15 terrorists killed in search operations

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Mar. 13: Security personnel killed 15 terrorists and arrested eight others during their ongoing search operations against the Maoist terrorists across the country on Tuesday. Five security personnel died in an ambush set up by the terrorists.

The Defence Ministry today said that the forces, in separate encounters, shot dead seven terrorists in Neta and Kunathari areas of Surkhet, four in Salyan, two each in Argaldanda of Baglung and a VDC of Saptari district. Socket bombs and weapons were recovered from the sites.

In another incident, the security forces seized 11 guns in Pandekhani of Baglung, seven guns in Makawanpur, six guns in Bagnahawa of Bardiya, three muskets in Thapakot of Kailali, a sack of socket bombs and Rs.5,14,800 hidden at the house of a terrorist in Neta area of Surkhet. Similarly, the forces have arrested four terrorists each from Neta area of Surkhet and Makawanpur district and started necessary investigation on them.

Meanwhile, one police sergeant died and an assistant sub-inspector was injured while an armed terrorist group suddenly attacked a mobile patrol team of security forces at Ratanpur of Tribhuvan Municipality in Dang yesterday. The wounded policeman is being treated in a hospital of the Municipality.

The Ministry said some terrorists could have died in an encounter with the security forces when terrorists attacked the district police office in Dang yesterday.

In Sindhupalchowk, five security personnel lost their lives and three others sustained injuries as they were caught in an ambush laid by the terrorists at Panichaur of Sangachowk VDC of the district. The injured are receiving treatment and the security personnel have intensified their operations to nab the terrorists, the Ministry stated.

Govt committed to enhance gender equity: Gupta

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Mar. 13: Minister for Information and Communications Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta said today that the government has been doing necessary homework to reform about 100 laws and regulations to ensure gender equality.

"A few Acts, including the amendment of the Civil Code, will be passed during the current session of Parliament if it proceeds well," said Minister Gupta, while addressing a function organised by Sancharika Samuha Nepal (SAN) to launch a book entitled "Mother, Sister, Daughter: Nepal’s Press on Women" and present awards to the winners of Investigative Journalism Competition. The title of the competition was "Girls’ Rights, Society’s Responsibility".

Minister Gupta, who is also the Spokesman of the government, further said that postal stamps will be issued soon with slogans calling for equality between sons and daughters and doing away with the practice of untouchability.

He also informed that the draft Bill regarding the Right to Information has been finalised and it would be tabled in the current session of Parliament.

"As per the directives of the Prime Minister, we have finalised the draft Bill today," he said.

Celebrating Women's Day

He stressed on the need for making joint efforts to address all forms of discrimination against women. He also gave away awards and certificates to the winners of the competition.

Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, Chairperson of Samanata and Safe Motherhood Network, said violence against women and children is highly prevalent in Nepali society. "Women have been the victims of domestic violence, rape, incest and polygamy."

Dr. Deuba said women have also been accused of witchcraft.

Citing a study conducted by Saathi, an NGO, she said that 39 per cent of women victims of rape were under 19 years and 69 per cent polygamy victims were under 40.

She also commended the newly launched book that has highlighted a number of specific issues with each of its six chapters reflecting upon certain key aspects or concerns about women’s lives in Nepal.

Sangita Thapa, National Programme Officer of the United Nations International Fund for Women (UNIFEM), said that her organisation has been extending support for the development of communications strategy.

Thapa commended the role played by the Nepalese media regarding the empowerment of women.

On the occasion, J. Bill Musoke, Representative of UNFPA, said that proper attention has to be paid towards improving the status of women in Nepal.

He also said that the media has to play an important role in addressing the problems of women.

Ram Krishna Regmi, senior journalist and member of the jury for the award, said that all the sections of the society have to contribute to eliminating discriminations against women.

Regmi also expressed happiness over the Nepalese media for raising voices against gender inequality.

Chaired by Bandana Rana, Executive President of SAN, Babita Basnet, SAN General Secretary, delivered a welcome speech.

At the function, three journalists were awarded for their investigative reports on gender issues.

Land degradation calls for urgent measures

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Mar. 13: The problem of land degradation in the country demands most urgent attention while there is moderate urgency in case of desertification, a preliminary draft of a national level document discussed here today stated.

The per capita agricultural land declined from 0.16 hectares in 1980 to 0.13 in 1999, read the preliminary draft copy of the National Action Programme on Land Degradation and Desertification.

About 10,000 hectares in trans-Himalayan Dolpa and Mustang districts have turned into cold desert, and the soil-erosion rate in well-managed forests and paddy terraces is between five and 10 tonnes per hectare per year, according to the action plan.

Well-managed maize terraces are eroding at the rate of five and 15 tonnes per hectare a year while the erosion-pace at poorly managed sloping terraces is between 20 and 100 tonnes per hectare a year. As per degraded rangelands, the figure is between 40 and 200 tonnes per hectare per year.

Worse, in some areas about 80 per cent of total landslides are caused by paddy cultivation, the action plan stated. What presses the alarm buzzer is this: Almost 42,000 hectares of land was affected by landslides and floods in 1995, up from 19,000 hectares in 1987.

The most affected areas are Tarai, Siwalik and Chure hills, said Batu Krishna Uprety, an ecologist at the Ministry of Population and Environment (MoPE), while presenting the draft plan at an interaction organised by Nepal Forum for Environmental Journalists here today. "Apart from the human activities, excess water-flow during wet seasons and low water level in dry season lead to land degradation."

"The land system is affected by fragmentation, cultivation practices, including erosion-inducing crops, flood, landslide and sedimentation, inappropriate use of agro-chemicals," read the draft of the National Action Programme.

Tarai and the immediate areas have had to bear the brunt of land degradation because the lowland hosts almost 49 per cent of the total national population while it has not even 25 per cent of the nation’s land area. The hills that occupy nearly 42 per cent of the land area has below 45 per cent of the population.

Even as it covers more than 35 per cent of the country’s land area, the mountainous region is home to a little above seven per cent of the total population, thanks to this area’s meagre two per cent cultivable land.

With the majority of the population crowding the lowlands, the man-land ratio on cultivated land increased from 4.7 persons per hectare in 1971 to 7.5 persons in a hectare in 1991. "A strong reason why the land in these areas is already under tremendous pressure," said Uprety.

As a result of the rampant deforestation in the far west in the past, this area is now already in the process of desertification, noted Mukti Narayan Shrestha, secretary at the Ministry of Population and Environment (MoPE). "Since leasehold forestry has demonstrated success stories in some pockets in the country, it can also be taken to the upper reaches."

He admitted that implementation of the national action plan was the biggest challenge. "For such things to work, we need good governance and a blanket policy."

Since there are duplication and conflicts on different policies regarding land management, the national action policy is being discussed with all stakeholders, said Janak Raj Joshi, joint secretary at the MoPE. Stating that the plan will have synergy with issues like climate change, he said that prolonged land degradation gives way to desertification.

The action plan has specified 23 different programmes to address the land degradation problem in Nepal that will be implemented between the period of three and eight years. Depending on the scale of the programmes, they will require the cost between US$ one and three million, Uprety said.

In 1995, Nepal signed the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) that was adopted in Paris in 1994. The convention, ratified in 1996, entered into force in 1997 making it Nepal’s obligation to prepare and implement a national action plan on land degradation and desertification.

CIA accused of breaching MOU

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Mar. 13: The Chaudhary Group (CG) has claimed that the move by the major shareholder of the Nepal Indosuez Bank Ltd -- the Credit Agricole Indosuez (CAI) -- to sell off its share to other parties is totally against the existing rules and the contract between CG and Credit Agricole.

Binod Kumar Chaudhary, chairman of the Chaudhary Group organised a press meet here today and termed CAI's move as against the Contract of May 8, 1998. According to the contract CAI is bound to sell its 50 per cent shares to the Chaudhary Group. According to the existing rule the share of CAI should either be sold to Rastriya Banijya Bank and Rastriya Bima Sansthan- the shareholders of the Indosuez Bank or it should be sold to CG according to the contract, Chaudhary told press.

It would be recalled that the first Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Credit Agricole Indosuez (CAI) and CG in 1998, for the sale of 50 per cent shares of Nepal Indosuez Bank Ltd. The purchase or sale price for 50 per cent share of NIB was Rs 200 M. However, CAI is going to sell its share to other parties at Rs 320 M, which is totally against the contract, Chaudhary noted at the press meet. More than Rs 120M will go out of the country if CAI's move is not checked on time, he said.

The CG has already filed the case in the court, which is under consideration. Meanwhile, CAI representative here unveiled its move through a local daily here today. The CAI has challenged the CG that its move is not against the rule. It was just an MoU, not a contract, the CAI claimed. However, CG categorically refuted the claim of the CAI.

Nepal Rastra Bank, the central bank, has not made its position on the issue public yet. Bank sources contacted late in the evening declined to make any official comments.

Amendment key to address problems, stress leaders

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Mar. 13: Leaders of major political parties today emphasised the need to amend the Constitution to effect comprehensive and long-term political and socio-economic reforms and to resolve the Maoist problem.

They said constitutional amendment was necessary to check corruption, end social discrimination, provide citizenship certificate to all the countrymen, ensure free and fair elections, cleanse the bureaucracy and empower the local authorities, among other things.

"The Maoist problem is a result of mismanagement during the last 12 years which can be addressed only through extensive and far-reaching reform programmes. And constitutional amendment is indispensable to begin the reforms," Bharat Mohan Adhikari, standing committee member of the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist) told a face to face programme this afternoon.

"The Maoist problem is a manifestation of corruption, particularly at the highest political level. And the existing Constitution has not been helpful to take action against the people who hold the topmost positions," said Adhikari citing the provision of two-thirds majority of the House of Representatives to impeach Justices and other constitutional heads in case they are found to be involved in corruption. "What can we do but amend the Constitution to make sure that the guilty go unpunished?"

"We should either amend the Constitution and launch the reform programmes or else the Constitution will come under threat." He said the Parliament was constitutionally empowered to amend the Constitution.

"Constitutional amendment alone will not suffice to resolve the Maoist problem," said Adhikari. "But this will be the key component towards this." He stressed on the need to mobilise army, carry out socio-economic reform programmes and build public opinion against the Maoists to defeat them.

Nepali Congress spokesman Arjun Narshing KC said that his party was unequivocally in favour of amendment of the Constitution. "It is essential to amend the Constitution to resolve the problems of ethnic communities, backward communities, women, check corruption and solve the problem of citizenship."

He said the NC had instructed the government to register constitutional amendment proposal in the Parliament during the ongoing session of the Parliament and hoped the government would act soon. "NC does not want to delay constitutional amendment. But the Constitution is a dynamic document and may require some time before it is amended." Like Adhikari, he said the Parliament was authorised to amend the Constitution.

KC stressed on a broader democratic alliance among the forces having faith in constitutional monarchy to face the challenges before the nation and defeat the ultra-radical leftists and the rightists.

He welcomed the formation of the powerful commission to probe into the property of the high ranking political leaders, bureaucrats and the heads of the constitutional bodies and hoped that it would expose the corrupt. He also stressed on the need to take actions on the basis of the report to check corruption.

"There is no alternative to forming a consensus among all the political parties and launching radical reform programmes in political, social and economic fronts to resolve the crisis facing the nation," Rastriya Prajatantra Party spokesman Kamal Thapa said. "Constitutional amendment is one only aspect of this reform package."

Thapa identified social discrimination, exploitation and corruption as the main causes of Maoist problem and said constitutional amendment was essential to address these issues.

Nilambar Acharya, a former minister, said constitutional amendment required adequate homework. "But this alone will mean little unless the political parties reformed their own conduct."

The interaction was organised by the Reporters’ Club.

Transfers made in House committees

Kathmandu, Mar. 13 (RSS):  The House of Representatives meeting today gave its approval to the names proposed by Speaker Taranath Ranabhat for nomination and change of members in various committees under the House.

As approved by Parliament Netra Lal Shrestha has been transferred from the Finance Committee to the Public Accounts Committee, Dr Gopal Prasad Koirala from the Natural Resources Committee to the Finance Committee, Haribhakta Adhikari from the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Committee to the Finance Committee, Hit Kaji Gurung from the State Affairs Committee to the Finance Committee, Umakant Chaudhari from the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Committee to the Public Accounts Committee, Mrs Urmila Aryal from the Foreign Affairs and Human Rights Committee to the Public Accounts Committee and Gehendra Giri from the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Committee to the Public Accounts Committee.

Likewise, Pashupati Chaulagain has been transferred from the Foreign Affairs and Human Rights Committee to the Public Accounts Committee, Bijaya Subba from the Foreign Affairs and Human Rights Committee to the Public Accounts Committee, Homnath Dahal from the State Affairs Committee to the Public Accounts Committee, Ishwor Pokhrel from the Public Accounts Committee to the State Affairs Committee, K.P. Sharma Oli from the Public Accounts Committee to the State Affairs Committee, Birodh Khatiwada from the Public Accounts Committee to the Foreign Affairs and Human Rights Committee, Rajendra Prasad Pandey from the Public Accounts Committee to the Development Committee, Mrs Renu Kumari Yadav from the Environment Preservation Committee to the Natural Resources Committee, Mrs Tirtha Gautam from the Development Committee to the Foreign Affairs and Human Rights Committee, Devi Lal Thapa from the State Affairs Committee to the Foreign Affairs and Human Rights Committee, Sushil Koirala from the Foreign Affairs and Human Rights Committee to the State Affairs Committee, Mangal Prasad Tharu from the Natural Resources Committee to the State Affairs Committee, Gyanu K.C. from the Development Committee to the State Affairs Committee, Ram Kumar Chaudhari from the Development Committee to the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and Ramchandra Tiwari from the Development Committee to the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Committee.

Similarly, Mrs Kamala Devi Pant, Gopal Rai, Dilendra Prasad Badu, Mohammad Aftab Alam, Ramkrishna Tamrakar and Suresh Malla have been nominated to the finance committee, Janak Raj Giri, Rajendra Prasad Lohani, Ramhari Dhungel and Shiva Kumar Basnet to the Public Accounts Committee, Girija Prasad Koirala, Chakra Prasad Bastola, Romi Gauchan Thakali, Surendra Hamal and Surendra Prasad Chaudhari to the Foreign Affairs and Human Rights Committee, Gopal Man Shrestha, Tirtha Ram Dangol and Baldev Sharma Majgainya to the Environment Preservation Committee, Ramchandra Poudel, Ram Bahadur Gurung, Mahendra Kumar Raya and Hari Prasad Sapkota to the State Affairs Committee, Kedar Man Rokka, Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Tarini Data Chataut, Pushkar Nath Ojha, Prakash Koirala, Benup Raj Prasai, Mahantha Thakur and Siddha Nath Ojha to the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and Mahadev Gurung and Shiva Raj Joshi to the development committee. Govinda raj joshi has been nominated to the natural resources committee and Dr Ram Baran Yadav to the population committee.