Kathmandu, July 12: Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Nepali Congress (NC) Ram Chandra Poudel has said that infrastructures for development had reached the villages and a new awareness has been generated in the society following the restoration of democracy.

Speaking as chief guest at a meeting of the consultants of the Nepal Press Union and talk programme on communications here today, deputy Prime Minister Poudel said as there had been attempts to weaken democracy attained after a long struggle and sacrifice, the democratic journalists should generate awareness among the people against such conspiracy.

Stating the role of journalists had been important in the democratic movement of the country, Mr Poudel advised the journalists to remain alert of the group challenging the democracy and the constitution, and following the path of violence.

The parties having faith in democracy should not resort to factionalism and carry out freedom of expression in a dignified manner to extend cooperation to the government and the party, Deputy Prime Minister Poudel said.

NC spokesman Narahari Acharya said that there was never lack of ideology in the party but the problem encountered in practice and working style had affected the effectiveness of the party and the government.

Mr Acharya made it clear that the present government had expressed its commitment to introduce a bill concerning the rights to information and the party had already issued directives in this regard.

Press Council Chairman and senior journalist Harihar Birahi referred to the plight of democratic periodicals which had not received any cooperation from the government nor the party.

Chairman of House of Representatives State Affairs Committee and senior journalist Homnath Dahal said that in the context of increasing conspiracy to weaken democracy, the press should generate public opinion against it and the civic society should be alert in this matter.

Head of the NC press section Purushottam Basnet said that his party was of the view that the maoists activities were terrorism.

Member of the NC Central Coordination Department and MP Krishna Prasad Sitaula said that as attack had started on democracy from various quarters, mistakes of the past should be rectified.

Member secretary of the NC central publicity department Ramchandra Pokharel emphasised the need for two-way dialogue between the government and the party.

President of Nepal Trade Union Congress Laxman Bahadur Basnet said that the working style of the government should reflect democratic norms.

Various other speakers including former chairmen of Nepal Press Union Ramesh Toofan, Tara Baral and Hari Adhikari expressed their views at the programme chaired by Nepal Press Union chairman Kul Chandra Wagle.

The meeting has adopted resolutions seeking speedy formulation of laws concerning the rights to information, providing a site at communications village for the construction of the Nepal Press Union Central Office building and no restriction for Nepalese periodicals to reach India.

The meeting also expressed commitment of the comminications media in protection democracy, press freedom and human rights.