Women’s Bill again passed by Lower House

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Mar. 14: The women of the nation now can enjoy the rights denied to them for a long time, thanks to the Women’s Bill the House of Representatives approved today. One hundred and forty seven lawmakers in the 205-member Lower House of Parliament voted in favour of the Bill while one vote went against it.

In a major breakthrough, the Bill (The Civil Code, 11th Amendment) got a nod from the Lower House after a protracted struggle and wait for eight years. The Bill will become a law after it receives the Royal Seal.

The Women’s Bill, which was tabled in the National Assembly, was returned without discussion on it to the Lower House. Now the Bill does not need the approval of the Upper House and will be sent for the Royal assent.

With the passage of the revolutionary Bill, the better half of the nation have now been guaranteed the rights to the parental property at par with their male counterparts. Earlier, unmarried daughters were eligible to inherit parental property only after 35 years of age. Now, daughters, like sons, will be eligible for the parental property from the day they are born.

The new Bill has scrapped the conventional system regarding widows’ rights: they do not have to wait until 30 years of their age to get their share of the property unlike before. They also need not return the properties even after they are re-married.

It has also scrapped provisions in which a widow had to wait for 15 years and reach 35 years to become eligible for the inheritance from the dead husband’s family.

Similarly, after the family’s partition, the Bill entrusts guardians with the responsibility to bear the cost for girls’ living, education and health care.

According to the Bill, when a divorce takes place, the partition in the property between the wife and the husband must be done at the time when the divorce is committed, no matter whoever is guilty. It has also provided a woman, whose husband is living with another wife, with the rights to live separately. She can also adopt sons or daughters.

As in the past when a woman with only a son could not give him away for adoption, a woman with only a daughter now can’t give her for adoption.

Scrapping the earlier provision that guaranteed the rights of men to the intested property, females can henceforth also have rights to such property.

The other highlight of the Bill is that it has freed women to choose to abort embryos up to 12 weeks from pregnancy. Likewise, a woman who is pregnant after rape and incest can choose abortion even if her pregnancy may have reached upto 18 weeks.

Moreover, a woman can take a medical expert’s advice and go for abortion at any time in case the woman is likely to face danger of death or deterioration of her mental and physical health as well as in a situation when the baby will be born physically handicapped.

The Bill has increased the jail terms for the rapists of minor girls from five years to 15 years. Those involved in gang rape of a woman or a rapist of a pregnant or an incapable or a disabled woman will get five years’ additional jail term.

Likewise, there are special provisions for safety of rape victims.

Despite all the welcome changes, the women activists rue that the Bill has not been able to wipe out the provision of returning the inheritance to the parents once the girl is married.

When a man gets married for the second time, the first wife and his sons and daughters have to divide the property with the husband’s second wife and her offspring; this provision needs to be amended, advocate Sapana Malla Pradhan said commenting on the Bill.

The women activists, though they welcomed the Bill, expressed their concerns that the Bill has not been able to address the many points of gender discriminations. Advocate Shanta Thapaliya is happy over the passage of the Bill but she is concerned that the Bill has failed to encompass all the women related issues. " Till now a girl was considered like a non-entity but the Bill has guaranteed their rights for parental property and education and well rearing," Thapaliya said.

However, Thapaliya said they were ready to go to the court as the Bill fails to mention women’s rights for the intested property.

Bharati Silwal, an UNDP Assistant Residential Representative, said that the passage of the Bill has reflected the importance of women’s role in the development of the nation, though it has failed to address their whole issues. She said the present Bill is the result of an eight-year long struggle and hinted that the implementation of the Bill will be a challenge.

Nine terrorists killed in encounters with troops

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Mar. 14: Security troops killed nine terrorists in separate encounters and arrested three others in course of their operations across the country on Wednesday.

The Defence Ministry said the forces killed two armed terrorists in Rumpakhani and one each in Khahare Khola and Mulpani of Baglung district, two each in Dhairung area of Gorkha district and Lalbojhi area of Kailali district, and one in Charneta area of Pyuthan district.

The forces also seized guns, pistols, ambush equipment, and bombs from these places.

The forces also arrested two terrorists from Lalbojhi and one from Luham area of Salyan district.

The Ministry said the forces were investigating on them.

The Ministry said the forces successfully defused a huge bomb that was planted at Luham area of Salyan district. The security personnel also seized a large quantity of explosives and detonators hidden near Seti River in Kaski district.

Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry, on behalf of the security forces has appealed to the public to remain alert at all times as the security troops could take strong action against the terrorists at any place any time.

The Ministry has requested the public to inform the nearest security agency about the social functions – wedding, sacred thread ceremony, religious and cultural programmes - and check the intrusion of the terrorists in such functions, so as to prevent the loss of civilian life and property in the defensive action of the forces.

China is always in favour of peace in Nepal: Envoy Acharya

Kathmandu, Mar. 14 (RSS):  The Chinese people and leaders are saddened by a terrorist group taking recourse to the politics of man slaughter in Nepal linking their name of their venerated leader Mao Zedong.

In an interview given to RSS reporter Sharachchandra Bhandary today, Royal Nepalese Ambassador to China RajeshwarAcharya said that the Chinese leaders and people have a special plea that the name of their leader who had contributed to the upliftment of the oppressed and downtrodden in the international level should not be misused in perpetrating violence and terrorism.

Mao’s name misused:

Ambassador Acharya noted that it is the earnest wish of the Chinese friends that His Majesty’s Government and the Nepalese people are serious in preventing Mao’s name from being misused.

As a good neighbour China is always in favour of peace and development in Nepal, he said, adding that the Chinese were very concerned and serious regarding recent developments in Nepal.

The Chinese do not harbour the policy of putting direct or indirect pressure on or involvement in the internal affairs of any country in the world and China believes that Nepal will resolve the present problem by peaceful means and in the best interests of Nepal and the Nepalese people and enhancing its national security, he added.

China has a clear anti-terrorism policy, he said and remarked that as there were some terrorist activities in the western borders of China well ahead of start of terrorist activities in Nepal, it is serious about the menace of terrorism and is working to defend its territory and in resolving the problem through counter-terrorism measures in a committed manner.

China believes that terrorist activities should be resolved in a justified way, Acharya observed.

Terrorists’ attacks denounced:

Pointing out that the Shanghai-based operation organisation was actively engaged in its work with the objective of curbing terrorist and extemist activities since last year, Ambassador Acharya recalled that China had strongly denounced the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington last year.

He added that China was working in partnership with the international community to deter and root out terrorism.

Reiterating that China was always opposed to terrorism, the Ambassador observed that
the Chinese people and government were steadfast in their opposition to terrorist activities taking place in any part of the world.

The government of China has also time and again denounced the kind of terrorist incidents taking place in Nepal, he said, adding the Chinese government always supported the government elected by
the people through the constitutional process.

One-China policy

Tibet is a sensitive region for China. Nepal has adopted the one China policy and Chinese friends have expressed their gratitude for this, Acharya said, noting that the international community as well as Nepal have accepted China as an important country.

He said China is satisfied with the One China policy adopted by Nepal and it is natural on the part of China to show concern that no undesirable activities take place on its borders.

Noting that China had common geographical borders with 14 countries including Nepal, he said China was equally conscious and alert in resolving border disputes.

China is fully confident that Nepal will not allow its territory to be used against Chinese interests, Ambassador Acharya said and expressed the view that the Chinese were aware and concerned about maintaining the kind of goodwill that China has for His Majesty’s Government and the Nepalese people.

He said the governments and the people of the two countries are of the conviction that no activities directed against each others’ interests will take place on the issue of Tibet or the common border between them or any other activities taking place within their territory.

Answering a query, Ambassador Acharya said Nepal enjoys cordial traditional friendly relations with both China and India and Nepal-India and Nepal-China relations were very cordial and any problems between the two countries are always resolved to in their mutual interest in a balanced way on the basis of mutual understanding and brotherhood.

Nepal had adopted a balanced policy in the past also when there was animosity between India and China and it is willing to play the role of a reliable neighbour and a well wisher of both its northern and southern neighbours, Ambassador Acharya noted, saying that there was greater area of scope for economic, social, political and strategic cooperation between China and India in the present context.

I believe that both China and India are satisfied with their relations with Nepal, he stressed.

Chinese markets:

As Nepal has adopted economic liberalisation policy, goods from many countries are finding their way into our market and in the same way Chinese goods have penetrated many markets around the world in abundance, he observed and pointed out that Chinese goods have found a wider market because they have competitive edge in terms of cost effectiveness.

Chinese goods are brought in the Nepalese market after undergoing all the required tax and customs procedures, he said, adding that it was the prerogative of any Indian citizens if they wanted to take Chinese goods in transit through Nepal or any other country.

Stating that he has never heard of China complaining about the penetration of Indian goods into its market, Acharya said that economic and business transactions between India and China were increasing.

There are signs that China-India trade will grow following the Chinese Prime Minister’s visit to India last year, he said, noting that only competitive goods found way into the international market in an open economic system.

He feels that there should be no feelings of animosity on such matters nor should any country take the entry of goods of another country into its market negatively.

In reply to a query regarding any changes in the Chinese government’s cooperation policy towards Nepal’s development following privatisation of industrial establishments set up in the country with the cooperation of the Chinese government, Ambassador Acharya said there was no such response from China in that connection and there was no change in China’s policy in that regard.

Chinese cooperation:

Referring to Chinese cooperation in many areas even after the privatisation of these industries, he said in fact there has been a significant increase in the amount provided to Nepal including the B.P. Cancer Hospital and construction of the Syafrubesi-Rashuwagadhi Road and the Civil Servants’ Hospital.

The area of cooperation has further expanded between the two countries in economic, political, social and diplomatic realms, he remarked.

China’s including Nepal in the list of destinations for Chinese tourists for development of Nepal’s tourism sector is a further expansion on China’s policy of cooperation to Nepal, the Ambassador noted.

It is not unnatural on the part of the donor country to wish that Nepal independently utilize the foreign assistance it gets in its interest, he said and made it clear that China has not formally responded in this regard.

China is equally exuberant and committed to Nepal’s development, he said, adding that as a neighbouring country China wishes Nepal well and wants to see Nepal become prosperous, strong, self-reliant and raise its image as an independent nation in the world.

Describing Nepal and China as very close friends, Ambassador Achraya noted that Nepal sees China as its very cordial friend and China also considered Nepal as a good neighbour. Neither of them have the feeling of non-cooperation from the other, he added.

He said both the countries were engaged in further consolidating their relations on the basis
of each other’s common aspirations, sensitivities and understanding. He also observed that Nepal-China relations stood as a unique model in the realm of international politics and diplomatic relations.

Stating that the leaders and conscious citizens of both the countries should remain alert in giving continuity to the unique relations subsisting between the two countries, Ambassador Acharya underlined the need for remaining alert so that no hindrances are caused from any quarter that will strain Nepal-China relations.

‘Destroyed communications services to be re-operated’

Kathmandu, Mar. 14 (RSS):  Minister for Information and Communications Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta informed the House of Representatives today that his Ministry is taking initiative to bring into operation the communications services destroyed by terrorist activity.

Minister Gupta, who was answering questions concerning telecommunications raised by MPs on different occasions, said instructions have already been issued to immediately re-operate such services in some places.

Stating that telecommunications repeater towers had been the target of terrorists well before the proclamation of the State of Emergency, he said the terrorists have so far damaged more than 35 repeater stations in 25
districts thereby cutting off telecommunications links with those areas.

Repeater stations at Bhalukharma and Ghodepani
of Myagdi, Kampur and Bhairavsthan in Dhading district, Patle of Okhaldhunga, Paledhar of Dadeldhura, Udip of Gorkha, Mirtaulichhatara of Bajura, Balishikhar and Gokuleshwor of Darchula, Kedar and Bastalek of Bajhang, Deuralikhani of Baglung, Chitresthan of Udayapur, Ratmata, Holeri, Gumchal and Sulichaur of Rolpa and Doramba of Ramechhap have suffered damage.

The other repeater stations which are out of order due to terrorist attack are at Pattharkot and Khandada of Arghakhanchi, Panchakule of Dang, Chhimkeshwori of Tanahu, Kotwada, Syona and Maithapla of Kalikot, Chharchhare and Chimgadh of Sindhuli, Sallabhir of Jajarkot, Hatiya of Makwanpur, Kalapani of Kavrepalanchok, Bhartalagna of Dailekh, Resunga of Gulmi, Mangalsen of Achham and Saunepani of Salyan.

With all these repeater stations remaining out of order, communications links even with the district headquarters in Rukum, Jajarkot, Rolpa, Rasuwa, Darchula, Solukhumbu, Jumla, Kalikot, Arghakhanchi, Gulmi, Bajhang, Achham and Lamjung have been severed.

However, communications links have been re-established through five marts telephone lines at Mangalsen of Achham, a VHF telephone system in Lamjung and a trunk call set in Bajhang.

The loss caused by the destruction of repeater stations is estimated at Rs. 200 million plus an equal amount in terms of annual revenue.

Efforts are on to re-operate communications services in others feasible areas through the use of VHF sets that are in stock with the Telecommunications Corporation, Minister Gupta said.

In some cases the government will have to seek the help of technicians from abroad and so it might take as long as two years to get the necessary equipment, he said adding, decision making on procedural matters might have become slow but the Ministry
has taken initiative to ensure timely supplies of necessary technological hardware.

Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Communications Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta informed the House of Representatives today that His Majesty’s Government is considering improving the mail service and increasing the ceiling on the amounts that can be transferred through money order with a view to making postal services more effective, reliable and efficient.

Minister Gupta, who was replying to questions raised by MPs at the House of Representatives, gave the information that currently 45 express mail delivery services are in operation within the country and 26 in the international sector.

He also informed parliament that the government has given priority to establishing an Ilaka Post Office at Ilaka No. 9 of Terhathum district and technicians were about to be dispatched to Jajarkot in connection with extending telephone lines to Jajarkot Bazaar.

However, he said that there is no plan to distribute 500 telephone lines in Dailekh Bazaar and Narayan Municipality in Dailekh district.

MP Nara Bahadur Hamal, authorised by MP Ratna Prasad Sharma Neupane, MP Bijaya Subba and MP Tanka Prasad Kandel, posed questions to the Minister.

Also at today’s meeting, Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives Mahesh Acharya said that at present there is no plan to establish a chemical fertilizer factory or establish a milk chilling center at Bihun VDC of Baglung.

He was answering questions from MPs Nara Bahadur Hamal and Tanka Prasad Kandel.