Mohsin urges MPs to remove chaos

Kathmandu, Feb. 8 (RSS): National Assembly Chairman Dr. Mohammad Mohsin, giving his welcome speech at the start of the meeting of the National Assembly on the first day of the 19th session of Parliament this afternoon, called on the MPs to look out for ways to resolve the problems of the country by fostering understanding between the ruling and opposition parties at a time when the situation in the country was not conducive as a result of growing corruption, unemployment, chaos in the education sector, ineffectiveness of good governance etc.

The 19th session of Parliament is taking place at a time when the situation in the country has become complex owing to lack of security of life and property, the Maoist problem becoming more challenging and ambassadors of foreign diplomatic missions making remarks flouting diplomatic norms, Dr Mohsin said.

Chairman Dr. Mohsin pointed out the need for the MPs to play an effective role in fulfilling the developmental aspirations of the country and the people and in maintaining law and order as per the wishes of the people.

Stating that our efforts should be directed to reflecting the people’s aspirations in the policies and programmes of the government and making them meaningful in the light of understanding reached in parliament, Dr. Mohsin expressed the conviction that the understanding, bonhomie and agreement between the ruling side and the opposition would help expedite the development process of the country and also help in consolidation of democracy.

Leader of the Treasury in the National Assembly Basu Risal pointed out the need to rise above ideological differences and issues of discord and move ahead on the basis of understanding to be able to tackle the burning issues like corruption control, poverty alleviation and maintenance of law and order.

We should be conscious about the development of the country and resolving the problems of the people at the same time consolidating democracy, protecting the constitution and enhancing the dignity of the monarchy, he observed.

Leader of the Main Opposition Party in the National Assembly Yubaraj Gyawali said that the National Assembly should be able to prove its mettle in identifying the problems of the country and tackling them effectively.

Corruption permeates every sector, talk of irregularities in the Lauda Air deal is surfacing and the ultra leftist and ultra rightist elements are raising their ugly head due to the growing anarchy, chaos and confusion in the country, he said, adding that not rhetoric but action was what was necessary to win the hearts of the people and to find appropriate solutions to these problems.

Rabindranath Sharma of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) warned that the situation might soon go out of hand in the context of the people increasingly coming under attack from terrorists, the deterioration in the law and order situation as the government is mostly limited to the district headquarters in most districts and rising inconsistencies and anomalies in the country.

He said that the Prime Minister should resign so as to clear the way for impartial investigation of the Lauda Air scam in the context of the involvement of the Council of Ministers in the deal coming to light.

Keshab Lal Shrestha of the CPN-ML said that the problem of corruption, irregularities, violence and terrorism and problems related to the basic needs of the people have become much more complicated during the last 11 years of multiparty democracy attained through great sacrifices of the people.

And the Nepali Congress has been in government for almost eight and half years during this period, he added.

MP Rajeshwar Devkota underlined the need for reforming the electoral system for enhancing the dignity and decorum of multi-party democracy.

Gajendra Narayan Singh of the Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) demanded investigation into the incidents of arson and violence at the party’s central office and the indecent treatment meted out to people of the Madhesi community in the wake of the violence that gripped Kathmandu on December 26, 27 and 28.

He also called for stern action against those responsible for the incidents and expected cooperation from all the political parties in this task.

MP Ramesh Nath Pandey commented that the promulgation of two important ordinances 24 hours before the commencement of the parliamentary session has diminished the dignity and importance of parliament.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Assembly Dr. Mohammad Mohsin at today’s meeting of the National Assembly informed that MPs Bhim Bahadur Shrestha, Shanta Manavi, Balaram Ghartimagar, Dr. Ramman Shrestha and Kaiya Chaudhari are designated to forward the proceedings of the meetings in the absence of the chairman and vice chairman.

Works at Lumbini to be accelerated

Kathmandu, Feb. 8 (RSS):  An understanding has been reached for making the "Lumbini Mayadevi Project" more effective with a view to the protection, preservation and renovation of the excavated archaeological temple site at the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha, and for construction of a roof over the site.

The understanding to this effect was reached at a joint meeting of the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) and the Japan Buddhist Federation (JBF) here today.

Understanding was reached to start archaeological preservation work at the Mayadevi Temple area from May 7, the day of Buddha Purnima.

The joint meeting was headed by LDT vice-president Omkar Prasad Gauchan on behalf of the Lumbini Development Trust and by president of the Lumbini committee of the Japan Buddhist Federation Kyosui Aoji on behalf of the JBF.

At the meeting both sides agreed that the JBF would prepare the statement of cost estimate for the teflon roof structure and the LDT the cost estimate and framework of the Alcove temple for reinstallation of the idol of Mayadevi and preservation of the archaeological ruins well before the international scientific experts meeting to be organised in Lumbini from April 4-8 by the Lumbini Development Trust.

The international scientific experts meeting will be participated in by representatives of the LDT, UNESCO experts and representatives of the JBF.

The meeting of experts plans to give a final touch to cost estimates and framework for the teflon roof structure and preservation of the archeological area and restoration of the Mayadevi Temple.

The meeting agreed that the Japan Buddhist Federation will prepare the archaeological report on research and excavation at the Mayadevi temple as per UNESCO standards by the final week of March.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by Omkar Prasad Gauchan, vice chairman of Lumbini Development Fund, and by chairman of the Japan Buddhist Federation Lumbini Committee Kyosui Aoji on behalf of the Japan Buddhist Federation.

The memorandum states that agreement was reached to carry out the restoration work on the Mayadevi Temple expeditiously. The Japan Buddhist Federation gave assurances of moving ahead positively with regard to the request made by the Lumbini Development Trust to consider the costs for detailed reconstruction and supervision at the Mayadevi Temple.

Similarly, final decision on management responsibility after the restoration of the Mayadevi Temple will be taken by both parties after careful evaluation.

Commision formed to probe incidents

Kathmandu, Feb. 8 (RSS):  His Majesty’s Government has constituted a three member commission under the chairmanship of judge of the Appellate Court Lalitpur Govind Kumar Shrestha to investigating the incidents of vandalisation, arson and looting that took place in Kathmandu on December 26 and 27, in Rajbiraj on the 31st and in districts including Dhanusha and Bara, and submit a report within 45 days along with recommendations.

According to the spokesman of the Home Ministry, the commission members are joint secretary at the Home Ministry Bijaya Raj Bhattarai and advocate Umesh Chandra Jha.

Passage of Women’s Rights Bill demanded

Kathmandu Feb. 8 (RSS):  A protest was organised at Bhadrakali today with a view to press for the passage of the Women’s Rights Bill or 11th amendment of the Civil Code in the 19th session of Parliament which began today.

Present at the programme organised by the Women’s Human Rights Protection and Promotion Committee were chairperson of the CPN-ML Sahana Pradhan and human rights workers, lawyers and women activists.

At the programme, the speakers stressed the need for cooperation from all quarters including political parties and MPs to pass the bill at this session.

Ministers visit RNAC office

Kathmandu, Feb. 8 (RSS):  Newly-appointed Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Omkar Prasad Shrestha and Minister of State Mahadev Gurung visited the central office of the Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC) this morning and held discussions with senior officials.

On the occasion, Minister Shrestha spoke of the need to work out long-term and short-term policy guidelines for RNAC to activate the organisation and move it ahead.

He also called on the corporation employees to develop a process to properly address and respond to unsubstantiated hearsay outside.

Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mahadev Gurung urged the corporation employees to make full use of their skills, capabilities and experience to take RNAC on the road to progress.

Welcoming the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Minister of State, executive director of RNAC Rajesh Raj Dali gave a brief introduction to corporation activities.

NSP suspends pre-scheduled programme

Kathmandu, Feb. 8 (RSS): A meeting of the Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) parliamentary party has decided to suspend its pre-scheduled programme of picketing the rostrum of the Speaker at the start of the House session this evening to demand formation of an independent judicial probe into the incidents that took place on December 26,27 and 28 in Kathmandu and on December 31 in Rajbiraj and other parts of the Kingdom last year.

The party decided to suspend the Rostrum Gherao programme since His Majesty’s Government has already formed a judicial commission in connection with these incidents.

The meeting chaired by NSP Parliamentary party leader Badri Prasad Mandal has drawn the government’s attention to the need to provide appropriate compensation to the aggrieved parties.

Social Welfare Council, Oxfam sign agreement

Kathmandu, Feb. 8 (RSS): An agreement has been signed between the Social Welfare Council and the American-based Children’s Association International for implementation of development programmes in Nepal. The term of the agreement is five years.

According to the Social Welfare Council, (SWC) the association will provide a minimum of 50,000 US dollars annually for running the programmes.

Member-secretary of the Social Welfare Council Dr. Tika Prasad Pokharel and president of Children’s Association International James R. Cook signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions.

Similarly, an agreement has been signed between the Social Welfare Council and Oxfam-GB, Nepal for a period of five years for implementing programmes for the empowerment of economically under-privileged communities.

As per the agreement, the Britain-based donor agency, Oxfam, will provide 1.3 million US dollars for the programmes for the entire programme period.

The agreement to this effect was signed by Social Welfare Council member-secretary Dr. Pokharel on behalf the council and Ms Mina Poudyal on behalf of Oxfam GB, Nepal.

Likewise, an agreement has been signed between the Social Welfare Council and the Germany-based International Non-Governmental Organisation Kuratorium Tuberculose in Der Welt E.V. for a term of five years for conducting development programmes in Nepal.

As per the terms of the agreement, Kuratorium Tuberculose in Der Welt E.V. will provide a minimum of 80,000 US dollars annually for running the development programme.

The agreement to this effect was signed by Social Welfare Council member-secretary Dr. Pokharel on behalf of the council and president Prof. K. Feldman on behalf of Kuratorium Tuberculose in Der Welt E.V.

Awards instituted in honour of social workers

Kathmandu, Feb. 8 (RSS):  His Majesty’s Government, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, has decided to institute the "Daya Bir Singh Kansakar National Social Service Award" in honour of renowned social worker of Nepal and founder of the Paropakar Sanstha Daya Bir Singh Kansakar who died recently.

The award which carries a purse of Rs 25,000 will be presented to the best social worker or social service institution.

The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare has prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family.

Similarly, the ministry has also instituted awards in honour of other prominent social workers in various sectors of national life.

The awards are the National Khagendra Award for the service of the disabled instituted in the name of social worker Khagendra Bahadur Basnet, the National Women’s Empowerment Award in the name of woman leader Mangala Devi Singh, the Dibya National Women’s Awareness Award in the name of Dibya Koirala, the Chandrakanta National Women’s Educational Service Award in the name of Chandrakanta Joshi, the National Dalit Women’s Service Award in the name of Ram Maya Podeni and the Yogmaya National Spiritual Service Award in the name of Yogmaya Koirala.

All the awards carry a purse of Rs 25,000, according to the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare.

8,735 persons get free oral health services

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Feb. 8: As part of marking the centenary of the FDI-World Dental Federation, Nepal Oral Health Society provided free oral health services to 8,735 persons by conducting 13 camps in six districts last year, says a press release issued today by the society.

In the camps, services such as teeth filling, extracting and scaling were made available to the patients. They were also provided free tooth brushes and toothpaste, the press release adds.

The society says it also conducted sample testing of drinking water to know about the quantity of DMFT.

According to Rajendra Bahadur Shrestha, general secretary of the society and national secretary of FDI-World Dental Federation, 6,317 persons received oral health services at the central clinic run by the society.

Shrestha, who was also team leader and co-ordinator of camp organising committee, said services were provided to 825 persons at the oral health camp at Namche that lies at the height of 11,500 ft.