The first national conference of justices that started on Tuesday in Kathmandu has concluded issuing a 16-point declaration and endorsing a code of conduct for justices.
The justices have expressed “grave concern” over the increasing insecurity facing them and demanded better security arrangements.
The conference has also condemned the trend of protests against the rulings and verdicts of the court in the recent years. They also stressed on the need to make appointments, postings and disciplinary actions against justices more transparent.
223 from various district, appellate courts and the Supreme Court participated in the conference. nepalnews.com Apr 01 09
Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the WWF have on Wednesday signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with an aim to make joint efforts to promote Nepal as a sustainable tourism destination by developing clear linkages between nature conservation and tourism.
Ravi Rimal
CEO of Nepal Tourism Board Prachanda Man Shrestha (R) and WWF country representative for Nepal Anil Manandhar exchange after signing a Memorandum of Understanding between NTB and WWF in Kathmandu on Wednesday, April 01, 2009. nepalnews.com/NPA
As per the MoU, the two organizations will share their resources like Mapping (GIS) facilities, photo database, digital and physical publications and marketing materials as appropriate in furtherance of their common goal of promoting sustainable tourism.
The NTB and the WWF will also collaborate each other in tourism product development in those areas in Nepal that fall within the immediate strategic interest of both the organizations to ensure benefits to the related population.
In accordance with the MoU, the two organizations will also work with each other to develop joint programs/activities in line with the imperatives of the national campaign “Nepal Tourism Year 2011”. nepalnews.com April 1 09
The global economic crisis has started showing its impact on Nepal’s tourism sector with sharp drop in visitor arrivals in the month of March. “The global recession is responsible for the decline in tourist arrivals worldwide as traveling is determined by disposable incomes, travel budgets and consumer confidence,” Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said in a statement Wednesday.
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) expects international tourism to stagnate or even decline by 1 to 2 percent throughout 2009.
Figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport, show that tourist arrivals by air dropped by 17.6 percent in March as compared to the same month in 2008.
In South Asia, arrivals from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh registered growth by 12.3 percent and 29.6 percent respectively. However, visitors from India and Pakistan witnessed negative growth of 24.7 percent and 6.3 percent respectively in March.
Similarly, arrivals from other Asian countries Thailand and Singapore maintained the upward trend with 132.3 percent and 50.2 percent growth respectively. However, arrivals from Japan, South Korea and Malaysia witnessed negative growth of 19 percent, 34.2 percent and 7.1 percent respectively. According to NTB, there has been a nominal decline of 0.8 percent in the arrivals from China which reflects the unfailing economic growth of the country compared to other tourist generating markets.
The entire European and Oceania regions registered negative growth of 19.8 percent and 11.6 percent respectively in comparison to the same month last year. Likewise, arrivals from Canada and United States of America also registered negative growths of 9 percent and 10.5 percent respectively.
A total of 32,945 foreign tourists departed from TIA in March 2009. The number arrivals of Nepalis stood at 44,607 while 46,051 Nepalis departed from TIA during the same month. nepalnews.com Apr 01 09
The Election Commission has taken control of the vehicle used by Minister for Commerce and Supply Rajendra Mahato on Wednesday on charges of violating electoral rules.
Police seized his vehicle from Opera Hotel in Mahendranagar with orders from Election Commissioner Nilakantha Upreti, who is currently in the district for inspecting the electoral environment.
Mahato had reached Mahendranagar for campaigning despite notice from the commission restricting ministers from participating in electoral campaigns for by-elections. However, Minister Mahato has refuted that his vehicle was used in election campaign.
The vehicle will be returned after the elections.
Similarly, the commission has warned the Nepali Congress candidate from Dhanusha-5, Chandra Mohan Yadav, for violating electoral rules. NC pamphlets were found being pasted on vehicles owned by independent candidate from the constituency.
Yadav is son of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav. nepalnews.com ia Apr 01 09
Save the Children organizations operating in Nepal have united into a single entity to create a stronger voice for the country’s children.
Japanese Ambassador Tatsuo Mizuno (first from left), former Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF Kul Chandra Gautam (second from left) and Save the Children Country Director Gunnar Andersen (fourth from left) at the at the programme organized to launch the unified Save the Children at the organization’s office in Kathmandu on Wednesday, April 01,2009. nepalnews.com/Kristin Johnston
Japanese Ambassador Tatsuo Mizuno (first from left), former Deputy…
Speaking at the programme organized to launch the unified Save the Children at the organization’s office in the capital Wednesday, Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare (MoWCS) Ram Charan Chaudhary, who was the guest of honor at the programme, congratulated the child rights organization for coming under one umbrella in their objective to work for the welfare of children in the country.
Minister Chaudhary hoped that Save the Children’s plan to work in a unified manner will be crucial in bringing lasting improvements to children’s lives while at the same time pledged that the government will seriously implement all the child rights conventions it is signatory to. He also expressed government’s commitment to ensure children’s rights as well as working towards bettering their lives, adding that it is serious towards protection as well as rehabilitation of disabled, conflict-hit and trafficked children.
Likewise, Binda Hada, secretary at the MoWCS, Kul Chandra Gautam, former Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF including other distinguished guests spoke at the event.
Stating that the idea behind the unification was to establish one unified programme delivery structure, Gunnar Andersen, Save the Children Country Director, assured that Save the Children will continue in its mission to improve the lives of children by continuing to work in three main areas they have been working on – education, health and protection.
On the occasion, a message from President Dr Ram Baran Yadav to Save the Children was also read out. In the message, President Yadav conveyed his hopefulness in Save the Children’s ability to accomplish even more for children through their unified presence, further stating, “as a global entity fighting for the rights of children, I hope the unified presence of Save the Children will create a stronger voice for children in Nepal whose issues and concerns are often neglected.”
Save the Children Norway, Save the Children Japan, USA and Sweden and other members contributing to programmes in Nepal will now have united presence (UP) in Nepal under the name unified Save the Children.
Save the Chidlren Norway has been elected as Managing Member and Save the Children USA and Japan as Participating Members. Save the Children Sweden, which has a regional office in Nepal, will be a Project Participating Member.
Government sanction and official legal recognition of the unified Save the Children was obtained on the 19th of March 2009 when the appointed director of the unified organization, Mr Gunner Andersen, signed as agreement with the Social Welfare council (SWC), according to a press release issued by the organization working for children’s rights.
“As a unified organization, Save the Children aspires to achieve even more for Nepal’s children,” the press release said.
According to the release, Save the Children will be working in 56 district across 5 regions, with 90 partner NGOs, and in collaboration with three different ministries; the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ministry of Health and Population and the Ministery of Women, Children and Social Welfare.
The focus areas of the unified programmes will be education, Protection (including Conflict, Violence, Abuse and Exploitation) and Health (HIV/AIDs, Emergency and Disaster Response).
In addition, the Nepal office will oversee all Save the Children programmes operating in Bhutan. nepalnews.com Apr 01 09
Visiting British Development Minister Mike Foster on Wednesday announced an additional Rs 460 million for the World Food Programme’s food and relief work across Nepal.
The announced the aid during his visit to the western region. Today he visited far-western Achham district where (Department for International Development (DFID) and WFP are working closely with the Nepal government and other agencies to provide assistance to 120,000 people over the next six months, a press release issued by DFID said.
The money will support food for work programmes, to rebuild schools and health posts that were either damaged or neglected during the conflict, and build new water supplies and irrigation schemes. Maternal and child nutrition work will also be part of the programme.
During the trip, Foster talked to people receiving support, particularly women and children, many of whom would have faced starvation or destitution. He also assessed the past joint works between WFP and DFID on roads programmes.
“I’m very impressed by what I have seen today. Not only are people receiving immediate help but they are being given the means to lift themselves out of poverty. These aren’t handouts – these are hand-ups that are making a real difference,” he said, adding, “So it makes me doubly happy to announce an additional NRs 460 million of help to carry out vital lifesaving work.”
Likewise, Richard Ragan, WFP Country Representative, said, “Conflict, natural disasters and high food prices have decimated the food stocks and livelihoods of millions of Nepalese. WFP has provided food assistance to more than 1.5 million people, but more than one million are still in need. The generous support received from DFID will play a significant role in WFP’s efforts to reach these vulnerable populations.”
Meanwhile, speaking to media persons in Nepalgunj, Foster said the British government had no immediate plans either to increase or decrease financial support to Nepal.
The UK minister also visited Bheri Hospital to inspect the condition of maternal health services. Maternal health service project in the hospital is being supported by the DFID.
In another context, the British minister denied comments on integration of the two armies. He said it is the Nepalese people and their government who have authority to decide on the fate of Maoist combatants and that his government would not interfere into the matter.
Minister foster visited Maoist cantonments in mid and far west apart from inspecting a number of projects supported by the British government. nepalnews.com Apr 01 09
By Anand Gurung
The breakaway Maoist groups including the latest one led by fiery Maoist leader Matrika Yadav is not only a cause for concern for the ruling Unified CPN (Maoist) party and the country, but increasingly India too which is reeling under its own version of red terror.
Until recently, the Indian media was abuzz with speculation about breakaway Maoist group in Nepal collaborating with Indian Naxalites (Maoists). However, this serious issue concerning India’s internal security has now started to find its way into the floors of the Indian parliament – the Rajya Sabha.
This became clear after a senior Indian minister Wednesday denied rumors about Maoist splinters in Nepal collaborating with Indian Naxalites as baseless, saying that there is no valid evidence to suggest the same.
“There is no firm evidence of any breakaway Maoist group in Nepal collaborating with Naxalites here,” Indian Home Minister P Chidamabram was quoted as saying by Press Trust of India (PTI).
Replying to a query on the issue during the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Chidamabram also denied any Naxalite activities in the Indo-Nepal border. He, however, said the government is vigilant and “would take firm action against Naxals”.
The Minister further said the government would welcome and rehabilitate any Naxalite if he/she wants to return to the mainstream.
Chidamabram also said that the aim of Naxalites “is to overthrow an established government through armed struggle”, and they are not for development. “Naxalites are the worst enemy of development as they are targeting schools, telephone towers and other infrastructure,” he said, adding that they are motivated by “misguided” philosophy.
According to PTI, a BJP lawmaker also wanted to know how the government would fight “Left-wing extremism” when it took support of the Left, drawing protests from the Left parties in the Rajya Sabha.
Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has described the rise of Maoists – also called Indian Naxals – as one of the “gravest threats” to India’s internal security
It is worth mentioning here that India had played a major role in engineering the Delhi agreement back in 2006, bringing the underground CPN (Maoist) closer to the agitating seven political parties in Nepal. The alliance led to the overthrow of former king Gyanendra led royal regime and ultimately culminated in the country becoming a republic with the first elected Maoist government in South Asia at the helms.
Political observers say the Maoist insurgency in India is also shaping up as an issue ahead of the Indian general election due by May. The Maoist rebellion is spreading like wild-fire in India, with reports claiming that 22 of the country’s 29 states are affected by it.
The rebels claim to be fighting for the rights of the farmers and the poor who make up the majority in a country with the world’s second largest population. Thousands of people have been killed since the uprising began in a village called Naxalbari in India’s West Bengal state in the late 1960s . nepalnews.com Feb 26 09
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that Nepal will not allow any activities against China in Nepali soil and reiterated Nepal’s commitment on one-China policy.
The PM expressed such commitments at a meeting with the visiting Chinese delegation led by Assistant Chinese Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi at his office Thursday morning.
Chinese Assistant FM arrived in Kathmandu with his team as a special envoy of the Chinese government Wednesday evening.
According to Om Sharma, the press advisor of the PM, talks on various bilateral issues were held at the meeting.
PM Dahal proposed the Chinese government to support in the construction of 400 MW Narsinghgad hydro-power project in Jajarkot. He also urged the Chinese government to help Nepal in infrastructure building and development of Special Economic Zones. The Chinese side was positive on the proposals, said Sharma.
PM Dahal told the Chinese delegation that he wanted to make his China visit a historical one and set a milestone in the Sino-Nepal relations. The PM is scheduled to visit China in the second week of April or first week of May. The two governments are preparing to sign a Peace and Friendship Accord during the visit, informed Sharma.
The Chinese delegation will also meet deputy prime minister and home minister Bam Dev Gautam, foreign minister Upendra Yadav, defense minister Ram Bahadur Thapa and other high level government officials.
The Chinese Assistant FM’s visit comes ahead of possible pro-Tibet demonstrations in Kathmandu in March, when Tibetans are planning to observe their 50th Uprising Day. This year China is commemorating the golden jubilee of its direct rule on Tibet. nepalnews.com ta Feb 26 09
The Youth Communist League (YCL), affiliated to the erstwhile CPN (Maoists), has merged with All Nepal Janabadi Youth Association, affiliated to the erstwhile CPN (Ekata Kendra – Masal) following the unification of their mother parties to form Unified CPN (Maoists).
Unified Maoist leader and communications minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara (r) and Narayan Kaji Shrestha ?Prakash? (center) in a mass meeting to announce the unification between the Young Communist League and Akhil Nepal Janabadi Yuwa Sangh, Wednesday, Feb 25 09. nepalnews.com/rh
Unified Maoist leader and communications minister Krishna Bahadur…
The merger was declared at a programme organised in Kathmandu on Wednesday after a joint general convention of the two organisations on Tuesday.
A 255-member committee led by Ganesh Man Pun, the erstwhile chairman of YCL, was also announced at the function. Raju Khadka and Uma Bhujel are deputy co-ordinators of the committee.
The name of the new organisation will remain YCL. Earlier, the two organisations had decided to add a ‘democratic’ epithet to the name after the merger. It will adopt the flag of the Janabadi Youth Association.
Addressing the function, Kul Prasad KC, alias Sonam, said YCL would be developed as the successor organisation of the Maoists. Maoist leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Minister for Information and Communications Krishna Bahadur Mahara also addressed the function. nepalnews.com ta Feb 25 09
The Unified CPN (Maoists) has decided to propose a mixed system with an executive President and a Prime Minister with limited authority to be incorporated in the new constitution.
A task force led by Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai, formed to prepare the draft of the new constitution, made such suggestions. The final draft was prepared by compiling recommendations from various 11 sub-committees formed to submit the suggestions.
In response to Nepali Congress (NC) President Girija Prasad Koirala’s remark that presidential system would invite totalitarianism, Bhattarai said when presidential system is being followed successfully in various other countries including the USA, a mixed system in Nepal would not invite totalitarianism. The main opposition party (NC) has already decided to propose a parliamentary Prime Ministerial system.
Meanwhile, the parliamentary party meeting of the Maoists has instructed its CA members going to various districts to collect public opinion for the new constitution to advocate for Presidential system.
The PP meeting also endorsed the party’s decision to nominate Narayan Kaji Shrestha as the deputy leader of the PP. nepalnews.com ta Feb 25 09