Briefs (Spotlight Weekly)

King Gyanendra and Queen Komal observing the ritual ofJanai Purnima

THE GOVERNMENT HAS STARTED THE SERVICE OF providing insurance to damages in all kinds of physical properties caused by terrorism and vandalism. In the face of growing violence by the Maoists targeting government as well as private properties, the new insurance service has been offered. Fourteen non-life insurance companies have come together to form an “Emergency Insurance Fund’ to provide the service. The Fund will bear the liability of Rs 1000 at the annual premium of Rs 0.75 – which means by paying annual premium of Rs 750, one can insure property worth Rs 1 million from terrorist attacks. The government had issued an Emergency Insurance Fund Regulations a year ago but due to various reasons it could not come into effect then. At present, the fund has Rs 100 million as initial capital in which the government has provided Rs 50 million. Fourteen insurance companies have invested Rs 3.5 million each. The fund will bear the liability by raising premiums. In the long run, the fund aims to transform itself as a re-insurer company. At present, the fund has reached into agreement with the Indian General Insurance Corporation for re-insurance.

THE UNION CABINET OF THE INDIAN government has endorsed the protocol on the operation of direct bus service between the different cities of India and Nepal. The decision allows the operation of bus service from Nepal into 14 cities of India. The Nepalese government had endorsed the protocol two months ago. As per the agreement Nepalese cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Dharan, Janakpur and Dhangadhi would be linked with Indian cities including New Delhi, Kolkata, Patna, Kalimpong, Gorakhpur, Bareily, Darjeeling, Benaras, Lucknow and Gaya. 53 buses will be operated everyday for the purpose.

FIVE SOLDIERS OF THE ROYAL NEPALESE ARMY (RNA) were killed when a group of Maoists suddenly opened fire from their hiding in nearby hills to a group of army personnel who had gone to Chehere of Sindhupalchowk district to remove obstruction in the Arniko highway. According to army spokesperson, Maoists, too, sustained casualties in the incident. He said that while the forces recovered dead body of one Maoist, they took others with themselves.

THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF NEPAL (CAAN) has recommended the Tourism and Civil Aviation Ministry to increase the airfare by seven percent in view of the increase in the price of aviation fuel. After the private airlines operators threatened to ground their flights if they were not allowed to increase their fare, the CAAN made the recommendation.

A DAY AFTER THE MAOISTS EXPLODED BOMB at the Nepal Lever Limited in Hetauda, Colgate Palmolive factory in the same area has decided to shut its operation temporarily citing lack of raw materials. The management of the factory, which has some American investment, has made the decision in the wake of Maoist threat against industries that have American investment. The management has said they would open the factory on September 5. Meanwhile, workers of the 12 industries that remain shut due to Maoist threat have started to hold rallies to press for their resumption. A group of 500 workers and their families of Surya Nepal Private Limited have taken out a rally in Bara district asking for the resumption of the factory. The Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) Bara committee has also asked the concerned parties to open the industry.

THE INDIAN EMBASSY HAS CONDEMNED THE BOMB explosion at the Nepal Lever Limited factory situated in Basamadi VDC of Makwanpur district on Saturday (August 28). A group of armed Maoists had exploded three bombs at the building after asking the staffers to evacuate it. The attack comes less than 12 hours after the pro-Maoist All Nepal Trade Union Federation had issued a statement saying they would only target firms with American investment while allowing investment from other countries. The Nepal Lever Limited is a subsidiary of India’s leading FMCG manufacturer Hindustan Lever Limited. In a press statement, the Indian embassy has urged for stern action against the culprits. Targeting a prestigious export-oriented industrial unit to intimidate other similar industries in the key revenue-earning sector of the Nepali economy to pursue political objectives is pointless, the release added. It has called for an end to the targeting of business enterprises and strongly urged that business ventures be allowed to operate freely, without fear of violence in the interest of the people of Nepal. The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has also condemned the attack at the factory. It has urged the Maoists to allow business sector to function without fear and intimidation.

STATE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat is to lead a delegation of Nepalese officials and entrepreneurs next month for the United States in order to request for quota-free and duty-free access to Nepalese apparels. The delegation will try to lobby with US senators and Congressmen for the same. After the expiry of the Multi-Fiber Agreement, the apparels export from countries like Nepal will cease to receive quota beginning January 2005. The move could kill the garment industry in Nepal who export over 80 percent of their products to the United States. In the past, US Senator Dianne Feinstein had presented a bill granting the facility to Nepal but it still remains under consideration. The United States has already provided similar facility to countries of Africa and Caribbean region.