Priti Shakya installed as new Kumari

BY RITU RAJ SUBEDI

Kathmandu, July 10: In an unexpected move, Priti Shakya, 3, of Itumbahal, Kathmandu has been installed today as the Kumari (the Living God) at Kumari Ghar. The installation rituals followed the worshipping at Mul Chok at 11:55 ritually auspicious time.

However, the patron of the Kumari of the Kumari Ghar wanted to keep the reason of the installation of the new Kumari secret.

"We don’t want to publish it for at least about four days," said Juju Man Shakya, the husband of Chitaidar (patron) of the Kumari.

The new Kumari replaces the old one when the latter becomes 12-year-old or biological change surfaces in her, according to the Hanumandhoka Smarak Samrashyan Ra Durbar Herchaha Karyalaya.

Normally, the new Kumari is installed on Nawami, the ninth day of the Dashain the great festival of Nepalese. The Kumari installed today will be re-installed on the Nawami amid religious rituals, according to the sources at the Kumari Ghar.

The tradition dictates that the Kumari comes only from the Shakya clan.

"I was overwhelmed with awe, wonder and grief," said Surendraman Shakya, father of the new Kumari, who is studying in nursery at Raktakali Higher Secondary School, Kshetrapati.

"We have felt happy and fortunate as our daughter has become the Kumari," added her mother Reena Shakya, who had to coax her to take the innocent child to the Kumari Ghar.

I will visit her tomorrow so that she could not feel isolated and lonely, Reena said.

The grand daughter of famous Pauwa artist late Siddhimuni Shakya, the new living god was born in Bhadra, 2055 B S at Itumbahal.

Interestingly, the father of the recently retired Kumari is too happy at the reunion of his daughter with family after her eight years as Kumari.

"I am happy now receiving my daughter as the retired living god," said Amrit Man Shakya, father of the recently retired Kumari, who born in Ashwin, 2045 B. S. at Swoyambhu and installed as the Kumari in the Nawami of Dashain in 2049 B. S.

"We respect and worship her as goddess, he added"

However, the retired Kumari would not go into her house unless she completes the ritual of unfolding her plait after four days of retirement. Likewise, she should not cross the river for four days, according to the tradition. She is now living at a relative’s house at Itumbahal.

According to Amrit Man Shakya, she would join at the seven grade in a school of Swoyambhu. He expressed his inability to say anything about her future life.

"She may marry on her own will," he said adding, "We have seen many cases where the retired Kumaris have tied their nuptial knots."

People have a strong belief here that a disaster results when one marries with the retired Kumari. However, there are so many retired Kumaris, happily married now.

"It is only a psychological impression," said famous historian Satya Mohan Joshi. He further added that there might have occurred some unfortunate events with them, but they are only a coincidence.

The tradition of installing an innocent girl as the living god at the Kumari Ghar is believed to have started since the time of Jaya Prakash Malla, the last ruler of the Malla dynasty in the Kathmandu Valley, according to Joshi.

The Malla King started the tradition in 888 Nepal Sambat, according to Joshi.

There was the tradition of worshipping the Kumari, as divine power, since the Vedic Era. But it was only from the time of Jayparkash Malla people started worshipping her as the living god and observing the Kumarijatra, the Kumari Festival.

Seeing many Kumaris facing hardships after retiring, the government has provided seven thousand rupees per moth as pension. Likewise, the Guthi Santhan provides them Rs10, 000 as wedding expenses in a lump sum.

Shrestha elected FNCCI president unanimously

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, July 10: First vice president Ravi Bhakta Shrestha has been elected unopposed as the President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) for the new term.

For the presidency of the apex body of the business community in the country, it was only Shrestha’s nomination filed as the deadline for submitting the nomination expired at 6 pm this evening.

Shrestha had also served as the second vice president earlier.

According to the FNCCI sources, a new executive body will be formed under Shrestha’s leadership. The executive committee will comprise 62 members of which 58 will be elected in the annual general meeting slated for July 17-18. The newly elected president reserves the right to nominate four persons in the executive committee.

Shrestha, the candidate of Narayangadh Chamber of Commerce and Industries, told The Rising Nepal after his unanimous election that his priority will be to forge ahead with unity among the business community people and work for resolving the problems facing the private sector business world.

According to the FNCCI sources, the election committee comprises Jeevan Kumar Piya (Chief Commissioner), Purna Bahadur Manandhar and Sapana Malla.

Budget aims at achieving broad based economic growth: Mahat

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, July 10: Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat today said the budget for the new fiscal year (2001/02) targeted improvement of development performance and stressed on political consensus to implement it effectively.

"The new budget aims at achieving a broad based economic growth and take its fruits down to the poor people," Dr. Mahat told two separate post-budget press meets organised by the Reporters’ Club and the Society of Economic Journalists of Nepal (SEJON) here today.

"The goals of the budget will not be realised until and unless we develop an all-party consensus and maintain political stability in the country."

Dr. Mahat said the budget aimed at creating an investment-friendly environment, checking fiscal indiscipline, enhancing good governance, decentralisation and consolidating tax administration.

"The industrial sector has faced a serious setback due to growing social indiscipline and anarchy. In this situation, it is indispensable to revive an investment-friendly atmosphere."

Post-budget press meets

Dr. Mahat said the high level Sick Industry Revival Committee was a step towards this. "Besides, the government has adopted the policy to use the domestic products in the government and semi-government agencies."

Dr. Mahat said industrial development alone could not alleviate poverty. "So the budget has an incentive package to develop the production of cash crops." And the expenses on rural roads, rural electrification and irrigation have been increased, he added.

"The budget also stresses on programmes for commercialising agriculture and diversifying agro-products," he said adding that target programmes will be launched for increasing the purchasing capacity of the rural population.

Dr. Mahat said the government had taken a bold decision to implement the recommendations of Public Expenditure Review Committee. "Accordingly, the government has dissolved some government agencies, merged some others and restructured still others. This will cut a lot of expenses on part of the government."

"The government has also reduced its future financial liability by reforming the pension system," he added.

Dr. Mahat said another focus of the new budget was good governance and decentralisation. "To ensure proper implementation of the projects, the budget has made it mandatory to complete tender awarding by the first four months of the fiscal year, start implementation in the beginning of the fifth and would freeze the budget allocated for the projects failing to begin even by the end of eleventh month."

Acknowledging the existence of cartelling on the part of parties participating in the tenders, Dr. Mahat said the government would take necessary measures to make the tender awarding process more effective.

"To consolidate tax administration is the meet objective of the new budget," Dr. Mahat said. He said Value Added Tax would be developed as the key machinery for revenue mobilisation adding that steps would be taken to consolidate financial administration and revenue mobilisation. "Measures will be taken for the forceful implementation of VAT."

Saying that for the export promotion, the government will launch the Export Year-2003, he informed that detailed programmes are yet to be chalked out.

"One should not be over ambitious as one single budget cannot address all the problems facing the country. The budget has, however, addressed them on a priority basis," Finance Minister Mahat concluded.

Speaking at the SEJON press meet, UML Standing Committee Member and former Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari appreciated the announcement to set up Sick Industry Revival Committee but added that it was incomplete. He also welcomed interest rate cut on cash crop agriculture loans but maintained that the budget lacked a strong programme to commercialise agriculture as stated. "Neither does the budget contain a concrete programme to alleviate poverty," said Adhikari. He said that the budget was silent about landreform adding rise in export duty on items like ghee could discourage the nascent industry.

Economist Dr. Raghav Dhoj Pant said the budget underestimated general expenditure and overestimated revenue adding the deficit could go up to 13 billion rupees from estimated nine billion mark.

He said the budget showed incoherence between the government’s liberal economic policy and its slogan of consuming domestic products. "How can globalisation and self-sufficiency go together?"

He said that bringing all the targeted poverty alleviation programmes under one umbrella was a difficult task and stressed on the need to set up a strong agency to manage it.

Dr. Minendra Rijal said that the budget was not free from ‘ambition’. Rijal agreed with Adhikari that the budget had failed to take a bold move to fight poverty. But he welcomed the budget’s emphasis on social sector. "Yet the government has to shift its priorities."

National Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Prithvi Raj Ligal disagreed with Rijal that the budget was ambitious but admitted that the revenue target was a challenge.

President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) Pradeep Kumar Shrestha and Nepal Chamber of Commerce President Rajesh Kaji Shrestha shared the view that the budget had adopted a favourable stance towards industry, tourism and information technology. They, however, maintained that the step to widen to widen the tax net would put more pressure on them.

GC team leaves for Lhasa

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, July 10: A four-member delegation led by Dr. Parashar Koirala, Chairman of the Gorkhapatra Corporation, left for Lhasa today.

The delegation is scheduled to meet with the head of the Bureau of Press and Publication of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of the People’s Republic of China and other Chinese officials during the one-week visit starting today.

The study and observation team of the corporation includes Officiating General Manager Benu Prasad Prasai, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Gorkhapatra Daily Uddav Upadhayaya and Executive Editor of The Rising Nepal Mukti Ram Rijal.

The team will return to Kathmandu on July 17, 2001.

HDR-2001 released Nepal ranked at 129th position

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, July 10: Nepal has leaped to the 129th position from the earlier 144th out of 162 countries in the Human Development Index (HDI)-2001, according to Human Development Report-2001 which was made public worldwide today.

At the formal launching of the Human Development Report (HDR)-2001, United Nations' Development Programme’s (UNDP) resident mission in Nepal disclosed that over the last 25 years Nepal has been steadily progressing in human development and that the indicators were gradually recovering.

Explaining the improving indicators the report says that a child born here in the late 90s can expect to live 14 years longer than could a child born in the early 70s. Similarly, the infant mortality rate decreased from 165 in 1970 to 75 in 1999.

Likewise, the under-five mortality rate has decreased from 250 in 1970 to 104 in 1999. From the statistics it can be fairly said that Nepal's HDI has been steadily increasing and the gap with the neighboring countries has been reducing.

The report has, meanwhile, discovered Nepal as home to 10 million people living in absolute poverty. In terms of Human Poverty Index (HPI) Nepal ranks 77th out of 90 developing countries.

The report has found more than half of the adult population as illiterate. Likewise, it has painted a bleak picture when it comes to female education in the country. It says that out of 146 nations there are only three countries that have lower literacy rates than Nepal's. Female literacy rate in Nepal is as low as 22.8 per cent.

Healthwise, the report again discloses Nepal's poor health condition. According to the report, Nepal is one of the few countries in the world where female life expectancy is lower than that of males.

Technologically also, Nepal's ranking is not that remarkable. It is ranked 69th out of 72 countries in the technology achievement index. The report has also found that the problem of 'brain drain' cost millions for the developing countries like Nepal.

The Himalayan Kingdom has fallen under the category of 'countries with low human development' like Pakistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh of the South Asia. However, three South Asian countries -- Maldives Sri Lanka, and India -- have found themselves in the category of 'medium human development'. Maldives and Sri Lanka are placed on 77th and 81st positions while India has occupied the 115th position in the HRI-2001.

Meanwhile, replacing Canada from the top position Norway has topped this year's human development index.

This year's HRD has focused on the theme of "making new technologies work for human development". With the newer theme this time the UNDP expects to create and use technology -- information and biotechnology in particular -- to improve human lives, especially to reduce global poverty.

After releasing the HDR-2001 amidst a special function here today Minister for Science and Technology Surendra Prasad Chaudhary lauded the role of UNDP in publishing such reports annually since 1990.

"The report would provide an impetus to harnessing potential for using modern science and technology for its applications in agriculture, energy, health, education and universal access to information, among others," Minister Chaudhary added.

He also said that the creation and use of technology could help narrow the gap between the developed and developing countries since technology can immensely contribute to developing countries' development activities.

As to what lessons Nepal would learn from such international level reports Minister Chaudhary told The Rising Nepal that such reports would be of a great help for policy makers, planners, politicians and students as well for identifying potentials and formulating them.

Similarly, vice chairman of National Planning Commission Prithvi Raj Ligal said that this year's theme of the report has helped the Nepalese realise new field of knowledge and its application for the overall development of the country.

Similarly, Alessandra Tisot, Resident Representative a.i. at the UNDP said that technology had been a tool for development and the reason behind choosing it was entirely for the speedy advancement of human development in the world.

Talking about the contribution of scientific revolution for human life she said that the technologies should be used properly for reducing poverty from the world.

She also said, "we can benefit a lot from technologies since there are enormous potential benefits, costs of inertia versus costs of change can be considerable and the potential harm can be managed.

With a view to assess the state of human development across the globe and provide a critical analysis of a specific theme each year, the UNDP has been preparing and making public the Human Development Reports since 1990.

Findings of the HDR-2001

* New technologies could be key to reducing world poverty.

* GMOs (genetically-modified foods, crops and other organisms) could be breakthrough technology for developing countries.

* Norway is now first, USA sixth in human development.

* Most countries not on track to meet UN's 2015 goals.

* Brain drain costs developing countries billions.

* HDR calls for support to help developing countries bridge tech divide.

* Some developing countries become hi-tech leaders while others fall far behind.

Don't neglect national languages: Pradhan

Kathmandu, July 10 (RSS): Inaugurating the eighth national language poetry symposium - 2058 ex-minister and historian Bhuwan Lal Pradhan has said that the government should not neglect the national languages of Nepal.

Altogether 66 poets of 23 languages had participated in the symposium organised by the Royal Nepal Academy Sunday under the auspices of the Limbu Bhasa Literary and Cultural Upliftment Society and the Literary Journalists association.

Speaking on the occasion were vice chairman of the National Nationalities Development Committee Mahesh Kumar Karmacha, executive director Ananda Santoshi Rai, ex-executive director Chaitanya Subba, senior administrator Tamla Ukyab, General Secretary of the Nepal Janajati Mahasangh Bal Krishna Mabuhang, general secretary of the Sherpa Service Centre Kripasur Sherpa, chairman of the Kirat Yakthum Chumlung Manju Kumar Yakthum and general secretary of the Literary Journalist Association Radheshyam Lekali.

At the progamme presided over jointly by chairman of the Limbu Bhasa Sahitya Tatha Sanskriti Utthan Samaj Bairagi Kainala, acting chairman of the Literary Journalist Association Narendra Bahadur Shrestha, poetry were recited in Nepal, Limbu, Rai, Tharu, Maithaili, Thakali, Bhojpuri, Doteli, Dhami, Tamang, Dhimal, Magar, Sherpa, Sanyal, Yakkha and Sunuwar languages.

The symposium was conducted by Binita Chaudhari, Ramita Lama and Dhirendra Premarshi.

Those reciting poems were Ananda Santoshi Rai, R.D. Prabhash Chataut, Rasa Joshi, Manoram Sunuwar, Shanti Chaudhari, Padmawati Singh, Bam Kumari Budhamagar, Ganesh Rai, Nita Tulachan, Angkaji Sherpa, Mohan Dhimal, Devi Bahadur Tamang, Mina Karna, Byakul Mainla, Narendra Raj Rajopadhyay, Raj Bhai Jarumi, Yeha Lawati, Dhyan Bahadur Moktan, Dhirendra Premarshi, Gopal Thakur, Binita Chaudhari, Bhim Yaseli, Yonghang Sanyog Lafamagar and Shyam Rai.

Professor's murder condemned

Tribhuvannagar July 10 (RSS): Narayan Sharmopadhyaya "Salyani", a professor at Mahendra Multiple Campus, Bharatpur, Dang was found beheaded at ward No-1 of Tribhuvannagar Municipality this morning.

According to villagers some persons had abducted him last night at about 11:00 pm from his house at Panura in ward No-2 of the municipality.

Forty-year-old Sarmopadhyaya is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress has in a press statement today strongly denounced the kidnapping of Narayan "Salyani", reader at Mahendra Campus and member of Nepal Writers' Association, Dang from his residence at ward No-2 of Tribhuvan Municipality and his subsequent heinous and brutal slaying by terrorists calling themselves Maoists.

Extending tributes to the late "Salyani", the party has in the statement also conveyed heartfelt condolences to members of the bereaved family.

Nepali Congress Central Working Committee member and MP Baldev Sharma Majagaiyan has in a statement today strongly condemned the inhumane murder of professor and writer Salyani, prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Youth woman entrepreneur award to Limbu

Kathmandu, July 10 (RSS): The National Youth Services Trust has selected Miss Raj Kumari Limbu of Dhankuta District Mounabudhuk VDC ward No. 2 for the Youth Woman Entrepreneur Award this year. The award carries a purse of Rs 25,000 and a gold medal.

Miss Rai has been nominating for the award for her outstanding contribution in weaving Dhaka cloth, making various items out of it and also imparting skill to local women thereby making them self-employed and self-reliant.

The decision to select her for the award was taken at a meeting here today presided over by entrepreneur women selection committee convenor Pradip Man Baidya.

HM grants audience

Kathmandu, July 10 (RSS): His Majesty the King granted audience separately to President of the CPN-ML Sahana Pradhan and President of Nepal Sadbhavana Party Gajendra Narayan Singh at Nirmal Nibas, Maharajgunj today.

Private sector's role vital in education: Joshi

Kathmandu, July 10 (RSS): Minister for Information and Communications Shiv Raj Joshi says that private sector's role is indispensable in upgrading the quality of education in the country.

Speaking at the first anniversary of the Brookfield Higher Secondary School here today, Minister Joshi said in view of failure to gain desirable achievements by the public schools despite the huge investment made in this sector, the private schools should assume their duty with an utmost sense of service.

The private schools have come under the attack of the persons perpetrating murderous activities, he said and gave assurance that the government is cautious in maintaining peace and security at such schools.

On the occasion, Minister Joshi also gave away medals and certificates to the students winning in various extra-curricular activities.

Member secretary at the higher secondary School Development Council Sriram Lamichhane noted that with a rise in the number of private schools within the country, employment opportunities have increased and the tendency to go abroad for education has declined, thereby saving the national resources from draining out of the country.

Principal of the school Gopal Krishna Shrestha presided over the function.

Natural waters waiting to be harnessed: Koirala

Kathmandu, July 10 (RSS): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala inaugurated a symposium here today on "Coldwater fishes in the trans-Himalayan region" organised jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia (NACA) in co-sponsorship with Nepal Fisheries Society (NEFIS), the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

In his inaugural speech, Prime Minister Koirala said Nepal, a landlocked country, is endowed with enormous natural water resources from the Himalayas in the form of rivers, lakes and reservoirs, which need to be harnessed optimally to accelerate the country's economic growth in a sustained and equitable manner.

He emphasized the responsibility of all concerned governments of this trans-Himalayan region to exchange information on various issues related to indigenous fish species in the rivers, lakes and reservoirs so as to help the countries in this region monitor and speed up the progress in this field.

He also expressed confidence that the symposium would make an important contribution towards this end.

Fisheries meet

Conferences like this would allow the professionals in the field to exchange, debate and share their research and knowledge thereby facilitating policy formulation and implementation.

Prime Minister Koirala also provided honorary membership of NEFIS to Rohit Bahadur Thapa and felicitated him by wrapping a shawl around him in recognition of his outstanding contribution to fisheries development.

Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives and Foreign Affairs Chakra Prasad Bastola said although the country's lakes, reservoirs and low-lying wetlands provide added opportunities for fish culture, we have unfortunately not been able to take advantage of this wealth because of various constraints.

Stating that out of the country's about one million hectares of available aquatic surface area suitable for fisheries and aquaculture development less than one percent is being utilized to date, he said similar conditions exist in other countries in the region.

Despite its abundant natural as well as human resources, the trans-Himalayan region has not benefitted from these due to a lack of capital, technology and know-how, he observed.

Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Ratneshwor Lal Shrestha spoke of the need to promote coldwater fisheries so as to improve the people's living conditions, promote tourism and bring about environmental balance.

Programme director of the Fisheries Development Directorate Dr. Deep Bahadur Swar said that the symposium was organized with the objective of identifying the collective action needed to further promote understanding and build confidence among the countries in the region in the development of this vital sector.

FAO representative Winsten R. Ruder, NACA coordinator Pedro Bueno and NAARC executive director Dhruba Joshi also spoke of the need to promote coldwater fisheries for socio-economic development in the region.

Countries in the trans-Himalayan region are densely populated, comprising about one fifth of the world's population. In this region, rivers of Himalayan origin are inhabitated and utilized as breeding and nursing grounds by several economically important indigenous fish species such as snow trout, Katle, Mahasheer, Jalkapoor and Himalayan trout.

Exotic species like brown trout and rainbow trout have been stocked in several rivers within the Himalayan range and are now common in these areas. Unfortunately these fishes are threatened due to environmental degradation and human activity.

The symposium will serve as a forum for developing a future plan of action on the sustainable use of indigenous species while conserving these unique indigenous resources as an important part of the region's aquatic biodiversity.

The four-day symposium has brought together about 75 fishery experts, planners and technical office bearers from Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Iran, Myanmar, Pakistan and Thailand.

Two die as bus hits mobike

Biratnagar, July 10 (RSS): Two persons travelling on a motorcycle with registration No. Ba 5 Ba 1649 were killed when a bus with plate No. Ba. 1 Kha. 368 hit the motorcycle near the Bajrang Petrol Pump, west of Lahan municipality, in Siraha district Monday afternoon.

Salik Ram Pokharel of Govindapur, Siraha, died on the spot while 45-year-old Nir Bahadur Koirala of Govindapur died while undergoing treatment at the Lahan Hospital.

Another injured person Jeevan Mahato was rushed to the B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan.

Meanwhile, Kiran Rajbanshi, who sustained serious bullet injuries in the back of his head when some Maoist terrorists opened fire at a joint patrol of police and local people at ward No. 6 of Govindapur VDC in Morang district Monday night, has been rushed to Siligudi, India for treatment, it is learnt from the ilaka police office, Rangeli. Rajbanshi was not a member of the joint patrolling team.

The terrorists numbering about 30 fled from there following a exchange of fire between them and the police for sometime.

In another incident, policeman Krishna Bahadur Bhandari of the temporary police post, Biratchowk, sustained injuries and a deep cut in his index finger in a blast that occurred while he was trying to remove a banner tied to two bamboo poles at a traffic island on the Mahendra highway between ward No 3 and 8 of Indrapur VDC in Morang district, according to the east regional police newsroom.

Bhandari is undergoing treatment at the B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. Police also found some explosive substances wrapped in black cello tape at the site.

Meet discusses security in Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur, July 10 (RSS): The district police office, Bhaktapur, organised a discussion programme on "peace and security in the present context" here on Monday.

At the programme, president of Nepal Workers and Peasants’ Party (NWPP) Narayan Man Bijukchhe M.P., stressed on the cultural and political development of the Kathmandu valley and suggested relocation of polluting industries and factories out of the valley.

MP Lekhnath Neupane expressed the view that the Maoist problem was growing into a formidable problem for the country and that the police and the public should cooperate for maintenance of law and order in the society.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Om Bikram Rana disclosed that the entire Kathmandu valley has been divided into 91 zones for the purpose of maintaining peace and security in the valley.

Bhaktapur DDC chairman Govinda Duwal, vice-chairman Ramesh Shrestha, mayor Prem Suwal, mayor of Madhyapur-Thimi Municipality Madan Krishna Shrestha, deputy mayor Murari Acharya and senior superintendent of police Basanta Raj Kunwar spoke on the law and order situation in Bhaktapur.

Reforms in education sector must: Upadhyaya

Kathmandu, July 10 (RSS): An interaction programme on the plan of action prepared by a study team constituted by the University Grants Commission to study the policies, concepts and procedures adopted by the universities in granting affiliation to campuses and submit its report to the commission with necessary suggestions for its reforms was held here today.

Inaugurating the interaction, Minister for Education and Sports Amod Prasad Upadhyaya said that there is a need for far-reaching reforms in the education sector at present.

While there was need for increasing the literacy rate in the past, the need at present is to enhance the quality of education, he added.

As education is the concern of the entire nation, it should not be viewed as the tool in the hands of any one political party, he said and expressed the government’s commitment to bring about timely reforms in the education sector as per the country’s needs.

Stating that the rampant number of unnecessary affiliations granted by universities without taking into account various parameters has led to the deterioration in the overall quality of education, Minister Upadhyaya expressed the view that higher education would be promoted and quality of education improved upon if the affiliated colleges were given continuity for enhancement of educational standards through regular follow-up and supervision.

The universities can grant affiliation in view of their financial constraints, member of the National Planning Commission Dr. Nirmal Prasad Pandey said and underlined the need for massive reforms in the policy governing the granting of affiliation.

Chairman of the University Grants Commission Prof. Dr. Devendra Raj Mishra spoke of the need for appropriate policies and procedures at the affiliated campuses since one out of every three students would be enrolled at the affiliated campuses once the concept of multi-university is introduced in higher education.

Convenor of the study team Prof. Dr. Surya Lal Amatya presented a working paper on the occasion.

In his working paper, Dr. Amatya has stated that affiliated campuses came into operation since 2037 BS since the campuses under Tribhuvan University could not cope with the increasing number of students. Prior to 2037, all the campuses were kept under the umbrella of the Tribhuvan University as per the New Education System.

At present there are 78 constituent campuses and 240 affiliated campuses under the five universities operating in the country, the working paper states.

While making a positive note about the improvement of educational environment and production of skilled manpower due to the incorporation of technical and vocational subjects in the curriculum of some affiliated campuses over the last few years, the working paper also equally paints a negative picture in the education sector such as the problem of lack of coordination and the setback caused by the random affiliations granted by the universities to campuses lacking expertise.

The working paper has pointed out the need for coordination and cooperation and formulating concrete policies for resolving the problems concerning the sector.

Some 60 educationists from various universities took part in the interaction.

NA panel discusses business

Kathmandu, July 10 (RSS): A meeting today of the National Assembly Business Advisory Committee discussed the forthcoming programmes of Parliament.

Committee chairman and chairman of the National Assembly Dr. Mohammad Mohasin presided.

Press Council reviews work

Kathmandu, July 10 (RSS): The meeting today of the Press Council Nepal made a progress evaluation of the past three months and decided to award the press council literary award for FY 1999/2000 to Iswar Ballav from among literary columnists and to Gyanuwakar Poudel from among literary newspaper managers.

The prizes carry a purse of Rs. 10,000 each.

The meeting also decided to formulate a policy under which the code of conduct monitoring unit at the council's secretariat will keep records on violations of the code by communications media even if no complaints are lodged, draw the attention of the media concerned and make its report public.

Chairman of the council Harihar Birahi presided.

Chinese envoy calls on Bastola

Kathmandu, July 10 (RSS): Ambassador of China to Nepal Zeng Xuyong paid a farewell call on Minister for Foreign Affairs Chakra Prasad Bastola at the latter's office today.

Matters of bilateral relations and mutual interest were discussed on the occasion.

Maoists attack police posts

Kathmandu, July 10 (RSS): Police constable Bir Bahadur Magar (Khotang) was killed last night in an exchange of fire between armed terrorists at ilaka police office Dhobidanda in Ramechhap district.

Some 500 armed terrorists attacked the police office at about 11:00 pm injuring six other policemen. Two of the injured are said to be in critical condition.

The injured were airlifted to the capital today and are undergoing treatment at Birendra Police Hospital, T.U. Teaching Hospital and Birendra Military Hospital.

Meanwhile, quoting Ramechap district police office, RSS Janakpur-based reporter Pravaschandra Jha reports that three to four Maoists are also suspected to have been killed or seriously injured in the incident.

Following the incident, the Maoists abducted ten policemen including police sub-inspector Dwarika Prasad Raut and made off with 43 weapons and cash.

Forty-three policemen were based at the ilaka police office located some 24 miles northeast of the district headquarters, Manthali.

In Rasuwa, underground Maoist insurgents burnt down a police post and the VDC office building at Dandagaon VDC, some 22 miles west of the Rasuwa district headquarters of Dhunche last night.

According to the district police office, Rasuwa, there were no casualties as all 24 policemen assigned to the post were out on patrol at the time of the attack.

In Siraha district, Sikron VDC chairman Bideshwor Shaha was shot dead today by an unidentified group of some four to five persons at ward No-2 of Malhaniya VDC, according to a report from Biratnagar.

Likewise, Kashi Halwai and his wife were attacked with Khukhuris by some unidentified persons when they were in bed this afternoon. Halwai runs a shop at Duhabi Chowk in Duhabi VDC of Sunsari district.

The injured couple are undergoing treatment at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan.

Meanwhile, a Toyota vehicle with plate no. Ko. 1 A. 46 owned by Nepal Telecommunications Corporation was set on fire by a group of 12 to 15 unidentified persons at the Biratnagar-Dharan main highway this afternoon.

Telephone poles were being downloaded from the vehicle when it was set ablaze by pouring petrol, it is learnt.

According to police, the fire was put out with the help of the fire brigade the vehicle has been damaged completely.

KMTNC condemns senseless acts of violence

Kathmandu, July 10 (RSS): The King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC) has condemned the recent unprovoked attacks by a group of armed youths calling themselves Maoists on the Annapurna Conservation Area of KMTNC, which is internationally acclaimed as a good model for protected area management.

In a press release issued here today, the KMTNC has said that the group not only destroyed records of property at its field office at Ghalekharka on July 4 but also caused severe damage to the trust's Annapurna project office in Pokhara on July 6 by exploding a pressure cooker bomb within the office premises.

"We strongly condemn such senseless acts of violence and hope that environmental institutions like ours working for the people would not be subjected to unnecessary harassment in the days to come," the press release said.

Privileges panel meets

Kathmandu, July 10 (RSS): The privileges committee met today in course of initiating prompt action in response to an application filed by Narayanman Bijukche and Lilamani Pokharel stating that parliamentary privilege has been violated.

The meeting chaired by the committee's chairman Ananda Prasad Dhungana decided to invite the two applicants to the committee's meeting hall tomorrow for necessary inquiries in course of preliminary investigations into the applications.

NMA hails govt decision

Kathmandu, July 10 (RSS): Nepal Mountaineering Association has heartily welcomed the decision of HMG to provide an allowance of Rs 10,000 per month for five years from Fiscal Year 2001-02 to the widow of world renowned mountaineer late Babu Chhiri Sherpa who scaled Mt Everest ten time and enhanced the pride of Nepal and the Nepalese.

The association has also welcomed the decision to honour young mountaineer Temba Chhiri Sherpa for setting a world record of being the youngest climber to scale the highest summit.

This kind of honour will enthuse persons engaged in mountaineering and provide further encouragement to tour operators involved in adventure tourism, the association has stated.

140 km distance covered by driving in reverse gear

Charikot, July 10 (RSS): Two bus drivers Sampurna Shrestha and Jhalak Bahadur Thapa have covered a 140 km-distance by driving a bus and a jeep in reverse gear.

With the objective of averting a tragedy that, according to popular belief, befalls the Royal Family and the nation when Lord Bhimeshwor perspires, and paying tributes to the Royals killed in the recent Royal Palace incident, the two drivers started the adventurous drive at 11:00 a.m. yesterday from Pashupatinath, Kathmandu and reached Bhimeshwor temple premises at 1:45 p.m. today.

Upon reaching Bhimeshwor temple the holy water the drivers took from Pashupatinath temple after necessary religious rituals by 13 Brahmins was offered to Lord Bhimeshwor.

The drive programme was organised by Nepal Free Transport Workers Association, Arniko Bus Service Unit and an NGO called Munams.

The two drivers believe that they have set a world record by driving such a long distance in reverse gear and that Bhimeshwor will never perspire hereafter and no tragedy will befall the nation.

The driving programmes involved a cost of Rs. 50,000.

Elders in Dolkha believe that if the stone idol of Lord Bhimeshwor perspired on its left side, the people will face some unexpected mishap, while perspiration on the right side of the idol points to possible tragedy in the Royal Family.

Perspiration on the right side of the idol was noticed before the June 1 Royal Palace tragedy, according to eyewitnesses.

Biratnagar yet to see journalism thrive

Biratnagar, July 10 (RSS): Despite its status as the second biggest city in the country, Biratnagar is lagging behind in journalism although it has large population and proper physical facilities in the eastern region.

As the monitoring by the regional media resource centre Biratnagar has revealed until July 1997 that Biratnagar is a place where advance journalism training is held less frequently than Terathum and Dhankuta.

Out of the 200 journalists in Morang district, there are only 125 trained journalists in Biratnagar.

Of those 25 per cent have not been engaged in journalism and only 40 per cent have increased their skills and efficiency, media resource centre coordinator Toya Gautam said.

He says though remarkable contribution has not been made by the training in development of local journalism, it has created an environment congenial for taking printing of newspapers to advanced technology, encouraging journalists towards investigative reporting and further study for skill development in journalism.

Training has given a new turn and inspiration in my life, reporter of Nepal Samacharpatra Shambhu Bhandari says and trainee journalist Mrs Madhu Rai is of the same view.

Of the 129 newpapers registered in Morang district as of June 24, only the weeklies Morang, Puspanjali, Parbat, Janaawaj, Digdarshan, Drishtanta, Shanti Nepal, Dharani, Sri Chanakya (now closed), Namaskar, Anushandhan, National Post, Mithila Times, Jyotish Bhabisyabani, Purbanchal Mahanagar, the fortnightly Muchulka and dailies Naya Pratibimba, Kosheli, Sandesh, Chirfar (now closed) have been published.

Recently, the ‘Tinjure’ weekly and and ‘Rastriya Panchakanya’ fortnightly have been registered in the name of Tulasi Prasad Subedi as publisher and the ownership of Dibya Drishti weekly has been transferred to Ganesh Bahadur Khadka from Indra Prasad Subedi, the district administration office Morang said.

President of the Nepal Sampadak Sangh Tejendra Bahadur Bhandari said the local newspapers should be imposed VAT and compelled to renew for regularising them and added that some journalists have dampened their image because of cheating.

Of those 113 applying for membership at the Federation of Nepalese Journalist (FNJ) Morang, 50 per cent have not been involved in journalism. The Editors and Publishers Association Morang has 11 members under the chairmanship of Shiva Bahadur Karki.

Naya Sadak reporter Tanka Khanal said the reasons for the low involvement of trained journalists is because it is difficult to bring out newspapers by self -investment, and as no remuneration is given in the local newspapers they receive a little remuneration in the newspapers published from Kathmandu.

Editor of Janaawaj Keshav Bahadur Karki said the slow progress of local newspapers is non institutionalisation, weak management and distribution and unability to give remuneration.

Similarly, no cooperation from businessmen, industrialists, police and administration, neglecting professionalism by the novice journalists and sustaining loss are other ressons, Karki said.

The local newspapers of Biratnagar have been in dire strait after the publication of Biratnagar edition of ‘Nepal Samacharpatra’ since Baisakh and Kantipur since Jeth 20.

Similarly, great difficulties have been faced by these newspapers as the RSS bulletin of eastern edition has been closed down and there is a dearth of source of news. However, the local newspapers in eastern Terai except for Biratnagar have been flourishing very well.

Strengthening of courts stressed

Kathmandu, July 10 (RSS): The Court Consolidation Committee submitted its report to His Majesty’s Government today.

The report is concerned with the strengthening of the courts especially the enhancement of the capacity of the court manpower, building the physical infrastructure of the courts and simplification of procedural laws.

The report has been divided into seven parts each dealing with the challenges of the judiciary in the context of globalisation, accessible and prompt judicial procedures, simplification of laws, development of the capacity of the court manpower, development of the physical infrastructure of the courts, the pressure due to the existing cases at the court, the condition of the manpower, the status of the budget and the true state of physical conditions, financial discipline and austerity measures and miscellaneous.

The report has recommended that in order to reduce the present work load at the Supreme Court and to establish the Supreme Court as a court which decides only on important constitutional and legal questions, a provision should be made in which minor cases would be decided at the level of appellate courts, that cases should be disposed of in time, that the number of court staff and postings at a particular court should be determined by the number of cases at the court, that there should be a complete change in the structure and number of appellate courts, and that regular training should be provided to the court staff.

Similarly, the report has also suggested a separate act on the terms and condition of the court employees, fulfill the land and building requirement of all the courts within a time frame of certain years in a planned way, computerisation of all the court functions and activities and reforms in several aspects of the present procedural laws in order to expedite the decision process of the court and disposal of the pending cases.

Likewise, the report has suggested for allocating adequate budget for the courts and the austerity measures to be adopted in utilisation of the budget set aside for the courts and the adoption of financial discipline.

Pointing out the need for implementing alternate ways of conflict resolution in our context also, the report stressed necessary reforms as per the spirit of the concept of the out-of-court mediation for conflict resolution and appointment of an official for this purpose.

The report also suggests for establishment of a mechanism of permanent nature for the study and review of various acts and rules as well as the precedents established by the courts. The responsibility of setting up such a mechanism better be given to the Judicial Commission and the Judicial Council Secretariat, the report suggested.

Receiving the report at a programme held at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs today, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Mahantha Thakur said that following restoration of democracy in the country, the government has adopted the policy of modernising the physical infrastructure and the physical condition at the courts.

He pledged to go through the contents of the report and do the needful for its implementation.

Minister Thakur immediately handed over the report to the secretary at the Ministry Udaya Nepali Shrestha for its study and implementation.

Mr. Nepali and chairman of the Court Consolidation Committee and Judicial Council Secretary Kashi Raj Dahal spoke of the need for consolidating the courts as per the suggestions given in the report.

His Majesty’s Government had constituted the court consolidation committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Dahal last year.

Under-secretary at the National Planning Commission Narendra Amatya, under-secretary at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Bishwa Mangal Atreya, the representatives of the Finance Ministry and the Attorney General’s Office and deputy registrar of the Supreme Court Ananta Raj Dumre were the members of the committee.

The report prepared by the committee on the consolidation of the Attorney General’s Office and offices under it was also submitted today.

Nepal to host cooperatives' meet

Kathmandu, July 10 (RSS): Nepal is to host the 6th Ministerial Level Co-operatives Regional Consultations of Asia and Pacific Region in Kathmandu from April 3-8, 2002.

This was informed at the 5-day regional consultations on cooperatives policy and legislative reforms jointly organised by International Co-operatives Alliance Asia and Pacific Regional Office, New Delhi and the Islamic Republic of Iran at Tehran recently.

Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives Ratneshwar Lal Kayastha and registrar at the Department of Co-operatives took part in the regional meeting, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives.

Representatives from the People's Republic of China, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Thailand and the Czech Republic attended the meeting.

Extensive discussions were held on the co-operative policy and legislative reforms and the progress made so far with respect to the declaration on translating into practice the co-operative principles adopted by fifth regional consultative meeting in 1999 in Beijing.

At the sixth regional consultative meeting, Nepal had expressed its commitment to implement the policy to be adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance.

HM extends best wishes

Kathmandu, July 11 (RSS): His Majesty the King has felicitated President Natsagiin Bagabandi of Mongolia on the occasion of the anniversary of the National Festival-Naadam of Mongolia.

In a message, His Majesty has extended best wishes for the president's personal health and happiness and for the progress and prosperity of the people of Mongolia.

Good wishes sent to Mongolian PM

Kathmandu, July 11 (RSS): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has congratulated Prime Minister Nambaryn Enkhbayar of Mongolia on the occasion of the anniversary of the National Festival-Naadam of Mongolia.

In a message, Prime Minister Koirala has wished for his Mongolian counterpart's good health and happiness and for the progress and prosperity of the people of Mongolia.

World Population Day being observed today

Kathmandu, July 11 (RSS): "Population, development and environment" is the slogan for this year's World Population Day being celebrated today throughout the world including Nepal.

World Population Day is celebrated every year on July 11 at the call of the United Nations with the objective of developing the concept of a small, happy and prosperous family through enhancement of public awareness in present context when global population has been increasing steady especially in the under developed countries.

Giving a message on the occasion, Minister for Population and Environment Siddharaj Ojha has pointed out the need to run population management, environment protection and development activities in an integrated manner in a country of a very sensitive geo-physical state like Nepal.

He has also emphasised the need to generate public awakening on the importance and benefit of a small-sized family, and the inter-relations between population, development and environment for balanced development of the country.

In his message on the occasion of World Population Day, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has said humanity must solve the complex equation of stabilizing its numbers but equally important stabilising its use of resources and ensure sustainable development for all.

He has also pointed out the need to enhance opportunities of women, who make up more than half the world's agricultural work-force and typically manage household resources, in order to enable them to make informed choices about family size, and to break the vicious cycle of poverty and environmental degradation.

Likewise, executive director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Thoraya A. Obaid has also given emphasis on better reproductive health which is important for men but vital for women.

Women who can choose have smaller families, and that means slower population growth and a little more time to meet basic needs and make vital decisions, she adds.

"We must accept our responsibilities to ourselves and to each other, and we must find the balance that will renew our world and enable all of its people to meet their aspirations", she has said in the message.

Team meets DPM

Kathmandu, July 10 (RSS): A delegation of office-bearers of Dhor-Firdi Majhkot Rural Tourism Development and Management Committee and people's representatives from Syangja and Tanahu districts led by the vice-chairman of Syangja district development committee today called on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Ramchandra Poudel and held extensive discussions on the construction of infrastructure for Dhor-Firdi Majhkot Rural Tourism Development.