Govt should come out of 'old confines, closed room': Mahara

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Sept. 20: If the two rounds of talks between the government and the CPN-Maoists have yielded anything more than what the Nepalese people experienced earlier, it is an open ground to the leaders of an underground communist party.

The latest instance could be the presence of the Maoist leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara at an interaction programme held here this afternoon to discuss the implications of the on-going talks between the government and the underground communists. Mahara and other members of the dialogue committee from Maoist side had also visited the Central Jail the other day to meet their comrades.

Although the leader trio had organized the first-ever press conference at Nepal Law Campus immediately after the second rounds of talks concluded in Bardia, this is the first interaction programme where the Maoist leader sat by the side of NC leader Narahari Acharya and CPN-UML’s K. P. Oli.

At the programme organised by Press Chautari-Nepal, Acharya, Oli and Mahara expressed their views about the ongoing talks between the government and the Maoists to end the six-year-long Maoist insurgency peacefully.

Speaking at the programme, Nepali Congress Central Working Committee member Narahari Acharya said that except the three political demands, remaining 28 were of public concern related to country’s socio-economic conditions and they could be fulfilled.

"But about three political demands – abrogation of the constitution, institutional development of republican system in the country and the formation of interim government -- the Maoists have not yet explained in detail about what they mean," Acharya told the press.

He clearly said that if the Maoists have been demanding the abrogation of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990 and the establishment of republican system by ending the democratic monarchical system, it was not possible.

"When the present constitution is very open and any changes could be made, what is the need for abrogation?" he questioned. Similarly, he also said that the Nepalese monarchy was the most democratic one and it was deeply rooted in Nepal's culture, religion and geopolitics. "There is a republican system with crown in Nepal," he said.

Meanwhile, he suggested that to solve the Maoist problem through dialogue both the parties need to create a favourable atmosphere there by ending all the forceful and violent activities.

UML leader K. P. Oli said that the country was presently suffering from at least three major problems – instability, lack of good governance and hampered development – maintaining that the main reason behind that was the Nepalese people themselves.

Along with the Maoist insurgents he blamed the successive governments for not being serious in realising their respective responsibilities.

He also said that the issue of the abrogation of constitution and the republican system was impractical at a time when the prevailing democratic system has provided every opportunity for development activities.

However, convener of the talks from Maoist side Krishna Bahadur Mahara clearly said that they wanted the abrogation of the constitution and were in favour of the institutional development of republican system in the country.

Mahara, said that the government should come out of "old confines and closed room" to hold talks with the Maoists.

Mahara, criticized those in power for failing to work in deference to the people's desire and stressed the need for pro-people organisations in the country to adopt a new vision and style of working so as to meet popular aspirations.

He also urged the government to adopt an objective and scientific attitude towards the Maoists.

President of Press Chautari-Nepal Shambhu Shrestha chaired the function.

Lumbini Bank to issue Public shares worth Rs 150M

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Sept. 20: Lumbini Bank Ltd. is to issue public shares worth Rs. 150 million in the near future. The Executive Chairman of the Bank Suresh Bahadur Malla said that it had reached an agreement with Citizen Investment Fund Wednesday about the issue.

The Bank that began its operation as a regional commercial bank in Narayanghat with a paid up capital of Rs. 50 million has now increased the amount to 500 million to upgrade itself into a national level commercial bank. With the permission from Nepal Rastra Bank to work as a national level commercial institution, it has started its operation in Kathmandu.

Malla said that the Bank had decided to begin its operation in Kathmandu as it failed to meet its expectations working regionally. Malla said it had started its operation in the capital as most of the economic activities of the major business houses centred in Kathmandu. "None of the banks can prove their mettle unless they work in Kathmandu."

According to Malla, the profitable activities were limited to Kathmandu. They include transactions related to foreign exchange, travellers’ cheque, letter of credit, paid services and services that accrue commission to the banks.

After Kathmandu, the Bank has a plan to open its branches in Biratnagar and Birgunj. It is already in operation in Hetauda and Butwal.

Malla said the Bank targeted the lower class, middle class as well as the upper class as its clients. It has been investing 10 per cent of its deposits in the priority sectors.

Malla said the banks would not thrive simply from their investments made out of the deposits. "So the banks are obliged to provide services that bring them commission."

Malla said poor economic situation of the country compounded with the tough competition among the banks had affected their business adversely. He said the banking sector was facing serious challenges due to political instability, June 1 Royal massacre, deteriorating situation of the tourism industry, slackness in the industrial sector and the fall of export trade. "The impacts will surface within a couple of years."

Malla said political instability and faulty policy discouraged investment in the industrial sector. "Keeping this in view, we have adopted a policy to invest in the infrastructure development sector," said Malla. He said the Bank had already invested on two hydropower projects and had a plan to invest jointly on new ones.

Malla said the government should not issue license to all kinds of industry in the name of liberalisation and stressed on a long term policy.

Metro channel soon
'HMG developing plan of action to make official media effective'

Kathmandu, Sept. 20 (RSS): Minister for Information and Communications Jayaprakash Prasad Gupta informed the House of Representatives today that his ministry is developing an effective plan of action to make the official media impartial and effective.

Minister Gupta, who was furnishing replies to questions raised in course of discussions on the appropriations head pertaining to the Ministry of Information and Communications at the Lower House today, said that efforts are on to enhance short wave and medium wave transmission capacity so as to help Radio Nepal reach out to people in the remote areas, and necessary resources are being mobilised to promote fm transmissions also.

Likewise, necessary study and building of infrastructure are under way to introduce a second channel so as to preserve and promote linguistic and cultural diversity through radio programmes, he said.

In the context of people in different parts of the country not being able to watch Nepal television even after its satellite up-link, the government is committed to building necessary technical infrastructure within a couple of years whereby people in any part of the country can watch NTV programmes free of cost. In addition to this preparations are being made for the metro channel to transmit its programmes soon, he added.

Responding to some MPs' concern that due to lack of adequate resources Rastriya Samachar Samiti has not been able to provide an effective service, Minister Gupta said efforts are already under way to modernise the news agency.

He told parliament that the news agency, which so far does not have correspondents in many districts, will hereafter be able to appoint permanent correspondents in those districts, and make its services more reliable and effective as per the new plan of action.

The Minister also spoke about the government plan to make the postal service more productive, practical and effective.

A special rural telecommunications programme is under way to provide at least two telephone lines to each VDCs by fiscal year 2059/60, he said, adding the process of calling tenders for providing VSAT telephone services in the high mountain region is almost complete. In this connection a W.L.L. programme has been launched as a pilot programme in the western region, he said.

The telecommunications authority is speedily proceeding with its programme for providing licenses for the private sector to provide mobile phone services, Minister Gupta said.

A plan is in place to improve the Department of Information according to the changing times, enhance the Press Council's capacity to better handle matters concerning the journalists code of conduct and classification of advertisements and make the department of printing more effective, he said.

He also said that a Film Development Board has already been formed for the promotion of the Nepali film industry.

MPs Bijaya Subba, Kunta Sharma, Ram Kumar Chaudhari and Sushila Nepal sought clarifications from Minister Gupta.

Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Communication Jayaprakash Prasad Gupta has said that tenders have been called to provide telephone services in 534 VDCs of Eastern Development Region.

Responding to the queries raised by MPs during question-answer session at the House of Representatives today, Minister Gupta said the process of screening the service providers of private sectors having licenses under the rural telecommunication programme to provide telephone services in the VDCs of the eastern development region has been started already.

Provisions have been made under press and publication act not to sell or distribute indecent reading materials, he said, adding that action has been taken against the guilty persons from time to time by delegating power to the chief district officer.

Stating that works are underway for running the second channel at Radio Nepal's Regional Broadcasting Centre, Surkhet, he said that in order to provide continuity to the government's effort in this regard, a studio building will be constructed under current fiscal year.

MPs Hridayaram Thani, Parashuram Meghi Gurung and Bijaya Subba had asked the Minister questions.

Burglars steal ornaments worth Rs 300,000

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT

Biratnagar, Sept. 20: Burglars stole gold and silver ornaments worth about Rs. 300,000 from a jewelry shop at Rangeli of Morang district on Wednesday night, according to Area Police Office, Rangeli.

Buddhi Bahadur Gurung, Police Inspector of the Area Police Office, informed that a gang of 15 armed burglars broke into the shop of Surendra Agrawal at about 1 am and made away with ornaments.

Agrawal said that the robbers took away 15 tolas of gold, seven kilograms of silver and Rs. 60,000 from the shop.

The police had arrived when the thieves were about to flee, and police fired three round in the air. But all the burglars escaped.

"But as we reached the spot soon, the criminals could not rob away additional properties," Gurung said.

He suspected that the robbers resembled the Indian nationals. "We are looking for the criminals involved in the incident," he informed.

Last week also, a group of unknown persons had shot dead Padam Bahadur Thapa, resident of ward No. 11 of Biratnagar Sub-Metropolitan City and robbed the properties of other four persons, including Mohan Chapagain of ward No. 11. With the growing incidents of theft and burglary in the district, locals have started to be panicked now. Last year more than 35 houses were robbed.

"Considering the increasing number of criminal activities in the district, mobile patrolling teams of police have been mobilised to control such activities," said Krishna Bahadur Thapa, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of the Morang District Police Office.

To tackle the increasing incidents of criminal activities, the people have even formed public security committees, which patrol the localities at night.

Recovery of loans decreased by 14% at ADB, Ramechhap

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT

Manthali (Ramechhap) Sept. 20: According to the Agricultural Development Bank, Ramechhap district sub-branch office, the recovery loans has decreased by about 14 per cent during the current fiscal year as compared to the last fiscal year 2056/57 B. S.

In a recently released report, the bank said about 56 per cent of the loans, which have crossed their due date, were recovered in the last fiscal year, whereas it has become successful in recovering only 42 per cent in the current fiscal year.

Ambika Prasad Tiwari, chief of the Manthali sub-branch of the bank, the due debt recovery has declined due to the growing Maoist activities in the district.

"Since the Maoist activists are telling the people not to pay the loan back, the scenario of the debt recovery is not satisfactory," Tiwari said.

Shailendra Ghimire, assistant accountant of the bank, said that the debt recovery has decreased by 50 per cent because of the increasing activities of the Maoists in the district.

He further said that the Maoist activists are also threatening people, who are want to pay their loans, of dire consequence if they pay. "Besides, the loan recovery officials of the bank are also threatened when they go to the villages to recover the debts, "he said.

Team to visit India
FNCCI-CII joint recommendations Presented to PM

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Sept. 20: A delegation of industrialists and traders led by President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Ravi Bhakta Shrestha presented a joint recommendation of the FNCCI- CII Joint Economic Council to the Prime Minister here at Singha durbar today.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba while receiving the joint recommendations appreciated and extended thanks for the works.

Minister for Finance Dr. Ramsharan Mahat was also present on the occasion.

The joint statement of the recommendations appreciates the role being played by the joint recommendations of the FNCCI and CII which was prepared by a joint working committee in 1995, prior to the Trade Treaty in 1996 December 6 and Transit Treaty in 1999 January 5.

It is the responsibility of the respective governments to create atmosphere for the treaties, however the FNCCI and CII have taken initiatives to address the issues by giving recommendations in this regard.

According to a press release issued by the FNCCI, it states that the endeavor of the federation is totally dedicated for the interest of the nation and it has completed the first phase of its additional projects.

A team of the FNCCI will visit India next week in order to accomplish the next phase programme.

The joint recommendation of FNCCI- CII gives priority on the continuation of facilities being provided to the export of products belonging to the Small Scale Industry. Frequent dialogue between the FNCCI and CII has helped to boost the volume of Nepal's export trade by RS 5520 million (552 crore)

The joint recommendation states that there has been a substantial increment in the Indian investment and the CII (Confederation of Indian Industries) has shown its initiatives to attract more Indian investment into Nepal.

There has been a sea change in today's world in comparison to 1996 and the situation has been emerged following the GATT metamorphosed into World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 1995, which have to be solved and complications should be ironed out, the joint statement says.

We have reached an agreement for an automatic renewal of the existing treaty and further revision of manufacturing. On top of that, the joint recommendations point out the need to scrap the Value Addition Test and 30 per cent Value Addition on other type of goods. The joint recommendation also stresses the need for the phase wise implementation of 30 per cent value addition. Both sides have agreed to submit the recommendation to their respective government.

Regarding value addition, there should be no obstacles after the technical committee under the Department of Industry in Nepal issues the certificates of origin.

The recommendation has stressed the need to define the world 'Surge' in the Treaty.

The joint recommendation has pointed out the need for the modernisation of Costumes offices. Besides, the problem regarding testing lab, quarantine has to be solved immediately. Having realised the intensity of environmental problem, both sides have agreed to solve the problem on import of Indian cars. And there should a provision of agglomeration in case of industries in Nepal use the raw materials from India.

In order to maintain continuity the joint recommendation further states that there should be no abrupt changes in the Treaty.

Besides both sides (FNCCI- CII) have mutually agreed to promote Indian investment into Nepal.

The member of the business delegation includes, Pradip Kumar Shrestha, former FNCCI president, Binod Bahadur Shrestha, first vice president of the FNCCI, Rajendra Kumar Khetan, second vice president of the FNCCI, Chandi Raj Dhakal, third vice president of the federation, Pravakar Shumshere JBR, Coordinator Diwakar Golchha, members of FNCCI Kumar Khanal and Badri Prasad Ojha.

Former FNCCI president Padma Jyoti and T.K Gupta on behalf of CII were also present on the occasion.

Special Hour
Maoists draw flak from MPs over forceful activities, terror

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Sept. 20: Lawmakers, especially of the main opposition party, CPN-UML, lambasted at the underground CPN-Maoist at the parliament today for continuing terror and forceful activities throughout the country.

They were also critical of the government for being helpless to control such activities and demanded that the authorities take stern action against the Maoists and provide peace and security to the common people.

The harsh discontent of the opposition party coincides with the uncertainty about the third round of talks between government and Maoists.

Speaking at the Special Hour of the Lower House today, UML’s Ishwor Pokharel said that the Maoists are resorting to extortion by intimidating the people. "When they are exacting money from each and every house in the villages and towns, but the government is doing nothing," he said.

On one hand, people bearing the flags of Maoists, are openly spreading terror by collecting money, forcing elected representatives to resign, damaging public vehicles and closing down educational institutions and damaging public vehicles, but on the other the Maoists leadership has been lying about it, Pokharel said.

Pokharel refuted the Maoists’ claim that it is the persons from the Nepali Congress, UML and RPP, who are launching these activities in the names of the Maoists to disturb the government-Maoist talks. Pokharel said, "It is a serious accusation to the parties in the parliament and the government must not be a mute spectator in this regard."

Due to the Maoists ongoing threat, the academic sectors are badly affected and insecurity has prevailed among teachers and elected representatives even in the Kathmandu Valley, the UML MP said.

Moreover, the Maoist-affiliated student union have announced a five-day strike and have forcefully closed down many schools and campuses in the Valley by threatening the management of dire consequence if they dare run the classes, said Pokharel.

He said that the Maoists have also threatened to go for physical action against the PABSON members if they dared open the schools that were shut down under the Maoists pressure. "When the schools asked for security the government failed to provide it."

He also accused the government of doing nothing to protect the schools and campuses. "The government thought its responsibility was over by only bringing out a notice for running the classes," he said.

Other UML MPs, who also came down verbally against the Maoists, included Prem Bahadur Singh and Phatik Bahadur Thapa also criticised the Maoists’ activities.

NC lawmaker Govinda Bahadur Shah also demanded that the Maoist should immediately stop their violent acts to succeed the government-Maoist talk.

Stating that every problem could be resolved through the dialogue, the both sides should be serious and responsible to end the talks in a logical conclusion.

For creating a positive atmosphere, the government has made public the names of the Maoists who, according to the Maoist party, are missing from the custody, he noted.

The NC lawmaker also said that the government has recently introduced the revolutionary social, economic and cultural programmes in the country and the parliament should play crucial role to materialise such programmes.

He also cautioned that the government to be vigilant to the activities of the foreign nationals living here amidst the background of terrorist attack in US.

Lilamani Pokharel of United People’s Front Nepal said that there were many elements active to hatch plot to fail the government-Maoist talks. "These elements should be responsible if the talks fails."

He also blamed the government for not showing any response to the kidnapping of Nepali nationals from Bardiya district by Indian army.

Astalaxami Shakya of UML demanded that the government immediately table the Bill on the Parental Right for Women in the parliament and passed it from the current session.

If the government does not table the Bill by Tuesday, she warned that they would launch protest programmes.