Kathmandu, Mar. 5: Fasciolosis or liver-rot claims some 70 per cent of buffaloes in the mid-hill region of Nepal causing a loss of some Rs. 1,685 million every year.

According to a survey of 1972, 50 to 90 per cent of buffaloes in the mid-hill region contracted the disease causing a loss of some us $ 20 million, while a study carried out in 1993 incurred a loss of some us $ 30 million. As compared to other animals, buffaloes are more likely to contract the disease.

Despite public awareness about the disease and investment of some 60 per cent of the budget for eradication of livestock diseases, there is no decline in the cases of fasciolosis.

The disease spreads from the grazing ground and hay before and after harvesting crops. Sluggishness, weight loss, reduction in milk-producing capacity, etc are the symptoms of the disease.

A research jointly conducted for the past four years by the Agriculture Research Station Pakhribas (ars-p) and the Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine (ctvm) with the assistance of Department of International Development (dfid) of the united kingdom shows that extra feed supplements can be a viable alternative to drug treatment in alleviating the effects of fasciolosis in growing ruminants, provided it is of medium protein content (about 14 per cent).

But, high protein supplements, E. G. 19 per cent crude protein such as oil seed cakes and fodder legumes were not suitable alternative to drug treatment.

Chief veterinary officer of the livestock Services Department Animal Health Division Dr. Shambhu Narayan Mahato, ctvm experts, and Dr. B. Pakhrin and D. B. Subba of the ars-p expressed these views at an international workshop on “strategies for feed management in areas endemic for fasciolosis” jointly organised by the ars-p and ctvm of scotland here today.

Joint Secretary at the ministry of Agriculture Dr. S. K. Shrestha, inaugurating the workshop, said it is necessary to control fasciolosis which farmers can also identify.

Director General of the Department of livestock Services Dr. Pralhad Sapkota, from the chair, noted that livestock farming contributes 31 per cent to the gross agriculture production.

Various other speakers including chief of ars-p Dr. K. R. Regmi and narc executive director Dr. D. Joshi also expressed their views at the function.

Some 75 persons had taken part in the day-long workshop.

Tansen, Mar. 5: the 29th convention of the Nepal Red Cross Society central assembly began here.

Inaugurating the convention, vice chairman of the National Planning Commission (npc) prithvi Raj ligal said the government policy is to uplift the economic status of the  43 per cent of people living below  the poverty line by lowering it to 10 per cent for which  the poverty alleviation programme  will be taken as a campaign and the organisations like the red cross will also be taken for assistance in some places where there is  necessary infrastructure.

Chairman of the Nepal Red Cross Society (nrcs) ramesh Kumar Sharma said the Red Cross is effortful in the direction of sustainable development and that cooperation of all is necessary for extending its services to the villages and communities.

Palpa DDC chairman jhapendra Bahadur G. C. said the Nepal Red Cross Society should be given the task of serving the people by keeping it aloof from politics.

Mayor of Tansen Municipality Ashok Shahi said the Red Cross has been providing services to the needy and serving people affected by natural disasters.

Cdo of palpa district janardan Nepal said the Red Cross activities have been successful in touching the heart of the people.

At the function presided over by nrcs palpa district president Ganesh Man Maharjan,  various other speakers including president of the  Palpa Chambers of Commerce and Industry Pashupati Bhattarai, social worker Radha Bharati, nrcs general secretary narayan Sharma, yashpal  Shakya and Buddhi Prasad Sharma also expressed their views.

On the occasion, npc vice chairman ligal gave letters of honour  to  the life members and to panna lal Shakya, Maheswor Shrestha and Bharat Sharma for rendering commendable services to the Red Cross.

Altogether 200 delegates including 168 representatives from 64 districts and 32 observers are participating in the convention.

On the occasion,  central chairman of Nepal Red Cross Society  Ramesh Kumar Sharma gave away ‘Yasashkar’ membership to eight and  special  membership to 11  persons.

Kathmandu, Mar. 5:A 15-member delegation from the Russian Federation arrived here in Kathmandu to participate in the First Asia Meet of CIS Graduates and 40th Anniversary of Russian Peoples’ Friendship University to be organised by Mitra Kunja.

The international conference of CIS graduates to be held for three days from March 9-11, 2000 is to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai on March 9, 2000 in Kathmandu.

Vladimir Korolev, Deputy Head of ROSZARUBECH Centre, Alexander Gladush, Pro-Rector, Russian Peoples’ Friendship University and V. Soloviev, Executive Director of INCORVUZ and president of Russia-Nepal Cooperation Society are among those who arrived today.

Also, today, president of Russia-Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dr. Upendra Mahato arrived together with the Russian delegation.

A reception is to be held in honour of the visiting Russian delegation on March 6 by Nepal-Russia Cultural Association and Nepal-Russia Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Graduates of CIS Universities from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, China and Japan are also taking part in the First Asia meet of CIS graduates.

Dhangadi, Mar. 5:A group of about 250 so-called Maoists bombed the Ilaka police office located at Binayak of Achham district and kidnapped sub-inspector Devi Chand and assistant sub-inspector Uttam Bahadur Chand last Friday, according to dsp dilasi Rokka.

In the encounter between the police and the so-called Maoists which took place from 2315 hrs to 0230 hrs, four policemen were injured and a few Maoists are believed to have been killed.

The so-called Maoists also  looted some arms and ammunition from the Ilaka police office, it is learnt.

On the same night, the terrorists raided the Nepal Bank Limited located at Binayak of Achham district and took away Rs. 1.2 million in cash and Rs. 4.6 million in gold.

Likewise, they raided the Nepal Bank Limited at Dhakari and absconded with gold worth about Rs. 3.3 million and some cash.

They are believed to be the same group of terrorists who attacked the Ilaka police office at Gharti Gaun of Rolpa district a few days ago.

Bhadrapur, Mar. 5 :Preparations have been made for distribution of voters’ identity cards in three constituencies of Jhapa district.

An all-party meeting held under the convenorship of cdo dilliram Joshi decided to depute a photographers team to 17 places in constituency No. 1, 16 places in constituency No. 3 and 21 places in constituency No. 6 for the purpose.

Constituency No. 1 has a total of 70,035 voters, constituency No. 3 has some 76,000 voters and constituency No. 6 has 90,000 voters.

Jhapa district has six constituencies. Constituency Nos. 1 and 3 lie in the eastern part of the district, while constituency No. 6 adjoins Morang district on the western side.

Birendranagar, Mar. 5:CPN-UML standing committee member Jhalanath Khanal has spoken of the need for those who are engaged in murder and violence to correct their actions since there is an atmosphere to exercise democratic rights in the country.

Mr Khanal, while speaking at a press meet organised by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (fnj) here today, said His Majesty’s Government should take the issue of Maoist insurgency seriously and make efforts to bring the Maoists to the negotiating table by creating a favourable situation.

Stating that people’s problems have not been solved as desired by the people even 10 years after democracy, the CPN-UML leader noted that though we have achieved political freedom, we are yet to strengthen the people socially and economically.

He also spoke of the need to utilize the vast water resources, natural beauty and human resources for developing the country.

Asked about personality conflict within the CPN-UML, Mr. Khanal ruled out such situation in the party and said his party is broad-based and has a lot of property.

Kathmandu, Mar. 5:Rajparishad Standing Committee Chairman Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi has said works being carried out by social organisations in the field of education and health are praiseworthy.

Dr Rayamajhi, speaking at the 24th anniversary function of Mrigendra Samjhana Guthi or Trust here today, observed that health services being provided by the trust to the general public should be worth-emulating for other organisations involved in the field of social service.

Minister of State for Women and Social Welfare Mrs Kamala Devi Pant noted that social service is an uphill task, adding that it will take no time to develop the country if all those who are involved in it commit themselves honestly to the service and welfare of the people.

Mrs Pant also spoke of the need of cooperation and coordination among the social organisations.

Founder of the Trust Dr. Mrigendra Raj Pandey remarked that the trust has being carrying out awareness-raising programmes in remote rural areas for the poor and diseased people.

Various other Speakers including trust vice chairman Bhim Bahadur Adhikari also spoke at the function chaired by social worker Krishna Prasad Pudasaini.

Dr. Rayamajhi also presented a gold medal along with a letter of appreciation to Dr. Shilu Shrestha who secured highest marks among girls in the mbbs examinations of T.U. Teaching Hospital.

The trust distributes nutritious foods to children in the remote areas, first aid kits and spinning wheels for enhancing self-sufficiency, organises anti-smoking campaign and save the children programme from time to time, runs health camps and clinics for diabetes, distributes scholarships to children in the rural areas and provides free check-ups to the poor and the helpless and medicines at half the price at the Jamal-based building of the trust.

The trust has instituted a fund of Rs. 100,000 at Bir Hospital for giving award to a young doctor or technician rendering good services.

Meanwhile, chairman Dr. Rayamajhi yesterday inaugurated a day-long health camp organised by the Chhetrapati Free Ctlinic on the premises of Manamainju secondary school at Manamainju VDC.

A total of some 890 patients received services at the camp from 16 doctors, 15 health assistants and 45 volunteers.

Medicines worth Rs. 95,000 were also distributed on the occasion.

Kathmandu, Mar. 5: The committee constituted by His Majesty’s Government under the convenorship of Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Paudel to take necessary steps on behalf of the government on the national issues raised by the opposition in the ongoing session of the parliament and the present political context of the country began talks with the political parties represented in the parliament here today.

Speaking at the all party talks held at the parliament secretariat, Deputy Prime Minister Paudel said the government has given a positive response to the voices raised by the opposition parties and constituted the committee in order take necessary steps in this regard.

Stating that the committee has initiated preliminary talks with all political parties in order to boost national consensus on various issues of national concerns, the Deputy Prime Minister said such talks will also be held at the government and party level.

Rpp president Surya Bahadur Thapa questioned the significance of the committee as well as the basis for consensus to be reached by it in the present context when the country’s situation is getting worse day by day.

He also accused the government of putting a deaf ear to the Maoist problem which is becoming more complex day by day and not making any efforts to seek assistance for resolving the problems of the country.

Deputy leader of CPN-UML parliamentary party K. P. Sharma Oli expressed the view that the authority of the committee should be clear in the present context when the country is undergoing a serious situation due to uncontrolled corruption, deteriorating state of law and order, violation of human rights, halt in development works, deteriorating foreign relations, etc.

Stating that resolution of these problems is what the party seeks, Mr. Oli said that the talks should not be lengthened but should reach a speedy conclusion.

Present during the talks were committee members local Development Minister Chiranjibi Wagle and Minister for Agriculture Chakra Prasad Bastola, K. P. Sharma Oli and Subash Nemwang on behalf of CPN-UML, rpp president Surya Bahadur Thapa, Gajendra Narayan Singh and Mrigendra Singh Yadav on behalf of Nepal Sadbhavana Party, Chitra Bahadur K.C. and Nawaraj Subedi of Rastriya Janamorcha, Narayan Man Bijukchhe of nwpp and lilamani pokherel of samyukta Janamorcha.

Kathmandu, Mar. 5: The Speakers participating in an interaction programme on poverty and good governance organised by the sap Nepal  expressed the view that unless the people of the local level are made capable of participating in the development works,  the progamme of poverty alleviation and good governance  will be far from successful.

Speaking on the occasion MP mangal Siddi Manandahar said  illiteracy should be removed for poverty alleviation and good governance, the society should be freed from the mentality of revering those who live without working and  undermine those who work for their living, and the civil societies working in the  people’s level should come forward with vigour.

Member of the National Planning Commission Dr. Shankar Sharma said the government is moving ahead vigorously for  good governance and alleviation of poverty.

Dr. Arzu Deuba said unless there is transparency in the economic activities, we cannot think of poverty alleviation.

She said if we are to make Nepal economically strong we should give emphasis on agricultural revolution.

Mr. Bihari Krishna Shrestha said poverty alleviation will have no relevance unless the people at the local level have the right to select and take decisions on development activities. This can be achieved through good governance at the village level, he added.

Expert Deepak Gyawali said as politics is the root cause of all the problems we need transparency in all activities.

Advocate Yuva Raj Sangraula, commenting on the inconsistencies and anarchism in the judicial sector, said the main obstacle to good governance is the  individualistic attitude in the judicial sector.

Altogether 200 representatives from 60 districts of the Kingdom participated in the programme.

Lalitpur, Mar. 5 : magar Society Centre has welcomed the decision of His Majesty’s Government to declare lakhan Thapa magar (second) a martyr and extend financial contributions for the construction of his statue.

The ministry of local development and the ministry of youth, sports and culture will provide Rs. 700,000 to instal a statue of lakhan Thapa magar (second) at  bungkot of Gorkha district.

A meeting of the magar society centre presided over by its president bal Bahadur Rana magar has requested hmg to implement the decisions of the centre to name the Thapathali chowk of Kathmandu as the martyr lakhan Thapa chowk, install his statue there, issue postal stamp to commemorate him and change the name of manakamana cable car to lakhan Thapa magar cable car.

Chief advisor of the martyr lakhan Thapa memorial committee Dr. Harkha Bahadur budha magar, Dhalman Thapa, Lal Bahadur Thapa Magar, Sportsperson Prakash Thapa Magar, Ram Chandra Thapa Magar, Pravin Thapa Magar, Pramila Thapa Magar, Asmita Thapa Magar, Indra Bahadur Thapa Magar, Dal Prasad Pun Magar were felicitated on the occasion.