Lack of Monitoring Mechanism
Manpower agencies forge, cheat: Report

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Oct. 10: In an absence of strict implementation of existing laws and regulations the foreign employment sector is becoming more risky, unreliable and even chaotic.

There are numerous cases of forgeries and cheating by the manpower agencies and deaths of Nepalese working abroad due to the utter negligence of foreign employment agencies and the concerned authorities.

The Report of the Auditor General’s Department (AGD) 2001 has recorded 477 cases of complaints and others by the year 2056/57, which include deaths in foreign land (6), swindling by the manpower agencies (19), stranded in foreign land after the sponsor or employer failed to receive the worker (33), perks and facilities lower than what was agreed before (22), arrested by police or the immigration office (6). There are also three cases of cheating by brokers who had promised individuals that saying that they would send them to America.

The recent reports of the Auditor General's Department (AGD) stated that the many manpower agencies have failed to comply with the Foreign Employment Regulations and the National Labour Policy formulated to systematise and extend the foreign employment services. Likewise the government, too, has failed to monitor and check the irregularities that have arisen in this sector, it said.

For example, according to Clause 15 of the Foreign Employment Regulation, the manpower companies must inform the government about the conditions of the employees it has sent outside. "But the government has not been doing any follow ups," stated the report.

But, according to the Foreign Employment Promotion Department (FEPD), the government inquires about such information only at the time of renewing the licenses of the companies, that too, if it considers necessary.

The license of the company is automatically cancelled if they fail to send at least 50 employees abroad annually.

In the fiscal year 2056/57, 22 out of 131 agencies could not send even a single person abroad for employment, it said. Likewise, there were 15 agencies that dispatched only 354 workers and failed to meet the requirement.

But the irony is that when such companies fail to fulfil the condition for renewal, the government allows them to retain the licenses.

According to the report, the Council of Ministers in October/November last year had decided to renew the licenses of 15 agencies for 2000/2001 that failed to meet the conditions.

The AGD report starkly pointed to the government’s failure to fulfill its commitments and programmes that were introduced to boost foreign employment in a bid to alleviate the poverty and make its contribution in the national income of the country.

For example, the budget statement three years ago had said that it would work towards creating foreign employment opportunities for 200 persons from every constituency in the East Asian, South East Asian and the Gulf countries. The budget had even said that the government would provide loan to them.

But this decision has not yet been implemented due to technical and financial problems.

"The government could not develop the mechanisms to implement this programmes," said Basant Sharma, an official at the Department under the Labour and Transportation Ministry.

He said that the Ministry has not reached to a conclusion on how to operate such a programme.

"The main question remains who should fund the programme - the government or the privates sector?" he asked.

Sharma pointed out that if the government were to finance the programme, it would be a problem to recoup the loan.

Likewise, the government also faces the obstacle of selecting the appropriate persons, he said and added, "Setting the selection criteria would also be difficult."

The Department has not yet set up Foreign Employment Bank to deposit at least 10 per cent of total income of the workers for their dependents, as mentioned in the Regulation.

The government had announced to conduct special programme and to recruit a labour attaché for the security and welfare of those working abroad but this is yet to be done, stated the report.

The AGD said that the Department did not provide information regarding this matter.

Meanwhile, the AGD report has mentioned that 52,161 Nepalese have gone outside for employment till the end of 2056/57, but the government does not have any record of those going abroad without the permission of the Department or through agencies which are not registered with the Department.

In this aspect, Sharma accepted that they lacked the record of those who had gone without providing their details to the Department. But he said that it was not possible for the Department to keep such records.

Meanwhile, the Report also highlights that the foreign employment has only a nominal contribution in the total employment of the country.

From 2054/055 to 2056/57 foreign employment contributed only 1.14 per cent, 2.65 per cent and 3.38 per cent respectively in total employment sector of the country. Those, who seek employment in foreign countries also include those who were semi-employed or fully employed in the country, thereby further reducing the contribution of foreign employment.

The AGD report also includes a number of suggestions for the government such as strict implementation of law, keeping records for the demand and supply of the foreign employment, strong monitoring and evaluation, training programme for the employees if the foreign employment programme is to make productive to the individual, society and to the national economy.

'Adulterated fuel, bad roads cause pollution'

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Oct. 10: Automobile dealers have said that it was not only due to substandard vehicular means that caused air pollution but adulterated fuel and bad road conditions were equally responsible for deteriorating environmental situation in the country.

Speaking at the concluding session of the 25th annual general assembly of Nepal Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) dealers the other day urged the government to be serious about the adulterated POL products and road condition in the country. They also asked the government to become equally sensitive while introducing rules and regulations in checking pollution problem.

"Problem of air pollution cannot be solved only by phasing out the old vehicles by keeping in mind their date of manufacture but honest and regular inspection comes at the forefront among many the responsibilities," former president of NADA Lokmanya Golchha said.

The speakers also asked the government to use money raised from taxes related to transport sector in constructing and maintaining the road conditions.

President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Rajesh Kaji Shrestha said that the government should be serious about adulteration in POL products and added that it should end the monopoly of Nepal Oil Corporation for encouraging healthy competition and for the sake of consumers.

Rajparishad Standing Committee chairman Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi from the chair of chief guest said that since transportation sector was the vehicle for development it should be well facilitated and maintained.

NADA first vice-president Rohini Thapalia and first vice-president of Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Binod Bahadur Shrestha also highlighted on the importance of transport means for the development of Nepal.

Nepal, China agree on various bilateral measures to strengthen ties

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Oct. 10: A Chinese study team will be coming to Nepal shortly to make necessary preparations for the implementation of the construction of Civil Service Hospital, Syaprubeshi-Rasuwa Road and a polytechnic institute.

This was stated at the fourth meeting of the Nepal-China Consultation Mechanism between Nepal and China held in Beijing on Tuesday. Foreign Secretary Narayan Shumsher Thapa, who is currently on a visit to China led the Nepalese delegation and the Chinese delegation was led by Wang Yi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Nepal-China Consultation Mechanism

The Foreign Ministry says both sides also agreed to take necessary steps for the early conclusion of other agreements on trade, intercourse and related questions between Nepal and Tibet Autonomous Region of China, opening up of additional trading points and the protocol to the road and transportation agreement for the transportation of goods from one point of Nepal to another via Tibet.

The six agreements were signed during the visit of Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji to Nepal in May 2001.

Both the sides also agreed that the Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation plan for outbound travel would be concluded as early as possible. "The Chinese side also responded positively to Nepal’s request to include Beijing and Xian as two intermediate points and two more points beyond Shanghai for air flights," a Foreign Ministry press statement said.

Similarly, on Nepalese request to grant visas to Nepalese nationals on arrival in Hong Kong, the Chinese side stated that it would refer the matter to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

At the meeting, the Nepalese side reiterated Nepal’s One-China policy and its principled stand not to allow any anti-China activities in its soil and the Chinese side appreciated Nepal’s consistent policy on this matter, the Foreign Ministry statement said.

At the meeting, the Chinese Vice Minister said the Chinese government expresses happiness over the smooth accession to the Throne by His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and affirmed the confidence that Nepal would achieve progress and prosperity during the reign of His Majesty King Gyanendra.

He also expressed deep appreciation for the significant and outstanding contributions made by His late Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah in further strengthening the traditional friendship between the two countries.

The other members, who also participated at the meeting included Royal Nepalese Ambassador to China Rajeshwor Acharya, Joint Secretary Arjun Bahadur Thapa from the Nepalese side and senior officials of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Thapa paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Foreign Minister Tan Jiaxian on Wednesday. Matters of mutual concern were discussed on the occasion. Also today, Thapa called on Hu Xijie, Chinese Vice Minister of the Ministry of Communication.

What is AL-Qaida?

According to agency reports, newspapers and our own source Al-Qaida (The Base) is a conglomerate of groups spread throughout the world operating as a network. It has a global reach with presence in Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, Jordan, Tajikistan, Syria, Xinjiang and China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Mindanao in the Philippines, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Yemen, Libya, Tunisia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Chechnya, Dagestan, Kashmir (India), Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Azerbaijan, Eritrea, Uganda, Ethiopia and the West Bank of Gaza.

Al-Qaida has issued statements under the name World Islamic Front for Jihad Against the Jews and Crusaders.

Established by Osama bin Laden in 1990 to bring together Arabs who fought in Afghanistan against the Soviet invasion, helped finance, recruit, transport, and train Sunni Islamic extremists for the Afghan resistance. Current goal is to "reestablish a Muslim Caliphate" throughout the world. Works with allied Islamic extremist groups to overthrow regimes it deems "non-Islamic" and remove Westerners from Muslim countries. Issued statement under banner of "The World Islamic Front for Jihad Against The Jews and Crusaders" in February 1998, saying it was the duty of all Muslims to kill US citizens, civilian or military, and their allies everywhere. To put his ideology into practice, bin Laden dispatched several hundred Afghan veterans to join Islamic groups in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, boosting the domestic and international guerrilla and terrorist agenda of these groups. Bin Laden's cadres are drawn from a 50,000 strong pool of two generations of Afghan veterans.

Al-Qaida has links with similarly minded religious and revolutionary groups throughout the world. Its closest links are with Al-Gama'a al-Islamiya and Islamic Jihad in Egypt and with Harkat ul-Ansar (HuA) and Harakut ul-Mujahideen (HuM) in Kashmir. It is also believed to be involved with units of Al-Ittihad-al-Islami based in Somalia.

Method of Funding

Osama bin Laden, son of a billionaire Saudi family, is said to have inherited around $300 million that he uses to finance the group. Al-Qaida also maintains moneymaking businesses, collects donations from like-minded supporters, and illicitly siphons funds from donations to Muslim charitable organisations. Al Qaida has extensive financial concerns in Sudan, worldwide investments, and small businesses in operationally important places. Enterprises in Sudan included: Zirqani, Ladin International, Althemar al Mubaraka, Quadrat Transportation, Quadrat Construction, and Bareba. There are rumours that it may also be given occasional donations by foreign government agencies, including hard-line elements in Iran.

Al-Qaida membership is estimated between 3,000-5,000 men. Most of them fight alongside the Taliban against the Northern Alliance and are designated the 055 Brigade. Al-Qaida support and operational cells have been detected and neutralised in Italy, Germany, UK, Canada, USA, Tanzania, Kenya, Yemen and Albania. Some cells have also been identified in about 50 countries including Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan, and the Philippines.

The group has a global reach. Al-Qaida's broad ideology has enabled it to infiltrate many Islam-driven groups. After realising the potential for inflicting damage to Europe and North America, Al-Qaida infiltrated the European network of the Armed Islamic Group (Groupc Islamique Arme-GIA) after 1997. It is headquartered in Afghanistan but also has bases in Yemen, Somalia, Sudan and Niger, plus internationally based supporters. Al-Qaida has access to weapons, explosives and there is concern that it is attempting to acquire nuclear, biological or chemical capability. Some weapons have been handed on from other groups once supplied by the CIA in Pakistan and Afghanistan; other weapons are bought on the black market.

Al Qaida Campaigns

1992 In December, the group was linked to bomb attacks against US servicemen staying in Aden, Yemen.

1993 Al-Qaida guerrillas claimed responsibility for the shooting down of helicopters carrying US soldiers on a peacekeeping mission in Somalia.

1994 Working in association with the Abu Sayyaf Group and Ramzi Yousef, Al-Qaida was involved in a plot to assassinate the Pope during a visit to Manila. Later in the year the group was also implicated in a foiled plan to bomb US and Israeli embassies in Manila and other Asian capitals simultaneously.

1995 Al-Qaida's plan to assassinate US President Clinton on a visit to the Philippines was thwarted.

1996 Al-Qaida is believed to have been involved in planning the bomb attack on a US airbase in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, in June.

1998 In 'February, the World Islamic Front for Jihad Against the Jews and Crusaders issued a fatwa condoning attacks against 'infidels'. Al-Qaida was believed to have been responsible for the planning of the US embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam in which more than 300 people were killed and 5000 injured (August).

2001 On June 13, the Mahattan Federal Jury sentenced a Saudi man, Mohd. Rashed Daoud al-Owhali (24 yrs) to life imprisonment for the US Embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dar-es-Salam in 1998.

Kamaiyas freed but not fed

Mahendranagar, Oct. 10 (RSS): What worries the Kamaiyas (bonded labourers) liberated by His Majesty's Government last year is how they will now manage to support their families in the absence of the plough, bullock and irrigation facilities for farming on the land they received from HMG.

According to the former Kamaiyas rehabilitation district committee, about 3,045 liberated Kamaiya families live in Kanchanpur district following the announcement of liberation of the Kamaiyas on Saun 2, 2057 B.S.

HMG had provided Rs. 10,000 in cash, 75 cubic feet timber and tarpaulin to every Kamaiya family in the district that falls in category 'A' to build a hut for shelter. Inspite of the assistance provided by HMG, a majority of such Kamaiyas are living in such a piteous condition that the dew drops falls from beneath the tarpaulin roof of their huts sans boundary wall. Thus, particularly the children and the elderly persons fall sick frequently.

The Kamaiyas complain that although they get rice in lieu of labour for digging road, filling earth and cleaning their own vicinity on behalf of various government and non-governmental organisations, it is no longer now-a-days.

Most of the Kamaiyas who underwent skill development training and income-generating schemes have remained idle as they failed to get jobs that match their skills and knowledge.

Under the Kamaiya professional capability build-up programme, altogether 113 Kamaiya underwent skill development training in FY 2052/53, 192 in FY 2053/54, 119 in 2054/55, 108 in 2055/56, 124 in 2056/57 and 81 in 2057/58.

Some 20 women are going through cutting and sewing training that started from October 5 this year, land reforms officer Bisun Singh Thapa said.

The total Kamaiya families scattered in 19 VDCs and one municipality in Kanchanpur district have been classified into 4 categories. The former Kamaiyas without house and land fall in category 'A' is being given top priority for their re-settlement.

A total of 2,462 families fall in 'A' category, 495 families in 'B' category, 33 in 'C' category and 55 in 'D' category.

HMG has so far, distributed 605 bighas 19 kattha of land to the former Kamaiyas. Land has been allocated to the 1,400 Kamaiya families as of now and land has yet to be allocated to 1,054 Kamaiya families.

Out of the total, 2,137 Kamaiya families have received land ownership certificates so far.

At present, out of the 15 Kamaiya camps situated in Kanchanpur district, Bani camp in Krishnapur is one camp that has the maximum number of Kamaiyas.

"The government has provided us land for settlement but we need jobs for making a living." Push Devi Choudhary, a Kamaiya woman of Daiji VDC says.

"How can we eke out in such a difficult life we are going through. It is better to die instead of living in such a piteous condition" she laments.

About 110 Kamaiya families in the camp in Jhalari VDC fear that they may loose the land once acquired from the government after an all-party meeting decided to relocate them in some other places so as to expand and systematise the local bazaar in Jhalari.

The camp lies along the bank of the river and extends over 22 bighas of land. Nobody can predict that the camp may not be swept away by a swollen river one day.

The head of the camp Muli Rana, pointing out to a sick person who is in a dire need of medication, expounded on the problems they are facing.

The plight of the 261 families at Naukhuri camp in Jhalari VDC is different from that of others. The Kamaiyas are in a fix that the land on where they have built houses lack land ownership certificates. They have been provided with land ownership certificate for the land that lies out the locality.

They are now urging the land revenue office to make an arrangement for swapping land at the same place they are occupying.

All the Kamaiyas wish to have a good meal and attire on the eve of the Bada Dashain. We are in anticipation of assistance from any party to celebrate the festival, head of the camp Parasuram Chaudhary says.

Non-governmental organisations such as backward society (Base) Nepal, Nepal National Social Welfare Association, Care Nepal had been providing food, medicines and clothes to the former Kamaiyas, but all these activities are no longer in operation.

Nonetheless, UNICEF and ILO have been running literacy programme and providing a day meal for the children of Kamaiyas in almost all the camps.

As the government and the concerned authority do not give attention towards creating employment opportunities and providing alternative sources of income generation for the advancement of the former Kamaiyas on time in a bid to make them self-reliant, it will definitely have a serious repercussion in the fabric of the Nepalese society.

delegation

Kathmandu, Oct. 10 (RSS): A 16-member Nepalese business delegation led by co-president of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce publicity and fair committee Rajaratna Tuladhar left here for Hanover, Germany to take part in the INFA-2001 Trade Fair to be held from October 13 to 21.

Handicrafts, silver jewelry, thankas, readymade garments and other goods produced by Nepalese firms will be displayed at INFA-2001 Trade Fair.

INFA-2001 Trade Fair is expected to help Nepalese businessmen to establish direct links with the participants of other countries and promote their business.

Team meets PM

Kathmandu, Oct 10 (RSS): A delegation of MPs and litterateurs led by chairman of the Pahalman Singh Swnar Memorial Foundation Balman Singh Swnar met Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba at his residence in Baluwatar today and demanded that the Doti-Achham road be named after the late litterateur Pahalman Singh Swnar and a literary award be instituted in memory of the late Swnar.

Other members of the delegation were MPs Govinda Bahadur Shaha, Ram Bahadur Bista, Akkal Bahadur Bista and Siddaraj Ojha, NC Achham district president Bharat Kumar Swnar, president of Achham-Kathmandu Liaison Committee Him Bahadur Rawal, general secretary of the foundation Yagya Raj Upadhyaya and member Dr. Mohan Himanshu Thapa.

Courtesy call

Kathmandu, Oct. 10 (RSS): Bhutanese Ambassador Lyonpo Dago Tshering paid a courtesy call on Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bal Bahadur K.C. at the latter's office today.

During the meeting, discussions were held on the cultural exchange between the two countries as well as matters of mutual interests.

Proposals accepted

Kathmandu, Oct. 10 (RSS): The meeting of the House of Representatives today unanimously accepted the proposal presented by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bal Bahadur K.C. asking that the Copyright Bill-2058 be sent to the concerned committee for clause-wise discussions.

Similarly, the meeting also unanimously accepted a proposal presented by Minister for Education and Sports Amod Prasad Upadhyaya asking that the National Education Bill, 2058 B.S. be sent to the concerned committee for clause-wise discussions.

Also today, the secretary at the House of Representatives tabled the messages of the National Assembly regarding Value Added Tax (first amendment) Bill, 2058 B.S., Insurance (second amendment) Bill, 2058 B.S. and Income Tax Bill, 2058 B.S. that were returned by the National Assembly without any recommendations.

The House of Representatives will meet again at 1 p.m. tomorrow.

Rana urges Maoists to join mainstream politics

Syangja, Oct. 10 (RSS): General secretary of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Pashupati Shumsher Rana has called on the Maoists to come to the national mainstream by discarding the path of violence and murder.

Rana while inaugurating the third district convention of RPP Syangja said it is a mere daydream of the Maoists to form a Maoist government in Nepal which was even not successful in China.

Rana said RPP does not oppose the radical land reforms but it is of the view that the government should take under its control any property without clear source of income.

Another central member and ex-minister Balaram Gharti Magar called on the Maoist leaders to create an congenial environment of national consensus by shunning murder and violence.

Another central members Chandra Bahadur Gurung and Chhetra Bahadur Gurung, RPP Tanahu president Narendra Raj Wagle, Ram Bandhu Regmi, Jaya Narayan Shrestha, Madan Karki, Toya Nath Subedi, Kalendra Bikram Shahi also expressed their views.

The convention was presided over by RPP Syangja president Toran Bahadur Gurung.

Govt fails to address economic problems: MPs

Kathmandu, Oct. 10 (RSS): Bharat Mohan Adhikari of the CPN-UML, speaking during special hour of the House of Representatives today, said that the government’s unclear economic policy had caused conditions for closure of industries, affected the import and export business, banks to become bankrupt and general expediture to exceed development expenditure and demanded that a clear working policy be introduced to free the country from problems.

Ram Kumar Chaudhary of the NC demanded a ruling to provide relief assistance to the families affected by water logging caused by recent heavy rain in the village development committees of the eastern development region.

Netra Lal Shrestha of the RPP demanded investigation into the widespread irregularities taking place under the road, irrigation and drinking water projects being launched under the integreted development programme in the remote hilly districts as a result of the lack of provision for follow-up and evaluation of such projects.

Navaraj Subedi of the Rastriya Janamorcha deplored the attacks being carried out by the United States of America on Afghanistan. He demanded that His Majesty’s Government withdraw the support being extended to the United States of America on October 8 as it was against the non-aligned policy of Nepal.

Tara Samyang of the CPN-UML accused the government of trying to introduce the land reforms programme in favour of the landowners despite the commitment made to provide land to one million landless farmers in the country.

Mahendra Yadav ‘Madhukar’ of the NC demanded immediate relief assistance to the farmers of Mahottari district affected by the recent torrential rains and to undertake river control works in the district.

Rajendra Prasad Pandey of the CPN-UML said that the local bodies were carrying out works in accordance with the Local Self Governance Act. The inconsistencies seen in the local self-governance act should be removed immediately.

Stressing the need to empower the people’s representatives, Mr Pandey accused the government of creating problems for the local bodies by taking quick decisions without homework.

Rajendra Kharel of the NC said that the government should take strong action against persons involved in anti-social activities in the capital and villages at a time when the Maoists were holding talks with the government realizing the fact that a republic cannot be created by raising arms.

Mr Kharel said that the government had taken a laudable step by supporting the American’s attack on the Talibans for destroying the 2000 years old Buddha statue and Osama bin Laden for being a terrorist.

Nara Bahadur Hamal of the CPN-UML said that the people were not feeling secure as the Maoists were still involved in collecting donations and threatening people even when talks are going on with the government.

Stressing the need for introducing a concrete programme for providing security to the people, Mr Hamal said that the government and the Maoists should be flexible in solving the problem without any delay.

Stating that arrangements should be made to resettle the people of Dailekh district displaced by landslides and soil erosion, he demanded additional funds for development of the district.