'His Majesty King of one billion Hindus in World'

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 14: The King of Nepal, the only Hindu Kingdom in the world, is the King not only of Nepal and Nepalis but also of more than billion Hindus in the world, according to Swami Adityanath, the coordinator of the international conference organising committee of the World Hindu Federation.
He was speaking to Kantipur FM Radio this morning in the context of international conference started in Gorakhpur since yesterday.Some 500,000 Hindus from different countries are said to participate in the Birat Dharma Shava which will be organised tomorrow in Gorakhpur in the context of the international conference. The conference will elect an international leadership too, Swami said.

Security budget to be reallocated: NPC

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb 14: The budget allocated for maintaining peace and security will be reallocated to development and reconstruction if the security problem is resolved permanently. The government will introduce short-term, medium-term and long-term programmes for expediting development activities, said Vice-Chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC) Dr. Shankar Sharma today.He further said that the main focus of the Tenth Five-Year Plan is the effective implementation of its programmes to accelerate economic growth and developmental activities.

Dr. Sharma also informed that the government had set aside Rs. 1 billion for the uplift of the Dalits and backward communities and another Rs. 1 billion for the development of the Karnali area.

Talking to local journalists about the implementation aspects of the Tenth-Five Year Plan, Dr. Sharma reiterated that achieving a 4.3 per cent to 6.2 per cent economic growth rate is not a problem since there have been sufficient funding assurances to carry out development activities. "We have a credible macro economic scenario," he said, adding, " if there arises no problem in peace and security, we will attain a higher economic growth."

Dr. Sharma said that the development works have been carried out on the basis of project prioritization. In addition to that, the needy areas will be given more emphasis, he added.
An Annual poverty monitoring system and performance monitoring system would help monitor the efficiency of the programmes related to poverty alleviation, he said.

The size of public spending used to be bigger in the previous plan, but the Tenth Plan is more realistic, and it has laid emphasis on financial sector reforms to attract private sector and foreign direct investment, said NPC member Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada.

Dr. Khatiwada noted that a one window system, investment promotion and financial sector reforms were the major tools for achieving economic growth. Achieving a 6.2 per cent economic growth would be easy if we can reduce the bureaucratic hassles," he added.

Referring to the macro policy framework, he said, "Given the present scenario, it can be addressed. We are very stultified with the implementation of the Tenth Plan, but the role of the stakeholders is equally important," he added.

Member of the National Planning Commission (NPC) Dr. Yuba Khatiwada has said that the cost of a 'possible Gulf War' would be very high for the least developed countries like Nepal.

As the cost of petroleum products (PoL) will go up, the price of other products will automatically surge, he said. "The repercussion will be severe for the developing economies." He said that a contingency plan is essential to resist the negative impact of a possible Gulf War. However, he informed that no such plan had been chalked out so far.

All-party meet on Feb. 17

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 14: Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has called an all-party meeting at his office on Monday, Feb. 17, to hold discussions on transforming the ceasefire currently in effect in the country into a durable peace, according to the Prime Minister's office.

'Not just aid, tourism essential for Nepal'

From Our Correspondent

TOKYO, Feb. 14: Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Yano Tatsura indicated that his government would continue its full support to Nepal, especially so when a sustained environment of peace is needed in the troubled Himalayan Kingdom.

"We want to see the consolidation of democracy in Nepal," Senior Vice-Minister Tatsura said, adding that he believed the aid provided by his country would contribute to democracy taking deeper roots in Nepal.

The high-level Japanese diplomat said this while speaking at a luncheon hosted by him in honour of Deputy Speaker of Nepal's House of the Representatives Chitra Lekha Yadav and this scribe in Tokyo, Friday afternoon.

Deputy Director-General of the Economic Cooperation Bureau of Asian and Oceanian Affairs, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kazuo Kodama was also present at the exclusive official luncheon.
Replying to a query, Vice-Minister Tetsuro reiterated the belief that tourism, instead of just foreign aid, would provide more sustainable economic and social growth in Nepal. He also pointed out that an environment of peace was absolutely necessary for tourism to flourish.

He also said that he heartily welcomed the present ceasefire between the government and the Maoists, and said that he was eager to come to Nepal to see the actual situation and study where more Japanese cooperation could be provided for Nepal's economic and social growth.

A veteran politician, who has seen many ups and downs in Japan's economy in the last 20 years of his political career, Vice-Minister Tetsuro also expressed the belief that the Nepalese government and all the Nepalese would work together to overcome their present problems. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan looks after development aid to foreign countries.

At an early meeting, member of parliament and Secretary General of Japan-Nepal Parliamentarians Friendship League (JNPFL), Tadahiro Matsushita warned that Nepal should not make haste in trying to settle all its problems at once. "Everything should be settled step by step, and I hope everything will work out for Nepal," he said.

Pointing to the present situation in Nepal, when the present government has been able to bring about a situation of peace and pave the way for a peaceful settlement of the Maoist issue, Matsushita said, "Nepal's efforts in trying to bring political stability is noteworthy."

MP Matsushita also reminded that the JNPFL had played a crucial role in arranging the official visit of former Japanese Prime Minister Mori to Nepal. "Without the efforts of JNPFL President Ryuitaro Hashimoto and other members of the League, the visit may not have been possible," he said.
Among other activities of the League, it also invited former Science and Technology Minister of Nepal to study the IT development taking place around the world, hosting various Nepalese experts and policy makers, sending a mission to study the menace of rabid dogs in Kathmandu and helping Nepalese scholars to find suitable universities in Japan. "In fact, sometimes we even had to put pressure on the government here to accept the proposals of some Nepalese students," Matsushita said.

He also informed that the JNPFL was one of the most active leagues in the Japanese Parliament. Since many Japanese loved Nepal and as former Premier Hashimoto was the chairman, many wanted to be members of the league.

Matsushita himself first came to Nepal 30 years back and recalled how he was greatly distressed to see the annual toll that natural calamities took in the Himalayan Kingdom. A scholar on prevention of natural disasters, the young Matsushita made a pledge to do whatever he could to mitigate the problems faced by the Nepalese people, especially farmers, from natural disasters like landslides and floods.

He said Japan was ready to cooperate in the economic and social development of Nepal. However, he pointed out that self-effort is equally important in the development aspirations of any nation.

Programmes to mark Democracy Day

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 14: A meeting of His Majesty King Tribhuvan Birth Anniversary and 53rd National Democracy Day Celebration Publicity Subcommittee held here today under the convenorship of Minister for Information and Communications, and General Administration Ramesh Nath Pandey has decided to celebrate the day for three days on February 18, 19 and 20 by hosting various programmes.

Posters concerning democracy day will be published and pasted at the metropolis, submetropolis and the municipalities, convenor of the publicity subcommittee Ramesh Nath Pandey will make public appeal through Radio Nepal and Nepal Television to observe the day in a grand manner, and request will be made through the Department of Information to the newspapers and other periodicals of the private sector to publish the special articles and photographs with priority, according to the decisions taken at the subcommittee meeting. Likewise, decisions have also been taken to provide photographs through the Department of Information to the newspapers in the private sector, carry out publicity concerning news, articles and photographs of the day through the government owned mass media.
Radio Nepal will host panel discussions programme at 8.30 a.m. on February 18, and Nepal Television will present panel discussion programme at 8.30 p.m. the same day. Radio Nepal and Nepal Television will transmit live the programme of National Democracy Day from the Royal Army Pavilion Tundikhel ground. Likewise, Radio Nepal will broadcast national songs on February 17 and 18 while Gorakhapatra and The Rising Nepal will bring out special supplements on February 19. Likewise, the Federation of Nepalese Journalists will organise a symposium on the role of press in the protection of democracy on February 20.

Nepal, India preparing new extradition treaty

By Bhuwaneshor Sharma

KATHMANDU, Feb. 14: After half a century of the signing of the Indo-Nepal Extradition Treaty, Nepal and India are preparing to work on a new treaty.

A six-member Indian team is arriving here tomorrow (Saturday) for a three-day meeting beginning Sunday, said Madan Kumar Bhattarai, newly appointed spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

The two countries have prepared separate drafts of the treaty and have exchanged them for preliminary study. India had forwarded its draft some 18 months ago, and Nepal did the same in July 2002. The exchange of the drafts was aimed at studying each other's view on the proposed treaty.
They will also make reviews of the existing treaty signed between the two neighbour five decades ago on August 2, 1953. The treaty was signed by the then Nepalese Prime Minister, Matrika Prasad Koirala, and Indian ambassador to Nepal B.K. Gokhale. The treaty had replaced a similar extradition treaty of the earlier Rana regime.

The three-day meeting will also discuss a new Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters. This agreement is expected to help in easing procedures regarding legal and criminal matters and settle complications that may arise during their investigation, Bhattarai said.
The issue of a new extradition treaty has been frequently raised during joint meetings of the Home Secretaries of Nepal and India, and between the security officials. The need of a new treaty was realised as the time and the nature of the crimes in the last five decades has changed, said Bhattarai.
"Extradition treaties involve political and legal issues. Some cases regarding extradition needs special interpretation. Such bilateral treaties must address the respective concerns of both the sides," says Panna Kaji Amatya, Professor of Political Science, Tribhuvan University.

"Treaties if not implemented for a long time become defunct. They need timely review and renewal for consolidation of bilateral ties and survival of the treaties," added Prof. Amatya. He pointed out the need for maintaining transparency while extraditing criminals to each other's countries.

Before reaching an agreement, Nepal will go through other extradition treaties, which India has signed with other countries, Bhattarai said. These treaties will provide important guidelines and clues for our agreement with India, said Bhattarai. India has recently signed extradition treaties with Singapore and France.He said several rounds of discussions and meetings will be needed to reach an agreement on such an important issue. Nepal and India share an open border and have multifarious relations.
Bhattarai, who is also a Joint Secretary at the MoFA, will be leading the Nepalese delegation, which also includes representatives from the Ministries of Law and Justice, and Home.The Indian side will be led by B. A. Roy, Joint Secretary, Foreign Ministry of India.

India okays assistance for water project

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 14: The government of India is to provide an assistance of Rs 7.34 million for the implementation of the Deuri water supply project.

An agreement to this effect was signed between the Embassy of India, Kathmandu and the Ministry of Local Development here today, according to an Indian Embassy Press Release.

The water supply project would supply drinking water to about 1500 households residing in four wards/villages in Triyuga Municipality in Udayapur district.

The estimated cost of the project is said to be Rs 9.72 million, out of which Rs 2.38 million will be generated through local contribution.

It is expected that the Deuri Drinking Water Project will have a direct beneficial impact on the lives of people residing in wards 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the Triyuga Municipality, as well as four villages, namely Bagaha, Shreepur, Deuri and Jaljale in Udayapur district.

Govt issues notice against donation

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 14: The Home Ministry has in a notice issued today urged the local administration and security bodies to immediately take action against those found collecting donations without prior approval of His Majesty's Government.

Stating that it is against the law for any individual, group or organisation to collect donations from anyone without the prior approval of the government, the Home Ministry has in the notice informed one and all not to give any donations and if threatened to do so then inform the nearest security body.
Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry has in a statement here today urged the individuals and groups involved in illegal activities like forcible collection of donations from the public, kidnapping of citizens and threatening, that has been taking place in different parts of the country, to immediately stop such undesirable acts as it would have a direct affect on the law and order as well as have a negative impact on the efforts being made to resolve the present problem of the nation.

The ministry has also made it clear that legal action would immediately be taken against anyone found anywhere involved in such illegal activities.

Masters lock 13-year-old in room

By Bishnu Prasad Aryal

KATHMANDU, Feb. 14: For 13-year-old Rajesh Shrestha, any day off from school is agonizing. On such days, he is kept locked inside a room every time his masters go out.

"Except for the school hours and when the masters are at home, they lock me inside a room as a prisoner," the boy said with tears rolling down his cheeks. He says this started about two months back. But his neighbours say this has been going on long before that.

Rajesh works in a house at Balkhu where Yam Prasad Kadariya, his wife Nutan and son Sanjaya live with another family of Sushma Regmi and her husband. Nutan and Sushma are sisters. The husbands are engineers by profession, while the wives teach in schools.

Rajesh studies in Class III at the local Jana Vikash Lower Secondary School. When he is not locked inside a room, he does all the household chores - cleaning dishes, scrubbing floors and running errands. Except for two square meals a day and some clothing, he has not been paid since coming here, he said.

"I want to study, but I am mostly absent from school because I must work till late in the morning. Because of this, I am often scolded at school."

Sometimes he goes out of the house to play with friends. That is the only consolation in his otherwise miserable days.

Rajesh comes from a landless family in Biratnagar. His mother died after consuming low quality, spurious liquor that come in pouches. He does not know when his mother died.

Back home he has a father, two sisters and a younger brother who live in a rented room. The sisters also work in a shop in Biratnagar, where they do washing and cleaning.

His father Lal Bahadur is a bus driver on the Biratnagar-Kathmandu route. "His behaviour changed after my mother died. Sometimes he would love us, but often he was angry and would beat me with an iron rod," Rajesh said. "One day, in a fit of rage he told me to get out of the house and not to return for 20 years."

Taking pity on the boy, Bhupendra Rijal, a neighbour proposed that he go to Kathmandu and work for his daughters.

He has not seen his family since he came to Kathmandu two years ago. Although his father regularly drives to Kathmandu, he has not come to meet him even once. Rajesh fears his family might have forgotten him.

Neighbours say that the Rijal sisters do not get along very well. This has made the life of Rajesh even more miserable.

Kadariya is an engineer at the Roads Department at Dhankuta. 'Uncle' Kadariya beats me with a rubber-pipe and an iron chain that is used to tie up dogs when I make the slightest mistake and at other times for no reason, says Rajesh. Showing bruises and blue marks on his wrist and face, he said he is also kicked and slapped.

"Sushma once struck me on the head with a ladle while she was cooking."

Kadariya, however, denied beating the boy. But he accepted locking up the boy. "We lock both Sanjaya and Rajesh in separate rooms should they go out and loiter in the streets," he said.
But Rajesh said that he faces the ordeal almost every day. "I sometimes make mistakes, but they are not intentional. But I don't think beating will correct the mistakes."

He said that he had even thought of running away from the house, but he has nowhere to go. "At times they threaten to send me to Biratnagar, where I do not want to go," he said.