Japan's support to Nepal to continue

RSS

KATHMANDU, Dec. 22: Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Zenji Kaminaga has said that government of Japan will continue to support the development efforts of Nepal, wherever possible, in line with the priority areas which have been identified through mutual dialogues between the two countries.

In an interview to Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) on the occasion of the 69th Birth Day of Emperor Akihito of Japan Kaminaga said as a close friend and development partner of Nepal, Japan has been assisting His Majesty's Government of Nepal in its efforts to alleviate poverty and achieve sustainable economic development through economic and technical co-operation for over three decades.
"Our intention of continued assistance to Nepal has also been clearly spelled out during the Nepal Development Forum, which was held in February this year" he said.

"The assistance extended by Japan, however, is the fund entrusted to us by the taxpayers of my country, who are becoming more and more conscious of the effectiveness as well as efficiency of the ODA programmes abroad. Therefore, Japan places more importance on the effectiveness and efficiency of ODA programmes and expects accelerated self-help efforts, or ownership, as well as good governance to ensure efficiency, on the part of His Majesty's Government of Nepal."

Ambassador Kaminaga said, "basically, Japan's assistance is designed to support Nepal's democratisation process and socio-economic development under the market oriented economic system. Based on this basic policy, the aid resources under Japan's ODA have been utilised by Nepal in the priority areas identified mutually by the two countries. "

The Japanese ambassador said, "the grant assistance has made possible many projects such as construction of primary schools under BPEP 1st & 2nd (5,498 classrooms by government of Japan), construction of Teaching Hospital, expansion of Kanti Children's Hospital, construction of National Tuberculosis Centre, Kathmandu Water Supply facilities improvement (Japan shares 1/2 of the total water supply in Kathmandu Valley after completion of the ongoing project), construction of Sindhuli Road, improvement of intersections in Kathmandu city, expansion of Rural Telecommunication Network, National Radio Broadcasting Project, modernisation of Tribhuvan International Airport, river training, increase of food production, debt relief measures, improvement of storage facilities of iodised salt (in 6 places), to name but a few."

''In addition, JICA/Nepal has been involved in implementing some projects by itself. The local authorities such as Municipalities, VDCs, and NGOs, are utilising small grants from the Embassy of Japan for the implementation of grassroots level projects.

The projects and programmes under Japanese ODA have been successful in achieving their targets and in addressing the basic human needs of the people in Nepal and, therefore, Japan is satisfied with the performance of the projects,'' he added.

The ambassador said, the basic roles of a reliable government in a democratic system in the present context are to ensure security and good governance through control of corruption. In this regard, the government of Japan welcomes and praises the anti-corruption drive initiated by the government of Nepal and hopes that this will continue in the future.

In reply to a question about the political situation of Nepal, envoy Kaminaga remarked, "I hope that the current political crisis will be solved soon within the framework of the constitution and that peace and stability is maintained in the country."

"And I hope that Nepali government, based upon democracy and Constitutional monarchy, will conduct a free and fair election as soon as possible."

The envoy of the Nepal's major donor country said, "political stability, peace and security are the prerequisites for the progress of any country, including Nepal. In fact, maintenance of security and peace are the main foundations on which a democratic society can be built. Peace and development are interdependent. Even the most convincing project may not be able to produce desirable results if it cannot be implemented in a peaceful atmosphere."

"I may also add here that it is absolutely necessary that our ODA personnel are able to work in this country without any concern for their safety. I therefore would like to take this opportunity to emphasise the importance of making further efforts to restore peace so that the socio-economic development activities in Nepal can be carried out without any obstacles."

Shedding light on the Japanese co-operation in Nepal he said, "there are five priority areas of Japanese co-operation in the development of Nepal which have been identified through mutual dialogues in the high level policy consultation meetings between the two countries. The five areas are: Human Resources Development; social sectors such as education, health and medical care; agricultural development; basic economic and social infrastructure; and environmental conservation."

"Specifically, the government of Japan will continue to support the development of the basic social and economic infrastructures through general grant aid like the construction of Sindhuli Road, water facilities, medical as well as educational facilities and small grant assistance for participatory grassroots projects with local governments and NGOs. In addition, there will also be support for a new project related with community bridges. "

Replying a question about the new Japanese project in Nepal, the envoy noted, "I believe that tourism, environment and Human Resources Development should be given importance in our future co-operation."

Why Japanese investors are not interested to invest in Nepal envoy Kaminaga remarked, "of the total 767 joint venture industries registered in Nepal by the end of fiscal year 2001/02, 81 of them were Japanese joint ventures. This is the second highest number, next only to India. This is an indication of the fact that Japanese investors are interested in investing in Nepal."

"In order to attract more Japanese investment into Nepal, the government needs to further facilitate the legal and administrative system. As the government is currently drafting a new foreign investment policy, it should incorporate more attractive provisions into it with more concessions and facilities. Emphasis should be given on further simplifying the visa issuing procedure and a provision for foreign investors' opening a liaison office in Nepal should be incorporated. Equally important is to fix the proper socio-economic environment for investors, which the government should focus on."

Speaking on the tourism development in Nepal, Kaminaga said," more than 41,000 Japanese tourists visited Nepal in the year 2000. The number decreased to 28,000 in 2001, constituting however, the third largest third-country visitors to Nepal. Furthermore, Japanese tourist arrivals show a tendency of growing this year, as the number in November has registered growth of three per cent."

"Japanese people love to visit Nepal because of its natural beauty and cultural similarities between the two countries. Japanese people are also attracted to Nepal because of the scenic Himalayas, its rich cultural heritage, exotic wildlife and hospitable people, " he added.

Kaminaga added, "in order to invite more Japanese tourists into the country, Nepal should continue to make serious efforts in the areas of basic tourism infrastructure such as airport safety, clean sanitary conditions, healthy waste disposal system, and better tourism services. Another area of emphasis should be tourism marketing - such as opening up a tourism information centre in Japan. The private sector should gear up its marketing activities in a more serious and focussed way."

In reply to another question he said, "long-time poverty and economic stagnation could increase people's frustration toward the government. I, therefore, believe that the Nepali government's efforts on social and economic development is as important as its efforts on restoration of peace and security."
"From this view point, Japanese government extended assistance amounting to NRs. 832mil as non-project grant aid for the purpose of assisting Nepali government to carry out different programmes, particularly taking into account the budgetary difficulties of Nepal'' the ambassador added.

The Japanese envoy said, "I am extremely pleased with the ever-growing relations of friendship and co-operation between Japan and Nepal. It widely ranges from the close ties between the imperial family of Japan and the Royal Family of Nepal as I mentioned earlier, the frequent exchanges of personnel both at a governmental and private level and to economic and technical co-operation."
"I am happy to say that Japan and Nepal have enjoyed a century old unblemished friendly ties. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Nepal in 1956, the government of Japan has been extending various types of co-operation to Nepal for its socio-economic development. Recently, the Japanese government is supporting the efforts made by the government of Nepal towards the restoration of peace in the country."

Shedding light on the friendly relations, the Japanese envoy remarked, "Japan and Nepal have also been enjoying cordial relations at people to people level which is based on the basis of social and cultural similarities. Ekai Kawaguchi, the first recorded Japanese who ever visited Nepal in 1899, is characterised as the founder of such relations between the two countries. Just three years after his visit, the government of Nepal sent eight Nepali students to Japan in 1902 for studies and I am very grateful to say that this year also marks the 100th anniversary of their visit to Japan."

Japan is the major donor country of Nepal and it has provided over 263.8 billion Japanese yen since 1969 as grant for the socio-economic development of Nepal in addition to the grass root development programmes and technical assistance.

Home Minister rules out formation of interim govt

By Our Correspondent

BIRGUNJ, Dec.22: Minister for Home, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Dharma Bahadur Thapa today ruled out the formation of an interim government under Article 128 of the Constitution as it is no more relevant.

Talking to journalists today, Minister Thapa said that the provision of reactivating the Article had ended after the formation of the interim government headed by Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai immediately after the reinstatement of multi-party democracy.

Thus, an interim government under that Article is not justifiable, he said and added that the Royal address of October 4 that dismissed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was a compulsion created by the political events.

"As the government has been working under the directives mentioned in the Royal address on October 11, there is no sense of debating about the executive powers of the government," Thapa said.
Answering a query, Thapa said that the peace talks with the Maoists were in the preliminary stages. The government is yet to receive a formal proposal from the Maoists, and human rights activists are working on it, he said.

He came down heavily on the political parties for saying that elections would not be held at a time when the present government is working to hold them.

He said the journalists were free to use their pens without any fear of censorship, but they should justify what they write. "They should criticise the government for its wrongs, but should support and encourage it when it is right," he said.

Meanwhile, giving strict instruction to the government officials, Minister Thapa directed the public servants to serve the people promptly and without prejudice. "Anybody found guilty will be penalised," he said.

Interacting with the business entrepreneurs and officials of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Thapa said that the government would look into their problems sympathetically.

In another programme at Kalaiya on Saturday, Minister Thapa had inaugurated the Purushottam Lal Bharat Agrawal Service Centre built by Dr. Bharat Agrawal. The Centre was built by Dr. Agrawal at a cost of Rs. 6.5 million in commemoration of his late father. Dr. Agrawal has been in the United States for more than three decades.

Meanwhile in Hetauda, Home Minister Thapa has stressed the need to make the administration more effective, transparent and responsible to deliver the services to the people in an impartial manner with a feeling of responsibility for good governance in the country.

Giving directives to the chiefs of the government offices of Makawanpur district here today he said the civil servants should be committed to the nation, people, Constitution and the constitutional monarchy and work effectively in accordance with the directives of the government.

On the occasion, Chief District Officer Dipak Kumar Joshi said civil servant are ready to full-fill the directives of the government.

Minister Thapa also met with the office bearers of the Hetauda Chamber of Commerce and Industry and representatives of various political parties on the occasion.

Essence of gender equality emphasised

RSS

KATHMANDU, Dec. 22: Chief Justice Kedar Nath Upadhyaya has said the provisions relating to gender equality mentioned in legal and constitutional documents will be meaningless if the judges and legal practitioners do not realise the real essence of gender roles and equality.

Inaugurating an interaction programme on 'Gender Equity and Justice' organised by Public Welfare Conservation Forum, Chief Justice Upadhyaya said the judges themselves should start for developing the tradition of gender equality.

Former chief justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya shedding light on the present situation of gender equality in Nepal said the development of gender equality should be the prime focus rather than women development.

Former chief justice of India A. M. Ahamadi said the pen of the judges should be used for narrowing down the prevailing gender discrepancies and preservation of legal justices of the people in the country.

Regional programme advisor of Unifem Chandani Joshi said not only the government but all the civic society, NGOs and Human Rights Organisations also have the equal responsibility for developing gender equality.

The programme aims mainly at provoking judges' attention towards the development of gender equality. The interaction will run for 3 days.

The inaugural programme was presided over by forum president Dr Srikrishna Shrestha.

Educational institutions strike postponed

RSS

KATHMANDU, Dec. 22: The All Nepal National Free Students Union (Revolutionary) central committee issued a press communique today stating that the code of conduct, reduction in minimum fees and some educational reforms announced by operators of educational institutions in the private sector are a positive outcome, and that the ongoing educational strike in the Valley and all the programmes of the western and eastern parts have been postponed from tomorrow, December 23, till the end of Magh (January l2).

The committee has also stated that the problem should be resolved through talks during that period.

'King symbol of national unity'

RSS

KATHMANDU, Dec. 22: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Kuber Prasad Sharma has expressed confidence that the civic reception to be accorded Their Majesties the King and Queen at Biratnagar by the people of the eastern region on January 3 would be grand.

Minister Sharma was talking briefly to reporters of the National News Agency (RSS), Nepal Television and Radio Nepal at his residence here today. He said that the people of Nepal have always respected Their Majesties the King and Queen, the symbol of national unity and the focus of their faith.

Minister Sharma said, "all the Nepalese people respect their King very much. His Majesty the King is also always active in the interest of the nation and the people. Whenever the country is plunged in crisis the Nepalese people heartily praise the role played by the King to resolve it."Stating that the people always expect an active role from the King whenever the country is mired in crisis, he said the King has to be active to discharge his duty towards the people. Stating that the steps taken by His Majesty recently were for the consolidation of democracy, he said, "the steps taken by the King are in the interest of the nation, people and democracy. He alleged that the leaders of the political parties governing the country during the last 12 years had indulged in massive corruption, ruined industry and business, sold off the public enterprises indiscriminately, made the civil services inefficient, politicised the police force and criminalised politics.

In response to a question, Minister Sharma said that the rumour of retrograde developments spread by the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML were a Mere Gimmick, the country was being governed in accordance with the law and the constitution was active.

Furnishing replay to another question, he said, "if the Maoists accept the Constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy, then the door for talks with them is open."

Stating that the Maoists are anti-democratic forces, he said the big political parties should unite and oppose them.

'All forces should join hands to protect democracy'

RSS

KATHMANDU, Dec. 22: Speaker Taranath Ranabhat has said that if the political parties respecting Constitutional Monarchy and the Constitution do not reach an understanding and join hands, the Maoists would take advantage of the situation.

An in interaction programme organised by Samata Society here today, Speaker Ranabhat said that at a time when politics was being polarised His Majesty should take the initiative to create a situation under which the political parties need not take to the streets.

The present situation erupted because of activities such as allowing employees to join movements and create instability in the administration, willingness to topple the government of one's own party, and taking party internal squabbles to the streets, he added.

He further said that the past should be forgotten and all the forces should join hands for the protection of democracy.

Baldev Majgaiya of the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML standing committee member Radha Krishna Mainali, Pradip Giri of the NC (Democratic) and Khem Raj Pandit of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party also expressed their views at the interaction programme.

NGO movement inch towards political ideology

By Narayan Upadhyay

PUNE, Dec. 22: Non-government organisations (NGOs) in South Asia have, over the years, been lobbying or rallying in such a way that their movements have almost become political ideologies.
India and Bangladesh figure high in terms of the number of NGOs while all South Asian nations have been inundated by NGOs supporting environmental and women's causes, especially after 1990.
An offshoot of globalisation, this NGOism criticises all political parties for "failing to serve the people's interests." They will even go to the limit of criticising all ideologies, an Indian scholar on South Asia said.

NGOs, University of Pune Professor Dr. Rajendra Vora said, are funded mostly by international monetary funds and development agencies such as the World Bank. They believe that they speak on behalf of the masses. "No party or state takes care of the masses, and the duty of serving the people is left with them is the motto of present day NGOs."

Professor Vora, an expert on South Asian politics, said this during a five-day workshop on Political Reporting for Nepalese Journalists held in Pune, India recently. The workshop for 14 journalists was jointly organised by Frederich Ebert Stiftung, Nepal and the Department of Mass Communications and Journalism, Pune University.

Any movement in the nation - be it political, social, or other - at least one NGO is found attached to it or vice versa. As a result, followers of a social movement can suddenly turn into a founder of an NGO.
Take the case of an Indian non-governmental organisation, Save the Narmada Valley Movement. It is an example of a social movement taking the form of an NGO. The movement tried every trick in its bag to stop the Indian government from constructing the Narmada dam in the name of preserving the environment and protecting the poor from being displaced by the dam.

Though the movement largely failed to stop the construction of the dam, the leader of the movement, conservationist Medha Patkar and her follower, literary celebrity Arundhati Roy, have now become household names in India and in South Asia. The movement, having "enjoyed" a lot of media spotlight and public debate on the pros and cons of it, will remain etched in public memory.

Back home, several NGOs have sprouted to support environmental, human rights and feminist causes. Many Nepalese are still aware that during the Nineties, NGOs acting for the environment and human rights lobbied almost like a party with a certain ideology and skittled Nepal's Arun III hydroelectricity project. NGOs working for human rights are still embroiled in the controversy surrounding who is more to blame for human rights abuses - the government or the Maoists.
NGOs acting like a political party seem to be true also in the case of Nepalese NGOs supporting the betterment of women. Some NGOs sometimes back rallied hard to pass a legislation that gives Nepalese women equal right to property.

"NGOs in South Asia are in the third phase and have stood on their own. In some instances, they have substituted the bureaucracy. They perform the job done by the bureaucracy in the past," Vora said.

Professor Vora said that NGOs have close connections with the social process of the countries in South Asia, and in some cases have come to be recognised as political ideologies.
The running of NGOs has proved advantageous in many cases. In South Asia where Maoism and Neo-Fascism, in the form of religious uprising and ethnic strife, are taking root, NGOism has become an effective way of fighting these menaces. NGOs help mobilise the masses as volunteers for humanitarian causes in places where such menaces (Maoism, ethnic conflicts and religious jingoism) strike.

As elsewhere, NGOs here, said Vora, follow a democratic path as they fight for a cause while the Maoists and the followers of Neo-Fascism take very undemocratic ways to achieve their goal - seize power. "Despite the avowal and commitment of the proponents of NGOs to make the masses happy and prosperous, they are still career-wallahs, who want to make big bucks by steering volunteers to work for them," Professor Vora concluded.

Curfew re-imposed in Myanglung

By Our Correspondent

TEHRATHUM, Dec. 22: The District Administration Office (DAO) of Tehrathum has decided to re-impose curfew from 7:30 P.M. to 4:30 A.M. the next morning in and around the district headquarters of Myanglung until January 14 effective from today (Sunday) to maintain law and order in this district in north east Nepal.

The district headquarters was the scene of a big fire only recently that destroyed billions of rupees worth of property.The DAO had withdrawn the dusk to dawn curfew, in effect for one month, only last week.

According to our correspondent, property worth Rs. 2 billion was destroyed in the fire that raged through Myanglung Bazaar.The estimate is based on the assessment made by the Nagaronmukh Village Development Committee after interviewing each of the owners whose houses were destroyed. Those who suffered the most are Iswor Man Shrestha, who lost Rs. 20.7 million, and Tek Raj Bhandari, who lost Rs. 10.11 million in the blaze.

The fire had destroyed 85 houses, including the party offices of the Nepali Congress, CPN (UML), Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Yakthum Chumlung.

The fire also destroyed telephone lines, electricity cables and drinking water pipes in the headquarters. The report, prepared by the VDC and handed over to the District Administration Office (DAO), however, does not include the damages caused to these utilities.Chief District Officer Harilochan Sharma today said that the District Administration and District Development Committee were also making their own assessments of the damages. Once all the information has been collected, Sharma said the true picture will be made public.Meanwhile, the distribution of relief materials to the fire victims is continuing with different organisations and people from various walks of life making donations to the relief fund. According to the DAO, they have received Rs. 15, 0000 from the Fire Victim Cooperation Committee, Kathmandu and a lump sum of Rs. 4 68,163 from Rastriya Ekata Parishad Nepal and Nepali Janata Party. A total of Rs.1.63 million has been collected in the bank's current account of the Fire Victim Cooperation Committee. There is need for more financial aid for the reconstruction of Myanglung, said Sharma.