Nepal for unity among patriotic, democratic forces

Kathmandu, Sept. 2 (RSS): CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal has called for unity among all patriotic and pro-democratic forces for the protection of nationalism, consolidation of democracy and social justice.

CPN-UML General Secretary Nepal, who was addressing a mass gathering of intellectuals organised by the party's Central Planning and Monitoring Department here today, said that his party has come up with a 22-point proposal for national consensus for the protection of the achievements of the Popular Movement of 2046 B.S. and for additional achievements.

Stating that the CPN-UML will not forge unity with any party in defiance of the guidelines of the party's sixth General Convention, he spoke about the possibility of unity with the CPN-ML on the basis of ability and qualification but not on the basis of bargaining for posts or by compromising on ideology.

Describing the demand of the RPP and Nepal Sadbhavana Party for a ceiling on property as nothing but a ploy, he said the extremism of the Maoists will not help propel the country ahead.

He reiterated the need for unity among all patriotic and democratic forces to ward off regresson and possible attack on democracy.

CPN-UML standing committee member Bharat Mohan Adhikari stressed the need to foster popular opinion to bring to fruition the proposal for national consensus his party has come up with in pursuit of the objective of resolving the country's socio-economic problems.

Ishwor Pokhrel, another party standing committee member, said that the 22nd central committee meeting of the party has decided among other things to arrest the ultra leftist and untra rightist trends appearing within the party and emphasised unity among all patriotic, progressive and democratic forces.

50-60 thousand drug users in Nepal: report

Kathmandu, Sept. 2 (RSS): The number of persons using drugs in Nepal is somewhere between 50 to 60 thousand and 50 per cent of them have been infected by HIV/AIDS.

Similarly, 90 per cent of the drug addicts in the country are intravenous drug users and the number of persons with HIV/AIDS is increasing rapidly as a result of sharing of the same needle, involvement in unprotected sex and transfusion of infected blood.

This information was given by the participants at a discussion programme on legal environment for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and drug abuse organised by the Youth Power Nepal here today.

The participants said that as the risk reduction programme would be effective in the preventing and controlling HIV/AIDS and drug abuse, His Majesty's Government should implement the risk reduction programme at the national level.

Director of the Lalitpur Psychiatric Hospital Dr. Nirakar Man Shrestha said that the objective of the risk reduction programme was to reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS infection and control drug abuse through a positive approach.

He pointed out the need for the integration of the risk reduction programme with other related programmes in the health, education and other sectors.

President of the Youth Power Nepal Rishi Raj Ojha disclosed that the Youth Power Nepal has prepared a draft on Narcotics Drugs (Control) Fourth Amendment Bill-2058 B.S. to incorporate the risk reduction component in the Narcotics Substances (Control) Act-2033 BS.

He said that the proposed bill provides for the role and responsibility of the persons who have received permission to sell precursor drugs and physicians who are permitted to prescribe for the use of precursor drugs, and made provisions for programmes to minimise the damage from drug abuse, punishment and fines, he added.

Men of letters can play vital role: Gupta

Dhulikhel, Sept. 2 (RSS): Minister for Information and Communications Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta inaugurated a colloquium on literary journalism organised by the Press Council Nepal here today.

On the occasion, Minister Gupta presented the Press Council Literary Journalism Award to poet Ishwor Baral for his literary columns in various newspapers. Gajal writer Gyanuwakar Poudel received the same award for his contribution to the promotion of literary journals.

In his inaugural speech, Minister Gupta said that men of letters have an important role to play in awakening civil society which is still in slumber and showing them the right path.

Those who consider what they are doing is the only right thing and that only their views are universal cannot respect others' views nor can they imbibe democratic norms and values, he said, asking literary figures to delve into such a state of affairs and come up with their concrete views so as to show the society the proper path.

Minister Gupta, congratulating the award recipients, urged them to accept the awards as a token of respect for their outstanding contributions.

He also pledged possible government assistance for the promotion of literary journalism.

A host of speakers including poet Kunta Sharma, MP, president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists Suresh Acharya, literary figure Kamal Mani Dixit, poet Ishwor Baral and Gajal writer Gyanuwakar Poudel stressed the need for the government to pay special attention to the promotion of literary journalism.

From the chair, president of the Press Council Harihar Birahi spoke of the role that literary figures can play in discouraging violence and anarchy.

Litterateur Devi Prasad Subedi presented a working paper on "Literary journalism: Problems and solution. Academician Dr Ram Dayal Rakesh and editor of "Rachana" Rochak Ghimire commented on the paper.

Ms Hassi meets Dr Mahat

Kathmandu, Sept. 2 (RSS): The visiting Assistant Minister for Environment and Development of Finland Ms Satu Hassi met Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat at the Finance Ministry today. Ms Hassi is now in Nepal on a five day visit.

During the meeting, wide ranging discussion were held on the assistance presided and to be provided by the Finnish government for economic development of Nepal, the ministry said.

Finance secretary Dr. Bimal Prasad Koirala, officials of the Finance Ministry, director general of the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Glue Lindhohn, director Tarja Liatiainen and other individuals were present on the occasion.

The Finnish government has provided financial assistance in the fields of electricity, drinking water, forestry, communications etc, and has extended assistance to poverty alleviation, environmental development and good governance.

The Finnish government has also provided financial assistance in the areas of topography survey and education.

Earlier, finance secretary Dr. Koirala received Ms Hassi at the Tribhuban International Airport.

Ms Hassi had arrived in Nepal through Gorakhpur, India on August 31. She had inspected the dirnking water projects launched with the assistance of the Finnish government in and around Lumbini development region.