His Majesty felicitates

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KATHMANDU, Mar. 7: His Majesty the King has extended sincere congratulations to Vaclav Klaus, President of the Czech Republic, on his assumption of the high office of President.

In a message, His Majesty has wished the president success in his new responsibilities and expressed confidence that the close and friendly relations existing between the two countries will be futher strengthened during the latter's tenure of office.His Majesty also extended best wishes for the president's personal health and happiness as well as for the peace, progress and prosperity of the people of the Czech Republic.

Oath of office administered

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KATHMANDU, Mar. 7: Minister for Information and Communication Ramesh Nath Pandey administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed chairman of Nepal Telecommunication Authority Suresh Kumar Pudasaini and member Krishna Bahadur Khatri at the former's office at Singhdurbar today.

Both Pudasaini and Khatri had been appointed for the respective posts by a meeting of the Council of Ministers held on March 3.

Nepal, Japan sign contract for grant aid

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Kathmandu, Mar. 7: The Embassy of Japan and the Ministry of Home Affairs have concluded a grant assistance contract for grassroots projects in transportation arrangements for the "Emergency Food Supply for the Insurgency Affected People ."

The contract to this effect has signed today by Charge D'affaires Kazumi Suzuki of the Embassy of Japan and joint secretary Umesh Prasad Mainali of the Home Ministry. His Majesty's Government received more than 36 metric tons of food donated by local governments in Japan via the Japan Society for Promotion of Diplomacy.

The government of Japan has decided to bear the cost of maritime and land transportation from Japan to Nepal for the above-mentioned food. The food offered is of pre-cooked and dried type and is instantly consumable just by adding water. It is used in emergency cases. The "Emergency Food Supply for the Insurgency Affected People" project of His Majesty's Government will be helpful in supplying emergency food to the displaced people in the nine most affected districts of the Mid-Western Region.

The district covered under the project are Rukum, Rolpa, Salyan, Pyuthan, Jajarkot, Humla, Jumla, Kalikot and Bardiya. His Majesty's Government will bear the cost of internal transportation, and the Home Ministry will assume the responsibility of distributing the food to the affected people.

The available food, equivalent to 362,750 meals, will be distributed among people targeted by the Home Ministry.

Uplift women'ssocial status, says Khapangi

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KATMANDU, Mar. 8: Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Gore Bahadur Khapangi has said that in a country like ours with a long list of social problems, all classes have to take many progressive decisions to uplift women's social status in practical terms along with their material development.

He stated this in a message issued today on the occasion of the 93rd International Women's Day.
In the message, Khapangi said even in the twenty-first century, most Nepali women are the victims of disease, hunger, illiteracy and poverty and the main reason for this is our social, economic and political structure.

He hoped that International Women's Day would foster awareness and awakening for liberating women from disease, hunger, illiteracy and poverty and for involving them in the mainstream of development.
On April 22, l99l, Nepal ratified the convention on elimination of all kinds of discrimination against women, he said adding that similarly on l8, December 200l, Nepal signed the optional protocol to the convention and made clear its commitment to eliminating all discrimination against women. He also expressed hope that the fourth World Women's Conference held in Beijing and the measures concerning women discussed and endorsed by the llth SAARC Summit would further promote women's development at national levels.

At this hour of economic and social momentum for women's uplift at national and international level, he urged all government and non-governemnt bodies, the donor community , civil society and media to help in expediting women's development.

Talks preparation completed: Pun

By Our Correspondent

GORKHA, Mar. 7: Minister for Physical Planning and Works Narayan Singh Pun said that the code of conduct for the peace talks between the government and the Maoists will be formed according to consent by both the sides.

Inaugurating the 9th Gorkha district convention of Nepal Magar Association, Minister Pun said that all preparations for the government talks have been completed and the code of conduct would be finalised within a day or two. Minister Pun is the coordinator from the government's side in the talks. He said the cease-fire came because of the common effort of the people, and added that the country's problem would not find an exit by making demands for the formation of an all-party government, restoration of the House of Representatives instead of working for peace. He said the role of the political parties and the civil society is crucial if peace is to be restored.

If the Maoist problem is not solved through talks, the country will face grave consequences, he said, but added he was confident of reaching a solution as the cease-fire agreement was reached only after doing detailed homework. "The Maoists, this time, have come to the negotiating table with honest intentions," he said.

He said the government has already abolished corruption at the high level of the government. Thus, all should shun pessimism and look forward. "The present government is accountable to the people," he said.

Stating that monarchy in the 21st century means a monarchy for the consolidation of democracy, Minister Pun said national unity was the need of the hour. On the occasion, central member of Nepal Magar Association Bir Bahadur Thapa, chairman of Samata Party Tej Bahadur Gurung and Janardhan Aryal of the Nepali Congress also spoke.

At the function chaired by the association's Gorkha district president Mit Bahadur Rana, Minister Pun also released a folk dohori (duet) cassette "Rickshaw Driver".

Revenue less than target: MOF

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KATHMANDU, Mar. 7: Out of a total of Rs. 35 billion and 100 million sanctioned, only 29 billion and 100 million has been spent on the basis of cash flow in the six month review period of the current fiscal year.

Making public the expense components, the Finance Ministry at a press meet today said Rs. 24 billion 590 million has been spent in general and Rs. 4 billion and 510 million in development expenditure.

Rs. 7 billion and 120 million has been spent in development expenditure including the direct payment of the current fiscal year amounting to Rs. 2 billion and 610 million, the ministry said. Budget allocated in fiscal year 2059/060 B.S was Rs. 57 billion and 440 million in general and Rs. 38 billion and 680 million in development.

The revenue collection was Rs. 3 billion and 550 million less than the target at Rs. 53 billion and 600 million and Rs. 6 billion and 480 million less at 20 billion and 490 million in foreign aid. Finance Secretary Bhanu Prasad Acharya said full guarantee of resources has been made to projects of first priority in the backdrop of implementation of the mid-term expense structures from this year in development.

Expected expense in development is 78 per cent, he said. There is no possibility of budget savings in general expenditure as curtailment has been made in the allocation phase despite efforts of austerity including the economic reform programme. Further austerity is needed and effective implementation is emphasised including in foreign aid and revenue increase.

Expected objectives can be met in the later half of the fiscal year from the implantation of economic reform and improvement in law and order situation, a press release of the ministry stated. In response to a question, Finance Secretary Acharya said homework has been made to rebuild the destroyed infrastructure in the Maoist violence, and the defense spending has not crossed the allocation, he said.

The economic growth rate is satisfactory, he said, adding the loans borrowed by the government is within control and is limited to Rs. 2300 million.

NEA to introduce seasonal tariff

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Mar. 7: As part of its 'massive' structural reform programme, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is giving utmost priority to community-based rural electrification, controlling leakage and upgrading the quality of its services.

"We are doing massive homework to introduce a seasonal tariff and set up medium-scale storage projects in the far east and the far west to provide reliable services," Minister for Water Resources Deepak Gyanwali told a press conference organised by the NEA here today. Minister Gyanwali pointed out the need for operating several projects together to meet the growing demand. Electricity facilities are available only to a little more than 15 per cent of the total population of Nepal. The NEA has a total of 8,78,178 customers.

He said that some hydropower projects, which were damaged in Maoist attacks, have come into operation. Highlighting the provision of power exchanges between Nepal and India, he said Nepal is in a position to supply more power to the southern neighbour. "The power exchange committee is working on this."

Presenting its future plans and programmes, NEA's executive director Dr. Janak Lal Karmacharya said the organisation wanted to enhance the distribution of 18 centres. "We have set up a community rural electrification service department to expand our services to cover more rural areas," he said. Amendments have been made in the Electricity Leakage and Pilferage Control Act 2048 B. S. and Electricity Leakage Control Regulations 2059 B. S. It also has amended by-laws related to employees' service and financial administration.

The financial condition of the organisation has improved during the current fiscal year in comparison to last year. According to him, its fixed assets stand at Rs. 64 billion in the current fiscal year, while it was Rs. 42.4 billion last fiscal year. Its total capital investment stood at Rs. 76.7 billion last fiscal year which has decreased to Rs. 74 billion during the current fiscal year. The long-term loan investment stood at Rs. 41.2 billion in the last fiscal year and it has increased to Rs. 46.9 billion in the current fiscal year.

Regarding power purchase agreement, Dr. Karmacharya said the NEA has sought performance guarantee and included the concept of give and pay. It will pay Nepalese currency up to 5 MW project. Many hydropower projects were damaged in the Maoist insurgency and the NEA faced a loss of more than Rs. 270 million.

'China opposes discrimination against women'

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Mar. 7: Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Wu Chongyong hosted a reception today at the Chinese Embassy to mark International Women's Day, which is being celebrated tomorrow (Saturday).

The reception was attended by the wives of Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Chief of the Army Staff and other dignitaries, including Kathmandu-based diplomatic missions, women diplomats and women from different walks of life. Speaking at the reception, Ambassador Wu said that it is women and men who jointly created the material wealth as well as spiritual civilization, and both are impellers of social development and progress.

He said International Women's Day, which was first celebrated in 1910, reflects women's aspiration for freedom and equality, and serves asa banner to galvanise all the women on earth to forge unity and to strive for gender equality.

Talking about China, he said the Chinese government firmly opposes any discrimination against women, seriously safeguards and protects women's equal status and rights in state politics, economic activity and social life. He said that there were laws to protect women's legitimate rights and interests legally, and to facilitate the progress and development of Chinese women.

He said four of China's state leaders are women; 18 out of the 29 ministries and commissions under the State Council are women ministers or vice ministers; 22 per cent of the total representatives to the National People's Congress are women; and there are nearly 400 women mayors and vice mayors in the 680 cities of China.

No union activities in offices: Jangam

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Mar. 7: Coordinator of the Public Service, Monitoring and Inspection Team (PSMI) for Bagmati and Narayani zones Bharat Mani Jangam today gave three-point instructions to the chiefs of offices under the Ministry of Information and Communications for implementation in their respective institutions.

These instructions include: All employees must reach their offices five minutes earlier than the office time and leave five minute after the office hour; there must be documents related to their assigned duty and work such as laws, regulations and routines on every table of the heads of departments and sections; and union activities are banned in the office premises. As per the instructions, the office must remove signboards and official documents of the employee's organisations.

"Failing to implement these instruction will result in stern action against the chiefs of the concerned offices," Jangam said at a gathering of official-level employees of 12 offices, including the Gorkhapatra Corporation, Nepal Television, Department of Postal Services, Department of Printing Services, Nepal Press Council, Information Department and Nepal Telecommunications Corporation. Jangam said that the team was formed to revamp and invigorate the administration as per the existing laws of the land. "It wants to usher in a corruption-free, people-oriented and transparent administration."

"Due to bad governance in the last 12 years, indiscipline and anarchy have prevailed in the administration, and the administration is in a state of impunity. We want to put the administration on track by restoring a system of reward and punishment," Jangam said at a programme here today while instructing the gazetted officers.

Stating that the civil servants must be responsible and accountable to the nation because it is the nation that has guaranteed their livelihood, Jangam asked them to be bound to their duty and to work as per the existing laws. "This is a high time the civil servants must show unity to strengthen bureaucracy," he said, adding for that mutual confidence is needed. We seek cooperation from civil servants and vice-versa, he said.

He said that if the employees do not extend cooperation to the team, it would be compelled to take steps as per the existing laws. Jangam said that the team was carrying out its activities as per the Public Service, Operation, Monitoring and Inspection Ordinance that gives it the right to issue orders against employees. It can seek explanation within seven days and interrogate officials and take them to court.

He suggested that the employees send written complaints to the team if there was any irregularity in their offices. "This should work like magic in sorting out problems," he claimed. He said that his team would also monitor the electronic and print media to see if they were observing the code of conduct.

Kumar Bahadur Karki, a team member, said that the team was the first of its kind in Nepal to hear public complaints and abolish disorder and discontent besetting the administration. "Developed countries have this type of mechanism to make the administration accountable to the country and people," he said.

In essence, it is a few persons who have tarnished the image of the whole bureaucracy. They have disparaged the morale of the civil servants. With their nexus with different power centres, these people wanted to destroy the administration, said Karki. He said that the team had said up a network in 13 districts and interacted with the employees of eight ministries. "Honest civil servants need not fear. We only take action against those who are not honest with their duties," he said.

Mukund Sharma Paudel, secretary at the Ministry, said that there was a need for regular monitoring in the offices to make administration people-oriented. Sushil Ghimire, joint-secretary at the Ministry, said that employees would benefit from the instruction of the team.