Objection to NGOs in Kamaiya movement

Dhangadhi, Nov. 16 (RSS) :The Agricultural Labourers' Association, Nepal has objected to various non-governmental organisations taking over leadership of the Kamaiya freedom movement

At a joint press conference called by the association's Kailali and Kanchanpur district units here recently, central member of the association Phiru Lal Chaudhari accused various NGOs spearheading the Kamaiya freedom movement of confining their struggle to mere slogans and organizing processions and protest demonstrations without giving due attention to the real problems of the Kamaiya.

Addressing the press conference, president of Kailali District Agricultural Labourers' Association Ram Prasad Chaudhari and his counterpart from Kanchanpur district Bir Bahadur Dagaura disclosed that there are 28 various NGOs working for Kamaiya freedom in Kailali and 17 in Kanchanpur.

A press release distributed on the occasion states that a one-hour chakka jam (transport strike) will be effected in Jhalari of Kanchanpur district and Lamki of Kailali district on November 20 to protest the government's "apathy and disregard" towards Kamaiya rehabilitation.

Constitution can be changed within framework: Nepal

Kathmandu, Nov. 16 (RSS): CPN-UML general secretary and leader of the main opposition party in the Parliament Madhav Kumar Nepal has emphasised the need for amending the present Constitution in accordance with the experience of the past 10 years and the demand of time.

At a face to face programme hosted by the Reporters' Club of Nepal here today, general secretary Nepal said that it would not be possible to manage the affairs of the country haphazardly hereafter. Drastic changes should be made in the political, economic, social and cultural sectors of the country, he added.

Stating that his party was infavour of an amendment to the Constitution within the present constitutional framework, he stated that there should be an understanding in principle between the CPN-UML, ruling party Nepali Congress and other political parties in this regard.

Mr Nepal said that his party sought amendment in the constitution on matters pertaining to the constitution of elected government, unchangeability of the electoral constituency for specific time, the local bodies and decentralisation, rights of the indigenous communities, revolutionary land reforms and bringing in those outside into the democratic mainstream.

He made it clear that his party would not agree to the demand for constitution assembly for making amendment in the Constitution.

In response to a query, the CPN-UML general secretary said that as per the present understanding, the CPN-UML, CPN-Unity Centre, CPN-Masal and Samyukta Janamorcha have called off their agitation for one month.

Mr Nepal also called on the government to hold talks with the Maoists to settle the Maoists' problem.

Club president Rishi Dhamala presided.

Farmers face dilemma

Siraha, Nov. 16 (RSS): The farmers of Siraha are in dilemma whether to plant wheat or not due to the decrease in the price of rice.

Though 2,132 metric tonnes of rice was produced in 106 village development committees and two mucicipalities of the district, four to five trucks of rice is being imported into the district every day through jayanagar and Lokahatadi of India.

The farmers are hesitating to plant wheat due to the decline in the price of rice this year.

According to Siraha district Agriculture Development Office, 37,246 metric tonnes of wheat was produced in siraha district in the fiscal year 1998/99.

The wheat crop is said to be increasing in the district due to the impact of pocket programme of His Majesty's Government's 20 year Agriculture Perspective Plan.

The farmers have complained that they have to sell three quintals of rice to buy one quintal of fertiliser.

The Mansuli rice was sold at Rs 1,400 per quintal last year but the price has decreased to Rs. 675 per quintal this year. As a result of this, the price of the rice should be increased and the farmers encouraged to plant wheat, the farmers of the district have demanded.