Kathmandu, Jan. 27: Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who is setting off on a tour of the Maoist affected areas in the mid and far western regions of the country next week, said today that the objective of his visit is to know the on-the-spot truth about the situation there.

“Principal points in my agenda are to know the ongoing situation there, to see whether the special package programmes launched by the government are implemented effectively and to get the idea of what the local people think about the Maoist insurgency,” Koirala told journalists at a Face to Face organised by the Reporters Club of Nepal.

Maoist activists unleashed an armed insurgency in the hills of western Nepal four years ago that has so far claimed over a thousand lives.

“After returning from the visit, I want to meet leaders from all major political parties and put my report before them. I cannot guess now how they will receive it but I am optimistic that a right solution of the problem can be worked out with a consensus,” said Koirala who had visited the violence areas in 1998 when he was the Prime Minister.

Koirala plans to meet and interact with concerned Chief District Officers, police officers, employees of different offices, representatives of different political parties and independent individuals to know their views about the problem that different governments in the last four years have been unable to resolve. “It is nothing like a magic and I cannot guarantee a solution. It is my endeavour towards finding a consensual solution of the issue. Hopefully, an outlet can be given to it,” said Koirala.

Koirala viewed that now is the most appropriate time to seek solution of the problem because all parties have expressed the same view about the Maoist problem. Nepali Congress’s view is quite clear about the issue, he said .”We hold that it is a national problem and should be solved with national consensus. With this in mind, I held talks with major political parties including the UML, ML and the RPP. We had some differences and misunderstanding with the UML in this regard. But now, the party has come up with a consensual view,” he stated.

Denying that the government was unable to maintain law and order, Koirala said when the root of the problem is understood, an agreed solution can be worked out. Of the conditions set by Maoists as reported in their party newspapers, he said that they should come to the negotiating table if they want a solution. He warned that the violence of the Maoists is benefiting the elements with motive of creating instability.

Asked about the reshuffle of the cabinet and taking actions against some of the Ministers as demanded by the party, Koirala said it is the prerogative of the Prime Minister. “What I wanted to stress is that the government should be dynamic.”

Koirala was not fully satisfied with the coordination between the party and the government. He however said that it is not proper to interfere with the government in its day to day functioning.

“Whatever I have commented about the government, I have done so after the evaluation of its performance. What I do and say is not for the sake of premiership and presidency. For me, national interest comes on top of everything,” Koirala said.

On Kalapani issue, Koirala said the solution can be found peacefully through diplomatic approach. He informed that he is visiting India to participate in a seminar on the new millennium theme. Asked about the hijacking of the IA   plane, he said it is not proper to say Nepal’s weakness led to the incident.

As the nation is in a state of directionlessness for mistaken policy, it is high time the policy in every sector was reviewed so as to give momentum to the development efforts, Koirala said.

President of Reporter’s Club of Nepal Rishi Dhamala said the Club plans a media campaign for the solution of the Maoist problem. The Club’s future programmes will be directed to it, he added.

Kathmandu, Jan. 27:
The government today said action will be taken against 18 officials on duty at the Tribhuvan International Airport on December 24, when an Indian Airlines plane was hijacked about an hour after take off from Kathmandu.

Strong departmental action will be taken against the officials as per the recommendations of a high level committee that investigated the hijacking which ended on December 31, Minister for Civil Aviation Bijaya Gachhadar said. “Three of them are the department chiefs, whose alertness could have avoided the hijacking.”

The officials include airport General Manager Medini Prasad Sharma, airport police chief Binod Singh and a deputy superintendent of police,   Gachhadar said today as he released part of the contents of the 63-page report which was submitted to the government on Monday (Jan 24). He said the action could mean suspension or sacking from their job or trying them on criminal charges.

Gachhadar said the report completely ruled out the involvement of any Nepalese in the hijacking of the Indian passenger plane just as it entered the Indian aerospace 40 minutes after take-off from Kathmandu. The ordeal came to its end on December when the Indian government released three Kashmiri militants in exchange of over 160 passengers and crew on board.

The report also holds Indian Airlines officials on duty on that day could also be responsible for the hijacking, in which an Indian was killed for disobeying the orders of the hijackers.

The report confirms that the hijackers were A. A. Sheikh, S. A. Qazi, Zahar Ibrahim Mistry, Sayeed Shahid Akhtar and Rajesh Gopal Verma, whose identity remains yet to be confirmed. “The embarkation cards of all five, however, suggest they were Indian citizens.”

The report, he said, has suggested both short term and long-term measures to avoid any such a tragedy in the future. The government will start implementing the immediate measures as soon as possible, he said.

Under short term steps, the Minister said, x-ray machines and metal detectors would be replaced with the new ones and the passengersí movement around transit lounged would be regulated through pass system.

The report also makes a passing comment on the long stretch of open border Nepal shares with India. The border also allows free movements of criminals, it says.

The investigators maintained that the hijackers had passed through the normal channel, but were unsure of how the weapons got on board the plane.

“The government also needs to beef up security arrangements at the international airport.”

The Indian Airlines flights remain suspended over “security lapse” at the Kathmandu airport following the hijacking even as all other international flights are in operation.

Kathmandu, Jan. 25: French Ambassador Michel Lummaux inaugurated the final ceremony of the Millenia Project and the Nepalese Fresco created by the children of Paropakar High School today.

The Millenia Project is a new project operated by the Meharees Association, a French ngo, whose headquarters is based in Paris France.

The main purpose of the association is to prepare large paintings for personality development of children from 10 countries of Nepal, India, Tunisia, Vietnam, Mexico, Hungary, France, Senegal, South Africa and Cuba for the year 2000 which will reflect the ures of these countries

The Association has selected Paropakar Adarsha High School of Nepal.

The Nepali Fresco measuring 64 sq metre prepared by 42 students of the school reflect Nepali art, culture and traditions.

Speaking on the occasion, ambassador Lummaux said Paropakar Adarsha High School is not only for studies but is also famous for social service.

Mr Lummaux also presented certificates to teachers and students who prepared the painting.

Chairman of the School Management Committee Prof Asharam Shakya, from the chair, noted that the task of making Nepali art and culture known in the international fora through painting is worthy of praise.

School principal Hitkarbir Singh Kansakar said it is necessary to provide moral education to children.

On the occasion, Prof Shakya honoured association president Chrisine Lehot and vice president Valerie Seppeliades by wrapping shawls around them.

The Meharees Association will hold an international auction after collecting paintings from the 10 countries aforesaid.

Kathmandu, Jan. 25:Nepal Association of the Blind Women (NABW) organised a talk programme on women enpowerment and the issue of blind women here this afternoon.

Speaking as chief guest Joint Secretary of Ministry of Women and Social Welfare Madan Aryal said that the blind women were top in government’s priority and the old concept of the fairer sex should die with the change in time.

Secretary of NABW Kumari Niraula said that the forum was created to help the blind women of different parts of the country.

President, NABW Nar Bahadur Limbu highlighted the importance of the talk programme.

Legal Advisor of the NABW Sushma Baral also spoke on the occasion.

Kathmandu, Jan. 25:The Russian Federation is committed to strengthern democracy and parliamentary traditions in the process of all-round political development in Russia.

Ambassador of the Russian Federation for the Kingdom of Nepal Vladimir V. Ivanov expressed the view at a talk programme on “Recent Election of Russian Duma (Parliament) and the Forthcoming Presidential Elections in Russia” organised here yesterday by Centre for Civic Awareness and Social Studies, and Russian Centre of Science and Culture.

Noting that the recently held parliamentary elections were of great importance for the Russian society because we can not afford to stay still, the Russian envoy said that we have to move forward and the Duma elections were another right step in this direction.

Pointing out that the Dec 19 Duma elections were monitored by national and international observers who said that the elections were held in fair and impartial manner, the ambassador said that money and media play tremendous role in any election of the world and Russia is not an exception.

But he expressed the confidence that in the forthcoming presidential election, the election code of conduct will strictly be enforced.

There are enough legal provisions of punishment for those who will deviate from established election norms, the ambassador said.

The post of Speaker, Deputy Speaker and chairmen of various parliamentary committees were elected from among the deputies of Communist Party of Russia and Unity Party (which supports acting President Putin) and as a result small parties like Fatherland bloc, Union of Rightist Forces, Liberal Democratic Yabloko and Jhirinovsky bloc boycotted parliamentary meetings, the Russian envoy informed the audience.

The presidential election of Russia is slated for March 26. The election will be conducted on the basis of the law adopted on Dec. 3 last year, the envoy informed the gathering.

Replying to queries of journalists about former president Yeltsin, the envoy said that the former president could not rule the country effectively owing to his poor health and internal problems.

As regards the question of terrorism, Ivanov said that it is very easy to say that terrorism must be fought, but in reality to fight them decisively is a challenging task and needs sacrifices of the brave people.

Kathmandu, Jan 25;The Ministry for Information and Communication has formed a nine member task force to submit recommendations on essential issues brought up by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists and other institutions time to time before His Majesty’s Government.

The task force consists of the president of Press council Harihar Birahi, president of FNJ Suresh Acahrya, president of Nepal Press Union Kulchandra Wagle, vice president of NFJmid western region Hemant Karmacharya, literary journalist Achyut Raman Adhikari, journalist Shambhu Shrestha, joint Secretary at the Ministry Hemraj Pudel with the Diorector of Information department Yubaraj Pandey as the Member Secretary. It is headed by the media advisor to the Ministry Purushottam Dahal as Co-ordinator. The task force is to submit the recommendations within one month of the date work begins, said a press release from the Information Ministry.

Kathmandu, Jan. 25 : His Majesty’s Government is to allocate a budget from the next fiscal year for the development of five model municipalities after completion of the studies and an action plan in this regard.

According to the Ministry of Housing and Physical Planning, Rs 7,000,000 is being spent this year for undertaking detailed studies and preparing an action plan and a report relating to the five municipalities.

It may be recalled that hmg had announced it would develop Kathmandu and Birgunj of the Central Region, Dhankuta of the Eastern Region, Tansen in the Western Region and Nepalgunj in the Mid-west as the model municipalities.

In this connection, separate interaction plans have been organised in each of the five municipalities. Five model municipal development committees have been constituted with the concerned mayors as chairmen and the heads of the housing and urban development projects as member secretaries to collect suggestions from local people.

The committee members are mps, ex-mps and representatives of the local police and administration, the DDCs, chambers of commerce and industry, journalists and representatives of district forest offices, the Water Supply Office and Nepal Electricity Authority.

The committees will collect views and suggestions from local residents, undertake detailed studies of the concerned municipalities, and prepare profiles and maps for submission to the government.

Concerned experts are of the view that the model municipalities development programme will be successful only if a long-term plan is drawn up according priority to one among sectors such as industry, trade, tourism or health on the basis of location and political commitment.

Under the scheme, only one regional unit should be established for the planned and sustainable development of Kathmandu valley. The government should lay special emphasis on developing Kathmandu as a main historic, cultural and business and tourism centre and allocate land for construction work, expansion and physical development.

Similarly, it is felt that Tansen and Dhankuta should be developed as centres of education, health and tourism and Nepalgunj and Birgunj as centres for industry and trade.

The government should give top priority to planning in the municipalities suffering from common problems such as migration, uncontrolled population growth, environmental degradation and haphazard settlement, the mayors concerned say.

Minister for Housing and Physical Planning Bal Bahadur K.C. says that though hmg is determined to make all the villages and municipalities well planned, beautiful and prosperous, the task at present has been confined to the development of only five model municipalities in view of the constraints in means and resources.

Stating that the development of model municipalities is not only a slogan but also a commitment on the part of hmg, Minister kc says that in developmental matters one must rise above petty politics and extend cooperation to the government.

It has been felt that there should be mutual cooperation, coordination and an integrated approach on the part of all the ngos without getting entangled in the literal meaning of model municipalities.

Experts in planning also say that the onerous task of developing model municipalities should be implemented and not confined to slogans. For this purpose, special emphasis should be laid on the identification of the ills and wants of the municipalities, selection of projects on priority basis, proper allocation of available means and resources and also on planned development. The plans and programmes formulated should be implemented effectively and constantly monitored and evaluated.

Mp yadav Bahadur Rayamajhi says that the government should have clear views on formulating separate plans for the development of model municipalities. He stresses that the serious problem of water supply and sewerage of Tansen should be addressed immediately.

President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (fncci) pradip Kumar Shrestha says that while developing model municipalities, emphasis should be laid on promoting small and medium sized industries which are the backbone of Nepalese economy.

He further says that though Nepal has abundant natural resources, hard working people and further big potential for tourism, lack of skilled manpower has been one of the constraints of industrial development. Therefore, the government and the private sector should join hands for human resources development, he adds.

Mayor of Tansen municipality Ashok Kumar Shahi says that necessary physical infrastructure should be created to make the town a centre of learning, health treatment and tourism and demands immediate identification, protection, and promotion of the temples and other monuments and spots important from the historic, archaeological and tourist point of view.

He further says that the management of water supply, sewerage and garbage disposal should be improved, the town developed as a green one and public facilities including toilets, museum, clock tower constructed.

Likewise, Nepalgunj mayor Dhaval Shamsher jb Rana says that the problem of sewerage needs immediate solution in the municipality. The market there should be developed in a planned way and necessary infrastructure including roads built for the development of the town as a industrial and trading centre, he adds.

In the past, development programmes could not be completed in time leading to escalation of costs and the set target could not be achieved because of the lack of regular monitoring and evaluation. Therefore, the system of monitoring and evaluation of projects identified and selected at various stages of implementation should be introduced effectively, it is felt.

Kathmandu, Jan. 25:President of Nepali Congress Girija Prasad Koirala has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Kiran Gautam, Gorkhapatra Corporation’s senior administrator Sunday night.

In a press release issued yesterday, the NC president has hailed late Gautam’s role during the days of struggle for democracy.

I am deeply shocked to learn about Gautam’s death, said Korala in the press release, The NC president has condoled the bereaved family.

Likewise, Communications Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka has expressed condolence over the demise of Gautam.

“I am deeply shocked to learn about his death,” Khadka said in a statement. “His contributions to the Corporation will always be remembered.”

Gautam, who had liver problems, passed away at Manipal Hospital in Banglore, India while undergoing treatment. He was 45.

Likewise, State Minister for Communications Govinda Bahadur Shaha has expressed deep sorrow over Gautam’s death and condoled the bereaved family.

Meanwhile, a condolence meeting was organised here at the Gorkhapatra Corporation to pay tributes to late Gautam.

Paying tributes to late Gautam, Executive Chairman of GC Mathbar Singh Basnet said that late Gautam was a dutiful and dedicated employee of GC.

On the occasion, general manager Benu Prasad Prasai, Chief editor of Gorkhapatra Rajendra Sharma, TRN’s chief editor Gyan Rai and GS Employee’s Union 2052 general secretary Bikram Babu Rai threw light on late Gautam’s personality.

Kathmandu, Jan. 25: Minister of State for Information and Communications Govinda Bahadur Shaha has said that though four depots in Karnali zone have been removed, the government is alert to see to it that there would be no food shortage in the region.

Assuring the people that they would not face food scarcity as in the previous year, Mr Shaha noted that if such situation arises, the government will take foodgrain to the region as early as possible.

The present government is considering bringing about a package programme aimed at uplifting backward communities and removing illiteracy, hunger and diseases, said the Minister of State Shaha adding, Rs 250 million has been appropriated for the Karnali highway and the people should be able to take care of it once the highway gets completed.

Observing that Karnali zone has the potentials of becoming a tourist spot but what we need is far-sighted approach, he spoke of the need to publicize herbs found in the zone and provide alternative resources by encouraging agricultural produce which can be grown locally.

Mr Shaha was speaking at a day-long interaction on foodgrain in Karnali, removal of food depots and alternative arrangement held by Karnali Integrated Rural Development Research Centre here today.

Chairman of Public Accounts Committee (pac) Subhas Chandra Nemwang stressed that government should solicit opinions from people’s representatives while taking decisions on matters of public concern, adding, the pac has already directed the committee to reconsider its decision.

MP Prem Bahadur Singh accused the government of taking a wrong decision for removing the depots.

Former speaker Damannath Dhungana observed that what we did in the past 10 years should be put to evaluation and it is not a good thing for reducing facilities given to the people.

Secretary at the Ministry of Supplies Padmakumar Acharya and Kalikot DDC chairman Dip Bahadur Shahi also expressed their views at the function chaired by centre’s chairman Min Bahadur Shahi.

Kathmandu, Jan.25:Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai sa d today the government has adopted the policy of maximum involvement of private sector in tourism industry.

“Nepal Tourism Board, which has maximum representation from the private sector, is an example of the government’s catalytic role to promote this sector,” he said of the 11-member board, which comprises six representatives from the private sector.

“To help tourism industry, the government has set up independent organisations like Nepal Tourism Board and Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal,” Bhattarai said inaugurating the 33rd annual general meeting of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) here today. “The government has empowered both these organisations to introduce Nepalese tourism abroad more effectively.”

Having noted that tourist arrival in the country is the best in South Asia, Bhattrai said that the figure, however, is not enough to meet the hotel capacity at present. “Therefore, it is high time we did some kind of innovative promotional activities abroad so that ample number of tourists come to Nepal.”

Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, said Nepal has sufficient infrastructures to accommodate more than one million tourists a year, yet not even half a million tourists are arriving here annually.

“Therefore, to gear up the promotional action in order to generate more tourists, the government has initiated to formulate target oriented programmes designating the year 2002 as Destination Nepal Year.”

“I hope that private sector will extend its full co-operation to make this programme successful.”

Speaking during the programme, Gautam Das Shrestha, outgoing President of HAN, said that hotels all over Nepal can accommodate more than 1.2 million tourists though little over 500 thousand tourists visited Nepal in 1999.

He further added that hotel occupancy rate in the country has remained between 35 to 40 per cent leading to a big gap between demand and supply thereby triggering unhealthy competition.

“Therefore, license for new hotels should not be issued in over-saturated areas like Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitawan as long as the demand does not increase.”

Having claimed that foreign investment has increased significantly in different Asian countries, Gautam said that due to lack of sufficient facilities, both the domestic and foreign investors have not been attracted to open hotels and resorts in remote areas of tourists’ interests in the country.

Later in the evening today, HAN’s 33rd Annual General Body Meeting elected Narendra Bajracharya as the association’s president. He was the 1st Vice President of HAN before being elected to the present top position.

Hoteliers Prakash Shrestha and BK Shrestha have been elected as 1st and 2nd vice president, respectively. Ajaya Sthapit and Sagarman Shrestha have been elected as Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer respectively.

Other members who have been elected in the executive committee are Ribhu Chatterjee, Richard Launay, Samir Khanna, Prasidha Pandey, Binod Shankar Shrestha, Rajan Shakya, Rajesh Kazi Shrestha, Manjeshree Rana, Govinda P Thapaliya, Palsang Gurung, Shyam Kakshyapati, Attal Ram Kharel and Sundar Shrestha.

The newly elected President Bajracharya has nominated M Lari and Amar Man Shakya as the members of the new executive committee.

(RSS adds: Narendra Bajracharya has been unanimously elected the new president of Hotel Association of Nepal (han) by the 33rd annual general body meeting of the association here today.

Prakash Shrestha and bk Shrestha have been elected first and second vice-president respectively while Sagarman Shrestha the honorary treasurer.

The new executive members of the association are Ribhu Chatterjee, Richard Lalmay, Amir Khanna, Prasidha B. Pandey, Binod Shanker Shrestha, Rajan Sakya, Rajesh Kaji Shrestha, Manjesshree Rana, Govinda P. Thapathaliya, Palsang Gurung, Shyam Kakshapati, Atmaram Kharel and Sundar K. Shrestha.