Fourth round of talks begin in New Delhi

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Nov 8: The fourth round of talks on the Nepal – India Trade Treaty 1996 between two countries at joint secretary level began in New Delhi this evening.

Purshottam Ojha, joint secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies is representing a nine-member Nepalese negotiation team.

According to a member of the Nepalese Negotiation team, the first meeting today remained very optimistic. The issues such as- surge, rules of origin, provision for safe guard were among the topics discussion.

Prior to departure for New Delhi, leader of the Nepalese delegation team Ojha expressed hope that the fourth round of dialogue would at least help throw the ice. In a brief talk with The Rising Nepal, he said ‘India’s prompt response for dialogue is of course a positive sign towards success of talks.’ Nepal will stick to its point about the renewal of the treaty in its original form, he said.

According to the Ministry, the nine member negotiation team includes, Dr. Govind Regmi, Gyan Chandra Acharya, Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Madhav Prasad Ghimire joint secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Bhoj Raj Ghimire, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and director generals at the Department of Commerce and Department of Industry are also the member of the negotiating team.

The talks will continue for three days. It is to be noted that Nepal and India had developed an understanding at the joint secretary level talks held here in the capital on Saturday and Sunday.

The two sides had carried out discussion on rules of origin, surge and safeguard provisions and the procedures of granting certificate origin.

Industrialists and traders here have taken the India response very positively.

According to the Article XII of the 1996 Trade Treaty, it shall remain in force up to December 5, 2001 and shall be automatically extended for further periods of five years at a time unless either of the parties gives to the other a written notice, three months in advance of its intention to terminate the treaty.

India had sent a letter in August this year with the intention of renewal of the treaty.

It is to be noted that after the treaty, Nepal’s export have experienced a quantum jump. It has increased by almost 60 per cent during the year 1997-98. Similarly in 1999-2000, Nepal’s export trade to India went up to Rs 22.61 billion.

In the meantime India’s shares of Nepal’s import trade also increased. Import from India crossed Rs 40.51 billion making a trade deficit with India to Rs 18.31 billion.

Leaders for amendment of Constitution

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Nov 8; Just twelve years ago on the same day, when the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal –1990 was announced, leaders of various political parties perhaps never imagined that the present constitution would trigger dissatisfaction among themselves.

Most of them had praised it as one of the best constitutions in the world. But in the span of 11 years, it seems that the leaders have started realizing the need for its amendment for the consolidation of democracy.

At the second round of meeting held today at the parliamentary office of the main opposition party – the CPN-UML, leaders of various parties echoed their voice for the amendment of some Articles so as to introduce a broad change in the sector of economy, politics and the society.

The meeting organized at the initiation of the Communist Party of Nepal Unified Marxist Leninist to discuss the present political situation on how to fight violence and terrorism, decided to give continuity to the meeting to settle the Maoists problem.

They affirmed that the government should strive to tackle the present problem by amending the constitution. However, some of leaders at the meeting of the opposition parties accused the ruling the Nepali Congress of creating uncertainties and violence in the society. ‘ The Nepali Congress has failed to run the government,’ said Yuba Raj Gyanwali, leader of the main opposition at the National Assembly.

According to Gyanwali, leaders of various political parties were of the views that the dissolution of the constitution and election of the Constitutional assembly were ‘ not pragmatic and timely.’ He affirmed that the forum of different political parties is neither against the NC or the Maoists.

Bam Dev Gautam, general secretary of the CPN-ML strongly stressed the need for national consensus to tackle the issue. ‘ It is the outcome of irresponsible and intolerable attitude of the government and the Maoists.’

The voice of the government and ruling party is not clear. Gautam also stressed the need for amendment of the Constitution.

MP Subash Nembang, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee underlined the need dialogue between the government and Maoists. Both sides should be well aware of their responsibilities, he noted. The government has to take the issues more seriously, he noted.

Leader of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani said that the NC has failed to run the government. The Maoists are also not doing good, he said.

Kritinidhi Bista, leader of the Rastriya Janata Party also blamed both the government and the Maoists for creating terror in the society.

Leaders taking part in the all opposition party meeting drew out conclusion that both the government and the Maoists are not serious towards peaceful settlement of the problem. The next round of meeting will take place in the next few days.

According to a press release issued by the CPN- UML, leaders of ten different parties including Madhav Kumar Nepal, general secretary of the UML, Bam Dev Gautam of CPN-ML, Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani of Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Bishnu Bahadur Manandhar took part in the meeting.

Mahat to raise LDC’s issues

Kathmandu, Nov. 8 (RSS): Nepal is to put emphasis on controlling international terrorism and resolution of the least developed countries’ economic problems at the 56th General Assembly of the United Nations.

Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat left here today for New York leading a Nepalese delegation to the UN General Assembly.

Talking to reporters at Tribhuvan International Airport, Dr. Mahat said terrorism will emerge as the main agenda at the General Assembly which has been postponed by about two months due to the Sept. 11 incident in the U.S. and as Nepal is not also unaffected by terrorism it will put across its clear views on that problem.

Dr Mahat also said that Nepal will raise with priority issues of entry of products of least developed countries into developed countries, waiving the loans of such countries, helping in the efforts of poverty reduction and other issues such as disarmament, human rights and women’s empowerment.

Nepal will also inform the General Assembly of Nepal’s plan to remarkably reduce the rate of poverty by the year 2015, he said adding that he will also discuss bilateral interests with the foreign ministers of member nations of the Non-Aligned Movment, ASEAN and the European Union on the occasion.

After the General Assembly, Dr. Mahat is also scheduled to visit Norway and Finland at the invitation of ministers for development assistance of these countries.

Nation celebrates Constitution Day

Kathmandu, Nov 8 (RSS): Reports of the Constitution Day being celebrated in different parts of the country by organising various programmes have been received here.

Janakpurdham: Govinda Prasad Parajuli, Judge of the Appellate Court Janakpur, speaking at a talk programme organised to mark the constitution day here, warned that that a dangerous situation could be faced in future if the existing constitution is amended without putting into practice the basic principles of the Constitution.

District Judges Narayan Dahal and Sambhuram Karki, chief district officer Narayan Gopal Malego, president of the Janakpur Intellectuals Society Rajeswore Nepal, NC district president Ramkrishna Yadav and human rights activist Navaraj Basnet expressed the view that the constitution should be amended if it benefits the country.

The talk programme was chaired by DDC chairman Ramcharitra Saha.

Participants of a seminar on "the present Constitution and democracy" organised by Janakpur Intellectuals Society on the occasion of the constitution day today stressed the need to reconstitute the development regions, solve the citizenship problem, check corruption and end the problem of Maoists immediately.

At the seminar chaired by the society’s president Rajeswore Nepali, advocate Yugal Kishore Lal, Pashupatinath Jha, Abadhkishore Prasai, Tirtha Raj Thapa, DDC chairman Ramcharitra Saha, Siyaram Raya, editor of Biswo Jagaran Ravindra Shaha and others expressed their views.

Biratnagar: Nepal Bar Association, Morang, Morang District Development Committee and FAREN, Biratnagar organised a seminar on the specialities of the constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990 to mark the Constitution Day.

On the occasion the participants expressed the view that the present Constitution was more democratic than the Constitutions of other countries. The country should be provided a new direction by amending the Constitution and the country should be freed from the Maoist problem, they added.

Everyone should safeguard the Constitution as the constitution is the main law of the country, they said, adding that we should move ahead by exercising the rights being provided by the Constitution.

Keshari Raj Pandey, Judge of the Appellate Court Biratnagar said that the present Constitution has disappointed the people.

MP Lalbabu Pandit said that discussions should be held for amending the Constitution as the people’s faith in the constitution was declining gradually.

Vice-president of the Nepal Bar Association Chudamani Acharya said there is no doubt that the constitution is the main law of the country but the existing Constitution can be amended.

CPN-UML district secretary Mahesh Regmi said the constitution formulated after the restoration of democracy is entering its twelfth year. During this period a lot of incidents have taken place in the country. At present the country is facing a serious problem. Everyone should give attention to this problem. He added.

At the seminar chaired by president of the Nepal Bar Association, Morang Bharat Bahadur Thapa, DDC member Nabinarayan Chaudhary, assistant chief district officer Durga Prasad Pokherel, member of the Nepal Bar Council Ram Prasad Sitaula and member of the CPN-UML district committee Binod Dhakal threw light on the problems being faced by the country.

Earlier one minute silence was observed in memory of the known and unknown martyrs.

Twenty-eight people donated blood at the blood donation programme organised by the Janapath Jagriti Club, Biratnagar to mark the Constitution Day.

Giving away certificates to the blood donars, teacher Srawan Koirala said that the Constitution had provided the people democratic rights.

Koirala also praised the club for carrying out social activities like blood donation and cleaning campaigns.

NC town president Kedar Bahadur Basnet said that the club had launched various programmes to generate awareness among the people against social anamolies taking place in the society.

At the function chaired by the club’s president Balaram Karanjitkar, founder president Manoj Dahal ex-presidents Manoj Khatiwada and Prakash Uprety, Nepal Tarun Dal ward president Krishna Humagain, club’s vice-president Bimal Pokharel, secretary Raju Niraula and others threw light on different aspects of the Constitution and the club’s activities.

Mahottari: DDC vice-chairman Ganesh Prasad Yadav, speaking at a talk programme organised by Mahottarai District Development Committee to mark the Constitution Day today, said that the present Constitution is being attacked because the implementors are not good.

CPN-ML district secretary Suresh Prasad Singh said that as the constitution was uplifting democracy it should be extended to the people’s level.

At the talk programme chaired by DDC chairman Tej Narayan Yadav, CDO Laxmi Prasad Bhattarai, NC district secretary Harinarayan Yadav, NSP district president Kedarnath Pathak, Jaya Kishore Jha of CPN-UML, Nagendra Yadav of RPP and chairman of Gaushala VDC Ramlakhan Chaudhary threw light on various aspects of the Constitution.

Kapilvastu: On the occasion of the Constitution Day, district development committee organised a talk programme at Taulihawa today.

On the occasion MP Daan Bahadur Chaudhary said that constributions could be made for safeguarding democracy and the Constitution if the people carried out works by understanding duties and responsibilities.

At the talk programme chaired by DDC chairman Ramesh Sharma, additional district judge Kedar Prasad Pyakhurel, CDO Ananda Raj Pokherel, NC district vice president Sudhakar Pandey, member of the CPN-UML district committee Baburam Khanal, RPP district president Krishna Bahadur Khadka, member of the CPN-ML district committee Santaram Gupta and others threw light on the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990 and multiparty system.

Gulariya: On the occasion of the Constitution Day, Bardiya District Development Committe organised a talk programme here today.

On the occasion DDC vice-chairman Chitra Bahadur Shrestha, CDO Dilliraj Joshi, Mayor Govinda Prasad Pandeya, NC district president Arun Prakash Singh Rathore, member of the CPN-UML district committee Hari Prasad Gyawali, RPP district president Meghnath Adhikari, CPN-ML district secretary Laxman Raj Gyawali and others threw light on the achievements of the present Constitution.

Rajbiraj: President of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) Gajendra Narayan Singh has said that the Constitution should not be changed to suit the interests of the political parties alone and stressed that national interest and public opinion should be taken into account in this connection.

Addressing a talk programme organised by the District Development Committee (DDC) Saptari on the occasion of Constitution Day today, the NSP president said since the time has not come to change the Constitution, the political parties, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary should work in deference to the letter and spirit of the existing Constitution.

A ceiling should not be fixed only on land for economic equality. It should cover all assets, he pointed out noting that farmers would be at a loss if a ceiling was limited to land only. DDC chairman Dinesh Kumar Yadav expressed the view that since the solutions to all national problems could be sought within the framework of the present Constitution, no one should try to undermine the spirit of that Constitution.

Shedding light on the characteristics of the Constitution, district Court Judge Chandi Raj Dhakal said that the executive and the legislature should not interfere in each other’s jurisdiction.

Raj Parishad Member Khusilal Mandal, Dr. Ayodhi Pasad Yadav and others spoke on the various characteristic features of the Constitution.

Leaders discuss rule of law

Kathmandu, Nov. 8 (RSS): The Constitutional law section of Nepal Bar Association organised a discussion programme on "The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990: Possibility of amendment and problems" on the occasion of Constitution day today.

At the programme, ex-deputy Prime Minister and NC leader Ramchandra Poudel said that if any convincing proposal is made for amendments to rectify the weaknesses in the present Constitution, the Nepali Congress will consider it positively.

Suggestions should be forthcoming from all political parties for correcting the weaknesses in the Constiution, if any, but at the same time all of them should remain alert against those who are out to totally change the whole constitution, which has not yet been fully implemented, he observed.

Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee chairman Subhash Chandra Nemwang said despite the fact that the present Constitution is relatively more democratic and progressive its implementation aspect has remained very unsatisfactory.

Inability on the part of those in responsible posts to propery use their discretion has hindered the implementation of many positive aspects of the Constitution, he said.

RPP vice president Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani complained that although the Constitution has envisaged the rule of law, those at the helm of power are still preoccupied with the concept of rule of individuals, the principle of Constitutional control and balance has proved impractical, no mechamism for controlling the government exists and executive powers are blatantly misused.

Apart from the basic principles, other aspects of the constitution can be improved, he said.

CPN-ML politburo member Chandra Prakash Mainali was of the view that those in the leadership have not properly understood the concept of the rule of law, government policy and programmes have proved impractical and people are getting disenchanted.

He also stressed the need to correct the weaknesses in the present Constitution.

Bar Association president Sindhunath Pyakurel also expressed his views.

WTO meet in Doha from today

Kathmandu, Nov. 8: The fourth ministerial general conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) held every two years is going to be held in Doha, the capital of Qatar, from NOV 9-13.

An eight-member Nepali delegation led by Minsiter for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Poorna Bahadur Khadka left for Doha today to take part in the conference as observer. Nepal has already taken part in the three previous conferences in course of acquiring WTO membership.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies today, 142 members of the WTO and Nepal as an observer will present their views at the general conference. Nepal push for the membership with a view to integrating its economic activities with the world economy and as per the principles pursued by the WTO.

Nepal will also demand that developed member countries should provide financial and technical assistance to countries with poor economies for developing efficient manpower and enhancing capability so that rules and conditions of WTO can be fulfilled effectively.

In view of the fact no least developed countries have so far become the member of WTO, Nepal will also urge for the entry of LDC’s into the world trade body and call for respecting decisions of the Urugway Round.

As the development partners have in the programme of action passed at the United Nations General Assembly held for the LDC’s in Brussels in May this year already pledged to treat the LDC’s which are yet to be members of the world body as members, the fourth conference should endorse this program of action, it is stated in a press release.

Nepal will also lobby the United States, Canada, the European Community, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka for Nepal’s entry into WTO.

The delegation includes secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Bhanu Prasad Acharya, Joint Secretary Prachandaman Shrestha, Geneva-Based Royal Nepalese Ambassador Dr. Shambhuram Simkhada, Doha-based Royal Nepalese Ambassador Shyamananda Suman, deputy secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Suresh Man Shrestha, programme manager of the project for Nepal’s entry into WTO Dr. Poshan Raj Pandey and second vice president of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industry Rajendra Kumar Khetan.

Meanwhile, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supply Purna Bahadur Khadka arrived in Doha today at the head of an 8 member Nepalese delegation to participate at the 4th ministerial conference of the World Trade Organisation which is going to be held in Doha from Nov. 9 to 13, 2001.

Upon arrival at the airport Minister Khadka was received by the chief of protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the State of Qatar and Royal Nepalese Ambassador to the state of Qatar Shyamananda Suman.

Nepal is participating in the conference as an observer.

Nepal to mark 2002 as year of mountains

Kathmandu, Nov. 8 (RSS): Nepal is to observe 2002 as the international year of the mountains with the objective of protecting and promoting water resources, forests, natural heritage and bio diversity through the maintenance of balance in mountain environments.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted in late 1998 the motion tabled by the government of Kyrgysthan and seconded by His Majesty’s Government to dedicate 2002 as International Year of Mountains.

On the occasion, the FAO welcomed the various initiatives taken by His Majesty’s Government at the national level.

At a press conference organised jointly by ICIMOD and FAO here today, ICIMOD Director General J. Gabriel Campbell said protection of mountain environments will help Nepal become self reliant in water resources.

FAO Resident Representative Winston Rudder said the International Year of Mountains programmes will basically focus on the wellbeing of poor communities and women in mountainous regions and the programmes will be instrumental in raising their living conditions and promoting ECO tourism.

Joint secretary at the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation Udaya Raj Sharma and Dr. Alejandro Camino of mountain forum also highlighted the importance of the international year of mountains.

Constitution Day marked
Force, guns not the language of democracy, says Deuba

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathamndu, Nov. 8: Members of the Constitutional Council today unanimously voiced that the Constitution is not to blame for the crisis that the nation is currently passing through.

They conceded that it was the political parties and leaders who are responsible for the plight of the country.

They outright rejected the idea of abrogation of the present Constitution that was promulgated 11 years ago through successful Popular Movement 1990.

"The Constitution is yet to be fully tested sincerely to bring about drastic changes in society," they opined.

They shared the forum at an interaction on "Power Separation: Our Exercise" jointly organised by the Ministry for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Constitutional and Parliamentary Exercise Society (SCOP) here today to mark the 11th Constitution Day.

Those who expressed their views were Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya, Speaker Tarabath Ranabhat, leader of main opposition party and general secretary of CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal, former speaker Daman Nath Dhungana and Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Narendra Bikram Nemwang.

Some of them, however, opined that there could be revision in some articles of the Constitution for the larger interest of the people and country.

Premier Deuba noted that the concept of separation of power is a mechanism of check-and-balance among executive, judiciary and legislative and prevents them from being arbitrary. Deuba said that their roles would be gradually self-defined.

"The fundamental value of a democratic set up is to resolve all kinds of problems constitutionally and peacefully to transform the society into more civilized and prosperous," observed Prime Minster Deuba.

Premier Deuba said that formulating and implementing the laws would further modify the democratic system. "Force and guns are not the language of democracy."

To those who are demanding the Constitutional Assembly, PM Deuba threw a series of questions: "What is not there in the Constitution? What more is needed? And what would the Constituent Assembly bring?"

The Constitution could not be abrogated or revised under the fear of guns and pressure, he said.

However, Deuba said that it could be amended if its shortcomings are categorically pointed out.

He also reiterated that the government would leave no stone unturned in solving the Maoist problem through talks. Deuba said that it was the lack of coherence among opposition parties that gave rise to the Maoists in the country.

He said that the conflict had deeply touched every sphere of life: in families, parties and society. "We should seek democratic solution to these conflicts."

Highlighting the achievements of his three-month old government, PM Deuba said that after the formation of the new government, the people have felt a sense of security in the different parts of the country. He said that several important Bills have been introduced and approved by the Parliament. PM said that Bills related to land reform and women property rights would bring visible changes in the life poor men and women living in the far-flung areas of the country.

Stating poverty, corruption and unemployment as major problems faced by the country, Deuba said that nation was now bearing a loss of ten billion rupees due to the loss and rising corruption in the governmental and public enterprises. He pointed out the need of stern reforms to revitalize beleaguered economy of the country.

PM Deuba also sought the co-operation of the oppositions to bring about drastic economic and social reforms, and to curb rampant corruption by bringing corruption control bill through the ordinance.

Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya said that the Constitution had accepted the people as the main source of power.

The Chief Justice said that Nepalese Constitution had its originality and was different in many ways from the constitutions of other countries.

The Constitution has many provisions that check unnecessary conflicts among different bodies, he said, adding, "It has ensured freedom, rights and sovereignty of the Nepalese people."

Saying that constitutional supremacy is the main feature of our parliamentary democracy, Upadhyaya observed that the Constitution contained provisions that prevented different bodies from being despotic and arbitrary.

He also said that the Supreme Court had played significant roles for the development and consolidation of Constitution and democracy by giving impartial verdicts on controversial cases such as Tanakpur and others.

He also pointed out the need of objective evaluation and analysis on the 11-year-long exercise of the present Constitution.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Taranath Ranabhat termed the Constitution as one of the best Constitutions in the world. "However, the Constitution could not be fully implemented for the wellbeing of the people," he added

Ranabhat said that people obtained power but could not manage the conflicts inherent in the power.

It is not the Constitution that is responsible for the emergence of the Maoists but it is mutual distrust, non-cooperation and disagreement that are the root causes for the rise of insurgency, he added.

Crisis of faith, declining moral values and utter lack of discipline are the main reasons behind the deterioration of the country, he noted.

He further said that lack of accountability and honesty were some other factors for rising corruption and anarchy in the country.

He rejected the ideas of either abrogation or revision of the constitution and appealed to all for restoring value system to curb corruption.

Opposition leader and General Secretary of CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal urged all to ponder over where we missed in the decade-long multi-party regime in the country.

"The problem does not lie in the Constitution but in our thinking and working style," remarked the opposition leader.

The Constitution that was drafted after much discussion among the people of different walks of life, is the most flexible and dynamic, said Nepal, who was also a member of a committee that drafted the Constitution.

He said that except the Constitutional Monarchy and multi-party democracy, every provision could be amended in the larger interest of the people and the nation.

Nepal said that imbalance between power and accountability contributed to corruption in the state mechanism.

Saying that the whole nation has been submerged in the quagmire of corruption, Nepal pointed out that the mechanism to nab the wrongdoers is what is lacking, he said.

Nepal said that their failure to establish a value system in the process of Constitutional exercises had pushed the country on verge of collapse.

Former Speaker Daman Nath Dhungana said the institutions set up under the Constitution should be independent and inter-dependent and work in coordination with each other. "The people should be the source of power."

Dhungana, who was also a member in drafting this Constitution, said that the political parties should not hesitate for the Constituent Assembly if it ensures the solution of the six-year-long insurgency in the country. He said that the Constitute Assembly and revisions of the Constitution would not cut down the people’s rights enshrined therein. "Rather such moves would further solidify the freedom of the people," he added.

Dhungana also said that the present Parliament was not at par with the first Parliament in qualitative perspective.

"Until the lawmakers stick to high moral standard and integrity, the parliamentary system could not function smoothly," he remarked.

Saying that MPs lack institutional thinking, he blamed them for delimiting themselves only in their constituents to ensure the next election.

He said that the Maoist problem was a political problem and should be resolved through talks. He disagreed with the view of using military force in tackling the Maoists problem.

"If Maoists backed from the table, the country would be marred by bloodbath," Dhungana warned the government.

From the chair Minister for Laws, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Narendra Bikram Nemwang said that check and balance among the executives, judiciary and legislative was key for the development and sustenance of the Constitution and democracy.

Secretary of the Ministry Uday Nepali and chairman of SCOPE Purna Man Shakya shed light on various dimensions of the separation of power for the smooth functioning of the Constitution under the parliamentary democratic polity.

‘Our constitution better than other democratic constitutions’

Kathmandu, Nov. 8 (RSS): Nepali Congerss president Girija Prasad Koirala has termed the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990 one of the model democratic constitutions of the world.

Talking briefly to RSS in connection with Constitution Day today, NC president Koirala remarked that the present Constitution incorporates the positive characteristics of the Constitutions of most democratic countries of the world as it was framed after a lot of comparative study, research and analysis of such Constitutions.

That is why this Constitution is better than other democratic Constitutions, he added.

Koirala said the present constitution has made no one powerful but the people.

Like in Britain the present Constitution envisages the Prime Minister elected from the people as the most powerful ruler, he said and added that this provision is in favour of the Nepali people.

The present Constitution contains some irreversible provisions in its preamble for the consolidation of Paliamentary multi-party democracy and to better manage and protect the rights of the people, the Nepali Congerss chief said.

He said this Constitution embodies the spirit and feelings of the entire Nepalese people as it had been framed by representatives of the political parties that were harbingers of the popular movement and representatives of the King keeping in view the objectives of the successful people’s movement of 1990 and its inherent spirit.

Koirala said it is the responsibility of all democratic forces and the entire Nepali people to uphold what is good in the constitution.

He pointed out the need to correct the errors committed by individuals in the process of its exercise and practice.

FAO conference
Emphasis to strategies for growth in rural dev: Acharya

Kathmandu, Nov. 8 (RSS): Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives Mahesh Acharya has said that with as many as 38 per cent of the population living below the poverty line even today, His Majesty’s Government has given emphasis to the strategies for growth in agriculture and rural development for alleviating poverty while formulating the 10th Five Year Plan.

Minister Acharya made this remark while addressing the plenary session of the 31st conference of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) being held in Rome, the capital of Italy on Tuesday.

In Nepal as many as 55 out of 75 districts lie in the hills and high hill region, majority of these districts are chronically food deficit while diverse culture, indigenous knowledge, rich natural resource and dense bio-diversity thrive in the fragile ecosystem there, he added.

"As we strive for harnessing every potential of our agricultural resources for productive purpose. We need equally to be mindful of our responsibility to conserve the rich bio-diversity," he said, adding "the challenge facing such mountain agriculture is to harness several advantageous attributes of mountain environment particularly in terms of amazing diversity and associated commercial niches."

Even as the target of official development assistance has always remained unfulfilled by a large margin, new challenges have been emerging forcefully in way of the promised ‘peace dividend,’ he said, adding that " we would like to recall with appreciation the concern expressed by the Genoa summit of the G-8 countries over the issues of food security and food safety."

"Let us fight human hunger, natural horror and man-made terror together," he said, adding "building global coalition against hunger and environmental disaster is just as important as our endeavors to build a global coalition against international terror."