HM inaugurates int’l seminar on mountains

Kathmandu, Mar. 6 (RSS): His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev inaugurated the international seminar on mountains organised by Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (RONAST) at the Birendra International Convention Center today.

Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah was also present at the inaugural ceremony.

The three-day seminar organised with the cooperation of EV-K2-CNR, Italy is being participated in by 250 representatives of 70 national and international organisations from 20 countries in the world.

More than 100 working papers on conservation of the ecosystem environment, bio-diversity, eco-tourism, wildlife conservation, health in mountainous region, agriculture in mountains, sustainable development, etc will be presented by distinguished scholars at the seminar.

Speaking on the occasion Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said that the International Year of Mountains-2002 declared by the United Nations creates opportunities as well as challenges for sustaibale development in mountainous countries like Nepal.

Deuba said that the international year of mountains is an opportunity to create ecosystem environment awareness among the people.

Mountains are important natural resources for countries like Nepal, he said, adding that our efforts should focus on conservation of the ecosystem and natural resources.

The International Year of Mountains-2002 should focus its attention on improving the living conditions of millions of people living in the mountain areas, Deuba said, adding that the people living in the mountain areas should benefit from the programmes to be launched by the International Year of Mountains and Eco-tourism Year which coincides this year.

Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Gopal Man Shrestha said that the concept of mobilising people’s participation in conservation of the natural resources has been very successful in Nepal.

Shrestha said that the International Year of Mountains-2002 should be used for making improvements for sustainable development.

Minister of State for Forest and Soil Conservation Bhakta Bahadur Balayar said as His Majesty’s Government has given importance to conservation of ecosystem environment, the international seminar on mountains would be beneficial for Nepal.

Italian senator Turroni Sauro said that Nepal and Italy were conducting a joint study and research in the Khumbu Region. Efforts should be made to safeguard the future of the people living in the mountain areas, he added.

Vice-chancellor of RONAST Dr. Dayananda Bajracharya said that the United Nations had declared the International Year of Mountains-2002 realising the importance of the mountains which covers one fifth of the total area on earth.

The international seminar on mountains co-sponsored by ICIMOD, IUCN, King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation, Swiss International Development Agency and World Wildlife Fund will issue the Kathmandu declaration on the final day of the seminar.

PM furnishes replies to queries raised at House

Kathmandu, Mar. 6 (RSS): Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba informed the meeting of the House of Representatives today of current issues raised by MPs relating to the incidents at Gulmi and Charikot and the arrest of a journalist.

He said that curfew was clamped at the district headquarters and adjoining areas of Gulmi on February 28 to ensure law and order, the police who had gone to a place called Bamitakshar were informed of the entry of a band of terrorists at Resunga forest and on the basis of that information a joint team of the Royal Nepal Army and police was deployed at the forest.

Then, on seeing a large group of people in the area at around 7.30 p.m., the security team gave them a warning and told them to raise their hands. But when they ran away instead, the security forces opened fire and this resulted in the death of two persons.

Prime Minister Deuba said that the security personnel and the CDO were not informed in advance of those going into the forest to collect resin, the claim that resin was to be collected in the night was unbelievable, and they died because they violated curfew orders and did not heed the warning of the security forces.

Deuba said that the security forces carried out patrols regularly in and around Charikot, and on March 4 at 8.40 p.m., Dolakha DDC chairman Lal Kumar KC was under the false impression that they were keeping surveillance on him. So he had a heated discussion with some of the security personnel.

Then, stating that the patrol commander came to understand the situation and told the security personnel to turn back, he informed the House that the CDO, local officials of the Royal Nepal Army and the local chief of police went to explain the matter to the DDC chairman. The misgivings had been cleared and an understanding reached.

Stating that the editor of the weekly "Sanghu" published from the capital, Gopal Budhathoki, had been taken into custody by security agencies, Prime Minister Deuba said there was state of emergency in the country and as all the security agencies were active in controlling terrorism, it was the duty of the mass media also to help raise their morale.

But the weekly had been frequently publishing misleading news items with a view to spreading rumours and maligning the security agencies, and the House was well aware of that, he added.

Stating that disseminating of wrong information concerning sensitive issues such as security was an indirect cooperation with the terrorists, he said those publishing news items encouraging terrorism were under surveillence and their activities had been controlled, but the freedom of journalists was not curtailed.

Articles and news strongly criticising ministers and the government were being published unhindered, security personnel had not taken action against anyone with prejudice, and the government was alert to see to it that the freedom of the press was not curtailed by any quarters, he added.

Renewed trade accord to encourage production: Khadka

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Mar. 6: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Purna Bahadur Khadka today said the renewal of Nepal-India Trade Treaty-1996 would be instrumental in building up the country’s industries and preparing the nation for the open global trade regime.

"The agreement will be instrumental in leading the nation ahead in view of the competitive global business environment," Khadka told a press conference at his office this afternoon.

The Treaty between the two countries was renewed early this week following a series of talks, making some changes and adding a new Protocol. The two neighbours held seven rounds of talks in Kathmandu and New Delhi to renew the Treaty, which otherwise has a provision of automatic renewal, as the Indian side said that the export surge in certain Nepalese products had put a threat to their industries.

"The provision of value addition in the Treaty will contribute to the development of industries and employment generation. Moreover, the two countries have now agreed to adopt safeguard measures in case any industry faces an injury or threat of injury."

Minister Khadka said the provision of safeguard measures could be used to protect the domestic industry. Responding to a query on what was the government’s plan to protect the ailing textile industry, Khadka said, "We will soon begin work in this direction."

He said the new agreement had clarified the rules of origin. "The goods produced using the Nepalese or Indian raw materials will have a free access to the Indian market."

The Treaty, however, has set quota limits in case of vegetable ghee, acrylic yarn, copper wire and zinc oxide. The annual export quota for the vegetable ghee and acrylic yarn is 100,000 tons and 10,000 tons respectively. The quota for the copper wire is 7,500 tons and that of zinc oxide 2,500 tons. "These items will also enjoy free access facility within the quota limits and get most favoured nation treatment beyond the ceilings set."

In response to a question on how the export quotas for these items would be fixed, Minister Khadka said, "We will do that in consultation with the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Nepal Chamber of Commerce and the concerned commodity organisations. We have already started consultations and practical and appropriate measures will be taken to ensure the convenience of the entrepreneurs."

He said the government had made arrangements to manage the export of these items until the quotas are fixed.

Minister Khadka said the products of the small industries would be exempted of the additional duty as in the past. He said the goods that were previously under the negative list had now been put under the most favoured nation list. "Now these goods can be exported to India at MFN customs rates."

MPs discuss current issues

Kathmandu, Mar. 5 (RSS): CPN (UML)’s Pradip Nepal, speaking during special time at the House of Representatives today, expressed concern over non-implementation of the serious issues agreed upon at the time of ratification of the state of emergency.

Stating that workers of the main opposition including Dolakha district president who are fighting against the Maoist terrorists are being unnecessarily harassed, journalists arrested midnight and civil administration and justice have been hijacked, Nepal complained that the government did not take any action against officials of the Department of Drug Administration who have taken action against a junior health worker who helped in printing a picture of glucose saline bottle mixed with thick fluid.

Baldev Sharma Majgainya condemned the grisly murder of social worker of Dang Constituency No. 4 Taranath Yogi by the Maoist terrorists when he was mourning his father’s death, stating that 65-year-old Bhakti Prasain of Govindpur VDC, Morang was also brutally murdered and his wife was also injured in the incident.

Prem Bahadur Singh of the CPN (UML) spoke of the need to expedite the process of constitution amendment to resolve the problems, take initiatives without delay for massive social and economic reforms and become wary of those who are steeped in corruption and do not want any change in the constitution.

NC’s Benup Raj Prasain drew the government’s attention to the need of providing financial assistance to the fire victims of Pashupatinagar Ilam and urged the government to provide 80 cubic ft of timber to each family, and make available cement, corrugated iron sheets and other construction at reduced prices.

Stressing that an arrangement should be made for those filing nominations to submit their property details at the same time, MP Narayan Man Bijukchhe argued that the chief district officer is collecting amounts from different brick factories illegally and the Bhaktapur Brick Factory has been rocked by financial scam.

Nawaraj Subedi of National People’s Front said the problem of landless people is snowballing in Kanchanpur district and 210 households of three villages in Butabari in the district have been displaced. He also demanded 10 katthas of land in compensation to each family thus displaced.

Nara Bahadur Hamal of the CPN (UML) complained that former chairman of Raniban VDC of Dolakha Bir Bahadur Singh was shot to death by the Maoist terrorists, the district lacks doctors and other facilities for treatment and a 50 pc cut in the grant being provided to local bodies has affected development works.

NC’s Lekhnath Neupane noted that the emergency has had its adverse impact on the country’s economy, Sajha Transport has been dissolved because of irregularities and corruption in the corporation and Janakpur-Jayanagar railway services should be improved by learning lessons from Sajha Transport.

Liquidating terrorism must for peace and development, says Deuba

By A Staff Reporter

Lalitpur, Mar. 6: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today expressed the confidence that the Royal Nepalese Army soldiers, with the full cooperation from the Nepalese people, would ultimately defeat the terrorist forces.

"The Maoist terrorists, through their terror tactics, want to control the country," Prime Minister Deuba told a press meet organised by the Reporters’ Club here Wednesday, however he warned that the security personnel will eventually triumph over such cowardly tactics of the terrorists.

Stating that the government has received the wider support from within and outside the country, Deuba stressed: "To quell terrorism it is necessary to take the country in the path of peace and development."

The government has intensified its security organs against the terrorism, PM informed and added: "The soldiers are fighting the terrorists by putting their lives at risk. So it is imperative for all to assist the security forces from every aspect".

He reiterated that the government was ready to initiate dialogue with the Maoist terrorists if they laid down their weapons. "I always favoured talks, but they betrayed the sincere efforts of the government to tackle the issue through peaceful means," he reminded

Prime Minister Deuba further noted that the media could be an effective instrument to fight terrorism.

Emphasising that it should play crucial role to form public opinion against terrorism, PM Deuba observed: "The press needs to spearhead an ideological war against terrorism".

He cautioned all media people that they should not promote activities of the terrorists.

The Prime Minister also expressed his belief that the government has not infringed the freedom of the press and he added that it had only targeted the terrorist.

He said that the government had initiated social and economic reforms, anti-corruption drive and special programmes to uplift the women, downtrodden and ethnic groups.

In response to a query, Prime Minister Deuba said that the government would make public the report of the Judicial Commission which would investigate the properties of people holding public posts or those retired and their family after the restoration of multi-party democracy in the country in 1990.

"The commission will probe their properties impartially, justly and through legal process. It will not have any bias against anyone." He also said that the government would effectively implement the recommendation of the Commission’s report.

About the issue of the constitutional amendment, the PM said: "The government will seek national consensus among the political parties for this. "If there occurs such consensus, the current session of the parliament will endorse the constitutional amendment."

Regarding a question related about the whereabouts of a journalist, the PM said that the government would not tolerate any acts that aimed at demoralising the army action and the journalist was under security custody.

On a query about the local elections, he said that the media would be informed in appropriate time.

On the rumour about the campaign being initiated to unseat him from office, he replied: "I don’t believe that my own partymen will make any such move to topple me."

However, Prime Minister Deuba expressed his dissatisfaction over the formation of the parliamentary committee of the ruling Nepali Congress. "I am not satisfied with the present party’s parliamentary committee."

To another question about the threat of bandhs from terrorist forces, the PM appealed to all that they should be untied against the call of such closures. "All should ride their vehicles and open shops to give a fitting reply to the terrorists."

The programme was chaired by Reporters’ Club president Rishi Dhamala.

Bill on Rajashri Janak University demanded

Janakpurdham, Mar. 6 (RSS): The meeting of the proposed Rajarshri Janak Viswovidhyalaya committee held under its chairman Bimalendra Nidhi here Tuesday has demanded that His Majesty’s Government implement all the recommendations made by the task force constituted by His Majesty’s Government under the chairmanship of Mahanta Thakur and get the draft of the Rajashri Janak Viswovidhyalaya bill ratified by the Parliament.

The meeting also requested His Majesty’s Government to hand over all the land recommended by the task force in the name of the Rajashri Janak Viswovidhyalaya.

Likewise, the meeting also demanded that the grant assistance, movable and immovable property of Ramsagar Ramswarup Multiple Campus be separated from Tribhuvan University and handed over to Rajashri Janak Viswovidhyalaya as base campus and make necessary amendment in the Rajashri Janak Viswovidhyalaya bill to avoid any complications in setting up of the university.

Speaking on the occasion National Assembly member Ramjeevan Singh said that as development of the country was not possible without the development of the education sector, the Rajashri Janak Viswovidhyalaya should be established for the uplift of the people of the area.

Ramsagar Ramswarup Multiple Campus chief Narayan Ghimire said that service of the teachers and employees of the campus should be guaranteed after incorporation of the campus into the Rajashri Janak Viswovidhyalaya.

Member of the CPN-UML central committee Sitanandan Raya said that everyone should extend cooperation from
their respective places for setting up the Rajashri Janak Viswovidhyalaya for the benefit of about four million people in the region.

CPN-UML zonal committee incharge Ramchandra Jha, member Shital Jha, Udaya Kant Thakur of RPP, DDC chairman Ramcharitra Saha, DDC vice-chairman Chandradev Raut, Professor (Dr) Rajendra Bimal, Deputy Mayor of Birgunj Sub-Metropolis Krishna Murari Rauniyar and others stressed the need to set up the Rajashri Janak Viswovidhyalaya.

Presenting a working paper, member-secretary of the proposed Rajashri Janak Viswovidhyalaya Achutananda Chaudhary said that the Rajashri Janak Viswovidhyalaya had Rs. 11.5 million in its bank account.

Sajha staff press govt to withdraw its decision

Lalitpur, Mar. 6 (RSS): The employees of the Sajha Yatayat Sansthan dissolved by His Majesty’s Government on January 24 organised a press conference here today and demanded that the government withdraw it decision of dissolving their institution.

At the press conference organised by the Sajha Yatayat employees’ action committee, it was informed that the employees had not received provident fund benefits since Mangsir, 2055 B.S. and salary since Baisakh, 2058 B.S., additional benefits in accordance with the decision taken by His Majesty’s Government in Magh, 2058 B.S. after the dissolution of the Sajha Yatayat Sansthan as well as the employees’ regulations.

Convenor of the employees’ action committee Shambhu K.C. said that after His Majesty’s Government dissolved the Sajha Yatayat Sansthan which had been running at a loss because of incompetent management and political intervention, 3,500 people depending on 728 employees of the Sansthan had been affected.

The employees said that the Sajha Yatayat Sansthan could be operated by taking alternative measures.

Discussion programme organised

Kathmandu, Mar. 6 (RSS): Chief whip of the NC Parliamentary Party Tek Bahadur Chokyal, speaking at a discussion programme organised by the Nepal Women’s Association (NWA) here today, said that Civil Code (11th amendment) Bill will be ratified by the Parliament as the CPN-UML has pledged to support it.

Stating that as the Civil Code (11th amendment) Bill has made provisions concerning abortion, divorce, polygamy, child marriage, inheritance of property and property of women, Chokhyal refuted the allegation that the women were lagging behind because of the right to paternel property.

Minister of State for Women, Children and Social Welfare Sushila Swnar said the women had moved one step ahead even though they did not receive full rights.

Calling on the women to continue fighting for their remaining rights, she said that preparations are being made for setting up a family court.

Whip of the CPN-UML Parliamentary Party Parshuram Meghi Gurung and president of the All Nepal Women’s Association Vidya Devi Bhandari reiterated their party’s stand that the women should be provided equal rights.

Stating that CPN-UML had decided to extend support in passing the bill by maintaining the party’s stand, they said that the bill should be discussed at the business advisory committee and tabled before the Parliament immediately.

NWA president Uma Adhikari presided over the programme.