Crown Prince in Sydney

Kathmandu, Sept. 13 (RSS):His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev reached Sydney, Australia from Singapore today to witness the Summer Olympics.

Upon arrival at Sydney airport, HRH the Crown Prince was greeted by Minister of State for Education and Sports Dilendra Prasad Badu and the office bearers of Nepal Olympic Committee.

Joshi tells cops to work honestly

Pyuthan, Sept. 13 (RSS):Home Minister Govinda Raj Joshi has said contribution and valour of the police in the Maoist-affected areas is praiseworthy and they will have to work more resolutely in order to give the people a sense of peace and security in those areas.

Issuing directives the policemen in Pyuthan district today, Mr Joshi urged them to work honestly as per the government’s directives.

IGP Achyut Krishna Kharel told the police personnel to discharge their duty honestly and sincerely.

Also today, Home Minister Joshi, speaking at an all-party meeting, noted that cooperation of all political parties is necessary for maintaining law and order in the distirct. The government has pursued the policy of forging all-party consensus and acting accordingly, he added

Killings, mental or physical torture and financial penalty will never win the hearts of the people, he further added.

Representative of the Rastriya Janamorcha Krishna Bahadur Khadka and RPP’s Khemraj Pandit observed that every one should abide by the constitution in letter and spirit.

CPN-ML’s Tulsi Prasad Gautam and others also expressed their views on the occasion.

Minister Joshi addressed a gathering of office chiefs today and attended a reception of the Nepal Employees Associaiton, Pyuthan.

World Heritage Sites : Delisting feared

By a staff reporter

Kathmandu, Sept. 13: The fear of whether the seven world heritage sites of the Kathmandu Valley will be put into the list of endangered sites is looming large again. A high-level technical team of the UNESCO and the World Heritage Committee is coming to Nepal on September 24 for a week-long inspection tour of the state of the heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley and the progress made for their conservation.

If the team is not satisfied with the conservation work and according to the 55-point suggestion given to Nepal after the World Heritage Committee’s meeting in Tokyo a couple of years ago, it may recommend to put the heritage sites in the list of endangered sites.

Conservation experts say, if that happens Nepal may not get the support, mainly financial, it is getting from UNESCO for the conservation works. Without financial support from outside, conservation work will certainly receive a big set back resulting in further degradation of the heritage sites. A worse scenario, they fear, is the delisting of Kathmandu’s heritage sites by UNESCO.

The Kathmandu valley has a unique distinction of having seven world heritage sites in such a small area. The three Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, Swoyambhunath and Bouddhanath Stupas and the Pashupatinath and Changunarayan temples were listed by UNESCO in 1979 as the World Heritage Sites for their cultural importance and heritage. Outside Kathmandu, Lumbini is also in the UNESCO’s list of the World Heritage Sites.

But, in 1993, a meeting of ICOMOS in Cartagena had expressed concern about the degrading state of the heritage sites in Nepal and raised the issue of putting them in the list of endangered sites. But it had failed after Nepal did not agree to it and the motion was defeated by a single vote of 8 to 7.

The issue was raised again in the Naples meet of the World Heritage Committee in 1997. It was averted again after the Nepalese government expressed it commitment for the protection and conservation of the sites. That time also a technical team of the Committee had visited Nepal and inspected the seven heritage sites giving a 55- point suggestion.

Some of the suggestions include the delineation of the heritage area, declaration the whole surrounding and even the private houses as heritage sites, banning the destruction of the old houses within the heritage area and also the construction of new and modern houses.

Later, at the Tokyo meet of the World Heritage Committee Nepal gave its progress report but the meet said Nepal was not doing enough.

One of the major problems faced in the conservation of the heritage site is the preservation of the culturally and architecturally important houses within the heritage area despite incentives given by the government and the municipalities to the house owners in that area.

Although the government has prohibited the pulling down of the old houses within the heritage area, people sometimes are adamant.

A seminar was held today on ‘Enhancing Awareness About Cultural Heritage in Nepal’ organised by the Nepal Institute for United Nations & UNESCO and Nepal National Academy for UNESCO in cooperation of the UNESCO’s office in Kathmandu.

Although the seminar was said to be held on the occasion of the ‘International Year for the Culture of Peace’ but it had an eye on the visiting inspection team. Nepal wants to convey a message to the visiting UNESCO team that Nepal is committed to the preservation of the sites and has been doing whatever it could. The year 2000 has been called by the United Nations as the Year for the Culture of Peace.

Speaking as the chief guest at the seminar, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Tarini Dutt Chataut said the awareness campaign taken up by the seminar was very important. "We can enrich our country only if our culture and heritage are protected and conserved, and for that we must not look at outside only but also work on our own."

He said the government was doing its best despite its meagre resources and added that the common people must also make efforts from their sides if we have to conserve our culture, tradition and heritage.

Speaking from the chair, former Prime Minister and honorary president of the Nepal Institute for United Nations & UNESCO, Kirtinidhi Bista said the preservation and conservation of cultural heritage is important not only for the sake of conserving them, but it will ultimately benefit economically for it will help in tourism.

Various persons involved in archaeology, heritage conservation and diplomats expressed their views about the importance of preservation of culture and conservation of the cultural heritage.

Meanwhile, Nepal’s effort towards conserving its heritage, though inadequate, has not been overly dismal. At the seminar it was informed that the government has fulfilled 40 out of the 55 suggestions given by the UNESCO. There have been some good works done regarding the conservation of the heritage sites.

The best example is Bhaktapur. In 1997, a UNESCO resolution had praised the Bhaktapur municipality for its works towards conserving the Bhaktapur Durbar Square. In 1999 also the municipality got UNESCO’s outstanding management cultural award.

So, putting Kathmandu’s heritage sites in endangered list may do more damage and undo some good results achieved in the conservation of these World Heritage Sites so far.

Joshi calls for unity to fight violent acts

Dailekh, Sept. 13 (RSS):Minister for Home Govinda Raj Joshi has said that in a democratic polity the power to rule the country can only be acquired by winning the confidence of the people.

It is impossible to do so through the abduction of helpless children and through the killing of the poor, the peasants, labourers and ordinary citizen, he said.

Speaking at an all party meeting convened to discuss matters pertaining to the law and order situation and development work in Dailekh district today, Minister Joshi called on all parties to seek a common consensus by rising above party interests so as to raise a voice against terrorists activities, the common foe of the nation.

Since the first and foremost duty of the government is to guarantee peace and security in the country, the government is effortful to let the people feel that it is working for their good, he said adding, police posts will be re-opened at the same places from where they were removed and stringent measures taken to contain terrorists activity.

During the meeting held under the chairmanship of Narayan Municipality mayor Ravindra Raj Sharma, Nagendra Bahadur Khatri of Nepali Congress, Tekendra Thapa of CPN-UML, Bhakta Bahadur Shahi of RPP, Jang Bahadur Shahi of CPN-ML and Janak Sharma of National Peoples’ Forum also expressed their views.

The CDO of Dailekh district expounded on the law and order situation in the district.

Addressing a gathering of the chiefs of government offices, Minister Joshi stressed that civil servants for whom the government has raised the pay scale keeping in view the importance of their service to the nation should dispose of the tasks of the general public in accordance with the feelings of the public.

He directed the employees to win the confidence of the people since the performance of the government is evaluated on the basis of their performance.

Also today, addressing NC party workers, he called on them to focus their activities in the rural areas and assured that the government will do its best to make the law and order situation in such areas reliable.

Central chairman of the Nepal Tarun Dal Bal Krishna Khand called on all party workers to combat the Maoists who have been perpetrating murder and snatching away the property of ordinary people time and again.

He further said that the youth are ready to end the Maoists activity at any cost and warned that the current year is the last year for such terrorists.

Minister for Home Joshi said the government has rated highly the performance of the police personnel who act as a shield for safeguarding the nation, the people and democracy and issued directives to them to act as an assistant of the people and performed their duty with honesty.

Inspector general of the police Achyut Krishna Kharel was also present on the occasion.

Necon to fly to three more destinations in India

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Sept. 13:Necon Air will extend its international flights to three more Indian cities in the near future adding to its two existing operational-routes to India.

The first private airline to take off to the international skies, Necon Air will fly to New Delhi, Calcutta and Lucknow, Necon Air officials said here today.

"The government has already allowed us to operate in the new routes and right now we are in the process to get the permission from the Indian government," said Dip Mani Rajbhandari, Managing Director of Necon Air. The senior-most private airline in the country already flies to Banaras and Patna in India.

Necon Air is bringing in two ATR-42 aircraft to press them in its new routes to India. The airline already has an ATR aircraft operating both in the domestic and the regional fronts. It also has three Avros and one Cessna Caravan in its fleet.

Necon Air flies to Bhadrapur, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Pokhara, Bhairawa and Nepalgunj in the domestic routes.

Besides, the private airline also operates mountain flights – the dollar earning service of all airlines in the country. After it began operation in 1992, Necon Air has so far carried 1.5 million passengers – both Nepalese and foreigners. Its record show it has carried more local passengers than foreigners.

Necon Air has been allowed to fly 610 seats in a week to India. With its increased flights to three more Indian cities, the allocated air seats will not be adequate for Necon Air, according to Bhandari. "Therefore the process is already on to increase the air seats."

To date, Necon Air is the only private airline to have taken off to the international routes even as the government had allowed six private operators to begin business in the international front around five years ago.

Around 20 aircraft are already operational in the domestic routes while the government has distributed the Aircraft Operating Certificates to around 30 companies.

Necon Air is completing its ninth year of operation tomorrow. Two other companies – Nepal Airways and Everest Air – that were established together with Necon Air in 1992 have already folded up their wings.

Implement need-based projects, instructs DPM

Kathmandu, Sept. 13 (RSS): Deputy Prime Minister and Local Development Minister Ram Chandra Paudel, who is also looking after the portfolios of the Prime Minister, today chaired a meeting to review the annual progress of projects and programmes launched under the Ministry of Local Development under the last fiscal year.

The meeting held extensive discussions on the important achievements made during the last fiscal year, problems encountered in the implementation of the projects, and programmes and solutions to the problems.

Detailed reports on the achievements made last year in priority programmes like rural community infrastructure development programme, western Terai poverty alleviation project, Padampur displacement project, rural infrastructure development programme, rural agricultural road programme, remote area development programme, solid waste management and B. P. with the poor programme, the future programmes in these sectors and the set target and progress were also presented at the meeting.

Out of the Rs. 4.88 billion allocated under the Local Development Ministry last year, Rs. 2.88 billion has already been spent bringing the total spending to 59.72 per cent.

Likewise, out of the Rs. 1.75 billion, which had remained unaccounted for under the Ministry, Rs. 325 million was settled last year.

It was felt at the meeting that despite good coordination enjoyed by the Local Development Ministry and National Planning Commission in strengthening project formulation process and implementation aspect, obstacle to timely approval and issuance of budget has directly affected the progress of development projects.

Addressing the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Paudel stressed the need to select and implement need-based projects and give serious attention to effective implementation of the projects.

Politicisation of local authorities, lack of transparency and misuse of budget hampers decentralisation process, he said, stressing the need for all sectors concerned to maintain transparency, properly utilise the budget and decentralise powers.

Secretary at the Local Development Ministry Udaya Raj Soti said the progress of foreign-aided priority projects is satisfactory but that of the projects launched at DDC and VDC levels is far from satisfactory due to weak mechanism, and evaluation and monitoring system.

Joint secretary at the Ministry Surya Narayan Regmi spoke about major achievements and problems encountered in project implementation during the last fiscal year.

Dashain Bazaar at 49 places in Valley

Kathmandu, Sept. 13 (RSS): Dashain Bazaar will be opened at 49 places of the Kathmandu Valley where various trading firms will sell goods at discount rates for the forthcoming of Bada Dashain and Tihar Festivals.

A decision to this effect was taken by a meeting held with secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Mohan Dev Pant as the convenor.

According to the Department of Commerce, arrangements have been for the Central Consumers’ Society to run the bazaars at 17 places, the Nepal Fair Prices Shops Association at 30 places and Nepal Retail Trade Association at two places.

The central Consumers Cooperatives Society will conduct the bazaars at Bhrikuti Mandap, Kalimati, Chabahil, Gaushala Chowk, Gyaneshwar, Shantinagar, Pipalbot Baudda, Bishalnagar, Anamnagar, Saraswatinagar, Dakshinkali, Alapot VDC, Jorpati VDC and Kirtipurpanga in Kathmandu, Mahalaxmisthan, Sunkthi and Thaiba VDCs in Lalitpur and the Cinema Hall Chok in Bhaktapur.

Likewise, Nepal Fair Price Shops Association will open Dashain Bazaars at Naxal, Maharajgunj, Balaju, Satunngal, Swayambhu, Sankhu, Baudha, Baneswar, Bafal, Sinamangal, Samakhusi, Sohrakhutte, Bhrikuti Mandap, Chabahil, Jayabageswari, Battisputali, Lagan (Gofal), Maitidevi, Koteswar and Hattigauda of Kathmandu, Khokana, Dhapakhel, Gusingal, Dhobighat, Gwarko and Satdobato of Lalitpur, Kamal Binayak and Trolley Bus Stop in Bhaktapur, Thimi of Madhyapur Thimi and Kaushaltar of Bhaktapur while Nepal Retail Trade Association will run Dashain Bazaars at Brahmatol and Dallu.

For the occasion Nepal Food Corporation (NFC) has decreased the price of rice from Rs 1,600 to Rs 1,500, Aruwa Mansuli rice from Rs 1,900 to Rs 1,850, maida from Rs 1,250 to Rs1,225 and flour from Rs 950 to Rs 925 with effect from today.

Likewise, Salt Trading Corporation (STC) has reduced the price of common salt from Rs 300 to Rs 265 per 50 kg, sugar from Rs 2,610 to Rs 2,600 per quintal, Shanti Vegetable Ghee from Rs 825 to 804.37 for 15 kg, Shanti Soyabean Oil from Rs 750.30 to Rs 731.95 for 15 litre and Rs 50,32 to Rs 49.05 for one litre, and Grihini Vegetable Ghee from Rs 775 to Rs 755.63 for 15 kg and Rs 51.99 to Rs 50.70 for a kg.

The National Trading Limited (NTL) has decreased the price of sugar per quintal from Rs 2,600 to Rs 2,600, the Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) has decreased the price of ghee (polypack) from Rs 240 to 240 per kg and Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has decreased the price of kerosene from Rs 13 to Rs 12.50 per litre, it is learnt.

At the meeting, secretary Pant urged the concerned organisations to pay special attention to the interests of the general consumers.

Director General of the Department of Commerce and member-secretary of the committee Krishna Hari Baskota called upon the concerned corporations and other traders to provide essential goods at fair prices at the bazaaars.

Representatives of Consumers Forum of Nepal, NFC, STC, NTL, NOC, Central Consumers Cooperative Society Limited, Nepal, Fair Prices Shops Association of Nepal and Retail Trade Association of Nepal attended the meeting.