‘Solve Maoist crisis through dialogue’

Kathmandu, Oct l4 (RSS): A meeting of nine leftist groups held Friday under the chairmanship of CPN-Masal general secretary Mohan Bikram Singh has stressed the need for taking the Maoist problem as a political one and resolving it through dialogue. They also stressed that HMG should create the minimal environment needed for this.

The meeting also offered heartfelt tributes to Nepal Workers Peasants Party central member and former MP Asha Kazi Basukala who died recently and was involved in the communist movement in Nepal for a long time. It extended heartfelt condolences to the NWPP and the bereaved family.

Present at the meeting were Prabhu Narayan Chaudhari of CPN-Marxist, Rajendra Shrestha of CPN-ML, Krishna Das Shrestha of CPN-MLM, Bishnu Bahadur Manandhar of CPN-United, Buddhi Kumar Gosai of NWPP, Krishna Dhoj Khadka of Rajasansa, Amik Sherchan of SJM and Sonam Lama of CPN-Unity Center.

Meanwhile, the CPN-Masal, at a politburo meeting recently, said the idea of mobilising the army in the name of countering the Maoist problem is extremely serious and objectionable from a political point of view.

Chilime hydel project’s construction underway

Rasuwa, Oct l4 (RSS): Chilime Hydro Electric Project, which is being constructed in Rasuwa district with indigenous capital and know-how, is 40 per cent complete.

The project is to generate 20 megawatt of power with two turbines fed 7.5 cubic meters of water per second from a l km power channel and a 2,826 meter headrace tunnel. The project is to generate an estimated Rs 500 million in earnings annually.

According to project chief Lilanath Bhattarai, since most of the project infrastructure is underground, it is safe from flooding and landslides and there will be no environmental impact. A 37 meter high surge tank has been constructed by Nepalese technicians at greatly lower costs than usual.

Technicians from the Nepal Electricity Authority have carried out the feasibility study and design work.

So far the structures for installing the powerhouse are nearly complete, and 9l0 meters of tunnel has been dug.

The project financing is to be mobilised from a public share float and a loan from the Employees Provident Fund. The shares will be floated soon.

The project, which is expected to be completed in July, has some 500 employees including technicians.

Of the projected cost of Rs 2,320 million, Rs 8l0 million has already been spent.

Follow NC’s principle, says Nemwang

Bhadrapur, Oct. 14 (RSS): Minister of State for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Narendra Bikram Nemwang has asked Nepali Congress leaders and workers to follow the path shown by their predecessors who have dedicated their lives for the cause of party principle and democracy.

Minister of State Nemwang was speaking at a function organised at Dhulabari by NC constituency-3 committee to pay tributes to Parashuram Sharma and Madan Mohan Shrestha, active freedom fighters, who died recently.

NC leader Bhu-Bikram Nemwang, NC Jhapa district acting president Sudhir Shiwakoti, NC central member and MP Krishna Prasad Sitaula and others also spoke about the contributions of the late Sharma and Shrestha.

Trishuli losing its traditional significance

Bidur, Oct l4 (RSS):

The renowned Trishuli Bazar of Nuwakot district is now in serious decline.

Till 40 years ago, Trishuli Bazar was the point through which people from Syangja, Lamjung, Pokhara, Gorkha, Arughat and the northern reaches of Dhading passed on their way to and from Kathmandu on foot, and it was a thriving commercial center.

But Trishuli Bazar has now been largely by passed as direct vehicular transport to the capital is possible from Rasuwa, Gorkha, Dhading and Pokhara.

Businessmen in Trishuli are now buying land in Kathmandu and moving there.

A need is felt to complete the motorable road on the Trishuli-Dhading, Devighat-Galchi and Chahare-Tokha stretches and upgrade the fair weather roads on the Charghare-Taruka, Deurali-Kimtang, Tupache-Bhalche, Bidur-Chokade and Gangate-Satbise if the Bazar in Bidur, Trishuli, Batar, Baguwa, Dhikur and Devighat is to be revived. An industrial estate should be laid out at Bidur Municipality Ward No 7 and an urban housing area developed in ward No 9, it is felt.