Nepal- Bhutan talks
Nepal to offer a concrete proposal for refugee repatriation: Dr. Mahat

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Aug.20: The country has a concrete proposal to put forward at the 11th round of Nepal-Bhutan talks on Bhutanese refugee issue beginning today in the Bhutanese capital Thimpu, Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat said minutes before boarding the Druk Air Jet to fly to Bhutan from the Tribhuvan International Airport this afternoon. He was leading the Nepalese delegation for the bilateral talks scheduled to be held from today till August 23 this month.

"We have a concrete proposal to address all the aspects of the refugee issue," Dr. Mahat told reporters at TIA. "The proposal is based on our homework and the experience we have had." He, however, would not elaborate the proposal.

Dr. Mahat is leading the Nepalese delegation for the Nepal-Bhutan Foreign Ministerial level meet in Thimpu since the Foreign Ministry is for now retained by Prime Minster Sher Bahadur Deuba whose portfolio does not allow him to sit with Bhutanese Foreign Minister for the talks.

Nepalese Ambassador to India and Bhutan Dr. Bhekh Bahadur Thapa, senior government bureaucrats and officials (Nepalese) in the Joint Verification Team are accompanying Dr. Mahat for the talks.

Speeding up the ongoing snail-paced verification of the Bhutanese refugees tops the agenda list, he said. "The verification process is painfully slow. Going by the present pace, it would take more than six years to verify all the refugees in the camps."

After their 10th round of talks here last December, Nepal and Bhutan had agreed to verify the refugees camp by camp. The two Himalayan Kingdoms formed a Joint Verification Team – with five members from each side – that began work from March 26 earlier this year. So far, only around 900 families of the 1200 families of the Khudunabari Camp – one of the seven refugee camps in Jhapa and Morang Districts – have been verified, so far.

More than 15,000 Bhutanese refugee families – totaling more than 100,000 heads — to have been languishing in the UNHCR-maintained camps for the last one decade in eastern Nepal.

Verification apart, other issues including categorisation of the refugees and harmonisation of the two countries’ stand on the refugees’ categories would also be discussed, Mahat said. "We still have differences on the categorisation issue and that is where we need to harmonise our stands," he said.

During the first round of ministerial level talks in 1993, Nepal and Bhutan had agreed to categorise the refugees into four groups: Bonafide Bhutanese, Bhutanese who have emigrated, Bhutanese who have committed crime and Non-Bhutanese. The categorisation later proved to be a costly move for Nepal as Bhutan stuck with its rigid stand that it would take back only the first category refugees.

"Regarding the categorisation, our stand is that the refugees should be treated as Bhutanese and non Bhuatnese only," Mahat clarified. "Therefore both the sides need to reach into an agreement."

He further said that the whole idea is to make the repatriation of the refugees as early as possible. "For that we will have to work out in a time-bound manner, so that we could see the refugees return to their home."

The harmonisation of the two nations’ stands on the four categories of the refugees has been a perennial problem ever since they first met to deal with the refugee crisis more than seven years ago. While Bhutan has been saying that its law does not allow it to take back any other refugees except the first category (Bonafide refugees), Nepal maintains that it has no reason to keep back any of the refugees Bhutan created due to its internal problems.

Due to the conflicting stands, the talks were stonewalled after the sixth round of bilateral ministerial-level meeting in 1996. The two nations did not even meet for almost three years. And when they agreed to verify the refugees last year, the issue of categorisation of the refugees and the harmonisation of their respective stands on the categories remained on the back burner.

Knowledgeable observers say Bhutan is asserting on taking back only the first category refugees because it has kept the records of many refugees’ voluntary migratory forms it made them sign forcefully before evicting them from their homelands. The refugees themselves recall how they were made to sign the voluntary migration forms under gunpoint.

They also narrate horrible stories how they were shooed out of their homes after Bhutanese authority began its ethnic cleansing campaign in the late 80’s. The Dragon Kingdom labeled almost all of the Lhotsampas – Nepali-speaking Bhutanese from southern Bhutan – as non-Bhutanese, charging that they did not possess valid documents to prove their Bhutanese citizenship.

The refugees here, however, claim that they all have one or the other documents to prove that they are Bhutanese citizens. Even the Nepalese officials in the Joint Verification Team verifying the refugees say that the Bhutanese in exile (Nepal) have the credentials to prove their Bhutanese citizenhip.

The Bhutanese refugees, who have been living in the UINHCR-maintained camps in Jhapa and Morang Districts, also say that the Bhutanese authorities ousted them under the "one-nation-one-people" ethnic-cleansing grand-design.

Reform programmes target equity: UML

Kathmandu, Aug-20 (RSS): An emergency meeting of the CPN (UML) central committee has welcomed the radical land reform programs recently announced by the Prime Minister.

Stating that radical land reform programmes are essential for social justice, industrialisation, increase in production, irrigation and proper supply for modern agricultural tools and seeds, the party said as the announcement has hurt the interests of landowners and feudals, they have become agitated and excited.

The party emphasised that the entire party should be mobilised for the effective implementation of the announcement and urged all parties which stand in favor of social justice, equality and economic prosperity of the nation to support the announcement.

CPN (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal chaired the meeting.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Organisation of Nepal (HURON) has heartily welcomed the announcement concerning social and economic reforms made by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

In a statement published here today, HURON has extended hearty thanks to the government for the decision to outlaw inhuman practise such as untouchability which has remained a bane in the Nepali society for centuries and is against the system to be exercised by the people under democracy.

The government has also been thanked for the decisions to provide land to the freed Kamaiya, prevent corruption, constitute commissions concerning indigenous people and women, and reduce the ceiling on land holdings and called for sincere implementation of the decisions.

Cable TVs plan to hike charge

BY KRISHNA SHARMA

Kathmandu, Aug. 20: Just when information and communications sector is taking a big leap forward and the global market for satellite communications is becoming highly competitive, the tendency of swindling the government and the customers is also on the rise.

And if it is more obvious anywhere it is in the cable TV service sector. According to Nepal Cable TV Association (NCTA), a number of-cable TV operators in the Kathmandu Valley and the bordering districts of the country have not been registered in the concerned government office but are providing cable TV services to the local people by charging a hefty sum.

"We have been doing our bit to bring them in our association and register with the government as well but they are running their businesses either by changing their names or by not even putting any names," Subhash Pathak, president of NCTA said.

Meanwhile, NCTA, the apex body of the cable TV operators, has decided to increase the service charges by almost 45 per cent citing that most of the entertainment and news TV channels being transmitted in Nepal have become ‘pay channels’ and they were thus, forced to increase the service charge.

"Earlier, almost all the TV channels were ‘free on air’ and we were able to provide services to our clients by taking nominal service charges but now many TV channels have followed the footsteps of the prime English TV channels like Star Movies, HBO and Cinemax and we were compelled to hike the service charges," Pathak, who also runs the Cable TV Network of Nepal, clarifis.

But the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) has notified cable operators not to increase the service charge without taking consent from the government.

"They can’t increase the service charge by that proportion just because, as they say, most of the ‘free-on-air’ channels have become pay channels," Spokesman of the MoIC Hemraj Poudel told The Rising Nepal.

He also informed that the government was planning to talk to the cable operators regarding how the cable system could be systematized and customers could be saved from being cheated.

But with the newly introduced pay chart of the NCTA it seems the cable operators are not going to listen to the government. According to the NCTA pay chart, those who have connected at least 12 pay channels to their home tubes will have to pay Rs. 283 instead of Rs. 150 they are paying at present. However, according to Pathak, the Space Time Network will charge Rs. 350 from its client per month. "It is because the STN provides as much as 20 pay channels plus some other free-on-air channels, " Pathak clarifies.

Among the newly included TV channels in the list of ‘pay channel’ are: Zee Network, channels of Star TV Network, ESPN, Star Sports, National Geographic Channel, Discovery, Star World, Set Max, Sony and others. These channels were free on air in the past. However, the prime news channels like BBC World Service and CNN are still free on air.

These pay channels have different price tags ranging from ICRs. 2 for CNBC to IC Rs. 46.25 for HBO and Cinemax per client per month.

Meanwhile, the government is alert that the pay channels may not be available to the clients after taking money from the cable operators. "The pay channels should, thus, establish their contact offices in Nepal if they want to provide their programmes through the cable operators here," Spokesman Poudel said.

However, customers are skeptical about the recent decision of the cable TV operators’ organisation. "The money the cable TV operators have been charging from us was already very high. Now, they want to hike it further in the pretext that some of the channels have become pay channels. It is the government which should regulate them, otherwise they would continue to exploit us," Yadu Nath Banskota of Ghattekulo says.

More so, the operators have been charging about Rs. 1200 or more than for the extension of cable service, but we have to buy the wires and other accessories by ourselves," says Shiv Bahadur that the cable TV operators pay very little money to the TV channels citing that they have few members, and thus are making easy money.

According to NCTA, there are nearly 500,000 people who have connected cable system in their home tubes.

Kedar Dhamala of the Sky Cable Network (SCN) says that there are nearly 25,000 customers with the SCN.

However, the Space Time Network, the largest cable operator, refused to divulge anything about its operation.

Presently, there are 195 cable TV operators registered with the government. "But only 135 are in operation so far," informs Pathak.

And there are 10 cable TV operators — Space Time Network, Sky Network, Cable TV Network of Nepal, High Himalayan Cable TV Network, Sky Vision, Auto Vision, Om Sai Network, Eco Cable, Jawalakhel Cable and Home Cable — providing cable services in the Kathmandu Valley.

‘Continuous effort needed for quality health care’

Kathmandu, Aug. 20 (RSS): Health Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari said the fight against diseases and improving health is a dynamic process that always calls for continuing collective endeavours of stakeholders.

The need of the day is to face the existing challenges and new emerging threats to human health, while consolidating the gains already achieved as human health plays a pivotal role in poverty alleviation, he added.

Addressing the inaugural session of the 19th meeting of the Health Ministers of the South-East Asia Region which began in the Maldives today, Health Minister Bhandari said the 14 priority areas identified for support under inter-country programme during 2004-2005 are compatible to Nepal’s health plan and that important policy instruments namely the second amendment to Nepal Health Act 2001 and the Local Governance Bill 1999 have been enacted to further facilitate the implementation of the health targets set out in Nepal’s health plan.

These policy instruments are aimed at further strengthening the health systems for providing equitable access to quality and gender sensitive health care in rural and urban areas, he added.

Health Minister Bhandari said it has also been strongly felt that the integrated management of childhood illness, a cost-effective approach to combat childhood diseases be scaled nationally, the regional strategy for the reduction of maternal and new morbidity and mortality be adapted, the dots coverage be further increased for effective control of tuberculosis and more broad-based social movement be launched, supported and sustained to fight the HIV/AIDS menace in the region.

Political commitment and multi-sectoral response to HIV/AIDS control are reflected in the respective health plans of member countries, but, the access to life-prolonging drugs, high price of antiretroviral drugs and institutionalisation of HIV/AIDS prevention are some of the daunting challenges that need to be addressed more effectively, Mr Bhandari said.

Radio helps to consolidate democratic norms: Gupta

Kathmandu, Aug. 20 (RSS): Minister for Information and Communications Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta has said that radio has an important role to play in the consolidation of democracy through the linguistic, social and cultural means.

Inaugurating a workshop seminar on "Community radio broadcasting" organised under the joint aegis of Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and Radio Nepal here today, Minister Gupta said that Nepal is a country that encourages the democratic ideal of freedom of expression in South Asia.

The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal has guaranteed the right of information to the citizens, he said and expressed the view that healthy criticism helped in the consolidation of democracy.

Stating that His Majesty’s Government has adopted the policy of involving the private sector in the broadcast media, the Minister for Information and Communications pointed out the need for the active participation of the community in the community radio broadcasting service by giving importance to objective information, healthy entertainment and culture promotion as well as giving priority to matters of public interest and general concerns.

The Minister said that radio stations run in the private sector have been given adequate working autonomy and that radio stations can also be a strong means of bringing people together and catering to the community interest, needs as well as uplifting the people’s living standards.

Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Communications Sriram Poudel, from the chair, said the community radio stations were doing fine and a need has been felt for their long-term development.

UNESCO regional communication adviser for Asia W. Jayaweera highlighted the important role of the community radio as a strong means of decentralisation and expressed gratitude to His Majesty’s Government for recognising independent community radio as such.

AIBD director Javad Mottaghi described the community radio as an important medium for development and generating popular participation in developing countries.

Executive Director of Radio Nepal Shailendra Raj Sharma spoke on the problems and challenges of community radio broadcasting services and said Radio Nepal has been providing information, education, entertainment and development related news to the people.

Some 50 persons from ten countries including Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Great Britain, Pakistan and Thailand are taking part in the two-day seminar.

Opt for the bright future of children: PM

Kathmandu, Aug. 20 (RSS): On the occasion of the 74th auspicious birthday of Her Majesty the Queen Mother and 37th National Children’s Day, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba hoisted the national flag and the flag of Nepal Children’s Organisation (NCO) amid a function at Bal Mandir, Naxal, today.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Deuba distributed sweets to the children and letters of appreciation to foreigners as well as Nepalese citizens in recognition of the cooperation they have extended to NCO.

Addressing the function, chairman of the National Children’s Day main celebration committee Prime Minister Deuba said that it is the common responsibility of all to opt for the bright future of children, the future pillars of the nation.

Noting that the kind affection received from Her Majesty Queen Mother and her patronage to the children’s organisation are a source of inspiration for all, he said the government is effortful for fulfilling the basic needs of children including health and education.

Chairperson of the NCO and vice chairperson of the National Children’s Day Main Celebration Committee Rita Singh Baidya called on all to show solidarity towards the slogan of "Let’s come together for children" by seriously taking the problems of children into consideration.

She further underlined the need for refining the laws pertaining to children’s rights and interest.

Representative of UNICEF Stewart Macnab said the vaccination and vitamin ‘A’ programme in Nepal turned out to be a success and vowed that UNICEF would be for ever effortful for ensuring a brighter future for the children of Nepal.

Secretary of the Main Celebration Committee Ramkaji Kone said that Nepal Children’s Organisation was not able to render services to the children as expected due to the lack of means and resources.

Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya, Chairman of Raj Parishad Standing Committee Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, Ministers, heads of diplomatic missions, social workers and a large number of children were present on the occasion.

Paudel slams Oppn MPs for obstruction

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Aug. 20: Former Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Paudel has called the move of opposition lawmakers to disrupt the House proceeding as against the procedure of parliamentary system.

"It is not duty of lawmakers to silence the voice of another lawmaker," said Paudel whose effort to speak in the special hour of today’s meeting of the Lower House was subdued amidst the uproar of MPs from Rastriya Pajatantra Party (RPP) and Nepal Sadbhawana Party (NSP).

The MPs of the both RPP and NSP stalled the business of the House of Representatives for the third time today over the government’s recent move to freeze land sale.

Chanting the slogans against the Prime Minister, they demanded that the government immediately rolled back its decision to freeze land sale and imposed ceiling on the property.

Former Deputy Prime Minister blamed that agitated MPs feared to come into the discussion on the matter. There should be an extensive discussion on the matter to resolve the ongoing impasse, Paudel said.

"However, the concerned MPs did not want to launch an open debate on the issue," Paudel told to media people inside the House Chamber after the Speaker had announced the adjournment of meeting till 11 o’clock tomorrow.

He further said the way the opposition lawmakers are adopting to halt the regular business of the House does not suit to the norm of the parliamentary system.

As the Speaker Taranath Ranabhat announced the Zero Hour of today’s meeting, a number of MPs from opposition as well as ruling parties stood from their respective seats asking the speaker for the time to speak. Afterward, these MPs created commotion seeking special time to put their views.

The RPP as well as the NSP stalwarts strongly demanded that the speaker should provide special time for the RPP lawmaker Pashupati Shamser JBR. Among many, NC strongman Ram Chandra Paudel was one raising his hand for the same purpose. For a moment, the Chamber was lost in the noisy protest of the opposition MPs. At last speaker Ranabhat granted time to Paudel to speak. But his speech was subdued amidst the clamour of the agitated MPs.

Khadka presents details about Mahottari incident

Kathmandu, Aug. 20 (RSS): Giving a statement of public importance at the meeting of the National Assembly today, Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka said the Home Ministry responded as soon as it was informed about the incident that took place in Simardahi VDC of Mahottari district.

Giving detailed information about the incident aimed at humiliating the entire women community, Minister Khadka disclosed that among those involved in the incident the local VDC chairman Nawal Kishore Sahani and a local resident Shanker Sahani have been arrested.

The chief district officer has been directed to search for and take legal action against other accomplices, and the CDO and district police chief have also been directed to take precaution to make sure that such an incident will not repeat in future, he added.

Informing the parliament about the vandalism and arson carried out last Saturday by the CPN-Maoist affiliated All Nepal Women Association (Revolutionary) at Shaha Distillery at Khajura Khurda of Bageswori VDC in Banke district, Home Minister Khadka made it clear that the local administration and police have been given necessary directives to strictly check such an act.

Expressing concern over the incident that took place at a time when His Majesty’s Government is making sincere effort towards resolving the existing problems of the country through mutual dialogue, Minister Khadka said the organisers should take responsibility for the damage caused to the distillery and should caution its workers against repeatition of such acts of violence, vandalism and arson.

Home Minister Khadka also informed the meeting that in course of the incident four concrete godown, three corrugated-roofed houses, one truck, one jeep and one motorcycle belonging to the distillery were destroyed by fire, and actual extent of damage is yet to be calculated.

Five persons involved in the incident have been taken into police custody, he added.

Minister Khadka also presented a report on the damage caused by landslides triggered by heavy downpour last week in Myagdi, Gulmi, Rolpa and Ramechap districts and disclosed that 14 persons and 30 cattle perished during that period.