As the country is moving towards the election of the constituent assembly, Bhutanese refugees in Nepal cast their ballots to elect representatives for camp management.
A press statement issued by the UNHCR in Nepal said there was a festive mood as over the course of three days – from May 2-4 – refugees lined up to vote for the person they believed should represent them in dealing with the host community, the government of Nepal, UNHCR and its partners.
Since the establishment of the camps in 1992, elections have become an annual event. Refugees eagerly looked forward to election day and the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote – even though it was in a refugee camp far from their homeland.
“We want refugees to fully exercise their right to elect their representatives and the role of UNHCR is to assist the process,” said UNHCR Representative in Nepal Abraham Abraham.
“Bhutanese refugees are very democratic and have always appreciated the electoral mechanism for representing themselves,” added Abraham.
In the run-up to the elections, UNHCR worked to get more women involved in the process to ensure good diversity among the candidates. This resulted in just over 50 percent female candidates standing in the elections, the first time that women have been equally represented as candidates for the Camp Management Committees, the statement adds
“The increased and active participation of women in the elections is highly encouraging,” said Abraham.
Over 105,000 Bhutanese refugees are living in the seven UNHCR administered camps in Jhapa and Morang districts for the past 15 years.
The general convention of the NGO Federation of Nepal elected a 19-member executive committee for a three-year term on Monday.
Dr Arjun Karki has been re-elected for the post of president of the NGO Federation.
Dr Netra Timsina has be elected the central vice-president.
A press statement issued by the Federation said Shanta Lal Mulmi has been elected the general secretary, Sharmila Karki the secretary and Bhagwati Chaudhary the treasurer.
The two-day general convention has demanded to immediately scrap the controversial code of conduct for national and international non-governmental organizations formed by the previous royal government.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said the government was committed to press freedom in the country.
During a meeting with the visiting delegation of South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) on Wednesday morning, Koirala assured that the government was committed to protect the rights of journalists and press freedom and in accordance to that, the cabinet decided to scrap the media ordinance on Tuesday.
Koirala stressed that the present crisis would be solved only when the Maoists are brought to the political mainstream.
The SAFMA team led by its general secretary Imtiaz Alam asked government not to formulate any policies that hamper press freedom and freedom of expression in Nepal.
The meeting was held for more than an hour at the prime minister’s residence in Baluwatar.
The delegation also held meetings with various other political leaders including UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, president of Nepali Congress (Democratic) Sher Bahadur Deuba and Deputy Prime Minister KP Oli on Tuesday. The delegation also met Lila Mani Pokhrel of People’s Front and CP Mainali of CPN (ML) earlier.
The team arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday to review the situation of press freedom after the restoration of democracy.
By Pratibedan Baidya
NTB Chief Executive Officer Tek Bahadur Dangi (File Photo)
NTB Chief Executive Officer Tek Bahadur Dangi (File Photo)
Like other sectors, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB)–the semi-autonomous body established for promotion of tourism in the country — has also been affected due to recent political changes in the country.
The row emerged after recently formed “Democratic Tourism Society (DTS)” padlocked the NTB office building at Bhrikuti Mandap on Monday demanding resignation of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NTB, Tek Bahadur Dangi, and overall restructuring in the organizational structure of the NTB. The central office of NTB remains padlocked for the third day Wednesday.
They accused Dangi of supporting the royal regime and not working for revival of the ailing tourism industry. They also demanded fair and inclusive participation of all sectors of tourism in the NTB.
The agitators said they would not reopen the office until CEO resigns. Some junior officials of the NTB claimed that Dangi had threatened them of termination from the job for supporting ‘jana andolan.’
However, issuing a statement on Tuesday, NTB said it was dismayed by the activities of the DTS to padlock the NTB, which it said was likely to have negative impact on the tourism industry.
The statement, signed by CEO Dangi, alleged that the protest was sponsored by some ex-employees and employees of the NTB, whose job contract was nearing termination, to fulfill their vested interests.
Dangi also challenged the protesters to furnish proof that the NTB had disbursed money to vigilantes to suppress the pro-democracy movement.
Established in 1998 by an act passed by the parliament, NTB was modeled after the public-private partnership in which private sector would play a lead role to develop and market Nepal as an attractive tourist destination.
A statement issued by 40 employees of the NTB on Wednesday said the forced closure of the Nepal Tourism Board was against the interests of the NTB and that of tourism industry in the country.
The NTB employees also submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation demanding that the government take immediate measures to open the NTB and resume regular work.
In a joint statement issued Wednesday, eight leading tourism related organisations said at a time when there was a need to work unitedly to harness immense potentials opened up by the restoration of peace and democracy in the country, the protest programmes launched by a group of persons to settle their personal scores made them to bow their heads down.
Organisations– including Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), PATA Nepal chapter, Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) and Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) – condemned the act of gheraoing the NTB office and said they had reservations towards the ‘anarchic activities’ carried out within the premises of the NTB.
Talking to Nepalnews, coordinator of the Democratic Tourism Society, Dipak Mahat, refuted allegations that his organization had personal agenda to fulfill by organizing protests at the NTB. “We have been demanding restructuring of the NTB in an institutional and inclusive way in accordance with the principle of Public-Private Partnership. He said the protests were being carried out the NTB employees themselves.
Mahat also claimed at least two out of eight organizations did not agree to the joint statement and that those who welcomed the royal takeover of last year and did not utter a word against the brutal suppression of the people’s movement had now come forward against the demand for restructuring of the NTB.
Talking to Nepalnews, CEO of NTB, Tek Bahadur Dangi, termed the protest programmes as “undemocratic and anarchic.” He said most of the NTB employees were against such activities. “Such activities have hampered the NTB’s attempts to capitalize on the open and peaceful environment afforded by the restoration of multi-party democracy in the country,” he added.
Similarly, Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Govinda Bahadur Pandey, who is also the chairman of the board of directors of the NTB, said that the “lock out” had adversely affected the day-to-day activities of the NTB and was likely to convey negative message to the tourism industry.
“It is unfortunate that the NTB, which played an important role to assist tourists during the difficult situation of general strikes and curfews for the upliftment of the tourism sector of the country has been deprived from working in the name of democracy,” Pandey added.
Pandey urged all concerned parties to immediately resolve the issue through dialogue and to assist for the promotion of tourism industry as the country was moving towards the path of peace and stability, raising hope for tourism sector of the country.
Different trade unions have asked the government to immediately scrap the labour ordinance promulgated by the royal government as per the commitment of the seven political parties during the pro-democracy movement of the country.
In a joint statement issued by the general secretaries of four trade unions, General Federation of Trade Unions (GEFONT), Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC), Nepal Democratic Trade Union Confederation (DECONT) and Confederation of Professionals Nepal (CONEP) gave a 72-hour ultimatum to the government to address their demand.
“We will be compelled to stage phase wise protests if the government fails to scrap the ordinances within 72 hours”, statement read.
They have said that the government has neglected their voices and scrapped only three ordinances rather than scrapping all the ordinances issued by the royal regime that are against the interest of Nepali people. “The annulment of all ordinances is a public concern and should not be done in installments,” the statement added.
The statement said that the government’s move to implement the labour act has neglected the contribution of the labourers in the pro-democracy movement of the country.
Stating that the government is working against the will of the labourers, the statement has demanded to immediately scrap the Labour Ordinance, Civil Service Ordinance and Necessary Service Operation Act 2014.
The statement also urged all parliamentarians to take concrete decisions as per the mandate of the people’s mandate and people’s aspiration rather than indulging into minor issues.
Tuesday’s meeting of the council of Ministers annulled ordinance to amend media related laws, ordinance related to non-governmental organisations and ordinance related to local administration.
Chief Justice Dilip Kumar Paudel administering the oath of office and secrecy to Krishna Jung Rayamajhi, head of the high-level judicial commission formed to probe into atrocities committed against pro-democracy activists during
The chairman and members of the high-level judicial commission formed to probe the government excesses during the 19-day people’s movement took the office of oath and secrecy Wednesday.
Chief Justice Dilip Kumar Poudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to commission chairman Krishna Jung Ramayajhi amidst a function organised at the Supreme Court this afternoon. Similarly, the four members of the commission were sworn in by the chairman
The five-member commission, which was formed on Friday, received ‘terms of reference’ from the government on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the commission started its regular works from today form its office located at the Ministry of General Administration.
Two persons were killed and two others injured in a road mishap at Aryal Chowk of Ilam on the Mechi Highway Tuesday night.
According to radio reports, a private van carrying a marriage party heading towards Pashupatinagar after a marriage ceremony in Birtamod, Jhapa skidded off the highway.
The deceased have been identified as Shanti Shrestha, bridegroom Kundan Shrestha’s mother and his brother Raj Kumar Shrestha.
Bride Prarthana Shrestha and Kundan’s father Bishnu Ram were injured in the accident.
An anonymous caller on Wednesday threatened top comedy artist, Hari Bansha Acharya, with his life.
Acharya told Nepalnews that he received the call from ‘Moro Mobile’ cell phone at around 2:00 this afternoon when he was in shooting in Kathmandu.
“The caller asked me if I knew about the Kathmandu Medical College (KMC) incident [KMC principal Dr Hemang Dixit was shot and injured last week when he was on his way to the teaching hospital]. I told him that I knew about it. Then he said he was the person behind that incident and threatened me that I may also have the face the same fate [that of Dixit],” Acharya explained.
Police have found out that the man giving me threat is involved in criminal activities, Acharya informed and added that the caller’s mobile number was registered in the name of Ghanshyam Bhandari but the name is fake.
Police have confirmed said they have already identified the caller and are trying to nab him.
Along with his fellow artist, Madan Krishna Shrestha, Acharya was active in raising donations for the victims of people’s movement 2006.
A private sector television station has reported that the CPN (Maoist) has constituted a three-member negotiation team to hold talks with the government.
Nepal 1 TV—which airs its programmes from New Delhi—reported that the Maoist negotiation team includes party spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Dinanath Sharma and Deb Gurung.
It did not provide details.
There hasn’t been any formal statement from the side of the CPN (Maoist) as yet regarding their negotiation team.
The Seven Party Alliance government had declared ceasefire last week in response to a three-month-long ceasefire announced by the CPN (Maoist) immediately after the political changes in the country.
By Pratibedan Baidya
Like other sectors, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB)–the semi-autonomous body established for promotion of tourism in the country — has also been affected due to recent political changes in the country.
The row emerged after recently formed “Democratic Tourism Society (DTS)” padlocked the NTB office building at Bhrikuti Mandap on Monday demanding resignation of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NTB, Tek Bahadur Dangi, and overall restructuring in the organizational structure of the NTB. The central office of NTB remains padlocked for the third day Wednesday.
They accused Dangi of supporting the royal regime and not working for revival of the ailing tourism industry. They also demanded fair and inclusive participation of all sectors of tourism in the NTB.
The agitators said they would not reopen the office until CEO resigns. Some junior officials of the NTB claimed that Dangi had threatened them of termination from the job for supporting ‘jana andolan.’
However, issuing a statement on Tuesday, NTB said it was dismayed by the activities of the DTS to padlock the NTB, which it said was likely to have negative impact on the tourism industry.
The statement, signed by CEO Dangi, alleged that the protest was sponsored by some ex-employees and employees of the NTB, whose job contract was nearing termination, to fulfill their vested interests.
Dangi also challenged the protesters to furnish proof that the NTB had disbursed money to vigilantes to suppress the pro-democracy movement.
Established in 1998 by an act passed by the parliament, NTB was modeled after the public-private partnership in which private sector would play a lead role to develop and market Nepal as an attractive tourist destination.
A statement issued by 40 employees of the NTB on Wednesday said the forced closure of the Nepal Tourism Board was against the interests of the NTB and that of tourism industry in the country.
The NTB employees also submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation demanding that the government take immediate measures to open the NTB and resume regular work.
In a joint statement issued Wednesday, eight leading tourism related organisations said at a time when there was a need to work unitedly to harness immense potentials opened up by the restoration of peace and democracy in the country, the protest programmes launched by a group of persons to settle their personal scores made them to bow their heads down.
Organisations– including Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), PATA Nepal chapter, Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) and Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) – condemned the act of gheraoing the NTB office and said they had reservations towards the ‘anarchic activities’ carried out within the premises of the NTB.
Talking to Nepalnews, coordinator of the Democratic Tourism Society, Dipak Mahat, refuted allegations that his organization had personal agenda to fulfill by organizing protests at the NTB. “We have been demanding restructuring of the NTB in an institutional and inclusive way in accordance with the principle of Public-Private Partnership. He said the protests were being carried out the NTB employees themselves.
Mahat also claimed at least two out of eight organizations did not agree to the joint statement and that those who welcomed the royal takeover of last year and did not utter a word against the brutal suppression of the people’s movement had now come forward against the demand for restructuring of the NTB.
Talking to Nepalnews, CEO of NTB, Tek Bahadur Dangi, termed the protest programmes as “undemocratic and anarchic.” He said most of the NTB employees were against such activities. “Such activities have hampered the NTB’s attempts to capitalize on the open and peaceful environment afforded by the restoration of multi-party democracy in the country,” he added.
Similarly, Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Govinda Bahadur Pandey, who is also the chairman of the board of directors of the NTB, said that the “lock out” had adversely affected the day-to-day activities of the NTB and was likely to convey negative message to the tourism industry.
“It is unfortunate that the NTB, which played an important role to assist tourists during the difficult situation of general strikes and curfews for the upliftment of the tourism sector of the country has been deprived from working in the name of democracy,” Pandey added.
Pandey urged all concerned parties to immediately resolve the issue through dialogue and to assist for the promotion of tourism industry as the country was moving towards the path of peace and stability, raising hope for tourism sector of the country.