Change in law for new insurance package mooted

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Feb. 20: Despite terrorist attack on September 11, the prospects for insurance market are ever increasing across the globe. Considering the threat of terrorism in Nepal, new packages of insurance can be introduced, said K.M. Dastur, an insurance expert.

Speaking at a talk programme on ‘Insurance" organised by Nepal Britain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NBCCI), Dastur explained how insurance business is running in the present global context. Insurance today is more important than ever before as a risk transfer vehicle owing to the changing nature of risk caused by the impact of Legislation, highly complex contracts and technology, he said.

Dastur further said that the overall insurance today is required to provide a value addition that enhances a clients business by enabling them to take more risks, yet fully protecting the company’s balance sheet.

In today’s insurance markets around the world three are numerous coverage available in a specified event or on an all risk basis, he added.

Dastur also pointed out the need for changes in the legislation to introduce new insurance packages in the country.

Rajendra Khetan of President of the NBCCI underlined the need to introduce new packages that cover damage through the act of terrorism.

Industrialists, businessmen and media people were participating in the talk programme.

Women suffer discriminations HM grants audience

Kathmandu, Feb. 20 (RSS):  His Majesty the King granted audience to visiting British Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Mr Ben Bradshaw at the Royal Palace today.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Arjun Jung Bahadur Singh and British Ambassador Ronald Peter Nash were also present on the occasion.

Deuba calls for stability, support

Kathmandu, Feb. 20 (RSS): In an interview given to CNN, the Cable News Network, today, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that it is the time for stability in the country and changing Prime Minister in midstream is not good for the country.

The Prime Minister has also appealed to all the legislators to help ratify the state of emergency.

Mr. Deuba said if the government loses the vote on the proclamation of the state of emergency, it will give the rebels an important psychological victory.

Bradshaw calls on PM

Kathmandu, Feb. 20 (RSS): Visiting Parliamentary under-secretary of State for Foreign and Comonwealth Afairs of the United Kingdom Ben Bradshaw called on Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba at Singha Durbar this morning.

Matter of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting.

Similarly, Mr. Bradshaw had a meeting with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Arjun Jung Bahadur Singh at Shital Niwas this afternoon.

During the meeting bilateral, regional and international issues were discussed.

After the meeting, Minister of State Singh hosted a luncheon in honour of the visiting British Parliamentary under secretary of state at Shital Niwas.

Khadka inspects incident sites in Achham

Kathmandu, Feb. 20 (RSS): Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka yesterday inspected the sites of incidents at Mangalsen and Safebagar of February 16 caused by the Maoist terrorists.

Those accompanying Home Minister Khadka in the inspection were MPs Govinda Bahadur Shah, Ram Bahadur Bishta, Yagyajit Shah, Akkal Bahadur Bishta and ex-MP Bhim Rawal.

During the visit, Home Minister Khadka acquired information from the local people, people’s representatives and the security personnel.

Likewise, also yesterday, Minister of State for Home Devendra Kadel inspected the spot at Lalbandi where the Maoists had caused the incident the same day.

Minister of State Kadel was accompanied by Assistant Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Nagendra Raya, and MPs Rajendra Mahato, Mahendra Raya and Hridaya Thaani.

PM condoles demise of Pt. Baijnath

Kathmandu, Feb. 20 (RSS): Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said he is deeply grieved by the untimely death of Pundit Baijnath Bhattarai.

In a message today, Mr Deuba noted that though the nation has lost a talented personality in the death of Bhattarai, a great scholar of eastern literature, religion and philosophy, his more than half a dozen books will make him immortal among the Nepalese people.

The Prime Minister also prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

UK official meets Nepal

Kathmandu, Feb.20 (RSS): Visiting British Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Mr Ben Bradshaw paid a courtesy call on leader of the main opposition party at the House of Representatives Madhav Kumar Nepal at the CPN (UML)’s Parliamentary Party office in Singha Durbar today.

Matters of bilateral interest were discussed on the occasion.

Rajbiraj airport to resume services

Rajbiraj, Feb. 20 (RSS): Rajbiraj Airfield which had been closed since the last six years is to resume its services from Saturday.

According to station manager Bil Bahadur Shrestha, a two way flight service for Biratnagar-Lamidanda-Rajbiraj and Rajbiraj-Lamidanda-Biratnagar will be operated from the Rajbiraj Airfield.

The fare for Rajbiraj-Lamidanda route has been fixed at Rs. 850 and an insurance charge of Rs.150.

Although flight schedule has been fixed once a week on Saturday, the flights will be increased in proportion to the number of passengers, station manager Shrestha said.

The Airfield inaugurated by the then Minister for Transport Ganesh Man Singh in 2016 B.S. had been closed since Baisakh 4, 2052 B.S.

The airfield spreads over 55 Bighas of land and its run way over 300 square feet.

On the resumption of air services from the airfield which lies three kilometres south of Rajbiraj Municipality, the local people of the districts lying in the hilly regions of Sagarmatha Zone will benefit.

UK to give Nepal Pound 20 M annually

Kathmandu, Feb. 20 (RSS): The United Kingdom is to provide an assistance of 20 million Pound annually to Nepal.

British Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Mr Ben Bradshaw disclosed this at a press meet organised before he left here today.

Statues of six martyrs unveiled in Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur, Feb. 20 (RSS): Central president of Nepal Workers and Peasants’ Party (NWPP) Narayan Man Bijukchhe unveiled the statues of six martyrs set up at Martyr Memorial Park in Bhaktapur Municipality-15 today.

The figures of Raj Kumar Suwal, Hari Krishna Bhuju, Nirmal Kumar Shakya, Krishna Ram Duwal, Puspa Ratna Shakya and Mahesh Shrestha who attained martyrdom in the popular movement of 2046 B.S. have been carved on a single stone.

Bhaktapur Municipality laid out the park and set up the statue with a total outlay of Rs. 721,000.

On the occasion, Mr. Bijukchhe inaugurated the First Inter-Town Martyr Memorial Cup Table Tennis Tournament by presenting a ball and bat to Bijendra Hamal, coordinator of the tournament technical committee.

Players from 20 Municipalities are taking part in the tournament that will last till February 26.

In his inaugural address, president Bijukchhe made it clear that NWPP is in favour of tackling political problems in a political manner.

Another MP Lekhnath Neupane noted that the immortal martyrs should always be respected.

Nepali Congress Bhaktapur district president Radheshyam Jonchhe opined that sports would help to prevent the youths from being involved in unproductive activities.

Bhaktapur Mayor Prem Suwal was on the chair.

UML lambasts terror tactics of Maoists

Kavrepalanchowk, Feb.20 (RSS): CPN (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, while inaugurating the 10th council meeting of Kavre district today, said that the Maoists are now terrorising the people at gunpoint and this is the climax of their terrorist thinking.

Stating that all political parties of the country are now required to make an objective analysis of their shortcomings to guarantee social justice to the people, Mr Nepal accused the present majority government of failing to take actions against corrupt persons.

Corruption and inefficiency have taken their toll on the country’s development, he said, adding that forces with faith in democracy should join in the national mainstream of development.

Nepali Congress organisation department secretary and MP Shiv Prasad Humangain called for political parties to stop throwing accusations and counter accusations and become organised under the umbrella of broader democratic alliance for the sake of national interests.

MP Shiv Bahadur Deuja, UML Standing Committee member Keshav Prasad Badal and others also spoke at the function chaired by senior member of the council Ramsharan Thapa.

DDC chairman Krishna Prasad Sapkota presented an estimated budget of Rs. 677 million for fiscal year 2058/59.

Rukum team meets Deuba

Kathmandu, Feb. 20 (RSS): A delegation led by NC Rukum president Gopalji Jung Shaha met with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and apprised him of various issues including peace and security, and development and construction works in the district.

The delegation presented a memorandum to the Prime Minister on the occasion.

The delegation also demanded that the Salyan-Musikot and Musikot-Burtibang road should be constructed as early as possible, and various development-construction works carried out through the Ministry of Information and Communications, Local Development Ministry and the Ministry of Sports and Education.

Model village programme to be launched

Dhangadhi, Feb. 20 (RSS): His Majesty’s Government is to start a model village programme (conservation-based community development) at Dhumsa in Kanchenjunga, Katarniyagat in Bardiya district and Basanta area in Kailali district with the cooperation of World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

The programme is being launched in these areas covered by dense forests with the objective of bringing about all round development of the local community vis-a-vis conserving forests areas and the environment.

This was disclosed at an interaction programme held here recently.

Research officer at the Department of Forest Dr. Surendra Thapa furnished details about the objective and concept of the programme.

The interaction programme was attended by local people’s representatives and representatives from the organisations involved in the conservation of forest and environment.

Whip issued

Kathmandu, Feb. 20 (RSS): Chief Whip of the Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party Tek Bahadur Chokhyal has, in accordance with article 13(5) of the Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party constitution, directed all the NC Parliamentary Party members in the House of Representatives to compulsorily vote in favour of the proposal tabled by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for ratification of the state of emergency ordinance declared throughout the Kingdom of Nepal by His Majesty the King in accordance with Article 115 sub-clause 1 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990 when voting takes place at the House of Representatives on February 21.

This is stated in a notice issued by the Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party here today.

Assistance to Chhetrapati Hospital

Kathmandu, Feb. 20 (RSS): Financial assistance of Rs. 184,005/- has been handed over to Bijaya Bahadur Mali, chairman of Chhetrapati Hospital for the completion of third floor of the hospital amid a function held to mark the completion of 45 years of its founding.

Ram Man Shrestha and his family had provided Rs. 71,500, Upendra Kumar Pradhan Rs. 50,500, Mahendra Bilash Joshi Rs. 25,000, Achyut Mani Shrestha Rs. 10,000, Prof. Bishnu Raj Pandey Rs. 12,000, Govinda Man Shrestha Rs. 10,000 and Mina Tuladhar Rs. 5,005 for construction of the third floor of the hospital.

Chairman of Chhetrapati Hospital Mali informed the gathering that upon completion of the third floor, surgery services will be made available to the general people.

General secretary of the Hospital Deepak Kaji Pandey said a total of 81,352 patients was provided treatment at the hospital in fiscal year 2057/58 whereas its treasurer Shankar Raj Joshi presented the financial report of the hospital.

Vice-chairman of the hospital Achyut Man Shrestha, ward chairman Mahendra Bilash Joshi and Prof. Bishnu Raj Pandey wished that the hospital run by the people with the purely service motive be brought into operation in full swing as early as possible.

Curfew in Guleriya

Guleriya, Feb. 20 (RSS): Bardiya District Administration office has imposed a curfew from 7 pm to 5 am every day in Guleriya Municipal area until further notice.