Kerosene smuggling hits Terai dists

By Our Correspondent

SARLAHI, Feb. 19: Life in the Terai districts has been hit hard as smuggling of kerosene to India from Nepal continues unabated. A litre of the fuel costs Rs. 8 more in India than in Nepal after the Indian government hiked its price recently.Consumers in Sarlahi district in central south Nepal blame dealers of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) that has a monopoly on petroleum products for illegally supplying kerosene to India through businessmen. "There is no kerosene in the market here as the dealers are smuggling it to India," said Ajay Chaudhari, a consumer at Malangwa, the district headquarters.

Another consumer Rambabu Thapa said he was able to buy two litres of kerosene after queuing for hours. "But some persons were seen taking 10-20 litres." Thapa said that the scarcity of kerosene is a matter of concern for all. Prakash Thapa of Lalbandi says that all the 31 petrol pumps are involved in making hay while the sun shines. But the dealers of NOC say the problem has arisen as the Corporation has not been supplying kerosene as per the quota.

Atmaram Agrawal of Bishal Oil Corporation said that NOC supplies only a small amount of kerosene, and each customer is sold only two litres. But Rajesh Agrawal of Bansal Oil Pump said that Indians were also queuing in line to buy the subsidized kerosene. "How are to know who is a Nepali and who is an Indian?" he questioned. NOC officials, however, claim that no one has been allowed to take kerosene to India knowingly.

The dealers say if the NOC were to provide kerosene according to the quota of 60,000 litres a month, there would be no shortage. Several dealers complain that they have to bear the brunt of accusations of the customers while they must grease the palms of NOC officials besides facing hassles from administrative officials.

One such dealer, on condition of anonymity, said that the customers only see their faults, but we have to bear the brunt from all sides. Chief District Officer Ratna Raj Pandey said that the district administration will leave no stone unturned to take stern action against anyone involved in profiting from selling kerosene.

Koirala wants peace in country

RSS

RATNANAGAR, Feb.19: Nepali Congress president and ex-prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said the ceasefire by the Maoists is a good thing and Nepali Congress also wants that peace prevail in the country.Speaking at a mass meeting organised by the Nepali Congress Chitwan at Narayangadh on the occasion of the 53rd National Democracy Day today, he said the Maoists should come in a transparent way before the people and the Parliament should be restored even for the success of the talks.

The people should know everything as they are sovereign and it should be clear as to who are sitting for the round table and what is sought from the Constituent Assembly.NC general secretary Sushil Koirala said the King, Maoists and the political parties should make it clear as to why the Constituent Assembly is needed. NC central member Ram Chandra Poudel said the round table conference, interim government and the Constituent Assembly are but processes only.At the function presided over by NC Chitwan president Krishna Lal Sapkota, central member Dr. Ram Baran Yadav called for safeguard of the 1990 achievement.Koirala honoured the families of those martyred in the 1990 movement.Earlier, he inaugurated the party office building at Narayangadh Bazaar constructed by NC Chitwan district committee at a cost of Rs. 47,00,000 on one kattha of land. National Assembly member Maiya Devi Shrestha had provided the land for the 13-room building.Koirala also honoured distinguished personalities of Chitwan contributing in the democratic movement.

Senior Buddhist monk's last rites held

RSS

KATHMANDU, Feb. 19: The funeral of seniormost Buddhist monk of Nepal Bhikshu Anirudra Mahasthabir concluded at Ananda Kuti Vihar, Swyambhu yesterday.President of Anandakuti Vihar Guthi and All Nepal Bhikshus Federation Bhikshu Kumar Kashyap Mahasthabir performed the last rites. All Bhikshus jointly participated in the rites.The late Bhikshu contributed a lot in promoting Buddhism and Buddhist culture and literature ever since the renaissance of Buddhism in Nepal. He passed away at the age of 89 the day before yesterday.

Born 1972 Bikram Sambat (BS) Manshir 28 in Ason of Kathmandu, the late Bhikshu had written and translated nearly two dozen books on Buddhism and Buddhist philosophy. He also contributed as vice president in Fourth World Buddhist Conference held in Nepal in 2013 B.S. Ambassadors of Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand paid last hearty condol respects to the late Bhikshu at Anandakuti Vihar before the funeral rites.

First SAARC philatelic exhibition begins

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb. 19: The first SAARC-level philatelic exhibition started in the capital today. Altogether 36 stamp collectors, including 10 recognised by the Federation of International Philately (FIP) and Federation of Inter-Asian Philately (FIAP), are participating. The Nepal Philatelic Bureau and National Museum have one stall each.

The stamps are divided into seven categories: traditional philately (Classic Nepal and Lord Pashupati), postal history, postal stationary, thematic (flora and fauna of Japan, our monarchy in national philately, Nepalese Himalaya in world philately, King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya in stamps, Nepalese stamps in international relations, chess in world philately, stamps on great writers, world relation on postal activities of Nepal), revenue, youth philately (flowers in stamps) and literature. Stamps of more than a dozen countries are on show.

There are about 800 varieties of stamps printed in the last 112 years of Nepalese philately history.
The five-day exhibition is being organised by Nepal Philatelic Society (NEPHIL) established in 1966 at the initiative of Nepalese philatelists. Nepalese philatelists have been taking part in international exhibitions since 1982.

Only 24 stamp collectors are competing. The jury of the society will grade the level of the collection.
Inaugurating the exhibition, Minister for Information and Communications Ramesh Nath Pandey said that Nepalese stamps have an important role in introducing Nepalese tradition and culture, history, bio-diversity and, in particular, the sovereign identity of the country in the international forum. He said that even when many countries of the world were colonies, Nepal was able to uphold its identity, which is evident from the stamps that were printed since 1881.

According to the president of the society, Subarna Raj Joshi, Nepalese philatelists have received gold medals at the SAARC level, and the society is now hoping to win medals in international competitions. He said this exhibition would help give the much-needed exposure to young talents.
Vice president Narayan Das Shrestha said that they were trying to expand their activities beyond the Kathmandu Valley and increase the membership of the society.

Meanwhile, RSS adds, Minister for Information and Communications Ramesh Nath Pandey inaugurated a national postage stamps exhibition NEPHIL -2003 organised under the joint auspices of the Department of Postal Services and the Nepal Philatelic Society, here today. Speaking on the occasion, Minister Pandey said the publication of stamps will contribute in identifying nation building and freedom as well as the history of the country in the international community. The Minister also called for encouragement to the collection and exhibition of stamps.  Minister Pandey also cancelled the commemorative postal covers published by the Department. Patron of the Society Omkar Gauchan said publication and exhibition of stamps increases the glory of the country.

Society President Subarna Ram Joshi informed that stamp publication in Nepal started in 1938 B.S. and 800 types of stamps have been published so far. The five-day exhibition has 10,000 stamps and postal covers.

'Govt-Maoist talks should be successful'

RSS

DAMAULI, Feb. 19: Assistant Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Jagat Bahadur Gurung has stressed the need for making the Government-Maoist talks successful for bringing about lasting peace in the country.

Addressing an interaction programme organised by the Reporters' Club, Tanahu today, he said His Majesty the King has allocated Rs. 1 billion for eliminating the slackness and confusion seen in the industry sector.

Chief District Officer Govinda Mani Bhurtel, local development officer Laxman Kumar Thapa, chiefs of district-based offices and journalists were also present on the occasion.