By Nepal News Correspondent
Kathmandu, Feb 25:
The crisis that had crept into the ruling Nepali Congress has been over as the no-confidence motion registered against the Prime Minster Krishna Prasad Bhattarai by 58 lawmakers of the Nepali Congress was withdrawn Friday evening.
The motion was withdrawn at the emergency meeting of the Nepali Congress parliamentary party today, said Prime Minister’s office.
The move came following an understanding reached between Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and party president Girija Prasad Koirala relating to solution of the present problem. Immediately after the agreement between the two leaders, they issued a joint statement calling NC lawmakers to withdraw the no-trust motion for the unity of the party.
Koirala also personally appealed to the lawmakers to withdraw the motion.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and Girija Prasad Koirala had two rounds of talks in which a compromise was made.
However, the details of the compromise reached between the two leaders were not made public.
After the meetings, both Prime Minister Bhattarai and party president Koirala issued a joint statement asking its lawmakers to withdraw the no-trust motion and workers of the party to remain united.
” The tradition of the Nepali Congress is to resolve any kind of problem through consultation and compromise and the present crisis in the party was also solved on the basis of compromise and consensus”, states the joint statement.
58 lawmakers had registered no-trust motion in the Nepali Congress parliamentary party against Prime Minster Bhattarai and demanded change of the leaders of NC parliamentary party.
The leader of the majority party in parliament automatically becomes the Prime Minister.
Nepali Congress is the majority party in parliament.
According to Nepali Congress source, Prime Minister Bhattarai agreed to step down after sometime gracefully. However, the time for his exit was not disclosed.
Kathmandu, Feb 24: Seven more semifinals concluded Thursday at different snooker outlets under the All Nepal Carlsberg Snooker Championship, organised by Gorkha Brewery Ltd in association with Billiards, Snooker and Pool Association of Nepal.
At Heaven’s Snooker House, Chakra Lama put off the challenges of Shree Thapa by 4-1 in the best of sevel frame to enter the final. Lama, apart from a small lapse of concentration in the third frame, otherwise had no problem against a much faible opponent. His winning score was 68-72-22, 36-43, 81-23, 93-12.
Ramesh Rana was ever outstanding in his win over Bishnu Gurung in the other semifinal. In what turned out to be a one-sided affair, Rana demolished Gurung by 94-19, 85-23, 78-20, 102-12. He also scored a break of 52 in the last frame, making him the highest breaker at the venue so far.
Likewise, in the semifinals played at The Circle, Ajab Shrestha and Tashi Sherpa set up the final clash with straight forward victory. Shrestha defeated Jay Dev Lama by 73-26, 53-52, 53-28 while Sherpa scored 60-24, 55-14, 71-39 win over Nirajan Pradhan.
The interesting match of the day, however, was the one between Pranil Dhoj Karki and Umesh Jung Gurung at Star Snooker House. Both showed their touch executing some of the marvellous cue works. Karki took the opening frame 61-35 but Gurung stormed his way back taking next two 82-18, 91-11 for 2-1 lead. Karki had the last laugh though as he won the fourth and fifth frames, 72-25 and 53-30 to take the match. Suresh Maharjan joined him in the final with 76-23, 57-28, 57-47, 20-60, 97-27 win over Sanu Lama.
At Surya Binayak Snooker House, Radha Krishna KC beat Sundar by 65-36, 63-31, 69-55 to enter the final where he will take on Dipesh Dhaubanjar, who defeated Anup by 105-32, 43-34, 62-52.
At Boudha Snooker Club, Tashi Wangchuk and Rajan Lama entered the final with the win over Chandan Lama (74-21, 58-40, 37-58, 88-33) and Manoj Lama (50-77, 78-16, 61-39, 70-17).
Others to enter the final were Subarna Limbu and Nagendra Shrestha at Club The Pokhara, Pokhara, Limbu defeated Sandeep Joshi by 70-44, 52-57, 60-32, 50-29, 55-78, 45-44 while Shrestha beat Pramod Shakya by 73-27, 66-20, 51-19, 30-69, 41-30.
Otherday-four winners: Cosmos Solarium – Bishnu Rajbhandari, Mukhiya Gurung, Milan Gurung, Pema Lama.
The Club – Michael, Bhavya
Royal Snooker & Pool Club, Banepa – Ram Palanchoke, Ramesh Ranabhat, Anup Taujale, Ramesh Tamrakar, Chandra Shrestha, Mahesh Manandhar, Surya Ranta Shakya, Jayandra Shakya.
Revival House of Pool, Narayangardh – Diwas neupane, Munendra Shrestha, Rajan Piya, Gopal Rasaili, Anil Shrestha, Sanjeev Shrestha, Pushpa Shrestha, Ashok Gurung.
City Club, Birgunj – Pravin Pant, C S Nayak, Rabindra Shah, Sonam Lama
Boss Snooker & Pool Facility – Navaraj Shakya, Bhusan Shrestha, Rakesh Joshi
Boudha Snooker House – Tashi Wangchuk, Manoj Lama, Chandan Lama, Rajan Lama.
Dragon Snooker House – Jaya Bdr Thapamagar, Prakash Pradhan, Ang Temba Lama, Prajol Mainali, Daure Thapa, Ram Bhatta, Sovit Thapa.
Everest Snooker – Tenzing, Topgay Tshiring, Jamuna Ghale, Sonam Gurung, Dorjee Tshiring, Basu, Bikash.
Snooker Maze- Bikash Shrestha, Rajendra Narayan, Christopher, Zamir Gonna.
Eshani Club – Nabin Suwal, Uttam Thapa.
Green land Snooker & Pool Centre – Rakesh Shrestha, Nabin Bikram Shahi, Nabin (Max), Tshiring Sherpa.
Hong Kong Snooker Club – Purnaman Magar, Bal Bdr. Tamang, Suraj Shah, Karna Singh Gurung, Samten Pema Tashi, Tenzing Ngudup.
21 Club – Ranjit Shahi, Roshan Shahi, Mahesh Shrestha.
Dragon Snooker House – Ram Bhatta, Prakash Pradhan, Ang Temba Sherpa.
Kathmandu, Feb. 24 : The 25th Education Day is being observed today throughout the Kingdom with the theme “Values of democratic education, employment development and humanity.”
In a message on the occasion, Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai has said considering that no one would be deprived of the bright light of education, we have been observing education day in view of its immense role in the all round development of the nation.
Stating that efforts made by His Majesty’s Government in the past 25 years have resulted in the going of 70 per cent of children to primary schools, the Prime Minister noted that yet we have to reinforce our efforts to take the light of education to the nook and corner of the nation.
We still are faced with the challenges of developing education likely to meet the demands of the 21st century, he said and spoke of the need to ensure quality education in science and technology.
Noting that today’s main challenge is to develop technical and vocational education which may help students have an edge in the international sector, Mr Bhattarai called on all the Nepali people to extend their help in realizing the slogan of “Values of democratic education, employment development and humanity.”
Kathmandu, Feb. 24 : His Majesty the King has felicitated Mr Lennart Meri, President of the Republic of Estonia on the occasion of the independence day of Estonia. In a message of felicitations, His Majesty has wished for the president’s personal health and happiness and for the progress and prosperity of the people of Estonia.
Pokhara, Feb. 24 : His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev conferred the “Mahendra Bidyabhusan” on various persons at a special function organised at Ratnamandir here this afternoon on the occasion of the 25th Education Day.
On the occasion, His Majesty was presented the 25th National Education Day badge by Minister of State for Education Rajendra Kharel.
Altogether 139 persons were conferred the Mahendra Vidyabhusan on the occasion. Mahendra Vidyabhusan class-”A” was presented to 69 persons, class “B” to 52 persons and class “C” to 18 persons.
Mahendra Vidyabhusan class “A” is given to any Nepalese citizen obtaining a Ph. D. Degree or equivalent from tribhuvan University or any other university.
Likewise, the Mahendra Vidyabhusan class “B” is awarded to students completing the masters level with distinction or coming out first class first, and Mahendra Vidyabhusan class “C” to those completing the bachelors level with distinction or coming out first class first.
Kathmandu, Feb. 24:The Ministry of Water Resources is to implement a new hydro power development policy in order to produce electricity at a cheaper rate and establish it as an exportable item through exploitation of the hydro power potential of the country.
The objectives of the proposed policy are to integrate electrification with economic activities in the country and foster private sector participation in the development of hydro power in a bid to extend affordable and quality electricity services across the country.
The ministry has shown initiative and interest in the formulation of the new policy out of a felt need for private sector involvement. Past experience shows that hydro power projects based on totally government means and resources cannot meet the demand of the entire nation, secretary at the ministry Biswa Nath Sapkota says.
A total of 269 mw has been harnessed so far solely through the investment of the government sector.
The policy includes a string of provisions for exporting electricity produced by medium and large scale hydro power projects, developing multi-purpose projects with a big reservoirs in such a fashion that the nation could enjoy maximum benefits, encouraging rural electrification in remote areas through launching of small and micro project at local level, creating employment opportunities by utilising locally available labour and skill for projects, mitigating adverse environmental impact and rehabilitating displaced persons.
The total energy generated from the existing hydro power projects constitutes under 1 per cent of total potential. Just 15 per cent of the total population has electricity.
It is estimated that upon completion of the on-going projects the electricity authority and private parties can meet growing demand in the country only till 2004.
The new policy will give additional incentives to private parties and bring in flexibility so as to widen the scope of the hydro power sector in view of indigenous as well as foreign investors being attracted to a number of projects such as Khimti, Upper Bhotikoshi, Upper Modi and West Seti following introduction of the hydro power Development Policy of 2049 for encouraging the private sector.
It has laid down provisions requiring permission from the concerned authorities for projects with capacity of above 1,000 kilowatts. For projects with a capacity of up to 5,000 kilowatt, license for feasibility study has to be issued within a period of 60 days from the date of submission of application, and license for production within a period of 120 days from date of application.
In case of a project with a capacity of above 5,000 kilowatts, feasibility study has to be carried out at government level as far as possible and practicable and the license will be valid for a maximum of five years.
Similarly, validity of production license for a project with a capacity of 1-5 mw for internal consumption will be 40 years from the date of issuance. It will be 35 years for projects of above 5 mw and 30 years in the case of export oriented projects.
However, a period of 5 years can be added for a project using a reservoir depending on the construction period involved.
For a captive plant type project 60 per cent of whose electricity output is to be used by an indigenous industry, the license will last for the lifetime of the industrial unit. In case the industrial unit closes down a 30 year license can be given.
It is also made clear under the policy that the duration of permission for transmission and distribution will be 25 years with a grace period of 10 years. But for projects of up to 1,000 kilowatt, the time limit extends for the life of the project.
Under the new policy, income tax will be exempted for a project of up to 1,000 kw. Income tax exemption will be for 15 years from the date of electricity production for projects of up to 5,000 kw generated for domestic consumption, and for 10 years for projects of above 5,000 kw and also 10 years from commencement of commercial production for export oriented projects.
Under the policy, arrangements have been made to exempt income tax for captive plants, but this arrangement will be limited to 10 years for such plants selling electricity to the general public.
This tax facility will be provided to private parties which construct sub stations and transmission and distribution lines.
Referring to arrangements for single party or joint ventures in power generation, transmission and supply, executive director of the Water and Power Commission secretariat Kul Ratna Bhurtel says that a capital market will be opened to encourage indigenous power developers and a fund will be set up through Royalty collected for the development of micro hydel projects and rural electrification.
Pokhara, Feb. 24 :Speaker Taranath Ranabhat has said social and economic development to the desired extent cannot be attained in a country where good quality education is lacking as education is the main basis for development of every country,.
Speaker Ranabhat made this remark at a function organised by the T.U. Employees Association of the Institute of Forestry Science and T.U. Employees Association Pokhara Campus unit to felicitate the elderly employees on the occasion of the 25th National Education Day today.
On the occasion Speaker Ranabhat felicitated the employees extending services for more than 15 years by presenting shawls and certificates to them.
Stating that the education policy implemented for a certain era cannot be suitable for another era, Mr. Ranabhat expressed the view that skilled manpower can be generated for the overall development of the country only through a suitable education policy for the 21st century.
The speaker stressed the need to develop the country by utilising the natural resources and means available in the country.
Member of the Rajparishad Ganesh Bahadur Gurung said the education sector had deviated from its aims and objectives as the teachers and employees associations were involved in politics.
At the function chaired by president of T.U. Employees Association Pokhara Campus unit Basanta Udas, dean of the Institute of Forestry Science Abhaya Kumar Das, educationist George John, editor of Pokhara Patra daily Bishnu Prasad Shrestha, campus chief Maqbul Hussien Khan, Gajendra Dhoj Joshi, Hridesh Kumar Pokherel, Bhola Prasad Dhakal, Bhola Bahadur K.C. And Gyanendra K.S. Also expressed their views on different aspects of the education sector.
Meanwhile, Speaker Ranabhat has said that many children and citizens are still deprived of the opportunity of higher education as a result of the prevailing poverty and backwardness in the country.
Addressing a function organised by Kaski district education committee on the occasion of the 25th National Education Day here today, Mr. Ranabhat said that the need of the day was to pursue the educational policy capable of producing manpower required by the country and competing with the world in the 21st century.
He called upon the Maoists to give up violence and killings and work to win the hearts of the people peacefully.
Speaker Ranabhat said that poorly managed public schools, which cannot compete with the well-equipped private schools, should be provided with means and resources including training for the teachers.
Mr Ranabhat, at the same function, gave away cash prizes and certificates to the students winning various competitions.
Minister of State for Education Rajendra Kharel expressed the conviction that if the studies of the students was good, the future of the children who will be at the helm of affairs tomorrow will be bright.
Chairman of the Kaski district education committee and Kaski district development committee Punya Prasad Poudel was on the chair.
Students from various schools displayed pt, folk dance, pageants and traditional costumes at the function.
Kathmandu, Feb. 24: The meeting of the House of Representatives State Affairs Committee held today under the chairmanship of the committee chairman Homnath Dahal acquired information on the law and order situation of the country from the home secretary and on the immigration provisions from the chief of the Department of National Investigation and the Director General of the Department of Immigration.
The meeting also held discussions on the administrative irregularities of the Home Ministry as mentioned in the memorandum presented by the hmg on the public service commission’s thirty sixth, thirty seventh, thirty eighth, thirty ninth, and fortieth annual report.
The meeting also decided to direct the home ministry to submit a report of facts on the administrative irregularities as mentioned in the annual reports of the public service commission as it was not taken seriously.
likewise, at the meeting of the house of representatives population and social committee was held today under the chairmanship of the committee chairman Narendra Bahadur Bam.
Convenor of the annual programme and budget sub-committee Asta Laxmi Shakya (Bohora) presented the sub-committee’s report. The meeting passed the report after minor amendments.
Similarly the meeting of the house of Representatives Finance Committee chaired by the committee chairman Smriti Narayan Chaudhari today held discussions on the legal problems likely to be encountered while implementing the integrated fund system.
The meeting decided to finalise the matter after consulting lawyers as the opinion of the office-bearers differed on the issue.
Likewise, the meeting also directed the finance ministry to inform the committee after investigating the parliamentary joint committee report on the revenue leakage and taking action against the guilty persons.
At the meeting of the public accounts committee chaired by the committee chairman Subhas nemwang, the committee was informed about the details of the quotations received from the home ministry on hiring of the helicopter.
The committee also decided to request the home ministry to provide the details relating to the hire of the helicopter to the committee within seven days.
Likewise, the committee decided to request the concerned ministry and the general managers of the Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation, Nepal Telecommunication Corporation, Nepal Transport Corporation, Nepal Food Corporation, Nepal Water Supply Corporation, National Trading Limited and the Nepal Electricity Authority to provide the committee members necessary information and materials about their total irregularities, audit position, advance money to be cleared and the arrears to be recovered at the next meeting to be held on February 28.
Similarly, the meeting of the sub-committee formed to discuss the irregularities of the ministry of health was held under the convenorship of the sub-committee convenor Shiva Bahadur Deuja.
The meeting discussed on the irregularities of the bir hospital development committee as mentioned in the reports of the auditor general 2041- 2048 B.S.
During the discussion directives were issued to the ministry to make its internal auditing and recovery of revenues more effective.
Kathmandu, Feb. 24 : A primary workshop cum seminar on the road maintenance and development programme to be carried out with a total budget of Rs 4.79 billion including Rs 3.79 billion in financing from the World Bank and Rs 1 billion from His Majesty’s Government started today.
An agreement on the programme was reached between the World Bank and His Majesty’s Government on December 22, 1999.
The project aims at extending transportation facilities in the mid and far-western regions of the country and using these as a sustainable economic source. It will be carried out in such a fashion that it will affect environment minimally.
Under this programme, labour-intensive methodology will be followed for the maximum benefit of the local people and for their economic advancement. Local skills will be utilised and capacity built up.
The proposed roads under this programme are the 34 km Chameliya-Darchula Road, 37 km Saphebagar-Bhartami Road, 15 km Shanphebagar-Mangalsen Road, 44 km and 21 km Kalikot-Jumla Roads.
Similarly, the 135 km Surkhet-Kalikot Road, 62 km Dharapani-Chhedegada Road, and 59 km Gorusinge-Sandhikharka Road will be upgraded and 85 km Tansen-Syanja Road, 73 km Harthok-Tamghas Road, and 14 km Lumbini-Taulihawas Road will be re-constructed under this programme.
The programme has hinted at setting up a road development board and a road development fund.
The World Bank holds that users’ group are able to extend maximum contribution and bring about effective implementation and also meet financial needs for the sustainability and maintenance of national and district road networks.
The project will emphasis on supporting the department of roads for carrying out maintenance of the national road network with low cost and fixed time frame.
World Bank has extended cooperation for 5 different road projects since 1970.
Vice chairman of the National Planning Commission Prithvi raj ligal inaugurating the seminar, said that this project would bring the mid and far western regions into the mainstream of national development.
Member of the npc Dr. Jagadish Chandra Pokharel noted that a total of 68 districts of the country would see motorable roads by the end of the Ninth Plan.
The headquarters of Jumla will be linked by road within the coming 3 years and the headquarters of Kalikot within one and half years, he added.
He urged the project chiefs to honestly adhere to the policy of the government as well as the terms and conditions of donor agencies.
During the function held under the chairmanship of secretary at the ministry of Works and Transport Hiranya Lal Regmi, advisor at the Ministry of Industry Ananda Raj Mulmi, the country director of the World Bank and secretary at the Ministry of population and environment govinda raj bhatta also expressed their views.
Kathmandu, Feb. 24:Labour Ministry today announced a package that is expected to help 18,000 youth in creating self-employment opportunities by the end of the current fiscal year.
The package aims at training at least 50 youth aged between 18-40 form all 205 constituencies in small businesses, construction and mechanical works, hotel, agriculture, health, tourism related professions, Labour Minister Bal Bahadur K. C. told a press conference at his office here this afternoon.
As a part of the package, 48 youth have already joined the training classes at a professional training institute at Balaju.
The programme has been launched in line with the government’s commitment to employ at least one member from each family, K. C said.
The government had included such a programme in the annual budget of the current fiscal year.
The Ministry has a scheme of mobilising both the government and non-governmental institutions to train the youth. “We will call for the proposals form the government as well as private sector and select the institutes that will be authorised to train the youth.”
The successful trainee would be provided with a loan of Rs. 100,000 at the most at a minimum interest rate (maximum 1 per cent). The Ministry would however conduct a supervision programme to see that the loan receiver sets up a self-employment project. “Otherwise he/she has to return the money back,” K. C. said. He said that the loan receiver would be watched for three years.
The Ministry has constituted a 17 member central committee headed by Labour Minister to implement the package. This committee would be supplemented by the district level committees headed by the Chief District Officers.
The district committees would select the prospective youth before they sit for an entrance test. “Our priority goes to those families in which none of the members are employed particularly in the Maoist affected and hilly areas,” K. C. said.