Convention ousts Koirala from NC Presidency

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, June 18: The Nepali Congress meeting-turned general convention ousted Girija Prasad Koirala from the party president today.

The Convention also formed a party election committee, headed by Basant Kumar Gurung. He announced the new president would be elected tomorrow.

The meeting unanimously endorsed the no-confidence motion against the party president Koirala presented by ex-MP Hari Nepal. Former lawmakers Krishna Kishore Ghimire, Bidur Paudel, Dhruba Wagle and Mrigendra Prasad Shah supported the proposal.

Nepal, presenting an 8-point charge sheet against Koirala, said that the Convention representatives had no alternative but to oust him from the post of the president as he exhibited anti-national, anti-democratic and anti-socialist behaviour in and outside the party during the last twelve years of democratic exercise in the country.

He said that the office of the NC Central Working Committee refused to register the no-confidence motion against Koirala which was brought as per the article 34 of amended NC statute.

"Girija Prasad Koirala who held the post of the Prime Minister for most of the time after the reinstatement of the multi-party democracy failed to manage the first elected government in a balanced and proportionate manner," stated the no-confidence motion.

The NC faced political disaster as he expelled senior party members showing his authoritarian character, it said.

Nepal said that Koirala had led the party in the direction of division by creating groupism under the influence of limited selfish people in the party.

"Koirala sowed the seed of division and mistrust in the party by defeating NC leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai in the election of 2050 BS in Kathamndu," it stated.

Nepal blamed the septuagenarian leader of being unable to rise above the narrow circle of selfishness even after he was elected to the party president. "He used two MPs of the party to topple the coalition government led by Sher Bahadur Deuba."

He manipulated the image of respected leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai for the political advantage in the elections of 2056 BS but he ousted Bhattarai within nine months. "But he could neither create a national consensus among the parliamentary parties to resolve the problems facing the nation nor was able to mobilise the security agencies to defeat the Maoists."

"Koiarala posed obstacles to Deuba led government in tackling the Maoist problem through dialogue. He undesirably pressured the government to conclude the talks with the Maoists quickly. Most surprisingly, Koirala is now raising the issue of talks with the outlawed Maoists when the security forces are gaining ground in suppressing the Maoist terrorists."

Prime Minister Deuba extended the state of emergency in consultation with Koirala. But he stood against the government move by floating the concept of wider democratic alliance including the main opposition Communist Party of Nepal United Marxist-Leninist, said Nepal. He also criticised Koirala’s comments on the security forces.

Nepal said Koirala exhibited utterly unconstitutional and undemocratic attitude by challenging the prerogative of the Prime Minister and demanding clarification from him for his move to extend the emergency. "He even directed the government to withdraw the proposal of extending the emergency."

"It is the necessity of the time to forge unity among all the political forces to protect the system and values ushered in by the Constitution of 1990. But Koirala has been unable to lead the party efficiently, let alone other parties. He has instead taken action against the activists who differ ideologically."

Nepal said Koirala exceeded opposition in troubling the government when it came up with reform programmes and policies in the favour of the nation and people.

Nepal said that Koirala’s protest against the call for the fresh mandate was undemocratic.

RSS adds, earlier, the first session of the general convention had passed the party’s amended statute. According to the amended NC statute, there is a provision under which the party president can be ousted by a majority of the convention representatives present. The first session of the GC was chaired by NC central member Prakash Man Singh.

After the post of NC president fell vacant, an election committee with Basant Kumar Gurung as convenor and Pradip Kumar Sunuwar and Buddhi Bahadur Katuwal as members was constituted to hold the election for the party president as per the constitution, informed ex-MP Hom Nath Dahal at a press conference organised after the GC.

The election committee will hold the election after publishing the election schedule at 7:00 Wednesday.

Representatives present at the GC numbered 797, Dahal informed.

Earlier, the GC had passed unanimously the proposals including those for annulling the action taken by the party against Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and other Nepali Congress members and for giving continuity to the mid-term elections as well as the state of emergency.

Long term communications policy out

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, June 18, After extensive consultations with the media experts, His Majesty’s Government has brought out a Long Term Information and Communications Policy -2059.

The new policy, which came into effect from June 17, aims to disseminate information and provide communications facilities to all villages in a competitive and coordinated manner.

The policy also aims to provide more autonomy to the postal services to make it more competitive and service oriented. Under the new policy, His Majesty’s the Government has also aimed to make the postal department economically self-reliant. The security press will be given more autonomy to develop itself as a professional organization so that it could render quality service.

The long-term Information and Communications Policy aims to provide telecommunications services and reliable trunk services across the country. Besides, the policy targets to provide the telecommunications services to each village to meet the objective of the Twelfth Five-Year Plan of distributing 15 lines of telephone to every hundred people.

In order to make the media more competitive the policy has assured the right to information, as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal

The policy has also emphasised to make the Nepalese journalism more healthy, professional and respectful.

The Department of Information would be developed as a center for disseminating the information about the government activities to the public. The Press Council would be developed as the representative organisation of the print media, which will develop the code of conducts, related to the print media. The Press Council will also be made a responsible unit to make the print media more capable resourceful.

With the view to enhance access of information to every Nepali citizen as guaranteed by Constitution, the new policy aims to expand the Internet services, and the access of the Nepal Television and the Radio Nepal throughout the country.

To make the broadcasting system more effective, the new policy aims to operate the Nepal Television and the Radio Nepal under the umbrella of an organisation by instituting the National Broadcasting Authority.

The policy also aims to equip the Nepal Television and the Radio Nepal with more physical infrastructure to develop them as a national broadcasting unit.

In order to develop Nepal as a hub for international film industry, the new information and communication policy encourages producing films on national languages as well as the Nepali language. The policy also aims to encourage the private sector to produce the films.

In order to develop the advertisement business as a national industry, the policy aims to encourage the advertisement industry as the main contributor to the national economy. Besides, the policy also aims to make the language and presentation of advertisement more effective, reliable and impressive.

RNAC resumes flight to Dubai

From Kishore Nepal

Dubai, June 18:Royal Nepal Airlines, National Flag Carrier of Nepal, resumed its flight to Dubai from 17 June, after nine months. Sarvadhan Rai, Minister of State for Tourism, inaugurated the flight to Dubai.

Rai presented a momento to Abdullah Ansari, a top officials from the tourism department of UAE at a ceremony organised to mark the resumption of RA flight to Dubai.

RNAC will be the 101 airlines operating from Dubai International Airport.

Speaking in a media event, to mark the resumption of flight, Ramagya Prashad Chaturvedi, Executive Chairman of Royal Nepal Airlines expressed the hope that the sector will be profitable for RNAC is considering this the base point.

"Thirty thousand Nepali are here in Dubai and three hundred thousand are working in the Gulf countries. We hope to cater the Nepalese labour force and also the tourists from different destinations of Europe" Chaturvedi said.

Chaturvedi expressed the hope that Dubai will be the second door to enter Nepal.

"You will watch the first sunshine in the Himalayas of our Himalayan Kingdom", Chaurbedi said. "This is the clear advantage for the tourists looking for natural excitement and adventurism."

We are a small airlines with big courage, saying this to the media people here, Chaturvedi announced special package to promote tourism.

He thanks the UAE Government for their support and affection for Nepal.

Narendra Bajracharya, President of Hotel Association of Nepal, expressed the hope that resumption of Dubai flight will enhance the possibilities to promote tourism.

Replying to a query from the media, Bajracharya admitted Maoist terrorism a major problem to Nepal tourism. "But," he said, "the Government is successfully controlling the Maoist terrorist and the situation will be normal within a few months."

However, Bajracharya informed the media people that the tourists from the European sector have not been affected by the Maoist terrorist problems.

Democracy sustains on rule of law: CJ

Kathmandu, June 18 (RSS): A seminar on "Human Rights and the rule of law" organised by the statute revision society with the cooperation of the American Centre got under way here today.

The seminar has been organised with the objective of promoting the economic and social status of the Nepalese people and raising awareness of human rights among various persons in society.

The seminar will focus on laws on human rights in the context of prevailing national and international laws and their implementation.

Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya, inaugurating the seminar, said that as the Constitution of Nepal is based on the rule of law, it does not tolerate any discrimination on the basis of class, gender, caste or political ideology.

Stating that the concepts of rule of law and democracy are the same, he made it clear that no one is above the Constitution.

Stating that the new century is the century of implementation of human rights and the rule of law, the Chief Justice laid emphasis the world working in a united manner to bridge the gulf between rich and poor, North and South and neglected and neglecting classes.

Deputy chief of mission of the American Embassy Robert K. Boggs said the US government and people and democrats across the world would extend cooperation for the protection of democracy in Nepal.

Director of the American Centre in Kathmandu Robert C. Kerr said that the US believed in the protection of and respect for human rights and HMG should respect human rights while conducting its campaign against terrorism.

President of the Nepal Chapter of the Society Prabhakar Adhikari, president of the statute law revision society in London Victor R. Stockinger, Prof. Stephen H. Legomsky of Washington University and others also spoke on Human Rights and the rule of law on the occasion.

Various working papers on relevant topics are to be presented by eminent personalities at the three-day seminar which will later be held in Pokhara also.

Visit to India will consolidate ties: HM

Kathmandu, June 18 (RSS):His Majesty the King has expressed confidence that His Majesty’s forthcoming state visit to India will contribute to further consolidating the friendly and cordial ties subsisting between the two countries.

In an interview to Dileep Padgoankar of the Times of India newspaper, His Majesty said he looked forward to exchanging views with Indian President KR Narayanan, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and other leaders of India.

Relations between Nepal and India are nurtured and enriched by noble ideals, values and principles inherent in a shared cultural heritage, His Majesty said adding, they provide a secure foundation for friendship, mutual goodwill and understanding between our peoples.

Our relations remain special because they are practical, pragmatic and beneficial, His Majesty observed.

In reply to a query, His Majesty said Nepal has repeatedly made it clear that it is her firm policy not to allow any activities against another country from her soil.

Since our relations with one country are independent of our relations with any other country, there is no need to ‘balance’ one with the other or to play one off against the other, His Majesty pointed out.

Observing that after 9/11 the world is united in its fight against terrorism, His Majesty said forgetting bilateral differences, nations have joined hands to fight this international peril.

His Majesty also said although we have the ability to combat this scourge, there is an acute dearth of resources, adding, it is here that we seek assistance from friendly countries.

Describing the response as quite encouraging, His Majesty expressed high appreciation for the support received from various countries including India.

Crown Prince opens Nepal Scouts Museum

Kathmandu, June 18 (RSS): His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev inaugurated the museum of the Nepal Scouts by unfurling the flag amid a function held at the scouts national headquarters at Lainchaur today on the occasion of the golden jubilee of the Nepal Scouts.

HRH the Crown Prince, on the occasion, witnessed with keen interest the important medals and commendation letters received by the Nepal Scouts at various national and international meetings and conferences and other material on display at the museum.

HRH the Crown Prince inspected the scouts and gave away decorations, medals and commendations to various persons making contributions to the Scouts over a long period.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince gave away the outstanding character decoration-golden rhinoceros and special service medal to professor Govinda Narayan Jyapu and special service medal to Dr. Trailokya Nath Upreti for their uninterrupted association with the Scouts and special contributions to the movement.

Golden Jubilee medals were presented to 14 persons, commendable conduct medals to eight persons, service medals to 23 persons and commendation letters to 47 persons at the function.

At the programme, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said that as the violence, murder and terror unleashed in the country had given rise to various problems, the role of disciplined, dedicated and selfless scouts will be very important in resolving these.

Referring to the increased role of non-political and voluntary organisations such as the scouts in providing momentum to the educational movement, Prime Minister Deuba said that the Scouts had achieved maturity because of their clear objectives and programmes.

Chief Scouts commissioner Sharad Kumar Bhattarai said that the Scouts movement inaugurated with the unfurling of the flag by father of the nation His late Majesty King Tribuvan on 5 Ashadh 2009 at the Narayanhity Royal Palace compound had been able to make a good impression at home and abroad during its journey over the last 50 years.

National secretary of the Scouts Yagya Bahadur Singh also expressed his views on the occasion.

Eight units adjudged outstanding at the interunit national competition conducted by the programme department at the Nepal Scouts national headquarters were rewarded at the programme.

Janajyoti scout troupe Sindhuli, Birendra Bidya Mandir Scout troupe Tikapur, Kailali, and Sripanch Ratnarajya Laxmi Scout troupe Anandbag, Kapilbastu secured the first, second and third positions respectively in the competition.

Likewise, prizes were given to various outstanding students and professionals adjudged outstanding in inter-school essay, oratory and trekking contests.

Hearing on House dissolution petition to begin today

Kathmandu, June 18 (RSS): The hearing on the writ petition filed to reinstate the dissolved House of Representatives is to begin at the Supreme Court tomorrow.

The writ petitioners are 56 Nepali Congress legislators and five from the Janamorcha Nepal as well as advocates Shyam Kumar Khatri, Sunil Chandra Poudel, Badri Subedi and Dhruba Koirala.

Senior advocates Mukunda Regmi and Kusum Shrestha and advocates Harihar Dahal, Radheshyam Adhikari, Ram Kumar Shrestha, Nawaraj Subedi, Chandeswor Shrestha and Sindhunath Pyakurel are to plead on behalf of the petitioners .

Similarly, senior advocates Ganesh Raj Sharma and Motikaji Sthapit are to plead on behalf of the Prime Minister and other defendants whereas Yagyamurti Banjade is to plead on behalf of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The Supreme Court Bar Association has already named senior advocates Daman Nath Dhungana, Mohan Krishna Kharel, Biswokant Mainali, Badri Bahadur Karki and Prem Bahadur Khadka as amici curiae.

Meanwhile, outgoing MP Mangal Prasad Tharu has stated that he has withdrawn the writ he had filed as he has participated in the Nepali Congress general convention called by the Prime Minister and supports the dissolution of the House of Representatives.

It may be recalled here that recommendations to dissolve the House of Representatives by then Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala were put into effected but those by then Prime Ministers Man Mohan Adhikari and Surya Bahadur Thapa were deemed to be against the Constitution.

Crown Prince visits demonstration site

Kathmandu, June 18 (RSS): His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev visited the ICIMOD-Godavari test and demonstration site today.

HRH Crown Prince Paras is chairman of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC).

On the occasion His Royal Highness the Crown Prince viewed with keen interest the water, soil and vegetation management, livestock, high value cash crops/horticulture, energy and other works being carried out at the ICIMOD-Godavari test and demonstration site.

HRH the Crown Prince was briefed by director general of ICIMOD Dr. J. Gabriel Campbell and ICIMOD Director of programmes Dr. Binayak Bhadra on ICIMOD activities.

HRH Crown Prince Paras was also briefed by chief of ICIMOD Information Section Gita Rana, Dr. Naima Tashi, Manager of horticulture Suraj Bahadur Thapa, country coordinator Pravakar Bikram Shah, geologist Gopal Nakarmi and Apiculturist Dr. Uma Pratap.

ICIMOD-Godavari test and demonstration site which covers 30 hectares of sloping land is located at the north-east foothill of Phulchoki Mountain (2715 metres) in Godavari Village Development Committee of Lalitpur district.

Under the programmes launched under Icimod-Godavari test and demonstration site, 85 pairs of angora rabbits have been provided to Nepal and Pakistan, 1,240 hybrid goats distributed to the farmers of the nearby villages, 207 kilograms of seeds and 9,000 saplings of different varieties of fruits have been distributed in various villages of the kingdom as well as other countries and training programmes organised for the villagers.