Govt firm to enforce laws for social justice: PM

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Jan 28: Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has said that the government is effortful to strictly implement the existing acts and regulations chalked out to uplift the dalit communities in the country.

"There is a need for creating an appropriate atmosphere so that the dalits would have access to temples, monasteries and other religious sites," Prime Minister Chand told a programme on 'Role of Donor Organisations to Uplift Dalit Communities in Nepal' organised by Nepal National Depressed Social Welfare Organisation (NNDSWO) here today.

Prime Minister Chand said that the government was mulling providing the dalits separate skill development trainings programmes as well as employment in and outside the country.

Stating that the government has formed a National Dalit Commission to address the problems of the backward and downtrodden people, Chand said, "I urge all government offices and civil servants to implement laws and to create a conducive environment for the uplift of the dalits in every sphere of life."

"The dalits must have the right to live a dignified life. Education can play a pivotal role to this end," he added.

The Prime Minister also hailed the role of donors for their contribution to the uplift of the downtrodden communities through education, health and income generating programmes.

Premier Chand presented letters of appreciation to the representatives of 10 international organisations, including DANIDA, USAID, Action Aid, Oxfam, Save the Children US, Care Nepal, SAP Nepal, UNICEF and Canadian Cooperation for their role in promoting the cause of the oppressed people in Nepal.

Uttar Tamata, president, NNDSWO, said that the dalit communities, which comprise one fourth of the total population, were yet to be brought into the mainstream of development.

He said that the dalits had still been deprived of their fundamental rights.

"On the one hand, every successive government has failed to introduce proper plans and policies for the overall development of the dalits and on the other hand, polices and laws formed to address their problems have not been implemented effectively," Tamata added.

Badri Lal Nepali, another dalit activist said that there was need of drastic change in the social structure to uplift the dalits. "The dalits must have a say in the decision making process."
Durga Sob, president of the Women Dalit Association demanded that the dalits get jobs in international organisations operating in Nepal.

Mani Ram Deol, vice president of NNDSWO said that his organisation had been active to uplift the dalits educationally, socially and economically since its establishment two decades ago.

Report presented to PM

RSS

KATHMANDU, Jan. 28: A five member committee formed by His Majesty's Government to present a report to end the irregularities and leakage of the Nepal Oil Corporation and make arrangement for the smooth supply of petroleum products on November 22, presented its report to Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand at his office today.

The co-ordinator of the committee Top Bahadur Singh handed over a 69 point report to the Prime Minister.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Chand thanked all the members of the committee for the preparation of the report.

Prime Minister Chand handed over the report to Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Mahesh Lal Pradhan for its implementation.

Deputy Prime Minister Badri Prasad Mandal was also present on the occasion.

Co-ordinator Singh said suggestion has been given to pay attention on controlling irregularities and leakage in the transaction of petroleum products, demurrage cost and various other points related to control the irregularities.

The report has stressed the need to make reform in fiscal management, reform in the agreement with indian oil corporation, supply management, sales management, quality control and price of petroleum products.

Implementation of the recommendations of the committee will help control the irregularities in the transaction of petroleum products and will be in the interest of the country in the long run, Singh said.
Stating that the reports presented by various six committees in the past have not been implemented he expressed the confidence that the present report will be implemented as soon as possible.
Other members of the committee were chairman of Consumers Forum Harendra Bahadur Shrestha, chairman of Nepal Automobile Dealers Rohani Thapaliya, Rameshwor Khanal and Tara Nand Pradhan.

Killing of Armed Police chief condemned

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KATHMANDU, Jan. 28: The National Assembly Remote Region Committee, at its meeting today, expressed profound grief at the brutal murder of Inspector General of Armed Police Krishna Mohan Shrestha, describing him as a friendly and dutiful policeman and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul. It extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

The meeting also condemned the murder of IGAP Shrestha's wife Nudup Shrestha and bodyguard Surya Regmi and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls.

Expressing confidence that the security personnel will continue to serve the country with high morale and without being demoralised by such dastardly and condemnable terrorist assaults, the meeting has drawn the attention of HMG towards the need to meet out stringent punishment to the murders.
The second meeting of the committee today held general discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister on the report prepared after a field visit to Jumla.

The meeting presided over by committee chairman Gauar Koirala decided to invite the Health Minister to its next sitting on February 4. It also decided to invite the Prime Minister again to its next meeting.

Civic felicitation committee formed

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MAHENDRANAGAR, Jan. 28: A Civic Felicitation Preparations Committee has been constituted here in connection with Civic Felicitation of Their Majesties the King and Queen on behalf of the people of the Western Region.

This was disclosed at a discussion programme organised by the Kanchanpur chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Monday.

The committee constituted under the convenorship of chairperson of the Chamber Hem Bikram Thapa includes former assistant minister Ganesh Dutta Lekhak, ex-chairman Binod Bista, academician Dr. Devi Prasad Ojha, C.K. Singh, Madhav Prasad Bhatta and representatives of various professional and social organisations and institutions.

Unity emphasised to end crisis

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KATHMANDU, Jan. 28: Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has said that national unity has become a necessity in the present situation when the country is passing through very difficult and challenging circumstances.

Speaking at a condolence meeting organised here today on the occasion of the first death anniversary of Gajendra Narayan Singh, Prime Minister Chand said the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990 provides equal rights to all communities in the country, adding that the contribution made by the late singh to society through public awakening is very important.

The Prime Minister said he feels the absence of Gajendra Narayan Singh during the present political situation in the country.

He also lauded the work carried out with such felicity by Singh for the rights and interests of the Terai people who play a decisive role in the development of the national economy, and against communal discrimination.

Deputy Prime Minister Badri Prasad Mandal said we all should work towards fulfilling the wishe of the late singh to uplift the oppressed and exploited communities.

The path of non-violence and equity shown by Singh who was always dedicated to constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy is very relevant and encouraging, he added.

General secretary of Rastriya Janamukti Party and Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Gore Bahadur Khapangi described Singh as a nationalist and a friendly person who struggled for the rights and well-being of the Madhesi community.

President of Rastriya Prajatantra Party Pashupati Shumsher JB Rana said brining the backward people of the Terai into the mainstream of Nepal will be a true tribute to the late Singh.
CPN-UML standing committee member Radha Krishna Mainali, Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat of Nepali Congress, NC-Democratic central member Bimalendra Nidhi and other speakers also expressed their views at the programme chaired by Assistant Minister for Local Development Dr. Asarfi Shaha.

Koirala for amity,solidarity

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KATHMANDU, Jan. 28: Nepali Congress president and former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala has expressed the view that the problems facing the nation can be resolved through solidarity between the King and the political parties.

Releasing a book "Nepali Congress Ko Itihas" (history of Nepali Congress) written by historian Dr. Suryamani Adhikari here today, Mr Koirala said confusion and uncertainty in the country are on the rise and as the Maoist problem cannot be resolved through political means in the absence of Parliament and there is no immediate possibility of holding elections the only alternative left is to revive the Parliament.

He also expressed the view that the Nepali Congress will always strive for larger interests and the protection and promotion of democracy.

From the chair, former general secretary of the Nepali Congress Sribhadhra Sharma said the multi-party leaders are responsible for the present situation in the country and the parties have no alternative than to work together with the King in order to resolve the Maoist problem.

Dean of the T.U. Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty Dr. Triratna Manandhar commented on the book while book author Adhikari shed light on its various aspects.

Bomb blasts at Tripureswore customs office

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Jan. 28: A bomb went off around 1:45 PM at Tripureswore Customs Office injuring one person and shattering windowpanes. The bomb was planted in the toilet of the office by an unidentified person.

The impact of the explosion has damaged the wall of the toilet and about 25 windowpanes.
An employee of the office, Sabitri Shrestha, saw a man coming out of the women's lavatory where she later saw a packet wrapped in a red piece of cloth. Sniffing something wrong, she alerted other employees. The bomb exploded five minutes after all the employees came out of the building.

Norway offers to mediate for talks to end crisis

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Jan. 28: Norway will mediate peace talks in Nepal if both the parties at conflict show genuine interest for Norway's involvement in facilitating peace talks, said Norwegian charge d'affaires Ingrid Ofstad. However, the Norwegian diplomat declined to reveal whether the Maoists or the government made any initiatives for mediation.

"You won't get any clear answer on this issue," said Ofstad, replying to a journalist's query as to whether Norway has received any call from Maoists or the government for mediation. "Norway has been playing an important role in maintaining peace and has established long tradition in supporting humanitarian issues," she said.

"It is necessary to understand that the peace process takes place when the parties in conflict start working in common interest," she said.

"There are options if there is a will for peace. But, we don't want to impose solutions."

"In the global village, peace and prosperity are responsibilities of us all."

Norway supports humanitarian and democratic process to function, she said. "The present political complexity is dangerous for Nepal."

Norway wants to be Nepal's good partner for alleviating poverty and supporting the humanitarian aspect. 'But, it is very difficult to be partners if the present condition continues in future. She was referring to the continuing violence in the country. But, she did not mention whether Norway would stop its development cooperation in Nepal.

She stressed the media's role after the reconciliation process starts. The Norwegian diplomat also appreciated the CIAA's current move on controlling corruption in the country. Without corruption control, the development process doesn't succeed," she emphasised.

She also stressed on the need to include mountain people in the development process and provide proper opportunities for youths. Education plays a key role for national development, she said.
The Norwegian diplomat was speaking at a face-to-face programme organised by the Reporters' Club in the capital today. She also hinted that military mobilization will not offer any sustainable solution to the Maoist crises in Nepal.

"Political and peace process should be started for the peace process," she said commenting that Nepal lacks a strong civil society to create pressure on both the parties at conflict.

If the present situation continues, it will be difficult for us to continue long term development cooperation for Nepal, she said.

"Nepal needs to have a comprehensive approach to start a peace process," said the Norwegian diplomat.

Thapa appointed new chief of armed police

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Jan. 28: Sahabir Thapa, the Additional Inspector General of Armed Police Forces, has been appointed Acting Inspector General of the Armed Police Forces today.

Thapa got the promotion as the post fell vacant following the untimely and tragic death of Inspector General of Armed Police Forces Krishna Mohan Shrestha two days ago in a gun attack by unidentified assailants.

Home Secretary Tika Dutta Niraula presented the insignia of the Inspector General of Armed Police to Thapa at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Home today.

Secretary Niraula said that the armed police personnel should stick to their duty with determination as the responsibilty to lead the organisation has fallen on AIG Thapa after the demise of Shrestha.

After receiving the insignia at the ceremony, Thapa committed his allegiance to his duty no matter whatever difficulties he would have to face.

Referring to the death of Shrestha as the loss of a guardian, Thapa said that despite anguish of the pain of losing a guardian, the Armed Police Force, formed to give security to the people, will remain ever ready to do so in any eventuality.

Thapa was born in 1952 in Baitadi in Far Western Region and entered the police service in 1973 as an assistant sub inspector.