Increasing pressure on Koirala from within

By a staff reporter

The recent central working committee meeting of the Nepali Congress party may be taken as a forerunner to the party’s national convention this fall.

The 36th meeting of the party’s central committee, which concluded on Friday, has taken some major decisions regarding the party, apart from issuing some directives to the government.

The directives to the government include formulation of a National Security Policy mainly directed towards controlling the present state of violence, terrorism and other unscrupulous activities; formulating legal and other provisions to coordinate the different security agencies; seeking the possibility for a peaceful solution to the Maoist problem and forwarding the development activities to the Maoist-affected and other backward areas through concerted efforts with other parties. A decision directed at the party includes making a code of conduct for NC workers. The party has also formed a committee for the same.

Formulating a national security policy may be a long-term proposition, however, NC insiders say this could create some obstacles in holding talks with the Maoists.

There is no doubt, a security policy is necessary, specially looking at the gradual break down of law and order in the nation. And alarmingly, the government is being challenged not only in the Maoist affected areas, but in many other sectors too. If such a situation is allowed to go on building up for long, then there could be anarchy.

Meanwhile, the CWC the meeting may have its effect on the party’s forthcoming national convention and the major issue in the convention will be to elect the party’s president. Koirala may be losing his grip in the party and the bubble of invincibility in the party may be bursting.

This was proved during the election for the party’s parliamentary leader about three months back, when he just scraped past rival Sher Bahadur Deuba, who himself says Koirala is his "political guru".. Thanks to Khum Bahadur Khadka, Koirala managed to be the Prime Minister for the fourth time.. "Only if Khum Bahadur Khadka not thrown his weight behind Koirala... anything could have happened," Congressmen still say. Things have gotten worse for the Prime Minister as he has also largely failed to live up to his words of solving the Maoist problem and ending corruption.

Many, within the Congress party itself, think it may be time for Koirala to call it a day. Koirala may even be thinking about it. Some presume, Koirala, 77, is wanting to pass his political legacy to his close ones but Koirala is in a quandary in finding one who has his clout among the partymen or even a small section of it.

Some time ago, Shailaja Acharya, niece by relation to Koirala but a political personality on her own, had said that she was hinted by Koirala to prepare for the party presidency. She had even said that she would stand for the party presidency. But Acharya, who lost the last general election, has fallen into controversy more often than any other Congress leaders because of her words and attitude towards other party leaders.

His daughter Sujata Koirala despite being in the limelight for wrong reasons is a nobody in politics. Another of his close ones Sushil Koirala is taken as a behind the curtains player, and has failed in the mass-based politics. None of his other close associates and supporters have succeeded in coming out from his shadow.

Meanwhile,, rank outsiders like Sher Bahadur Deuba, Ram Chandra Poudel and now Khum Bahadur Khadka are emerging as strong second generation leaders. If Koirala is not able to win the confidence of some leaders outside his coterie, he may be in deep trouble, not only at the convention, but even now.

Amidst all these developments, the Nepali Congress party is going to the national convention and Koirala may under pressure not to make a choice on whether he wants to lead the party or the government. Still it looks most likely that Koirala will face a strong challenge for the party leadership. The golden days for Koirala and his kitchen cabinet is over.

"PM has put himself in a corner"

By a staff reporter

Hectic political bargainings have again started within the ruling Nepali Congress with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala holding talks with different sections within the party.

But this time, Koirala has an uphill task, with him having to look after the problems of the nation and also forging support from party MPs. "He has put himself in a corner by going back on his words," a high ranking NC activist said.

On Tuesday evening, PM Koirala was to hold talks with several mediators in trying to find a solution to the present political crisis.

"We will talk with the Prime Minister," one of the participants of the meeting told this reporter just before going to Baluwatar, but he was very pessimistic that there will be a favourable outcome.

"We had worked hard to form this government, in the belief that it will work in the best interest of the nation and the people, but it has failed to do this," he said. The source indicated that the PM may be forced to make a cabinet reshuffle soon. "But even that may not help him," he disclosed.

He blamed people like Sushil Koirala and Govinda Raj Joshi for weakening the government and soiling its image in front of the people. "They have forced people like us to look for alternate alliance within the party", he added.

The biggest mistake PM Koirala made was in not keeping the promises he made to leaders like Khum Bahadur Khadka, before he formed the government, the source disclosed. "Now it will be difficult for Koirala to get support for his government and also during the general convention of the party," he claimed.

Govt should create environment for talks

By a staff reporter

The guns have remained quiet for some days now, out annoyingly, talk of government-Maoist dialogue has also been silenced. "Does it need another attack from the Maoists to awaken the authorities here?", asked an exasperated person who has been urging the government to resolve the problem through peaceful negotiations.

Yes, it is a matter of concern that no mention of holding talks with the Maoists is being made now by government ministers. Till a few weeks back, from Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to head of the high level Maoist Problem Resolution Commission and former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba, many were saying that talks may be held any time. But unfortunately, there is only an eerie silence now.

Meanwhile, a noted land owner from Sindhupalchowk district, on the condition of not being named, explained the "quiet" in the Maoist districts. He informed that his district has now become "safe", not because the police are in control, but because they have stopped clashing with the insurgents. "One can see the Maoists walking openly with their arms in my district and the police are incapable of doing anything," he said.

Last week, what this man says was proved true to some degree by an incident at Dolkha district, which adjoins Sindhupalchowk, in which the insurgents attacked a police post and destroyed it, but no policemen were inside the post. No one fired back and no one was injured or killed in the incident.

However, the present quiet could erupt in bigger clashes, when the government will mobilise more security personnel, specially in the severely affected areas. The new force, will have better arms and ammunition they may be mobilised within one month’s time. Home Minister Govinda Raj Joshi made it clear at a CDOs-police officials meet at Pokhara last week, that renewed force would be used to control the Maoists. He is planning to mobilise the newly trained armed police force under the National Security Policy. IGP Achyut Kharel and Home Secretary Padam Prasad Pokhrel too had attended the meeting.

It is also dismaying to see the top negotiator of the government, former PM Deuba dashing off to the United States, when it was so important for him to remain here. It is indeed questionable, why he had to attend the programme in the US, when there was a heightened chance of talks taking place.

Furthermore, there have been allegations, even within a Congress supporting newspaper, that Deuba has gone to America to facilitate procedures for some of his close aides to get US Greencards. This would be a monumental misplacement of priority on Deuba’s part.

Meanwhile, from their hideouts, the Maoists leaders have been successfully communicating with the media and splurging the nation with what is their stance and how they are fighting for justice for the people. Like in the battlefront, they are gaining the upper hand in the media war as well. But the government has not been able to counter such propaganda and intercept the movement and activities of the rebels.

Yet, it is the duty of the government, as it holds the responsibility of administering the nation properly, to create the necessary environment, for the Maoists to come forward and end the senseless carnage of Nepalese lives. It cannot just keep quiet while there is a lull in the violent clashes and then make noises about talks and law and order when some people are killed. The Nepalese people deserve security and peace and the government initiate measures to ensure the development of such an environment.

"Give us laathis instead"

By a staff reporter

A serious question has been raised by a security expert on whether more sophisticated weapons should be given to police personnel.

"It is not a question of being better armed physically, mental toughness is required to battle you enemies," he said.

He explained that the nation is already seeing a serious problem with the Maoists looting the powerful .303 rifles and ammunition from the police. "What will happen if they take away sophisticated automatic weapons?", he questioned.

Villagers say that the police in many areas are too willing to give up their arms to save their lives, even if a small group attacks or threatens them. A police reportedly said, "It would have been better if they gave us just laathis, so that dangerous arms would not be in the hands of any side".

World Health Report 2000
Nepal's health system among the worst

By a staff reporter

Nepal has one of the worst health status in the world. According to recent World Health Report 2000, Nepal’s health status ranks 150th on overall health system performance.

The report pointed out that government spending on health in Nepal is very meager. In comparison to almost 74 percent of private expenditure in the health related sector, the government’s expenditure of 26 percent is significantly low. The report also revealed that Nepal spends only 3.7 percent of its GDP on health.

"Nepal’s health system is not so responsive and the level of life expectancy is also low," said Dr. Klaus Wagner, World Health Organization (WHO) representative to Nepal while release the Report. This is for the first that the WHO has carried such an integrated study of the country-wise world health situation. The study was carried out in 191 member states.

"The main message from this report is that the health and well being of people around the world depend critically on the performance of the health systems that serve them," said Dr. Gro Harlem Bruntland, WHO Director General.

Despite the governments attempt to reach the health services in the outlying districts, the average life expectancy of a Nepali woman remained only at 57.8 years while that for a man is only at 57.3 years, the Report said.

According to the Report, France topped the list in providing best overall health care followed by Italy, Spain, Oman, Austria and Japan. Singapore, ranked sixth, is the only Asian country apart from Japan in the top fifty countries.

The WHO assessment was carried out on the basis of five major indicators. They are overall level of population, health inequalities or disparities within the population, overall level of health system responsiveness, distribution of responsiveness within the population and the distribution of the health systems financial burden within the population, it is learnt.

The Report also pointed out government’s excessive focus on public sector, their inability to translate policies into practice, physicians’ contribution for the public and private sector, rampant corruption, bribery and host of illegal practices as the chief causes of failure of many health system.

Honouring remarkable Nepali women

By a staff reporter

Stri Shakti, a development organisation for women, organised a programme on July 3, to launch gender space and to celebrate the remarkable achievement of remarkable Nepali women. The chief guest, state minister for women children and social welfare, Kamala Pant, inaugurated the programme. She lauded the effort made by the organisation that would greatly boost the morale of the women active in various fields and who have made a landmark in their achievements.

The women mountaineers, Lakpa Sherpa and Pemba Doma Sherpa; Anuradha Koirala of Maiti Nepal; Rita Thapa, director of TEWA; Anjana Shakya, director of INHURED international; and Pramoda Shah of SAATHI were honoured for their contributions in their respective fields.

Stri Shakti that means empowerment of women is headed by Indira Shrestha. The organisation in involved in training, research, information and income generation for the women. It now is expanding its activity by launching gender space - that would provide an interactive, relaxed meeting ground for women.

Certificate distributed

By Bibek Bhatta

The first certificate distribution ceremony of Maria Antonia Canals’ teachers training programme was held on June 30, 2000 at Sanothimi campus. It was organized in collaboration with Tribhuvan University and University De Vic of Spain.

VC Shah distributing certificates to participants of the Maria Antonia Canal's teachers training programme on Friday.

On the occasion vice chancellor of Tribhuvan University, Naveen Prakash Jung Shah said the training programme is very essential for teachers as only qualified teachers can increase the quality of education.

He distributed the certificates to the trainees of Maria Antonia Canals Teacher Training Centre.

Co-director of the Centre Vicki Sherpa stressed the need of trained teachers in providing quality education for the children.

Chief of Sanothimi campus, Tara Man Shrestha said that the training programme is first in Nepal. It targets to give training to 40 primary teachers every year.

A group of dignitaries consisting of 23 members from Spain including vice chancellor of University de Vic Richard Torremts I Bertrana were also present during the ceremony.

The training emphasizes on awareness of trainee of the source of knowledge and it helps in acquiring a sense to critically identifying the need of society by generating positive changes.

University of Girona, Spain has offered two full scholarship for the period of one month for the best students of the batch to learn new prospective of teaching learning process specially in the field of mathematics at the university of Girona.

Majority of Nepalese wants border with India regulated

By a staff reporter

A resounding majority of Nepalese (85.5%) wants the traditional open border with India regulated, with 42.9% of them calling for outright introduction of passport system between the two countries.

An opinion poll survey conducted by the Media Services International (MSI) in 15 hilly and terai districts of Nepal in April this year reveals that only a meagre 8.7% of the 1300 respondents wants the open border arrangement left as it is. Those saying that they did not know totalled 5.2% and those expressing no opinion on this matter totalled 0.2% of the individuals reached according to a MSI press release.

Why should the open Nepal-India border be regulated? In answer, 28.1% of the interviewees thought the border regulation would stop cross-country criminal and other undersirable activities.

If 27.3 % of the respondents said border regulation would protect Nepal’s nationality and originality, 22.8% said such a move would help retain opportunities and possibilities of employment for Nepalese within Nepal. Those who believed that border regulation would serve to reiterate and reaffirm Nepal’s independent identity constituted 20.8% of the respondents, whereas only a negligible percentage (0.8%) voiced no opinion on the issue.

Among those who came out in favour of the status quo (8.7%), they did so on grounds of matrimonial ties, shopping conveniences, education and medical facilities and employment.

To the query as to what arrangements would be proper and effective for border regulation between Nepal and India, 42.9% opted for a passport system, whereas 30.2% said the practice of examining travel documents at entry points should be initiated and enforced. Respondents asking for introduction of work permit system for employment seekers totalled 14.9% and those advocating identity cards for border residents totalled 4.8% and criminals put together as the main beneficiaries. In the same way, the traders and industrialists were named by 41.1% of the respondents. If 8.5% said the general public had taken advantages of the open border, 5.8% thought the political leaders too had exploited it.

What impact it would have on Nepal if her citizens were to be debarred from employment in India? An impressive majority (66.2%) of the interviewees was of the view that there would be "no substantial difference" in existing situation.

However, 25.8% of the 1300 respondents thought that such a debarment would lead to a "grave crisis" in Nepal. Only a small percentage (7%) of those asked fell under the "don’t know" category.

Over the related issue of who outnumbers whom - Nepalese going to India or Indians coming to Nepal for work — 43.8% said the Nepalese outnumbered the Indians while 40.8% said the Indians outnumbered the Nepalese.

Interestingly, the people were almost equally split when they were asked if the Nepalese government, in their view, was willing to have the border with India regulated. In answer, 37.9% said "yes’ and 37% said "no", whereas 24.6% said they did not know and 0.5% gave no opinion.

But is Nepal capable of managing the open-border regulation? If 47 % replied in the affirmative, 37.7% replied in the negative. Those giving no opinion, this way or that, constituted 15.3%.

Yet, whose weakness — Nepal’s or India’s — accounts for no change in the open border status between the two countries? A majority of the respondents (44.4%) blamed both Nepal and India, whereas 40.7% held Nepal alone as responsible. Only 3.8% held India as responsible for no regulation of Nepal-India border. The "don’t know" category claimed 10.3% of the respondents.

This poll was conducted in cooperation or the London-based Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD).

Human Development Report released

By a staff reporter

A member of the newly formed human rights commission, Kapil Shrestha released "Human Rights and Human Development" on June 29. Speaking as the chief guest Shrestha said the formation of the long awaited National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Nepal recently represents the critical step in consolidation of the hard won human rights of the people. He also said that this national institution will act as catalyst for change in the society on the function organised by UNDP.

He agreed that human development report could prove to be a very useful reference and hand book to politicians, policy makers, development practitioners, human rights activists, researchers and other interested individuals.

Uday Nepali Shrestha, Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice said that Nepal have had a great success in securing greater civil and political rights. He also expressed providing basic education to all our children and abolition of child labour empowering of women are still a big challenge.

"Poverty has been a major obstacle in enjoying human rights," he said. Refugee’s problem is a story of untold human sufferings and we are prepared to work with Bhutan, he said.

Saraswathi Menon, UNDP Resident Representative said that it has served as a mirror to the government since 1990 every year. She highlighted on five key issues.

First, legal frameworks and a network of institutions that respond to human rights, second, although human rights may be universal they are not universally accepted or realised, third, the human development approach with its focus on policy transformation, fourth, to locate the fulcrum of responsibility and accountability at the appropriate institution and fifth, enabling and open environment.

The human development report 2000 continues to compute the human development index that ranks 174 countries in order of the improvement made in the lives of the people in terms of access to health, education and live expectancy. Nepal continued to hold 144th position as the year before, with marginal advancements in longevity and adult literacy.

SLC graduates being misled?

By a staff reporter

As the much-awaited results of the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) exam came out last week, the private sector educational institutions mushrooming in the country have initiated their advertisement campaigns in a high tone to get the attention of the new SLC graduates. In their bid to attract more and more students in their institutes, an interesting but expensive advertisement war has started in the country, especially in the capital city of Kathmandu.

Though many of these exaggerated advertisements published in some newspapers and aired by FM radio stations are aimed at making a good impression on the students and their parents, they seemed to confuse students rather than in impressing them. Students are also finding it difficult to choose the best institution where they can have the best and affordable education.

Going by the innumerable advertisements published in newspapers, they are confused to choose the institution which could be best for them. "We are confused about selecting the one which will provide us quality education at an affordable price," said Anit Shrestha of Kathmandu who has recently passed the SLC exam.

"Some institutes claim that they will provide scholarships to study medicine and engineering for the top students, while others pledge of different educational and sporting facilities," she said. "Admission and tuition fees also vary to a great extent in those institutions," the recent SLC graduate further added.

"They promise us of a rosy picture in their advertisements. However, when we go to visit such schools and colleges they stand nowhere near their claim. Even if some of them have good physical facilities, we are skeptical about their being successful in imparting quality education because a good education needs dedication and devotion which they lack very much," said Suroj Pradhan, another recent SLC graduate.

"In my view, all of them are established with the business motivation and they are only looking to make a profit out of us," he pointed out.

As the government started the higher education policy and promoted private sector to open 10+2 colleges around the country, a large number of such private educational institutions came into existence in the past few years. For many institution owners this policy has proved to be a goose that lays golden eggs.

As the number of institutions multiplied in a short period, owners of these institution resorted to a variety of hyperbolic advertisements to attract more and more students. "This year the competition is more steep because the percentage of students that passed the SLC exam is little compared to the last year," said a college owner.

When asked about the source of finance for such expensive advertisements, he asking for anonymity did not hesitate to say that it will be taken back from the students. "No school and college is going to spend money from their own pocket. They will charge high fees to cope with the money they had spent for advertisements," he pointed out.

While many consider advertising as a means to reach to the people, some well-known institutions in the Kathmandu valley are indulging in exaggeration of their facilities. One of such most hyped advertisement was of Kathmandu Don Bosco College (+2) at New Baneshwor. According to its advertisements, the college provides extraordinary scholarships to pursue MBBS/BE, BBS and BCA. Since it needs more than Rs. 1.5 million for a student to get enrolled to a medical college for the study of MBBS, this advertisement does not seem to be realistic.

"Some adverts do sound far fetched. All the claims that private institute make should be checked and verified, so there is no room for scandals," said Dr. Subarna Lal Bajracharya, Chairman of Asian College of Higher Studies. "Those institutes who survive on the claim on the strength of false claim should not be allowed to operate," he stressed.

RA may not get good deals anymore

By a staff reporter

Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation completed its 42nd year of establishment on Saturday but, it had received an unwanted birthday present of a failed deal to lease a wide-bodied aircraft.

The deal with Ansett failed last week after the two sides could not agree on where to carry out the maintenance of the leased aircraft.

RNAC wanted the maintenance of the plane to be done by the Royal Brunei Airlines, with which RA has a two-year maintenance agreement. But the leaser refused it saying it was too costly and demanded an additional US$200 per flight hour if the Brunei Airlines is to be given the maintenance job.

This hitch at the last moment led to the collapse of the deal. RA insiders blame the ‘air mafia’ and the commission agents for this.

Here to stay? With other lease deals failing, RA may be forced to further extend the short-term lease of China southwest Airlines Boeing.

It was reported that the additional amount of US$ 200 per flight hour, which amounts to more than 70 million rupees during the lease period of 18 months, was to be received by the commission agents here. It is even blamed that RNAC’s demand for the maintenance to be done in Brunei was under pressure from the air mafia.

Why did RNAC press for maintenance to be done in Brunei? When the 2-year deal with Royal Brunei was done last year it had also invited a big controversy, with allegation that the airline was chosen under a big commission. It is said carrying out maintenance with the Brunei Airlines is more expensive than in other places. But the then executive chairman of RNAC Bharat Bahadur Karki in a recent interview with a vernacular weekly, justified that the deal was done according to the regulation.

This tells about the strong grip the commission agents have at the decision making level and how they can affect the decision of the Corporation. It is said Ansett, which had originally demanded US$4100 per flight hour, had later come down to US$ 3400, and this would leave very little, only about US$ 65, to its agents here.

Meanwhile, the impending damage to RNAC’s international schedule has been averted with a 3-month extension of the lease agreement with the China Southwest Airlines. But with the deal going bust, RNAC again has to go through the whole tedious process of leasing a plane.

It is yet to be verified independently whether it was only RA’s fault that the deal with Ansett failed but one thing is certain, it will taint RA’s reputation further as a credible business partner.

Now, RA has to lease a plane after three months, but the recent setbacks such as few responses from prospective bidders, allegations of commissions and kick backs, on top of that political interference indicate RA’s chances of finding a good deal is virtually nil. This means the commission agents and air mafias will have more grip on the RNAC.