No alternative to democracy: Bhattarai

Kathmandu, Sept. 9 (RSS): Former prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai has said it is the responsibility of every citizen to strengthen the multiparty democratic system in order to make the country self-reliant and bring it on par with able and advanced nations of the world.

Mr Bhattarai, while inaugurating the fifth general assembly meeting and the national convention of the Society for Democratic Thinking in Lalitpur today, stressed the need for intellectuals to move ahead by sifting pros and cons of the system since democracy has no alternative.

Stating that a decade is not enough for assessing the success and failure of democracy, the former prime minister observed that since we have had all kinds of democratic exercises in such a short period of time, we should seriously think towards removing shortcomings in the system.

Our efforts should be focussed on upholding democratic norms and values, and maintaining ethics in politics, he said adding, quality education should be given top priority.

Noting that it is only through democracy that the dignity of women who account for half of the population can be restored, Mr Bhattarai remarked that the country cannot make headway unless and until the women have their place in the country’s economy, politics and education, and proper exercise of democracy is unlikely unless women take lead in every field.

Society’s chairman Basanta Kumar Gautam, from the chair, remarked that every individual has an immense role to play in nation building.

Society’s vice chairman Prof. Jeevraj Pokhrel and others also spoke at the function.

Similarly, Nepali Congress general secretary Sushil Koirala said village development in a country full of villages like Nepal will gain momentum only when a provision is made for efficient supply of irrigation, agricultural inputs, quality seeds, fertilizers and loan facilities to the farmers.

Releasing a monthly magazine titled "Kisaan Bani" published by Nepal Farmers’ Association Central Committee on the occasion of the 87th birth anniversary of B.P. Koirala here today, Mr Koirala pointed out the need to pressurize the government for the well-being and resolution of problems being faced by the farmers.

From the chair, central president of the association Surya Bhakta Adhikari accused the government of not giving due attention to the seven-point demand put forward by the farmers.

Central member Nain Singh Kadayat, district presidents and other speakers also expressed their views.

Maoists taking wrong path: Gupta

Birgunj, Sept. 9 (RSS): Minister for Information and Communications Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta has underlined the need for everyone to give up prejudice to get the country and the people freed from the politics of violence and murder.

Mr Gupta made this remark while speaking as chief guest at a function organised by the Gopal Gotame Memorial Foundation organised by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists Parsa here today.

Stating that the Maoists who have pursued an extreme political line aimed at subverting democracy have not been able to give any options to democracy or a new thinking, Mr Gupta asked whether the multi-party system has failed to make economic and social transformations.

The present government is alert to see to it that nobody would shed their blood in vain in the country, he added.

Minister Gupta also challenged that those who claim to have viable alternatives or new thinking should go among the people and win votes for parliament.

On the occasion, the Information Minister presented the Gopal Gotame Memorial Award for 2056 to journalist Mahendra Bista of national daily Nepal Samacharpatra and journalist Dipendra Chauhan of vernacular weekly Saptahik Vimarsha. The award carries a gold medal and a certificate.

Expressing happiness at the opportunity to honour journalists on the occasion of the 87th birth anniversary of the late leader BP Koirala today, he observed that those who do good deeds will be remembered by future generations.

Many others including MP Ajaya Kumar Chaurasiya also spoke at the function chaired by chairman of the foundation and Editors Society Nepal Govind Biyogi.

Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Communications Jayaprakash Prasad Gupta has stressed the need for Nepali Congress party workers to fully dedicate themselves to strengthen the party organisation right from the village level so as to contribute to the country’s political stability.

Speaking at a party workers gathering here today, Minister Gupta said it is quite sad that the people of even a secured place like Parsa have remained tight lipped despite the infiltration of Maoists and perpetration of terrorism in their area.

Stating that a split in Nepali Congress would jeopardize democracy, he stressed the need for the party workers to unite to preserve democracy and foil the sinister design of the Maoists.

NC Parsa district president Harendra Singh presided.

Also today, Minister Gupta met Nepal Press Union office bearers. On the occasion the minister stressed the need for the Press Union to play an active role in the protection of democracy.

Ramrajya Yadav presided.

Nepal-China ties exemplary: Prof. Wang

Wang Hongwei is the professor at the Institute of Asian-Pacific Studies and Graduate Institute of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. He is also the Director of the Beijing Centre for South Asia Studies. Prof. Wang has already written three books and quite a number of articles and paper about Nepal. He is planning to write his fourth book on Nepal. The Chinese scholar has visited Nepal several times. He says he loves Nepal and this is his second home. Presently, he is in Kathmandu in relation to a seminar to be held next week. During his visit, he talked to Sunil K.C. of The Rising Nepal about different aspects of Nepal-China relations. Excerpts:

TRN: Nepal is one of the closest neighbours of China in South Asia. How do you view China’s relation with Nepal and also its relations with other countries of the sub-continent?

Wang: Yes, Nepal is a very close neighbour of China. It is China’s policy to have good relations with all countries and to give more attention in developing relations with its neighbours. China is having a good relation with Nepal for almost 2,000 years. After Nepal attained freedom and China was liberated from foreign domination, these two countries have been supporting each other. The Nepal-China relation is actually a very good example to all other countries in the world because the relations are based on the five principles of peaceful coexistence. I am very proud to say that China and Nepal have established such a friendly relation. In the future the relations between our two countries will definitely expand.

TRN: You say Nepal and China have very good relations. But sometimes it is said, especially in Nepali media, that the relations have witnessed some chilliness occasionally in the last ten years. Do you think it is true?

Wang: In all, China-Nepal relation is very good and is developing very smoothly. But I have to admit there were some negative impacts in that relation especially during the Cultural Revolution. I think the responsibility is on the Chinese side and not on Nepal. In the development of relations between our countries, we also have some objective constraints. For example, transportation is not so easy and not so many Chinese people can speak English. But I think these problems could be taken up step by step. So, I am very optimistic about the future of the relations between Nepal and China.

TRN: Till now, the relations between Nepal and China are based mainly on the political relations at the government level. There are only few contacts at the people-to-people level. In the changed global context what could be the areas for the expansion of the relations between Nepal and China?

Wang: China-Nepal relation at the political level is good. In the new century we should have more cultural and economic relations. The economic relation is specially important because in the new century, all the countries are trying their best to develop their economy and raise the living standard of the people. This is more important for the developing countries because if we can not catch up with the Western countries in terms of developing our economies we will be left far behind. Therefore, China and Nepal should join hands to strengthen cooperation in economy. However, I am glad to see non-government forums being formed between China and Nepal. While the governments should carry on strengthening the relations, the non-government sector should also start cooperation and come up with joint ventures. Already a number of such joint ventures are being established, such as one on woollen clothes in eastern Nepal. Joint venture contracts for the development of hydroelectricity has also been signed. But, it is just a beginning. I think the environment in Nepal for such joint ventures will improve further. If that happens the economic cooperation will definitely be strengthened and broadened.

TRN: In the last decade or so, China has been perceived as looking more towards the West, especially America and Europe, and overlooking its neighbours in Asia, especially South Asia. How do you look at this situation?

Wang: I think this phenomenon does not mean that China has diverted from its guidelines or we have made changes in our most important policies. Because China is a developing country and China has many problems with the Western countries such as security problem, trade, etc. As China had to deal with those important issues, we had to spend more time and energy looking towards the West. But in the long run China will certainly pay more attention on developing its relations with the developing countries.

TRN: In South Asia, economy or economic development is intimately related to politics, and politics is often taken as hampering the economic development. But China seems to have kept politics apart from economic development and the economic growth rate of China has been very high over the last decade or so. How could China manage to separate politics from economy?

Wang: (Laughs). I think the most important thing is the people and the leadership. Our leadership has realised the importance of economic development. So, they have decided to put aside the political question because it can not be solved in a short time. So the policy was to develop economy first and not let the political questions constraint the economic development. Perhaps some of the countries (of South Asia) did not do their best to separate these two.

In several of these countries, there is parliamentary system. For many political parties, taking part in politics is the first priority. This pushes economic development into second priority. This could be one of the reasons why South Asia could not achieve the economic development China has achieved in the last two decades.

TRN: As a scholar from China which is so close to South Asia, you must have been watching South Asia from close quarters. How do you view the inter-country relationship in South Asia?

Wang: Most of the countries of South Asia are close neighbours of China and China follows the situation of the region very closely. Majority of the countries of South Asia has good relations with China. Our relation with India was not good before 1980s mainly because of the border problem, but it has come back to the normal track. If South Asia, especially SAARC, is to develop further there should be a harmonious relationship between India and other countries. Because India is the biggest country of the region, it has more responsibility in establishing good and harmonious relationship with other countries. Once this condition is achieved, SAARC will definitely make big strides and the development of South Asia will be quicker.

TRN: The biggest problem to establish close relations between the China and South Asia is more a psychological Himalaya than the natural one. How do you think this psychological barrier could be scaled?

Wang: For thousands of years, Himalaya has been a barrier for mutual contact between China and South Asia. Today it is not a big barrier, especially between Nepal and China. In 1963, Nepal and China decided to build the first road, the Araniko Highway, to connect China with Nepal. With the development of science and technology, this barrier could be easily overcome. There is already direct flight from Kathmandu to Shanghai. I think we should strengthen economic cooperation between our two countries. Besides airlinks, more roads across the Himalayas should be built. I think with the development of technology and more economic cooperation, it will not be difficult to cross the Himalaya.

TRN: In Nepal, since the last five years, the Maoist communist party has been waging an armed struggle against the government. They say they are following the ideology and the principle of the late Chinese leader. What is China’s perception about the armed insurgency of the Maoists in Nepal?

Wang: I think the Maoists’ problem is completely an internal matter of Nepal. As regards the so-called Maoist theory, the theory was valid before 1949. After that, I do not think, the theory was valid even for China. China has nothing to do with who is influenced by the Maoist ideology or how political parties or the people have conceived the theory. China never imposes such ideology on other people or on any political party. I think it has nothing to do with present China. In 1985, during my second visit to Nepal I had written an article about agrarian development in Nepal. One of the roads to the present Maoists problem in Nepal was, perhaps, the failure to carry out land reform. People in the countryside are very poor, and the root of the present problem has its root in the failure to raise the living standard of the poor. As a scholar of China, I sincerely hope Nepal will achieve stability quickly so the national economy could be developed.

To have democracy work in poor society not easy: PM

Kathmandu, Sept. 9 (RSS): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that democracy entails the spirit of freedom, rule of law, independence, self reliance and above all the will to achieve and keep them. But, he added, the nutrients of that spirit are still weak in Nepal, where the challenges are compounded by poverty and illiteracy.

Prime Minister Koirala, who was addressing the Asia Society at New York on September 8, said in order to address these challenges, Nepal has undertaken several measures and it is the conviction of the present Nepali Congress government that investment in education and health of the people can have the highest return in economic as well as social terms.

Speaking about the various measures that have been undertaken to strengthen democracy, he said Nepal has emphasized decentralization with the aim of empowering the people at the grassroots level, and enabling them to build their capacity for socio-economic development.

Stating that NGOs in Nepal are working vigorously to empower the people, he said our goal is to create a civil society that can effectively oversee the functioning of the government.

Stating that as a vibrant democratic society that Nepal wants to be, it is well aware of the importance of self-reliance , he said Nepal is re-considering the question of foreign aid in its own context. The main thrust of a new foreign aid policy, that is in the offing, will be to gradually decrease the country’s dependence on external assistance.

Nepal is facing several challenges— the challenge of mobilizing its own natural and human resources, the challenge of raising a larger amount of internal revenue even at the cost of unpopularity, the challenge of raising efficiency and accountability and challenge of increasing its exports through diversification of product, he said, adding these are the challenges of activating our potentials for good governance, economic discipline and responsible politics, he observed.

Stating that Nepal has opened nearly all sectors of its economy to foreign investment like manufacturing, hydropower, transport, tourism, finance, education and telecommunications, he said Nepal is keen to promote information technology.

The privatization of public enterprises is moving apace, he said, adding to foreign investors, Nepal provides one of the most attractive incentive packages in the region. Tax holidays, repatriation of profit, quick approval of projects, guarantee from nationalization, accessible government services, and so on are some of the examples, he added.

These are some of the reforms that will also help Nepal in its bid to join the World Trade Organization, he said, adding the negotiations have already started to this effect.

Nepal is opposed to terrorism, always and every where said the Prime Minister, adding even in Nepal the so-called Maoists, lacking in any practical social vision of its own through terrorism, have the one and only objective of wrecking violently the recently restored democracy, and the efforts and prospects for its stability.

The Nepalese society is waking up from a long slumber and finds itself faced with the challenges of the 21st century, he noted.

"One of the main challenges to our democracy is the attitude of our society," he said. " This attitude, which constitutes our political culture, has been influenced by the legacy of a century- long family autocracy in Nepal."

Having lived under the highly centralized government during the Rana and the Panchayat regimes, the people have developed a habit of looking to the government for everything, and the governments also have the tendency to look to the international community for aid to meet the demands of our socio economic development, he observed.

Noting that it is not an easy job to have democracy work in a poor society, he said but our conviction is that democracy is the only way to really address the problems of poverty.

Prime Minister Koirala also said that there is a strong national consensus among the political parties in Nepal for the preservation and consolidation of democracy that was hard earned after a long and arduous struggle.

‘Fiscal indiscipline hinders development’

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Sept 9: Speakers at an interaction programme today said widespread fiscal indiscipline was the major culprit plaguing development activities.

"The unaccounted spending amounting to 50 billion rupees made public in the Auditor General’a current report is a part of the picture portraying fiscal indiscipline," CPN (UML) lawmaker and economist Dilli Raj Khanal said.

Khanal said the unaccounted spending to the tune of 7.2 billion rupees had been added in the fiscal year 2056/057 increasing the total figure to a whooping 50 billion rupees.

"The passage of the bill to empower the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority and other government bodies involved in checking corruption is necessary to restore fiscal discipline," he said.

Khanal maintained that the people holding the high office in different Ministries and Corporations were largely to be blamed for the rampant fiscal indiscipline.

Citing the example of the Kaligandaki hydel project, Khanal said though the project was initially to be completed with an investment of 12 billion rupees, its cost now has been increased by six billion rupees.

"Though the increase has come in the form of cost variation it clearly shows that fiscal indiscipline is one of the reasons for the failure to complete the project within the targetted investment," Khanal told the interaction programme organised by the Kantipur News Club today.

He said a major part of the fiscal indiscipline had come in the form of the anomalies left behind by the three-decade long Panchayat rule.

Dwelling on the topic of the interaction, ‘The Effect of Fiscal Discipline in National Development’ Khanal said the banking sector needs to be consolidated and fiscal disclipine ensured in order to generate additional resources for development projects.

Empowering of the Election Commission to check the high expenditures during the elections is a must if fiscal indiscipline and corruption are to be minimised, he said.

Former member of the National Planning Commission and economist Kishore Kumar Gurugharana said unless and until the leaders holding the high office adhere to fiscal discipline the others cannot be put in the right track.

"Nepal is presently a donor-driven country where the donor’s decision has a upper hand in all development projects," he said.

He said that Nepal must use external loans and grants to supplement its own resources to strive for economic sustainability and independence.

Gurugharana argued that countries that had gone for political liberalisation only after attaining economic independence had come up with success stories in the development front.

Dr. Ballav Mani Dahal said the only secret behind the success stories of countries like Thailand, Malaysia and South Korea was that they adhered to strict fiscal discipline.

"China has taken stringent measures to penalise those violating fiscal regulations," he said.

Dahal said that democratic consolidation would remain a far cry in the absence of rule of law and transparency in the administration.

Industrialist Krishna Acharya said there was a time when the industrialists used to be detested by the people for their inclination towards money but now the scenario has changed and it is the politicians who have earned the bad name.

"The industrialists are perplexed to see that politicians have been rolling a red carpet for notorious names in the industrial community," Acharya said.

He said that it is the politicians who ought to set examples before the nation when it comes to maintaining fiscal discipline.

Co-ordinator of the Kantipur News Club and senior journalist Yubaraj Gautam had delivered the welcome address at the outset of the programme.

Acharya stresses Spirituality

Kathmandu, Sept. 9 (RSS): Minister for Finance Mahesh Acharya has said that it is the need of the day to opt for the well-being of mankind with truth, equanimity and philanthropy by dwelling on the fact that the almighty prevails in the hearts of all human beings.

Initiating a spiritual programme held under the aegis of Shree Satya Sai Centre at Nadipur Prashanti Sadan today, Minister for Finance Acharya said all should give up violence and conflict as envisaged by Satya Sai.

Serving human beings is serving the almighty, he said and observed that one’s own religion should be practised fearlessly and the religions of another communities respected.

During the function chaired by chairman of the centre Radha Bastola, convenor of the programme Krishna Shakya informed that the centre is carrying out classes for children in addition to several philanthropic works.

Meanwhile, in Pokhara, Minister for Finance Mahesh Acharya has said that the present government is reviewing the subsidy granted for newsprint in consultation with the Ministry for Information and Communication.

Responding to questions raised at a meet the press organised here today by Nepal Press Union Kaski unit, he observed that His Majesty’s Government is in favour of extending co-operation to the press through a sound advertisement policy instead of providing subsidy for newsprint.

The government is focusing its attention on programmes to improve the financial sector of the country, he said adding, the private sector is expected to play a role in various programmes brought out by the government including that of poverty alleviation.

Finance Minister Acharya, who is also a central member of the Nepali Congress, hinted that well-thought-out management approaches will be adopted in future to avert the conflicts arising from time to time within the party.

Institutional development has become indispensable within the party, he said and expressed the view the two seniormost leaders of the party should not indulge in political wrangles in favour of their successors.

The present parliamentary system has provided an opportunity for ruling the country with the strength of one’s own ideology, he said. Hence, it is a wrong path to resort to murder and violence for the sake of social transformation.

Nepal Press Union, Kaski unit chairman Gangadhar Parajuli was on the chair.

Likewise in Pokhara, a blood donation programme organised on the occasion of the 87th birth anniversary of popular leader B.P. Koirala at local Chipledhunga today by the Nepal Tarun Dal Kaski was initiated by Finance Minister and Nepali Congress central member Mahesh Acharya.

Speaking at the function, Mr Acharya said the politics of the Nepali Congress is the politics of peace and protection of life.

He said the Tarun Dal has to play a leading role in eliminating social abberrations. He also distributed certificates to the blood donors.

MP and NC Kaski chairman Shukra Raj Sharma spoke of the need for youth to confront violence and murder while Nepal Tarun Dal central member Mukti KC said the leadership should eschew mutual differences and work meaningfully for the country.

Tarun Dal Kaski chairman Dibas Man Pradhanang was on the chair.