Govt firm to implement report on property: Pandey

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, April 5: The study by His Majesty's Government of the report of the High-level Property Assessment Judicial Commission has reached the final stage. The report was submitted to His Majesty the King by the chairman of the commission Bhairav Prasad Lamsal on March 18 for its implementation.

Minister for Information and Communications Ramesh Nath Pandey in a press statement today said "the commission has forwarned that if no legal action is taken against some political leaders and incumbent officials of the constitutional organs and the administration for possessing properties and assets, whose sources are unaccounted for, all the sectors will be astounded and that could wane the people's credence on such commissions formed in the future."

Minister Pandey, in the statement, said that His Majesty's Government was committed to the full implementation of the report.

He reiterated the government's commitment to keep the implementation of the report free from any influences and prejudices as wished by the people, who desire to see the corrupts being punished.
He also said "the government would take into consideration the negative impressions on the common people about those who have the lead roles in the society and the consequences may have a bearing on the whole society and any attempt to induce such influences."

"His Majesty's Government will soon take an appropriate decision, as per the constitutional provision, to bring the report before the public after completing its study and to send it to an authorised body for its implementation," Minister Pandey said in the statement.

The principal agenda of the government is to maintain good governance by removing the situation of impunity against corruption, he said, adding the people's mandate against corruption is a reality.
By taking this mandate as guidance, Minister Pandey said "the report of the high-level judicial commission for assessment of property would be implemented according to the rule of law."

Malaysian tour teams in capital

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Apr. 5: Two familiarisation teams of 87 travel agents and tour operators from Malaysia are on a visit to Nepal to gain knowledge about Nepalese tourism products.

This is the first time such a large number of agents from the Southeast Asian country have visited Nepal.

Of them, 17 are the invitees of Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC) and the remaining are hosted by Qatar Airways. They are visiting different places, such as Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan, to get knowledge about the diverse products Nepal has to offer.

Within the next six months, the national flag carrier is inviting six such teams to Nepal from Malaysia, Singapore and other countries of the region.

In the meantime, Qatar Airways is bringing in teams from Brunei and Singapore on April 10 and 17.
These FAM trips are expected to help bring in more tourists from and via Malaysia.

Parties’ role in peace process emphasised

HETAUDA, April 5: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Mahesh Lal Pradhan has spoken of the need of positive role on behalf of the political parties and the civic society in order to transform the peace talks into a state of permanent peace so as to promote the production of quality goods and taking them to the international market.Inaugurating the third general meeting of the Hetauda Industrial Estate Industries Association here today, he said it was essential to forge ahead by incorporating the moral values of the society through inculcation of the feeling of self-reliance and service.
His Majesty's Government would initiate the policy procedures for reviving the sick industries, cottage and small industries and the tourism industry of the country.President of Nepal Industries Federation Basanta Lal Shrestha said that the political parties and the government should be committed to bringing about improvements in the cottage and tourism industries of the country so as to give direct employment to the youths.At the programme presided over by president of the Hetauda Industrial Estate Industries Association Hitler Bishet, central member of the Nepal Industries and Business Association Kush Joshi, general manager of the Industrial Development Management Janak Karki, president of the Makwanpur Chamber of Commerce and Industries Madhav Risal and joint secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Govinda Kusum Shrestha also expressed their views.

Party leaders hail Royal Address

RSS

KATHMANDU, April 5: His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev's commitment towards multi-party democratic system, call for sincere endeavour to provide durability to peace, views on governance responsible to the people and the conception that no community or caste will be neglected are indisputable and worthy of welcome.

Leaders of various political parties expressed these and similar views at a face to face programme organised here today on the political point of views on the address made by His Majesty the King while accepting the civic reception in Dhangadhi yesterday.

Leader of the Nepali Congress Dr. Ramsharan Mahat said that the address by His Majesty the King was without controversy and political parties too were equally desiring peace.

Making it clear that it was wrong to say that the political parties are making effort to disrupt the dialogue, he said that the government should release all the Maoist leaders in custody.

Jogmehar Shrestha of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party said that His Majesty's address was fruitful in consolidating ties between the government and the people.

His Majesty accepted the civic felicitation in the capacity as patron and guardian to express the affection to the people to reciprocate the honour shown by them, he added

Govt for private sector role in transport operation

RSS

KATHMANDU, April 5: Minister for Labour and Transport Management Kamal Prasad Chaulagain has said the government policy is for encouraging the private sector for the development of transport operation which has direct contribution in the economic progress of the country.

Inaugurating the third general assembly of the Nepal Truck Transport Operation Management Committee here today, Minister Chaulagain said the government has constituted a task-force for making improvements by drawing suggestions regarding the policy, laws and structural problems of the transport sector.

He asked the entrepreneurs to give suggestions on how national interest can be fulfilled while signing agreements on transport, transit and dry-port between Nepal and India.

The government is committed to resolve all the problems of the country as per the wishes of the people, he said and urged all the transport entrepreneurs to cooperate in making the peace talks successful.

Director General of the Department of Transport Management Chhabiraj Pant said the government is ready to work with the entrepreneurs.

At the programme speakers stressed on control of polluting vehicles rather than all the 20-year old models, not permitting transport operation on the basis of free competition between Nepal and India, stopping transport goods exceeding the capacity and stopping transport of goods in passenger buses.
Speaking on the occasion were general secretary of the Nepal Truck Transport Operators Committee Arjun Kumar Lamichhane, treasurer Hiralal Shrestha, president of the National Transport Federation Yogendra Nath Karmacharya, secretary of the Nepal Transport Truck Operators Association Rajendra Shrestha, and member of the Transport Management Policy Task Force Janardan Bhandari.
The committee president Swoyam Thapa presided.

The committee was established two years ago and has 300 trucks operators under it.

RNAC, entrepreneurs readying for Malaysian market

By Ballav Dahal

KATHMANDU, Apr. 5: Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC) and various tourism-related institutions here are working out plans for making concerted efforts to take a foothold in the Malaysian market.

In their bid to promote Nepal as a holiday destination for Malaysians, they are conducting a series of promotional campaigns, including a 'Nepal Week' in June this year.

"Since Nepal has to compete with many other countries, we have to pool our resources and launch aggressive marketing in potential markets in a coordinated and concerted manner," said RNAC's Managing Director Mohan Prasad Khanal.

The institutions to be joining hands with the national carrier include Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Nepal Association of Travel Agents (NATA), Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) and Pacific Area Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter.

Khanal said the national flag carrier was always ready to work together with national institutions such as the NTB and NATA to promote the country's tourism industry in both traditional and new markets.
With a booming economy, travelling has become a part of their lifestyle for many Malaysians. Official figures show that over 15 million out of 23 million Malaysians travel outside their country every year. Their destinations now are neighbouring ones.

The number of Malaysians visiting Nepal in the past was only around 4,000 annually. The number is expected to go up significantly in the years to come as RNAC and Qatar Airways each have started operating two flights every week to the Malaysian capital.

Tek Bahadur Dangi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NTB, said that NTB was willing to work hand in hand with the national carrier as well as other travel trade organisations to sell the country in a tourist hub like Malaysia. "We lay more focus on marketing in destinations that have direct air connections with Nepal."

Representatives of RNAC, NTB, NATA and HAN have already held discussions with Malaysian Association of Travel Agents (MATA) regarding the joint promotion of Nepal in Malaysia. "Malaysians are already familiar with the Gurkhas and mountains in Nepal. We now have also to make them familiar with our wide range of tourism products," Dangi said.

He said that more Malaysians as well as other travellers via Malaysia would come to Nepal because of the new air links.

Malaysia, which attracts tourists almost equal to its outbound travellers, has put Nepal in the list of 'focal countries' to promote its tourism in this Himalayan Kingdom. The Malaysian government has already announced a 14-day visa for Nepalese travellers on arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Ilam being spruced up for fest

Budhathoki

ILAM, April 5: People of Ilam are busy decorating the main bazaar, roads and choks as preparation for the upcoming Ilam Festival that will be held from April 14 to 16.

A welcome gate and a park alongside it are being constructed at Sunmai bordering Jhapa to welcome the guests for the Festival. Banners, flags and smaller bamboo arches decorate the whole length of the Mechi Highway that runs through the heart of the district.

On the occasion of Destination Nepal Campaign 2002-2003, Ilam Concerned Forum, Ilam, with the support of Nepal Tourism Board, will organise a three-day festival beginning from the New Year of the Nepali calendar. The Festival aims to promote village tourism.

The local people are waiting for the visitors and guests with much curiosity and enthusiasm to offer them their best - hospitality, scenes of the rolling tea gardens, agriculture products and the enchanting scenes of the Himalayas.

They hope the festival will put Ilam as an exemplary destination for nature lovers. They think if Darjeeling, with similar geography and climate on the other side of the border, can be a tourist destination, why cannot their place be one too. While the hill station on the other side of the Mechi River has become too crowded, their place is still virgin, serene and unexplored.

Gopal Prasad Shrestha of Ilam bazaar said the festival has generated hopes for tourism development in the district. The local people have begun to understand the importance of village tourism. "People, who took visitors as aliens, have changed their attitude. They are even willing to accommodate them as paying guests because the place does not have sufficient hotels," he said.

Gopaljee Shrestha, Local Development Officer and coordinator of the festival, said that the government and non-government organisations are also mobilised to make preparations for the festival.

Development of tourism will provide additional income and employment opportunities to the people, he said.

Chief District Officer Janardhan Adhikari said if there are immigration checkpoints on both sides of the border at Pashupati Nagar it would help promote Ilam as a touristic place.

The district is no less beautiful than Darjeeling, but it sorely lacks infrastructures such as hotels and means of transportation to reach there.

The Festival organisers are providing a weeklong Lodge/Hotel Management & Local Guide training programme to apprise and acquaint local entrepreneurs with the know-how of dealing with visitors.
Dal Bahadur Thapa, vice president of Hotel Association of Nepal, Ilam, said the present enthusiasm must not end with the Festival if Ilam really wants to develop tourism.

Tourism entrepreneur Bijendra Gurung said that, as there were ample of possibilities to develop village tourism, the festival would be a milestone for this purpose. He also opined that Ilam could be linked with the other tourists' destinations like Koshi Tappu, Baharakshetra and other places in the eastern regions of the country by developing a convenient package for tourists.

Ilam, a hilly district in far-east Nepal, is covered with low green hills, has a mild weather and fertile lands. Not a single piece of land is left fallow.