Kathmandu, Mar. 1: Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai has said it has become urgently necessary for us to take stock of the past shortcomings and enhance the dignity of parliament for the development of the multi-party democratic system restored through people’s sacrifices.

Mr Bhattarai made this remark while addressing the joint meeting of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly beginning here today.

Expressing confidence that our efforts in this parliamentary session will be focussed more on people’s welfare, the Prime Minister asserted that the present government will remain active in the task of nation building and rise above narrow party politics for the welfare of all.

Though we have undergone many ups and downs before democracy has taken its roots, we have reached a point where we have realised that democracy has no alternative for the progress and unity of the nation, said Mr. Bhattarai adding, Nepalese people mandated the Congress Party in the last general elections for peace, security, development and good governance for the sake of which he has remained active after he assumed the post of Prime Minister.

Noting that as a result of government efforts to solicit all party consensus and intensify multi-dimensional efforts including political and administrative for ensuring peace and security in the country, a group which has pursued the path of violence in the name of Maoists has come closer to holding talks, he hoped that some concrete results will come out of it soon.

The Ganeshman Peace Campaign launched for helping victims of terrorist activity and rehabilitating those who want to live a normal life by doing away with such activity has taken a positive direction, he said, adding, remarkable steps have been taken to ensure law and order, remove corruption and red tapism, and effect legal, administrative and policy reforms.

He also said His Majesty’s Government has started a plan of action to prepare a manual for making effective use of services, goods and facilities available at the local level, adding that it is because of the government’s commitment to ensure good governance we have not heard of distortions and aberrations today which we often heard in the past and this is positive.

Economic trends indicate that economic growth rate is expected to reach six per cent this fiscal year, tax revenue is increasing satisfactorily and the volume of export trade has increased by 42 per cent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, said the Prime Minister adding, development expenditure has increased remarkably, a positive trend has emerged in price situation and foreign exchange reserve has swelled to Rs. 84 billion.

Stating that a total ban has been imposed on diesel tempos since Bhadau, 2056 B.S. and an arrangement has been made requiring all new vehicles to meet pollution standards, the Prime Minister observed that in view of the drinking water problem in Kathmandu Valley, necessary arrangement is being made for implementing the Melamchi Drinking Water Project.

His Majesty’s Government has already taken steps to put into practice the decision of setting up a godown for storing 40,000 metric tonnes of foodgrain, the Prime Minister said, noting that Puwa, Modi, Khimti and Bhotekoshi hydel projects will be completed this fiscal year.

The government is optimistic of preparing groundwork for resolving the Bhutanese refugee issue vis-a-vis the diplomatic initiatives and talks, he said, adding that His Majesty’s Government has already decided to open a Royal Nepalese Embassy office in Doha, the capital of Qatar, for safeguarding the interests of Nepalese workers in the Gulf region.

A decision has already been taken to celebrate the year 2002 as a destination Nepal Year which is expected to see the in-coming of some one million tourists, he noted.

In keeping with the policy of setting up 20 primary health centres every year in every parliamentary constituency, additional 20 health centres have already been opened, the Prime Minister said, observing that the national polio immunisation programme and the special polio immunisation campaign launched with the aim of eradicating the disease concluded successfully.

Kathmandu, Mar. 1: As summoned by His Majesty the King, the 17th session of parliament began at the Parliament House at Singha Durbar today.

At the beginning of the meeting, a two-minute’s silence was observed to pay tributes to the known and unknown martyrs who had laid down their life for the sake of democracy in the country.

Speaker Taranath Ranabhat, on the occasion, heartily welcomed the mps to the seventeenth Session of the Parliament.

Delivering the welcome speech, Speaker Ranabhat said the effectiveness of the Parliament which directly represents the people vested with sovereignty is very important to provide sustainability and dynamism to the overall development of the country.

He noted that if the basis of the national consensus became transparent and strong in the institutional development of various bodies and resolving the complex issues, a situation would be created for the fulfilment of the aspirations of the exploited, oppressed, poor and innocent people.

When the people’s representatives are aware and honest towards their duties and responsibilities and their role is effective, not only the prestige of the Parliament would enhance but their accountability towards the people would also become meaningful, he added.

Mr Ranabhat said “Only our dedication and commitment towards our image, norms and values can eliminate the distortion and inconsistencies in every aspect of our national life.”

Those trying to weaken the democratic system and constitutional monarchy, creating disillusion and distraction among the political parties, the corrupt persons crushing the destiny of the poor people, the elements spreading anarchy, terrorist assaulting the life and property of the innocent people, and the former panchas hurting our national pride are becoming more active, he said, adding that the house is vested with the responsibilities of checking such activities.

Stating that the people suffering from inflation, shortages and unemployment were expecting relief measures, he said, adding that in this kind of situation, the house had to find the right direction with stability, determination and full dedication.

The economy and specially the tourism sector has been badly affected following the cancellation of flights of Indian Airlines after the hijacking incident and the unfavourable campaign carried out by the Indian mass media, he said, adding that the problem should be resolved with the spirit of good neighbourliness.

It is encouraging to receive indication that hmg and CPN-Maoist would hold talks to find a peaceful and constitutional solution to the issue, Mr. Ranabhat said,  wishing success of the talks.

Mr Ranabhat said that after the sixteenth Session written directives had been received from His Majesty the King for enhancing the effectiveness of the Parliament and making the law formulation process more practical and scientific.

The House is fully aware and will remain active in implementing the directives given by His Majesty to formulate laws concerning the political parties to hold free, fair and peaceful elections in the future and to find a solution to resolve the Maoist problem, the Speaker said.

His Majesty the King, the Prime Minister, the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, the leader of the main opposition party and the leaders of all the political parties represented in the Parliament had reached a consensus to make the Parliament Secretariat an autonomous body in line with the provisions enshrined in the constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990, Mr. Ranabhat said, adding this could not be moved ahead on account of some technical reasons. The Speaker called for cooperation from all concerned in this regard.

Some of the responsibilities of the sixteenth session such as tabling thirteen bills for decision, responsibility of the high level committee concerning elections and implementing the report concerning revenue leakage, are also the responsibilities of the current session also, he added.

On the occasion, Mr. Ranabhat said that while formulating the next budget and fixing plan priorities for the development of the country,  the Finance Ministry and the National Planning Commission should consider the views of the MPs also.

Gains of democracy:

Meanwhile, Chairman of National Assembly Dr Mohammod Mohsin, in a welcome speech at the National Assembly meeting today, wished that the current parliamentary session would succeed in finding solutions to the problems facing the country.

Speaking of the need to take the gains of democracy to the grassroots, Dr Mohsin said law and order situation is dismal in the country, unemployment has increased, corrupt people have not been punished and we have to see where are the lapses in terms of implementing the Constitution.

It would be more result-oriented if efforts were made to seek consensus of all for resolving the burning issues of the country, he said and wished on behalf of the House speedy recovery of main opposition party leader Madhav Kumar Nepal.

Main opposition party leader at the national assembly Yuvaraj Gyawali said law and order situation is grave in the country, corruption, commodity prices and educational problems have increased, human rights commission has not been formed yet and the government is not serious about removing Indian army from Kalapani.

We have to find out who has to be blamed for the failure to resolve all these problems and the present session should try to rectify such shortcomings, he added.

Rabindra Nath Sharma of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party spoke of the need of strategies to resolve the problems facing the country and said in a democracy, the opposition can do nothing more than provide constructive suggestions to the government to make it more responsible.

Democrats should abide by the norms, values and ideals of democracy and mould themselves into practice accordingly to strengthen democracy, said Mr. Sharma, adding, the present government has failed to maintain law and order in the country, foreign policy is no longer balanced and corruption has increased than ever before.

President of RPP (Chand) Rajeshwor Devkota observed that issues of nationalism, Maoist terrorism and violence, price rise, development and construction work could be the areas warranting national consensus.

Sitanandan Raya of the cpn-ml said during the past ten years of democracy, it is because of the Nepali Congress which was in power for most of the period that people are growing disenchanted with democracy, the parliamentary committee formed to look into the alleged rigging in the last general elections did not include the party which was most victimised and the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority is not able to stop corruption.

Mp ramesh Nath Pandey noted that people have not felt a sense of stability despite a majority government in place, the law and order situation is in disarray, the international community has put pressure for not framing certain laws and Nepal’s image has tarnished in the international field.

Thereafter, National Assembly Chairman Dr Mohsin who was chairing the meeting read out the communications received from the Royal Palace.

Kathmandu, Feb. 29: As summoned by His Majesty the King, the 17th session of Parliament will begin at parliament building, Singha Durbar tomorrow.

This session is generally called a bill session. All necessary preparations for the parliamentary session have been completed, said spokesman of the Parliamentary Secretariat Bishnu Datta Upreti. He also expressed confidence that like previous sessions this one will also be very fruitful.

Kathmandu, Feb. 29: Convenor of Maoist Problem Resolution High Level Recommendations Committee and ex-prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that if human rights activists, legal practitioners and others cooperated, he is, on behalf of the party and government, ready to make every effort for the resolution of the Maoist problem.

Mr Deuba, who was speaking at a discussion programme on the, “Basis for Possible Talks between Maoists and Government” organized by Nepal Bar Association Human Rights and Public Concern Committee here today, said in a democracy even if any group indulged in criminal activities, the government should not do anything, which violates human rights, in the name of controlling criminal activities.

He also stressed the need to implement the compensation act, provide proper education and human rights training to the police and include human rights as a subject in school curriculum.

Chairman of parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Human Rights Committee Som Prasad Pandey complained that the government has not yet implemented the suggestions presented by the committee for resolving human rights violation and maoists problems.

Although, the government has delayed the resolution of the Maoist problems, it should now build congenial atmosphere for both sides to immediately stop violence, guarantee the security of the Maoists who come for talks, if at all they came, and launch development package programme in the Maoist affected areas.

From the chair, convenor of the Public Concern Committee and ex-speaker Daman Nath Dhungana spoke of the need to build an atmosphere conducive for negotiations between government and the Maoists. The government should be liberal for talks and it should disseminate information about activities being carried out for the resolution of the problem, he added.

Nepal Bar Association president Harihar Dahal said legal practitioners are ready to cooperate in the resolution of the Maoist problem.

Participants at the programme also stressed the need to make public the names of those killed and missing in course of the insurgency, form human rights commission, set aside adequate resources for maintaining law and order, stop killings during the negotiations, include other sectors concerned in the negotiations and fulfil the demands put forth by maoists for the resolution of the people’s problems.

President of Human Rights Organization of Nepal Prof. Kapil Shrestha, secretary of Nepal Bar Association Agni Kharel, senior advocates Basudev Dhungana, Krishna Prasad Bhandari and Bishwo Kant Mainali, advocates Tikaram Bhattarai, Ishwori Dahal, Mukti Pradhan and Laxmi Upreti and human rights activists Sushil Pyakuryal, Gopal Shivakoti Chintan and Gopal Krishna Shivakoti also expressed their views on the resolution of the Maoist problem.

Kathmandu, Feb. 29: Former prime minister and president of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Surya Bahadur Thapa has said rpp is seriously concerned about the burning issues of widespread corruption, politicization of the administration, the law and order situation, the problems of the people and the Maoists, and mockery of the principles of rule of law.

Rpp president Thapa made this remark while addressing the rpp bagmati zonal workers convention at the party’s office, Naxal today.

Stating that the rpp had been unified in accordance with the wishes of the people and the party workers, Mr Thapa urged the party workers to take the programme adopted by the party to the people with new vigour and enthusiasm.

Former prime minister and rpp leader Lokendra Bahadur Chand said that even though the party had split tdue to various reasons in the past, the party had unified for safeguarding and preserving the nation and nationalism.

Calling on the outside party workers to join the rpp, mr Chand said it is the duty of all the party workers to strengthen the party’s organizational structure and make it more   competent.

Rpp vice-president Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani said that ideology, organization and personalities are the very basis of our party. We can fulfill our objectives if we move ahead by merging these factors, he added.

Rpp spokesman and convenor of the rpp central regional committee Kamal Thapa said it is the first duty of all the party workers to remove the shortcomings and weaknesses seen in the party and to take the message of party unification to the villages in the form of a campaign.

Member of the rpp central committee and mp buddhiman Tamang said that all the party workers should unite and go to the people for the consolidation of the party.

Member of the rpp central committee and chief of the rpp local unit mobilization committee Rabindranath Sharma said that political abberations and anamolies had risen due to the failure in putting into practice the concepts of the rule of law.

At the convention chaired by president of  rpp kathmandu district working committee Bikram Bahadur Thapa, rpp central members Jog Meher Shrestha and biswobandhu Thapa also expressed their views.

Kathmandu, Feb. 29: CPN(UML) leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari has said that during the 17th session of parliament beginning March 1, cpn-uml will together with other opposition parties effectively raise issues concerning serious problems facing the country and the plight of the people.

Mr Adhikari told rss today that his party will draw the government’s attention to the non-implementation of the resolution on price hike which was passed by the special session of the parliament.

Efforts will be made to pressurize the government into implementing the report of the revenue leakage investigation committee, declaring corruption control programme and implementing it honestly, he said.

According to Mr Adhikari, Maoist terrorism, killings, violence, poor law and order situation, prevalent social injustice, excesses, human rights violation are some of the major issues to be raised during this session of parliament.

Since the bill proposed by government in the name of suppressing the Maoists is against the spirit of democracy and the Constitution, cpn-uml remains opposed to it, he said.

He also complained that the level of revenue mobilization is far low compared to that of the previous year, the amount of foreign loans and grants is decreasing and the entire economy is facing a crisis.

This being the situation, he added, his party will make efforts to pressurize the government into maintaining fiscal discipline.

Kathmandu, Feb. 29: Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Finance Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat has said that a liberal economic policy should be adopted in order to accelerate the pace of financial activities in the country.

Inaugurating the 25th annual general meeting and silver jubilee function of Nepal Overseas Export and Import Association here today, Dr. Mahat said economic growth rate of the country has been increasing as a result of government’s effort of making the economic sector more competitive and liberal.

On the occasion Minister Dr. Mahat also released a souvenir published by the association and presented letters of appreciation to ex-president and office-bearers of the association.

President of Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (fncci) Pradip Kumar Shrestha said the export trade has recorded a deficit of about rs 51 billion while the industrial and commerce sector is currently undergoing a lingering state.

President of Nepal Overseas Export and Import Association Lokmanya Golcha shed light on the activities carried out by the association in development and enhancement of foreign trade. Vice-president Akhil Kumar Chapagain and Ashok Kumar Agrawal also spoke on the occasion.

Kathmandu, Feb. 29: The Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party met under the chairmanship of parliamentary party leader and Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai at the Prime Minister’s residence, Baluwatar today.

The meeting discussed matters concerning effective enactment of already introduced and other new bills in the parliament in consultation with the opposition party leaders in an amicable atmosphere.

Ways to make the activities of the subject committees formed by Nepali Congress more effective were also discussed on the occasion.

Addressing the meeting, Pprime Minister Bhattarai urged the nc mps to play an effective role in making the parliamentary session beginning tomorrow more effective and fruitful.

According to parliamentary party secretary Benup Raj Prasai, Prime Minister Bhattarai also urged nc mps to take into confidence the opposition mps while preparing legislation since legislation passed in parliament are for all Nepalese people.

NC president Girija Prasad Koirala called for effective role of the nc mps in making discussions on bills more constructive, and formulating effective laws.

He also urged the nc mps to unite for the resolution of serious problems facing the country and for strengthening the party.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Information and Communications Ram Chandra Paudel stressed the need for the nc mps to actively cooperate in the implementation of the government’s   policies and programmes.

NC general secretary Sushil Koirala stressed the need to maintain discipline within the party so as to resolve the problems facing the country.

Meanwhile, Whip of the ruling party at the House of Representatives Tek Bahadur Chokhal has said that all Nepali Congress mps will present themselves united in the 17th session of the parliament begining tomorrow.

Talking to rss today, Mr Chokhal said the parliament will function not on the basis of a majority but through national consensus.

Expressing the confidence that about 14 bills presented in the previous session of the parliament and currently under discussion in the committees will be passed in this session, Mr Chokhal said the parliament will also discuss the 300 queries registered.

He also said that the Some Nepal Act Amendment bill relating to internal administration presented in the 16th session will be passed through national consensus taking into consideration the suggestions put forth by the opposition parties.

Stating that a solution to any problem can be found within the parliament and not from the streets, Mr Chokhal expressed confidence that the session will be successful in resolving problems of the nation through creative support from the opposition parties.

Kathmandu, Feb: 29 : A number of children alight from buses at Kathmandu bus park every morning in a confused state of mind. Uncertainty and suffering can be read on their faces.

Even though the future of these poor children hailing from the villages of the terai and the hilly regions is a risky one in a metropolitan city like Kathmandu, they are anxious to try their luck here. No doubt, most of them will face hardship and even danger in the struggle  for survival.

This is a problem not only in Nepal, but exists more of less in  all nations of the South Asia region.

According to the International Labour Organisation office for Asia and Pacific region and ipec, around 250 million children are involved some way or other in economic activities in the underdeveloped countries of the world.

About 60 per cent of the total population of child labourers live in South Asia alone. Of these, 2.6 million are to be found in Nepal.

The emergence of child labour in Nepal is not the outcome of poverty and want alone, chairman of the Child Workers Concern Centre, Nepal (ciwin) Gouri Pradhan says.  It is the outcomes of social and economic factors and cultural tradition.

In addition to the poor economic condition of the people in Nepal, the social fabric, deprivation from education and migration from rural to town areas also attribute to the problem, she adds.

The prevailing trend is that employers give priority to such migrant children whom they can employ at cheap rates and use at  will. Their guardians also tend to hire them out as   domestic help so that they will not be a bother to themselves.

Ten-year-old Rajendra Chaudhari who came from Siraha district says,   ” My uncle brought me to Kathmandu in anticipation of room and board and money and left me with a well-to-do family to do their household work.”

I have to wake up early in the morning  and do everything including cleaning, cooking, taking the children of my master to school, and I have no chance to study though I have a keen interest in it. There is nobody to share my grief and pain, he complains.

A large number of children who were brought here with promises of food and shelter have almost the same story to tell and are living in miserable conditions.

According to a survey  conducted by ciwin, 60 percent of the total child labour population or 21 thousand who do domestic work are compelled to work 10-12 hours daily and 20 percent work 12-14 hours. Of them, 10 percent are below the age of 10 and 70 percent between 11-14.

Child labourers deprived of remuneration are also large in number. Some get a paltry sum. In other cases, those who brought them to their employers themselves take the money from the latter.

According to the survey, about 31 percent of such child labourers could not get any remuneration from their employers while 10 percent are ignorant of any renumeration due to them.

About 49 per cent never have a chance to go to school while 40 percent drop out after admission. However, 11 percent have made use of this opportunity. But under such harsh conditions it is doubtful if they undertake their studies regularly within and outside school.

It is foolish to insult and ill treat child labourers, social worker Sabina Koirala says. Child labour is not an inherent phenomenon but a result of the ground realities in our society and family. It is also a question of equal opportunity.

Electronic media such as radio and television and newspapers also have been highlighting this issue to a large extent, that with little effect. This shows that there in need for a human conscience rather than just prohibitory laws.

Concerted efforts by national and international organisations is a must for rooting out this social anomaly. Every family in society also has to play a role to discourage this practice.

His Majesty’s Government should adhere to the laws and regulations pertaining to the elimination of child labour as well as the international accords and  conventions  on child rights in  order to properly safeguard the rights and interests of Nepalese children.

Kathmandu, Feb. 29: In anticipation of a bright future for the restored and renovated Garden of Dreams, the first meeting of the Development Board took place. The focus of a five year joint initiative by the Austrian and nepalese governments, the restoration project will bring new public amenities for this central location as part of a novel tourism development scheme. The development Board, acting as legal partner to the project and representative of the government, will alow the national property to be utilised for educational, cultural, and recreational purposes, a model for the development of other nationa; properties. Until recently the historical garden complex which includes Neo-classical pavilions, ponds and plantings had been underutilised and neglected. Oeko-Himal, the local representative of the Australian Aid assistance, envisions the restored garden as a centre of urban life, a green haven in the midst of modern Kathmandu.

Constructed by Field Marshall Kaiser Shamsher in the 1920’s, the garden is one if the outstanding examples of colonial architecture in South Asia. Conservation Architects Goetz Hagmueller and Erich Theophile have carefully researched the history of the complex tracing the architectural and literacy precedents for the Field Marshall’s ambitious project. Mr. Lok Bhakta literary precedents for the Field Marshall’s ambitious project. Mr. Lok Bhakta Rana, son of the Field Marshall, serves as representative of th family who donated the property in trust to HMG, and was today appointed Member Secretary of the Development Board. The Honorable Mr. Jayaram Giri, Secretary of the Minister of Tourism, serves as Chairman of the Board. Other Board members include: representatives of the Nepalese Tourism Board, Mr. Prashant Singh, Private Sector experts in tourism and culture, Mr. Karna Shakya, and representative of the Austrian donor agency Oeko-Himal, Mr. Goetz Hagmueller.

Work has already begun to clean and restore the garden complex; future plans include new income-producing activities–cafes, cultural events, and eco-exhibits–which will support ongoing operating and maintenance expenses. The long-term profits from the restored complex have been earmarked to restore the Kaiser Shamsher’s personal library, housed in the adjacent Ministry of Education, and another Nepalese Monument deserving of both local and international interest and care.