Kathmandu, April 15:Recent four-day visit here of Takashi Tajima, general secretary of the Asian Productivity Organisation has been a fruitful one in terms of the possibilities of launching a programme on productivity promotion and aiding institution building.

During his visit, he held talks with Minister for Industry and Commerce Ram Krishna Tamrakar, Minister of State for Industry and Commerce Narendra Bikram Nemwang and Minister of State for Agriculture Baldev Sharma Majgaiya as well as officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

He also gave a key note speech on the productivity campaign at a special function held to mark commerce day.

General manager of the National Productivity and Economic Development Centre Ltd Ramesh Singh Pradhan apprised him of the promotional activities being carried out to raise productivity in industry, agriculture and the social sector of the country.

The centre is working as a National Productivity Organisation in Nepal.

Talks were also held on possible areas of cooperation in order to make the centre effective.

Similarly, general secretary Tajima visited the Surya Pashmina Factory and the Handicraft Producers Association to acquaint himself with the production of woollen shawls and handicraft items, major exportable items of Nepal.

At present, a total of 18 countries are members of the organisation and its secretariat is in Tokyo.

Kathmandu, Apr.15: His Majesty’s Government Council of Ministers has ratified the economic reforms package containing restructuring of our economic and fiscal sector, decentralization, improvement in civil service, effectiveness of foreign aid, the role of civil society, etc.

The package has been ratified with the objective of effecting radical changes in the state machinery and economic policy in view of the widespread slackness in socio-economic sector of Nepal.

The package ratified by the Council of Minister is scheduled to be presented at the Nepal development forum meeting being held from April 17 to 19 in Paris, the capital of France.

Talking briefly to rss at Tribhuwan International Airport before departing for Paris today, Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya said policy and other reform programmes were initiated for economic development after the restoration of democracy in the country, but this sector has witnessed slowdown for the past few years due to political instability and social tensions.

Advancing further the economic reform programme, refining the state machinery, creating jobs and income-generating opportunities, ensuring economic growth rate, increasing investment and building an atmosphere conducive to increasing government revenue are the challenges of the day, said the minister, adding, responsible political parties of the country should now be serious about building institutional capacity to intensify development and the strategies to be adopted for overcoming development challenges.

The reform package programme aims to increase the ratio of public revenue and Gross Domestic Production (gdp), maintain government expenditure at a certain level, not to allow the gdp and net internal loan ratio to exceed 0.5 percent, bring auditing of fiscal and industrial sectors at par with international standard, frame laws about liquidation of industries and give top priority to implementing a three-year budget system.

Similarly, His Majesty’s Government will promote a liaison body for the effective utilization of foreign aid based on Nepal’s development priority, develop state ownership in coordination and management of foreign aid, ensuring long-lasting and effective partnership between government and the donor community and mobilize internal resources.

The present government is highly serious about intensifying the development process through the judicious and skillful use of foreign aid, he further said.

In the present context when domestic resources are deficit and direct foreign investment is not increasing as expected, Mr Acharya stressed the need to increase investment within the country, build infrastructures, ensure economic growth, raise the living standard of the people and use foreign aid for providing facilities to the people and ensuring their interests.

A system will be pursued to determine national priorities and issue foreign aid amount through the Finance Ministry, he said

His Majesty’s Government will amend the act regulating foreign exchanges, ensure fiscal reforms, restructure Rastriya Banijya Bank and Nepal Bank Ltd, strengthen the monitoring by the Central Bank, improve the structure of non-banking fiscal body and develop capital market, says the reform package, fiscal management will be revitalized for increasing our loan payment capacity.

For the development of the private sector, government’s interference will be reduced and a privatization act will be worked out for the institutionalized development of the private sector, time-limit for taking decisions on privatization will be shortened and the process will be simplified.

An anti-corruption drive will be launched, accountability of local bodies in matters of development increased and the bodies that works for social development consolidated, it is stated.

Similarly, policies will be pursued to make civil service strong, effective and productive, tone up the administration, redefine the role of ministries, departments and other offices, the Finance Minister said, adding vat will be consolidated to mobilize public revenue, new income tax laws framed, the tax administration strengthened and the vat and tax departments integrated.

Minister Acharya further noted that improvement in revenue mobilization will help broaden the tax base and the improvement in monitoring and supervision will help pluck revenue leakage.

Likewise, His Majesty’s Government will reduce its general expenditure, select and evaluate projects, improve the information system, and adjust the release of budget with the budget project and programme, said the minister adding, the office of the Auditor General and the National Planning Commission will be made effective in expenditure management.

The reform programme also aims to share public means and resources in alleviating poverty, promoting jobs, developing agriculture and irrigation and building rural infrastructure.

Kathmandu, April 15:Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad Bastola has stressed the need for developing countries to stop always looking to the North for inspiration to find solutions to their problems.

Foreign Minister and leader of the Nepalese delegation Bastola was addressing the South Summit at Havana, the capital city of Cuba on April 14.

“It is our interest to enhance our development capacities, preserve our cultures and maintain our identities into the next century,” he said. “It is a challenge we can meet only through our collective efforts.”

Common problems demand collective solutions, he said, adding developing countries must try to coordinate their activities politically as well as economically to strike an optimal balance conducive to promoting their overall welfare and benefit.

Stating that developing countries have so far been deprived of the opportunity they deserve to sit in decision making bodies of international financial organisations and the United Nations bodies, Minister Bastola said the time has come to move beyond rhetoric bringing about democratic and functional reforms of the United Nations and change the world financial architecture to reflect the present day global realities.

“We need a stronger and more effective United Nations to address the emergency challenges and opportunities of the 21st century,” he said, adding the world body should be able to ensure greater peace and security and to promote economic and social development in the years to come.

The U.N. should have the resources and mandate it requires to carry out its responsibilities, he said and welcomed the millennium summit of the United Nations.

Nepal believes that there has to be greater North-South cooperation and South-South cooperation to achieve the goal, he said, stressing the need for advanced countries to abide by their oda commitments of 0.7 percent of gdp to the developing countries and 0.15 percent to the least developed ones.

“While we welcome the flexibility of the expanded initiative in favour of highly indebted countries, Nepal hopes that the coverage of the initiative is expanded to all indebted developing countries in order for them to be able to release resources from debt servicing and repayment and devote them to development,” he said.

Stressing the need for countries in the South to strive to forge greater cooperation and be able to set an example for North-South cooperation, he said there should be increasing focus on trade and investment as future interactions between the North and South as well as among the countries of the South.

That will be the way for future prosperity in the long-run, and access to technology and level playing field for trade would be crucial in this respect, Mr Bastola observed.

Stating that least developed countries are encumbered by additional disadvantages of geography and underdevelopment, the Foreign Minister said most of them are also at the lower end of foreign investment destinations.

Both countries from the North and economically better off countries from the South should come forth with additional measures to help them tide over their problems, he observed.

Similarly Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad Bastola has said that in view of the very little achievements made so far the least developed countries (ldcs) have lost precious time in their development efforts.

Minister Bastola said this at a special meeting of the ministers of the least developed countries held during the South Summit in Havana today.

He urged the ldcs to speed up necessary preparations for the third United Nations conference on ldcs in 2001.

In view of the diverse needs and problems of different ldcs he called for country specific and time-bound response.

Meanwhile, Minister Bastola met Foreign Minister of Senegal Cheikh Tidiane Gadio on April 13 and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest.

Biratnagar, April 15:Prime Minister and Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala has urged every section of society including the intellectuals to assess the present situation of the country and contribute from their respective quarters to the national development campaign.

Prime Minister Koirala was speaking at a talk programme on “Current political situation in the country and the present government’s priority” organized by the Elite’s Club, Biratnagar today.

Stating that the politics of violence and killing never sees a success, he said the government is ready to sit with the Maoists and find a solution to the problem if they lay down arms. For this purpose, the committee headed by ex-prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba will also be activated, he added.

Prime Minister Koirala expressed his determination to fulfil what he had committed before leading the government and said that he is resolved to face up to any challenges and problems to fulfil the commitment.

He also spoke of the need to control corruption, maintain law and order and establish good governance for the good of the people and the country.

He also said that the government is considering activating the article of the constitution which provides for a National Security Council, he said.

Making it clear that he had no intention of insulting Krishna Prasad Bhattarai by removing him from the prime ministerial seat, Mr Koirala said he took the bold decision to check the aberrations and anomalies within the party.

He also expressed confidence that the decision will give the party a new direction.

Prime Minister Koirala said corruption is an invisible enemy and laws alone are not enough to bring it under control.

On the occasion, Minister for Education Amod Prasad Upadhyaya noted that the present government is determined to remove unemployment to achieve overall development of the country and wiping out elements which are inimical to democracy.

Stating that the present economic pace is unlikely to sustain the burgeoning population, Mr Upadhyaya spoke of the need of cooperation from every section of society to resolve this challenge.

The government has already initiated works for job- and skill-oriented education, he observed that it is because of political instability that people’s aspirations have not been fulfilled.

NC central member and chief of women’s department Mrs Nona Koirala and nc Morang district president Ashok Koirala also expressed their views at the function chaired by chairman of Elite Club Biratnagar Mahendra Prasad Rijal.

Kathmandu, Apr. 13 : His Majesty the King has, in accordance with the Royal Palace Service Regulations, designated military secretary Major General Vivek Kumar Shaha as acting chief of the Principal Military Secretariat effective from today.

Chief military secretary and honorary adc Lt. General Shanta Kumar Malla has retired on completion of his tenure.

This is stated in a notice issued today by the Principal Press Secretariat of His Majesty the King.

Kathmandu, Apr. 13:His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has extended best wishes to all Nepalese for their good health and well-being on the occasion of the year 2057 B.S.

In a message to the nation on the occasion of New Year’s Day 2057, His Majesty said enhancing the glory of Nepal and dignity of the Nepalese people, as the world continues towards modernisation, should be our new year resolution.

It is also essential that people’s enthusiasm and participation in the task of nation-building be enhanced through proper evaluation of the situation prevailing in the country, His Majesty the King said, adding that the hardships faced by the people must be mitigated and the problems obtaining in the country tackled so that the people feel they have ample opportunities for development.

His Majesty also wished that all Nepalese succeed in making the new year prosperous and happy by maintaining peace, stability and national unity.

The full text of the message:

Beloved countrymen,On the occasion of the advent of the New Year 2057, we extend our best wishes to all Nepalese for their good health and well-being.

Enhancing the glory of Nepal and dignity of the Nepalese people, as the world continues towards modernisation, should be our new year resolution. It is also essential that the people’s enthusiasm and participation in the task of nation-building be enhanced through proper evaluation of the situation prevailing in the country. The hardships faced by the people must be mitigated and the problems obtaining in the country tackled so that the people feel they have ample opportunities for development.

Remaining sensitive towards the people’s aspirations and answerable to our future generations, may all Nepalese succeed in making the new year prosperous and happy by maintaining peace, stability and national unity.

May Lord Pashupatinath bless us all !

Jaya Nepal !

Kathmandu, Apr. 13: Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that the present government is committed in words and deeds to put and end to inconsistencies such as corruption, unrest, violence, red tapism, and maintain good governance through administrative reforms and law and order.

Prime Minister Koirala made these remarks in a message given on the occasion in the new year’s day-2057 B.S.

Stating that necessary steps have already been initiated with a view to effectively implementing these activities, Mr Koirala sought continuos cooperation from the people of various walks of life including the political parties, non-governmental organisations and the intellectuals and heartily called upon all concerned to unitedly work for the development of Nepal.

Mr Koirala said, “the responsible government elected by the people has been working to maintain good governance in the country and make the people realise the fruits of development a decade after the restoration of democracy.

Positive achievement have been made in the construction of necessary infrastructure for the development of the country during this period, but there cannot be two opinions on the fact that collective endeavour should be made to fulfil the aspirations of the people, Prime Minister Koirala said.

The policy and programmes adopted in this respect in the past should be reviewed and seriously evaluated, he said, adding that he was firm on the view that more practical policy and programmes should be adopted and moved ahead in the days to come.

Prime Minister Koirala has wished good health, long life and continuous progress to all the Nepali brothers and sisters at home and abroad on the occasion of the new year’s day 2057 B.S.

Likewise, Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Paudel, in his message on the occasion of the new year’s day today, has greeted all the Nepalese brothers and sisters.

In the message, he has expressed the conviction the new year 2057 would overcome all the hurdles to live a fearless and free life as provided by democracy to the Nepalese people and achieve significant victory against insecurity, shortages and backwardness.

President of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party Surya Bahadur Thapa, in his message on the occasion of the new year’s day, has said that commitment should be made today to create a basis for consensus by rising above politics for the development of a modern and prosperous Nepal.

In the message, Mr Thapa extended new year’s greetings to all the Nepalese on behalf of his party and his own.

Cpn-ml general secretary Bamdev Gautam, in a new year’s day message, said progressive production system is the only way to come out of backwardness.

Mr Gautam has wished all the brothers and sisters of the country progress, prosperity as well as happiness.

Similarly, senior politician Dr Dilliraman Regmi extended best wishes to all the Nepalese people on the occasion of the new year’s day 2057 B.S.

Democracy has no alternative but anomalies that have crept into this system should be removed.

Mahendranagar, Apr. 12: Policemen in Baitadi and Darchula district have arrested for Nepalese persons in possession of explosive substances, it is learnt from the regional police unit office, Kanchanpur.

The border police post at Jhulaghat, Baitadi, seized gelatin, 15 detonators and 13 metres fuse wire from 22-year-old Nagi Singh Dhami, a resident of Mahadev village , Baitadi district.

Dhami has been arrested and a case has been registered against him under the prevention of explosives act. Meanwhile, police also arrested three Nepalese with 150-metres of fuse wire while crossing over the Mahakali river at Dattu village in Darchula district.

Those arrested include Purushottam Aryal, a resident of Bidur Municipality, Ward No. 8, Nuwakot district, Krishna Bhujel of Gairi Besi, Charghar VDC and Mahendra Pyakurel, a resident of the same locality.

Dailekh, Apr. 12:Inaugurating a talk programme on empowering the oppressed and the downtrodden community people organised by the Dalit Sewa Sangh District Committee at local Devkota Chowk of Dailekh Bazaar recently, central president of the Dalit Sewa Sangh Moti Lal Nepali urged all the people of the Dalit community to be conscious of their rights and duties.

He said the Dalits should fight for their freedom from oppression and exploitation.

Treasurer of the Sangh Gajashwar Sunar spoke of the need to rid the country of superstitious beliefs such as untouchability and caste discrimination. He said it was the responsibility of all the countrymen to fight these social malice.

District president of the Dalit Sewa Sangh Amar Bahadur Sunar presided over the programme.

Kathmandu, Apr. 12: A meeting of B.P Awareness Academy central working committee held under the chairmanship of its president Haribol Bhattarai has decided to extend its network throughout the country.

District level committees have been formed in 38 districts so far and district convenors appointed in an additional 22 districts. Branches have yet to be set up in the remaining 15 districts, according to the academy.

The meeting wished speedy recovery for ailing joint general secretary of the academy Sudista Lal Das who suffers from diabetes.

He is a member of the Bishweshwar with the Poor central implementation committee as well as a board member of the rural housing company.

Similarly in Chitwan, the district level coordination and monitoring committee of the B. P. With the Poor programme has finalised a scheme to implement income generating programmes for 400 very poor people of the district.

A meeting presided over by chairman of the committee Rishi Raj Panday has decided to launch the programme immediately after selecting l00 such poor from each of area.

Piple of Constituency No. 1, Chainpur in Constituency No. 2, Phulbari in Constituency No. 3 and Shukranagar, Constituency No. 4 have been selected for the programme in fiscal year 1999-2000.

The programmes for the poor will be conducted in all VDCs turn by turn, according to programme secretary and manager at the main branch office of the Agriculture Development Bank Rameshwar Koirala.

Skill oriented and income generation training will be imparted to the poor selected and bank loans extended at a minimal rate of interest, it is learnt.

Central members of the committee Shesh Nath Adhikari and Devendra Prasad Upadhyaya and all concerned office chiefs were present at the meeting.