Mobilise foreign investment, says Madhukar Rana

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, July 6: At a time when the country is grappling with the swelling foreign debt, serious questions are being raised over the country's increasing over-dependence on foreign money. Noted management and economic expert Madhukar Shumsher JB Rana suggested mobilising foreign direct investments as a balanced alternative to foreign money.

"This is a good alternative since this investment through mobilisation of the international and national private sectors will have greater dynamism on the economy and society," said Rana.

He however, added that he did not mean to imply all aid should stop.

In an exclusive interview with The Rising Nepal Friday, he underscored the need for curtailing waste through a National Austerity Movement

"The austerity movement should be seriously spearheaded by the Office of the Prime Minister and supported by a full-time Minister without Portfolio, who should be accountable each quarter for measures taken to enhance national productivity, minimise wastage of national resources and maximise austerity," he said.

"We must stop political largesse paid from the earnings of tax payers," he added.

On various burning economic issues, including national budget, trade and poverty reduction, he came up with a number of concrete suggestions for policy initiatives and plans. For details, see Page 6.

Highest foreign exchange earners awarded

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, July 6: Yak and Yeti Hotel, Yeti Travels Pvt. Ltd. and Thamserku Trekking Pvt. Ltd. were the biggest forex earners in the fiscal year 056/57.

On an occasion to mark the World Tourism Day, which is celebrated on September 27 every year, awards were given to the highest foreign currency earners in different areas of tourism business.

Among the hotels, Yak & Yeti Hotel had earned US$ 4.61 million to win the award among the 5 star hotels and among the 4-star hotels Hotel Malla with US$ 2.15 million earning was at the top. Similarly, Kathmandu Guest House, Masaslu Hotel and Garuda Hotel were given awards among 3-star, 2-star and 1-star hotels. In the uncategorised group, Dwarika’s Village Hotel got the award.

Among the travel agencies, Yeti Travel Pvt. Ltd. with US$ 13.3 million, Alpine Travel Services Pvt. Ltd. with US$ 10 million and Annapurna Travels and Tours Pvt with US$ 2.4 million were the top three grossers. Similarly, among the trekking agencies, Thamserku Trekking Pvt. Ltd. with US$ 1.6 million, International Trekkers with US$ 1.27 million and Summit Nepal Trekking Pvt. Ltd. with US$ 1 million were the top three foreign currency earners.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Govinda Raj Joshi as chief guest at today’s function gave away prizes and certificates to those who ranked the top positions. Speaking at the function Minister Joshi said Nepal need to find out and evaluate why people want to come to Nepal. He said the government alone can not do all so the private sector also has to move hand in hand with the government.

Speaking from the chair, Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation said that the World Tourism Organisation has proposed to observe Visit South Asia Year in 2003 and the marketing will be done collectively by all the South Asian countries with support from the World Tourism Organisation.

Barun Prasad Shrestha, Secretary at the Ministry delivered the welcome speech and Subarna Lal Shrestha, Joint Secretary of the Tourism Promotion Division at the Ministry gave the vote of thanks.

Similarly, Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation was the highest-carrier bringing in 220465 foreign visitors in the year 2056/57. The second biggest carrier was Thai International with 81,525 and Indian Airlines carrying 62,043 foreign visitors to Nepal was third.

Likewise, the top three forex earners among domestic airlines were Buddha Air Pvt. Ltd. (US $ 3.94 million), Necon Air (US$ 3.59 million) and Yeti Airlines (US$ 2.19 million).

Soaltee Hotel got the award for the biggest employer giving employment to 610 people among the 5-star hotels.

Other who received commendation letters for their active participation in the World Tourism Day 2000 were Tourism Services Association, Hotel Association of Nepal, Nepal Association of Travel Agents, Kamdhenu Organisastion and Nepal Tourism Board.

Threat of Kalazar outbreak creates panic in Morang

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT

Biratnagar, July 5: Panic and fear have gripped the people of Thadiya village of Dular Village Development Committee of Morang district with the emergence of kalazaar.

The Morang District Health Office has sprayed insecticides to kill the sand fly, the vector of the disease, in the village considering the possible spread of the disease. Despite this, eight persons have been affected by kalazar at present.

Punahi Chaudhari, 35, Dukhi Lal Chaudhari, 40, Mani Ram Chaudhari, 20, Anpi Chaudhari, 35, Bhola Sardar, 30, Gagan Devi Chaudhari, 30, Dhanuma Chaudhari, 19, and Ganga Devi Chaudhari, 30, of the village have been undergoing medical treatment at Dulari Sub-Health Post.

Bhim Gautam of Morang District Health Office said the disease was found after the health check-up of the people suffering from fever and other symptoms of the disease at the B. P. Koirala Health and Science Academy.

He informed that four persons had died of kalazaar a year ago. "The disease can be prevented if the people save themselves from the biting of sand-fly.

Now the condition of the patients is said to be improving. They are receiving treatment free of cost.

Experts involved in the treatment of the kalazar victims say that a special kind of campaign has to be launched to root out kalazaar from the village as the viruses of kalazar are still live in the village.

Madan Chaudhari, a local resident, says that the problem emerges during the monsoon every year. "But the concerned government bodies have not taken it seriously," he blames.

But the officials at the District Health Office say that the local people of the village do not pay proper attention to sanitation and cleanliness.

The sand flies are there in an abundant number as the locals are involved in the livestock farming.

Meanwhile, four victims of kalazar have been admitted at the Koshi Zonal Hospital since last week. Their condition has also been improving.

The symptoms of the disease include continuous fever for more than two weeks, loss of weight, appearance of black spots on some parts of the body, among others.

Sustainable development of tourism discussed

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, July 6: Tourism entrepreneurs, tourism operators, International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) contributing to country’s tourism and environmental sector gathered here today to discuss issues related to sustainable tourism development in the country.

At the meeting, organised by Sustainable Tourism Network (STN), a forum working under Nepal Tourism Board, participants from various organisations felt the need of united effort for the development of sustainable tourism in the country which has larger potentials.

Talking about the importance of tourism for a developing country like Nepal they said that the sustainable tourism could refer to a broad range of tourism ventures that take into account the ideas of sustainable development.

During the meeting Aqua Birds Unlimited Camp (ABUC), one of the STN members, presented a paper on "Destination Koshi Tappu" which talked about potential wildlife observation sites and the biodiversity of Koshi Tappu. The ABUC also informed the meting about the endangered and threatened birds at the site.

Today’s meeting was participated by representatives from park and People Programme (PPP), SNV-Nepal, Nepal River Conservation Trust, Gift Nepal, SEJ-Nepal, Village Tourism Nepal, ECO-HIMAL, Kathmandu Research Centre, Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP), IUCN, World Wildlife Fund-Nepal (WWF), Tharu Safari Lodge, Aqua Birds Unlimited Camp, Centre for Rural Technology, King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC) and others.

With the objective of exchanging ideas and experiences; developing strategies for tourism promotion and environment protection and in particular developing sustainable tourism an eminent group of NGOs, INGOs, tourism operators, government departments, research and conservation organisations had established the STN in 1997.

Lawmakers voice concerns over security

BY A STAFF REPORETER

Kathamndu, July 6: Demand for the Prime Minister’ resignation, peace and security matter and issue of corruption were at the focus of debate at the Parliament today that continued the discussion on the government’s policy and programme.

Some MPs from the opposition bench voiced that they should be allowed to discuss the Palace affairs in the Parliament, which the Constitution of the land prohibits to do. Another issue raised in the meeting of the House of Representatives today was the demand to amendment in the Succession to the Throne Act.

Speaking at the meeting, the CPN –UML MP Khadga Prasad Oli said that his party has accepted the Prime Minister’s 14-point agenda but on the condition that the Prime Minister resigns from the post.

He said that the government was highly unpopular and has lost people’s credibility as it has practically failed to solve the problems in all sectors.

Oli said that due to the failure of the government to solve the problems within the Constitutional framework, un-constitutional elements have emerged and have succeeded to take advantage of the weak situation.

He pointed that the Public Security Regulation 2058 B.S. was a revival of the black laws of the erstwhile Panchayat era and demanded its abolition, saying it was meant to take back the people’s fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

He criticized the government’s policy and programme for being mute on strengthening and overhauling the Police Investigation Department, which he said, is almost defunct.

Likewise, Gopalman Shrestha from the ruling party stressed that the government and the oppositions should hammer out a wider reconciliation to honestly and effectively implement the government’ policy document.

He also emphasised the timely amendments in the certain articles of the Constitution.

Shrestha asked whether the MPs should raise the issue of republic from the Parliament’s rostrum and demanded to instal the statue of His Majesty late King Birendra Bir Birkram Shah Dev in the Parliament building to commemorate His late Majesty’s contribution in the establishment and consolidation of the multi-party democracy.

Krishnacharan Shrestha of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party said that the government’s document was of conventional style and lacked the commitment for the development of agriculture sector, which he said is in a pitiable condition.

Similarly, Hari Acharya of Rastriya Janmorcha accused the government that it has failed to take the oppositions into confidence.

He said that possibility of solving the Maoists problem through political dialogue had come very near but the government missed the opportunity.

Acharya argued that the MPs should have rights to raise the affairs of the Royal Palace and the republic in the House meeting.

Likewise, UML MP Rajendra Pandey called the government’s policy and programme as ‘directionless’ and ‘hopeless’.

He said that the government’s Integrated Development and Security Package Programme lacked clarity and was against the spirit of decentralisation.

Pandey added that there was need to review the Act on Succession to the Throne and the House should be vested the right to debate on the security affairs of the Palace.

However, the Nepali Congress MP Lekhnath Neupane hailed the government’s programme and termed it ‘brief, sweet and the best one.’

Neupane said that it has committed to open Nepal's residential embassy in Denmark and stressed on the use of the domestic products and be self-reliant.

The NC stalwart said that this ongoing session should fill the void and clear up the bitterness left by the earlier 19th session.

The UML MP Bidhyadevi Bhandari voiced that the House should be allowed to discuss the issue of Succession to the Throne.

She also said the Tribhuvan Sadan of the Narayanhiti Royal Palace be opened to the public.

Bhandari demanded to form a powerful National Women Commission and pass the Bill pertaining to the women’s rights to parental property from this session.

RSS adds: Netra Lal Shrestha of RPP alleged that the present government which has come into power with the commitments of maintaining law and order in the country and stamping out corruption failed in its mission and this has, in turn, caused hardship to the general people.

The 14-point agenda proposed by the Prime Minister matched with the concept of a broad national consensus put forth by RPP, he added.

Ananda Prasad Dhungana of Nepali Congress criticised that the opposition has come down on the government's policy document without going thropughly through the policy document and called for concerted efforts from all the parties to face the challenges besetting the country today.

Referring to the national consensus agenda presented by the Prime Minister as highly useful in the present situation, he said the ruling and treasury benches should be serious over the agenda.

Om Prasad Ojha of CPN-UML said the government policy document lacked any vision to root out corruption that is pervading the nation, that the government was not serious at bringing about an amicable solution to the Maiosts problem and that the policy documents lacked resolutions to make education compulsory and affordable for all.

NC issues whip

Kathmandu, July 6 (RSS):  Nepali Congress parliamentary party chief whip Binaya Dhoj Chand has, in accordance with article 13 (5) of the NC Parliamentary Party constitution, issued a whip requiring all NC Parliamentary Party members to be compulsorily present during the July 8 voting on the government policy and programmes presented before parliament through the Royal address, to vote in favour of the motion of thanks and not remain neutral.

Tripathi quits as Vice president of NSP

Kathmandu, July 6 (RSS): Rhidayesh Tripathi has resigned as vice-president of the Nepal Sadbhavana Party.

In a press release issued here today, MP Tripathi said the reconstitution of the party working committee by the national president of the party yesterday came as a shock to him. He has expressed his disagreement with the way the party president removed him from the post of general secretary and appointed him vice president without any consultation and prior information.

However, he has pledged his full cooperation in party activities in the future.

TU result

Kathmandu, July 6 (RSS): Tribhuvan University Institute of Engineering has published the results of the B.E. civil, electrical, electronics, computer, mechanical, agriculture, engineering and architecture first year first part regular and make up examinations held in Chait, 2057 BS.

HM grants audience to US ambassador

Kathmandu, July 6 (RSS): His Majesty the King granted audience to American Ambassador to Nepal Ralph Frank at the Royal Palace today.

Upper House ends policy discussion

Kathmandu, July 6 (RSS): The National Assembly has concluded its deliberations on the policy and programmes of His Majesty's Government as enunciated in the Royal address to the joint sitting of both the houses of Parliament.

Prior to this, Ashok Koirala of the Nepali Congress said that there was no justification in the demand for the resignation of the Prime Minister over the Royal Palace incident and that the public security act had been introduced at a time when some elements were moving to undermine the constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy.

Mohan Bahadur Bam of the CPN-UML said the government of the majority should make a commitment not to repeat the mistake committed by others, as a summary of the policy and programmes last year had not been presented much of the wording had been repeated, the slogan "use domestic products and become self-reliant" was not proper at a time when industries were closing and production was on the decline, and the government should introduce policy and programmes in such a way that the Maoists would not flourish.

Srimaya Thakali, also of the CPN-UML, said the policy and programmes have no commitment to resolving the problems faced by the Nepalese people, the 14-point proposal on national consensus made by the prime minister has not been covered, the poverty alleviation fund contains points that mislead the people, the remote areas programme is not proportionate and no mentioned has been made about women’s development.

Ramprit Paswan, also of the CPN-UML, said that the life of the oppressed class comprising one-fourth of the population of the country is pitiable, child labour among the oppressed classes has been exploited, and no programme has been presented for the development of the down-trodden and oppressed at a time when women from this class have been subjected to rape.

MP Dr. Rup Jyoti said that the target and implementation aspects are very important in policy and programmes, discussions should be held between the government and the opposition on points of disagreement setting aside points of agreement, and the opposition should extend cooperation to the government of the majority.

Chief whip of the Nepali Congress in the National Assembly Dil Bahadur Gharti said that the Prime Minister has extended all possible cooperation to the institution of monarchy during the time of crisis, the prestige of the Prime Minister has not been weakened, and the Nepali Congress which believes in the parliamentary system believes in the rule of law as well.

CPN-UML whip Surendra Prasad Pande said that the law and order situation in the country was grave, conditions are such that the Prime Minister cannot move freely in time of grief or joy, no one believes that the government will take action against the corrupt because the person pointed out for investigation by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) goes scot-free under the government's patronage.

Leader of the ruling party in the National Assembly Basudev Risal said that the problem of security in the country is alarming and the whole country panicked when there was an assault on the monarchy which is a part of our parliament, adding that the opposition should not shrink away from this kind of situation.

Stating that all should unite for the protection of democracy and national integrity, he called upon the opposition to withdraw the amendment resolution.

The National Assembly will meet again on July 8 at 4.30 p.m.

CJ says protect civil rights

Kathmandu, July 6 (RSS): Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya has said together with the maintenance of law and order, it is first the responsibility of the state to guarantee and protect the civic rights in keeping with the concept of a welfare state.

The Chief Justice made this remark while inaugurating a three-day programme of interaction on "criminal justice administration system and gender sensitivity" organised jointly by judicial service commission, His Majesty’s Government, the United Nations Development Programme and the mainstreaming of gender equality programme here today.

The need of the day is to strike a balance between the traditionally accepted norms of criminal justice system and the present complexities arising in the context of modern liberalism and globalisation trends, Chief Justice Upadhyaya stressed.

He underlined the need for massive reforms in the field of criminal justice system in order to bring about reforms in the substantive laws and procedural laws and establish their effectiveness, to fulfill a responsible role in investigation, filing of criminal cases and defence procedures and to assure the general people of the effectiveness of the criminal justice system adopted by the country.

On the one hand there is a need for eagerness on the part of all the concerned bodies to make the criminal justice administration system more reliable and trustworthy, while on the other hand there is a need for the concerned quarters to be equally serious and conscious in adopting gender sensitivity in every sphere of the criminal justice system, Chief Justice Upadhyaya said, adding that all the criminal cases against women should be seen in the light of the honour and prestige of women.

Noting that provision of gender-based justice while taking into account the actual status of women in society on the basis of the principle of equality has now become a global topic of discussion, the chief justice called on the police, state prosecutors, court employees and the judges who are responsible for protecting the women from domestic violence, women trafficking and sexual abuse and the like to be extra alert and fulfill their duty so that gender discrimination does not come in the way of giving justice to these victims of gender discrimination.

We have not been able to reform and improve upon so many of our laws according to the human rights concept, the chief justice said, adding that nor have we been able to give a complete shape to the concept of equal rights of men and women because of such dominant factors as our traditional socio-economic structure, educational system and literacy status, poverty and obsolete and superstitious beliefs.

Minister of State for Women, Children and Social Welfare Kamala Devi Panta said that the main challenge at present is how best to implement the provision of equal rights to women as guaranteed by the constitution both in the legal realm as well as in practical life.

Minister of State Panta uged all concerned to not to be of double-standard when it comes to the issue of protecting women’s rights but to be conscious towards protection of the rights of women at various stages of the criminal justice system such as investigations, filing of criminal charges, defense hearings and implementation of court decisions.

Preparations are being made to present a bill to amend the civil code (Muluki Ain) and the act against women trafficking and domestic violence in the current session of parliament, she said and expressed the hope that the interaction programme would be valuable in enhancing the effectiveness of the present criminal justice system.

From the chair, Supreme Court Judge Laxman Prasad Aryal reiterated that it is the duty of all to stop all forms of crimes against women and what was lacking in Nepal was not the appropriate laws to prevent these sorts of crimes but the will to implement these laws effectively.

Attorney-General Badri Bahadur Karki pointed out the need for the concerned authorities to be more sensitive and responsible in the way the women are treated in the process of legal investigations, interrogation, court pleading, hearings and detention of the accused.

Secretary at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Udaya Nepali Shrestha expressed the government’s commitment on matters of gender equality and women empowerment.

Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission Kashi Raj Dahal urged all the judicial bodies to think seriously to incorporate gender sensitivity in the criminal justice system.

Deputy resident representative of UNDP Alexandra Resot said the main challenge of the day was to provide gender-sensitive justice to women taking into account the their plight in the society by adopting the principle of equality.

Additional Inspector General of Police Govinda Prasad Thapa said Nepal Police is committed to make the gender equality mainstreaming programme a success.

He said separate police cells have been set up in all the 75 districts of the Kingdom to look into the problems of women and children and that establishment of the women and children cells in the districts would help control crimes against them.

National programme director of the programme for mainstreaming gender equality Ishwari Bhattarai stressed the need for promoting active participation of women in the national development mainstream.