R&D_NewsBrief_15thOct

R&D Economic Research & Business

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Date: October 15, 2009

Highlights

• Political parties have once again locked horns over the issue of whether to retain the current national flag or to design a new one. While the Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML want to give continuity to the current national flag, the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and some other parties strongly oppose it.

• Speculation was simply that after being heavily criticized well within his own party for having unilaterally elevated his daughter Sujata as the country’s deputy Prime Minister, Girija Babu had left to his home town, Biratnagar, to find some solace and contemplate his past blunders that surely brought this entire country to a brink.

• Sujata continues to dominate Nepali politics after her elevation as the country’s Deputy Prime Minister. She was present at the Nepali Congress Central Committee hearing meeting held October 14, 2009.

• : Leaders of four major political parties today expressed their commitment to finalize the new constitution within schedule. Addressing the fourth Non Resident Nepali (NRN) global conference here, they said they were seriously doing the homework to bring a new constitution by May 28, 2010.

• Three major parties - Unified CPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) - have agreed to form a 'taskforce' to settle their differences on a number of issues concerning the new constitution.

• Senior leaders of major political parties have expressed commitment to prepare the new constitution within the deadline -- May 10, 2010. They also said that their party will have no objection if the government decides to award dual citizenship to Non-Resident Nepalis or NRN's.

• It is highly likely that Nepal’s Unified Maoist Party’s all powerful delegation to China could turn merely into a luxurious trip. Chances of meeting President Hu Jin Tao and Prime Minister Wen Jia Bao are becoming remote if not impossible, say reports.

• The youth wings of seven major political parties have collectively demanded the formulation and implementation of a ýouth policy´ during an audience with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on Wednesday.

• Asia may be leading the world's recovery from recession but its growth prospects are still clouded by the fragile global economic situation, the Asian Development Bank's top economist said.


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• At a time when Nepal's trade with the U.S. has been going down steadily, the U.S. has proposed to sign a bilateral trade and investment agreement with Nepal to boost trade and investment to a new height.

• A US$2mn grant from the ADB-administered Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) will fund awareness raising programs and intensive registration campaigns.

• A top UN official has appealed for 'swift and orderly' release of the 2,973 Maoist army personnel identified as minors during a verification process completed in 2007.

• Devman Hirachan is the unanimous choice to become the consensus candidate for the chairmanship of the Non Resident Nepali Association.

• Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) have expressed interest to bring their ideas, skills, and resources to give a boost to science and technology sector of the country.

• Chitwan Industry Association and the Ministry of Science and Technology are organizing National Industrial and Technology exhibition in the third week of November in Chitwan.

• Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Board launched notice board service on Wednesday in an attempt to provide fresh information about the market price of vegetables and fruits in the local market.

• Normal life in Kalikot has been affected due to a shortage of daily consumable goods for the past four months, reports RSS.

• Gold price on Wednesday crossed over the psychological Rs 30,000 per tola (about 11.66 grams) mark, creating new record in the domestic market -- something that dealers said has put off festive buying this Tihar.

• The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday upheld the government´s decision to provide security personnel and other facilities to former king Gyanendra and his family.

• The Nepali Army top brass cannot control their temptation in the exhibition of their courage and valour and more often than not they make at least their verbal commitments to preserve Nationalism, National Integrity and Territorial Integrity of the country.

• Khagendra Thapa Magar from Nepal, thought to be the world's smallest living man at just 22 inches (56 centimetres), has turned 18 and now hopes to be officially recognised for his record size.

• Orlando Bloom the Hollywood heartthrob has been appointed as the new Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund).He has


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been an active member of the organistaion and is ready to take care of his position.

• India has rejected a demand by the Albanian government for the return of the remains of Nobel laureate Mother Teresa, buried in the Kolkata. “Mother Teresa was an Indian citizen and she is resting in her own country, her own land,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash.

POLITICS:

Parties lock horns over national symbols

Political parties have once again locked horns over the issue of whether to retain the current national flag or to design a new one. While the Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML want to give continuity to the current national flag, the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and some other parties strongly oppose it.

Even as discussion on national flag, national anthem, national animal, and other emblems is underway in the Constitutional Committee (CC) of the CA, opinions of the lawmakers have differed on other national emblems as well.UCPN (Maoist) leader Dev Gurung stated that the current national flag should be changed so as to reflect the nationalities in the country. Gurung claimed that the current flag represented the royal dynasty and hence would be inappropriate in the changed political context. “The current national flag must be changed,” he said. He also suggested that the flag be designed in a way with symbols to represent the number of provinces in the country. However, Amrita Thapa, lawmaker from the same party, said that the present flag could be retained by redefining the symbols -- the sun and the moon.

NC leader Bimalendra Nidhi argued, however, argued that there was no point in linking the current flag with monarchy. “Former kings used a different flag and scepter as their symbols. They did not use the national flag. We should give continuity to the current flag by redefining the symbols,” Nidhi said.

Agni Kharel of the CPN-UML also echoed Nidhi´s view urging the CA members not to link everything to royalties unnecessarily. Those who were against changing the flag argued that the current flag should be given continuity as it is known the world over for its uniqueness.

CA members Chhavi Lal BK, CP Mainali, Sharada Jha and Kul Bahadur Gurung, among others, stood in favor of giving continuity to the current flag, while Bishwendra Paswan, Sarita Giri, Shadrul Miya Haque and Sarala Regmi, among others, were for changing it.

CC Chairman Nilambar Acharya said in the meeting that the CA members should give a second thought before taking any decision on the national flag issue.


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Meanwhile, Madhesi CA members also threw their lot in favor of retaining the current national flag by changing its blue borders with green.

A majority of leaders in the meeting also proposed to change the national animal. They argued that cow had become an irrelevant symbol after Nepal was declared a secular state. Instead, the leaders proposed that rhino be made the national animal.

Some other CA members said that the crimson color, lophophorus, rhododendron and cow need not be mentioned as national symbols in the new constitution.

Source: www.myrepublica.com Date: 2009-10-14

Girija show-of strength in Biratnagar, Nepal Hastinapur

Speculation was simply that after being heavily criticized well within his own party for having unilaterally elevated his daughter Sujata as the country’s deputy Prime Minister, Girija Babu had left to his home town, Biratnagar, to find some solace and contemplate his past blunders that surely brought this entire country to a brink.

Not to be so, father Koirala’s trip to Biratnagar tuned into an opportunity for him to show-off his strength, instead.

Staunch Koirala supporters, present in huge numbers welcomed Koirala at the Biratnagar airport, October 14, 2009, in an unprecedented manner.

Escorted by cadres on both sides, the Koirala convoy made a tour of the city. Pretty excited Koirala supporters organized a rally, particularly to celebrate Sujata’s elevation.

This Nepali Congress!

Koirala supporters also urged him not to get annoyed for being heavily criticized by his junior party colleagues in Kathmandu.

Eyewitness reports reveal that the colourful welcome that Koirala received on Wednesday, October 14, 2009, was not witnessed even when he had become prime minister of the country for the first time and later as well.

Octogenarian Koirala too looked elated by the reception he got from his cadres.

A complete Dhritrastra that is Koirala now.

However, Koirala detractors within the party claim that Sujata Koirala had spent huge amount of money to arrange the grand welcome ceremony of her father in Biratnagar-a la Hastinapur.

Source: www.telegraphnepal.com Date: 2009-10-15


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NC's Sujata-Poudel fracas Entertain Nepal Population

Sujata continues to dominate Nepali politics after her elevation as the country’s Deputy Prime Minister.

She was present at the Nepali Congress Central Committee hearing meeting held October 14, 2009.

As was made to known to the media, a day earlier by some Nepali Congress leaders, the CC meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 14, 2009, was set to discuss Sujata’s elevation as the DPM of the country.

For all along five hours not a single nasty word was left out by the attending Nepali Congress leaders in protest of this-Sujata’s- elevation, which has, by this time now, already shook the foundation of the party that has so far remained as the prerogative of Girija Prasad Koirala and his buffoonery daughter.

The meeting was nearing its end, Nar Hari Acharya, the man who was labelled as Royalist by none other than the Party President Girija Prasad Koirala himself some years back, stood up and deplored the decision of father Koirala to elevate his own daughter as DPM.

Koirala had also labelled youth leader Gagan Thapa as a Royalist and some media even reported that Mr. Thapa had close links with Sharad Chandra Shah, a man close to the former royal palace of Nepal.

Nonetheless, criticism followed after Nar Hari broke the ice...Govinda Raj Joshi, Arjun Nar Singh K.C., Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, Ram Chandra Poudel, Prakash Man Singh, Bimalendra Nidhi, Bal Bahadur K.C., Chirinjibi Wagle and some other leaders opined in tandem that the decision had ignored institutionalized process within the party itself.

Nar Hari Acharya clearly told the gathering that the party should be clear as to what was its formal stance over the Sujata elevation saga.

Other leaders scathingly criticized father Koirala for ignoring all the basic institutionalized rules set by the party while elevating his daughter to the DPM post.

How could an enraged Sujata tolerate criticism against her father who had been singlehandedly, albeit in a dictatorial manner, running one of the most undemocratic yet a namesake democratic party in the country?

Fuming Sujata not only threatened all those who had gone vocally against her father’s decision but also made it clear that she would take stringent action against them time permitting.

Suddenly Sujata appeared line a lioness ...while Ram Chandra was speaking, as if she was going to pounce upon him.

Look what she said to Poudel.


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“You are the one who has ruined the Nepali Congress”, Sujata pinpointed Ram Chandra Poudel.

“When you were elevated as vice president and Arjun Nar Singh as the General Secretary no one criticized the decision of my father, however why this hullaballoo when Girija babu has elevated me”, Sujata questioned Ram Chandra.

“It was Girija babu who made you big leaders and provide the current ranks to you all in the party”, a fuming Sujata revealed the past secrets.

“Ram Chandra ji, I know what you are capable of...you are the one who split the party”, Sujata said adding, “Party general assembly is coming soon, if you have guts then you can challenge me then.”

It was the turn of Dr. Ram Saran Mahat.

Dr Mahat was making his views over the issue, Sujata interrupted him in between. Sujata and Mahat were involved in war of words for few minutes.

The meeting was presided over by acting president Mr. Sushil Koirala.

Sushil Koirala preferred not to interrupt in between.

All in all, Sujata-Poudel war of words entertained the nepali population and that too on the eve of Tihar festivals.

Keep it up Sujata and Poudel...


Leaders vow new statute on time, agreement, peace

KATHMANDU: Leaders of four major political parties today expressed their commitment to finalize the new constitution within schedule. Addressing the fourth Non Resident Nepali (NRN) global conference here, they said they were seriously doing the homework to bring a new constitution by May 28, 2010 despite the lingering differences among political parties on certain issues.

Central leader of the United Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M) and former finance minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai said, “I am confident it will be possible to finalize the new constitution three months before the scheduled deadline.” He also expressed his party’s commitment to taking the peace process to a logical end and emphasized on the need for consensus among the major three political parties.

Highlighting the major tasks of political parties, Nepali Communist Party of United Marxist-Leninists (CPN-UML) president Jhalanath Khanal said constitution-making should be the top priority among all tasks. “It is the foremost task for the institutionalization of democracy,”he pointed out adding, “If the task of constitution-


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making is not carried out by May 28, 2010, our motherland will be witnessing the worst crisis.”

According to him, the fundamental bases of federalism such as population, ethnicity, language, geography and resources should be identified clearly. He added that political consensus has to be a must while restructuring the state. Khanal also described economic development and national unity as essential tasks to build a new Nepal.

Nepali Congress acting president Sushil Koirala also expressed his party’s commitment to drafting a new constitution with a guarantee of human rights, press freedom and the rule of law. Recognizing that NRNs can contribute significantly to building a new Nepal, Dr Bhattarai urged them to share their managerial skills and coordinating technical knowhow. Likewise, Madhesi People’s Right Forum president Upendra Yadav. “Nepali people can benefit from the experiences of NRNs in the investment sector,” he said.

Responding to the demand of NRNs regarding dual citizenship, the leaders assured that they would not have any problem getting dual citizenship based on certain criteria. “Our party is fully committed to resolving the issue of dual citizenship of NRNs,” Yadav said.

Source: The Himalayan Times Date: October 14, 2009

Big Three agree to settle differences on new constitution

Three major parties - Unified CPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) - have agreed to form a 'taskforce' to settle their differences on a number of issues concerning the new constitution.

The three parties reached the understanding at a meeting held at UML parliamentary office in Singha Durbar Wednesday.

NC general secretary Bimalendra Nidhi told reporters after the meeting that the taskforce will discuss all the disputed issues regarding the new constitution, and arrive at a common position. It will also hold talks with smaller parties in the Constituent Assembly.

Likewise, Maoist vice chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai said the three parties have agreed to resolve their differences to make sure that the constitution-drafting process goes smoothly.

The sub-committee under the Constitutional Committee of the CA had entrusted the responsibility to resolve the dispute to the top leaders after it failed to come up with a draft of the new statute.

The parties are sharply divided over a number of issues including the name of the constitution, its preamble, the national flag and restructuring of the state.


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Source: www.nepalnews.com Date: October 14, 2009

Leaders pledge timely constitution drafting, dual citizenship for NRN's

Senior leaders of major political parties have expressed commitment to prepare the new constitution within the deadline -- May 10, 2010. They also said that their party will have no objection if the government decides to award dual citizenship to Non-Resident Nepalis or NRN's.

The leaders made this pledge while addressing the 2nd day of the fourth global conference of the Non Resident Nepalis Association (NRNA) being organized in Kathmandu on Wednesday. The conference kicked off in the capital on Tuesday.

Nepali Congress acting-president Sushil Koirala said that his party is committed to preparing a "democratic constitution", and that the constitution should be prepared by the stipulated time.

Koirala said that the political parties needs to forge consensus among themselves and unite to ensure timely constitution drafting as per democratic norms and values. He said NRN's have made "major contribution" for the economic development of the country and hence they deserve dual citizenship.

Speaking at the same program, chairman of CPN-UML Jhala Nath Khanal agreed with the NC acting- president on the timely drafting of the constitution, warning that failing to meet the May 10 deadline will push the country into grave trouble.

Saying that the general people are increasingly getting worried that the nation might not have a new constitution by the stipulated time, Khanal said that this calls for political parties to set their resolve to prepare the constitution in time and convey it to the people.

"Political parties should be ready to make any kind of sacrifices to ensure that the constitution is prepared on time," he said, adding further that political parties won't have any objection if the NRN's are awarded dual citizenship.

Meanwhile, vice-chairman of Unified CPN (Maoist) Dr Baburam Bhattarai said that his party is also committed to the timely drafting of the constitution and asked all to remain assured about it.

While his party continues to obstruct the House proceedings, thereby effectively hampering discussion on the major issues of the constitution and delaying it, Bhattarai said the Maoists will not create any obstruction in the constitution drafting process.

The Maoist ideologue also expressed confidence that the existing deadlock will end soon with political parties forging reaching an amiable settlement.

Similarly, chairman of Madheshi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) Upendra Yadav stressed on the need for drafting a constitution that upholds the principle of equality and justice and which is acceptable to all the people of this country.


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Discussion on various issues concerning the political situation of the country and NRN's role in improving it continued on the 2nd day of the global conference of the NRNA.


Nepal Maoists’ Luxury trip to China, visits historic sites

It is highly likely that Nepal’s Unified Maoist Party’s all powerful delegation to China could turn merely into a luxurious trip.

Chances of meeting President Hu Jin Tao and Prime Minister Wen Jia Bao are becoming remote if not impossible, say reports.

Does this mean that Chinese supreme leadership still suspects the very Communist credentials of the Maoists’ Party of Nepal more so that of its Captain?

Apart from meeting low ranking leadership, the delegation has so far visited some historical monuments and Chinese cities that hold importance for the Communists only.

And, yes they have been taking photographs for their recollection.

The all powerful delegation led by the ferocious Party Chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda was put on a train to Tanji City by the officials in Beijing.

Prachanda and his team visited some museums and observed the physical development of the city.

Today, the team is set to visit the birth place of Chairman Mao Zedong located in Shaoshan, Xiangtan Province.

Prachanda however held secret meeting with the Chief of the Political Consultations Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

This meet has some meaning underneath.


Parties' youth wings demand policy, pledge peaceful ways

The youth wings of seven major political parties have collectively demanded the formulation and implementation of a ýouth policy´ during an audience with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on Wednesday.

The youth wings of the political parties also vowed to adopt peaceful means in their conduct.


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The youth wings handed the prime minister a Ńational Youth Policy Suggestions Report´ that they had jointly prepared during the post-conflict period.

"We worked together under a strict code of conduct for 10 months to come up with a uniform framework and help the government form a youth policy," said Ajambar Kangwang, president of the CPN-UML´s youth front, Democratic National Youth Federation Nepal (DNYFN).

This is the first time that the youth wings of major political parties have sat together for a common task contrary to their mutual contradictions and violent drive against each other.

"The real motive of this project is to at least mitigate conflict among the youth fronts," said one facilitator who sought anonymity. The Norwegian embassy funded the project coordinated by Lead International, a consultancy firm.

The youth fronts had organized workshops in five development regions and 52 different districts to collect suggestions on how the nation´s youth policy should be shaped. Youth fronts involved in the project are DNYFN, Nepali Congress-affiliated Tarun Dal, UCPN (Maoist)-affiliated Young Communist League (YCL), Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF)-affiliated Madhesi Youth Forum, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP)-affiliated Tarai MadhesYouth Front, CPN(ML)-affiliated Progressive Youth Association and Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Mahato)-affiliated Youth Forum.

The youth fronts converging at a common forum comes as a rare phenomenon. Over 10 months they combined their efforts for suggesting a youth policy. They had indulged in skirmishes with the use of lethal weapons including in the Tri-Chandra College incident in which UML´s Youth Force Valley in-charge was alleged to have fired a gun.

"After co-working on a significant job, one would not hold the other at gunpoint," said a consultant connected with the project. "Nothing is possible for youth welfare unless pressure groups, political or social, enjoy strong understanding and a spirit of coordination."

DNYFN president Kangwang said the experience of working with peer organizations reinforced a realization that they should remain distinct from political parties in terms of behavior.

This is the second endeavor among the youth fronts to sensitize the state toward formulating youth policies. A task force formed by the Ministry for Youth and Sports earlier had prepared a similar report and submitted it to the government seven months ago.

The National Youth Policy Suggestion Report focuses on health, education, social welfare, economic involvement, youth participation and development, security and justice as key points to take up in formulating a youth policy. It offers a definition of youth as those between 16 and 40 years of age. It suggests forming a Ńational Youth Council´ to lead and oversee implementation of youth policies.


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POLICY:

Asian outlook clouded by fragile global recovery: ADB

WASHINGTON: Asia may be leading the world's recovery from recession but its growth prospects are still clouded by the fragile global economic situation, the Asian Development Bank's top economist said.

The bank has projected "very optimistic" rates of growth in 2010 for the region but they could be dampened by a weak global recovery, especially in the industrialized nations, and premature government strategies to exit from recession, chief economist Lee Jong-Wha said at a forum in Washington.

"The question is whether recovery will be sustained in 2010 and beyond... The outlook still remains uncertain, especially the downside risks which may come from a protracted global slowdown and which will delay the region's full recovery," he said.

The Manila-based ADB had recently forecast that developing Asian economies, led by China and India, will grow by an average 6.4 percent in 2010 from about 3.9 percent this year.

"So, even though we are now leading the recovery, there is no room for complacency because global recovery seems to be in the near term very weak," said Lee, a Harvard-educated South Korean who is chief spokesperson for ADB on economic forecasts and trends.

While Asia had proved to be more resilient that other regions in confronting the worst global recession in decades, its fortunates remain tied to the industrial world, a key export market, Lee said.

"Asia's increased export-orientation raises its vulnerability to external shocks. Although there have been lot of dicussions about recovery, in reality the Asian countries have not decoupled from the industrial countries.

"So Asia cannot be the sole driver of its own growth and we still rely on external demand," he added at the forum organized by the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

Michael Mussa, an economist at the institute, said he did not expect most of the world to be mired in recession or in extremely sluggish growth, including the United States where most data point to economic growth in the third quarter after nearly two years in recession.


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"The 'V' shaped recovery is alive and well in emerging Asia," said the former International Monetary Fund chief economist, predicting a strong upturn in regional growth.

Top growth driver China snapped back from close to zero growth at the end of last year to already about eight percent growth in first quarter this year while at least half a dozen other economies in the region posted growth rates of between 10 and 20 percent, Mussa noted.

"My worry, of course, is that the initial bounce back from an extremely sharp downturn in world trade and industrial production will not continue at a 10 to 20 percent rate quarter-on-quarter for the next three or four years," Mussa said.

The ADB's Lee warned governments against prematurely winding down their stimulus measures or tightening monetary policies as this could derail the fragile recovery.

"Any hasty tightening of the monetary and fiscal polices will easily disrupt this ongoing recovery, especially in the situation of a weak recovery of the global economy," he said.

"The timing of withdrawing monetary stimulus is very important for industrialized countries but also for Asian countries."


US offer to sign trade pact with Nepal

At a time when Nepal's trade with the U.S. has been going down steadily, the U.S. has proposed to sign a bilateral trade and investment agreement with Nepal to boost trade and investment to a new height.

The U.S. had forwarded the proposal some one month ago which is being discussed by the ministries and the private sector. Chiranjivi Nepal, advisor to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala, told the Post that the government had received the draft of the agreement and that discussions were underway to incorporate the concerns of the Commerce Ministry and the private sector.

The proposal, which contains seven articles, is focused on mutual trade benefit, addressing the issue of the environment, respect for labour laws, expansion of trade by mutual understanding and exchange of information and cutting trade barriers between the two countries.

"Foreign Minister Koirala and the entire ministry are very positive about the U.S. offer. The Commerce Ministry has made some recommendations regarding capacity building and technical support to Nepal. If the U.S. agrees, there is no problem in signing the agreement," Nepal said.


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Nepal's bilateral trade in the recent past with the U.S. has plunged 80 percent after a heavy duty was imposed on Nepali readymade garments. During a recent visit to the U.S., Foreign Minister Koirala had met with the Chief of Economic Affairs of the U.S. Senate and three Congressmen and Senators and lobbied to regain duty-free access for Nepali readymade garments in the U.S.

The discussion with the U.S. Congressmen was very positive and cordial, and we returned with big expectations, he said.

"The agreement will help us to regain our lost readymade garment market in the U.S. Also, it will provide easy access to readymade garments. No doubt, it would be a great relief to Nepali entrepreneurs who lost their market and capital," Nepal said.

Source: www.ekantipur.com Date: October 15, 2009

ADB supports Nepal's drive to bring unregistered citizens in from the cold

A US$2mn grant from the ADB-administered Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) will fund awareness raising programs and intensive registration campaigns.

A Government drive to increase the number of poor Nepalese with legal identity documents, which are required to gain access to essential benefits and services, is to receive support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

A US$2mn grant from the ADB-administered Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) will fund awareness raising programs and intensive registration campaigns.

"The poor and vulnerable in Nepal have very little access to goods, resources, and opportunities such as social welfare benefits or free school textbooks, and one of the reasons for this is they don't have legal identity documents, such as birth, citizenship, migration, marriage, and death certificates," said Jogendra Ghimire, counsel at ADB's Office of the General Counsel.

It is estimated that at least 75% of Nepal's population do not have a birth certificate, and that between 3mn and 5mn people eligible citizens have not acquired citizenship.

An outdated and complex legislative framework, burdensome procedures, low awareness among Government officials and the general public, high registration costs, discrimination, and low capacity have all contributed to the lack of legal documentation among the poor.

The ADB project will be implemented over four years in the districts of Kathmandu, Jhapa, Ilam, Bhaktapur, Latitpur, Palpa, Rupandehi, Mustang, Kailali, and Dang. It will aim to provide birth certificates and other identity documents to at least 80% of residents in the target areas, and ensure individual details are logged in a


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computerized civil registration system able to be accessed by relevant Government departments. Registration training for civil servants and a public awareness campaign will also be conducted.

The JFPR was established by the Japanese Government and ADB in May 2000 to provide direct relief to the poorest and most vulnerable segments of society while building up their capacities for self-help and income generation.

Source: www.indiainfoline.com Date: 2009-10-14

Top UN official calls for immediate release of 2,973 minors in Maoist cantonments

A top UN official has appealed for 'swift and orderly' release of the 2,973 Maoist army personnel identified as minors during a verification process completed in 2007.

"These children have a right to start their lives anew and help to build a peaceful and prosperous Nepal. The United Nations and its partners stand ready to provide support and assistance for their successful rehabilitation into Nepali society," said Radhika Coomaraswamy, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, in a release issued Wednesday.

The Special Representative also welcomed the re-launching of the discharge and rehabilitation process for Maoist army personnel identified as minors today following earlier conversations with the Prime Minster Madhav Kumar Nepal and the Unified Communist Party of Nepal - Maoist (UCPN-M) Chairman, Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Coomaraswamy noted that the Maoist Chairman had given her assurances that the discharge and orderly rehabilitation of the remaining Maoist minors in the cantonments would proceed immediately.

She called on all parties to ensure that the process proceeds smoothly and is completed at the earliest in compliance with international standards.

Coomaraswamy also said she is looking forward to visiting Nepal in the coming weeks to personally witness the discharge of these minors.



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BUSINESS / ECONOMY:

Hirachan new NRNA chairman

Devman Hirachan is the unanimous choice to become the consensus candidate for the chairmanship of the Non Resident Nepali Association.

The other two contenders -- Ram Pratap Thapa from Germany and Bhim Udas from Lesotho -- agreed to withdraw their candidacy in favor of Hirachan, based in Japan, after hectic parleys to avoid the election. The name will be announced soon.

Hirachan will replace Upendra Mahato for two-year term as the chief of NRNA, the largest body of Nepalis outside Nepal. Mahato was chairman for three two-year terms.

The three-day NRNA global conference concludes on Thursday.


NRNs willing to invest in knowledge sector

Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) have expressed interest to bring their ideas, skills, and resources to give a boost to science and technology sector of the country.

The NRN participants while speaking at the fourth global conference being held in Kathmandu said they wanted invest in the knowledge investment sector in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST).

”Investment in knowledge investment can go a long way in long-term development of the country,” said Raju Adhikari, an Australian NRN, while presenting the concept of NRNs in knowledge investment in Nepal.

State Minister for Science and Technology Indra Prasad Dhungel also urged NRNs to contribute to expedite the growth of the science and technology sector in Nepal by investing in it.

Prachanda Man Shrestha, chief executive officer of the Nepal Tourism Board, sought assistance from NRNs to bolster Nepal tourism by promoting it in their respective countries in the light of the Nepal Tourism Year 2011.

Writer Jagdish Ghimire opined that NRNs can leverage their skills to coordinate with the government in the management process of various sectors



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National Industrial Fair in Nov

CHITWAN, Oct 14: Chitwan Industry Association and the Ministry of Science and Technology are organizing National Industrial and Technology exhibition in the third week of November in Chitwan.

Hari Prasad Subedi, president of the association, said about 250 stalls will be installed during the exhibition that will run between November 11 and November 21. Subedi said production process will also be demonstrated in 50 stalls to provide effective knowledge about the products to the visitors.

Organizers said the main objectives of the exhibition are to preserve Nepali indigenous production technology and culture. Local industries across the country can showcase their products in the 10-day fair.

Symposiums are also going to be organized on the sideline of the fair to give suggestions on the issues of preservation of local industries and indigenous technology. Mahalaxmi Sugar Mill padlocked

BUTWAL, Oct 14: Workers of Mahalaxmi Sugar Mill have padlocked the mill from Tuesday.

Kapilvastu Free Sugarcane Workers´ Union has been spearheading the agitation, demanding grade system in remuneration, immediate deposit of written off provident fund and allowance to seasonal workers during unpaid leave. Workers have padlocked the main entrance, account section and computer room of the mills.

Jagadamba Prasad Chaudhary, president of the union, said they were compelled to take extreme steps as management failed to implement the past agreement reached between them and the management. The mill employs over 500 workers of which around 300 are seasonal.

Dial 16180-707-66666 for veg prices

KATHMANDU, Oct 14: Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Board launched notice board service on Wednesday in an attempt to provide fresh information about the market price of vegetables and fruits in the local market in an effective and reliable way.

People can dial 16180-707-66666 to get audio information about the price of major agro products in Kalimati vegetable market. According to Binaya Shrestha, planning officer at the Board, people can get about three minutes long audio information about prices of about 20 major vegetable items upon dialing the number.

Prior to this, the board was disseminating information about vegetable prices through its website www.kalimatimarket.com and through different media.



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Kalikot reels under food crisis

Normal life in Kalikot has been affected due to a shortage of daily consumable goods for the past four months, reports RSS.

According to vice president of the Kalikot Chamber and Commerce Industry Ratan Bahadur Shahi, the entire district has been hit hard by the food crisis that surfaced due to the disruption of the Karnali Highway by a landslide four months ago. There is a shortage of rice, lentils, flour, edible oil, sugar and noodles in the district, he said.

People visiting the district headquarters seeking foodstuffs and clothes are forced to return empty-handed. The Food Corporation, Kalikot has been shut for the past one month, while rice has not been supplied to Thipu, Padmaghat and Khallagad depots for the past seven months.

However, it is learnt that the political parties have paid no heed to clear the highway. We have requested the political leaders many times to act to resume service on the highway, but our voices have fallen on deaf ears, said coordinator of civil society Amal Raj Shahi.

Likewise, a decrease in crop production caused by a prolonged drought last year has created more problems, said locals.


MARKET:

Gold hits another high Crosses over Rs 30,000 per tola Gold price on Wednesday crossed over the psychological Rs 30,000 per tola (about 11.66 grams) mark, creating new record in the domestic market -- something that dealers said has put off festive buying this Tihar.

Gold gained Rs 100 per 10 grams compared to Tuesday and was traded at Rs 25,735 on the day, as its international prices went up by 12 dollar to touch US$ 1,068 per troy ounce at the New York COMEX House, said Tej Ratna Shakya, president of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association (NEGOSIDA).

The association has attributed the rise in gold prices to the devaluation of greenback against major rival currencies.

"With dollar and stocks slipping downwards, gold has fast become alternative investment avenue and safe haven for international investors," Shakya told myrepublica.com. Apart from gold, the price of silver too broke the past record and


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was traded at Rs 443 per 10 grams in the domestic market. Previous high of silver was Rs 441.50 per 10 grams.

However, the rise in prices has neither brought cheers on the face of the dealers nor consumers. According to the dealers, soaring prices has put off a large number of potential consumers this Tihar. They claimed that bullion market has shrunk to half over this week.

The association had earlier forecast the business to soar over 20 kilograms a day during the festive seasons of Dashain and Tihar.

"Unfortunately, the sales has nosedived to less than 10 kg a day,” said Shakya.

Worse still, the domestic bullion market might record a further downturn in business. Such gloomy picture of the market is predicted based on the fact that the decline in dollar shows no sign of abating.

"The US has neither announced new stimulus intervention nor the market portrays good signs. There is simply no strong ground to believe that dollar will bounce back anytime soon," said Shakya, elaborating that the prices of gold could soar further in the international, and hence, in the domestic market.

Despite the grim picture, dealers related that they are happy that resell pressure -- a reverse business trend wherein consumers rush to sell their gold holding for profit taking -- has not mounted high. Otherwise, dealers in the past have repeatedly reeled under crisis of managing their stock and market when the prices soar sharply.


GENERAL:

Facilities for ex-royals okay: SC

The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday upheld the government´s decision to provide security personnel and other facilities to former king Gyanendra and his family.

A division bench of Chief Justice Min Bahadur Rayamajhee and Justice Prakash Wosti ruled that the government´s decision to provide necessary security and other facilities to the former king and members of his family was correct.

The bench quashed a writ petition filed against the government´s decision. Bhupendra Pokharel, a lawyer, had filed a writ petition against the decision, terming it unconstitutional.

“This is a policy-level government decision which seems correct. The government can provide such facilities to the ex-king and his family,” the bench said.


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The bench, however, also said that the full text of the ruling will come out later.

The petitioner had argued that the government decision was against the spirit of the interim constitution and a decision of the Constituent Assembly (CA).

The CA, while declaring the country a republic, had announced that the ex-king and members of his family would not enjoy any privileges not given to an ordinary Nepali citizen.

“The government´s decision contradicts the CA declaration and violates the norms and spirit of the interim constitution and therefore it should be scrapped by the court,” states the writ petition filed at the SC.

The SC, however, upheld the cabinet decision and made it clear that the court never interferes in the state´s policy-level decisions.

After the king´s dethronement, the government had decided to provide him, his mother, wife, son and daughter-in-law security personnel, facilities like vehicles and the Nagarjun Durbar for accommodation.

The government currently provides 25 army and 50 Armed Police Force (APF) personnel for ex-king Gyanendra and his wife Komal. Likewise, 15 army personnel and 30 APF officers are deployed for the security of former crown prince Paras and his wife, while 10 army and 15 APF personnel provide security for former queen-mother Ratna.

“The bench did not interfere with the cabinet decision and upheld the facilities enjoyed by the former king as provided for by the government," said Hemanta Rawal, spokesperson at the SC.


Nepal’s Corruption Hub, Army, Judiciary & Cabinet: CIAA

The Nepali Army top brass cannot control their temptation in the exhibition of their courage and valour and more often than not they make at least their verbal commitments to preserve Nationalism, National Integrity and Territorial Integrity of the country.

After all what is the harm is speaking the things that are not to be done in essence?

They talk like this frequently as and when they get a platform to ventilate their feelings towards the nation and its interests.

Rukmangad Katawal, the ex-Nepal Army Chief, did during his entire tenure and now Chhatra Man Singh Gurung is also toeing the same lines.


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However, passing of each day means that the Indian security forces have been occupying Nepali lands and Nepal is getting smaller and smaller. The Nepal Army is tight lipped. It doesn’t move for some mysterious reasons.

This continued silence of the nepal Army one fine morning may bring India close to Bhadrakali temple facing Singh Durbar.

Expecting impartial decision from the Nepali Judiciary is also a far cry.

Finally, the cabinet made of immoral and election defeated leadership cannot make decisions in the favour of the nation which remains now a proven fact.

Be that as it may, all three institutions, Nepal Army, Nepali Judiciary and Nepal Cabinet have been the most corrupt Government institutions in Nepal.

This was declared by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), which is one of the authorised organs of the State.

Bhagawati Kumar Kafley, the secretary at the CIAA was speaking at an interaction program organized in Mustang District, wherein he made these hair-raising declaration.

The interaction program entitled, “Corruption: Good Governance and Ethics” was held on Wednesday October 14, 2009.

He also revealed that corrupts are being provided safe sanctuary by the upper echelon political leadership.

“With the formation of new governments, the political parties are often involved in disputes over distribution of portfolio...this is the first indication of corruption”, he revealed.

He also demanded appropriate laws granting rights to the CIAA to investigate corruption that has been already institutionalized in the Army, Judiciary and the Cabinet.

He was also of the opinion that unless political parties remain totally committed to fight against prevailing corruption, the practice will continue unabated.


'World's shortest man' comes of age in Nepal

KATHMANDU — Khagendra Thapa Magar from Nepal, thought to be the world's smallest living man at just 22 inches (56 centimetres), has turned 18 and now hopes to be officially recognised for his record size.


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Four years ago, Thapa had his application for a Guinness World Record for the smallest man rejected because at just 14 he was too young to qualify. But on Wednesday he started adulthood and is now set to submit another application.

"Now he has turned 18, we will forward the necessary documents to Guinness officials," Thapa's father, Rup Bahadur Thapa Magar, told AFP by telephone as the family prepared for a birthday celebration.

"I want him to have a good future. I want him to be educated and live an independent life.

"When he was born he was so small he could fit in the palm of your hand. But I am proud to be his father. He has brought fame not just for himself but for his country."

According to a website set up by his supporters, Thapa weighed only 600 grams (21 ounces) at birth and his hobbies include "playing with pebbles" and "worshipping Buddha."

The Guinness Book of Records website lists the late Gul Mohammed of New Delhi as the shortest adult human being ever, at 22 inches.

The current record for world's shortest living man is held by He Pingping of China, who is 28.7 inches (73 centimetres) tall.

Source: www.google.com/hostednews Date: October 14, 2009

Orlando Bloom: The New UNICEF Ambassador

Orlando Bloom the Hollywood heartthrob has been appointed as the new Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund).He has been an active member of the organistaion and is ready to take care of his position.

At the age of 32 the actor knows how UNICEF works and is impressed by the organisation’s work in Sarajevo,Nepal and Russia.He has been helping UNICEF to safeguard children’s rights all over the world as UNICEF helps in educating children and women for their bright future.

The organization was established on 11th December 1946 during the Second World War.It became permanent in 1953 and is popular for providing long term humanitarian support to children and women.In 1965 UNICEF won the Nobel Peace Prize and was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award in the year 2006.Hence Orlando has been influenced by UNICEF.

Orlando says there should be a better place for children around the world.He is looking forward to support UNICEF and learn more things from it.The actor will now join the lists of celebrities like George Clooney and Angelina Jolie who are involved in various causes of United Nations.

Source: living.oneindia.in


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Date: October 14, 2009

India refuses to part with Mother Teresa’s remains

KOLKATA: India has rejected a demand by the Albanian government for the return of the remains of Nobel laureate Mother Teresa, buried in the Kolkata.

“Mother Teresa was an Indian citizen and she is resting in her own country, her own land,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash.

A spokeswoman for the nun’s Missionaries of Charity described the Albanian request as “absurd”.

Mother Teresa, an ethnic Albanian, was born in Skopje, now part of Macedonia. Correspondents say that the row over her resting place could develop into an ugly three-way squabble between India, where she worked most of her life, Albania where her parents came from and Macedonia where she lived the first 18 years of her life. The row is expected to intensify by August next year - the 100th anniversary of Mother Teresa’s birth - by which time many commentators expect her to have been canonised as a saint.

The ethnic Albanian nun, who was known as the “Saint of the Gutters” for her work among the poor of Calcutta, was given Indian citizenship in 1951. “The question [of her remains being taken back to Albania] does not arise at all,” Prakash said.

After her death in September 1997, Mother Teresa was buried at the Calcutta headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity (MoC), which is now a pilgrimage site. “We welcome Delhi’s decision. Mother Teresa is Calcutta’s, she is India’s. It is absurd for Albania to expect her last remains,” said MoC spokeswoman Sunita Kumar.

In comments reported over the weekend, Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha said his government would intensify efforts to reclaim her remains before her birth centenary.

Born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in 1910, Mother Teresa arrived in India as a novice in 1929 and dedicated herself to working among the sick, dying and destitute.

She took the name of Teresa on taking her vows as a nun in 1931 and in 1950 established the order which runs homes for abandoned children, the elderly and those suffering from leprosy and Aids.

The MoC grew to include 3,000 nuns and 400 brothers in 87 countries, tending to the poor and dying in the slums of 160 cities.


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In 1979, she accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of “the throwaway of society”. She asked that the grand gala dinner be cancelled and the proceeds be given to the poor of Calcutta.

Mother Teresa once said: “By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world.” She was beatified - the first stage in becoming a saint - in 2002 by Pope John Paul II. It was done in record time in the modern era. Mother Teresa’s beatification has now paved the way for her canonisation, which many expect will happen soon.


Documents

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