Kathmandu, Jan. 24 (RSS): A weeklong programme organised in course of celebrating the Martyrs Day in memory of the martyrs who laid down their lives for establishment of democracy in the country began throughout the Kingdom today.

The programme is organised every year for seven days in memory of and in order to pay glowing tributes to martyrs Gangalal Shrestha, Shukraraj Shastri, Dharmabhakta Mathema and Dasarath Chand, and various other known and unknown martyrs who sacrificed their lives for establishing democracy and freeing the people from the autocratic Rana regime.

Sukraraj Shastri who was kept under house arrest because he met Mahatma Gandhi in India and talked about Nepal objected the arrest and came to the streets to give a speech. He was then accused of treason and hanged in a tree at Teku, Panchali on Magha 10, 1997 B.S.

Physical trainer of his late Majesty King Tribhuvan Dharmabhakta Mathema was also hanged in a tree at Siphal on Magh 13 the same year because he had helped to establish the Nepal Praja Parishad against the Rana Regime.

Likewise, Dasarath Chand and Ganga Lal Shrestha were shot dead at Shobabhagawati on Magh 15. 1997 B.S.

Mr. Chand was charged of offense against the throne while Mr. Shrestha, a student at Tri-Chandra College was accused of  speaking against the Rana regime and being involved in activities of Nepal Praja Parishad.

His Majesty’s Government has following the Popular Movement of 1990 declared Martyrs Day a public holiday. Prior to this, the day was a half-holiday.

On the occasion of the first day of the martyrs week today, the martyrs week main function committee organised a condolence function at Pachali of Teku where martyr Sukraraj Shastri attained martyrdom.

Tanahu (Dumre), Jan. 23: Minister for Water Resources Govinda Raj Joshi has said that there was no alternative to multi-party system.

Minister Joshi said this while addressing the concluding function of a volleyball tournament organised by Nepali Congress Constituency-1 Regional Committee and Nepal Tarun Dal, Tanahu chapter, at Dumre on Saturday.

On the occasion, he underlined the need for all-round cooperation in the development of the sports sector as sports was an effective means of personality development, youth mobilisation and building a disciplined society.

At the programme, Minister Joshi also gave away prizes and certificates to the women and men volleyball teams taking part in the tournament.

The programme was presided over by Tarun Dal district president Shukum Lal Gurung.

Sindhuli, Jan. 23:  A Thapa travels passenger bus heading for Sindhuli from Janakpur met with an accident this afternoon near the memorial park at Bhiman in Kamalamain Municipality ward No. 11 killing four persons on the spot, according to the district police today.

Only one of the deceased has been identified as bus cleaner Ram Bahadur Hayu, police inspector Shyam Basnet said.

Twenty one passengers including the bus driver have been taken to Janakpur Hospital for treatment.

Kathmandu, Jan. 23:Secretary at the Ministry of Local Development Uddhavraj Soti held talks with landowners about an access road to Syuchatar landfill site today.

The meeting decided to take on lease an estimated 167 Ropanis of land required for the operation of the landfill site and turn it over again to the landowners after developing the areas.

Kathmandu, Jan. 23: The high level committee formed to resolve the Maoist problem under the convenorship of former prime minister and leader of the Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba  held informal talks with the representatives of the Rastriya Janamorcha (RJ)  here today.

Those participating in the talks on behalf of the committee were convenor Sher Bahadur Deuba, and members Ram Chandra Poudel, Minister for Works and Transport Khum Bahadur Khadka, Minister for Local Development and Women and Social Welfare Chiranjivi Wagle and member secretary Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, whereas those participating on behalf of the Rastriya Janamorcha were general secretary and mp Nawaraj Subedi, mp Dila Ram Acharya, central advisor Govinda Singh Thapa and central secretary Himlal Puri.

At the end of the talks general secretary Subedi   told reporters that one cannot describe the demands of the Maoists as of anarchist nature,  but since their present activities have deviated  from the norms of the communist movement  his party  doesn’t agree with them.

He said the maoist activities are not relevant to the present context, adding the maoist problem had arisen from the wrong security policy of the then government and the wrong social and economic activities.

Kathmandu, Jan. 23: Chairman of the Raj Parishad Standing Committee Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi has said that  whatever  problems we are facing today  can be resolved through peaceful means.

Dr. Rayamajhi, while addressing a function organised on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Nepal Buddha Samaj here today, said that the significance of the teachings of  Lord Buddha has  increased even in the 21st century.

Ambassador of Thailand to Nepal Precha Pitishant  called on all  to move ahead for world peace  irrespective of   religions and creeds.

Member of the cpn-uml standing committee Jhalanath Khanal said the Nepali society is evolving by following the messages of  peace  of Lord Buddha.

Also speaking on the occasion were president of the Nepal Buddha Samaj Prem Bahadur Shakya and  Yog Acharya Bikashanand.

Kathmandu, Jan.23:One month after the Indian Airlines flight 814 was hijacked, Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) today said that the hotel industry in the country has incurred the loss of more than Rupees 100 million and has suffered above 40 per cent booking cancellations in the hijack aftermath.

“Even though the high voltage hijacking drama seems to have been resolved, it has entailed a number of unforeseen problems in the tourism industry,” read a press release distributed at a press-meet here this evening.

The New Delhi bound Indian Airline’s Airbus was hijacked on December 24 in the Indian aerospace some 40 minutes after it took off from Kathmandu. The hijackers made the aircraft hop to several airports in the region and the Middle East before holding the 155 hostages for eight days in Kandahar, Afghanistan where they finally freed them in exchange of three militants’ liberty from Indian jails.

Commenting on the Indian media reports, particularly the Zee News Channel, on the hijack episode, the press statement said that the one-sided malicious news have tarnished the image of Nepal in the international scenario.

The major chunk of the loss, according to hoteliers who interacted with reporters at the press meet today, are due to the declined arrivals of Indian visitors and third country tourists arriving here via Indian cities. “As a result, hotels are having occupancy between 30 and 35 per cent while this is the time we normally have 85 per cent of our rooms occupied,” said Ribhu Chaterjee, General Manager of Soaltee Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, who is also the Executive Member of HAN.

Besides highlighting its losses after the hijack, HAN also came heavily upon Nepal Tourism Board alleging it for its non-performance on damage control after the hijack. “NTB seems to have not taken any measure to control the damage caused by the Indian media,” read the press release. “The board could have brought familiarisation trip of Indian journalists and tour operators to show them that Nepal is a safe destination. Or, it could counter attack the false allegations and reports through Indian as well as foreign media like CNN, BBC and Star News.”

Since NTB did not come out with a plan for the damage control, said Narendra Bajracharya, Second Vice President of HAN, the association of hoteliers itself is planning to bring in Indian journalists and tour operators to show that everything is okay here.

Pradeep Raj Pandey, Chief Executive Officer of NTB, however, said that the board had discussed on the issue with different tourism related organisations. “We are waiting for the government’s investigation report before we could invite the Indian journalists because none of the government officials are ready to deal with pressmen regarding the hijack of the Indian Airliner.”

The report of the high level committee is expected to be submitted to the government tomorrow.

HAN, said Bjracharya, has formed a high level committee to address the major issues triggered by Under the  campaign 2.5 million children under the age of five were  administered the polio drops.

The campaign was aided by the office bearers of the DDC, municipal corporation, sub metropolises, municipalities  local social workers, employees of hmg and the corporations, ngos, teachers,  the Nepal Police and the Royal Nepal Army.

Meanwhile, a child born to Mrs. Mitthu Nepali, wife of Yam Bahadur Nepali, a resident of Rajar VDC ward No 1 of Nawalparasi was administered the polio drop within one minute of its birth at the Dumkauli Primary Health Centre.

Similarly, in Nepalgunj, Minister for Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Tarini Datta Chataut initiated the anti-polio drops administration special programme for children under five at Nepalgunj Health-Post.

Former speaker Ram Chandra Paudel, chief district officer Shyam Kumar Mainali, head of Bheri Zonal Hospital Dr. Arun Koirala and president of Rotary Club Ratna Kumar Tandan also administered polio drops to the children on the occasion.

Polio drops are being administered to about 72,000 children below the age of five years at 46 village development committees (VDCs) and Nepalgunj municipality adjoining India, it is learnt from the District Public Health Officer.

About 1,120 volunteers and 265 health workers are working to administer polio drops under the special polio immunisation programme in Banke district. Provisions of 180 immunisation centres have been made while women volunteers are also active in the programme in the district.

Provisions of ten follow-up and mobile centres have also been made to make the special polio immunisation programme more planned and effective.

Door-to-door immunisation programme will be carried out tomorrow so that not even a single child is deprived of immunisation against polio.

Cooperation were received in the task today from social and political activists, police, guardians, students and journalists, it is learnt.

Meanwhile, in Nepalgunj, Minister for Law and Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Tarini Datta Chataut visited Birendra Police Hospital today to enquire about the conditions of the police personnel admitted there for teartment of injuries they sustained in an attack by Maoist terrorists.

Ex-speaker Ramchandra Poudel and various mps were also present on the occasion.

Similarly, in Janakpurdham, administration of anti-polio drops started at 8 A.M. today at 101 VDCs and one town in Dhanusha district.

As Manyu as 120,701 children under five are to be administered the anti-polio drop through 547 service centres under a special immunisation programme.

Meanwhile, door-to-door servicing is also going on eradicate the poliomyelitis from the district, according to the district public health office.

Kathmandu, Jan 23:The Royal Nepal Airline Corporation (RNAC), with a view to carry on its international flights, has decided to lease a Boeing 767 plane for two years on an AMI (Aircraft Maintenance Insurance wherein the Corporation’s own flight crews will fly the plane) basis. As for the maintenance of the wet-leased plane, it will be the responsibility of the company that leases it out, an RNAC press statement stated today.

The Corporation’s Board of Directors, after a thorough deliberation, reached a decision on December 2, 1999 to directly purchase a Boeing 767 jet from the manufacturing company. As per the decision, steps to purchase a Boeing 767 plane from the manufacturing company were initiated.

The manufacturing company, however, said that it would be able to supply a Boeing 767 jet only 21 months after receiving a purchasing order. It was for this reason that the Corporation, through a global tender, has decided to go in for a two-year wet lease, the Corporation stated.

The Corporation, in order to regularise its international flights, needs at the least, three jets. Right now, it is maintaining its international flights through its own fleet of 2 Boeing 757 jets and one wet-leased Boeing 767 plane. The present wet-leased Boeing 767 jet’s agreement with China South West Airlines would be coming to an end by 27th March this year. Keeping in mind the nation’s ever flourishing tourism industry and the need to go in for a wide-body aircraft to cater to the rising influx of passengers, the Corporation, after March 28th, has decided to induct a Boeing 767 jet plane in its fleet of 3 jets needed to regularise its international routes through a global tender, its press release further said.

Biratnagar, Jan. 23 : Nepali Congress central member and women leader Miss Shailaja Acharya has ruled out the possibility of split within Nepali Congress where there is a healthy competition for leadership.

At a press meet held by Nepal Press Union, Morang unit, here today, Miss Acharya expressed the confidence that within next five years’ period the party leadership and reins of the Nepali Congress government would transfer to the young generation.

All political parties lacked extensive homework in the areas of national concern that could provide long-tern benefit to the people, society and nation, she said.

Maoist problem could be resolved by preparing extensive popular opinion, she believed, announcing that she was preparing to make study visit to the Maoist-affected areas.

No one should berate the leaders who made sacrifices and were dedicated to the cause of the nation and people, she said, stressing the need to bring in small and medium-sized projects to the interest of the nation and people.

Concurring on the view that the country’s economy should be consolidated by selling surplus power, she said that a game of commission seeking should not be allowed to influence one to conclude agreements on big projects, nor should such projects be undertaken without considering their long-term impact.

The martyr Krishna Prasad Koirala service Guthi was set up to hold open national discussion to hammer out clear-cut policy on women and backward community and democratic socialism of Nepali Congress, she pointed out.

On the occasion, Nepal Press Union Morang unit chairman Hemraj Regmi, from the chair, stressed the need of clear-cut view on protection of professional rights of working journalists.

Tanahu (Damauli), Jan. 23:Minister for Housing and Physical Planning, and Labour Bal Bahadur K.C. says that the incumbent government has followed the policy guidelines of the Nepali Congress and the directions given by its leaders in letter and spirit, and to do so is its responsibility.

Addressing a party workers’ gathering organised by the Nepali Congress Tanahu district working committee here on Saturday, Minister K.C. said Nepali Congress is synonymous with its top leaders of the calibre of Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and Girija Prasad Koirala and that to understand them meant understanding the Nepali Congress.

He said that the Maoist insurgency was not the problem of the Nepali Congress party or the government alone but was a common national problem.

The government should take initiatives to address this problem and cooperation to this end should be forthcoming   from all levels, he added.

The government has given top priority to resolving the problem of Maoist insurgency, Mr. K.C. said, adding presentation of the problem in an exaggerated manner and blowing it out of proportion sometimes gave him the impression that it is an attempt to drive the government to a tight spot.

Nepali Congress Tanahu district president Raghunath Poudel presided at the programme.

In Pokhara, Minister K.C. has said as a number of projects formulated could not be completed on appointed time on account of disputes over sources of water supply, the Ministry of Housing and Physical Planning has already initiated preliminary steps to introduce a legal provision concerning sources of water.

Inaugurating here today a three-day workshop of the engineers of the districts organised by the Western Regional Directorate of the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage, Minister K.C. said that the proposed provision would also bring coordination in Water Supply Projects launched by the governmental and non-governmental organisations and the corporation.

Hmg was committed to supplying water to all within the next five years and details in this regard would be prepared for all the 75 districts, he said, giving directives to the engineers to update the details once it was prepared.

The  Water Supply Department itself had to take up the responsibilities of coordinating the task of water supply, he said, adding that the performances of the concerned technical personnel should be evaluated on the basis of a system of reward and punishment.

Director general of the Department of Water Supply Sohan Sundar Shrestha said that while implementing water supply schemes, the Department, Corporation and the national and international organisations should not duplicate each other’s programmes.

Speaking from the chair, regional director of the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Vishwa Mani Gyawali was confident that the workshop would help resolve the problems encountered in the implementation of the projects.

Engineers working in the field of water supply in 16 districts are attending the workshop organised with the objective of bringing uniformity and resolving the problems in the project implemention.

Also in Pokhara, Minister K.C. has stressed the need to preserve the fewa lake, and properly manage and protect the natural heritage, local culture and greenary so as to maintain the beauty of Pokhara.

Minister K.C. was inaugurating an interaction programme on Pokhara Valley Town Development Council for integrated development organized by the Pokhara Valley Town Development Committee here today.
It is the people of Pokhara who should basically take the responsibility of keeping Pokhara city clean, he said, also calling for unity among all political parties and local representatives in achieving this goal.

The government is considering some assistance for improving the facilities at Pokhara Bus Park, he said.

MP Mahadev Gurung complained that a lack of coordination among Nepal Telecommunications Corporation, Nepal Electricity Authority Office and Drinking Water Supply Corporation has resulted in digging of roads from time to time thereby hampering proper roads maintenance.

Kaski DDC chairman Pushpa Prasad Poudel was of the view that good coordination between the government and local bodies and a concerted effort sans political prejudice will only pave the way for the conservation and promotion of natural heritage of Pokhara.

Mayor of Pokhara Krishna Thapa stressed the need to properly utilize the locally available resources for the development of Pokhara valley.

Mayor of Lekhnath Municipality Shaligram Poudel, advisor at the Industry Ministry Anandaraj Mulmi, deputy director general of Housing and Urban Development Department Purna Kadariya, member secretary of Pokhara Valley Town Development Committee Hemnath Sharma and Kaskikot VDC chairman Bhubaneshwor Subedi also put forth their views on how Pokhara valley can be developed.

Some 60 representatives from different sectors took part in the day-long interaction programme.