Crown Prince inspects Lumbini

RSS

KATHMANDU, Aug. 18: Chairman of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC) His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev made an on-site inspection of Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, today.

On the occasion, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince offered worship at the Maya Devi Temple and inspected the progress being made on construction of the Maya Devi Temple.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was apprised of the Lumbini Development Master Plan by archaeologist Basanta Bidari and the progress made in construction of the Maya Devi Temple by conservation officer Sunil Dahal.

SAARC Programming Committee meet reviews technical bodies' reports

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Aug. 18: The 23rd session of the programming committee of SAARC countries today reviewed the reports of the three technical committees on social development, science and technology, environment, meteorology and forestry.

The report on social development was presented by the Maldives, on science and technology by India, and on environment, meteorology and forestry by Bhutan.

Briefing the media about today's meeting, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pushkar Rajbhandari said that the reports would be forwarded to the Standing Committee meeting that starts tomorrow for consideration and approval.

The meeting today was opened by the Secretary General of the SAARC Q.A.M.A. Rahim and was chaired by Nepalese Joint Secretary Gyan Chandra Acharya.

The 11th SAARC summit had agreed on two conventions - on the regional arrangement for child welfare in South Asia and combating the trafficking of women and girls for prostitution. The technical committee on social development had discussed both these conventions. The committee has suggested that all the SAARC countries ratify the conventions as soon as possible.

The technical committee has also recommended the merger of three committees - on health, population activities and child welfare, on women and development and on prevention of drug trafficking and drug abuse into one.

The SAARC has 11 committees, a number considered too big.

The programming committee also discussed the proposed budget for the SAARC Secretariat. The proposed budget for the SAARC Secretariat for 2003 is US$ 1.73 million.

The meeting today also discussed the budget of the SAARC documentation centre. These budget estimates will be sent to the Standing Committee for consideration.

The meeting also discussed the SAARC-Japan Special Fund. Under an agreement, Japan provides US$ 220,000 every year for activities of the SAARC. Twenty-six projects are currently being run in all the SAARC countries. It also discussed the report of the SAARC Audio Visual Exchange (SAVE) prepared by the 20th meeting of the SAVE. The report will also be presented to the Standing Committee meeting.

Rajbhandari said that the foreign secretaries of all the six SAARC countries have arrived in Kathmandu for the two-day Standing Committee meeting starting tomorrow.

The foreign secretaries taking part in the meeting are Dasho Ugyen Tshering of Bhutan, Kamal Sidal of India, Dr. Ahamad Saheed of The Maldives, Riaz H. Khokhar of Pakistan, Nihal Rodrigo of Sri Lanka, Shamshar M. Choudhary of Bangladesh and Acharya of Nepal.

According to tradition, the visiting foreign secretaries will call on the Nepalese Foreign Secretary Madhuraman Acharya. "Today afternoon the foreign secretaries of Bhutan and Pakistan met with Acharya and talks centred on accelerating the SAARC process," Rajbhandari said.

The foreign secretaries of Nepal and Bhutan also talked about the Bhutanese refugee problem and both the sides agreed to solve the problems amicably and as soon as possible, he said.

CIAA lists assets of raided houses

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Aug. 18: For the second day Sunday, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) continued to list all assets of the 22 government officials whose homes were raided Friday night for amassing wealth through unscrupulous means.

The CIAA seized cash, jewellery, valuable goods, foreign currencies, house ownership papers and bank documents and then sealed the homes. All movable wealth will be taken to the CIAA office at Babar Mahal, the CIAA said.

"The value of the goods seized could reach tens of millions of rupees," Chief Commissioner of the CIAA Surya Nath Upadhyaya told reporters this afternoon.

Nine teams were mobilised to enlist the seized goods, which was done in the presence of the owners. The listing continued till late at night. On Saturday, the CIAA had finished listing the property of four of the 22 persons.

The CIAA has taken those accused into custody. They have been taken to the CIAA office at Babar Mahal. Many had their faces covered in a towel.

On Friday night, the anti-corruption body had raided the houses of 22 officials working under various departments of the Finance Ministry. They included Joint Secretaries Janardan Sharma, chief of the Inland Revenue Office, Kathmandu area No. 2 Babar Mahal, and Sriram Pant, chief of the revenue section at the Finance Ministry, who is currently in New Delhi for bilateral talks with India.

The Under Secretaries whose houses were raided are Ishwor Pokharel, Finance Ministry; Sarad Kant Adhikari, Director, Customs Department; Ganesh Shrestha, Chief of Bhairahawa Customs and Sher Jung Dhoj Karki, Tatopani Customs.

The CIAA also raided the houses of three section officers - Suresh Regmi, Finance Ministry; Agni Karki, Tax office Babar Mahal and Devi Ram Bhandari, Tatopani Customs.

There are ten non-gazetted first class officials. They are Dola Raj Sharma, Inland Revenue Department, Lazimpat; Arjun Thapa, Revenue Investigation Department, Pulchowk; Keshav Gautam, Foreign Post Office; Daya Ram Parajuli, Tatopani Customs; Umesh Regmi, Inland Revenue Department; Niranjan Babu Shrestha, Tribhuvan International Airport Customs; Shyam Basnet, Tatopani Customs; Kedar Chalise, Kedar Khadka and Kedar Dhungana of Birgunj customs.

The two non-gazetted second class employees are Bharat Ghimire of Tatopani Customs; Madhu Poudel of the General Post Office and Ramkrishna Tiwari of TIA Airport Customs.

The CIAA led the crackdown after receiving complaints from the people. They will appear in court tomorrow, according to the sources.

"This is just the beginning and a lot remains to be done. We will not let anyone go unpunished whether they are big or small," added Upadhyaya, who has led the first-ever such raid.

He said the raids were carried out in accordance with the law, and that the CIAA has the right to probe into any public figure. Upadhyaya said the ability to continue with similar action would depend on the capacity, available information and the investigation of the Commission.

The raids came just two days after the Royal assent to the two laws that gave the CIAA the power to seize property earned through illegal means, impose fines and keep the offending officials in custody for upto six months. If convicted in court, they face sentences of upto two years. Under new laws, the burden of proof lies with the accused.

Different political organisations have hailed the CIAA raids. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Hariyali Nepal Party have welcomed the action against the corrupt officials. In separate press statements, they have called upon the constitutional body to intensify the crackdown of the corrupt in other sectors as well.

The Hariyali Nepal Party has urged the government to provide sufficient staff and resources at the CIAA to further widen its anti-corruption drive.

In the course of its investigation, the CIAA is authorised to seize passports, freeze assets and stop all transfer of property of the accused.

Deuba lauds PADT's works

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KATHMANDU, Aug. 17: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that His Majesty's Government fully supports the programmes carried out by the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) for the preservation of heritage of historical and archaeological importance.

Prime Minister Deuba pledged all possible co-operation for the promotion of the holy religious site of Pashupati Area at a programme organised here today by the trust with an objective of providing information on the activities of PADT.

Lauding the programmes run by the trust, he directed the concerned officials to work with still more capability and effectiveness.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bal Bahadur K.C. said the trust has been successful in stopping various aberrations which were detrimental to the glory of the area taking place after encroachment in an unauthorised manner at Pashupati Area and added that the trust has been working with high importance at sites including Sleshmantak Ban (forest) and Mrigasthali which are of religious importance.

The PADT is mobilised to utilise its income rather than being dependant on HMG, he said, adding that interest free loan has been sought from International Hindu Organisations for the overall development of the holy Hindu pilgrimage site of the world's over 1 billion Hindu followers.

On the occasion, acting member secretary of the trust Shankar Raj Pathak informed about various aspects of the of trust.

Minister of State for Women, Children and Social Welfare Sushila Swanr, NPC Vice Chairman Dr. Narayan Khadka, trust officials, secretaries of various ministries and outgoing office bearers of local bodies were also present.

After the programme, PM Deuba took stock of the programmes run by the trust following an inspection of Gaurighat, Guheswori, Gorakhnath, Mrigasthali, Bisworup, Ghat Chhetra and four Shivalaya sites.

Meanwhile our Staff Reporter added: The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) has demanded Rs. 320 million from the government to compensate for the houses and land acquired by the trust and to carry out various activities under its master plan. This demand was made today during Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's inspection of the temple complex, a world heritage site, on the completion of the first phase of the master plan. The government had provided Rs. 100 million for the first phase. "The money went to compensate for the 119 houses and 22 ropanies of land acquired for the purpose," said Ram Prasad Dahal, member of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT).
The 10-year master plan that began in 1998 includes 20 different programmes.

Under the first phase of the programme, the PADT transferred the residents living in the core area to the west of the Pashupatinath temple, while vacating the people living in the patis and sattals. With the money, gajurs (pinnacles) were also added to some of the temples.

Of the 119 houses in the core area of the temple complex, 100 houses have already been demolished, while talks are on with the Department of Archaeology to demolish the remaining 19 houses.

Under the second phase of the PADT master plan, more than Rs 98.36 million alone will be spent to compensate another 70 houses and 123 ropanies of land to be acquired by the trust.

The master plan, which came into effect in 1998, has divided the Pashupatinath into three sections. Of the 264 hectares of land comprising the Pashupati area, the core area occupies 3.9 hectares, consonant area 94.9 hectares and contenium area 5.2 hectares.

The core area to the west of the Pashupatinath temple will be set aside for religious and cultural activities. Talking to The Rising Nepal, Dahal said the consonant areas will be allocated for other activities.

The consonant area has been divided into two parts - B11 and B12. The cremation site, for example, lies in the B11 area, said Dahal, who is also member of the governing council and conveyor of the PADT publicity committee. Under the master plan, an electric crematorium will be built, the Aryaghat expanded and a spiritual centre and Sanskar Mandap constructed by 2006. Presently there are 22 separate chambers for mourners. The PADT aims to build 200 such chambers within three years.

Party leaders for free, fair polls

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KATHMANDU, Aug. 18: Leaders of various political parties have pointed out the need to eliminate the prevailing crises, resolve the problem politically and hold free and fair elections in time.

At a symposium on parliamentary elections and the aspirations of the people with reference to the national problems organised by Nepal Free Journalists' Society Valley Coordination Committee here today, they said that if the elections could not be held in time, the country will be facing constitutional crisis.

Homnath Dahal of the Nepali Congress said that the main aspirations of the people at present were good governance, institutional development of democracy and law and order, and the forthcoming elections would provide a way out for their aspirations.

Arjun Narsingh KC of the Nepali Congress said that significant development and construction works had taken place in the last 12 years since the restoration of democracy but it was not in line with the expectations of the people and the democratic system was not to be blamed for it.

CPN-UML central member Subhas Nemwang said that free and fair elections was necessary for the protection of the achievement of the popular movement of 1990 and the sovereign rights of the people. The people should be assured that the forthcoming elections would eliminate existing distortion and aberrations in the country, he added.

Vice-president of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani said that peace, security, reforms and dialogue were necessary for the protection of democratic ideals.

Acting president of the Nepal Sadbhavana Party Badri Prasad Mandal said that the Parliament should perform in line with the expectations of the people in the context of the question mark being raised on the dignity of the parliament because of the game played for power.

Central president of the society Jivan Ram Bhandari and advocate Balkrishna Neupane also expressed their views at the programme chaired by president of the valley coordination committee Rajan Mukarung.

GARDEP to continue in Gulmi Arghakhanchi

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GULMI, Aug. 18: Enthusiasm has been rekindled among the people of Gulmi and Arghakhanchi district after the European Development Programme Commission extended the term of the Gulmi-Arghakhanchi Rural Development Project (GARDEP) which has been implemented in Arghakhanchi district for the coming one year.

As per an agreement between His Majesty's Government and the European Agency, the term of the GARDEP project has been extended for one more year until July 2003. The term of the project had expired on July, 2002.

GARDEP that is under implementation in 89 village development committees (VDCs) of Gulmi and Arghakhanchi districts has been extending much cooperation in sectors like education, health, drinking water, irrigation, road, small and cottage industries, micro hydroelectricity development, human resources, agriculture, livestock, forest conservation, women development, etc.

There was a dilemma regarding whether or not to give continuity to the GARDEP project after the project was damaged in Maoists' terrorist attack during its implementation phase in Arghakhanchi and Gulmi districts in the past.

Under GARDEP, a sum of approximately Rs. 80 million has already been invested in various projects of Gulmi and Arghakhanchi districts in the past five years.

GARDEP is planning to complete the remaining 62 projects in Gulmi district and 79 projects in Arghakhanchi district with the remaining fund of 10.5 million Euros within the stipulated time without making new allocations.

Bhutanese refugees demand decision over repatriation

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Aug. 18: Bhutanese refugees residing in eastern Nepal for the past 12 years have demanded for a clear-cut decision regarding their repatriation during the upcoming 12th round of Nepal - Bhutan ministerial level talks likely to be held in the capital next week.

Royal Nepalese Ambassador to India Dr. Bhesh Bahadur Thapa had indicated the possibility of the meeting taking place soon after the 23rd meeting of the SAARC Council of Ministers in Kathmandu concludes.

Representatives of the Bhutanese refugees, who are in the capital to draw the attention of Nepalese and Bhutanese leaders to their plight, said that the 12th round of talks should be decisive. They blamed the Bhutanese government for delaying and postponing the talks over the repatriation of Bhutanese refugees.

"Either the Bhutanese government should initiate the process of repatriation or it should clarify its intention. And Nepal should also press Bhutan over the issue," said S. B Subba, general secretary of the Bhutanese Refugees Repatriation Committee (BRRC).

The verification process of the refugee camps has been delayed and made more complicated by the Bhutanese officials, he said, adding, "The UNHCR should also be involved in the verification process as a third party."

Pramod Kaflay, president of the Group for International Solidarity (GRINSO), said that Nepal should also be well prepared while negotiating with the Bhutanese officials. Since the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is looking after the Bhutanese refugees, it must also be responsible for repatriating the refugee safely, with dignity and honor, he said.

The Joint Ministerial level Committee between Nepal and Bhutan must immediately declare the verification results of the Khudunabari camp carried out about eight months back, says GRINSO Nepal. The verified refugees must be repatriated to Bhutan while verification in the remaining six camps must begin simultaneously, it said.

The representatives who have gathered here for a two-day meeting also demanded to form a South Asian Support Group for Bhutanese refugees. They have demanded that Nepal constitute a permanent task force that includes representatives of all the political parties, bureaucrats and intellectuals to look after the refugee issue.

A Bhutanese Refugee Repatriation Support Group ad-hoc committee has been formed under the convenorship of former Nepalese Foreign Minister Shailendra Kumar Upadhaya.

The Bhutanese Refugees Support Group (BRSG) is making preparations to meet Bhutanese Foreign Minister Lyonpo Jigme Y Thinley who is here for the SAARC Ministerial meeting.

Meanwhile RSS adds; The BRSG, comprising of national and international human rights organisations, has plans to raise the issue of Khudunabari verification exercise; time frame for verification in the remaining six Bhutanese refugee camps, the possible repatriation of verified Bhutanese refugees, and the resettlement of northern and eastern Bhutanese in southern Bhutan, the place of origin of most refugees, according to a press release issued by the BRSG here today.

In this connection, the BRSG has sent a letter by fax to the foreign secretary of Nepal on August 16, host to all the SAARC nation's dignitaries, requesting him to kindly seek appointment with the Bhutanese Foreign Minister, in consultation with officials of the Bhutanese delegation, during his stay in Kathmandu.

The five-member BRSG delegation wishes to seek the Bhutanese minister's and the Bhutanese government's position on the Bhutanese refugees.

The press release states that the BRSG delegation wishes to determine whether or not the Bhutanese Government is genuinely committed to working bilaterally towards finding a lasting solution to the Bhutanese refugee problem.

"The BRSG, representing civil society, has been asking the Nepalese Government, despite their assurances of resolving the Bhutanese refugee problem bilaterally, to seek international intervention without any further delay to bring a quick end to the decade old refugee crisis and the untold suffering of 100,000 plus people as several rounds of bilateral parleys have failed to resolve the refugee problem," the press release states.

It is learnt from the media that the Nepalese Government has plans to discuss the Bhutanese refugees issue with their Bhutanese counterparts on the fringes of the SAARC foreign ministers' meeting between August 21-22 and that foreign minister of Bhutan Jigme Y. Thinley will also participate in the SAARC and other bilateral meetings.