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His Majesty promulgates ordinances KATHMANDU, Nov. 28: His Majesty the King has, in accordance with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990 and upon the advice and consent of the Council of Ministers, promulgated the 'Medical Sciences National Academy Ordinance-2059', the 'Public Service (implementation, follow up and inspection) Ordinance -2059' and the 'Royal Household Expenditure Management (first amendment) Ordinance-2059'. His Majesty has issued the ordinances as it has become necessary to establish a Medical Sciences Academy, to arrange for public services and to effect immediate amendments to the Royal Household Expenditure Management Act-2031, and as parliament is not in session at present, according to the Cabinet Secretariat. His Majesty extends felicitations KATHMANDU, Nov. 29: His Majesty the King has extended cordial
felicitations to Alfred Moisiu, President of the Republic of Albania, on the occasion of
the Independence Day of Albania. Congratulation KATHMANDU, Nov. 29: Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has extended sincere congratulations to Mr Fatos Nano, Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, on the occasion of the Independence Day of Albania. In a message, Chand has wish for Mr Fatos Nano's good health and happiness as well as for the progress and prosperity of the people of Albania. Directives issued to follow Education Rules KATHMANDU, Nov. 28: The Ministry of Education and Sports has, with the objective of reforming education management, directed the bodies concerned to constitute as soon as possible school management committees in schools where such committees are yet to be formed as per the Education Regulations, not to appoint temporary teachers until the formation of the management committees and to implement the school's annual academic programme on special priority basis by getting it approved by the school management committee. Similarly, in respect of the right of parents and guardians to be informed about school activities and the academic progress of their wards, the Ministry has directed schools to give special priority to this aspect and inform parents and guardians about the academic progress of students and the academic programmes of the school by convening parents' meetings. The Ministry also directed the schools to compulsorily organise various extra-curricular and co-curricular activities between 2-4 p.m. every Friday for the development of the creative faculties of students and to highlight national glory and pride. Likewise, the Education and Sports Ministry has directed the headmasters of schools to formulate concrete programmes for improvement of the school's educational standards and implement of the same in an effective manner, to regularly monitor the teaching-learning activities at the school and make necessary and effective measures for systematic management of the school with provisions for classroom teaching inspection. The Ministry has, likewise, directed community and institution-run schools of all levels to make public their annual expenditure and income statements in a transparent manner, the regional education directorates and the District Education Offices to make arrangements to that end and regularly send assessment reports to the Department of Education by making the school inspection and monitoring programme effective. CIAA files cases against employees accused
of corruption KATHMANDU, Nov. 28: Section officer of the Finance Ministry Suresh Kumar Regmi, who was among the 22 employees of the revenue group, arrested in connection to the investigation on the charge of amassing illegal property, has been found to have a total property of worth Rs.11,005,000 in his and his family's possession and the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority has found the source of only Rs. 5,520,750. CIAA has filed a case against accused Regmi, who is found to have embezzled Rs. 5,484,255 during his service in HMG, at the Special Court Wednesday demanding the punishment to the maximum extent and prison sentence in accordance with the Corruption Control Act. The CIAA has also demanded the confiscation of the property in accordance with the clause 47 of the Corruption Control Act 2059 and clause 29 (B) of Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority Act 2048 from accused Regmi who has the property earned through illegal means and has also kept in the name of his wife and dependents. Similarly, a case was filed at the Special Court today against Nayab Subba Keshav Raj Gautam, one of the 22 employees of the Ministry of Finance revenue group, whose premises were raided by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority on August 16. During the course of investigation it was revealed that Gautam has amassed fixed and mobile assets to the tune of Rs 34,081,616.35 of which only Rs 16,128,493 was seen to have been accounted for legally. The Commission has sought fines from Gautam as well as his imprisonment. Likewise, the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed cases at the Special Court against Tara Thapa of the Agriculture Development Bank (ADB) banking office, Butwal, woman activist of the banking office, Parasi Vishnu Devi Kuvar Yogi, senior assistant Geeta Gyawali (Nepal) of the Cottage and Small Industries Development Board, Sindhupalchok and fourth level employee of Nepal Food Corporation Modern Rice Mill, Bardiya Top Bahadur Swar for presenting forged certificates of educational qualification when joining the service and also for promotion. On scrutinising the certificates on the basis of complaints received, it was seen that they were fake and therefore the CIAA has filed cases against them in accordance with the Corruption Elimination Act 2017 and the recently enforced Corruption Control Act 2059. As per the provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act 2017, they may have to pay a fine of up to Rs 5,000 or undergo imprisonment from two to six years or both while the recently introduced Corruption Control Act 2059 has made a provision for imprisonment of six months to one year and fines of Rs 10,000 to 20,000. If convicted, they are not entitled to any of the post retirement benefits. Spurious medicine operators nabbed KATHMANDU, Nov. 28: A joint monitoring team comprising representatives of the Department of Commerce, the Department of Drug Administration and the Kathmandu District Administration Office has, in course of carrying out surprise inspections of various shops at local Indrachowk today, taken action against two drug store owners found selling and supplying smuggled medicines and operating without obtaining operation licenses and professional certificates. The market monitoring team found smuggled medicines during inspection of the two drug stores belonging to Rakesh Jain and Uma Shankar Prasad Rauniyar located on the ground floor of the 'Laxmi Nibas' apartment block at local Makhan Tol today. The medicines have been confiscated from the drug stores locally known as 'Prabhudayal Kaka Jainko Pasal'. The team has seized 12 tubes of 'Itch Guard' and 24 tubes of 'Ring Guard' medicines manufactured by Green Pharmaceuticals- Ahamadabad, India from the drug store belonging to Umashankar Prasad Rauniyar at local Makhan Tol. Similarly, the team has seized 'Melalite' cream manufactured by Care Labs Pvt. Ltd. India from the drug store of Rakesh Jain A.K.A Prabhu Dayal Kaka Jain at Makahan Tol. Likewise, Prabhu Dayal Kaka Jain has been asked to contact the Department of Commerce within seven days as it was found that he was operating without any certificate or license. Meanwhile, another joint team of the Department of Commerce has imposed fines of Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 on seven shopkeepers found using non-standard cylindrical measuring vessels, not renewing their operation licenses, using archaic measurements like Mana and Pathi, using uncertified weights, balance and measures and indulging in other illegal practices. The firms and stores fined include Raj Distributors
(Satdobato)- (Rs 1,500), and Rajesh Shahi (Bagalamukhi cold store)- Baneshwar, Pushpanjali
Oil Traders Pvt. Ltd.-Jayabageshwari and Ugrachandi Green Grocers-Puranobaneshwar (Rs
1,000 each) for indulging in unscrupulous practices. Maoist attacks heinous: NHRC KATHMANDU, Nov. 28: An human rights team that inspected Khalanga, the headquarters of Jumla in far west Nepal, the scene of the recent deadly Maoist attack, has found that the Maoists targetted innocent civilians, police personnel, soldiers and development infrastructure. The team, headed by member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Sushil Pyakurel, made the inspection on November 23 and 24. "The Maoists looted medicines from local hospitals and used schools as shelters during the attack," a press statement issued by the NHRC said today. Thirty three policemen and four army personnel were killed when the Maoists in the thousands attacked the police and army posts. More than a hundred Maoists were killed when the security forces retaliated. The NHRC said that the team studied the aftermath of the attack and found the government not being serious about providing immediate support to the victims. Drawing the attention of the CPN-Maoists, the Commission has said that it was against the Geneva Convention to attack and kill unarmed people, women and school children. It also said that it was a heinous act on the part of the Maoists to target hospitals, schools and banks which were the basic needs of the people of all political ideologies. The Commission has asked the Maoists to immediately stop such acts. "The Commission appeals to the Maoists to respect the Geneva Convention and also respect the people's right to live without fear," the statement reads. Through the press statement, the NHRC has also asked the government to immediately begin providing basic needs like medicines and foodstuffs to the local people and resume welfare programmes, including bank services. The Commission has also asked that the victims, including the
family of former Member of Parliament Chakra Bahadur Dagaura who was killed by the Maoist
terrorists two weeks back, be compensated. Upadhyaya's statement draws flak KATHMANDU, Nov 28: Two former Chief Justices have expressed strong reservation to the statement made by former Chief Justice Bishwonath Upadhyaya that the monarchy had been violating the Constitution ever since it was drafted. Former Chief Justices Mohan Prasad Sharma and Dhanendra Bahadur Singh said that Upadhyaya has no authority to make any comment on whether or not the King has infringed on constitutional provisions. "Our Constitution has clearly stated that the Supreme Court is the sole authority to interpret the Constitution of the Kingdom and to look into any infringement of the Constitution by anybody," they said. Sharma said that Upadhayaya has cried foul solely for cheap popularity. "When there is already a constitutional body to look into the matter, babbling has no meaning. It is not wise to run after such things," added Sharma. Upadhayaya had on Wednesday said, "The latest Royal move resulted due to lack of resistance on the part of the political parties that have repeatedly been saying that the King was the only institution to follow the Constitution in letter and spirit when the Monarch has been violating it right from its promulgation." Upadhyaya, who was chairman of the committee that drafted the
present Constitution, said this at a talk programme on "Present Political Situation
and Citizenship Issue" in Kathmandu yesterday. For his controversial verdict that went against the
recommendation, Upadhyaya had come under fire from the then minority CPN-UML government.
The UML rallies had even shouted for his blood. "Personally I don't want to play a duet with Upadhyaya on the issue, but he must realise that he has no authority to comment on it," said Singh. "It is not good to be pointing an accusing finger at the King." "I never felt there was any breach of constitutional norms by the Monarch during my period of service," he added. The Monarch always respected the spirit of the Constitution, remarked Singh. 10 terrorists killed in operations KATHMANDU, Nov. 28: The search operations of the security forces on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Siraha, Kanchanpur, Pyuthan, Achham and Sankhuwasabha have resulted in the deaths of 10 terrorists. The Defence Ministry said today that the forces found pistols, socket bombs, bullets of .303 rifle, equipment used for laying electric ambushes and Rs.26,158 in cash. The forces also found guns, socket and pressure cooker bombs and sleeping bags at Sibu of Kalikot district in mid-western Nepal on Tuesday. Court verdict brings smiles to Gurkha POWs BUTWAL, Nov. 28: The London High Court's verdict Wednesday seeking compensation for the Gurkha prisoners of war (PoW) during WWII has brought smiles to 90-year-old Bishnu Giri of Butwal. Giri, who had fought alongside the British in WWII, was taken prisoner by the Japanese in Singapore. The nonagenarian WWII veteran leads a pathetic life in Butwal. He can still be spotted at the local Manakamana and Saibaba temples, begging. According to the Court decision, the 343 surviving Gurkhas
who fought for the British in the WWII and were taken prisoner of war by the Japanese will
each receive 10,000 pounds in compensation. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese Imperial army in 1943 in Singapore. After the war, he was freed under the prisoners exchange programme between Japan and Britain. When India gained independence in 1947, he remained with the
India Gorkha army, and was retired in 1949. He then returned to Butwal, and his health
began deteriorating due to the wounds of the war. After receiving pension for only three times, Giri's pension papers were stolen. He tried several times to get a new pension paper made, but to no avail. He says his story was carried by several newspapers in the past, but that did not help him receive the pension. Now with the London Court's verdict, he is excited. "Apart from money, the compensation will be recognition of my services rendered to the British crown," he says. Giri hopes that his case will also be heard, and he will receive the £10,000 - the dues of his services during the WWII. If that happens, he hopes to spend the last days of his life in comfort, which has eluded him for more than half a century. New scheme to promote rural business on the
anvil GULMI, Nov. 28: A new project that will enhance the scattered market enterprises of Gulmi and Arghakhanchi districts is to be launched soon. "The new scheme aims at identifying local demand and supply potential along with the market of both the districts, enhancing dispersed rural enterprises and promoting rural business activities," says Narayan Parsad Kafle, Co-director of Gulmi-Arghakhanchi Rural Development Project (GARDEP). Kafle is also the Local Development Officer of Gulmi. Gulmi is famous for its coffee, oranges and dairy-based products. GARDEP has benefited about a million people of the two districts, both directly and indirectly. GARDEP which began integrated development in the two western districts in the early Nineties and whose period was extended for a year last July is planning to complete some pending projects during its ongoing second phase. Despite disturbances by the Maoists, the project's success is likely to lead to its extension into the third phase. A European mission that came here recently to evaluate the GARDEP-run projects dubbed them as highly successful, said Kafle. On-going projects include the construction of the 17-km
Indregaunda- Chhallipanda road that benefits the people of 21 Village Development
Committees (VDC) of Gulmi district. Similarly, GARDEP is reinvesting in the
Santipur-Chorkate motor road which benefits the people of more than 10 VDCs. One of the largest rural development schemes of the country,
GARDEP deals with all aspects of development, ranging from infrastructure development to
adult education. It aims at elevating the socio-economic status of the people in both the
districts. It encompasses agriculture, livestock, drinking water, soil conservation,
irrigation, education, forest conservation, public health, women empowerment,
infrastructure development, micro hydropower generation and training support. GARDEP recently decided to fund more than 25 micro projects to elevate the status of the people in the two districts. Interested groups that want to promote their business or start new projects in the districts can submit proposals for funds not exceeding Rs. 50,000. "These projects will help uplift the status of the farmers in the district," said Kafle. GARDEP has benefited all the 121 VDCs in the districts - 79
in Gulmi and 42 in Arghakhanchi. Likewise, its forestry and education projects have benefited 44,670 and 71,058 people in Gulmi respectively. Infrastructure development and small hydropower projects have benefitted 86,174 persons. Manang to offer snow leopard safari to visitors By Bhimsen Thapaliya KATHMANDU, Dec. 28: For visitors coming to Nepal to watch wildlife, there are more options on the menu. If things go ahead as planned, the snow leopard (Uncia uncia), the elusive mountain cat, will be the focus in the latest highland tour package. Manang, a Himalayan district in mid-western Nepal, is heading to become the destination for snow leopard safari on its slopes and dales that have Tibetan features. The latest package adds diversity to the wildlife lovers who have been visiting the tropical jungles to watch the one-horned rhinoceros and the Royal Bengal tiger. The tour package is expected to come into operation in 2004,
for which works are underway, said Triple P. Gurung, president of Manang Youth Society, an
organisation directly involved in making the snow leopard trip a reality. The launching of
the venture has been named Destination Manang 2004. "The development of the local wildlife heritage as a tourism attraction will contribute in the conservation of the graceful cat already placed in the endangered list," said Gurung. According to him, the snow leopard has been facing major threats from the local herders who kill the animal in revenge for preying on their cattle. When tourism fosters, delivering employment and income to the local people, they will start understanding that the snow leopard is not an enemy. This will be a right step towards conservation, Gurung added. Blue sheep (Tibetan tahr) on which the snow leopard feeds, is another attraction in Manang's wilderness. Although sighting of the snow leopard will be the prize for the lucky few due to its elusive nature, the spotting of the blue sheep can, however, is ensured. Ten safari guides are being trained to conduct the trek. Tourists have been visiting Manang largely to view Mt. Annapurna. Our aim is to add a host of new items in the list so that more visitors of diverse interests can discover an ideal place here, said Gurung. Launching of Destination Manang 2004 coincides with the Paten festival that falls in November every three years. The traditional archery festival at Metha of Manang is celebrated in March, followed by the horse riding Yartung event in July. These events will also be part of the package to promote cultural life of Manang folks. Tilicho Lake and the cave where the Buddhist monk Milareppa meditated can be equally interesting. The villages of Nav and Fu, situated on the Nepal-Tibet frontier, are already open to trekkers. These villages offer glimpses of Tibetan life. "My father tells me that these places will take you back to what Manang looked like 25 years ago," said Gurung. With affluent people and tourism development, modern amenities are making their way into the highland villages of Manang. Manang Gaon, two hours' walk from the airport at Humde, has freshly introduced Internet services via satellite links where travelers can make calls back home or to Kathmandu. Chartered flights are being operated directly from Kathmandu once a week. Gurung says details of the promotional scheme and travel itinerary will not be flashed out before a formal announcement is made to the local press early next year. Our promotional policy is Internet and entrepreneur-based, he said. When the Manang package gets the final shape, which is expected by September 2003, 30 foreign travel journalists will be invited to Kathmandu. "We will take them to Manang to give them first-hand coverage of the destination." Although it is a private initiative, its success depends upon the cooperation of the government and different tourism agencies. The direct involvement of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) will be sought for foreign media mobilisation while the Travel Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) will play its promotional part by circulating the printed materials in the market, said Gurung. Joining hands with the Manang Youth Society in the venture is
the Tourism Entrepreneurs Association of Manang (TEAM) which is locally supported by the
Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). |
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