Dialogue with Maoists impossible, says Sushil

Kathmandu, Nov. 28 (RSS): General Secretary of the Nepali Congress (NC) Sushil Koirala has said despite goodwill shown by the government, the Maoists gave up the process of dialogue and resorted to violence, terror and murder and therefore, the NC has directed the government to exercise all the rights as per the provisions of the constitution and deal the situation with iron hands.

At a Face to Face programme at the Reporters’ Club here today, Koirala noted that the government should take advantage of the world-wide wave against terrorism and understanding should be reached and cooperation sought from the opposition parties as well to deal with the situation.

The NC leader also expressed confidence that since all the political parties want the killing, violence and terror eliminated, all of them will support the steps taken by the government in this regard.

Responding to queries posed by journalists, Koirala said, "the party and the government will move ahead with coordination. Dialogue is impossible unless the Maoists accept their mistakes, lay down their arms and comply with the provisions of the constitution. The door of dialogue is always open in a democracy and the ball is now in the court of the Maoists."

Stating that the Maoists have unleashed violence with no clear objectives, the general secretary made it clear that the NC had already branded the Maoists as terrorists one year ago.

He called upon the journalists to be sensitive and discharge their duties responsibly in defending democracy in the prevailing situation.

Club chairman Rishi Dhamala presided over.

Training on newspaper mgmt held

Nepalgunj, Nov. 28 (RSS): A 10-day training on newspaper management conducted by Nepal Press Institute Regional Communication Resource Centre concluded here today.

Eleven journalists from Banke, Kailali, Surkhet, Rupendehi and Dang districts took part in the training.

Giving away certificates to the participants Banke district education officer Cholendra Pundit urged the fourth estate to disseminate information taking into consideration the welfare of the nation and society.

Central vice-president of Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Hemant Karmacharya asked the journalist not to forget the sensitiveness of issues concerning national interest.

FNJ Banke district president Panna Lal Gupta was on the chair.

DPS brings out new postage stamps

Kathmandu, Nov. 28 (RSS): The Department of Postal Services (DPS) has brought into circulation a new postage stamp featuring the national flag of Nepal.

Director general of DPS Mukunda Sharma Poudel affixed the first cancellation mark on the postage stamps of 10 paise denomination issued here today.

On the occasion, Poudel said notwithstanding the financial losses, His Majesty’s Government has brought out the postage stamps in order to facilitate the distribution of newspapers across the country.

From the chair, president of the Nepal Philatelic Society Subarna Ram Joshi said that the government should include philatelic activity under the development budget of the country.

Two million postage stamps with a combination of two colours designed by DPS aritiste K. K. Karmacharya has been brought into circulation today.

Sushil convenor of NC monitoring committee

Kathmandu, Nov. 28 (RSS): President of the Nepali Congress (NC) Girija Prasad Koirala today constituted a high level monitoring committee with NC general secretary Sushil Koirala as convenor.

NC joint general secretary Govinda Raj Joshi and Central Working Committee (CWC) members Basudev Risal, K.B. Gurung and Chakra Prasad Bastola are the members of the committee.

The new committee has been constituted in accordance with the decision of the recent meeting of the NC CWC.

Tremors in west Nepal

Kathmandu, Nov. 28 (RSS): An earthquake measuring 4.5 on the richter scale with its epicentre near Ghaina of Mugu district was recorded at 3.50 in the afternoon, according to Seismological Center, Surkhet.

Arsenic found in tubewell water in Bara

Kalaiya, Nov. 28 (RSS): The water of 44 tubewells being installed by Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS), Bara under its basic health service and drinking water project and drinking water and sanitation programme at various village development committees have been found containing arsenic.

This information was provided at a meeting of the of Bara district NRCS drinking water quality improvement program coordination committee held here.

Of the total 2,220 tubewells installed by the NRSC Bara district committee, the water of 1,658 tubewells were tested and the water of 44 tubewells were found containing arsenic.

According to World Health Organisation standards, 0.05 per cent arsenic in one litre of water is safe but India and Bangladesh has recommended 50 p.p. in a litre of water.

The water of 44 tubewells installed by the district NRSC in 17 village development committees of Bara district has been found exceeding the safe standards of India and Bangladesh.

The meeting chaired by Bara district NRSC Rajendra Singh Khadka was attended by the representatives of the education, health, drinking water, women development and district administration offices, social workers, journalists and intellectuals of the district.

NC postpones mass meeting

Kathmandu, Nov. 28 (RSS): The Nepali Congress (NC) published a press release here today stating that a mass meeting scheduled to be held at Janakpur on December 2 and a meeting of the members of the district working committees and constituency level chairmen and secretaries of the zone scheduled for December 3 have been postponed in view of the emergency in the country.

Sacred water pots on sale

Kabhrepalanchowk, Nov. 28 (RSS): The 1,008 sacred water pots used for the Biswoshanti Kotihom Mahayagya performed at the premises of Chandeshwari Temple in Banepa Municipality last week are on sale at Rs. 1,001 per pot.

So far, 677 such water pots have already been sold, according to Chandeswari rooftop renovation committee member Lok Narayan Bhaila.

The funds raised will be used for installating the golden "Molamba" on the rooftop of Chandeshwari temple.

Minister KC expresses sorrow

Kathmandu, Nov. 28 (RSS): Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bal Bahadur KC has expressed profound grief over the death of Chief District Officer of Solukhumbu Buddhi Sagar Tripathi, Police Inspectors Shivahari Khadka and Tek Bahadur Shrestha, and other personnel of the Royal Nepal Army and the Nepal Police in a terrorist attack by the terrorists known as Maoists last Sunday at Salleri, the district headquarters.

Stating that in their demise, the country had lost dedicated civil servants and security personnel, Minister KC also expressed condolences to the bereaved families.

Provident Fund starts education loan to employees

Lalitpur, Nov. 28 (RSS): The Employees Provident fund is to make available loans up to Rs. 300,000 to its depositors under the educational loan programme with the objective of shoring up the government’s efforts of preparing technical manpower.

The employees who have had their money deposited for the last five on a regular basis and who have more than five years to get retirement are eligible to enjoy this facility for themselves or their children to study technical subjects.

At a press meet organised by the Employees Provident Fund here today, it was said that the loan period will be 15 years. There will be a nine per cent interest rate on the loans by adding one percent to the interest rate given to the deposited money.

TU results

Kathmandu, Nov. 28 (RSS): Tribhuvan University Institute of Forestry Pokhara, today published the results of the first and second year technical certificate level regular examinations and re-examinations held in the months of Shrawan and Bhadra.

Likewise, the institute also published the results of the first, second and fourth year Graduate Level regular examination and re-examinations held in the months of Shrawan and Bhadra.