Briefs (Spotlight Weekly)

King Gyanendra receiving credentials from new Indian ambassador Shyam Sharan

KING GYANENDRA, in a message to the nation on the occasion of the 13th Constitution Day Saturday, has said in order for the nation to progress the need of the hour is to create an environment of understanding and consensus with a cultured exercise of multiparty democracy. "As everyone is aware, an inability to develop a character, conduct and commitment in conformity with democratic values and norms resulted in increasing aberrations which not only made the objectives of the Constitution unachievable but also, led to Constitutional difficulty", His Majesty observed. His Majesty also wished that the day would inspire us all to dedicate ourselves to achieving the noble ideals enshrined in the Constitution.

ACCORDING TO AN ESTIMATE, over 30 million units of condom is sold in Nepal annually out of which Social Marketing Distribution (SMD) and Nepal CRS Company together sell nearly 10 million units. Besides, different government agencies distribute nearly 14 million condoms free of cost under the USAID assistance while the Family Planning Association of Nepal distributes around seven million condoms. Only 3.7 percent of the married couple in Nepal use condoms as a means of family planning. According to regional manager at the central region of the SMD, Narayanbabu Shrestha, though condoms for women are also available the demand for the same is very low owing to its high cost and difficulties in using it. Per unit condom for woman costs Rs 250 (approx. USD 3). Experts say use of condoms not only protects people from sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS, it also contributes to promote family and social harmony by avoiding unwanted pregnancy. According to an estimates, around 70,000 abortions take place in Nepal. However, Nepal Police had registered only 326 cases related to abortion throughout the country between 1997 and 2001.

A GROUP OF OVER a dozen business organizations have expressed concerns over what they said deteriorating law and order situation in the country and expressed support towards the last month's royal move. The Industrial Relations Committee (IRC), a coalition of 16 business and travel trade organizations, urged the political parties to put aside their differences and work unitedly for the economic upliftment of the country. "We are ready to take initiative to bring all the sides together for consultations and consensus," said Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). He blamed acute political instability, fragile law and order situation and rampant corruption as the main reasons for the weakening of economy and industrial activity in the country.

THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT has approved a grant assistance worth around Rs. 832 million for Nepal under the Japanese Non-Project Grant Assistance (NPGA) scheme 2002. According to the Japanese Embassy, the grant assistance is to support Nepal's economic adjustment program as well as to mitigate the economic hardships being faced currently. The grant assistance is the first of its kind received from Japan. Finance Secretary, Bhanu Prasad Acharya, and Japanese envoy, Zenji Kaminaga, signed and exchanged notes to this effect on behalf of their respective governments here Friday.

REPRESENTATIVE ORGANIZATIONS OF tourism industry have appealed the underground Maoists to withdraw their call for three-day bandh (November 11-13). A total of eleven organizations related to tourism sector said country's fragile tourism industry would suffer another blow if the bandh is not withdrawn. They said that people would face innumerable difficulties due to the strike and appealed to political forces in the country not to treat the bandh as "victory or defeat". They also said all problems could be solved through dialogue. Hotel Association Nepal, Nepal Mountaineering Association, Nepal Association of Travel Agents, PATA Nepal Chapter, Nepal Association of Tour Operators, among others, made the appeal. Meanwhile, the Federation of Nepalese Transport Operators has also appealed the Maoists to withdraw `bandh.'