Consensus takes country out of crisis
Leaders pledge to help govt for talks with Maoists

BY KRISHNA SHARMA

Kathmandu, Aug. 10: With the commitment shown by the leaders of various political parties for the peaceful solution of the Maoist problem in an all-party meeting today, it seems ways are paved for solving not only the long stalled Maoist problem but also the other problems that have marred the nation for years.

Today’s meeting, which was called by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for seeking opinions from all the parties in the parliament and other national parties to end the six-year long insurgency problem in the country, has also proved that leaders of those parties were serious in finding a way out to the national problems by maintaining the culture of consensus.

"In the meeting the top leaders of all the parties having faith in the present Constitution and multi-party democracy, reached to a conclusion that national consensus could help in solving the problems, thereby leading the country in the path of overall development," states a joint press statement issued after the meeting this afternoon.

The joint statement further states that the leaders welcomed the ongoing move of the government for a peaceful solution of the problem by holding dialogue with the Maoists. It also said that both the government and the Maoists should be present at the negotiation table without any preconditions if the present amicable atmosphere is to become result-oriented and meaningful for the lasting solution to the problem.

`Likewise, the statement maintains that all the forceful activities leading to disturbance in educational, social and economic sector of the country should be immediately stopped to make the atmosphere of talks more favourable and trustworthy.

The statement has, meanwhile, suggested the government to uphold maximum restraint and alertness thereby safeguarding the fundamental and human rights of the people.

The all-party meeting was participated by all the high ranking leaders of eight different political parties including ministers and MPs in the Upper House. The meeting, which started at Singha Durbar this morning, was addressed by the top leaders of all the political parties.

Addressing the meeting Nepali Congress party president and former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said that the Nepali Congress had always been in favour of peaceful solution to the problem and that it has lauded the efforts of the government in this regard. "On the occasion, I would like to reiterate the commitment of the party that it is ready to provide every support to the government," Party President Koirala said.

"Being a democratic party, Nepali Congress, in the mean time, believes that everybody and every institution has the right to change his/its manners and behaviours," Koirala was hinting at the CPN-Maoist and its leaders and was calling them to come to the mainstream politics by accepting the democratic norms and values.

He further said that following the government’s moves the Maoists should also stop threatening the elected representatives of the local bodies for resignation, looting of public and private properties and launching violent activities if the atmosphere of talks are to be made more conducive.

Talking about the outcome of the meeting former deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament Ram Chandra Poudel said that today’s meeting had initiated the tradition of building national consensus among the political parties for the peaceful and lasting solution to any problem.

"By joining the table for national issues, we, the political parties, despite having faith on different principles have set a new example in the South Asia and this should be regarded as a big achievement," Poudel remarked. He hoped that this kind of consensus building measures would always help solve other problems of the country.

Welcoming the government’s move of building national consensus for addressing the Maoist issue, Jhalanath Khanal of the CPN-UML said that this was the beginning of the process of developing new mechanism for addressing national issues.

Similarly, Radha Krishna Mainali of the CPN-ML said that government’s initiation for building national consensus to address the burning problems like the Maoist insurgency was a welcome move in itself.

"I believe that this kind of consensus building measure would teach us to put our political differences behind when it comes to the problem faced by the nation."

Likewise, MP and leader of United Peoples’ Front Lilamani Pokharel said that the all-party meeting was the most sought after political target for the solution of the Maoist problem.

Today’s 4-hour long meeting, which was chaired by Prime Minister Deuba, will sit again in the near future for an elaborate discussion on the issue.

Present on the occasion were former Prime Ministers Girija Prasad Koirala, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and Surya Bahadur Thapa, Speaker of the Lower House Taranath Ranabhat, Chairman of National Assembly Dr. Mohammed Mohsin, leader of the main opposition in the Parliament and CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, President of CPN-ML Sahana Pradhan, President of Nepal Sadbhavana Party Gajendra Narayan Singh, President of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party Narayan Man Bijukchhe, President of United Peoples’ Front Amik Sherchan and President of National Peoples’ Front and MP Chitra Bahadur K.C.,

The meeting was also attended by NC leaders Sushil Koirala, Chiranjibi Wagle, Khum Bahadur Khadka, Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, Mahesh Acharya, Amod Prasad Upadhyaya, Arjun Narsingh K.C., Bijay Kumar Gachhedar, Govind Raj Joshi and Narahari Acharya.

Similarly, Khadga Prasad Oli, Bharat Mohan Adhikari, Ishwor Pokharel, Subhash Chandra Nembang and Jhalanath Khanal of the CPN-UML; Bamdev Gautam of the CPN-ML; and Pashupati Shumsher J.B. Rana, Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani and Rabindra Nath Sharma of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party along with its president were present at the meeting.

The leaders from other political parties and few government officials were also present during the meeting.

Maoists’ response positive: PM

Kathmandu, Aug. 10 (RSS): Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that His Majesty’s Government is sincerely committed to initiating a dialogue with the Maoists.

Prime Minister Deuba was speaking at a seminar on "Government-Maoist Talks: the concern and expectation of civil society" organised by the Save Democratic Rights Campaign, Nepal here today.

Stating that response of the maoists to government initiatives towards peace talks is very positive, he said the government is ready to become as liberal as possible to make the talks a success and the maoists also should reciprocate on equal footing.

As all the people are now in favor of a peaceful society devoid of any kind of violence, civil society should play a crucial role in fostering and strengthening popular opinion of this kind, he said.

If both sides are sincere about making dialogue successful, the Maoists should stop violence and the government should release the insurgents in detention, he further said.

General Secretary of the CPN (ML) Bamdev Gautam said the initiatives taken by both the government and the Maoists for talks are welcome and spoke of the need to take the present favorable situation to a meaningful end.

Stating that the talks should succeed at all costs, Mr Gautam noted that in order to build the environment, the government should release those who have been arrested, withdraw cases against those who have been framed, the whereabouts of persons who are missing made known, etc.

RPP General Secretary Pashupati Shamsher JB Rana said even after the announcement of talks by both government and Maoists, guerrillas have not stopped kidnapping, collecting donations forcibly, etc.

Nepali Congress central member Narahari Acharya said the government and the Maoists should not get bogged down in any conditions for a dialogue, rather they should initiate a dialogue without setting any prior conditions.

Senior politician Rajeshwor Devkota stressed the need for a meaningful dialogue between the government and the Maoists to ensure the well-being of society and the country and said that this is the most crucial moment for such dialogue.

Convenor of Save Democratic Rights Campaign Nepal Padma Ratna Tuladhar said the Maoist leaders have told him they (Maoists) are very serious and sincere about peace talks.

Daman Nath Dhungana, another convenor of the campaign, said the all party meeting was organised with the objective of setting the agenda for the proposed peace talks on behalf of the people.

CPN (UML)’s Raghuji Pant, president of NWPP Narayan Man Bijukchhe, president of the Rastriya Janamukti Party Gore Bahadur Khapangi, Sitaram Tamang of the CPN (MLM) and others also spoke at the function.

Nepal’s population 23.2 M: Census

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, August 10: The country’s population has reached to 23.2 million from 18.5 million in 1991 with a growth rate of 2.27 percent, according to the preliminary results of the Population Census -2001.

The preliminary results of the Census-2001 were disclosed today by Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). The detailed output of the Census is expected in about five-month time.

According to CBS, on Ashad 8 the country’s population had reached 23,214,681 - a rise of 4,723,584 in the last 10 years - with the women outnumbering men by a thin margin of about 40,000.

The preliminary results have shown that the number of men has reached to 11587547 and that of women are 11627134 with the female/male ratio standing at 0.997.

However, CBS said that the Census in 80 VDCs of 8 districts - Salyan, Kalikot, Jhapa, Surkhet, Jumla, Mugu, Sindhupalchowk and Dolpa - could not take place at all, and in 37 VDCs of those districts it was partially successful. This includes some Wards of two municipalities of Jhapa districts.

The most affected districts were Salyan and Kalikot. In Salyan, Census could not take place in 28 out of 47 VDCs of the districts and in 11 other VDCs it was only partially successful. In Kalikot, Census could be taken in 28 out of 30 VDCs of the district. But the house/family data of all districts, except Salyan and Kalikot districts, have been completed.

Deputy Director of the Central Bureau of Statistics Radha Krishna GC told a press meet today that it would have only a minimal effect on the total population with only about 300,000 people, or about 1.7 per cent of the total population, being affected.

Officiating Director General of CBS, Dr.S.N.Suhani said that the problem was not as severe as it was expected earlier. The incident of the Royal Palace affected Census taking for some days.

He, however, said CBS is talking with the government for budget and other amenities to carry out Census in those areas. But he said there is also a possibility that Census in those areas may not take place altogether. Census in those areas is possible only with special arrangements, he said.

The preliminary results have shown that a huge majority of the Nepalese, 85.8 per cent of the total populace, still live in the villages with only 14.2 per cent people living in the urban areas. The numbers of urban-dwellers are put at 3,303,500 and those living in the villages remaining at 19,911,181.

However, the average size of household has diminished from 5.56 a decade ago to 5.38, but the number of household has increased from 3,328,721 to 4,311,747.

According to the results, the population of the Eastern Development Region stands at 5363395 a which was 4446749 in 1991. Similarly the population of Central Development Region has risen from 6183955 in 1991 to 8058050, of the Western Development Region from 3770678 in 1991 to 4569065, of the Mid-West Development Region from 2410414 in 1991 to 3022210 and that of the Far Western Development Region from 1679301 in 1991 to 2201961.

Regarding the geographical distribution of population, the Himalayan region constitutes 7.37 per cent, the mid-hills 44.20 per cent and the Tarai belt 48.5 per cent of the total population.

Meanwhile, Kathmandu has the highest population and Manang with 9,494 has the lowest population among the 75 districts of the country. However, Manang has the highest population growth rate of 5.71 per cent. The population of Kathmandu has increased from 675341 in 1991 to 1,093414. Kathmandu also has more men population with the men/women ratio standing at 1.135, the highest in the country in favour of men. The only other district where the men/women ratio is greater is Mustang with the ratio of 1.136 in favour of men.

Of the more densely populated district, Kailali has the highest population growth rate of 3.93 per cent. The preliminary results have also shown that only 5 districts have a population growth rate of less than one percent and they are Bhojpur, Khotang, Syangja, Mustang and Parbat.

Israel blames Arafat for Jerusalem bombing

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Aug. 10: Israel holds Palestinian leader Yaseer Arafat responsible for the series of terrorist-attacks against it including the latest suicide bombing yesterday in Jerusalem that claimed 15 lives, five of them of children, Israeli Embassy here said today.

A 23-year-old suicide bomber had detonated explosives strapped to his body killing himself and 14 others in a Jerusalem pizzeria Thursday afternoon.

"When Israel was grappling with such a tragedy yesterday, the Palestinian authorities were celebrating the incident as heroic attacks," Avraham Nir, Israeli Ambassador to Nepal told reporters at his office this afternoon.

Briefing the press about the terrorist-attacks in Israel, he said that his country has seen 32 suicide bombings from different Palestinian organisations in the last ten months. "Fortunately, most of them have resulted into small casualties while some of them have claimed many lives like the one in a night club in Jerusalem few months ago that killed 21 teenagers."

To prove his point home why Arafat should be held responsible for the attacks against Israel and its citizens, Nir said his government has been time and again prodding the Palestinian authority in advance about the plans of Palestenian attackers and suicide bombers. "We have been doing that in hope that Arafat could at least stop them, if not arrest them," he said, adding, "But, the Palestinian authority rather has been alerting the terrorists that the Israeli Government already knows about their plans and programmes."

The Chief of the Israeli mission here said that the suicide bombing in a night club in Jerusalem some two months ago would not have taken place if only the Palestinian authority had heeded to his government’s in-advance notice. "Even in this case, the terrorists were rather alerted. What signal does such a move send to gain peace?"

Nir also pointed out at what he said the "delayed condemnation" from Arafat after the latest terrorist attacks in Jerusalem. "He chose to condemn the attacks only hours after the incidents and that too under the pressure of the international community."

Referring to 40 per cent of the land given to Palestinians and 90 per cent of the area allowed to be under the control of the Palestinian authority, he said that Israel seeks peace and respects the concept of basic rights. "But, there will be no negotiation under terrorism," he warned. "If someone is going to hurt us, we will shot back and we will leave no stone unturned to track down such terrorists. Our fight, however, will be against terrorists and not against Palestinians."

Nir also mentioned that Arafaat has no full control over the different Palestinians organisations. "And if he cannot gain full control, he should resign."

During the press briefing, reporters were also shown a BBC visual footage depicting how Palestinian teenagers were trained to be attackers and even suicide bombers.

Meanwhile, Arafat has accused Israel of carrying out a step-by-step plan to recapture Palestinian areas, AP reported today. "This attack is directed against the Palestinian people and is part of an Israeli escalation," the news agency quoted Arafat as saying in response to Israeli retaliatory actions for the suicide bombing in Jerusalem yesterday.

International press reported today Israeli police took over the Palestinians’ political headquarters in disputed east Jerusalem early Friday while Israel destroyed a Palestinian police station in the West Bank town of Ramallah overnight.

Israel and Palestine have locked horns on territorial matters for long with renewed tensions over east Jerusalem – much sought by Palestinians to control it as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Israel has ruled the entire city since capturing the eastern sector in the 1967 Mideast war.

According to AP, more than 560 people on the Palestinian side and more than 150 on the Israeli side have been killed since the hostilities broke out between the two in September last year.

More USAID grant for health sector

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Aug. 10: His Majesty’s Government of Nepal and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have recntly signed an amendment adding U.S. $60 million to the Strategic Objective Grant Agreement for Reduced Fertility and Protected Health of Nepalese families. Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Madhav Prasad Ghimire signed on behalf of His Majesty’s Government while USAID Director Joanne T. Hale signed on behalf of the U.S. government.

This amendment brings the total estimated USAID contribution for the health programme grant agreement to US $110 million.The agreement, which was signed in 1996, has also been extended by an additional five years to 2006, states a press release issued by the US Embassy.

Over the next five years, USAID will continue to support Ministry of Health’s efforts to reduce fertility and, consequently, the rapid rate of population growth, reduce child mortality, reduce maternal mortality, prevent further transmission of HIV and improve the control of infectious diseases. HMG and USAID are currently implementing these programmes in cooperation with various Nepalese and international non-governmental organisations and private firms.

Activities undertaken to achieve the Strategic Objective will result in increased access to and use of quality, voluntary family planning and reproductive health services; increased access to and use of key child health interventions to control diarrheal diseases, acute respiratory infections, vitamin A deficiency and other causes of malnutrition; increased number of births attened by skilled attendants; increased use of proven interventions to reduce Sexually Transmited Infectios (STIs) and prevent Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) transmission; and improved survelliance systems for infectious disease and control of anti-microbial resistance.

UML to punish members tarnishing party image

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, August 10: The 22nd Central Committee meeting of Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) concluded today with decisions to act sternly against party members who go against the party’s rules and statute and indulge in undermining party’s image.

At the meeting, General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal’s report, which analysed national and international issues and party’s perspective on contemporary topics and party’s future strategy along with matters of intra-party discipline by its members, was also passed.

"The meeting discussed extensively about taking stern actions against those members who go against party-line and express views detrimental to the well being of the party and indulge in activities that tarnish the party’s image," said General Secretary Nepal, who also chaired the six-day long meet, at a press conference today after the meeting concluded.

Investigation is also on to punish those members who have been alleged of leaking information of party’s decision to the press, Nepal added.

The party’s decision of taking severe actions for anti-discipline activities might have come after it witnessed mudslinging and name-calling among the party’s highest ranked leaders in the recent past.

The Committee during its meeting ousted its influential leader K.P. Oli from the powerful post as chief of the party’s election department. But it rejected the resignation Pradeep Nepal, the party’s spokesman. Nepal, who is also considered a prominent within the party, had resigned a few days ago as spokesman citing that groupism was rife within the party.

Both Spokesman Nepal and Oli had locked their horns over the verdict of the Parliament’s Public Account Committee (PAC) that had alleged party’s one time Central Committee member Bhim Rawal in a corruption case over the lease of an aircraft from China Southwest Airlines.

Rawal was then Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation when the lease deal was made. Later the PAC found him involved in the corruption on the lease deal. Oli was alleged to have supported Rawal and had tried to give him clean-chit saying PAC verdict was slanted and askew. But it is said that other party members were against Oli over the Rawal case.

The meeting today emphasized the need for uniting and consolidating Nepal’s Communist movement and has passed a resolution underlining unity among all the communist parties, except the Maoists, and their cooperation in achieving the goals of the communist movement.

The General Secretary, in this regard, said that CPN-UML had dismantled all the barriers to forge unity with CPN-ML. "We are in favor of the unity based on principle," Nepal replied to a query over the party’s unity with archrival CPN-ML. The ML has split away from the parent UML party, about three and a half years ago.

The meeting also passed resolutions on solving of national problems through national consensus and on organizing ideological movements to strengthen the party’s organization and structure.

Meanwhile, the meeting warned that the government—Maoists talk should not be a publicity stunt and asked the government and other concerned to hammer out positive results from the talks.

The meeting discussed extensively the Royal Palace incident of June 1, and stressed the need for transparency and democratization of the institution of Monarchy. It also demanded the dismantling of different dams built by India at various points along the Nepal-India border and has further demanded that the government must take necessary steps towards dismantling the Lotan Rassiyawal Khurd bund built near Marchawar of Rupandehi.

The bund is not only inundating a large area of Nepalese lands but also threatened to submerge the world heritage site—Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha.

Similarly, the meeting also demanded the razing of bund being built near Kapilbastu and Darchula named Dhaula Ganga. The meeting also decided to hold its National Council meeting in Dhangadi later this year. It also discussed and passed different reports submitted by Pradip Gyanwali, Bharat Mohan Adhikary, Amrit Bohara, Bishnu Rimal and Rajendra Pandey.

Paswan wins poll for NA Vice-chairman

Kathmandu, Aug. 10 (RSS): CPN-UML candidate Ramprit Paswan has been elected the Vice-Chairman of the National Assembly in an election held today.

Mr. Paswan polled 31 votes in his favour while 26 votes went in favour of his opponent.

Out of the total of 59 National Assembly members, 23 CPN-UML members, five nominated members, one member each from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Nationalist), Nepal Sadbhavana Party and the CPN-ML voted for Mr. Paswan by saying "yes".

Mp Dipta Prakash Shaha, a nominated member of the house, remained neutral during the voting.

The election for the National Assembly Vice-Chairman was held during the meeting of the National Assembly today.

Prior to the voting, whip of the CPN-UML Surendra Prasad Pandey had proposed that MP Paswan be elected the Vice-Chairman and the proposal was seconded by Bir Bahadur Singh of the same party.

Born in a family from the oppressed and downtrodden community of Saptari district in 2010 B.S., Mr. Paswan was elected member of the National Assembly from the CPN-UML this year.

He has a long experience in the upliftment of the oppressed and downtrodden communities, social service and teaching.

Speaking after the declaration of the election results, Chairman Dr. Mohasin congratulated newly-elected vice-chairman Mr. Paswan on behalf of himself and all the members of the National Assembly.

Expressing the confidence that Mr. Paswan would contribute to the uplift of the lower strata of the society, Dr. Mohasin urged him to play an impartial role as the National Assembly Vice-Chairman.

MP Ashok Koirala was the candidate for the post of vice-chairman on behalf the Nepali Congress.

Health rights for girls stressed

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Aug. 10 Every girl must have more opportunities for comprehensive health education, including reproductive health and rights, and hygiene, as well as for men and boys in our communities.

This was the one of the firm convictions of the signatories to the South Asia Girl Child Symposium Rawalpindi Call for Partnership and Action, issued at the end of the symposium held in Rawalpindi from July 23-25, 2001.

The signatories to the Call for Partnership and Action belonged to various countries of South Asia which included young people, mostly girls from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, NGOs and government representatives besides Nepal.

Speaking on the occasion, Kiran Bhatia, Regional Gender Advisor, UNICEF/ROSA, shed light on the achievement of the South Asia Girl Child Symposium.

It was reiterated that the purpose of the Symposium was to exchange information and experiences of programmes and projects initiated at family and community levels, identify good practices, and recommended rights-based and gender sensitive policies and actions for transforming the lives of South Asian girls.

At the programme, "My Name is Geeta", a short film on trafficking was also shown. Two child participants also spoke of their experiences about South Asia Girl Child Symposium. Earlier, in his welcome speech, Robert Tyabji, Regional Communication Advisor, UNICEF/ROSA, talked of the need to respect the rights of the girl child.

‘Govt keen to support coffee growers’

Kathmandu, Aug. 10 (RSS): Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives Mahesh Acharya has said that the government would provide subsidy and impart training to the coffee growers as part of its programme of promoting coffee production in the country.

Responding to MPs during the question-answer hour at the House of Representative today, Minister Acharya said apart from subsidising in the price of coffee saplings by 50 per cent and conducting training for the coffee growers, a coffee processing plant will be set up in Gulmi district where coffee is cultivated abundantly.

The government is intending to set the price of coffee to the minimal extent possible and to look out for its international market.

MPs Yadav Bahadur Rayamajhi and Chandra Mani Kharel put questions to Mr. Acharya.

Similarly, Minister for Education and Sports Amod Prasad Upadhyaya informed the House about the implementation of the basic and primary education project in Taplejung and palpa districts from the Fiscal Year 2058/59.

MPs til Kumar Meyangwo Limbu, Yadav Bahadur Rayamajhi and Netra Lal Shrestha raised the questions to Mr. Upadhyaya.

House Debate
Lawmakers raise voice over health issues

Kathmandu, Aug. 10 (RSS): CPN-UML’s Dhanendra Basnet, taking part in deliberations at the House of Representatives today on the appropriations bill concerning the Health Ministry, said no program has been introduced to wipe out the trouble and pain faced by the nepali people in the health sector.

Pointing out the need for a scientific, practical and popular national health policy for the country, Mr Basnet said there is scarcity of physicians, health workers and physical facilities in district hospitals and health centres in the villages, smuggling of medicinal plants has not been checked and there is no proper management of the medicinal herbs processing centre.

Tanka Prasad Sharma Kandel of Nepali Congress said doctors and health workers working in remote areas should be rewarded, temporary health workers should be made permanent, health centres should have maternity health workers on their staff and ayurvedic hospitals should be established.

RPP’s Krishna Charan Shrestha said the number of hospital beds should be increase in accordance with the population in the districts, doctors should be mobilised more in the health service than administrative workers and lady doctors should be made available in the districts.

CPN-UML’s Yadav Bahadur Rayamajhi said the basic health requirements of the public can be fulfilled only when we can allocate 10 per cent of the total budget for the health sector, long-term health policies should be introduced, shortcomings and weaknesses in the health service act should be corrected and the government should announce a fixed tariff in order to stop privatisation and commercialisation in the health sector.

Lekhnath Neupane of Nepali Congress lauded the target of the government to establish 20 more primary health centres, run a polio vaccination programme and see to physical infrastructure development at hospitals.

RPP’s Govinda Bikram Shaha said the health sector does not have any new programmes, the slogan "health for all by 2000" has become "health for the upper class", peons have been distributing medicines at the district hospitals and doctors are reluctants to go to the district hospitals.

CPN-UML’s Astalaxmi Shakya said the government has not given any attention towards the dirty and mismanaged state of public hospitals even in urban areas like Kathmandu, Butwal and Birgunj, contaminated water has led to unnatural deaths and many women have been suffering from breast and uterus cancer following the use of family planning pills, adding that commercialisation in the health sector should be discouraged.

Kailashnath Kasaudhan of Nepali Congress pointed out the need for the government to give special attention towards the increasing pressure of encephalitis infection in Banke, Bardia and other districts of Bheri zone.

RPP’s Ajaya Pratap Shaha said the demand for medicines and health workers at the rural level has not been fulfilled and the budget appropriation has been very low, adding that arrangements should be made for kidney transplants within the country.

CPN-UML’s Ratna Prasad Sharma Neupane and Krishna Lal Maharjan were of the view that health services have been accessible to the rich only, irresponsibility on part of the government has led to non-utilisation of the scholarships for MBBS study provided by national and foreign institutes, and nursing homes have been avoiding revenue payment on the pretext of being research centres.

NC’s Gehendra Giri and Damodar Bastakoti said it is shameful that Rapti Zone still does not have a Zonal hospital, trained health workers have not been utilised, issues relating to health raised in Parliament have not been addressed and sub-standard food material has had an adverse affect on public health.

Bharat Kumar Shaha of Nepali Congress said allocation of budget for an important sector like health is minimal, a 15-bed hospital should be established in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha and increase the capacity of Bhim Hospital in Bhairahawa to 50-beds, provide modern health technologies at Butwal Zonal hospital and allocated separate budget for Ayurvedic hospitals.

CPN-UML’s Bhadra Bahadur Thapa and Prem Bahadur Singh said the budget allocated for health services has not been able to incorporate the village and rural people, donations have not been utilised properly, the government does not have any reliable health programs, attention has not been given towards developing and expanding Ayurved services, trade of private clinics should be stopped and issues raised by MPs should be addressed.

Tilkumar Meyangbo (Limbu) and Jagannath Khatiwada also of the same party said health services are out of reach of poor people in the remote and rural areas, peons have been running health sub-centres and centres in the absence of doctors and the existing health policy is not result-oriented.

Mohan Bahadur Basnet of Nepali Congress said Ayurved doctors have been carrying out post-mortem rather than by MBBS doctors, an emergency hospital should be established in Kathmandu and nursing homes should be evaluated and monitored.

CPN-UML’s Sherdhan Rai and Durga Linkha said effort has not been made to reach Ayurved services at the rural level, free medicines should be provided in times of epidemic and the Health Ministry should distribute means and resources and equipment in an equal manner.

Damber Singh Sambhahamphe and Bijaya Subba also of the CPN-UML said the state has not been able to adopt a policy of giving priority to a sensitive sector like health, no concrete programs have been introduced to improve the deteriorating state of Bir hospital, special emphasis should be given towards improving the state of health centres and sub-centres, homeopathy hospitals should be run in a more systematic manner and nursing homes should be checked.

Gorakh Bahadur Bogati and Mahendra Bahadur Pandey, also of the same party said the health situation in remote districts of Karnali Zone is very critical, the demand for health technicians in rural areas of the country should be fulfilled and students from the region should be provided opportunity for health education, the government has not been able to introduce populist national health policy, health services have not been effective and budget in the health sector should be allocated in an equal manner.

Parsuram Meghi Gurung of the CPN-UML said medicines do not reach in time, doctors are insufficient in the hilly and mountain regions of the country, the local bodies and the government should be responsible for the absence of reliable health services, search for better health opportunities also have led to migration to urban areas and health services should be reached to every sector in a balanced manner.

Sabitri Bogati Pathak, Krishna Kishore Ghimire and Bhakta Bahadur Balayar of Nepali Congress were of the view that health awareness programmes should be carried out specially in the rural and remote areas of the country, the rate of maternal mortality has not decreased in comparison to the decline in the rate of infant mortality, health workers have been ignoring directive from the Health Ministry to go to districts and villages, though health centres have been set up in every VDC services have not yet begun.

Following this, deliberations on the appropriation bill concerning the Health Ministry concluded.

The House of Representatives will meet again at 2:00 pm on Sunday.