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IN HIS FIRST-EVER MESSAGE to
the nation on the occasion of National Democracy Day as the monarch, King
Gyanendra has said the nation is currently under a state of emergency and security forces
are conscientiously active in maintaining law and order. During this vulnerable state,
shortcomings in the political and administrative sectors could lead to the further
deterioration in the situation. How did our nation reach this plight? Our countrymen will,
we are confident, be able to identify, without any prejudice, the causes and unite in
overcoming the hardship facing our nation, His Majesty said. Pointing out that
apprehensions are being raised from all quarters about the maintenance of peace and
security, good governance and political stability as well as the need to curb economic
anomalies and corruption, His Majesty said sensitizing us to this anguish of the people,
let us now is more accountable toward them in consolidating democracy. Saying that all
must share the commitment to multi-party democracy, His Majesty said a conviction that
places national interest above all else along with transparency in governance and a
participatory approach to politics alone can make this commitment meaningful. THE BULLET INJURIES caused to
Queen Komal's chest and lungs have healed completely and the fractured ribs are
also almost restored, Principal Press Secretariat of His Majesty the King said Monday,
quoting doctors involved in medical check-up at the Cromwell hospital in London. Her
Majesty's condition is satisfactory and there is no need for further treatment or surgery,
according to the doctors concerned, RSS news agency reported. Queen Komal was injured
seriously in a royal palace shootout on the fateful evening of June 1 last year. She
turned 52 on Tuesday (Feb. 19). FOREIGN MINISTRY LAST WEEK
confirmed that an official at the Pakistani embassy has been sent back
recently after an investigation. A spokesman at the Ministry said an official
investigation showed the involvement of Shiraj Ahmed Shiraj, an upper division clerk at
the embassy of Pakistan in Kathmandu in the fake currency case. HMG/Nepal has requested
the government of Pakistan to take necessary action against him as per the law and inform
the Nepalese government as early as possible, RSS news agency has quoted the spokesman as
saying. Nepal Police had taken Shiraj into custody on the eve of the 11th SAARC Summit in
Kathmandu early this year causing embarrassment to Pakistani authorities. THE GOVT. HAS collected Rs 605
million out of the controversial Voluntary Disclosure of Income Scheme (VDIS) as
the extended deadline for the scheme expired Tuesday. According to the Internal Revenue
Department (IRD), over 3,000 new tax payers declared their source of income and paid taxes
on their property worth Rs 6.5 billion. The government had extended the deadline of the
scheme by one month till February 12 to allow more time to would-be taxpayers to declare
their property. AS PART OF ITS DRIVE raise
resources to finance its spiraling security expenses, the Nepalese government has
urged the Indian government to expedite the process of repatriating the excise duty levied
on its exports to Nepal, Kantipur daily reported. Officials said India owes over Rs one
billion to Nepal under the DRP (Duty Refund Procedure) over the last three years. Director
General at the Department of Customs, Madhav Prasad Ghimire, said that India is positive
toward Nepal's proposal and the issue is likely to be settled soon. India has already paid
back Rs 60 million to Nepal under the DRP. The DRP system is in place between the two
countries since 1960. THE TREKKING AGENTS ASSOCIATION of Nepal (TAAN) organized a dinner ball at the Hyatt Regency hotel on February 15, 2002 to celebrate Lhosar -- the new year of Tibetan, Lama, Tamang and other communities. This year the annual dinner ball was organized as a part of fund-raising event to build office for TAAN. Minister for Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation Bal Bahadur KC and Avatari Lama were present on the occasion. Speaking at the program Minister KC promised new measures to boost the tourism sector. Suman Pandey, President of TAAN, also urged the government to take necessary measures to help the sector. Several renowned artistes presented songs and comic show on the occasion. |
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