Youth World Cricket
Nepal win crucial trophy, qualify for NZ meet

BY NARAYAN UPADHYAY

Kirtipur, Oct. 18: Nepal's ten years' wait to claim cricket's international title came to an end today when it won the third Asian Youth Cricket Cup for Under-19 in front of about ten thousand partisan crowd that cheered every moment of the hosts making of an history.

Nepal, after being granted International Cricket Council's associate membership in 1996, have already participated in ten international cricket tournaments that include senior, under-19 and under-17 age groups tournaments. Interestingly, Nepal made its debut in the international cricket some six years ago in Malaysia, the losers of today's final against Nepal.

The final victory at the lush Kirtipur Cricket Ground not only gave the hosts the shining cup but also helped them to qualify for the Youth World Cup Cricket which will be held in New Zealand in February next year. The Youth World Cup of cricket is played every two years.

Today's seven-wicket win against Malaysia repeated Nepal's feat for entering into the World Cup. In 1999, Nepal received an opportunity to play in the final round of Youth World Cup by beating the same opponents, Malaysia.

The triumph today also capped the hosts' emphatic and dream run at the 8-day long Third Asian Cricket Council Trophy for Under nineteen years as it emerged the strongest team and looked far superior against eight teams that particpated in Kathmandu from October 10 t0 18. In its Pool matches, it defeated Oman by 9 wickets, Singapore by 7 wickets and Maldives by whopping 251 runs. The Nepalese youngsters then trampled the United Arab Emirates by 106 runs in the semifinal.

Boosted by cheers of vociferous crowds and by the advantage of home turf and pitch, the diminutive Jhapa boy Lakpa Lama and opener Kanishka Chaugai along with Captain Binod Das stamped the hosts' superiority over the rivals from South East Asia.

For his brilliant performance throughout the championship, the 17-year left arm orthodox spinner Lama bagged both today's final man of the match and man of the series awards. Lama, who claimed five wickets today, his successive second five-wicket haul had bagged a total of 15 wickets in the four matches the hosts played in the tournament. Captain Das claimed 14 wickets and Shakti Gauchan made a total of 187.

Another highlight of today's game was opener Chaugai's who carried the bat for whole innings and smashed a collective and cool 70 notout that helped Nepal to reach the victory target of 140 runs in 40.1 overs.

Twentieth House session ends
Important bills aproved, says Deuba

BY RITU RAJ SUBEDI

Kathmandu, Oct. 18: The 20th session of the Parliament has come to an end. At the end of today’s session Speaker of the House of Representatives Taranath Ranabhat read out a message from the Royal Palace. In the message His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev announced the conclusion of the 20th session of the parliament from 20:00 hours today.

At today’s session leaders of all the political parties in the parliament reviewed the outcome and the achievements of the 20th parliamentary session which has lasted for 116 days. The House of Representatives had sat for 74 days and witnessed 85 meetings taking 269 hours and 25 minutes. The parliament also passed 22 bills, which included four new bills and 18 from the previous session. During the session there were 16 statements and two notices of public importance.

The 20th session had started in the aftermath of the Royal Palace incident with His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev ascending the throne as the country’s new king, and the change of guards in the government.

Speaking at the concluding session of the House of Representatives today, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said the 20th session has been successful in tackling the major issues of the country.

"This session has approved several important Bills," Prime Minister Deuba said and added that some other bills, which have faced disagreements among the political parties, would be addressed through national consensus in the coming days.

The Prime Minister also said the government would bring the Bills on curbing corruption and on women on the basis of a wide national consensus in the next session.

Deuba also informed that the government would systematize the provision of the Parliamentary Fund through legal procedure.

Premier Deuba further noted that there have been improvements in the law and order situation of the country although a desirable result was yet to be achieved.

The government is sincerely committed to end the murder and violence in the country, he said and added, "The solution to the Maoist problem will only be through talks, not through violence."

Drawing the final curtain on the 20th session, Speaker of the House of the Representatives Taranath Ranbhat said there have been important achievements but they have been largely overshadowed by the Maoists problem.

He, however, pointed out that the country is passing through an adverse situation because of the Maoist issue, incidents of the past several months and the existing anomalies like corruption and people’s expectation to get rid of them.

But he noted that there have been some positive signs. "The ruling as well as opposition parties have forged consensus on several important issues and are unanimous in their voices to resolve the Maoists problem and curbing corruption. This culture of consensus and understanding should be a guideline for us in the future," noted Ranabhat. He also said that we (the parliament) have been spending more of its time and resource on discussions. Thus we should be able to better manage the time and resources.

Dwelling on the government-Maoist talks, Speaker said that the talks should be result-oriented and ensure a sense of peace and security among the people.

He said he was always for talks as the only means to resolve the Maoists issue and after two rounds of talks already completed, the third round of talks would head towards resolving the issue. But he asked the Maoists to drop their demand of republic and that called their demand of the abolition of the present Constitution and for a constitutional assembly for the formation of a new constitution as immature and impractical and is unsuitable and irrevalent to the country’s social and cultural aspect.

The Speaker also urged the Maoists to come into the mainstream politics by respecting the sovereignty of the nation and relinquishing their violent activities. "If they are truly nationalist they should shun the bullets and choose ballot."

Expressing the hope of the success of the government-Maoist talks, speaker said that the Maoists would participate in the elections. "For this, the government should ensure the impartial, peaceful and fair elections in the country"

However, leader of the main opposition party and General Secretary of CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal was very critical of the government and expressed his dissatisfaction over the achievement of the current session of the Parliament.

The opposition leader said that this session had deprived women of the their rights to parental property. He blamed the government of being cowardice by not granting women equal right to property.

He said that this session could not do anything to curb the widespread corruption and take stern action against the corrupt in the country. Citing an example, Nepal said the government could not dare to impeach the corrupt judges.

"The amendment of the Constitution is the need of the nation and has been widely realized," Nepal remarked.

Meanwhile, former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala did not agree with the opposition leader’s opinions.

Speaking at the House of Representatives, Koirala, "It can not be said that the 20th session has made no achievements."

NC president said that the House witnessed a lot of discussions among the MPs on important issues, which, he said, are no mean achievements.

Koirala said that the government’s first priority should be the Maoist issue and giving relief to the victims of the Maoist violent activities.

Alleging the Maoists for wandering aimlessly, the NC Chief remarked that the attack on the constitutional monarchy is the attack on the democracy and formulating a new constitution would be an assault to the present constitution.

Similarly, RPP’s leader in the parliament Surya Bahadur Thapa commented that the multi-party democracy was passing through a critical phase.

"In the name of government-Maoist talks, the confusions and instabilities should not be prolonged in the country," stated the RPP Chairman.

On the Maoist issue, KC said that there is no way the Maoists could achieve their goal of establishing a people’s government through armed struggle and they know it. So, he said, the Maoists are also wanting to come within the present polity and the government should understand this.

Lilamani Pokharel, leader of the United People’s Front said that the parliament has becoming helpless even after completing its 20 sessions in tackling outstanding issues such as corruption and mismanagement..

Narayanman Bijuchhu, MP of the Nepal Worker and Peasant Party said that session failed to meet the aspirations and needs of the people.

Develop socialism, youths told

Kathmandu, Oct. 18 (RSS): President of the Nepali Congress and former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that the Nepalese Youths should always actively move ahead to stabilise democracy and develop socialism in the country.

Addressing a commitment meeting organised by the Nepal Tarun Dal (NTD) here today, Koirala said that the Nepalese youths should seriously consider how their potentials can be mobilised taking into consideration the worldwide accepted fact that the coming era will be an era of democratic socialism and the youths.

Stressing the need for the Tarun Dal to expand its organisation infrastructures in the villages inorder to maintain its identity, the former PRIME MINISTER said that the Nepalese youths move ahead to free the Nepalese people from murder, violence and terrorism and formulate and implement programmes accordingly.

President of the Nepali Congress Koirala said that that the Nepali Congress had made it clear that no changes should be made in constitutional monarchy, multiparty democracy and the present constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990 attained through untiring sacrifices being made by the Nepalese people.

NC general secretary Sushil Koirala expressed the view that any problems and challenges being faced by the country can be solved if the Tarun Dal sincerely fulfilled its commitment to develop the nation, democracy and socialism.

Stressing the need for the youths to unite and move ahead to free the country from murder, violence and terrorism, control corruption and mafiaism, the NC general secretary said that at a time when the world community and the Nepalese people are on alert against terrorism, the government and the Maoists should make full use of this opportunity to establish peace in the country.

NC joint general secretary Govinda Raj Joshi said that the the youths should actively move ahead to stabilise democracy and protect the fundamental rights of the Nepalese people at time when a few elements are actively working to crack down on the democractic rights of the Nepalese people and weaken democracy.

Stating that the present government had fulfilled many demands of the Maoists with the objective of solving the Maoist problem peacefully through talks, Joshi said that government should end situation of confusion created by the Maoist as soon as possible and carry out works for national development.

From the chair NTD president Balkrishna Khand expressed confidence that the Nepalese youths move ahead to take the fruits of democracy to the people and stabilise by facing any challenges.

NDT central member Sarita Prasai said that the Nepalese Youths will always remain dedicated to the nation, democracy and democratic socialism.

Earlier NTD president Balkrisha Khand and NTD central members had taken the oath of office and secretary before NC president Koirala.

Civil Code Bill for next session

Kathmandu, Oct. 18 (RSS): Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has disclosed with respect to the rejection by the National Assembly of the Civil Code (llth amendment) Bill that the bill will be passed after discussions and amendment at the next session of Parliament.

In concluding remarks at the National Assembly today, Prime Minister Deuba made it clear that bills on corruption control and impeachment will also be introduced soon.

Stating that the government will present itself honestly in the on-going dialogue with the Maoists, Deuba emphasised the need for the Maoists to respect the aspirations of the public to celebrate Bada Dashain with confidence.

Likewise, National Assembly chairman Dr Mohammad Mohsin said consensus and cordiality between the treasury and opposition benches are essential to run Parliament and emphasised the need for national consensus for the transformation of Nepalese society.

Opposition party leader Yubaraj Gyawali said the government should pay attention to the prosperity of the nation and voiced concern over the compromising of the MPs’ image through the raising of issues concerning the MPs’ development fund and dashain allowance.

RPP's Balaram Ghartimagar emphasised the need for one and all to make sacrifices from their respective sectors in order to bring change to the country on the basis of national and all party consensus.

MP Chanda Shaha expressed best wishes for success of the government-Maoist talks and said the women's property rights bill should bring equality to women on par with men.

CPN-ML's Dr Ram Man Shrestha expressed the view that national consensus and participation should first be defined properly.

MP Ramesh Nath Pandey said the country should pay attention towards changing global circumstances and added that the nominated MPs have been working in the interest of the nation.

Leader of the ruling side Basudev Risal said everyone should rise above party interests in resolving the problems facing the country.

The National Assembly during the 20th session of Parliament met 64 times on 52 days. The session lasted for a total 115 hours. Three bills originating in the National Assembly were passed as were 16 of the 19 bills coming from the House of Representatives, without any recommendations. Two others were passed with recommendations and one was rejected.

Maoists make conditional offer for talks

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Oct. 18: The Maoists have said that they would sit down for talks only if the government releases all of its political prisoners.

Speaking at a press conference organized by the Maoists here today, coordinator of the Maoists committee for talks Krishna Bahadur Mahara said that if the government released them they were willing to sit for talks then and there.

However, Mahara has accepted that they have ‘physically wiped out’ 10 among the 100 persons, who they had kidnapped or taken under control.

Responding to a query about the 100 people, who the Martin Chautari, a press club had published as being unaccounted for from the Maoists, Mahara said they had been ‘physically wiped out’. They are Dasharath Poudel, Kabiram Basnet, Sarjan Shahi and Raj Kumar Shahi of Rukum, Bijuli Prasad Regmi of Jajarkot, Parbalala Shahi, Nagmal Kathayat and Chane Jaisi of Kalikot, and Dirgha Bahadur Shahi of Dailekh districts.

He also said that Balram Sapkota of CPN-UML, VDC Vice Chairman of Panchkhal in Kavre district, who was kidnapped by the Maoists, was also exterminated.

Meanwhile he clarified that it was against the Maoist party’s policy and Alok, the Maoists party cadre responsible for the killing, has been taken action against.

Meanwhile, Mahara reiterated that the abolition of present Constitution and formation of new constitution was their main demand for the political solution.

He, however, blamed the government of trying to disrupt the environment of talks by not releasing their 300 cadres even after giving assurance.

HM makes changes, additions in Council of Ministers

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Oct. 18: His Majesty the King has, in accordance with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990 and at the recommendation of the Prime Minister, made changes and additions in the existing council of ministers under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

According to a communiqué issued today by the principal press secretariat of His Majesty the King, there are 18 ministers, 16 ministers of state and seven assistant ministers in the new Council of Ministers.

The newly constituted 41-member cabinet is the biggest ever in the history of Nepali Congress’s majority government after the restoration democracy in 1990.

The new council of ministers has five new cabinet ministers. They are Purna Bahadur Khadka, Rishikesh Gautam, Rajendra Kharel, Khemraj Bhatta Mayalu and Narendra Bikram Nembang.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Deuba has kept with himself three portfolios of Royal Palace Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Defence. Arjun Jung Bahadur Singh has been appointed as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Rishikesh Gautam has been appointed as Minister without portfolio (Prime Minister Office).

The allocation of the portfolio of the newly appointed ministers is as follows:

Ministers of State

Assistant Ministers