Nepalese press should play a great role in consolidating the system as they did during the democratic movement in 1990, he said at a talk on “Necessity and Importance of Laws Relating to Right to Information” organised here this afternoon. “Journalists should support creative activities, not destructive ones.”

The programme was jointly organised by Nepal Federation of Journalists (NFJ), UNESCO Mass Media National Committee Nepal and Nepal Press Institute to mark International Press Freedom Day today.

Prime Minister Koirala said that he was determined to resolve the burning issues of the country by maintaining peace and security situation, curbing corruption and restoring good governance in the country. He also appealed to the entire journalists to support him in his campaign of nation building.

Koirala said that he would seek national consensus in the next parliamentary session on the issues including corruption and Maoist insurgency. “I have talked to the Main Opposition Leader Madhav Kumar Nepal on the issues.”

Stating that media monopoly was rising, he expressed anxiety that this would pose threat to press freedom. “The journalists who contributed a lot during the democratic movement have fallen under shadow.”

The government and the journalists should sit together to resolve such problems arising in the field, he added.

Koirala gave away tokens of appreciation to senior journalists Govinda Biyogi, Shishu Prasad Devkota, Mathuraman Singh and Ram Bahadur Chanda. He also gave NFJ Award to Mohammed Rasul, a Jhapa-based RSS correspondent, for dispatching best news.

Similarly, he gave away prizes to Himalaya Times reporter Devendra Raj Bhattarai and Kantipur Publications Director Binod Gyawali for covering the best news items.

Addressing the same function, Information and Communications Minister Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta said that the government would not delay in formulating laws related to free flow of information.

He, however, critised some of the print medias’ tendency of supporting the Maoist insurgency. “Though the government is ready to provide the press with freedom, they should make it sure that the freedom is utilised properly.”

Journalists have to remain within the framework of media ethics while covering the nationally important news items.

In line with the Prime Minister, Gupta also said that the journalist who supported the popular movement of 1990 should continue their contribution in consolidating democracy.

Nepal Press Council President Harihar Birahi, Nepal Press Institute President Gokul Pokharel and Editors’ Society President Govinda Biyogi also highlighted the need for laws that ensure press freedom at the programme chaired by NFJ President Suresh Acharya.

Earlier, a rally of about 200 journalist had gone round the city as a part of the programme to mark the International Press Freedom Day.

Govt committed to provide security: Joshi

Nepalgunj, May  3 (RSS):Home Minister Govinda Raj Joshi has said that the employees have to assist the government by working honestly to fulfill the objectives of the government  of maintaining law and order, controlling corruption and    providing a clean administration.

Addressing a gathering of the chiefs of the district, zonal and regional level offices at here today, Minister Joshi said  the employees have to prove wrong the Maoists by cooperating to fulfill the government objectives  cautiously as the Maoists are trying to weaken   the multi-party system.

Stating that the government is committed to provide security in the  mid-western region, Mr Joshi said the government is mulling to provide service to the people by re-establishing the police posts and banks that were removed from their respective places  on the grounds of lack of security.

The Home Minister made it clear that the government is firm in not allowing smuggling and economic irregularities to flourish in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, patron of the Karmachari Milan Kendra and CDO Shyam Prasad Mainali said the civil servants are committed to help the government fulfill its goals.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Joshi, speaking at a  concluding  function of the two-day   conference of   the CDOs, police chiefs, and  officers of the   national  investigation department at Mahendranagar, expressed the view that the discussions of the conference would help the government realize its targets of maintaining law and order, controlling corruption and providing a clean administration.

Mr Joshi also alerted the police and administration to control the Maoist violence and terror which is a main  problem of the region.

Also speaking on the occasion were home secretary Padma Prasad Pokherel, IGP Achyut Krishna Kharel and chief officer of the National Investigation Department Hari Babu Chaudhari.

Meanwhile, Minister for Home and Nepali Congress central member Govinda Raj Joshi has said that NC party workers need to make a psychological impact on the general public to the effect that the terrorist activities undertaken by the Maoists are wrong.

He was speaking at a party workers gathering held here today by the NC Banke unit.

The government has pursued a campaign to ensure peace and security and good governance in the country and do away with corruption, he said adding, support from party workers is indispensable for launching such a campaign.

He further said that the government would extend help and provide security to those carrying out political activities under the multi-party system, but it would not excuse those who perpetrate terrorism or engage in corruption and illegal activities.

  During the gathering, a host of speakers including NC Banke district chairman Krishna Man Shrestha apprised the minister of the problems relating to citizenship, the recruitment of police personnel and the law and order situation in the district.

Awareness needed to fight drug abuse

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, May 3:Youth Power-Nepal today organised a seminar on Role of District Level Policy Makers and Planners on Drug Harm Reduction Advocacy Programme that was participated by medical professionals from both government and non-government sectors. Drug harm reduction programmes mainly focus on slowing down the spread of HIV infection among injecting drug users and from injecting drug users.

The first cases of HIV infection spread due to unsterilised contaminated syringe and needle were traced back in early 1970s. According to United Nations statistics there are approximately 10 million injecting drug users in the world, out of which around 40 per cent are HIV positive.

Available statistics show that the situation is equally alarming at home also. According to 1999 government data, out of the 50,000 drug users in Nepal around 20,000 take drugs through needles. It is found that 40 per cent of them are infected with HIV while about 6 per cent and 60 per cent of them are infected with Hepatitis B and C respectively.

Dr. Chop Lal Bhushal, working with drug’s demand reduction programme of Home Ministry, said that the development of proper mechanism to check on misuse of authority the government is ready to allow other hospitals and health centres to carry out substitute therapies and needle exchange programmes under doctor’s prescriptions. At present Nepal’s only one Patan Mental Hospital is authorised to carry out methodone promotion programme. 

Psychiatrist Dr. Dhruba Man Pradhan claimed that providing substitute therapies to drug users is key to reducing social, economical and health harms, for which he recommended change in attitude of government officials responsible for the implementation of such programmes. “Creating a drug free society is an utopian dream that is unlikely to realise. Government should work towards finding ways to reduce drug harm reduction,” he said.

Chataut commits transparency on all RNAC activities

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, May 3:The government will take up the policy of transparency for the activities of Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC), said Tarini Dutta Chataut, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

“Since the government is working on the basis of transparency with the commitment to fight corruption, the same official policy will be applicable in case of RNAC,” he said speaking during a programme at the national flag carrier’s headquarters today.

“In the future, RNAC should not lease aircraft in haste as a result of the created   compelling situation like it used to happen in the past,” he stressed, adding, “the trend of initiating timely tender process to lease aircraft should be started now.”

Chataut was referring to the series of RNAC’s aircraft-leasing deals that have generated controversies in the last half a decade. In most of the cases, the national flag carrier has clinched the lease deal in the eleventh-hour when the lease period of its previously leased aircraft would be on the verge of expiry.

The national airline has spent above 50 million US dollars on aircraft leasing in the last five years. To press in its around one dozen international routes, RNAC needs at least three jets. It has two Boeing 757s of its own while it has been time and again leasing the third aircraft from different suppliers.

Chataut also assured that the government will play a positive role to strengthen RNAC’s fleet. He said that the national flag carrier should increase its efficiency and expand its international routes. “Besides the government’s effort, the employees of the corporation should also try their every best to take their institution to soaring heights.”

RNAC, according to Chataut, may have the cosmetic look of a rich institution but in reality it is not. “If it can learn lessons from its past mistakes, there is no reason why the corporation cannot become a prosperous institution.”

Speaking during the same occasion, Hari Bhakta Shrestha, the recently appointed Executive Chairman of the Corporation said that RNAC itself will decide on issues that fall within its jurisdiction. “The ministry (Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation) will be requested only on such issues that require the government’s decision.”

Stressing on the need to strengthen RNAC’s fleet, Shrestha said that the government’s help is necessary to bring in two wide-bodied aircraft for the corporation’s operation.

  “In a bid to encourage the staff of the corporation and to enhance their efficiency, few steps have already been taken,” said Shrestha. “Appropriate measures have also been taken to amend the Employees’ Service Regulation 1974.”

Acharya briefs PAC on privatization

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, May 3:Of the five different public enterprises, which had been listed for privatisation this year, the Tea Development Board is the only enterprise set to be handed over to the private sector.

“The final negotiations to privatise the Board is nearing completion,” Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Parliament here today.

PAC invited the Finance Minister and the Finance Secretary at its meeting today to acquire information regarding the steps underway to privatise the Tea Development Board, Butwal Power Company, Himal Cement Factory, Salt Trading Corporation and Rastriya Banijya Bank.

PAC also acquired information about the auditing of the financial transactions made so far by the five enterprises.

Acharya said that the Ministry had invited three proposals for the privatisation of the Tea Development Board. As the company having the most attractive proposal failed to meet the set preconditions, negotiations with an Indian company with comparatively more attractive proposal is underway.

He said that the land occupied by the Board will be leased and after evaluating the remaining assets, 65 per cent of its shares will be sold at a bulk. Out of the remaining 35 per cent shares, five per cent will be given out to the workers while 30 per cent will be kept by the government.

Acharya said that a special team of the privatisation unit has already carried out the auditing of the financial deals made by the Board until the fiscal year 2053/054 B.S.

He said that the cabinet meeting held nearly two years back had decided to privatise the Tea Development Board and the Himal Cement Factory. But as the five proposals received weren’t attractive, the cabinet meeting held two months back has scrapped the proposals and has decided to call new proposals.

Acharya said that the factory had incurred a net loss of 70 million rupees. Sixty five per cent of the factory’s share will be sold out at a bulk, he said.

He said that according to the cabinet meeting held one year back, the government has decided that 75 per cent of the shares of the Butwal Power Company will be given to the private sector, 10 per cent will be given to the general public, 10 per cent will be kept by the government while the remaining shares will be sold to the employees.

Two companies from Britain and Norway had proposed to buy the shares of the Butwal Power Company but as they did not fulfill the set preconditions, their proposals have been cancelled and step is underway to call for new proposals, Acharya said.

He said that the Company had made a net profit of 307 million rupees and the auditing of its financial transactions was in progress.

He said that the government was looking forward to sell 10.68 per cent of the shares, which it still holds in the Salt Trading Corporation. Though the government has received a single proposal for the shares, the proposal does not meet the requirements.

The Salt Trading Corporation has made a net profit of 30 million rupees, he said.

Acharya said that the government was looking forward to carry out the gradual privatisation of the Rastriya Banijya Bank.

“The bank is in loss and I think that the government should not take a hasty decision to privatise it,” he said.

Acharya said that the government had been giving priority to economic reforms. He said the restructuring of the commercial banks must also be taken as a part of the privatisation process.

“The government has already had a lot of experience relating to the privatisation of public enterprises and accordingly it is determined to make the process of privatisation flawless and acceptable to all,” he said.

Turning public enterprises into co-operatives is one of the models of privatisation. Hence the government should not hesitate to convert some of the special enterprises into co-operatives.

PAC members had presented their queries to the Minister at the meeting, which was held under the chairmanship of the Committee Chairman Subash Nemwang.

Law on Right to Information sought

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, May 3:Journalist, publishers and officials today shared a platform to stress the need of law regarding right to information.

They said that the achievements gained in the field of mass media during the last ten years was not much of what was expected under democratic system. Hailing the present Constitution, a fruit of democratic movement of 1990, for the press freedom it has guaranteed, they urged all the concerned to impart impartial information to people within the framework of media ethics.

Both private and state-owned media made tremendous progress after the restoration of multiparty democracy in 1990, said Nepal Press Council President Harihar Birahi at the programme organised on the occasion of International Press Freedom Day (May 3) by Reporters’ Club Nepal here this afternoon. “However, Nepalese press has not received support and help from the government despite its role in consolidating democracy in the country.”

The government should take some concrete initiatives towards formulating policy regarding press freedom, he said at the programme chaired by the Club President Hrishi Dhamala.

Acting Editor-in-Chief of Gorkhapatra daily Ramesh Tiwari presented a brief background of international press freedom and said that the concept was formulated by an international convention of journalists held in Namibia in 1991.

Stressing the significance of press freedom in the present context of terrorism, he said a huge number of countries lacked press freedom. “We have to guard ourselves against the elements hindering our freedom of imparting information.”

Nepal Television General Manager Durga Nath Sharma accused the Nepalese newspapers of misusing press freedom and of creating confusion regarding news publication. “Press has a great role in minimising the social problems, including terrorism.”

Nepal Press Institute President Gokul Pokharel said that there should be non-partisan presentation of news and facts.

Shangrila Channel Chairman Nir Bikram Shah said that the state-owned media should not only inform the public about the government plans and policies but also take people’s problems to the concerned authority.

Stressing on the need of professionalism in media, he said, “Journalists have been successful but journalism has not.”

Former NPC president Somnath Ghimire said that the lack of proper legal provision regarding press freedom resulted in confusion. He appealed to all to fight unitedly for the right to information.

Kantipur Publications Chairman Hemraj Gyawali urged all the concerned to correct their shortcomings, if any, by analysing the past deeds. He asked the government to reduce tax on newsprint so that the crawling newspapers of the country could heave a sigh of relief.

He showed the need of proper policy regarding the free flow of information from the government offices.

Senior journalist Malla K. Sundar said that in addition to the journalists ordinary citizens too should be given the right to information. He also accused the Nepalese media of neglecting to raise people’s problems.

Barrage on Mahakali river inspected

Mahendranagar, May. 3 (RSS):A team comprising senior advisor at the Water-Induced Disaster Prevention Centre Kojikami, MP Ramesh Lekhak and director of the centre Kedar Prasad Rijal made an on-the-spot inspection of the barrage being constructed by jica along the west bank of the Mahakali river.

Construction work on the barrage had begun in 2051 bs and His Majesty’s Government has already spent Rs. 43 million on the project.

A barrage portion of about 350 metres has been constructed so far. The total length of the barrage is 12 KM and the target is to construct some 500 metres  more this fiscal year.

Local people are of the opinion that the government should give high priority to completion of the project as Dodhara and Chadni vdcs can be fully protected from inundation by the Mahakali river once the construction work extends from Belbas to Kutiyakawar.

Mp lekhak, expressing satisfaction over the progress made, expressed confidence jica would extend cooperation till the completion of the project.

Hmg has carried out a survey through Trikona Construction with an outlay of Rs. 1.5 million in order to install a suspension bridge over the Mahakali.

  Although the inundation problem arising from the Mahakali river can be brought under control with this barrage, the Jogbudha river lying to the west poses a constant threat of inundation for both the vdcs, said Man Bahadur Sunar, Nepali Congress general convention representative.