Nepal producing 400 docs every year: Tamrakar

Pokhara, May. 1 (RSS): Minister for Health Ramkrishna Tamrakar today laid the foundation stone for a health post building to be constructed at Bhagawati Chautara of Bharatpokhari VDC of Kaski district.

The building to be constructed at a cost of Rs 2.5 million under the community development programme of Pokhara Jaycees by Annapurna Health Project established in Japan as a non-profit making organisation will be completed within and a half years.

Addressing the function, Health Minister Ramkrishna Tamrakar said as emphasis was laid on technical education since the restoration of democracy, at present 400 doctors are being produced annually in the country.

Minister Tamrakar noted that development of the country would take place through mutual understanding and through the path of peace.

MP Shukra Raj Shastri, chairman of Annapurna Health Project, Japan, Dr. Hitoshi Morita and a host of other speakers expressed their views at the function chaired by chairman of Pokhara Jaycees Ishwar Karmacharya.

Also today, Minister Tamrakar inspected various health related bodies here.

Consolidate trade unions: Bhattarai

Kathmandu, May. 1 (RSS): Nepali Congress leader and former prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai has said that trade union movement could be strong and could significantly contribute to the overall development of the country if the trade unions came up with new programmes in view of the social and economic situation of the country.

Bhattarai, who was inaugurating a seminar on the role of trade union in multi-party democracy organised by the Democratic Confederation of Nepalese Trade Unions (DECONT) on the occasion of the 112th May Day here today, spoke of the need for trade unions, spoke of the need for trade unions of Nepal to open trade union colleges and libraries as in other countries to consolidate the trade union movement.

The NC leader also noted that DECONT should extend its help to the Nepali Congress government and the government should also cooperate with the trade union.

Nepali Congress central member Chiranjivi Wagle observed that the Nepali Congress has long been trying to raise the living standard of the people, adding, trade unions should play an effective role in social transformation through democratic process.

Another central member Prakash Man Singh remarked that the trade union has as much role to pay in the preservation and consolidation of democracy as it did for its restoration.

Former Minister of State Govind Bahadur Shaha, ILO representative Laila Timgo Reddy, DECONT central president Rajendra Bahadur Raut, general secretary Khilnath Dahal and others also spoke at the function chaired by DECONT Kathmandu president Sudarshan Sigdel.

‘Socialist revolution must to improve poor people’s life’

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, May 1: Leftist leaders today blamed the government for the deteriorating condition of the country. They said the ruling Nepali Congress party lacked the vision to give an outlet to the existing uncertainties and crises facing the nation. Addressing the mass meeting organised to mark the May Day at the Open Theatre in the capital, the communist leaders remained adamant to their one point-demand of "PM’s resignation".

CPN UML general secretary and Opposition leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said that action taken by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) against the officials involved in the Lauda Air deal had further justified the Oppositions’ demand for the Prime Minister’s resignation.

"CIAA’s move shows that Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is directly involved in the Lauda Airlines deal as it was implemented according to the decision of the cabinet," Nepal alleged.

"Now the PM must quit the post, which is the only way to resolve the nation’s problems," Nepal claimed.

The Opposition leader also said that now the Nepalese people want to see the Constitutional body exhibit courage to punish the corrupt.

He further said that NC itself is responsible for violence, corruption and instability in the country.

Observing the May Day as the great festival of the working class, Nepal said that the government has not respected the toiling masses despite their immense contribution for the development of the country.

UML stands for dialogue between the labour unions and industrialists to solve the existing problems, Nepal said hinting at the recently inconclusive tussle between the hoteliers and unionists.

"We have to protect the rights of both, at the same time," Nepal said.

Nar Bahadur Karmacharya, founder member of Nepal Communist Party, said that socialist revolution is necessary to bring about the changes in the life of the working class.

Member of House of Representatives Lilamani Pokharel said government has violated the rights to organise and protest by suppressing their peaceful movement.

Likewise MP Chitra Bahadur KC said that the national industries were sold at a cheap price in the name of privatisation.

Sunil Prajapati, Central Member of Nepal Workers’ Peasant Party said that present government has failed to deliver security and good governance in the country.

ILO country director Laila-Tegmo Reddy said that ILO is committed to rights of Nepalese workers.

GEFONT general secretary Bishnu Rimal said that government is not serious to implement the Labour Act in the country. Rimal urged for unified labour movement in the country.

Labour Union representatives from Hong Kong and the Philippines stressed the solidarity of working classes across the globe at the function presided by programme convenor Binod Shrestha. The meeting was organised by the Federation of Trade Unions.

Before converging at the Open Theatre for the mass meeting, a procession participated in by thousand of workers went round the main centres of the city chanting slogans.

Mid-term review
Economy grows by 4.81%, falls short of target

BY RAMESH LAMSAL

Kathmandu, May 1: The country’s economy grew by 4.81 per cent during the first three years of the Ninth Five Year Plan (1997-2002). The average growth rate during this period was 1.19 per cent less than the target of 6.0 per cent set by the Plan.

The mid-term evaluation report of the Ninth Plan says that the growth rate in agriculture sector remained 2.88 per cent during this period against a target of 4.0 per cent while the non-agricultural sector grew by 6.04 per cent vis-à-vis the target of 7.3 per cent.

Prepared by Fulbright IDRS United for the National Planning Commission (NPC), the report has not included the growth rate of this year (fourth year) in it. The report that reviews the progress of all the areas was prepared on the basis of the initial sectoral evaluations of the Commission itself.

The report says that it is unlikely that the target of the Plan will be met even if the economy grows by 6.0 per cent during the current fiscal year and 6.3 per cent in the next. It will fall short by 0.8 per cent, according to the report.

Moreover, the country’s economy is not likely to grow by 6.0 per cent during the current fiscal year. The Central Bureau of Statistics has projected a growth rate of 5.5 per cent for the fiscal year 2000/2001.

Member Secretary at the Commission, Sriman Shrestha conceded that the nation would be unable to attain the targeted growth rate of the Plan adding it was due mainly to low growth rates during the first two years of the Plan.

The growth rates during the first two years remained 3.34 per cent and 4.59 per cent respectively, much lower than that target. The economy of the country depends largely on agriculture but the growth in this sector remained less than the target due to unfavourable weather conditions. The removal of subsidy on fertilisers and seeds were other causes of low agricultural output during that period. However, the national economy grew by 6.2 per cent during the third year, thanks to favourable weather conditions.

Shrestha said the Commission was currently working to prepare the final report on the basis of initial sectoral evaluations and IDRS report. He said the final mid-term evaluation report of the Ninth Plan was likely to be completed within a couple of weeks.

The report prepared by a team co-ordinated by Lal Krishna KC and headed by Economics Professor Dr. Parthibeshwor Timilsina recommends the government should reduce its ‘unnecessary’ expenses and create an investment friendly atmosphere to increase gross domestic savings and investment in comparison to gross domestic product. It also stresses on the need to reform revenue administration and mobilise internal resources effectively.

The other members of the team were Dr. Bal Gopal Baidhya and Narayan Raj Tiwari.

Govt for tobacco free society: Dangol

Kathmandu, May. 1 (RSS): Minister of State for Health Tirtharam Dangol has said that His Majesty’s Government supports all who initiatives for tobacco free society, and is committed to take concomitant action at the country level.

Addressing the second session of the inter-governmental negotiating body on the who framework convention on tobacco control being held in Geneva, Switzerland from April 30 to May 5, leader of the Nepalese delegation Dangol said an act for controlling tobacco has already been drafted by the government and a technical group has been set up to examine it.

A great deal of social mobilisation and strong advocacy, based on information and evidence, will be needed to get the act passed by the parliament, he said, adding that IEC campaigns, alternatives for tobacco cultivation and tax revenue and administrative instruments are to be in place to support the passage of the act and its subsequent enforcement.

The government is planning to launch an advocacy forum and IEC campaign against tobacco promotion, and set up national administrative framework (rules and regulations etc.) for tobacco control.

While IEC campaigns against tobacco consumption are being carried out, using mass media, existing health infrastructures, NGOs and civil societies, a time bound plan of action for tobacco control will shortly be developed, he said.

He further noted that a levy on tobacco products is in place, this will be gradually increased and the revenues generated will be used for health promotion.

In Nepal smoking is culturally accepted for men and women particularly for the latter in mountainous and hill areas.

The prevalence of smoking is as high as 74 per cent among the adults (20 years and above) in hilly areas and 17 per cent among 15-64 years of age-group in plain areas.

PM  addresses May Day Meet
Oppn’s help sought to make security, dev package a success

Kathmandu, May. 1 (RSS): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that all our endeavours should focus on getting rid the country of killings, violence and terror and guide it along the path of peace and prosperity.

Prime Minister Koirala made this remark while addressing a mass meeting organised by the Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC) at Bhrikuti Mandap to mark the 112th International May Day with the theme "what the NTUC wants is protection and promotion of the rights and interests of the laborers and social security".

Stating that His Majesty’s Government (HMG) has prepared the integrated internal security and development package to eliminate violence, murder and terror being perpetrated against the constitution, law and the mandate of the people, he called upon all the opposition parties and the people to play an active role in making the package a success.

Prime Minister Koirala stated that if we could move ahead with national consensus and the concept of common thinking to identify and protect our national interests, develop the concept of national security and maintain our national unity, integrity and pride, this would not only help resolve the problems of labourers but of the whole nation and the people.

He said, "revolution should be meant for the sake of national interest and the creation of a new society. But the country cannot progress by terrorising the civic society, blocking roads, breaking railings, and preventing the Prime Minister from attending his office. No change can be introduced in this way."

Recalling the beginning of his political life from the labour movement, Prime Minister Koirala said that he had very deep and close relations with the labourers and there would not be any rancour with them in the future as well.

From the chair, NTUC president Laxman Basnet said that cooperation of one and all was necessary to mobilise the labour force, the main force of the nation, to enable them to live a dignified life and ensure industrial development in a peaceful manner. He also called upon the government to develop the concept of social security.

NTUC general secretary Pushkar Acharya, president of the Carpets Association of Nepal Dhan Bahadur Gurung, president of Garments Association of Nepal Artha Raj Koirala, and a host of other speakers expressed their views on various aspects of the labour movement at the meeting.

Prior to this, a procession carrying placards and banners with slogans in favour of the labourers started from the NTUC office at Kopundol, and converged into a mass meeting on reaching Bhrikuti Mandap.

Babu Chhiri’s body brought to capital
Last rites to be performed Thursday

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, May 1: The dead body of record-setting Mount Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) summiteer Babu Chhiri Sherpa was flown in here at around 9:30 a.m. today before being carried on a procession to Sherpa Service Centre at Boudha.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Omkar Prasad Shrestha and Minister of State Mahadev Gurung went to the Sherpa Service Centre, Bouddha and paid tributes to late Babu Chhiri Sherpa.

The dead body has been kept at a monastery at the Sherpa Service Centre for worshipping and other rituals. Babu Chhiri’s family sources said that the last rituals would continue till Thursday when his dead body would be cremated at Swayambhunath.

The fastest Mt Sagarmatha summiteer had died in an accident while on his way to reach the highest peak on the Earth for the 11th time Sunday evening. The 33-year-old world-renowned climber had fallen into a crevasse nearby Camp II at an altitude of 6,500 meters.

His body was found almost at midnight but was brought up from the crevasse only the following morning (yesterday), according to Dawa Sherpa, Babu Chhiri’s elder brother who was also camping at Camp II, but with another expedition team.

"After having dinner we all were resting when I heard my brother was missing and so we began a search mission," he said. "Later on, we found his body in the crevasse some 30 meters below our camp."

According to Dawa, Babu Chhiri’s head sustained the biggest injury due to which he succumbed to death. "And it was also due to the crevasse that he had got into."

The last words Babu Chhiri had spoken to were with his team’s cook. "He had told the cook to prepare tea for him and he drank two cups of water before leaving for nearby area to take photographs."

According to Ramesh Dongol, one of the members of Babu Chhiri’s three-member expedition team, the ace climber was carrying a Nikon still-camera and also a movie camera. Dongol, however, had already arrived back here one week ago due to physical problems.

The team Babu Chhiri was leading was Kathmandu Metropolis Sagarmatha Expedition 2001.

Having started his climbing career when he was only 13, Babu Chhiri has to his credit three records as Mt Sagarmatha-summiteer. On May 21, 2000, he reached the highest peak and came back to the base camp within the shortest time span — 16 hours 56 minutes. This won him a place in the Guinness Books of World Records.

He had already set a record by spending the longest duration — 21 hours — atop Mt Sagarmatha in 1999. He was also the only climber to have reached the highest point on earth twice within the shortest time gap. In 1995, Chhiri reached the mountain- top twice within a week.

If he had made it to the top this time, Babu Chhiri would have set yet another record of having summited the highest peak for 11 times. After successfully completing the expedition to the Mera Peak (6,645 metres) in 1988, Babu Chhiri never looked back. In the last 12 years, he climbed 14 mountains including Sagarmatha (8,848 metres), Kanchanjunga (8,594 metres), Dhaulagiri (8,167 metres), Choyu (8,201 metres), Shishapanga (8,013 metres), and Amadablam (6,812 metres).

Late Babu Chhiri is survived by his wife and six daughters.

‘Make ministries accessible to disabled’

Kathmandu, May. 1 (RSS): A woman visiting the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare for personal work had to return from the main gate of the ministry because of her disability.

The woman, who reached the main entrance of ministry with the help of a wheel chair was compelled to return because she could not take her wheel chair into the ministry.

After the incident, an accessible environment was built at the ministry for the disabled under the directive of the Minister of State for Women and Social Welfare Kamala Pant.

This information was given at a one-day workshop on accessible environment for the people with disability organised by the National Federation of the Disabled-Nepal here today.

Except for accessible facilities for the disabled persons in the government and private hospitals and a few government and semi government building, majoirty of the ministries lack these facilities.

Inaugurating the workshop seminar, Minister of State for Works and Physical Planning Suresh Malla said that attention should be given towards providing free accessibility to the disabled while building roads from now onwards.

Stating that the disabled persons were an inseparable part of the society, Malla said emphasis should be given to education and health for the development of the talents of the disabled persons.

President of the National Federation of Disabled-Nepal Muneswore Pandey said that the government should take initiative to build accessibility facilities for the disabled.

Member-secretary of the Social Welfare Council Dr. Tika Prasad Pokherel said that people’s awareness should be developed for an accessible environment for disabled.

Programme coordinator Meenraj Panthee said that the disabled would be feel honoured if accessibility facilities were built for them

Dhunderaj Chalise regretted that the municipality had not provided such facilities for the disabled even when its attention was drawn to the Thapathali bridge built with Japanese assistance.