Dhanusha people informed about zoonotic diseases

Janakpurdham, June 22 (RSS): The district livestock services office, Dhanusha, organised a seminar here Thursday to inform the general public about the various kinds of zoonotic diseases which are transmitted to human beings from animals and birds through direct contact or through the consumption of their products.

According to experts, out of the more than 100 different kinds of zoonotic diseases found worldwide, diseases like rabies and other diseases transmitted by blood-sucking insects such as the mosquito and tetse flies and through dog and fox bites are also classified as zoonotic diseases.

Similarly, it is learnt from experts that consumption of cattle milk without boiling it and the meat of dead animals can also cause various forms of the zoonotic diseases among people.

Addressing the seminar, chairman of the district development committee Ram Charitra Saha underlined the need for launching awareness campaign in the rural areas.

Likewise, Chief District Officer Narayan Gopal Malego, mayor Bajranga Prasad Saha, chief of the District Livestock Office Dr. Indra Kanta Jha, Dr. Mahanthi Yadav and others also stressed raising massive public awareness drive in rural areas to prevent the spreading of zoonotic diseases.

Chief of the District Agriculture Development Office Madhav Bahadur Pantha presided over the seminar.

Nepal calls for parties to be united

Gaur, June 22 (RSS): Main opposition party leader in the house of representatives and CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, speaking at a press meet at the party's district committee office at Gaur, said democracy will take root only if all political parties become united in the interest of the Nepalese people and move ahead on that basis.

Mr Nepal also accused the government of sidestepping the burning issues before the country and trying to save incumbency.

Party district secretary Hari Ghimire chaired the function.

Govt does not intend to control press, says Ojha

Dhangadi, June 22 (RSS): Minister of State for Information and Communications Puskar Nath Ojha has pointed out the need for all organs of the state to become united for the protection of the constitution, the system and independence.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), Kailali here today, Mr Ojha expressed the view that like the various organs of state the press should also fulfil its responsibility towards the state.

Stating that the government is of the view that the freedom enjoyed by the press should be systematic, Mr Ojha said the press should not misuse its freedom.

The government does not intend to control the press, Mr Ojha said adding that a bill relating to right to information will be presented at the coming session of parliament.

Responding to a query on the recently enforced public security regulations, Mr Ojha clarified that the regulations do not create any situation restricting civil rights.

Armed men loot Rs. 55,000 in Siraha

Siraha, June 22 (RSS): A group of 10 to 12 armed and unidentified persons is reported to have looted Rs. 55,000/ and petroleum products worth Rs. 5,000 from Ugrachandi Petrol Pump near Chaprari of Hanumannagar VDC-2, Siraha district last night.

The group looted Rs. 35,000 from accountant at the petrol pump Santosh Bajgain and Rs. 25,000/ from pump owner Thakur Prasad Bajgain. both of them were beaten up.

The group also beat up truck driver Naresh Singh and his helper Man Bahadur Chettri and looted Rs. 15,000 from them. the truck (Ba. 1 Kha. 9081) happened to pull up at the petrol pump during the heist. a bomb was also hurled in front of the truck, according to police.

Likewise, the same group also beat up owner of Annapurna Lahan Hotel Mohan Singh and looted Rs. 4,000 from him.

An injured hotel owner Singh, hotel technician Bikash Bangali, Madhiriya Yadav and petrol pump owner Bajgain have been admitted at Lahan Hospital, it is stated.

Necessary investigations have been going on in this connection, according to police.

Population of Nepal reaches 23.4 million

Kathmandu, June 22 (RSS): National Census Day was observed across the country today with the slogan "No omission, no repetition."

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Nepal's total population today reached 23.4 million. Nepal's population was 18,489,197 in l99l. The census is taken every ten years.

A public holiday was announced today for government offices, public institutions and educational institutions on the occasion of Census Day.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala furnished individual and family particulars to CBS deputy director Radha Krishna GC and Kathmandu district polling officer Gyanendra Bajracharya at his residence at Baluwatar today.

The census taking which began on June 10 will last till June 26 and the preliminary results will be out by mid-August.

Meanwhile, in Biratnagar, the National Census Office, Morang, organised a programme here on the occasion of the commencement of the tenth National Census-2001 programme in the district today.

Addressing the programme, chief district officer Binod Gyawali, from the chair, shed light on the importance of the National Census in the formulation of various development-related policies and plans.

He said it is out of this realisation of the importance of National Census that the government declared a public holiday on the day of the National Census.

Chief of the district census office Badri Karki also highlighted the important place of National Census in the country’s development process.

The task of data collection which formally began on June 15 in the district is scheduled to be completed on June 26.

According to the chief district census officer Karki, the entire district has been divided into seven ilakas and seven area supervisors, 616 enumerators and 163 supervisors have been mobilised for this purpose.

The population of Morang district according to the last census conducted ten years ago was 674,823. Similarly, the number of households in the district was 126,557.

The first National Census was held in 1911.

Industrial committee hails security role

Kathmandu, June 22 (RSS): The industrial Relations Committee has hailed the Public Security Regulations-2058 B.S. introduced by His Majesty’s Government, saying that the enactment of the regulations has brought some improvement in the law and order situation in the country, thereby, promoting Nepal in the international arena as a secure destination for investment.

A climate of insecurity and fear has been created as a result of the violence and rioting that has recently taken place in the country and untoward incidents such as arson, rioting, Vandalisation of public property and looting has intensified at government offices, financial institutions, industrial houses and educational institutions, the committee said in a statement issued today.

A climate of fear and terror is seen in the entire business community as a result of such illegal activities like intimidation and looting of goods and property from industrial establishments, the communiqué further states.

The committee has expressed the hope that this step taken by His Majesty’s Government will help in a great extent to curb such kinds of disturbing activities and lead towards the normalisation of trade and industry as well as the sagging tourism business of the country.

The Industrial Relations Committee is a grouping of 16 various professional associations from the hotel and tourism industry.

'Cooperation of public must to consolidate law and order'

Biratnagar, June 22 (RSS):  Minister for Education and Sports Amod Prasad Upadhyaya has said that the cooperation of the public is essential in order to maintain and consolidate law and order which is the primary need of the country.

Initiating distribution of land ownership certificates to landless settlers in Sanischare and Jaante VDCs of Morang district at Sankhuwara, Sanichare VDC today, Mr Upadhyaya called upon all political parties to seriously involve themselves in bringing the country out of the present state of crisis when efforts are being made from all quarters to weaken democracy.

Giving away land ownership certificates, Assistant Minister for Land Reform and Management Janak Raj Giri said in spite of limited means and resources and different problems and challenges the present government is committed to uplifting the living standard of the poor and landless.

Land ownership certificates were distributed to 78 landless families including 62 in Sanischare and 16 in Jaante VDC.

His Majesty felicitates

Kathmandu, June 23 (RSS): His Majesty the King has extended cordial felicitations to Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg on the occasion of the National Day of Luxembourg.

In a message, His Majesty has expressed best wishes for the Grand Duke’s personal health and happiness as well as for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Luxembourg.

His Majesty also expressed confidence that the cordial and friendly relations between the two countries will grow from strength to strength in the years to come.

PM 's message

Kathmandu, June 23 (RSS): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has extended sincere congratulations to Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker of Luxembourg on the occasion of the National Day of Luxembourg.

In a message, Mr Koirala wished Mr. Juncker good health and happiness and the people of Luxembourg progress and prosperity.

Congratulations

Kathmandu, June 22 (RSS): The DDC Federation Nepal has extended congratulations to His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev on the occasion of His Majesty's accession to the throne, and to Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah on Her Majesty's becoming the Queen of Nepal.

It also wished Their Majesties long life, good health and a glorious reign.

The federation also wished for the speedy recovery of Her Majesty the Queen who is now undergoing treatment at the Army Hospital at Chhauni.

RPP decides to play efective role in House

Kathmandu, June 22 (RSS): The Rastriya Prajatantra Party central work execution committee at its meeting held today under the chairmanship of party president Surya Bahadur Thapa decided to play an effective role in the forthcoming 20th session of parliament by raising its voice on such issues as corruption, peace and security and various other challenges facing the country.

Denouncing the arrest of a lawmaker in Lalitpur a few days ago, the meeting said it is against the law to arrest MPs after a parliamentary session is called and the police interference in a peaceful demonstration is blatant violation of human rights.

It also decided to direct the parliamentary party to issue a whip to its MPs to compulsorily vote for the party's official candidate Lok Bahadur Thapa Magar in the June 27 National Assembly election.

The meeting also decided to issue a whip to the party's voters in the National Assembly elections to vote for the CPN (UML)'s candidates in keeping with an agreement reached between the two parties.

On the occasion, a three-member committee was also formed under the chairmanship of MP Buddhiman Tamang to submit a report within three days after studying the public security regulations.

Security rules restrict rights, says NWPP

Bhaktapur, June 22 (RSS): The Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP) has accused His Majesty's Government of restricting constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights by implementing the Public Security Regulations-2058.

A press release issued by party central member Sunil Prajapati today stated that the regulations give sweeping powers to the chief district officer to arrest any person and keep him or her under detention under any pretext.

The party also strongly protested the arrest of different party leaders and workers including Narayan Man Bijukchhe from a mass meeting being held in Lalitpur on June 20.