RPP team calls on Chand

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KATHMANDU, Dec. 17: A delegation from Ramechhap district led by Babu Ram Paudel of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) today called on Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand to apprise him of the various problems of the district and sought a bulldozer and diesel for road construction and more teaching posts in schools.

Also today, an eight-member delegation from the professionals federation led by its president Prof. Harsha Narayan Dhaubhadel called on Prime Minister Chand and presented a seven-point memorandum.

Karcher calls on Mandal

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KATHMANDU, Dec. 17: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Dr. Henning Karcher called on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Co-operatives and Local Development Badri Prasad Mandal at the latter's office in Singhdurbar today.

During the meeting issues related to the UNDP assisted community based programmes in different districts of Nepal, among others were discussed.

Commission submits report

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KATHMANDU, Dec. 17: The Commission constituted by HMG to probe the accident involving an a 9-N.Age Accureille helicopter of Karnali Air Pvt. Ltd. at Makalu base camp in may submitted its report to Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Kuber Prasad Sharma here today.

Captain Dipak Rana was flying the ill-fated helicopter without any passengers and it was damaged beyond repair in the accident in which he sustained minor injuries.

According to the report, the accident has been attributed to the inability of pilot Rana to maintain the balance of the chopper at the time of the accident.

Rana himself had told the probe panel that the helicopter went out of control because of adverse weather conditions and the altitude, it has been mentioned in the report.

Rana had not undergone training in high altitude flying in bad weather conditions, and the standard flight procedure was not followed fully, it has also been mentioned.

The report has suggested that the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal should test the eligibility of pilots for high altitude and impart necessary training in this regard.

In the report, a request has been made to CAAN to issue directives to Karnali Air to comply with the suggestion that it should impart training in high altitude flying to all its pilots within 60 days.

ISO standard in services, constructions highlighted

By Indra Adhikari

KATHMANDU, Dec. 17: As Nepal works to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO), it must also see that its goods and services are able to compete in the world market. Although, there is little awareness about this issue, quite a few Nepalese industries and service sectors have already been awarded with the ISO certification that denotes international standard.

President of the Research Center for Applied Science and Technology (RECAST) Dr. Mohan Bikram Gewali, says there have been significant changes towards enhancing the service sector and producing eco-friendly products in Nepal to match international quality in recent times.

Quite a number of industries have received the Nepal Standard (NS) mark. But in a bid to compete in the international market, standardisation of Nepalese goods and services accordingly is essential, Gyawali said.

Nepal is working to get accreditation for a Nepalese environmentalist from the 'International Organisation for Standardisation' to issue the ISO certification for Nepalese services and industries. The ISO certification in Nepal is currently issued by Indian consultants of the organisation. The ISO certification is provided by the International Organisation of Standardisation directly or through its agents in different countries around the world.

There are two systems indicating these standards: Quality Management System (QMS) and Environment Management System (EMS).

There is no record of how many industries and services sectors from Nepal have been awarded with the ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 series. There is yet no specific body to look into such issues. But it is believed the number of such industries and services has reached more than a dozen.

ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 series are the world's principal voluntary standard development bodies working to develop quality in services and goods and safeguard the environment. ISO certification mainly sees to it that there is resource conservation and that goods are eco-friendly, said the Administrative Chief of NEBICO biscuits Deweshor Pradhan.

ISO 9000 is awarded for good management in the service sector and industries. It not only looks to see if the goods are of international standards, but also if its management policy is effective.
The ISO 14000 series is designed to provide the framework for environmental management, measurement, evaluation and auditing. It does not prescribe environmental performance targets. Instead it provides organisations with the tools to access and control environmental impact through their activities and services.

NEBICO biscuits is one of the industries that received the ISO 9001:2000, the latest version of the ISO 9000 series, for quality management. Administrative Chief of the factory Pradhan said that though they have received the ISO standard, NEBICO biscuits are not exported.

NORVIC: Escorts Health Care and Research Center in the service sector received the ISO 9001:2000 for good management and quality service. Management representative Anjali Rawat said that certifying agents studied its management aspects and services for a year before certifying it with the ISO standard.

NEBICO biscuits and NORVIC were certified with the ISO by TUV through its consultant in India this year. TUV is a German organisation that looks after standardisation of goods world-wide.
Bayern Nepal is the only Nepalese industry that has received the ISO 14000 for environment management and eco-friendly production. It is a Nepal-German joint venture and produces electrical equipment and goods. The industry mostly produces goods for export.

CIAA files cases against three employees

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KATHMANDU, Dec. 17: The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) today filed cases at the Special Tribunal, Anamnagar, against warehouse guard Paras Adhikari of Nepal Bank Limited Central Office, office assistant Ananta Bhakta Wagle of the Agriculture Development Bank (ADB) Ratna Park and office assistant Akkal Bahadur C.K. of Pokhara for submitting fake educational certificates when joining service or for promotion and thereby resorting to corruption.

The CIAA has, so far, filed cases at the court against 16 civil servants, 52 employees working in corporations, six working in the police force and one at the RBA.

Election prime responsibility of govt, says Shrestha

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MAHOTTARI, Dec. 17: Assistant Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ravi Bhakta Shrestha has pointed out the need for all the Nepalis to become united in order to face the challenges that have come upon the country.

Inaugurating the third general meeting of Jaleswar Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Jaleswar today, he said maintaining law and order and holding free and fair elections are the prime responsibility of the present government.

He also expressed the view that tourism is the backbone of Nepal's economy and spoke of commitment to development of this sector which is in a fragile state due to the existing law and order situation.

President of Jaleswar Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ramratan Prasad Shah presided.

Earlier, Assistant Minister Shrestha inaugurated the new six-room building of the chamber completed at the cost of Rs. 1,100,000.