PM condemns attack on CJ

Kathmandu, Feb. 4 (RSS): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that as the barbaric and lethal attack made by Maoist terrorists on the Chief Justice in Surkhet yesterday is tantamount to an attack on the Institution of the Crown and the democratic institutions of the country, this should be condemned from all sides.

Prime Minister Koirala, who was inaugurating the sixth national general convention of Private and Boarding Schools Association Nepal (PABSON) here today, said the Maoist terrorists have been attacking the Institution of the Crown, the symbol of national unity since long, and have been obstructing the country’s development process. Which is why it has been imperative for one and all to unite so as to alienate these anti-national elements from society, he added.

Since the Maoist activity, which is being carried out without any aim and purpose, is inimical to the interest of the country and the people it has been essential for the government and the people to unite so as to stop this anti-national activity, Prime Minister Koirala said.

Speaking about the important role that private schools can play in raising the standard of education, he stressed the need for coordination between private and public schools.

As disturbing the education sector means pushing the country into a crisis, he urged all schools to run classes regularly without giving in to the pressure of the so called Maoists.

Minister for Education and Sports Amod Prasad Upadhyaya said that amendments to the existing education act is being considered to encourage the participation of the private sector and civil society in education.

Stressing the need for private schools to bear in mind the country’s economic and social conditions rather than just being profit-oriented, Minister Upadhyaya said several provisions will be made in the amended act to streamline private schools.

He also presented letters of commendation to various distinguished persons for their outstanding contributions to education and academic sector.

Minister of State for Education and Sports Dilendra Prasad Badu was of the view that public schools can learn from such qualities of private schools as hard work, good management and nonpolitical atmosphere.

Ex-minister of state for education Govinda Raj Joshi spoke of the need to keep education away from politics and formulate pro-student education policy, while ex-minister and chief of CPN-UML education department Jhalanath Khanal said that the education sector cannot become stable in the absence of peace and security and that nationalization of education has become outmoded.

CPN-ML president Mrs Sahana Pradhan lauded the role of private schools in the country’s educational development and said that everyone should work as per the spirit of the popular movement and the constitution for the country’s overall development.

At the programme presided over by PABSON president Rajesh Khadka, president of guardian’s association Suprabhat Bhandari, senior PABSON vice president Umesh Shrestha and general secretary Sitaram Maskey and others spoke against the idea of nationalising education.

There are about 8,000 private schools in the country.

The two-day general convention is scheduled to elect a new leadership of the association.

House session to see civil code amendment bill

Kathmandu, Feb. 4 (RSS): The bill designed to amend the civil code is to be presented for reconsideration at the forthcoming 19th session of the Parliament.

The bill was under consideration of Parliament after the 16th session of the Parliament sent it for clause-wise discussion to the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Committee.

The bill to be presented at the forthcoming session of the Parliament also includes the suggestions collected from all five development regions regarding the legal provision for ensuring women their right to paternal property.

This was disclosed at a programme organised here today to collection suggestions regarding women’s right to paternal property. The programme was hosted by the House of Representatives Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Committee.

Inaugurating the programme, Speaker Taranath Ranabhat said that as no political parties have come up with clear opinion about whether or not the bill should be passed by Parliament it has been essential to hold inter-party discussion in that regard.

It has already been proved that women too can excel if they are given responsibility, Speaker Ranabhat said, adding that necessary homework should be done right away in view of the possible problems that may arise after the passage of the bill.

Main opposition party leader in the Lower House Madhav Kumar Nepal stressed the need to finalise the bill designed to amend the civil code in the coming session of Parliament.

Stating that the CPN-UML will play a lead role in approving the bill for women rights, Mr Nepal said we should not hesitate in giving equal rights to women, rather we should be prepared to face upto any resultant disturbances in the social structure.

Minister of State for Women, Children and Social Welfare Mrs Kamala Panta stressed the need to pass the bill.

National Assembly vice-chairman Chiranjibi Rijal expressed the view that giving paternal property rights to women can spoil the structure of the society.

Women should be provided with equal opportunity of education rather than giving them a share in property, he added.

Chairman of the House of Representatives Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Committee Mahendra Yadav expressed confidence that the suggestions to be received from this programme would make it easier for the committee to reach a specific conclusion.

Committee member Prem Bahadur Singh shed light on the objective of the programme.

Acting residential representative of UNDP Alexandra Tissot said as Nepal has already ratified article 15 of the UN convention which provides for property rights to women equal to that of men all sectors concerned should assist in approving the bill.

PM condemns attack on CJ

Kathmandu, Feb. 4 (RSS): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that as the barbaric and lethal attack made by Maoist terrorists on the Chief Justice in Surkhet yesterday is tantamount to an attack on the Institution of the Crown and the democratic institutions of the country, this should be condemned from all sides.

Prime Minister Koirala, who was inaugurating the sixth national general convention of Private and Boarding Schools Association Nepal (PABSON) here today, said the Maoist terrorists have been attacking the Institution of the Crown, the symbol of national unity since long, and have been obstructing the country’s development process. Which is why it has been imperative for one and all to unite so as to alienate these anti-national elements from society, he added.

Since the Maoist activity, which is being carried out without any aim and purpose, is inimical to the interest of the country and the people it has been essential for the government and the people to unite so as to stop this anti-national activity, Prime Minister Koirala said.

Speaking about the important role that private schools can play in raising the standard of education, he stressed the need for coordination between private and public schools.

As disturbing the education sector means pushing the country into a crisis, he urged all schools to run classes regularly without giving in to the pressure of the so called Maoists.

Minister for Education and Sports Amod Prasad Upadhyaya said that amendments to the existing education act is being considered to encourage the participation of the private sector and civil society in education.

Stressing the need for private schools to bear in mind the country’s economic and social conditions rather than just being profit-oriented, Minister Upadhyaya said several provisions will be made in the amended act to streamline private schools.

He also presented letters of commendation to various distinguished persons for their outstanding contributions to education and academic sector.

Minister of State for Education and Sports Dilendra Prasad Badu was of the view that public schools can learn from such qualities of private schools as hard work, good management and nonpolitical atmosphere.

Ex-minister of state for education Govinda Raj Joshi spoke of the need to keep education away from politics and formulate pro-student education policy, while ex-minister and chief of CPN-UML education department Jhalanath Khanal said that the education sector cannot become stable in the absence of peace and security and that nationalization of education has become outmoded.

CPN-ML president Mrs Sahana Pradhan lauded the role of private schools in the country’s educational development and said that everyone should work as per the spirit of the popular movement and the constitution for the country’s overall development.

At the programme presided over by PABSON president Rajesh Khadka, president of guardian’s association Suprabhat Bhandari, senior PABSON vice president Umesh Shrestha and general secretary Sitaram Maskey and others spoke against the idea of nationalising education.

There are about 8,000 private schools in the country.

The two-day general convention is scheduled to elect a new leadership of the association.

Nepal, China consultation  mechanism meeting begins

Kathmandu, Feb. 4 (RSS): The third consultation mechanism meeting between the foreign ministries of Nepal and China began here today.

The Chinese delegation to the meeting is led by Assistant Foreign Minister Wang Yi, while Foreign Secretary Narayan Shumsher Thapa is heading the Nepalese side, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The Nepalese delegation to the meeting includes senior officials of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Home, Finance, Industries, Commerce and Supplies, Physical Planning and Works, and Local Development.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, consultations will be held on the exchange of visit at various levels, projects launched in Nepal with the cooperation of China, future economic cooperation, and matters of bilateral, regional and international interest.

The consultation mechanism established by an agreement between the foreign ministries of the two countries in 1996 provides for consultations at mutually agreed intervals alternatively in the capital of the either countries.

During his stay in Nepal, Assistant Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad Bastola, it is learnt from the Ministry.

Mr Wang is scheduled to leave Kathmandu on February 7.

Communication tax urged to protect small papers

Kathmandu, Feb. 4 (RSS): The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) organised a journalists’ interaction programme here today to discuss the problems facing many newspapers with small investment, which cannot compete with big publication houses enjoying big investments.

Participants at the programme said as small-investment newspapers have made an important contribution to the establishment of democracy, removing social anomalies and encouraging the country’s development, the government should adopt a policy of preserving such newspapers.

They also said that lack of cooperative spirit and community cooperation, absence of distribution and advertisement policy, unfair distribution of government advertisements and a growing tendency on the part of businessmen and politicians to use newspapers as a weapon to serve their vested interest and several other reasons have caused problems to small newspapers.

Taking part in the programme journalists Somnath Ghimire, Gopal Thapaliya, Nibhakant Pandey, Bal Kumar Nepal, Kabir Rana, Harigovinda Luintel and Chiranjibi Khanal suggested that His Majesty’s Government should provide concession on newsprint and make provision for communications tax in order to protect small newspapers.

The Federation president Suresh Acharya presided.

Bar denounces attack

Kathmandu, Feb. 4 (RSS): Nepal Bar Association has in a press statement today condemned the Maoist attack on Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya and his team who were heading for Surkhet in course of an inspection of Surkhet Appellate Court yesterday.

Expressing protest against the incident and calling the civic society and human rights organisations to express solidarity, the association has demanded that His Majesty’s Government improve the law and order situation and safeguard the people’s right to live in peace.

The association has also prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls of Surkhet Appellate Court Registrar Baldev Dhital and other security personnel killed in the incident and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members. It also wished the injured speedy recovery.

In a similar statement, Lalitpur Appellate Court Patan has said that the terrorist attack on Chief Justice Upadhyaya and his team will have an adverse effect not only on the preservation and protection of human rights and justice but also on the establishment of a just society.

Drawing attention towards this state of the country, the court has also urged the government to become sensitive and maintain law and order in the country.

Expressing tributes to Surkhet Appellate Court Registrar the late Dhital and others killed in the incident, the court has in the statement also wished for speedy recovery of those injured.

Similarly, the Young Lawyers for Human Rights, Human Rights and Peace Society, Informal Sector Services Centre (INSEC) and the 19th general meeting of Nepal Law Society held here today have also strongly denounced the incident.