'Country's economy still under control'

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Mar. 31: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has urged all industrialists and businessmen to support the government to curb terrorism that has wrecked the country's economy in recent years.

The country's economy cannot flourish as long as there is a terrorist threat Prime Minister Deuba said in his inaugural address at the 49th Annual General Meeting of Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) here today.

Prime Minister Deuba gave assurances that the government would extend full support to the private sector to enhance their competitive edge as the country opens up to liberalisation. "As we are bracing for membership of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), we should build up our competitive strength, otherwise we will be left far behind," he noted.

Prime Minister Deuba also called for concerted efforts for the all round development of the nation.

Minister for Finance Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, presenting a general overview of the economy during the last decade, said, "The country's economy has not yet gone out of control. It is still under control." Apart from this, the level of foreign reserve is quite satisfactory, and the rate of inflation is not adverse, he said.

In comparison to the economy of the past, there has been tremendous increase in private sector participation in the national economy. It is on the rise, he said, adding, "There was an 18 per cent dollar-term export growth last fiscal year," he noted. "It was the highest in the region".

However, Minister Mahat agreed that the economy was now passing through a difficult phase owing to non-economic factors. "Some setbacks in the economy are visible due to the terrorist activities," he said.

Referring to the recently renewed Nepal India Trade Treaty, Minister Mahat strongly urged the private sector to enhance their capacity in the real sense. "We should go for self – introspection or soul searching to know where we stand. Limited value addition or a desire to make quick money does not help prop up the national economy, it just triggers negative impact," he said.

He also urged the private sector to make genuine efforts to gear up industrialization and commercial activities.

Minister Mahat also pointed out the need for regular dialogue between the government and the private sector in a spirit of frankness and objectivity.

Minister for Industry ,Commerce and Supplies Purna Bahadur Khadka, addressing the function, strongly urged the private sector to improve their competitive strength so as to reap the benefits from bilateral or multilateral trade.

He also pointed out the need to make joint efforts for the economic development of the country.

President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Ravi Bhakta Shrestha asserted that the private sector was ready to work hand in hand with the government for the country's economic development.

"The government should also play a proactive role to support the private sector," he said.

Rajesh Kazi Shrestha, president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC), said the government needed to understand the woes of the private sector. Referring to the renewed Nepal India Trade Treaty, he said the inspection of industries and industrial products as provisioned in the treaty would not bear positive results if Nepal fails to take proper measures in time. Shrestha said the government should formulate necessary regulations and strategies to make the best use of new protocols.

The NCC on the occasion of its 49th AGM awarded People's Campus and Dillibazar Kanya Multiple Campus for their outstanding results in the Certificate Level Management examinations.

The NCC also honoured various industrialists and businessmen for their remarkable performance in their respective areas.

The NCC, the pioneer business organisation, was established in 2009 BS. It was then registered as All Nepal Traders Association.

With more than 10,000 members, the NCC has been working to promote business activities across the country. It has already signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with more than 20 chambers of commerce and industries around the world.

Parties pledge sweeping social, political, economic reforms

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Mar. 31:All political parties represented in the Parliament today pledged they would move ahead together to protect the achievements of the Popular Movement of 2046 B.S. and consolidate them by rectifying the anomalies and distortions seen in the present political situation.

At an all-party meeting called by the Nepali Congress here today, they also called for the withdrawal of the five-day bandh (general strike) saying that it would jeopardize the future of hundreds of thousands of students preparing to take the School Leaving Certificate examinations and disrupt the normal lives of the people.

The meeting, held at the NC Central Office at Teku and lasting three hours, was attended by NC president Girija Prasad Koirala, CPN-UML Standing Committee member K.P. Sharma Oli, RPP Chairman Surya Bahadur Thapa, president of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party Narayan Man Bijukchhe, Amik Sherchan of the United People’s Front, Nepal, Badri Prasad Mandal of the Nepal Sadhvabana Party and Chitra Bahadur K.C. of National People’s Front. UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal made a brief presence at the meeting.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, NC Spokesman Arjun Narsingh K.C. said all the political parties in the parliament have agreed to consolidate the achievements of the popular movement.

"The meeting extensively discussed the current situation of the country and pointed out the need to bring about drastic reforms in the social, political and economic fronts through a wider national consensus," Oli told The Rising Nepal this evening.

Oli said that they would organise similar meetings in the near future to discuss issues confronting the nation.

A joint press statement issued after the meeting said that the political parties took seriously the incidents of arson and attacks on VDC buildings, post offices, hydropower projects and other government and public properties to terrorise the common people. The meeting condemned the attacks and demanded an immediate stop to such acts of terror.

The meeting said that the political parties have taken the remarks of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on March 27 with deep concern and seriousness. The army chief had blamed bad governance for the country's woes, triggering condemnation from all the political parties.

The participants said the all-party meet was held at a time when the country is facing difficulties and the Maoists are targeting the common people.

Four Maoists killed, gruesome murder in Mahottari

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Mar. 31:Four terrorists have been killed in the latest security operations across the country.

Security forces gunned down two armed terrorists in an encounter in Rolpa during their search operations Friday. Two others, identified as Mukti Pun, alias Pratap and Paran, were shot dead at Bhalebas of Myagdi district while they were setting up an ambush, according to the Defence Ministry.

The forces have seized weapons, socket bombs, ambush equipment, and explosives from these places.

The Ministry said that the security forces defused a bomb planted at the premises of the District Land Revenue Office in Rajbiraj and a pipe bomb with five kgs of explosives in Ghumaune of Chitwan district.

A gang of terrorists cut off the legs of Kalinjor Village Development Committee vice-chairman in Sarlahi. The victim has been brought to Kathmandu for treatment. The Ministry said that the forces have begun a massive manhunt for the terrorists involved in those incidents.

An active member of the terrorist organisation abandoned his party and surrendered to the security forces in Jumla. He is learnt to have vowed to assist the security forces to combat terrorism.

The security forces have also arrested some active members of the terrorist organisation involved in setting fire, exploding bombs, looting and other destructive activities in various parts of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur and were carrying out necessary investigations.

The Ministry has also said that a gang of terrorists beheaded and murdered Rameshwor Yadav, vice-chairman of Khayarmara Village Development Committee, in Mahottari district Friday night.

RSS adds: About 26 terrorists in military fatigue had woken up Yadav's mother who was asleep at that time and told her that they were armymen and had come to meet the VDC vice-chairman.

The terrorists tried to drag her aside saying that they wanted to speak to her. She resisted their attempt. The Maoists then pointed a pistol at her.

They then locked Yadav's younger brother Jageshwar Yadav in a room and physically assaulted another brother Suresh Yadav at gunpoint. Suresh fell unconscious.

Thereafter, the terrorists attacked vice-chairman Yadav on his back with an axe. They used sign language between them to signal the attack. They then had attacked Yadav several times with Khukuri and finally shot him dead.

The terrorists fled to the nearby Khayarmara jungle after the attack.

Khayarmara is five kilometres north of Bardibas, and the police reached there only at noon the next day as telephone links to the VDC had been disrupted.

Paropakar students' alumni opened

Kathmandu, Mar. 31 (RSS): An association called Paropakar Students' Alumni Association has been set up under the umbrella of Paropakar Sanstha, one of the country's oldest social service and public welfare institutions.

Paropakar Sanstha has been running the Paropakar Orphanage, Paropakar Adarsha Higher Secondary School, Paropakar children's village in Duwakot, Bhaktapur, Paropakar Shree Panch Indra Rajya Laxmi Devi Maternity Home, and Paropakar ambulance as well as 186 Free Eye Care Centres across the Kingdom.

The Paropakar Students' Alumni Association has been constituted by the former students of the school, some of whom are in respectable posts within the country and abroad.

Chairman of the Paropakar Sanstha Prayagraj Singh Suwal formally inaugurated the association at a function here last Saturday.

Addressing the first general meeting of the Association which was also held on the occasion, Dr. Thirman Shakya, compounder Indra Prasad Nepali, Kathmandu Metropolitan City ward No. 25 chairman Bikash Bhakta Shrestha and former deputy mayor Nabindra Raj Joshi expressed happiness that an Association of the ex-students of Paropakar school has been formed.

Chairman Suwal pointed out that the Association should contribute in achieving the objectives of Paropakar Sanstha by keeping intact the historical glory of the institution.

From the chair, general secretary of Paropakar Sanstha Hitkar Bir Singh Kansakar shed light on the activities carried out by the Sanstha.

Meanwhile, Surya Das Pradhan was unanimously elected president of the Paropakar Students' Alumni Association at the second session of the general meeting.

Similarly, Ram Bahadur Nepali Raut, Om Dharananda Rajopadhyaya and Gopal Krishna Manandhar were unanimously elected vice-president, secretary and treasurer respectively of the committee.

Rajani Tamrakar, Birendra Kaji Shrestha, Narendra Manandhar, Kaya Bahadur Nepali and Devananda Maharjan have been elected members of the committee.

A gathering of former students of Paropakar school had constituted a 28-member ad hoc committee seven months back for the purpose of establishing the Association.

Paropakar Adarsha Higher Secondary School will be celebrating its golden jubilee anniversary on Asar 10, 2059 B.S.

Maoists set fire to research centre

Charikot, Mar. 31 (RSS): Maoist terrorists have burned down the Agricultural Research Centre of the hill crops research programme at Kabhre VDC of Dolakha district, and the damage has been estimated at about Rs. 500 million.

The terrorists set 11 buildings on fire between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. yesterday completely destroying them, while four other buildings have been partly damaged. They took away six computers, three TV sets, one fax machine and a photocopier also, chief of the centre Ramchandrika Prasad said.

Likewise, Kabhre range-post, additional post office, branch office of Nepal Electricity Authority and a truck of the Maitighar Guthi Sansthan have also been set ablaze by the terrorists.

Meanwhile, in Gaur, a group of Maoist terrorists set fire to a night service passenger bus heading towards Kathmandu from Gaur last night completely damaging the bus.

According to the District Police Office, a group of about 15 to 20 Maoist terrorists forcibly stopped the 'Maa Kalyani' night service passenger bus (Na. 2 Kha. 3910) which was on its way towards Kathmandu from Gaur at local Basantapur Chowk at about 8 p.m. on the Birendra highway, sprinkled petrol and set the bus on fire.

The Maoists ordered the 31 passengers traveling on the bus to come out, and not to bring their baggage with them. They then set the bus ablaze in which goods worth hundreds of thousands of rupees belonging to the passengers was gutted along with the bus, the passengers told RSS.

It is learnt that besides manhandling the passengers, the Maoists also threatened the passengers of dire consequences if they gave any information about the incident.

A police team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Raju Manandhar had reached the incident site as soon as they got information of the incident. Security forces have been massively mobilised in the area, and some persons have been taken into custody for investigation, it is learnt from the District Police Office.

Meanwhile, a gang of Maoist terrorists is also learnt to have hurled a bomb at the Chandranigahapur-based Ilaka administration office building last night which caused minor damage to the building. The doors and windows of the building were damaged in the attack.

Chief District Officer Narendra Poudel has reiterated that the district administration is committed to conducting the SLC examinations in a smooth and dignified manner by putting up strong resistance to the Nepal bandh called by the Maoists.

Meanwhile, in Syangja, Maoist terrorists exploded a bomb at the Ilaka forest office in Waling, Syangja at around 11 p.m. last night and damaged the building.

The group of about 150 Maoists set off the explosion. All the physical infrastructure of the building and all furniture and documents were damaged.

Meanwhile, the Maoists last night released ranger Raj Kumar Rimal, peon Ram Chandra Gautam and security guards Ram Bahadur Ranabhat and Harilal Lamichhane who were captive by the Maoists during the bomb attack.

Nepal blames NC for country's anomalies

Lalitpur, Mar. 31 (RSS): CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal has attributed the unusual and complex political circumstances that the country has been undergoing during the past 12 years since the restoration of democracy to inertia on the part of the Nepali Congress.

CPN-UML general secretary Nepal, who was speaking at a programme organised by CPN-UML Lalitpur district committee on the occasion of the 12th Patan liberation area declaration day today, accused the Nepali Congress of badly debilitating the security mechanism and administrative machinery and disappointing the people during the past 12 years.

He also alleged that NC leaders and workers engaged in corruption and plunged the country into bad governance, and said that it is because of all these misdeeds of the NC that democracy has been very much weakened during this period.

With the Nepali Congress failing to fulfil its responsibilities properly, the responsibility of preserving the country's national sovereignty and democracy has fallen on the shoulders of the CPN-UML, Nepal said.

Stressing the need for mutual trust and understanding among all pro-democracy parties to lift the country out of the present crisis, he said that the CPN-UML will now spearhead a movement to do away with the anomalies and aberrations existing in the country.

The Maoists are totally devoid of patriotism, and they are out to finish off democracy, the country and the institution of the Crown, he observed.

He also urged the Maoists to withdraw the proposed five-day Nepal bandh.

CPN-UML central members Siddhi Lal Singh, Raghuji Pant and Krishna Gopal Shrestha also expressed their views at the programme chaired by CPN-UML ex-MP Mitharam Sharma Bajgain.

Meanwhile, CPN-UML general secretary Nepal and one of the founders of the Communist Party of Nepal Nara Bahadur Karmacharya jointly laid the foundation stone for a martyrs memorial park to be constructed by Lalitpur DDC at Lagankhel Chowk.

The park will be built at a cost of Rs. 700,000, according to DDC chairman Madhav Poudel.

NTV's Miss Gurung bags Women Journalist Award

Kathmandu, Mar. 31 (RSS): Reporter of Nepal Television Rita Gurung was honoured here today with the Best Women Journalist Award of the year 2001.

Assistant Minister for Physical Planning and Works Savitri Gurung presented a cash prize of Rs. 5,500 and a commendation letter to Miss Gurung.

At the interaction programme on the role of media in gender equality organised to mark the anniversary of Nepal Women Association, Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Rajendra Kharel said that the journalists are playing commendable role in promoting gender equality and humanity.

Assistant Minister Bogati said that the awareness of the Nepali women journalists would help consolidate democratic system.

Chairman of National Women Commission, Dr. Durga Pokharel said that women in journalism were more active and aware than those in any other field.

Member of the National Human Rights Commission Dr Indira Rana pointed out the need to remove legal discrimination first of all to ensure gender equality.

Miss Gurung, the recipient of the award, said that work should be performed to improve the condition of women folks of the remote area.

Senior journalist Ramkrishna Regmi commented on the working paper on gender equality presented by Mrs Indu Pant.

Director of Nepal Press Institute Krishna Murari Timilsina, chairman of UNESCO Mass Media Foundation Tara Baral, general secretary of Nepal Women Journalists Association Miss Yashoda Timilsina expressed their views at the programme chaired by president of the Association, Dr. Manju Mishra.

NC district heads concerned over growing insecurity

Kathmandu, Mar. 31 (RSS): The first session on the second day of the conference of the Nepali Congress district presidents was held under the chairmanship of the party's western regional convenor Baldev Sharma Majgainya today.

On the occasion, chief of the parliamentary and local body department Gopalraj Pahadi and chief of the organisation department Krishna Prasad Sitaula had briefly informed the conference of their works.

After that, party district president Suryaman Gurung of Taplejung, Rajan Prasad Pant of Palpa, Madhav Mani Rajbhandari of Dolakha, Tirtha Ram Dongol of Kathmandu, Ram Krishna Yadav of Dhanusha, Bahadur Singh Thapa of Kanchanpur, Satyaraj Bhandari of Bajhang, Mohammod Aftab Alam of Rautahat, Gopalji Jung Shah of Rukum, Khagendra Raj Regmi of Syangja, Krishnalal Sapkota of Chitwan, Sagar Shumsher Rana of Lalitpur, Devraj Joshi of Bajura, Dirgha Singh Bhat of Kailali and Dilliraj Regmi of Kailai had expressed their views on the occasion.

The next closed-door session was held under the chairmanship of NC far-western region convenor Binayadhoj Chand.

Those expressing their views in the session were Terhathum district president Ganesh Bimali, Raghubar Bhatta of Dadeldhura, Radheshyam Jonchhe of Bhaktapur, Bipin Koirala of Sindhuli, Mohan Bahadur Basnet of Sindhupalchowk, Taraman Gurung of Sankhuwasabha, Shivraj Bhatta of Baitadi, Pankha Bahadur Bista of Kalikot, Chinkaji Shrestha of Gorkha, Mahesh Karmocha of Okhaldhunga, Ganesh Bahadur Khadka of Dailekh, Bhojpur of Nandamani Rai, Muktiprasad Sharma of Pyuthan and Baburam Rana of Rupandehi.

In both these sessions, the district presidents expressed their concern over Maoist terrorism they were facing in their respective areas, sense of insecurity among the people and increased corruption.

They also observed that they had seriously taken the statement of the Chief of Army Staff, and that the Prime Minister should satisfactorily respond to this.

NC president Girija Prasad Koirala, general secretary Sushil Koirala, treasurer Mahantha Thakur, joint general secretary Govind Raj Joshi, spokesperson Arjun Narsingh Singh and most of the central committee members were present during the meetings. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was also present during the second session.

The conference is scheduled to conclude tomorrow.

Bus entrepreneurs asked to provide services on bandh days

Kathmandu, Mar. 31 (RSS): The Central Regional Bus Owners Association, which operates about 500 medium and long route buses from Kathmandu, has appealed to all transport entrepreneurs and transport workers to continue their services as usual during the proposed Nepal bandh also.

In a press statement issued here today, the association has urged the Maoists to withdraw their bandh programme bearing in mind the future of more than 250,000 students. The proposed bandh which has been organised targetting the SLC examinations will badly affect the lives of the students, it added.

If any transport vehicle is damaged or set on fire during the bandh the association will cooperate in ensuring compensation from the government for the damage, the press release said.

During the bandh, night service buses will operate during the day, and arrangements will be made at Gongobu bus park to operate the buses in groups.

Meanwhile, in Nepalgunj, various political parties here have jointly appealed to the people to ensure that the Nepal bandh programme called by the Maoists from April 2 does not succeed.

The appeal has been made through a joint press release issued after the all-party meeting of the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, NSP and RPP.

The press release issued after the meeting held under the convenorship of DDC chairman Omprakash Jung Rana states that the economy of the country is deteriorating and called for the withdrawal of the strike. It states that the SLC examinations, which are directly linked with the future of hundreds of thousands of students, are also beginning from the day of the proposed strike.

Appealing to all institutions and organisations and the business community of the district to function without fear, the press release calls upon HMG to ensure the safety of the lives and property of the people.

A decision has also been taken to take out an all-party peace procession on April 1 to express the people's protest against the strike.

Meanwhile, the CPN-UML has said that if the Maoists have even a minimum sense of responsibility towards the country and the people, they should call off the proposed Nepal bandh programme.

In a press statement issued in Kathmandu today, the party said it is quite evident from the vandalism and attacks on public schools, VDC office buildings, post offices, hydropower projects and government and public offices which are taking place every day that the Maoists are not in favour of a peaceful solution to the problem through dialogue.

Irresponsible and terrorist activities of these kinds will debilitate democracy and put the country's national identity in jeopardy, the party said.

Nepal bandh of this kind will badly affect the lives of thousands of students, the statement says.

NGOs working for children issue statement on bandh

Kathmandu, Mar. 31 (RSS): Representatives of nine NGOs working for the rights and wellbeing of children issued a joint statement here today appealing to the organisers of the proposed five-day Nepal bandh to demonstrate sensitivity to the future of children by calling off the bandh, which coincides with the SLC examinations.

Any activities carried out in such a manner as to adversely affect the future of children are tantamount to a heinous crime, they have said in the statement. As per the norms and values of a civilized world, any party in any war should never attempt to involve children in any war related activities.

The signatories to the statement include UCEP Nepal president Govinda Adhikari, president of Children's Development Society Sharad Sharma, president of SEWA Nepal Kalyani Shaha, president of Nepal Child Welfare Council Suna Bhandari, president of CAPSORN Balkrishna Mainali, president of Women's Forum for Women Pratima Pathak, president of Centre for Child Studies and Development Arati Sharma, president of the Society for the Rehabilitation of the Helpless Mahendra Chalise and president of Child NGO Federation Nepal Upendra Keshani Neupane.