Nepalese jubilant as RA resumes Dubai flights

From Kishore Nepal

Dubai, June 19: The Nepalese community working here are jubilant on the resumption of Royal Nepal Airlines' Kathmandu-Dubai-Kathmandu flights. Speaking on behalf of the Nepalese community, Mukti Rai, a specialist with Acer Computer here since the last 17 years, said that the flight will help the Nepali community to establish direct communication with their families back home.

Addressing a gathering of eminent persons from the travel and trade, Rai requested the RNAC management to provide some facilities to the passengers returning home. Responding to the request instantly, the RNAC management announced 40 kg baggage facilities to the Nepali people working here, instead of the previous 20 kg.

"Baggage facilities are the main attraction" said Ram Thapa, a young Nepali working at Airport Hotel. According to him, Pakistani and Bangladeshi Airlines are popular among the people here as they provide up to 55 kg baggage facilities.

Low fare is not the only attraction, it is the baggage that matters to us, Thapa said.

And there are tremendous possibilities to promote Nepalese tourism in the Gulf region, Joy Dewan, President of NATA says. Narendra Bajracharya, President of HAN, and Suman Pande, President of TAAN, both support Dewan.

"This is an untapped market for us and this is readymade," three key persons from the tourism sector said. "The Arab people are nature lovers and enjoy the cool weather and greenery of Nepal," they say.

Our off season could transform into a boom season if we tapped the market sensitively, Dewan said. "For this RNAC should have the consistency, while the Tourism Board and the government should help professionals' to develop an integrated package for this region."

"Tourism people here in Dubai consider Nepal as one of the undersold tourist destinations of Asia," Dewan said. He said that the people from the tourism industry from Nepal should invest in projecting the country as an attractive destination for the Arab people who want to avoid the heat in June, July and August.

"We have all the amenities to cater to this luxury loving community who love soft adventure. From Jomsom to jungle safari, rafting to short treks, we can develop a very attractive package to lure them, Bajracharya said. He feels aggressive marketing will pay rich dividends.

"We should promote the Nepali community as brand ambassadors of Nepal tourism for the Gulf" Suman Pande suggested.

Representatives of Nepali Samaj feels neglected as "'there is no representation of our government here. Riyadh is quite far away and the embassy people are inaccessible." Most of the Nepalese think that the government should open a consular office in Dubai.

And, regarding RNAC flight, they are keeping their fingers crossed. They are happy that RNAC flights, but are not sure about their continuity.

Thapa said that RNAC's behaviour was most unpredicatable.

Many people suggest that RNAC should open its own office to look after business affairs and also to promote itself.

"RNAC should tie up with major airlines for feeder traffic. It should respond and initiate the proposal. Dubai facilitates easy connection between Europe and Asia, and this is also an emerging economy. RNAC should sketch a more optimistic future. It could be a potential airlines that will cater not only to the Nepali community but also to the millions of Indians who will love to go back to their country via Kathmandu," said a member of the Nepali Samaj.

Deuba elected NC president, pledges to restore party unity

By Ritu Raj Subedi

Kathmandu, June 19: The Nepali Congress General Convention today unanimously elected Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba as the new president of the party.

The Convention yesterday ousted Girija Prasad Kiorala from the post of party president and revoked the action taken against Prime Minister Deuba, paving the way for Deuba's candidacy to the president.

Party election committee co-ordinator Basanta Kumar Gurung announced the unanimous election of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba as the party's new president at the Birendra International Convention Hall attended by 797 Nepali Congress General Convention representatives.

Addressing the closing session of the Convention after his election to the party's top position, Prime Minister Deuba said that he would make all efforts to develop the NC as a party of all the Nepalese people. "The Nepali Congress will be a party of the common Nepalese. It will be a party of Nepalese peasants that constitute 80 per cent of the population," he said.

"I pledge to successfully execute the responsibility of restoring party unity that the Convention has put on my shoulders," Deuba told the representatives.

He appealed to all the Nepalese to "extend their full support to the Nepali Congress for the consolidation of democracy, national unity and an end to terrorism."

Deuba said that Koirala had to be removed from the position under 'compulsive circumstance as he failed to keep the party united'.

"The Prime Minister is the leader in the Parliament. But Koirala expelled me from the ordinary membership of the NC, which is a blow both to the parliament and the democratic system. Koirala even ignored the appeal of Krishna Prasad Bhattarai to withdraw disciplinary action against me," he said. "So it was necessary to rectify the mistake committed by the party leadership."

Deuba said that he had waited for response from the party establishment till 6:45 P.M. Tuesday to see if they could restore unity from the party. "But it was all in vain."

Prime Minister Deuba noted that the Nepali people must choose between peace and terror, and between integration and disintegration in the forthcoming mid-term polls. "But they (the people) want peace and prosperity over terror and violence."

Deuba also urged the Convention representatives to use the election to curry votes in favour of the nation and the democratic system.

Minister for Construction and Physical Planning Chiranjibi Wagle said that the government would hold the elections in a free, fair and impartial manner in the stipulated time.

"Prime Minister Deuba has been elected president unanimously. We hope that he will succeed in restoring peace, holding elections in time and preserving the achievements of the popular movement of 2046 B.S.," Wagle said. Wagle said that the reorganised NC would secure a majority in the coming elections.

He blamed Koirala and the CPN-UML for being insensitive to national security. "Some political parties hankered after power and ignored the security of the people and country," he said.

Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka urged the party workers to forget the acrimony of the past and devote themselves to the elections to ensure victory. He said the party workers must be serious about their duties if they want to produce good results.

"Now we must not trade abuses against each other, but must face the challenges ideologically," Khadka noted.

New NC party registered with EC

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, June 19: General secretary of the new NC party, followed by supporters of the newly revamped Central Working Committee, went to the Election Commission today and registered details about the amendment in the party's statute and the change in the party's leadership.

The party also registered (Redg. No. 4242) the details of its new committee at the Commission's office at 05:10 P.M. Today was the last day for registering the parties for the general election. Also any changes in the party's structure or its statute had to be made by today.

Earlier, the party's convention that concluded this afternoon had unanimously elected Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba as the new president of the party.

The party also reconstituted a 27-member Central Working Committee with Chiranjibi Wagle as Vice President, Khum Bahadur Khadka as General Secretary and Bijay Kumar Gachhadar as Assistant General Secretary.

The newly elected president also nominated new members to the Central Working Committee. They are - Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, Gopal Man Shrestha, Krishna Bahadur Gurung, Narendra Bikram Nemwang, Duryodhan Chaudhari, Home Nath Dahal, Bhim Kumari Budha Magar, Sekha Garnel and Amar Raj Kaini. Eighteen other central members were elected by the Pokhara Convention of the party in February.

Meanwhile RSS adds: President of the Central Working Committee of the Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba has nominated Krishna Bahadur Gurung, Kaski and Sriprasad G.T., Syangja from among active members of the party as general convention members in accordance with the NC statute.

Likewise, NC president Deuba has nominated Duryodhan Singh Chaudhari, Rupandehi and Krishna Bahadur Gurung, Kaski as members of the general committee.

Bhattarai with Deuba

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, June19: The founding member of the Nepali Congress Krishna Prasad Bhattarai has wished that the Deuba-led Congress would win the heart of the poor and downtrodden people.

Chiranjibi Wagle, Minister for Construction and Physical Planning, said that a NC delegation this morning met Bhattarai who wished the party all success.

"All my blessings are to your party. I want to see your party become strong," Wagle quoted NC leader Bhattarai as saying.

Bhattarai has been nominated to the newly formed Central Working Committee of the party. "We nominated him after seeking his consent," said Wagle, vice-president of the NC's new central body.

Five terrorists killed in encounters

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, June 19: Security forces killed five terrorists in separate encounters across the country on Monday and Tuesday.

The Defence Ministry said the forces killed two terrorists having aliases 'Rakshya' and 'Bibek' Tuesday when they encountered a gang of armed terrorists at Tilhar of Parbat district.

The forces killed one terrorist each at Jamrani area of Dadeldhura district and at Siddheshwor area bordering between Dadeldhura and Baitadi districts on the same day.

One terrorist had been killed on Monday at Phattepur area of Banke district.

The forces seized weapons, socket bombs, explosives, ambush equipment and terrorist documents from these places.

The Ministry said its attention has been drawn to an article titled "Let the Human Rights activists not be blamed by the society" printed in the Kantipur Daily. The Ministry has refuted the article saying the facts and figures published in it were baseless and imaginary. It has appealed to the public not to believe in the article that was meant to tarnish the image of the security forces.

Koirala to meet NC activists at Teku today

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, June 19: Girija Prasad Koirala is scheduled to meet with the ex-MPs of the dissolved parliament as well as the NC party's district committee chairpersons tomorrow morning at the party's central office at Teku.

A press statement of the party's central office said Koirala will meet the Mahasamiti members and the General Convention representatives who are in Kathmandu presently at 1:00 P.M. Two hours later he will meet officials of the party's sister organisations.

The meetings were announced after the meeting-turned-convention ousted Koirala from the party's president through a no-confidence motion against him.

The central office also said that Koirala, under an already announced programme of addressing the regional rallies, would address a gathering of party workers in Pokhara on Saturday (June 22).

He will address another gathering of the Mid-western Development Region in Nepalgunj on June 28 and of the Central Development Region in Kathmandu on July 11.

Govt office to close today

Kathmandu, June 19 (RSS): His Majesty's Government has declared the first death anniversary of the symbol of nationalism and unity of the Nepalese people, patron of democracy, leader of peace and development and people loving, His late Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah, and beloved Her late Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah on June 20 in accordance with the lunar calendar as a national holiday in all government offices throughout Nepal and diplomatic missions abroad. This has been done to pay glowing tributes to Their late Majesties the King and Queen, it is learnt from the Home Ministry today.

Valley in dire need of non-polluting vehicles

Kathmandu, June 19 (RSS): A need for operating non-polluting vehicles in place of the vehicles needing diesel and petrol have been strongly felt in view of the alarming rate of air pollution taking place in the Kathmandu Valley.

According to a study, about 900,000 tons of polluted air is released by the vehicles operated with the help of diesel and petrol every year.

This information was provided at a seminar on "Air Quality Management in Kathmandu Valley: Challenges and Opportunities" organised here today.

At present His Majesty's Government has been carrying out various air pollution control programmes in association with a number of national and international non-governmental organisations.

Vehicles that are operated with the help of electricity and L.P.G. gas have been allowed to operate within the Kathmandu Valley since the last couple of years whereas diesel-run Vikram tempos were banned from plying here a few years ago.

Over 600 electric vehicles have been imported to Nepal and over Rs 450 million has been invested on them.

The participants were also informed about the fact that over 1,000 people are getting employment in running electric vehicles operating on 16 different routes in the country.

The seminar was held under the joint sponsorship of the Ministry of Population and Environment, Environment Sector Support Programme and Electrical Vehicle Association of Nepal.

Stipend to Dalit students

Hetauda, June 19 (RSS): Scholarship stipends of Rs 250 a month is being provided to 525 students of the Dalit communities studying in the primary schools (grade 1-5) of Makawanpur district, according to the District Education Office.

A sum of Rs 131,250 is being distributed to the students of the Dalit community through the primary schools during the current fiscal year.

Likewise, a monthly scholarship of Rs 250 a month is being provided to 657 poor but intelligent students of primary, lower secondary and secondary schools in the district.

A sum of Rs 164,250 is being distributed to such students under the current fiscal year.

'Commercialise agricultural sector'

Bhaktapur, June 19 (RSS): The 16-week integrated pest control management training organised by the Agriculture Service Centre, Kharipati for the farmers concluded here today.

Giving away certificates to the farmers completing the training, Bhaktapur DDC chairman Govinda Duwal said that the pest control management training had been very useful for the local farmers.

He stressed the need to provide improved variety of seeds to the farmers in order to improve their living conditions.

Chairman of Bageswori Village Development Committee Radhakrishna Lamichhane said that the agricultural sector should be commercialised for the development of the country.

Chief of the Agriculture Service Centre Gagan Singh K.C., assistant crop conservation officer Madhusunder Poudel and others threw light on the importance and usefulness of the new integrated pest control management technology.

Meet on irrigation projects organised

Gorkha, June 19 (RSS): A one-day irrigation users' symposium was held here to discuss about the maintenance of about 30 sub-irrigation projects run by I.L.C. and N.I.S.P programmes and district irrigation office in Gorakha district in the past one decade

Among 25 projects run by these two programmes at a cost of about Rs. 3.8 million and voluntary labour worth about Rs. 3.8 million, almost all have proved to be of public utility except for one or two projects.

About 159 households have benefitted from the Baluwatar Irrigation Project, the largest one run by ILC, which provides irrigation facility to 160 hectares. However, the users are devoid of irrigation facility at present due to the lack of proper maintenance.

Likewise, five households have benefitted by the smallest Bhangeri Irrigation Project.

The symposium was participated in by 50 users, two from each of the users' committee of the 25 projects run with the grant and loan assistance of the World Bank (WB).

The ILC programme in Gorakha district had operated for five years till fiscal year 2053/054 while the NISP programme will come to an end in fiscal year 2058/059.

However, the time for other programmes run by HMG and WB has been lengthened till fiscal year 2059/060, district irrigation office chief Sugambar Yadav said.

The only speaker claiming that the project was still working was vice-chairman Aruchaunaute VDC based Arutar Irrigation Users' Committee Netra Prasad Shrestha.

About 150 kw of electricity has also been generated from the project, and it has been maintained properly.

This project was run under the I.L.C. programme at a cost of Rs. 2.5 million including voluntary labour of the people.

On the other hand, Rudim Phalim Irrigation Project of Fujel VDC run under the same programme has become defunct as the water flows back towards its source.

Many other irrigation projects like Pamarkhola, Chhoprak and Chhepetar are waiting to be maintained, the farmers said.

At the programme inaugurated by CDO Madhav Prasad Ojha, extensive discussions on irrigation policy problems, working methods, irrigation act and participation were held.

Sewa Padak awarded

Kathmandu, June 19 (RSS): The Pardesh Sewa Padak, the Khukuri of Pardesh Sewa Padak and cash prizes awarded by His Majesty the King to the first and second contingents of the Devidatta Battalion (peace keeping force) returning home after completing its peace keeping assignment in Sierra Leone at the call of the United Nations was given away by Chief of the Army Staff General Prajwalla Shumsher J. B. Rana at an investiture ceremony held at Tundikhel.

High ranking officers of the Royal Nepalese Army were present on the occasion.

Guthi Sansthan shoos away encroachers

Janakpurdham, June 19 (RSS): The work of removing encroachers from the land of Guthi Sansthan is being carried out speedily.

The houses illegally built by two Indian Sadhus on 10 kathas of the four bighas of land belonging to Ratnasagar Math located at Ward No. 7 of Janakpur Municipality have been demolished.

Sadhus Kamal Sharan and Nawal Kishore had illegally built two houses at a cost of more than Rs 1.5 million on the land of Guthi Sansthan.

The two houses were demolished with the cooperation of the employees of the Guthi Sansthan and the police, according to chief of Janakpur Guthi Sansthan Jaya Prasad Regmi.

Likewise, a house illegally built on the eastern side of Biraha Kuti of Ratna Sagar was demolished two months ago.

Training must for dynamic leadership

Bhaktapur, June 19 (RSS): Education secretary Lava Kumar Devkota gave away certificates to the participants of the one-month training on education management organised by the Education Manpower Development Centre, Sano Thimi for second class gazetted officers here.

Speaking on the occasion, Devkota urged the officers to sincerly put into practice the knowledge and skills acquired from the training programme.

Director General of the Department of Education Chuman Singh Basnet expressed confidence that the education management training would help to develop dynamic leadership to face the challenges of education management in the district.

Executive director of Education Manpower Development Centre Sharada Khadka said that the centre had plans of running training programmes in accordance with the wishes and requirements of the trainees.

Speaking on behalf of the trainees Bhaktapur district education officer Mrs. Maya Sitaula said that the training programme had provided a lot of skills and practical knowledge for education management.

Meanwhile Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital and Nepal Cancer Relief Society, Bhaktapur organised a one-day seminar on cancer here.

Inaugurating the seminar, director of the Health, Education, Information and Communication Service Centre Ramesh Chandra Neupane said that the health workers should serve the sick patients with a humanitarian feeling.

Medical director of Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital Dr. Arati Shah said that the health workers play an important role in controlling cancer. Everyone should be involved in generating cancer awareness in the society, she added.

Cancer expert Dr. Anjani Kumar Sharma expressed the view that a person can save himself from cancer if he makes improvements in his eating habits and exercises regularly.

President of the Nepal Cancer Relief Society Diwakar Rajkarnikar said that the society is engaged in gradually providing cancer treatment facilities within the country.

He stressed the need to generate cancer awareness among the people to control the disease of cancer which has been spreading drastically.

At the function chaired by president of the Bhaktapur unit of Nepal Cancer Relief Society Dhanaman Shrestha, vice-president Antan Prasad Dhaubadel, secretary Vivek Man Karmacharya and others also expressed their views on cancer.

The seminar was attended by 35 health workers from Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts.

Call for reviewing process of gender equality

Dhangadhi, June 19 (RSS): Chairperson of National Women's Commission Dr. Durga Pokharel inaugurated the Far-Western Regional Seminar on "Local Self-governance and Streamlining Gender Equality" here recently.

In her inaugural address, chairperson Dr. Pokharel called for changing the male's conservative mind towards the female.

Oppression, discrimination and exploitation meted out to women within the family prevail at the in state level, she remarked.

Doti DDC chairman Bharat Bahadur Khadka said that overall development of the society cannot be attained as long as the local bodies are not empowered.

Participants of the seminar suggested adjustment of women in local self-governance, reviewing the process of streamlining gender equality in local the District Development Committees, and preparing a study report on the Local Autonomy Act and Regulations.

Women's involvement should be increased in the political, economic and social sectors, ward-level women's sub-committee set up and women's involvement at the policy-making level made, they pointed out.

On the occasion, Kalpana Bista, Bishnu Nepal and Parshuram Upadhyaya made presentations on local self-governance and women's issues.

TU results

Kathmandu, June 19 (RSS): Tribhuvan University Institute of Engineering has published the results of the graduate level civil engineering second year first part regular examinations and re-examinations held in the month of Chaitra last year.

Likewise, the results of the proficiency level architecture programme third year first part regular examinations and re-examinations held in Chaitra have also been published.

Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine has published the results of the post-graduate level M.D. radiodiagnosis, first year regular, and the M.N. (Women Health Development), M.N. (adult nursing) and M.N. (paediatric nursing) first year regular examinations held in the month of Chaitra 2058/Baisakh 2059.

Likewise, the Institute of Medicine has also published the results of the proficiency certificate level nursing second year regular and re-examinations held in the month of Falgun and Chaitra 2058.

HRD training held in Kabhre

Dhulikhel, June 19 (RSS): A three-month training in repairing radios, cassette players and television sets organised by the Cottage and Small Industries Office, Kabhre, with the objective of promoting self-employment concluded here today.

Chief of the office Krishna Karki gave away certificates to the participants of the training. One person each from six VDCs and two municipalities had participated in the programme.

Trader abducted in Biratnagar

Biratnagar, June 19 (RSS): Prem Jaiswal, proprietor of Birat Glass Trade Centre at Mahendrchok of Biratnagar, was kidnapped by some persons at Thadiya in Sundarpur VDC of Morang district last evening, it is learnt from family sources.

He was returning home on a motorbike (Ko. 1. Pa. 7644) after recovering money from local traders of Dhulabari, Jhapa district when some unidentified persons in a red Maruti car abducted him, it is learnt.

According to Tek Bahadur Karki and Meghanath Subba, local eye witnesses, the police found Rs 184,681 upon searching the motorbike after the kidnap, and the sum has been handed over to the district police office, Morang.

The identity of the abductors has yet to be ascertained.

Anup Jaiswal, brother of the kidnapped person, has lodged a complaint with the district police office Morang and demanded a search for his brother.

His Majesty grants assent to bills

Kathmandu, June 19 (RSS): His Majesty the King has granted assent to the bill designed to make arrangements for the Constitution and rights and working procedures of the special court 2059. His Majesty has also granted assent to the bill designed to make timely provisions concerning corruption elimination 2059. The bills were passed by both houses of Parliament and submitted to His Majesty for Royal assent, the Parliament Secretariat stated today.

Minister Acharya resigns

Kathmandu, June 19 (RSS): Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives Mahesh Acharya tendered his resignation from the cabinet, today.

At a face to face programme organised at the reporters' club today, Minister Acharya said that as he had participated in the cabinet as a member of the undivided Congress, it is not proper to stay in the cabinet after the division of the NC and had tendered his resignation to the Prime Minister this morning.

In a press release distributed on the occasion, he has said that hundreds of thousands of NC workers have been stunned by the tragic division of the Nepali Congress party despite unrelenting efforts made by the neutrals to forge party unity and harmony. He added that split of a historical party like the Nepali Congress should have stopped in any way at a time when the country and the people have been victimised by terrorism.

A grave political blunder was made, in my view, as there was a lack of readiness to stop the division by the party leadership at this sensitive hour, Acharya said. He added that this tragic event has deeply hurt the party because of the failure of conflict management that took place during the leadership of party president Girija Prasad Koirala.

Acharya said the voices and efforts of people like him who have demanded unity, a liberal ideology and pragmatism in the party will not die down, adding that his time and strength will be again devoted for party unity and comprehensive reform in the working style in the Nepali Congress.

'India looking forward to HM's state visit'

Kathmandu, June 19 (RSS): The Indian people are awaiting with enthusiasm the state visit of His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev beginning June 23.

Royal Nepalese Ambassador to India Dr. Bhesh Bahadur Thapa in an interview to RSS reporter Sharachchandra Bhandary said that the state visit has its own prestige, importance, position and glory and expressed the confidence that the visit would prove to be a milestone in enhancing Nepal-India relations.

He also stated that the leaders and people of India have given special importance and shown special goodwill to His Majesty the King's visit.

Indian periodicals and intellectuals are also looking at the visit with high importance, he added.

"As the first state visit of His Majesty is taking place to their country, Indian officials and people are also very happy," Ambassador Dr. Thapa said.

His Majesty's visit will help create a positive environment on various topics of mutual interest and concern, Dr. Thapa said.

Stating that discussions on mutual relations will be held during the course of the visit of His Majesty, Dr. Thapa said that discussions would not be held on any specific topic.

"The meeting at the highest level will enhance mutual goodwill and the ties between the two countries will be further consolidated," he added.

His Majesty the King is scheduled to call on President of India R.K. Narayanan. Likewise, His Majesty will also grant audience to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, leaders of the various political parties who are both in power and outside, leaders of the opposition parties, intellectuals, artists and journalists Ambasador Dr. Thapa said.

Hearing begins on writ to revive House

Kathmandu, June 19 (RSS): Hearings began at the special bench of the Supreme Court on writ petitions seeking the scrapping of the recommendation for dissolution of the House of Representatives and for reviving the House.

Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya and Judges Kedar Nath Upadhyaya, Krishna Jung Rayamajhi, Govinda Bahadur Shrestha, Aravinda Nath Acharya, Hari Prasad Sharma, Krishna Kumar Verma, Harischandra Prasad Upadhyaya, Top Bahadur Singh, Dilip Kumar Paudel and Gopal Prasad Khatri are on the Special Bench.

Advocates Madhav Kumar Basnet and Dhruva Lal Shrestha took part in the pleadings on behalf of the writ petitioners today.

Advocates Shyam Kumar Khatri, Suneel Chandra Paudel and Badri Suvedi are petitioners in the case.

Advocates Busnet and Shrestha said that the Prime Minister should be accountable to the House of Representatives, constitutional provisions had been neglected and he recommended the dissolution in an irresponsible manner without presenting his programme to the house.

Stating that the Constitution had not visualised the recommendation of the dissolution of the House of Representatives during a state of emergency, they made it clear that there was provision for the extension of the house by one year under special circumstances.

The directive issued by the party to the Prime Minister to lift the state of emergency was not concerned with the House of Representatives, and the directives of a political party could not be considered proceedings of the House, they claimed.

Not making the recommendation for dissolution during office hours and not giving any hint of the recommendation to members of the council of ministers show the ill-intention of the Prime Minister, they stated.

The advocates also said that when then prime minister Manmohan Adhikari recommended dissolution of the House of Representatives in accordance with Article 53 (4) in 2052, Sher Bahadur Deuba had filed a writ petition in the court stating that rights under that article were not without stipulation, and it is surprising that he has now invoked the same provision.

They said that the recommendation of the Prime Minister for dissolution for the parliament was unconstitutional and therefore the House of Representatives should be restored to make the constitution lively.

The hearing will continue on June 21.

Thirty-six persons will discuss the three writ petitions, it is learnt.

CDC seeks political parties' help

Kathmandu, June 19 (RSS): The Constituency Delimitation Commission (CDC) has urged all the recognised political parties as well as other political parties to furnish written and oral recommendations needed to the Commission by June 29.

A press release issued by the Commission today states that the request has been made as the commission's tenure is very short.

The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990 has made provisions to take care of the borders of administrative districts, geographical condition, population density, transport facilities, and communal uniformity and diversity of the constituencies to ensure better participation of the voters in elections.

The Commission has opened its office at the City Hall from mid-June for the same purpose.

PM to meet NC workers

Kathmandu, June 19 (RSS): Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is scheduled to meet the Nepali Congress party workers of Mechi, Koshi, Sagarmatha, Janakpur, Narayani and Dhawalagiri zones at the Prime Minister's quarters. Baluwatar tomorrow.

Similarly, he will meet the workers of Gandaki, Lumbini, Rapti and Bheri on June 21 and Seti , Mahakali , Karnali and Bagmati on June 22.

Portfolio

Kathmandu, June 19 (RSS): Minister for Water Resources Bijaya Kumar Gachchhedar will, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, look after the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation during the absence of Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bal Bahadur KC. KC left today for Banaras, India to participate in a program concerning a Nepalese home for the aged.

This is stated in a notice published today by the Press Secretariat of His Majesty the King.

Nepal seeks enhanced assistance

Kathmandu, June 19 (RSS): A two-day Nepal international meeting, organised by the UK government, opened in London this morning, according to the Royal Nepalese Embassy in London.

The main objective of the meeting is to deliberate on Nepal's present security and development needs.

The London conference is being participated by Nepal's major development partern countries and international organisations. They are Australia, Canada, Denmark, the European Commission, Finland, France, Germany, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, China, Russia, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the USA.

The international organisations attending the meeting are UNDP, UNDPA, and the World Bank.

London Meet

Presenting a paper at the inaugural session, leader of the Nepalese delegation Dr. Shanker Sharma, member of the National Planning Commission, underscored the importance of international support to Nepal in its fight against Maoist terrorists in the country.

He made a detailed presentation on the economic cost and social impact of terrorism, reform agenda of the government and financial requirements to implement them.

Speaking on the same occasion, members of the Nepalese delegation Gyan Chandra Acharya, Joint Secretary, Ministery of Foreign Affairs, expressed appreciation for the overwhelming support and solidarity from the international community in Nepal's fight against terrorism. He expressed the hope that the meeting would come up with a concrete plan of action to help support Nepal at this critical juncture.

The Nepalese delegation also observed the parliamentary debate at Westminster Hall in at the House of Commons on the Maoist insurgency in Nepal.

The debate was initiated by Sir John Stanley, chairman of Britain-Nepal parliamentary group.

In his opening remarks, Sir John Stanley urged the British government and the international community for enhanced level of assistance to Nepal in this hour of need to fight against the Maoist terrorists.

The Nepalese delegation is being led by Dr. Shanker Sharma. others members include Dr. Singha Bahadur Basnyat, Royal Nepalese Ambassador to the UK, Dr. Arju Deuba, Maj. Gen. Rookmangud Katawal, Gyan Chandra Acharya, and Madhav Prasad Ghimire, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance.