HM reconstitutes Council of Ministers
The reshuffle inducts new faces

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Feb. 7: His Majesty the King has, in accordance with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990 and on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, made some changes and additions in the Council of Ministers constituted under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on March 21 last year and also allocated the portfolios.

This was stated in a press communiqué issued today by the principal press secretariat of His Majesty the King.

With the reshuffle, Health Minister Dr. Ram Baran Yadav and State Minister for Water Resources Ram Bahadur Gurung have been dropped while many new faces have been incorporated into the new cabinet. Among the new faces, Praksah Koirala has been given Forest and Soil Conservation Ministry and Palten Gurung Labour and Transport Management Ministry.

Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Hari Prasad Sapkota, Mahadev Gurung, Benup Raj Prasai, Pushkar Ojha and Shiva Kumar Basnet have been included as the new State Ministers.

Similarly, Ramhari Dhungel, Keshar Man Rokka, Romi Gauchan, Mahendra Kumar Raya and Janak Raj Giri are new assistant ministers.

According to the press communiqué, the allocation of the portfolios of the Council of Ministers is as follows:

Ministers Portfolios

Girija Prasad Koirala Prime Minister - Royal Palace Affairs and GeneralAdministration

Ramchandra Poudel Deputy Prime Minister -Home

Khum Bahadur Khadka Minister -Physical Planning and Works

Govinda Raj Joshi Minister -Local Development

Chakra Prasad Bastola Minister -Foreign Affairs

Dr Ram Sharan Mahat Minister -Finance

Mahantha Thakur Minister -Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs

Siddha Raj Ojha Minister -Population and Environment

Omkar Prasad Shrestha Minister -Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation

Palten Gurung Minister -Labour and Transport Management

Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta Minister -Agriculture and Co-operatives

Mahesh Acharya Minister -Defense

Ramkrishna Tamrakar Minister -Health

Amod Prasad Upadhyaya Minister -Education and Sports

Surendra Prasad Chaudhary Minister -Science and Technology

Baldev Sharma Majgaiya Minister -Water Resources

Shiva Raj Joshi Minister -Information and Communications

Prakash Koirala Minister -Forest and Soil Conservation

Ministers of state

Mohammad Aftab Alam Minister of State -Land Reform and Management

Krishna Prasad Sitaula Minister of State -Industry, Commerce and Supplies

Mrs Kamala Panta Minister of State -Women, Children and Social Welfare

Narendra Bikram Nemwang Minister of State -Agriculture and Co-operatives

Dilendra Prasad Badu Minister of State -Education and Sports

Surendra Hamal Minister of State -Labour and Transport Management

Gopal Rai Minister of State -Finance

Suresh Malla Minister of State -Physical Planning and Works

Tirtharam Dangol Minister of State -Health

Hari Prasad Sapkota Minister of State -Home

Mahadev Gurung Minister of State -Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation

Benup Raj Prasai Minister of State -Water Resources

Puskar Ojha Minister of State -Information and Communications

Shiva Kumar Basnet Minister of State -Forest and Soil Conservation

Assistant Ministers

Ramhari Dhungel Assistant Minister -Agriculture and Co-operatives

Keshar Man Rokka Assistant Minister -Local Development

Romi Gauchan Assistant Minister -Foreign Affairs

Mahendra Kumar Raya Assistant Minister -Industry, Commerce and Supplies

Janak Raj Giri Assistant Minister -Land Reform and Management.

This time CBS plans for ‘accurate’ census

By Krishna Sharma

Kathmandu, Feb. 7: Nepal’s population may reach over 23 million by May this year with an annual growth rate of 2.41 per cent during the last ten years – a rise of 0.34 per cent from the growth rate of 2.07 recorded in 1991.

The country will start counting the heads of its people in five months time and a preliminary study carried out by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) estimates that Nepal’s population may have reached about 23.453 million from that of 18.4 million figured out in 1991.

CBS, the country’s authorized body for keeping up statistics record, is, meanwhile, mulling to make the population figures more accurate this time with all necessary preparations needed.

Initially, the CBS had aimed to use the ortho-photo map, the most modern and scientific photographic system applied in population census, to come up with the ‘real’ population and to avoid duplication and other mistakes.

The ortho-photo map is a system that maps out the micro level of geography along with the structures created at its surface. Many countries use these maps in their censuses.

These photos help census enumerators find out where the wards of the municipalities disjoin in metropolis areas.

As agreed, the European Union (EU) has provided technical support to the Population Census Mapping Project (PCMP), which is working on country’s ortho-photo map.

The major advantages of the ortho-photo maps are that besides avoiding chances of duplications while going through the census, they help planners in town planning, distribution of water and electricity supplies and in developing other infrastructures.

The CBS has been waiting for the ortho-photo maps from the PCMP. Despite working on war footing, the PCMP may not be able to provide the map for this year’s census.

The Project has already prepared the map database of the entire country except the Himalayan area, Project director Raja Ram Chhatkuli said.

"However, we will not be able to provide the photo maps to the CBS in time since we are facing financial crunch," Director Chhatkuli said.

Even without the ortho-photo map, the CBS is all set, with necessary infrastructure and plans to make the Population Census-2001 not only different from the past censuses but also more useful and resourceful for other purposes as well, said Rabi Bhakta Kayastha, an official at the CBS.

He said the CBS would be using the base maps for this year’s census. Along with Japan, Finland and Denmark are supporting the government in the preparation of base-maps since late 90s.

The base maps can differentiate the wards of the Village Development Committees (VDCs) and municipalities making the enumerators able to distinguish the wards to minimize chances of duplication.

Early censuses were only facilitated with the base maps developed by the Survey of India in the 60’s, which could only differentiate the VDCs and municipalities. Before 1960, censuses were based on line-maps.

The Population Census-2001 begins from 2058 Jestha 28 and continues till Asadh 7th. The Census Day will be observed on 8th of Asadh, according to the CBS.

This census, according to the CBS officials, is expected to determine various other parameters such as the migration situation, educational and economic activities, multi-marriage and fertility situation, condition of the children below 16 and even a detailed study of handicap people. Many of these features are going to be introduced for the first time in the country’s census history. The number of handicap people was, however, counted for the first time in the population census of 1981.

The Census-2001 will be important in many ways. It will not only figure out the demographic situation of the country but will also study physical facilities in the houses, help planners figure out Nepal standards in occupational and industrial sectors and study the condition of women beings to assist authorities in working out for gender equality.

This time CBS plans to use two census sheets, instead of one, to collect the population data in a more authentic and accurate manner.

The use of two sheets will help compile complete information regarding various topics so that the findings could help National Planning Commission for its various purposes.

The CBS plans to use the two-sheet method in each house of Rasuwa, Manang, Mustang, Dopla, Mugu and Humla and in 6 municipalities, namely Biratnagar, Dharan, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Birgunj and Pokhara. In the rest of 69 districts and other 51 municipalities the two-sheet method will be used in one house out of every eight.

The CBS is mobilising 90 officers, 300 area supervisors and 5000 supervisors, 20,000 enumerators and about 1,000 peons for the census.

"Like in the previous censuses we are mobilising school teachers as enumerators and the Ministry of Education has already accepted our request," Kayastha said.

The government has allocated 280 million rupees for the Census and UNFPA is helping the CBS with stationeries, kits, and bags along with the total co-operation for the post enumeration survey. In the last census the UNFPA had also assisted in data processing.

To make the Census-2001 a great success, the CBS has also created a media core group and has prepared posters and pamphlets.

The CBS is establishing 76 Population Census Offices (one each in every district except two in Kathmandu) from Baisakh 1. Then, it will train supervisors and enumerators regarding the ways of taking population census.

According to officer Kayastha, the CBS has completed 90 per cent of the packing works and by the end of February the materials will start reaching the districts.

Winter Session of Parliament from today

Kathmandu, Feb. 7 (RSS): As summoned by His Majesty the King, the 19th session of parliament is to begin at the parliament building at Singha Durbar at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow.

This session, also known as the winter session, will mostly focus on discussing and passing bills.

Sixteen bills already under consideration of parliament and some new ones have been registered for discussion at this session.

Three ordinances concerning the armed police force, regional administration and health services are also to be presented before parliament.

Other major bills to be discussed include the bills concerning political parties, the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority, corruption control, special courts, women’s property right and education.

Talking to RSS, National Assembly chairman Dr Mohammad Mohsin stressed the need to make parliament a forum for discussing the aspirations of the sovereign people and finding proper ways to meet such aspirations.

The parliamentary session will be meaningful only if the ruling side accommodates the views of the opposition also and helps build a consensus on maintaining law and order and fulfilling the needs of the people, he said.

Chairman Dr Mohsin also emphasized the need to establish the National Assembly as a dignified House of Parliament with its own distinct identity.

Finance bills also should be discussed at the National Assembly, he said citing discussions in the Upper House in the past on the fines and punishment bill.

RPP general secretary Pashupati Shumsher J.B. Rana said with a view to making the upcoming session more effective and meaningful, the RPP will honestly stand for the nation and nationalism while remaining within the framework of the constitution.

He also said that during this session, his party will raise the issues of rampant corruption, deteriorating law and order situation and politicization of the corporations and administrative bodies.

Enhance dignity: Also today National Assembly chairman Dr. Mohammad Mohsin presided over a meeting of committees under it.

At the meeting, chairman Dr. Mohsin called upon all concerned to be serious about the disillusionment with and criticism of parliament that are on the rise and said it should be seen to that this did not arise out of the activities of the National Assembly.

He said that there should be serious thinking over how to enhance the dignity of parliament among the people while remaining within the purview of parliamentary norms and values.

Vice-chairman Chiranjivi Prasad Rijal said that the concerned authorities should be alert in time to rehabilitate the freed Kamaiya bonded labourers before the problem got out of hand.

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Mahantha Thakur said that the government always heeded the directives and suggestions of the parliamentary committees while presenting bills in parliament and assured the committees that he would apprise the minister concerned of suggestions presented.

At the meeting, the chairmen of all four committees and the special committee constituted in connection with the nationalities upliftment national foundation bill presented their activities and working procedures, the problems encountered in implementing programmes and suggestions on their resolution.

The general secretary of Parliament said that the number of committees had increased but the budget and number of employees had not increased in the same proportion. However, work was going on with the existing means and resources without affecting the effectiveness of the committees. They were also in constant touch with the government and request was being made for cooperation.

The meeting also deliberated on present system of two to three committees touring the same place or with the same objective and spoke of the need to substitute this with tours by only one committee.

Attention was drawn towards the no progress made in the report of the National Assembly delegated legislation committee being discussed in the House of Representatives and coming back to the National Assembly.

EurOrient clings on high offices to escape guarantee

BY NAVIN SINGH KHADKA

Kathmandu, Feb. 7: In its continued bid to pocket the Arun III Hydropower Project’s survey license without paying the guarantee amount, American Company EurOrient has started knocking the doors of influential power centers including the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and claims to have received positive assurances from the Ministry of Water Resources.

"The ministry had told us that it is already proceeding toward canceling the guarantee provision while acquiring the survey license," said Binaya Amatya, Local Agent of EurOrient that has already submitted an application to the PMO requesting for the document without having to pay Rupees 42 million as performance guarantee.

Officials at Ministry of Water Resources, however, fended off any favor toward the American Company. "So far, we have not made any decision in this regard," said Biswonath Sapkota, Secretary at the ministry.

The Los Angeles-based company last month had backtracked from its earlier commitment to pay the money for the survey license of the resurrected hydroelectric project. It has now been maintaining that it would open its purse only while applying for the generation license of the 402 MW Project.

The Department of Electricity Development, while inviting proposals from Independent Power Developers (IPD) for 11 hydropower projects’ survey licenses last year, had included the performance guarantee as mandatory in the Terms of Reference.

Abiding by the TOR, EurOrient had submitted Arun III and Aandhikhola Hydropower Projects’ proposals which the government Okayed. But, when it came to talk business, EurOrient balked at coughing up the guarantee money. While five other companies, whose proposals for other hydropower projects’ survey licenses were accepted together with EurOrient’s, have already paid their respective performance guarantee and have even received the licenses.

The guarantee money EurOrient should pay for the survey license accounts to a meager 0.05 per cent of Arun III’s total cost estimation — US Dollar one billion. "When the company has dared to invest US Dollars one billion, why is it hesitating to pay not even 0.05 per cent of the project’s total cost as guarantee?" asked Ratna Sansar Shrestha, a Chartered Accountant working in water resources field for quite some time. "For any company that is serious with the project requiring such huge investment, paying the Rupees 42 mi-llion guarantee should not be a big deal."

It was with an aim to make the applying IDPs serious, the government, while inviting proposals last year, had added the provision of performance guarantee in the TOR. Otherwise, Section 24 of the nation’s Electricity Regulations 1994 requires the power developers to pay much less amount as royalty (compared to the performance guarantee) while obtaining survey license or generation license.

If it were only for the Regulation, EurOrient, for instance, would have to pay only Rupees 60,000 Rupees (15 per cent of the royalty of generation license fixed at the rate of Rupee one per KiloWatt) for the survey license.

So, why the performance guarantee overlapping the Electricity Regulations? Officials at the Department of Electricity Development point at past records hinting at lack of seriousness on the part of power developers.

The government had invited 17 proposals for different hydropower projects some two years ago. Three IPDs then had walked away with the survey licenses of Middle Bhotekoshi, Kali Gandaki II, and Seti III Hydropower Projects — only to vanish in thin air. Same has been the case with the survey license of 750 MW West Seti Hydropower Project. Clearly, IPDs like these were sitting tight with their licenses until the validity of the document expired.

"These were the lessons that taught us that all companies are not serious," said an official with the DED that has already issued around 60 survey licenses to different IPDs over the years — of which currently only 34 are valid. "That was why we had to introduce the performance guarantee."

It is the case of the same performance guarantee in which EurOrient wants to be treated exceptionally. Toward that end, how much will the American Company be able to take the influential offices into confidence remains to be seen.

New ministers vow to achieve optimum results

Kathmandu, Feb. 7 (RSS):

Minister for Information and Communications Shiva Raj Joshi took up his duties at the Ministry of Information and Communications here today.

Similarly, Minister of State for Information and Communications Puskarnath Ojha also took up his duties today.

Addressing a function organised at the Ministry, Minister for Information and Communications Shiva Raj Joshi expressed the view that cooperation would be extended from all quarters in the creation of public opinion in favour of preservation of democracy won through long sacrifice.

Minister Joshi said he expected cooperation from the Ministry and Departments and staff under it for the performance of work as per HMG policies.

Minister of State for Information and Communications Puskarnath Ojha stressed the need to fulfill the determination of meeting the target set by the government and give good governance to the country.

Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Communications Sriram Poudel spoke of commitment to cooperation from staff under the Ministry.

Meanwhile, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Omkar Prasad Shrestha went to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and took up his new responsibilities today.

Also today, Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mahadev Gurung took up his responsibilities.

At a function later organised at the Ministry, Minister Shrestha directed office staff to work in a family atmosphere and shun accusations and counter accusations.

Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mahadev Gurung stressed the need to engage in the development of the country.

Also speaking on the occasion was secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Barun Prasad Shrestha.

Similarly, newly appointed Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives Jayaprakash Prasad Gupta has said that there has been remarkable progress in the communications sector in the country after the restoration of democracy.

Speaking at a farewell programme at the Ministry of Information and Communications after his appointment as Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Minister Gupta said that important achievements had been made such as the process for uplinking Nepal Television with satellite, second band broadcasting from Radio Nepal from Surkhet to be extended to all five development regions, expansion of radio broadcasting in the private sector, and participation of the private sector in the telecommunications sector.

He expressed the conviction that the Nepalese people would soon be able to reap the returns of the technical infrastructure in the communications sector by utilising the limited means and resources.

On the occasion, Information and Communications secretary Sriram Paudel said that important work was performed in the field of radio, television and telecommunications during the tenure of Minister Gupta.

Kohalpur-Mahakali Section 22 bridges open to traffic

Kathmandu, Feb. 7 (RSS): The 22 bridges on the Kohalpur-Mahakali section of the Mahendra highway have been opened to traffic, and with the construction of these bridges, this highway in far western Nepal has become operational even during the monsoons, thereby opening up new possibilities in trade, investment and economic growth in that part of Nepal.

The 22 bridges project was funded by government of India, and the total grant assistance for the project Rs. 1,088 million.

Work on the project began in 1996 and despite many odds posed by the peculiar geographical condition of the terrain, the last of the 22 bridges was completed in May 2000, it is stated.

Indian and Nepalese experts jointly carried out a field inspection of the bridges from February 3-5, according to a press release from the Indian embassy.

The Indian side was led by R.S. Ninan, superintending engineer, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and included representatives from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy.

The Nepalese side was led by M.G. Maleku, DDG, foreign cooperation branch, Department of Roads, and included representatives from the project office, bridge unit, regional directorate and the Mahendranagar Division of the Department.

The Indian team arrived in Kathmandu on 2nd February and also held discussions with HMG officials during their visit.

As requested by the Department of Roads, the Government of India will organise a seminar to present papers on the new techniques evolved to counter the severe artesian conditions in that area, as well as to cater to the requirements of meandering rivers. For this purpose, the construction of the bridges is so designed that should the meandering rivers outflank the bridge, the extension of the bridge would become very easy.

The formal inauguration of the bridges will take place shortly.

Nepal-China Cooperation
Syaprubesi-Rasuwa road to be expedited

Kathmandu, Feb. 7 (RSS): The Chinese government has agreed to expedite the process of building the Syaprubesi-Rasuwa road.

The Chinese side said this at the third meeting of the consultation mechanism between foreign ministries of Nepal and the People’s Republic of China held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on February 5th and 6th, according to a press release from the Foreign Ministry.

At the request of the Nepalese side to accord the fifth freedom right from Shanghai to Osaka and the multiple designation of the Nepalese airlines on the Kathmandu-Lhasa route, the Chinese side stated that it would look into the matter and for this purpose the civil aviation authorities of the two sides could hold discussions.

During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction over the progress being made in the preparation for the forthcoming State Visit to the People’s Republic of China by Their Majesties the King and Queen. Both sides expressed their confidence that the state visit will contribute in further strengthening the bilateral ties between the two countries.

Both sides expressed satisfaction over the state of bilateral relations between the two countries that are based upon the five principles of peaceful coexistence and common belief in the principle of sovereign equality.

The Chinese side appreciated His Majesty’s Government’s one-China policy and the latter’s stance on the questions of Taiwan and Tibet.

The Chinese side assured that it would continue to provide assistance in the socio-economic development endeavours of Nepal, and the Nepalese side thanked the Chinese government for its economic assistance. The status of Chinese-aided projects was also discussed during the meeting.

The Nepalese side expressed its gratitude to the Chinese side for its reiteration to provide additional trading points as it would further facilitate the trade relations existing between the two countries.

The Chinese side informed of its government’s decision to extend consular jurisdiction of the Royal Nepalese Consulate General in Hong Kong to Macao also. The Nepalese side welcomed the decision as it would facilitate the promotion of trade relations between Nepal and the Macao special administrative region of the people’s Republic of China and help Nepalese living in Macao to receive consular services from the Royal Nepalese Consulate General in Hong Kong.

Nepal and China also shared their views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The Nepalese delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Narayan Shumshere Thapa and included senior officials from the ministries of foreign affairs, finance, home, local development, physical planning and works and industries, commerce and supplies.

The Chinese delegation was led by Assistant Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi and included Chinese ambassador to Nepal Zeng Xuyong and senior officials from the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu.

Nepal-Japan ties
Discussion held for enhancing cooperation

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Feb. 7: A two-day consultation meeting on economic co-operation between Nepal and Japan concluded in Kathmandu today.

Following a plenary session Tuesday in the presence of Japanese Ambassador Mitsuaki Kojima and Finance Secretary Dr. Bimal Prasad Koirala, the Japanese delegation held a series of discussions with Joint Secretary Madhav Prasad Ghimire and other officials.

During the discussions, Nepalese side updated the Japanese delegation on current socio-economic development of Nepal, said a press release issued by the Japanese Embassy.

The Nepalese side expounded on the policy measure package it is presently working on aiming at poverty reduction and social development, the press statement said. It said that substantial discussions were made with a view to promoting Japanese ODA in a mutually satisfactory manner.

The Japanese delegation expressed its support for the comprehensive reform measures of the government. Both sides discussed on the avenues of accommodating in Japanese assistance to meet the current and emerging development needs.

In the meeting, they jointly identified hindrances blocking the implementation of Japan-assisted projects and programmes, and explored the ways to implement in a more effective manner, it said.