Rasuwa, Jan. 21 : Twenty per cent of the construction work of the Chilime Hydel Project launched with an objective of utilising Nepal’s water resources in the national interest by mobilising indigenous capital and home technology has so far been completed, according co- project chief Lila Nath Bhattarai.
The project located at Rasuwa district will generate 20 megawatt of electricity from the power house at Syaphrubensi after sending 7.5 cubic metres per second of water through the one km long power canal and 2,826 metres long head race canal from a small dam at Thambuchet.
Altogether 13,70,00,000 units of electricity will be supplied by connecting it with the national grid at devighat through a 38 km long 66 kv transmission linefrom the power house. This will give an annual income of Rs 50,00,00,000.
The project will be financed with 60 per cent of the total cost of Rs 2.32 billion coming in loan investment by financial organisations of Nepal and 40 per cent through share investment.
Of the share investment, 51 per cent will be invested by the Nepal Electricity Authority, 25 per cent by employees and 24 per cent in shares from the general public, whereas the employees provident fund will make available Rs 80,00,00,000 for which a bilateral agreement has been concluded.
The Chilime Hydel Company Ltd was registered at the department of industries on 052 Kartik 14 for the launching the project.
Managing director of the Chilime Hydel Company Dr. Dambar Bahadur Nepali says the company aims to prove that the Nepalese themselves can develop hydro power in Nepal by making the Chilime Hydel Project a success as it will generate electricity reliably from water which has its source in the Himalayas.
Though the hydel project had started works two years ago with complete preparations, the previous contractor had not been able to complete work within the stipulated time and thus the contract was broken. Another contract was worked out for all the construction work.
The companies working in the project are Baiba/Sapana construction jv, amar and Super Sherpa Construction jv, balaju Yantrashala Pvt. Ltd. and Nepal hydro and electric and the foreign companies are Larsen and Toubro, India and Schulzar Hydro, Germany. The work under these contracts has been going on at an accelerated pace, the project said.
The technical specialities of the project are that 20 megawatt of electricity can be generated from a small river like the Chilime because of the geological structure here and the facility will be safe from landslides and floods as most of the structures are underground and the environmental impact will be minimal. The construction cost of the project is also low because of the small size of the project structure.
It is proved from the completion of the 37 m high surge tank at Komin at a cost of Rs 3,200,000 that Nepali technicians are capable of completing such work at less than the prevalent cost.
The project has also provided educational and physical facilities to the Syage Wangfel Secondary School at Syaphrubensi for welfare of the local people living in the vicinity of the project and the building of the Kamin Primary School has been constructed as well as physical facilities provided.
Similarly, the project will also provide financial assistance to the Parbati Kund Secondary School Goljhung and construct a resthouse in Thambuchet.
The project will arrange for the usual operation of the Goljhung Small Irrigation Project, provide a modern water mill in place of the old one, provide usual facilities for wild life and provide employment to the local residents as well as skill oriented training.
To the question of rss representative Gyanendra Neupane as to whether the project will be completed by July 2001 and about the cost so far, Dr. Dambar Nepali said it will be completed in time and said so far Rs 500 million has been spent.
It is said that after completion of the project work, all the principle and interest of the project loan will be paid back within six years and it will deposit all its income in the internal revenue fund from the seventh year. It will pay Rs 20,000,000 as revenue to hmg each year.
The local residents have been given priority in work they can themselves complete for the project and at least 150 local workers have been directly involved in the work, the project said.
Meanwhile, Kathmandu, National Concern Society (Rastriya Sarokar Samaj) held a programme here today to furnish details about the Kaligandaki ‘A’ Project and its impact.
At the programme, vice chairman of Shrikrishna VDC in Syangja district Ved Prasad Bhattarai accused the project of giving false assurances of employment to local people and causing environmental damage by constructing a swimming pool and other houses and sheds on land acquired from them on lease for a period of three years.
Chairman of the workers union at the project Narayan Gurung complained that the project has not made available any of the facilities like raising of wages, introducing life insurance policies and medical allowance.
Local resident of the area Ganesh Bhattarai said that the project has not paid up the rent for land hired by it and disclosed that some 35 children belonging to Srikrishna, Yamgha and Harmichaur VDCs have suffered some hearing loss and incidents of miscarriage by women and livestock have occured due to the blasting being carried out by the project.
The district administration would not show any interest in these issues, he added.
The participants including Him Lal Pandey also spoke of other adverse impact from the project.
Kathmandu, Jan 21: At a time when many people have been expressing their anxieties over the increasing influence of western culture on the Nepalese society, Nepal Cultural Council (NCC), an organisation that aims at preserving and promoting the national culture, has come up with programmes to create awareness among the people regarding Nepalese arts, music and culture.
“Nepal Cultural Council has come up to expedite an international campaign to promote Nepalese folk music, dances and create awareness among the people against the western suggestive culture and other social ills ranging from corruption to girl trafficking,” Arjun Paudyal, the President of NCC said while greeting the guests and audience gathered at the Cultural Night 2056 programme and the Ceremony to honour senior Artiste Bhuwan K. C on Thursday evening at the Russian Culture Centre.
President of Rajshabha Standing Committee, Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, inaugurated the programme amid a traditional musical programme. Addressing the programme, he said that Nepalese people are committed to preserving Nepali culture and pointed a need of cultural movement in the country.
Minister for Youth, Sports and Culture Sharat Singh Bhandari appealed NCC to develop the culture to respect the seniors and wished NCC would be able to promote culture and maintain national identity.
At the programme, Dr. Rayamajhi honoured artist Bhuwan K. C. by wrapping a shawl around him, and handed over a cash prize of Rs. 5,000 and a letter of felicitation. Similarly, Minister Bhandari honoured Lal Bahadur Gurung of Mustang Service Society with a letter of felicitation for his contribution in promoting Nepalese culture.
At the function, various cultural programmes were presented.
It may be recalled that the NCC established in 1998 had in the past honoured popular singer Dharmaraj Thapa and famous mountaineer Kaji Sherpa. It has been organising different cultural programmes on the special occasions in its endeavour in promoting arts and culture of the country, the NCC official said at the programme.
Kathmandu, Jan. 21: Bhutan People’s Party (BPP) has warned of launching a movement if all the Bhutanese refugees languishing in the camps in eastern Nepal are not repatriated to their homeland.
“Only indiscriminate repatriation arrangment guaranteeing the return of all the refugees without any categorisation, will be acceptable to us. If there is any selection, that will not solve the problem,” said BPP president R. K. Budathoki at a press meet today. He stated that his party was planning a movement unless the problem found an acceptable solution.
Reacting to the recent optimistic statement of the Foreign Minister about the resolution of the Bhutanese refugee problem, Budathoki said he would not see the possibility of settlement in the near future “because Bhutan has a firm stand not return the refugees.”
“The diplomatic development is not any indicative of the solution of the problem,” he said adding that Nepal has not discussed with his party the issue, which is a matter of regret.
The land that belonged to the refugees was nationalised. Their houses were demolished. The nationalised land was resurveyed and Druka communities have been resettled there. The new survey and land ownership of the land in Southern Bhutan has completely obliterated the original ownership system. All this is the indication of the fact that the Dragon Kingdom is against the repatriation, said the BPP president.
Referring to the release of democratic leader Tek Nath Rijal, Budathoki said it was part of Bhutanese conspiracy. Rizal was freed with the aim of tarnishing his growing popularity in the international arena. So long after the release, he has not been granted audience by the King.The BPP president however said that Rijal’s release had provided more energy and possibility for democratic movement in Bhutan.
A group of youths went to the hotel where Rizal was staying and threatened him not to air his views on telephone talks. This might be part of the design to force him to leave the country, said Budathoki.
“The wave of democratic changes is rising now in different Bhutanese communities including the Drukpas and our movement for restoration of democracy will assimilate all sections and communities,” Budathoki said, adding that international solidarity and support are being built to make the movement a success.
Nepalgunj, Jan. 21: Speaker Taranath Ranabhat has said that consensus on matters of national importance would be reached and the parliamentary system strengthened if all political parties of the country uphold political norms and values and show good political conduct.
Mr Ranabhat was inaugurating a two-day mid-western regional gathering on consolidation of parliamentary system organized by the Minsitry of Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs here today.
Stating that maintenance of peace and security is the need of the day, he noted that we should be able to draw a line between terrorist and political groups and find a path to development.
The gathering will go a long way in guiding the participants in reaching democratic norms and values to the villages by sharing mutual experiences, he further said.
Minister for Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Tarini Datta Chataut, from the chair, observed that it is the local people’s representatives who can play a more vibrant role than the MPs and spoke of the need of coordination between the local people’s representatives and the MPs for the appropriation of budgets required for carrying out development work in the districts.
NC general secretary Sushil Koirala noted that law and order should be maintained in the country if parliamentary system is to be consolidated.
He also pointed out the need of unity to fight against distortions and anomalies in various forms rampant in the country.
Former Speaker Damannath Dhungana stressed that participants should make open discussions on further refining the parliamentary system by analyzing the past shortcomings.
Another former speaker Ram Chandra Poudel said people’s representatives should sincerely dedicate themselves in development works of the nation on the basis of democratic norms and values inorder to consolidate the parliamentary system.
Ex-Minister and NC spokesman Narahari Acharya said that the parliamenatary system could be strengthened by providing the people maximum facilities and freedom. The representatives of the local bodies and the mps should actively work in favour of the people, he added.
National Assembly member Gauraha Prasai, Salyan DDC chairman Udaya Bohara, Banke DDC chairman Omjung Rana and secretary at the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Srikrishna Gautam also expressed their views.
Earlier former Speaker Ram Chandra Poudel, NC spokesman Narahari Acharya and former Speaker Damannath Dhungana had presented working papers on “the Concepts of Local Self-governance in Parliamentary System: Its Practical Aspects,” “Inter-relations between the Local Bodies and MPs in Development Works,” and “Role of the MPs and local Bodies in Legislation” respectively.
The two-day mid-western regional gathering on “Consolidation of Parliamentary System” is being attended by the representatives of the local bodies and the MPs of the mid-western development region.
Kathmandu, Jan. 21: Nepali Congres President Girija Prasad Koirala has said Nepali people have had their place and role in the state following the restoration of democracy in the country.
Mr Koirala made this remark while inaugurating the second convention of Nepali Sherpa Association here today.
Observing that the country is steeped in corruption and anomalies, and law and order situation is dismal, the NC chief remarked that if the democrats become critical either of the party or of government over such things, we should welcome them in order to strengthen democracy.
Different social organizations have opened in the country for preserving one’s own rights and interests and for social upliftment, Mr Koirala said, adding the people are optimistic that something good will be done for them and the government should be serious about how to provide maximum facilities to them by using the limited means and resources at its disposal.
The indomitable spirit, courage and dedication to work of the Sherpas have helped Nepal enhance its dignity in the international fora, he noted.
CPN-UML’s Jhalanath Khanal observed that Nepal’s democracy is under threat from the extremist forces, adding that it is because of the inability of the present government that a conflicting situation has arisen in the country and development and construction work have stalled.
A museum of nationalities should be set up for preservation of the languages, cultures and values of the ethnic people, he said.
CPN-ML standing committee member Rajendra Shrestha noted that his party is in favour of providing the right of self-decision to the nationalities.
Various other speakers including NC central member Laxman Ghimire, Rajeshwor Devkota of the RPP (Chand) and RPP’s Baburam Poudel also expressed their views at the function chaired by association president Jip Tshering Sherpa.
A message from His Majesty the King wishing the convention a success was also read out on the occasion.
Nc Chief Koirala also launched a souvenir published by the Association on the occasion.
Kathmandu, Jan 21: His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has said relations between Nepal and Brazil have been marked by mutual understanding, friendship and cordiality since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1976 and both countries cooperate with each other in various multilateral fora to promote the cause of international peace, progress and prosperity on the basis of the purpose and principles of the united nations charter.
His Majesty made these remarks while receiving letters of credence from Brazilian Ambassador Mrs Vera Barroun Machado at the Narayanhity Royal Palace today.
Through geographically far apart, Nepal and Brazil are making efforts to promote the interest of developing countries to achieve the objective of a just and equitable new international order, His Majesty said, adding “in this context, we would like to especially mention the laudable countribution Brazil has made in raising international awareness on the degradation of global environment by hosting the earth summit in Rio de Janiero in 1992.
In Nepal, we have undertaken various measures to improve the quality of life of the people with open and liberal economic policies within the broader framework of peace, democracy and human rights, His Majesty said.
The process of economic development should also give due consideration to the protection and sustainability of environment, His Majesty added.
Earlier presenting her letters of credence to His Majesty the King, Brazilian ambassador Mrs Machado said Brazil and Nepal are two developing countries that exert their best efforts to achieve development to the benefit of its citizens. Our two nations are convinced that development must not be promoted at the expense of our natural environment, she added.
Noting that cooperation linkage should be explored, not only in the multilateral fora but at the bilateral level also, the ambassador observed that besides agriculture and agro-business, trade, hydropower projects and environmental protection, many other prespectives of cooperation may be indentified.
Similarly, His Majesty the King has noted that relations between Nepal and Oman have been marked by mutual understanding, goodwill and cordiality and both Nepal and Oman are the members of the nonaligned movement and have the unswerving faith in the principles and purposes enshrined in the charter of the United Nations.
His Majesty the King made this remark while receiving letters of credence from ambassador of the sultanate of Oman to the Kingfom of Nepal Khalifa Bin Ali Bin Essa Al-harthy at the Narayanhity Royal Palace today.
Observing that the two countries are led by common aspiration for attaining peace and prosperity to our peoples, His Majesty expressed the belief that the relations between the two countries will grow steadily in the days ahead to mutual satisfaction of the two nations.
Earlier presenting his letters of credence to His Majesty the King, Omanese ambassador Khalifa Bin Ali Bin Essa Al-harthy expressed his determination to do utmost in realization of the nobel goal of strengthening friendly relations and cooperation between Nepal and Oman bearing in mind that the strong ties between our two countries are based on mutual respect and common interest. LIkewise, His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has said Nepal and Switzerland have been enjoying a cordial bilateral relationship for the last four decades and these relations are characterised by mutual understanding, goodwill and cooperation.
His Majesty made this remark while receiving the letters of credence from Mr. Walter Gyger, ambassador of the Swiss confenderation to the Kingdom of Nepal at the Narayanhity Royal Palace today.
Stating that our relationship is also reinforced by similarities in natural beauty, muntainous terrain, landlockedness and ardent desire to remain independent throughout our history, His Majesty noted that the exchange of visits that has taken place at various level and people to people contacts have also contributed to the consolidation of our ties.
His Majesty recalled the state visit to Nepal by the then president of Swiss confedeation Mr Arnold Koller in 1997, which further contributed to consolidating relations between our two countries.
Switzerland was one of the first countries of europe which started development cooperations program in Nepal in the early fifties, His Majesty said, expressing sincere appreciation to the people and government of swiss confederation for their consistent assistance to Nepal particularly in the fields of rural transport and development, education and poverty alleviation.
In Nepal, we are pursuing open and liberal economic policies under the democratic dispensation to attain and objective of economic growth with emphasis on socially responsible development, His Majesty added.
Earlier presenting his letters of credence to His Majesty the King, Swiss Ambassador Gyger said trust and confidence is also the basis of the relations between the swiss confederation and Nepal. Switzerland has followed with interest the courageous steps His Majesty has undertaken to modernise Nepal and to adapt to a changing world, he added.
“Thanks to our leadership and our foresight this was possible in peace and harmony,” he added.
Noting that for many decades, the Kingdom of Nepal has been one of the privileged partners of Switzerland in development coopration and together Nepal the swiss agency for devlopment and cooperation has definced a country programme for th years 1998-2004 he said since its begnning in the 1950s. The swiss programme concentrated on rural development and poverty alleviation.
The Swiss Development Coopration in Nepal follows a programme approach characterised by concentration on three sectors namely transport, occupational skills and enterprise development as well as natural resource management, he added.
Kathmandu, Jan. 20: Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya has spoken of the need for Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) to identify farmers’ needs and provide them loans in an easy way.
Mr Acharya, while addressing the 33rd anniversary function of the ADB and employees reconciliation function here today, spoke of the need for institutionalised development of the organisations involved in poverty alleviation by discussing what facilities we can provide to them so that they are not deprived of facilities aimed at improving their financial status.
On the occasion, Mr Acharya also presented medals and letters of honour to the bank employees who completed 25 years of service, and prizes to athletes winning the marathon race.
The Finance Minister also gave away prizes to children winning a painting competition and small farmers cooperatives for their best performance.
ADB General Manager Devendra Pratap Shaha said from this year, the bank has started two more programmes, B.P. With the Poor and Awareness Programme, and also spoke of the need for employees to work with utmost honesty and sincerity so that people can benefit from it.
ADB chairman Dr Bimal Prasad Koirala, chairman of the small farmers cooperative ‘Ananda Bon’ Shukdev Sharma and ex-employee Uttam Narayan Shrestha also expressed their views on the occasion.
Kathmandu, Jan. 20: The meeting of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs and Human Rights Committee chaired by committee chairman Som Prasad Pandey today drew the attention of HMG towards the immediate formation of the human rights commission.
The meeting issued directives to HMG to immediately remove the military camps from various tourism places stating that it will have a negative impact on tourism.
Meanwhile, a meeting presided over by chairman of the National Assembly Remote Area Committee today held an interaction between the Committee members, National Planning Commission (NPC) member and the secretary at the Ministry of Local Development on the steps to be taken by HMG for the development of the remote areas.
The meeting of the sub-committee constituted to evaluate whether HMG has implemented the reports presented by the government assurances committee to the National Assembly was held today under the sub-committee convenor Ramesh Nath Pandey.
The meeting seriously studied and evaluated whether the various assurances given hmg at the National Assembly from the first to the eighth session had been fulfilled or not.
Kathmandu, Jan. 20: A 51-member delegation of the Society for Protecting Nepali Settlements presented a memorandum to Minister of State for Land Reforms and Management and chairman of the Landless Settlers Problems Resolution Commission Dr. Gangadhar Lamsal.
The delegation demanded that the Kathmandu District Landless Settlers Problems Resolution Commission be formed soon.
On the occasion, Dr. Lamsal said the Kathmandu unit of the commission will be formed soon and related work will be carried out.
Kathmandu, Jan. 20: A 501-member main celebration committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Keshav Sthapith to observe the martyrs week from February 24 to 30 by organising various programmes on the occasion of martyrs day.
The committee has office bearers of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur ddcs, office bearers of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City, Bhaktapur, and Madhyapur Thimi and Kirtipur Municipalities, the representatives of the Royal Nepalese Army, Nepal Police, Nepal Scout, district education offices, district administration offices, various newspapers, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and political parties and other individuals.
According to the programme, tributes will be paid to Shukraraj Shastri at Teku Pachali where he attained martyrdom on Feb. 24, Dharmabhakta at Siphal where he attained martyrdom on Feb. 27, and Gangalal and Dasharath Chand at Bishnumati and Shobhabhagawati where they attained martyrdom respectively on Feb. 29.
Similarly, on Feb. 30, a morning procession will be taken out from the martyrs memorial carrying portraits of His late Majesty King Tribhuwan and the martyrs before converging at the Martyr’s Memorial in Lainchaur for paying tributes.
At midday on the same day cannons will be fired and all vehicles will be called to stay off the road for one minute to observe silence.
A five-member permanent committee has been also formed under the convenorship of the mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City with the deputy mayor, the executive officer, Bhuwan Lal Pradhan and Harikrishna Shrestha as members to observe the martyrs’ week every year in a lively manner.