APRACA meet to be held in Nepal from Oct 14

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Oct 4 The 44th meeting of the executive committee of the Asia Pacific Rural and Agriculture Credit Association (APRACA) is going to be held here from October 14 -17 this year.

The APRACA meeting will take place in Kathmandu and Pokhara, informed Krishna Pradhan, director of Development Finance Department at Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) at a press meet here today.

The meeting takes place three times in every two year. And NRB had hosted APRACA meeting in 1993. The APRACA established in 1977 with the initiation of some countries in the Asia Pacific region has now 52 members.

Nepal one of the founder members of the association has been actively participating since its inception. Nepal had chaired it for the period of two years in 1986-1988. The then NRB governor Ganesh Bahadur Thapa was the chairman of association.

NRB, Nepal Bank Ltd. Rastriya Banjya Bank, Agriculture Development Bank are the members of the the association.

During a four-day meeting various issues related to the regional economy will be discussed and various decisions made during the 43rd meeting will be given final shape according to Pradhan. The meeting will also discuss on training and research programmes and prepare a blue- print for the golden jubilee next programme.

The meeting will also discuss the structure of the APRACA executive body.

Besides, a talk programme on Rural Investment in Nepal: Problem and Challenges will also be held at the initiation of NRB. Following the meeting there will be programme for APRACA participants to visit rural development banks in Nepal.

Various programmes related to agriculture, rural credit, training and study programmes in the Asia Pacific are being conducted through APRACA.

Benegal opens Film South Asia 2001

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, October 4:Film South Asia 2001, a festival of South Asian documentaries with 45 documentaries from four countries of the region participating, got underway today in Kathmandu.

Noted Indian film director Shyam Benegal inaugurated the film festival today at the Russian Cultural Centre.

The festival of South Asian documentaries had begun with the screening of 'The Killing Terraces', a Nepali documentary by Dhruba Basnet. The documentary uses footages shot over 26 days in the tough mountainous terrain of Rolpa, Rukum and Jajarkot districts in the western Nepal from where the Maoists began to wage their violent struggle in 1996. The documentary attempts to explore the causes underlying the rise of the Maoists and its effects on the local people.

However, The Killing Terraces is one of the five films, which are not in the competition in the regional film festival.

Altogether 45 documentaries from Nepal, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan are contesting in the four-day festival that concludes on Sunday.

Over two dozens film directors from all over the world as well as a large of audiences from South Asian nations are participating in the festival.

The documentaries declared first, second and third will be awarded with 'Ram Bahadur Trophy', along with cash prizes of US$ 2,000, US$ 1,000 and US$ 500 respectively.

The jury for the competition comprises of Director Benegal, Firdous Azim, the well-known professor of the Department of English of the Dhaka University and Neer Shah, the senior Nepali director.

The documentaries are scheduled to be screened back-to-back from 11 A.M. to 8 P.M. everyday.

At the inaugural function today, SAARC Secretary General Nihal Rodrigo, Directors Shyam Benegal and Yadav Kharel spoke about the various aspects of the documentaries.

Today eight documentaries were screened: After Sunset (Pakistan), Two Assassinations and an Accident (India), Mela Basanta Bahar (Pakistan), Ram Lila (India), Ray (India), The Great Indian Yatra (India), The Loom (India), Perceptions - The Other Canvas (Bangladesh).

Himal Association and Himal South Asian Magazine have been organising Film South Asia festival every two years since 1997.

'Not much change in infant death rate in Nepal'

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Oct. 4: Although the under-5 mortality rate has seen a significant decline, it may be harrowing to note that the infant death rate in Nepal has not seen much change for the past 14 years.

The situation of the newborns in Nepal is even worse. The Himalayan Kingdom stands at the top when it comes to the death rate of newborns in South Asia. Meanwhile, South Asia records the highest infant mortality rate with four million babies dying within one month of their birth.

A global finding of the Save the Children US has also discovered that 98 per cent of those ill-fated newborns belong to the developing countries.

More than that, child experts, at a programme organised by the Himalayan Field Office of Save the Children US, pointed that most of such deaths occurred at home where they were delivered.

Likewise, the report, which the Save the Children US released here this evening on the occasion of the United Nations Special Session on Children, said out of every 1000 newborn babies, 50 die within the first month of life in Nepal.

Keeping in mind the deteriorating health situation of the newborns and their mothers Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, while giving his inaugural speech, said that the government was serious in improving the health condition of the country.

Reiterating that children were the future of every nation, the Prime Minister said that their upbringing was the most important responsibility for the present generation.

Premier Deuba also said that the families should maintain internal as well as external security measures to provide the best environment for the physical and mental development of the children.

However, he expressed his dissatisfaction over the working style of the hospitals saying that ‘they have failed to facilitate the basic health needs and rights of the children’.

Apart from rampant ignorance, the organisers have found that the reason behind such a bleak picture of child rearing in Nepal was lack of specific policy and goal related to neonatal helth.

The main reason behind the alarming infant death rate in developing countries like Nepal was rampant ignorance coupled with superstition.

They also said intensive medical care was not that necessary for rearing the child. "What is essential while bringing up the children is paying particular attention," they said.

They also focussed on the importance of mothers’ milk to the newly born babies.

Shuklaphanta wildlife reseve awaits conservation

Mahendra Nagar, Oct. 4 (RSS): Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (RSWR) awaits suitable time for its development, expansion and conservation.

The Wildlife Reserve, located at the nook of south-western part of the Far-Western Region, is the smallest wildlife reserve in terms of the area it occupies, catchment area developed by the flow of rivers, wetlands and grassland, one of the largest in the entire South Asia region.

The RSWR remains as an abode for rare tigers, wild elephants, rhinos, deers, wild boars, peacocks, antelopes, lemur monkeys, nilgais and more than 300 species of birds, giant pythons and crocodiles.

The Rani, Saulgaudi, Baba, Shikari, Gaunthali, Puramo, Kumari, Kalikich, Tara, Padau, Larlaredanda and Lalpani lakes are situated within the Wildlife Reserve where Mahakali, Radha, Syali, Bauni and Chaudhar rivers flow.

About 52 per cent of the total reserve area is covered with Saal forests, 10 per cent with wetlands and 30 per cent with grassland.

It is a startling fact that a single grassland lying within the RSWR extends over 55 square kilometres.

Demarcated in 2032 B.S. as a wildlife reserve sprawling over 155 square km with the objective of conserving the flora and fauna in the area, a master plan was charted out in 2037 B.S. to link the area with nearby wildlife reserves and accordingly, the conservation area expanded up to 305 square kilometre in 2051 B.S.

There are four towers have been built for the tourists to view the scenery. In addition, six guest houses along with tamed elephants to wander into the jungle and several camping hotels have been opened in the RSWR.

It is believed that over 40 tigers shelter in the area. Of them, nearly 26 tigers live only within 155 square km area which is considered as one of the area densely inhabitated by tigers throughout the world.

A female tiger known as "Majhagaon" which is believed to be the largest tiger in the country lives here.

As some parts of the Beldandi and Rautelibichawa VDCs that fall under the RSWR adjoin the Lagabhaga forests and other conserved areas of India, the wildlife keeps on wandering through the border.

The RSWR that covers 18.5 per cent of the total land area of Kanchanpur district, is still facing a problem of encroachment and haphazard settlements since its inception.

Some 60 square km of the land covered by the RSWR is estimated to be encroached upon by the local people at various places such as ward Nos. 1 to 6 in Rautelibichawa VDC, Padau of Pipaladi VDC, Bhalpuri, Wangara and Tarapur villages, Dakka of Dekhatabhuli VDC and Hathiya Chamarkatti village.

About 2,528 bighas of land area have been provided to the landless settlers in lieu of land they were occupying or as compensation from time to time through various commissions formed with the passage of time.

According to the chief of the RSWR Surya Bahadur Pandey, the families living within the wildlife reserve area stood at 4,345 during a survey conducted in 2054 B.S. and the figure has now gone up to around 10,000.

The employees of the RSWR accuse the local political leaders of using the people residing within the area as a vote bank and creating obstacles for the authorities to carry out their work.

A report prepared by the commission formed under the chairmanship of Damodar Prasad Parajuli in 2046 B.S. has clearly stated that all the genuine local people had so far, been relocated except the remaining 1,100 families living in the periphery of the wildlife reserve.

Chief of the RSWR Pandey is of the opinion that the relocation of people should be started on the basis of a report prepared in 2046 B.S.

Those who are found guilty for double cropping within the wildlife reserve area should be brought to book and the authority be allowed to function without any political interference to contain the problem of forest encroachment.

Special Time
MPs raise issue of law, order

Kathmandu, Oct. 4 (RSS): Ishwar Pokharel of the CPN-UML, speaking during special time at the House of Representatives today, said the people of the far-flung rural areas were compelled to live in an environment of terror, Maoist terrorist activity continued unabated, rowdyism was being indulged in broad daylight even in the Kathmandu Valley, and the police administration was unable to do anything even when schools were vandalised. The government should pay special attention to ensure law and order, he added.

Tarini Dutta Chataut of the Nepali Congress said that the Maoists were resorting to dual standards even while holding talks with the government. They were raising funds from schools and robbing people at gun-point, he said and emphasised the need for all nationalist forces to join hands to maintain peace and tranquility in the country.

Urmila Aryal of the CPN-UML said that the women's bill was necessary to build an equitable society, provide social justice and free women from mental torture.

Govinda Bikram Shah of the RPP demanded due compensation for those injured in the incident at Tulasipur, Dang district last Saturday and said that the curfew imposed in the municipality should be lifted and normal traffic restored.

Hari Acharya of Rastriya Janamorcha said that the government should pay attention to providing telephone connections for more than 2,000 VDCs where it is not available at present.

Raghuji pant of the CPN-UML said that the national library should be well planned, and the budget earmarked for it increased.

Ananda Prasad Pokharel of the same party said that the government should table in parliament the national strategy on water resources, and special initiative should be taken to execute the upper Tamakoshi hydropower project.

Som Prasad Panday, also of the CPN-UML, said that immediate provisions should be made for electricity in various VDCs of Palpa district, the VDCs affected by the Kaligandaki project should be electrified, and credit from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank should be well utilised.

Journalism prize given
Use pen for truth, journalists urged

Biratnagar, Oct. 4 (RSS): Nepali Congress president and former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that as the pen is mighter than weaponry journalists should not hesitate in using their pen for the truth.

Mr Koirala made this remark while presenting the "Martyr Jagat Prakash Jung Journalism Prize" to local representative of Himalaya Times Shekhar Regmi here today for his contribution to journalism from outside the capital.

The prize established by Reporters' Club Nepal carries a purse of Rs. 5,000/ and a citation.

He also pointed out the need for journalists to use their pen against the direction-less Maoists who are indulging in murder, violence and terror.

If the Maoists want talks they should come to the negotiating table after giving up arms, Koirala said adding that in view of the increasing anti-terrorist sentiment in the country and across the globe everyone should counter them in a responsible fashion.

The government should always keep the door open for talks with the Maoists and should maintain its position of strength at the negotiating table. In this respect the party will provide full cooperation to the government, he said.

On the occasion Mr Koirala also released the "Biseswar Rajnaitik Kabya" published by Janak Bahadur Karki.

NC Morang district president Ashok Koirala and MP Puskarnath Ojha also expressed their views at the programme chaired by club president Rishi Dhamala.

At the programme, club president Dhamala also announced the constitution of the club's Biratnagar unit ad hoc committee under the chairmanship of Shekhar Regmi.

Bijaya Pathak is the vice-chairman, Kumud Adhikari general secretary, Bishnu Gautam treasurer and Miss Anu Baniya, Brahmadev Yadav and Purna Bahadur Bhujel members of the committee.

Hem Raj Regmi and Tanka Khanal are advisors to the committee.

Meanwhile, convenor of the government team for talks with the Maoists and Minister for Physical Planning and Works Chiranjibi Wagle has said the government is working to facilitate the third round of talks with the Maoists with the objective ending killings and violent activities and maintaining law and order in the country.

Speaking at a face-to face programme organised by the Reporters’ Club here today, Minister Wagle hoped that a solution to the Maoist problem will be found during the third round of talks to be held between the government and the Maoists very soon.

Stating that the government had already rejected the Maoists demands for a republican state and dissolution of the present constitution, Wagle said a republican state cannot be set up in a country with constitutional monarchy and dissolution of the constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990 attained through the Popular Movement of 2046 B.S. is not possible.

Stating that the government had initiated the talks to help the Maoists to give up killing and violent activities, create an atmosphere of peace and win the confidence of the people, he said that violent activities, forceful collection of donations and destruction of police posts have stopped, and the obstructed parliamentary proceeding started and ordinances passed by the Parliament.

Minister Wagle said that in the process of resolving the Maoist problem, the House of Representatives can be dissolved, general elections held and a new government formed if the ruling, opposition and other political parties reached a consensus within the framework of the present constitution.

No decision have been taken during the preliminary round of talks between the government and the Maoist, he said, adding that the government was making efforts to move ahead the talks in a positive direction in accordance with all party consensus and discussions.

The duration of the talks between the government and the Maoists could be prolonged further, he said, adding that "we must have patience."

The government is more concerned than the Maoists about the improving the economic and social conditions of the people, Minister Wagle said, adding that the government is committed to improving the economic and social conditions of the people by maintaining peace in the country through talks with the Maoists.

In reply to a query, Minister Wagle said that there were a lot of active workers within the Nepali Congress who are suffering. The NC leadership has failed to make a proper evaluation of the seniority, sincerity and faithfulness of such Nepali congress workers, he added.

The programme was chaired Reporters’ Club president Rishi Dhamala.

AI Nepal asks govt to okay int'l criminal court

Kathmandu, Oct. 4 (RSS): Amnesty International Nepal branch today called on His Majesty's Government to sign and ratify the statute on the international criminal court.

At the initiative of Amnesty International and other human rights organisations, an international gathering of diplomats held in Rome, the capital of Italy, on July 17 had accepted the statute and opened it for signing and ratification by world governments.

The main area of jurisdiction of the proposed court is to end the situation of lawlessness and to create an environment for ending any kind of human rights violation, crime against humanity, war crimes and homicide.

The court will attain legal status only after ratification by 60 countries.

Although 115 countries have agreed to the statute and signed it, the required number of countries ratifying has not yet been reached.

Though Nepal was represented at the Rome gathering it remained neutral, it is learnt.

President of Amnesty International Nepal branch Krishna Kandel complained that in spite of MPs, parliamentary committees and ministry heads speaking in favour of the court, the government had not signed the statute.

Executive director of the branch Anil Panta expounded the need for setting up such a court.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International branches and institutions in the Asia-Pacific region have requested the countries of the world to ratify the statute for instituting the court to try cases relating to crimes against humanity.

Interventions discussed to fight child trafficking

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Oct. 4: Employers, workers and teachers organisations today came together to identify their roles in the fight against trafficking of children, at a programme on 'National Workshop on Interventions against Trafficking of Children' organised by International Labour Organisation, International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (ILO/IPEC).

The three organisations have committeeed to initiate actions against worst forms of child labour immediately and to take strong opposition to socio-economic policies that caouse child labour and mainatream child labour interest into national educational policies and employment opportunities. They also identified and pledged to lobby with other unions, professional organisations, non-governmental organiations and others working and influencing various social sectors for integrated programmes to the child labour prone-families.

Trafficking has been identified as one of the wrost forms of child labours in Nepal. ILO is implementing Time Bound Programme (TBP), with the aim to eliminate the seven worst forms of child labour within five years. The other wrost forms are-domestic labour, rag pickers, children working in carpet industries, child porters, children working in mines, child bonded labours.

Leyla Tegmo Reddy, director ILO, Kathmandu emphasised on the need to constantly update partners and enhance technical capabilities in order to tackle new emerging issues of trafficking. "The Time Bound Programme recently been approved by the donor and we hope to commence activities shortly," she said. "ILO is committed to work with constituents and civil society to assist in climinating this worst form of child labour in Nepal."

Yadav Amatya, National Programme Manager, ILO/IPEC said that TBP will be implemented in three phases and 35 district will be targeted in total. "The selection of the districts is based on prevalence of child labour, human development index, literacy rate and deprivation," he said.

According to rapid assessment carried out by IPEC, 7,000 to 12,000 children and women are trafficked from Nepal every year for sexual exploitation or organ transplant, or for domestic work.

Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, president of FNCCI stressed that goernment or ILO's initiative alone will not be sufficient to make TBP a success. "To eliminate the worst forms of child labour all quarters of the society need to make an initiative and try to bring about change in whatever ways possible," said Shrestha.

Nepal is one of the three countries in the world where the TBP is being implemented. The other two are El Sarvador in Latin America and Tanzania in Africa. The ILO Convention No. 182 which came into effect from November 2000, was ratified by the parliament on September 13, 2001.

Transport services resume in Dang

Tribhuvannagar, Dang, Oct. 4 (RSS): Transport services which had remained disrupted for the last five days resumed from today.

The deadlock followed the vandalisation of over 100 buses by agitated local people after two students were killed in an accident at local Motipur last Saturday.

A nepalgunj-bound bus (Ra. 1 Kha. 224) had hit the two students riding on bicycles at Motipur killing them instantly.

One person was killed and several others were injured in police action in an attempt to contain the agitation following the accident.

The local administration imposed curfew in the town for the last five days in order to control the situation.

Meanwhile, an all-sides meeting was convened here today in a bid to maintain law and order in the district.

The meeting was attended by the District Development Committee (DDC) chairman, the chief district officer, representatives of various political parties, representatives from the municipality, district chamber of commerce and industry and the Ilaka administration office, Tulsipur and senior police officers.

Similarly, a joint meeting of the Lumbini, Bheri, Seti and Rapti zonal transport entrepreneurs' syndicates was held here today in connection with resumption of the stalled transport services.

Deciding to resume transport services, the meeting asked the government to provide compensation for the buses damaged in the vandalisation by the first week of Mangsir.

PAC directs govt to ensure supply of sugar

Kathmandu, Oct. 4 (RSS): The meeting today of House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has directed His Majesty's Government (Council of Ministers) and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies to carry out a study of the state of demand and supply of sugar and make arrangement for regular supply of sugar and other essential goods in the country.

A directive was also issued by the meeting in case of purchase of goods in future from companies run by the Indian government to select from as many companies as possible and renew the list of such companies.

For importing sugar at present the companies run by the Indian government as per information released by the Indian Embassy should be involved and all work of purchase and supply of sugar completed within seven days. Supply of sugar from public corporations should be effected through reliable companies in a responsible manner, it was stated.

A study carried out by the committee on sugar purchase and supply by National Trading Ltd. found that the limited did not have any clear policy on whether to purchase sugar direct or through competition from among companies run by the Indian government, the report on Indian companies trading in sugar was found not to have been updated as per the law and priority was not given to calling tenders in the purchase and supply of sugar.

Stating that the committee found decisions to have been made on the basis of rates received direct from the companies without even publishing the rates, the meeting reached a conclusion that His Majesty's Government (Council of Ministers) and Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies did not given attention towards making a study of the state of demand and supply for sugar and making arrangements for regular supply in the country.