Bhattarai could pay dearly for missed opportunities

-By A Staff Reporter

Speculations about a shake up in the cabinet have drawn blank so far. Although the failure to make a change in the cabinet is said to be due to the health of the Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, insiders say it is mainly because the Prime Minister has failed to make a decision about what should be done. Bhattarai has not gone to his office at Singha Durbar for several days now and he was resting at his residence at Baluwatar till Monday.

A shuffling in the cabinet may still come any day, but the Prime Minister is keeping it a secret. However, it is being speculated that it would only be a minor expansion which would certainly fail to put out the fire between the government and the party.         

According to sources, the Prime Minister had met with party president Girija Prasad Koirala on Saturday morning regarding the reshuffling of the cabinet. The Prime Minister had told the party president about the inclusion of former Speaker Ramchandra Poudel as Deputy PM.

“But, during the talks which lasted about 20-minutes, the party president remained indifferent to the issue and kept himself completely aloof, calling it as the responsibility and ‘prerogative’ of the prime minister,” they say.

The two top leaders of the Nepali Congress party have failed to see eye to eye on how the problem faced by the government and also the party could be solved.

The reshuffling of the cabinet has, now, become a secondary thing, and the fight between the government and the ruling party does not look like it is coming to a conclusion even with a large scale shake up of the cabinet.

Koirala has been insisting on the change of the whole government, with himself replacing Bhattarai, as the only solution to the problem. But a complete change might put the whole party and the government into doldrums. Even some influential persons within the party, like Sher Bahadur Deuba, think changing the whole government is not feasible now.

Meanwhile, the tussle, since the government was formed about 8 months ago, has been a case of missed opportunities for Prime Minister Bhattarai. The government may have to pay dearly for the Prime Minister’s indecisiveness. Had Bhattarai made a change in the cabinet, when it was expected almost three months ago, it would have depleted Koirala and his supporters with much of the fire power they have now. Similarly, a stern disciplinary action against some ministers, like Minister Bal Bahadur K.C., might have been able to put his government in a better light in front of the people.

However, Bhattarai’s failure to take prompt decisions and actions have made his government, and even himself, to pay dearly in terms of losing credibility and having to spend much of its energy in dousing the flame ignited by the party criticisms.

On the other hand, the role of the party and especially party president Girija Prasad Koirala has also been a dubious one. He stood against the government from its very early days, giving it virtually no time to get itself set. Certainly, much of the woes of Bhattarai is because of the overwhelming desire of Koirala to become prime minister. Both the leaders have failed to free themselves from the shackles their supporters have tied them with. The way the two leaders are handling the issue, they might as well pass on the baton of infighting to their successors as well.

VIPs now on the hit list of Maoists

-By A Staff Reporter

The Maoists’ show of strength in the mid-western region indicates the insurgents have not cowered down to increased police operations as was claimed by the government recently.

The bandh (closure) called by the Maoist on Monday almost completely shut down the whole region, with police taking consolation only in the fact that it was peaceful.

The main reason of any untoward incidents not taking place was because the police did not venture out hunting the Maoists, but rather stayed within their own security circle.

Meanwhile security sources say that the next target of the Maoist are the choppers being flown by the police and also the VIPs in the government and political parties. The government has tightened security for political leaders and others in Kathmandu even as there came in reports that the insurgents fired at a police helicopter on Monday.

Meanwhile, there were reports of clashes taking place in districts like Rolpa, Rukum, Salyan, Pyuthan, Jajarkot and the Maoists taking out torch processions and firing and setting off explosives in various places. That the Maoists have also been able to do massive postering and pamphelting is an indication that the insurgents also control a wide area despite sporadic patrollings by the police.

In their pamphlets, the Maoists say since the Maoist People’s War started four years ago about 1,100 of their activists have died and more than 800 of them have been killed in the mid-western region alone. Still, the Maoists are not looking like having any shortage of activists. It means the police have not been able to shield the common people from the Maoists’ influence.

Government may appoint two IGPs

-By A Staff Reporter

There is increasing talk that the Nepal Police Force may now have two Inspector Generals of Police (IGP). Sources close to the present government say the Prime Minister has already been convinced to take this new decision regarding the police chiefs.

It may be mentioned that in recent years, there has been much controversy whenever a new IGP has had to be named. There is much lobbying and power play to appoint the chief of the security department that has 50,000 plus men and women under it.

People feel that the image of the police and its top brass started to deteriorate from the late Eighties, when they started to indulge in massive corruption. It was during the Panchayat days that for the first time in the history of the nation, a just retired IGP was arrested on the charge of smuggling drugs and gold. It may be some sort of an irony that not only has this corrupt person been released but now he is also an MP of the ruling Nepali Congress. This man is no other than the notorious DB Lama, in whose house authorities had found gold and drugs worth billions of rupees when he was arrested.

The police has always been a hated, but at the same time feared section of the government. And police officials right from the bottom rank feel it is their right to indulge in certain luxuries, mostly at the cost of innocent businessmen. The business people in return, don’t mind giving free gifts and even money to the police officials, feeling they will be protected when they have any problems with the law and order people.

From simple cases relating to fights in the neighbourhoods to other more serious crimes and even for making a driving license, the public have to depend on the police, so they never want to be in the bad books of the security people. But this does not mean the people love them.

However, the police chiefs have always been well known names, much more well known than their army counterparts. So the race to be the IGP was always a fierce one.

Regarding the rot that set in the Police Force, though it started from the Panchayat days because of corruption, the decay really set in the last couple of years when political interference started making inroads into the police. It is said high ranking police officials, are some of the most corrupt workers within the government machinery and now they are willingly playing into the hands of the politicians and bureaucrats.

The pit bottom was reached when three top ranking officials schemed to oust late IGP Ratna Shumsher Rana, who died very soon after he retired. It was like divine justice when these three then themselves started fighting with each other. Moti Lal Bohara succeeded late Rana and it is said Bohara was one of the most corrupt IGPs in recent years. He in turn was succeeded by well-known Achyut Kharel, who in a coup like act was replaced after just 36 days by Dhruva Pradhan. The media was full of the tug-of-war that took place between these two at that time and one can imagine what such a spectacle did for the morale of the personnel working under such officers.

After the Nepali Congress came to power, once more Kharel was reinstated.

Now with a little over a year remaining for Kharel to finish his term, the race has already started on who will replace him. The media and other close to the police had projected senior AIGP Pradeep Shumsher as the front runner, but now suddenly the capital is abuzz with the talk that the government is in the mood to have two IGPs.

But this has in now way cut off the controversy on who will be the IGP. For, there are now four AIGPs ready to step into the shoes of the chief of police. Some senior policemen also questioned who will head which section of the police? “In practical terms, this will be a great mistake of the government,” one such officer said.

He explained that all the police, from the officers to the junior ranks, want to stay on the civil police, who deal only in administrative work and ordinary crimes. Nobody wants to be in the armed section, where the personnel not only have to face constant dangers, like from the Maoists, but they will not have the opportunity to indulge in corruption as well.

One observer pointed out that instead of making controversial figures the IGP, it would be better to appoint one honest officer to the top post, so that it will serve as a lesson to others that political lobbying and corruption will be a setback if they want to reach the top.

The most non-controversial AIGP at the moment, is Ram Kaji Bantawa, one of the few honest officers within the force and who has not been involved in any controversy. The two leading contenders, Pradeep Shumsher Rana and Krishna Mohan Shrestha are well known names who are linked politically as well, but these links could prove to be a setback for them.

Khum Bahadur to be Home Minister?

-By A Staff Reporter

Even as the suspense still remains on when the cabinet reshuffle will take place, one Nepali Congress insider revealed that senior leader Khum Bahadur Khadka is also in the race to be the Home Minister.

The present Home Minister, Purna Bahadur Khadka has been a huge failure and also an embarrassment for the present government. Neither has he been able to mobilise the security personnel efficiently, nor has he been capable of handling the media, which has been constantly demanding for his ouster.

The source revealed that the leaders are also apprehensive of giving the portfolio to Ram Chandra Poudel or Govinda Raj Joshi, because they feel this may bring serious differences within the party.

“Khum Bahadur Khadka is not only one of the most senior second generation leaders, but he is trusted fully by both Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and also by party president Girija Prasad Koirala,” he said.

CAN Info Tech 2000 to kick off

-By A Staff Reporter

The only information technology specific exhibition and conference in Nepal and the yearly showcase of Computer Association of Nepal (CAN), CAN Info Tech 2000, is scheduled to kick off on 27 January 2000 at Blue Star Hotel, Tripureshor.

The five-day long technology exposition is targeted at promoting the Nepalese information technology industry in general. CAN had been initiating the yearly programme since 1995.

The exhibition will not only provide a channel for marketing computer and information technology products and services but also create greater user awareness as well as computer literacy, the CAN office bearers informed at a press conference Sunday.

The event also helps to create awareness about information technology among common man. The show has been gaining popularity among common man and specially students of the present generation who are very much interested in computer, a press release issued at the programe said. More than 50 national exhibitors are participating in this years CAN Info Tech. The organizers expect to attract more than 20,000 visitors in the span of five days.

The Info Tech 2000 provides a forum for networking and exchange of ideas in the information technology. It will be an occasion to gain recent as well as advanced information on new products and technology through technical seminars to be organized by various leading companies and their representatives.

The major attraction of the Info Tech 2000 will be Radio Paging, E-commerce, Internet technologies, VSAT, computer/office automation products, softwares, trainings with Web-based courses, etc.

The New British Gurkhas

-By A Staff Reporter

John Shepherd, a top British Government trade official, who is visiting Nepal to meet businessmen and officials, attended a passing-off parade of recruits selected to join the British Army in Pokhara, according to a press release. Accompanied by the British Ambassador Ronald Nash, Shepherd was met at Pokhara by Colonel Mark Dowdle, Commander British Gurkhas Nepal. There followed a short parade where the recruits demonstrated their newly taught military skills. The Inspecting Officer, Brigadier Mervyn Lee, who is the Colonel of the Queen’s Gurkha Signals Regiment and a Trustee of the Gurkha Welfare Trust, praised the 230 recruits on their performance and congratulated them on their selection for service in the British Army. He said that there was a special bond between our two countries, best exemplified by the strong links with the Brigade of Gurkhas, forged over a considerable period of time.

After the parade, Shepherd, Nash, Brigadier Lee and Colonel Dowdle took the opportunity to meet and talk to over 500 spectators. The majority were the proud relatives of the recruits, many of whom had traveled considerable distances to witness this historic moment. The guests, spectators and recruits then enjoyed lunch provided by British Gurkhas Pokhara staff. The recruits fly to the United Kingdom shortly to start further recruit training after which they will join their various regiments.

‘Committee says security lapse at TIA’

-By A Staff Reporter

The high-level investigation committee to probe into the cause of the hijacking of the Indian Airlines plane on December 24, has submitted its report. But the government has said it would make public the report only after its thorough study and discussion in the cabinet. 

With this, rumours have begun flying about the contents of the report. Sources say the committee has said that the hijacking occurred because of the lapse in security at the airport.

The 63-page report was presented to Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Bijay Kumar Gachhadhar on Monday by the chairman of the committee, former IGP Hem Bahadur Singh.

After the presentation of the report, sources said the committee has recommended to fully review the security arrangement and take both short-term and long-term security measures to make the Tribhivan International Airport more reliable, credible and effective, and take both in the short term and long term measures  The recommendations, Singh said, were based on the analysis of the facts derived during the course of the investigation, on the spot inspection and inquiry with those on duty at the Tribhuvan International Airport on the day the hijacking took place. He, however, said, the committee was not given a mandate to investigate upon who the hijackers were.

Meanwhile, an Indian team including the representatives of the Indian Airlines visited the TIA to study about the security arrangements of the airport on Monday.

Also, the Airport is facing an unexpected problem, when workers at the No. 3 godown resorted to strike when the authorities suddenly tightened by making identify cards of the Nepal Freights Forwarders Association (NFFA) compulsory to enter into the godown. The workers are demanding the scrapping of the provision to impose the identity card system.

PM: Tourism important for economy

-By A Staff Reporter

HAN president Gautam Das Shrestha pinning a badge on PM Krishna Prasad Bhattarai during the inaugural function of the Association's AGM.

Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai inaugurated the 33rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) amidst a programme organized at Soaltee Crowne Plaza yesterday (Tuesday).

Delivering the inaugural speech Prime Minister Bhattarai said that the Nepalese tourism industry should strengthen itself for the economic development of the country.

The meeting attended by more than 200 hoteliers including some well-known hoteliers from around the world highlighted on the role of hospitality industry in the development of the country’s tourism industry.

Foreign invitees Pakir Singh, chief executive officer of Singapore Hotel Association and Andrew Jones, Director-Asia Pacific Affairs of International Hotel and Restuarant Association (IH&RA) delivered key-note speeches on “Fresh Perspective to Human Resource Development in South East Asia and other contemporary issues related with the tourism industry.

The HAN AGM is being held at a time when the country has suffered a loss of more than 100 million rupees as an adverse effect resulting from the recent Indian Airlines plane hijack. As such, it has highlighted on the need to re-positioning of the Nepal’s tourism image. 

Previously, at a press conference held on the eve of its 33rd AGM, office bearers of HAN highlighted on the adverse impact resulted from the recent hijack of the Delhi-bound Indian Airlines plane that took off from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

HAN has estimated the loss incurred due to this to more than Rs. 100 million on the grounds of cancellation of hotel bookings by almost 40 percent.

“The continuous onslaught of Indian media especially Zee News on the security lax at the TIA has not only created negative impact on Nepalese tourism but has also branded Nepal as a hub of terrorists activities,” a press release issued on the occasion said. “The one-sided malicious news have tarnished the image of Nepal in the international scenario,” it added.

“We expect that the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) would take a high-level delegation to Indian Embassy as well as to Indian Tourism Ministry to appraise of the impact the Nepalese tourism industry has faced,” the press release further said.

The HAN officials also expressed need of counter attract to the false allegations and reports made by Indian and other foreign medias including CNN, BBC and Star News. The present attitude has hurt the entire hotel industry which contributes 90 percent coffer in the form of two percent service tax.