Kathmandu, April 10:In a two-day seminar on “NGOs, Civil Society and Government” organised to examine their roles and responsibilities the participants and paper presenters criticised the non-government sector for failing to meet the public expectations and perform desired role in national development endeavour. The seminar is jointly by Central Department of Sociology and Anthropology of Tribhuvan University (CDSA-TU) and Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung.
Presenting his working paper on Problems and Prospects of Relationship between the Government Organisation and NGOs/INGOs Prof. Dilli Ram Dahal said that the organisations have failed to deliver desired results for Nepal’s social and economic development. He also pointed out that crisis of trust for each other between government and non-government organisations and negative implications brought forth by it.
Prof. Dahal claimed that emergence of NGOs in Nepal is systematically linked with flow of “easy money” in forms of bilateral and multilateral aids and grants from donor countries specially after the restoration of multi-party system in 1990. He criticised the donor agencies working in Nepal for making Nepal the “field laboratory” for testing their untested development models. He further criticised the non-government sector in Nepal of “creating a parallel government structure” in their working domain, damaging the working ethics of government employees by providing high salaries and other benefits to their employees, undermining government’s capability or programmes by entering agreements directly with donor agencies. He further claimed that NGOs in Nepal are formed and controlled by small elite groups, are politically motivated and have high operational costs.
On the second paper presented today, Bihari Krishna Shrestha noted that control of political power by a small group of village elite has resulted in dearth of sense of accountability in elected leaders and government’s development allocations are more or less exclusively available to the rich and powerful only. He also claimed that development works are planned, executed and managed by the beneficiaries traditionally, but the recent government tampering with such community-managed assets has resulted in permanent closure of community initiated infrastructures. He further pointed out that conflict of interest between the community’s good and vested political interest of village leaders and mindlessness of donors and government to respect the value of traditional community-based collective efforts has damaged traditional self-help system.
Dr. Tika Pokharel of Social Welfare Council said that the government is firm to develop cordial relationship with non-government sector to speed up the development process in Nepal. He said that lack intellectual debates on prospective roles and responsibilities and contributions and misdeeds of NGOs, lack of proper mechanism to regulate their performances and political instability attracted criticism against the NGOs. However, he expressed his confidence that the non-government sector is capable of becoming the third social force that would help the country achieve its development goals.
The main objectives of the seminar organised on initiations of final year students of CDSA-TU to engage NGO professionals, government’s policy makers, academics and graduate students on debate about the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats of NGO movement in Nepal. And, to disseminate the information generated from the seminar to the graduate students and Nepalese public for a healthy debate on the role of NGOs in the development of Nepal.
The MA second year students have already successfully organised six Student initiated Lecture Series on NGOs.
Kathmandu, Apr. 10 : Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Cyril Sikder paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter’s office in Singha Durbar this afternoon.
Matters of bilateral relations and mutual interest were discussed on the occasion, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Likewise, Australian Ambassador Crispin Conroy paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at Singha Durbar this aftertoon.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister and the ambassador exchanged views on a number of issues of mutual interest.
Also present on the occasion was Mr. Hari Sharma, Principal Personal Secretary to the Prime Minister, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Kathmandu, Apr. 10:Minister for Information and Communications Jayaprakash Prasad Gupta has said that journalists should work for the protection of democracy and the constitution and also for the upliftment of the nation and the people.
Meeting a delegation from the Central Committee of Nepal Press Union at his office here today, Minister Gupta said that development, freedom, fundamental rights and human rights could be ensured only in a democracy and those trying to weaken democracy were the enemy of the nation and the people.
He said that in the context of some people waiting eagerly to subvert democracy, anyone encouraging terrorist activity through journalism could not be termed a true journalist.
Minister Gupta said, “terrorists have been killing poor farmers in the villages and claiming to eliminate feudal landlords. Democratic journalists should work to unmask the terrorist and anti-democratic forces seeking to subvert democracy.”
Referring to the preparations being made to frame law concerning Right to Information as enshrined in the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990, he called upon the Press Union to hold extensive discussions and interactions in this regard and provide suggestions to hmg.
Minister Gupta said that hmg had positive views on the demands of Nepal Press Union.
The delegation headed by Union President Kul Chandra Wagle had demanded enactment of law concerning right to information and fulfilment of the Union’s demands.
The delegation included union vice-president Murari Raj Sharma, general secretary Tarun Paudel, secretary Jhapendra Gayray and other central members.
Kathmandu, Apri. 10: On behalf of Honourable Ryutaro Hashimoto, former Prime Minister of Japan and Member of the House of Representatives of Japan, Mitsuaki Kojima, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal handed over a cheque of US$1,000 to Dr. Govinda Prasad Ojha, Director of Kanti Children’s Hospital at a function held in Kathmandu today. The cheque was sent by Hon’ble Hashimoto as a token of his personal donation to Hashimoto Trust Fund, the Japanese Embassy said.
Hashimoto Trust Fund was established in the Hospital in 1993 with the objectives of providing free medical services to the most needy children, especially destitute who visit the hospital for treatment and to grant Hashimoto Awards to the outstanding employees of the Hospital by utilising accrued interest of the Trust Fund.
Speaking on the occasion, Hospital Director Dr. Ojha expressed his sincere thanks to Hon’ble Hashimoto for the generous help and for his keen interest in providing the medical services for the needy children of Nepal.
Similarly, on behalf of Honourable Ryutaro Hashimoto, former Prime Minister of Japan and Chairman of the Hashimoto Foundation, Mitsuaki Kojima, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal handed over cheques (US$1,000 each) to four students of Kathmandu University at a function held in Kathmandu today. The four recipients of the Hashimoto Foundation Scholarships for the year 2000 are Ms. Anjana Shakya, Mr. Ram Hari Lamichhane, and Mr. Bushnu Dutta Gautam as M. Phil. students and Mr. Chitra Prasad Devkota as M. Phil. leading to Ph. D. student. All four belong to Faculty of Education.
The function was attended by Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma, Vice Chancellor and other faculty members of the Kathmandu University. The Hashimoto Foundation has been providing scholarships to the students of Kathmandu University since 1998.
“Hashimoto Foundation” was established with the generous contributions of the Honourable Ryutaro Hashimoto, former Prime Minister and Member of the House of Representatives of Japan. The Foundation has so far granted scholarships to ten outstanding students of Kathmandu University, including four scholarships this year to support study at the graduate level programmes leading to the M. Phil, and Ph.D. degrees in education under the School of Education.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor of Kathmandu University Dr. Sharma expressed his sincere thanks to the Hashimoto Foundation for providing scholarships to his students.
Kathmandu, Apr. 10: His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev inaugurated a forest, science and technology exhibition organised by the Nepal Foresters’ Association at a function here this afternoon. The Nepal Foresters’ Association is celebrating its silver jubilee year this year.
With the objective of generating people’s awareness on the present status of forestry in Nepal and the interrelationships among human beings, forests, wild life and biodiversity the exhibition also aims to share experiences on the development, innovations and challenges of Nepal’s forestry. Eight important theme areas identified for the exhibition are Community Forestry and Extention, Forestry Education, Communication and Information, People, Park and Wildlife, Forest Research, Farming System and Pasture Management, Non-Timer Forest Products, Forestry Tools, Soil Conservation and Water Shed Management and Biodiversity, Plant Resources and Utilisation.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince inspected all the stalls with keen interest.
Speaking on the occasion Minister of State for Forest and Soil Conservation Muhammad Aftab Alam said that the conservation of forests of the country is closely linked with the overall development of the country.
Dr. Himmat Singh K.C., President of the Foresters’ Association said that since the birth of the Association in 2031 B.S., it has already organised 37 governmental and non-governmental exhibitions of a large scale.
Dhruva Acharya, General Secretary of the Association highlighted the importance of the exhibition.
Kathmandu, Apr. 10: The Communist Party of Nepal — United Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML) Parliamentary Party meeting held today said that because of the governmet’s inability to function properly the 17th session of Parliament was unable to work in favour of the people and the country.
The meeting held under the chairmanship of the Main Opposition leader and CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal focused on the recently concluded 17th session of Parliament, the situation of the country, the ongoing movement launched by the party and the role to be played by lawmakers.
The meeting accused the government of giving deaf ear to the issues raised by the Main Oppostion party, the party sources said. “During the 17th Session of Parliament, we drew the government’s attention to the burning issues, including the rampant corruption, unemployment and violence that has challenged the peace and security situation of the country,” they said. “But the government failed to resolve the problems by forging national consesus with the oppotion parties.”
The party General Secretary Nepal instructed all of his party lawmakers to go back to their respective constituencies and to actively involve in public welfare activities.
Stating that the committee formed by the government to hold talks with the opposition parties achieved little, he said, “The government has to show positive responses towards our demands if it is for the country’s welfare.”
“The path we have adopted is free from extremities and is not affected by any kind of complexes,” he said.
Kathmandu, Apr. 10: Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala today said that the government and the private sector should forge a consensus to enhance the national economy.
“The government and I, as an individual, are ready to co-operate with the private sector in whatever way possible for the growth of commerce and industry,” Koirala said addressing a function organised to observe the first-ever Industry and Commerce Day (ICD) here this afternoon. Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has started celebrating Chaitra 28 (April 10) as ICD this year onwards.
“I am sure of only one thing and that is the nation should prosper,” Koirala said and appealed to the private sector to come up with projects that would transformation social and economic fronts of the country.
Koirala conceded that the nation failed to achieve the desired level of economic growth during the last decade due to the lack of concrete development programmes, adding that it was presently witnessing a wave of economic revolution.
FNCCI should take initiatives to capitalise this opportunity, Koirala said.
Koirala said that the politicians as well as the civil servants should work so as to benefit people. “The government on its part will maintain law and order to create a development friendly atmosphere, reform the civil service to ensure good governance and take strong measures to contain corruption – our invisible enemy.”
Commerce and Industry Minister Ram Krishna Tamrakar said that the government had a vision of developing Nepal into an economically competitive nation, adding that private sector had to play a pro-active role to achieve this aim.
The government and the private sector are the two wheels of the same cart, Tamrakar said. “The nation will be unable to consolidate its economy unless both the parties fulfil their responsibility.”
Tamrakar said that the country’s natural and cultural resources could play a crucial role in national development and appealed to the private sector to tap these prospects.
Keynote speaker Dr. Mohan Man Sainju said that Nepal’s bio/geo-diversity was an asset, not a barrier to national development and stressed on the partnership between the government, the private sector and the civil society.
FNCCI President and ICD Celebration Committee Chairman Pradeep Kumar Shrestha said that the Day was observed with a view to raise public awareness and interest towards industry and commerce and to disseminate the significance of business and industry amongst the wider public.
“The celebration will enhance the social status and prestige of the individuals involved in business and industry and will also provide them an opportunity to introspect their own responsibility to Nepal and Nepali.”
Stressing vision and commitment for economic progress and social uplift, Shrestha said the government and the private sector should join hands for the development of water resources, tourism, agriculture and service industry.
Asian Productivity’s General Secretary Takasi Tajima said Nepal held good prospects in eco-tourism and small and medium enterprises.
On the occasion, Premier Koirala also gave away token of felicitations to Anand Bhakta Rajbhandari, Siddhi Raj Shakya and Swiss citizen Peter Frenz for their outstanding contribution in the field of banking, handicraft development and carpet expert promotion respectively. He also gave away felicitation letters to FNCCI past Presidents, the international organisations assisting FNCCI. National Sports Council was felicitated for its contribution to make the 8th South Asian Federation Games a success.
FNCCI first Vice-president Rabi Bhakta Shrestha proposed the vote of thanks at the conclusion of the function.
Kathmandu, Apr. 10: A task force has recommended that the government create a strong paramilitary force to combat terrorism, including secessionist movements and communal discords.
An Armed Security Force (ASF) should be formed to fight back terrorist activities, abductions, rebellions and communal discords and the force should be headquartered regionally, said a report submitted to the government today.
The ASF should be headed by an Inspector General and should have over 15,000 personnel split in nine battalions and one regiment each stationed in five development regions.
“The ASF should be a separate entity created through a new act,” said the task force headed by former Home Secretary Khem Raj Regmi. The task force was commissioned in February.
The report handed in to Home Minister Govinda Raj Joshi contains 14 recommendations that suggest that the ASF consist of 15,156 personnel – about one half of the officers and the jawans from the police and the other half from the Royal Nepalese Army.
The ASF should be under Home Ministry’s general monitoring and control, the report said.
The armed police will be stationed in the barracks and will be armed with automatic and semi-automatic weapons, the report said. “The ASF should be provided with professional training. The service conditions and facilities should establish ASF as a attractive service institution, it said.
There should be a Security Service Commission to ensure independent selection for recruitment of able and deserving personnel in the ASF and other security committees at district and regional levels. The Commission should also consist of representatives from the army.
The existing riot police, special task force, police training academy at Kakani and armed police training academy at Dandapakhar should be assimilated in the new Security Force, the report added.
The force will be mobilised as per the request of the district security committee, which will have to be endorsed by regional and central security committees.
The Force, according to the report, will be mobilised for monitoring the border when the law and order situation is peaceful in the country. The force will also be supplementary to the regular army in times of need and to the police during the general and local elections.
Chautara: An irrigation canal has been constructed in Lagarche village of Sindhupalchowk district with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan under the second sector programme.
The Asian Development Bank had provided a loan assistance of Rs 2,297,480 and His Majesty’s Government Rs 470,467 for the project. The total cost of the project was Rs 2,768,000. The 3.6-kilometre long canal supplies irrigation water to about 75 hectares land at Ward No. 2,5 and 9 of the locality, according to the district irrigation office.
Kathmandu, April 8:Nepalese Food Promotion (NFP) Pvt. Ltd. organised Nepalese Food Festival here this afternoon.
The festival that began with the theme “Promote Nepalese Food and Enhance Nepal’s Glory” aims at promoting Nepalese varieties by introducing them to the world community, the organisers said.
First of its type in Nepal, the festival included typical Nepalese and Newari cuisine. Some specific food varieties belonging to various Nepalese ethnic communities across the country were also introduced in the festival that had 14 stalls, including stalls selling Nepalese handicrafts items and drinks besides the food.
“Along with Nepalese and Newari dishes, we have introduced a few varieties of Sherpa, Tamang, Rai, and Terai cuisine in different stalls,” NFP Managing Director Suresh Chandra Basnet told the press. He also informed that they would organise such native food festivals in the different parts of the world.
Inaugurating the function, Nepal Chef Association President Pushpa Thapa expressed the hope that Nepalese food varieties, if promoted well, could earn international recognition to the country now famous for brave warriors.