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His Majesty the King has, in accordance with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990 and on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, made changes in the existing Council of Ministers constituted under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa on Oct. 7, 1997 and allocated the portfolios as follows:
Prime Ministers
Surya Bahadur Thapa - Royal Palace Affairs
Ministers
Khum Bahadur Khadka - Home
Rabindra Nath Sharma - Finance
Balaram Gharti Magar - Housing and Physical Planning
Pashupati Shamsher JBR - Water Resources
Prakash Chandra Lohani - Agriculture
Bijaya K Gachchhadar - Works & Transport
Phattesingh Tharu - Defense
Kamal Thapa - Foreign Affairs
Gajendra Narayan Singh - Local Development
Buddhiman Tamang - Land Reform and Management
Prakash Man Singh - Population and Environment
Ramkrishna Acharya - Without Portfolio
Sharatsingh Bhandari - Youth, Sports and Culture
Moti Prasad Pahadi - Supplies
Sarbendranath Shukla - PM’s Office
Prem Bahadur Bhandari - Without Portfolio
Rajiv Parajuli - Science and Technology
Rambilas Yadav - Commerce
Shanti Shamsher Rana - Without Portfolio
Mahendra Raya - Without Portfolio
Hridayesh Tripathy-Forest and Soil Conservation
Mahantha Thakur - Information and Communications
Siddharraj Ojha - Law and Justice
Palten Gurung - Labour
K. B. Gurung - Education
Bipin Koirala - Health
Ministers of State
Padmanarayan Chaudhary - Industry
Shivraj Subedi - General Administration
Mina Pandey - Women and Social Welfare
Rewati P Bhusal - Tourism and Civil Aviation
Mani Lama - Parliamentary Affairs
Bishnu Bikram Thapa - Agriculture
Bhakta Bahadur Rokaya - Forest and Soil Conservation
Mirza Dilsad Begg - Housing and Physical Planning
Naresh B Singh - Youths, Sports & Culture
Rajendra Bahadur Shaha - Education
Mahendra Yadav - Home
Kamalesh Sharma - Works and Transport
Ram Bahadur Gurung - Supplies
Braja Kishore Singh - Health
Jaya Prakash Gupta - Information and Communications
Assistant Ministers
Ramjanam Chaudhary - General Administration
Surendra Hamal - Industry
Mohammad Aftab Alam - Labour
Shushilman Sherchan - Tourism and Civil Aviation
Keshav B Chand - Women & Social Welfare
This is stated in a communique issued by the Principal Press Secretariat of His Majesty the King.
Baseless, fictitious and misleading news His Majesty’s Government’s serious attention has been drawn towards the news report regarding the Royal Family of Nepal published in the December, 8, 1997 issue of India Today.
According to a press communique issued by the Prime Minister’s office, the news report has been published with the ill-intention of damaging the age old cordial relations existing between Nepal and India, and the cordial relations existing between the Royal Family of Nepal and the Nehru-Gandhi family since generations.
His Majesty’s Government strongly condemns the malicious act of publishing such a baseless, fictitious and misleading news report which is quite saddening for His Majesty’s Government and the Nepalese people, the press communique states.
Meanwhile, Minister for Foreign Affairs handed over a note verbale to Indian Ambassador K. V. Rajan at his office in Shital Niwas, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The note verbale relates to the cover story published in India Today dated 8, 1997 on the Jain Commission interim report of the commission of inquiry on the assasination of former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi, its annexures of volume XI incorporating a letter purportedly written by Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of the Government of India citing "unverified information" and utterances of a drunken personnel casting baseless asperations on a high personage of Nepal.
The report published as " 10.5 An unverified information was furnished by an intelligence agency during October 1989 which categorically stated that the Queen of Nepal had asked Major-General Aditya Shamsher Jangabahadur, Hon. ADC to the King of Nepal, to arrange for assassination of Shri. Rajiv Gandhi. He was allowed to spend up to Rs.10 crores for the assignment. Subsequent enquiries revealed that during October- November 1989, the Major General had visited Pakistan ostensibly on a private visit, met Governor of NWFP, Brig. Janjua, visited Peshawar and Quetta before flying back to Nepal from Karachi. Major-General Aditya Shamsher Jungbahadur, however, died on 30th October, 1990."
In the note verbale, His Majesty’s Government of Nepal has expressed condemnation for such malicious and irresponsible act of outright misinformation on the part of an agency of the Government of India damaging the age old relationship and goodwill existing between the two countries.
His Majesty’s Government of Nepal has urged the Government of India to take all appropriate measures to dispel any doubts or misunderstanding that such a false and fabricated information may cause among the peoples of the two countries.
Meanwhile Indian Ambassador K. V. Rajan has, in a statement issued here, said that his attention has been drawn by the cover story in "India Today" entitled "Reckless Revelations", which contains an insinuation involving the Royal Family in Nepal.
"This report is based on completely unverified and unsubstantiated information from which the Government of India disassociates itself," Mr Rajan said, adding "this insinuation should be treated with the contempt that it deserves."
India regrets news reports
The Government of India regretted the publication of a report in India Today magazine casting aspersions of a very serious nature on Their Majesties the King and Queen of Nepal. The official Spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs also dissociated the Indian Government from the coverage regarding the interim Jain Commission report. He further said "The Government has seen an article in a leading Indian weekly on the Interim Report of the Jain Commission which contains references to reports casting aspersions of a very serious nature on Their Majesties, the King and the Queen of Nepal. These reports are groundless and misguided. The Government of India regrets that aspersions have been made and dissociates itself from these reports. India holds Their Majesties the King and Queen of Nepal in the highest esteem and deeply cherishes her traditional friendly relations with Nepal."
Meanwhile, Nepali Ambassador to India Dr Bhesh Bahadur Thapa met the Indian Foreign Secretary K Raghunath and voiced serious objections on behalf of the Nepali government for publishing such a misleading news report.
Bhattarai Resigns President of the Nepali Congress Girija Prasad Koirala, in accordance with the party Constitution, nominated thirteen Mahasamiti (General Committee) members as the members for the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Nepali Congress.
Those included in the CWC are Khum Bahadur Khadka, Mahesh Acharya, Tarinidatta Chataut, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, Chandra Singh Bhattarai, Dil Bahadur Gharti, Govinda Raj Joshi, Chakra Prasad Bastola, Arjun Narsingh K.C., Dr. Ram Saran Mahat, Bala Dev Sharma Majhgainya, Surendra Prasad Chaudhary and Gopal Rai. The total number of the CWC has reached 27 so far including the newly appointed 13 members. As per party Constitution, there is a provision of 31 members in the CWC. Former NC president Krishna Prasad Bhattarai resigned as the member of the party’s CWC, the party’s apex body. Party sources said Bhattarai has been angered by party president’s move to cold shoulder old guards such as Chiranjibi Wagle and Dhundi Raj Shastri, including other prominent members of anti-Koirala faction, widely dubbed as "Group of 36". The faction is named after 36 NC MPs who made themselves conspicuous in 1994 by demanding the resignation of, and later causing the fall of their own prime minister, G P Koirala for allegedly masterminding Bhattarai’s defeat in a Kathmandu by- election.
In his letter addressed to party president Koirala, Bhattarai said: "I have been voicing reservations, both in person and in public, against your attitude towards the party and your style of functioning. Now they have further deepened; not lessened. Given the situation, I am tendering my humble resignation from the August Committee as I don’t want to continue as a mute spectator in the CWC. "I hope you will accept my resignation without any delay and relieve me of my responsibilities as a CWC member."
In a bid to woo former prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai to take back his resignation from the party’s apex body, NC President Girija Prasad Koirala met Bhattarai at his Khumaltar residence.
NC insiders say Bhattarai asked Koirala to vacate one of the two crucial posts he presently holds in the party- chairmanship and leadership of the parliamentary party - as a precondition to his reentry to the CWC. A seven member committee has been formed to sort out the problem in the party due to the resignation.
Appointment
His Majesty the King has appointed Dr Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, Mr Harish Chandra Mahat and Mr Satya Narayan Jha to the member of Rajparishad Standing Committee.
This is stated in a notice issued by Principal Press Secretariat of HM the King.
Kharel re-appointed IGP
His Majesty's Government re-appointed Mr Achyut Krishna Kharel as Inspector General of Police (IGP) with immediate effect. As per our correspondent from Kathmandu outgoing IGP Mr Dhruba Pradhan is advised to the office of PM. The reliable source mentioned that Mr Pradhan will be appointed as an Ambassador soon.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has issued an order requiring the office of Attorney General to submit documents containing the decision taken by His Majesty’s Government to appoint Achyut Krishna Kharel to the post of IGP and other decisions, if any, in this connection in the next hearing. The order was issued by the full bench of Supreme Court Justices Kedarnath Upadhyaya, Krishna Jung Rayamajhi and Udayaraj Upadhyaya.
The Supreme Court issued the order after advocate Balkrishna Neupane on behalf of the petitioner submitted a photocopy of the government’s decision to the full bench stating that information on the decision taken by the cabinet was received unofficially to appoint petitioner Achyut Krishna Kharel to the post of IGP by cancelling the decision of Chaitra 21, 2053 B.S. which appointed him as chief of the National Investigation Department.
UML general convention
The meeting of the central committee of Communist Party of Nepal (UML) fixed the number of representatives to the party’s sixth general convention slated to be held next month in Nepalgunj, party sources said.
One representative will be selected from among the 180 committed UML members from each district in accordance with today’s central committee decision, party secretary Bachaspati Devkota said.
Likewise, every 75 women and 75 labour member will each have a representative. From the party central department 15 representatives will take part in the general convention, according to Devkota.
Party General Secretary Madhav Nepal’s faction and his rival Bamdev Gautam’s faction had a lengthy discussion on the proportion of general convention representatives for the whole day, party sources said.
General Secretary Nepal faction tried to increase the representatives from the party central departments, party sources said. According to sources close to Gautam, Nepal faction had plans to reduce representation from lower rungs of the party.
Nepal faction, however, argued that policies, not the number of representatives, are more important in the general convention, according to party sources. Gautam faction objected to giving more seats to women, labour and party central departments, according to sources close to Nepal.
The meeting didn’t find enough time to decide on the final and the most controversial issue- separate working policy reports presented by standing committee members K P Sharma Oli and Bam Dev Gautam.
Snails for good health
If you are a non-vegetarian with a taste for variety in your recipe, have it as you please. Snails, which are easily available, can be a good source of vitamins essential for health. Aware of the fact, people of Saptari, especially the low-income communities of Musahar, have been benefitting since long by using the molluscs as their chief source of nourishment. "It has everything that makes one’s diet nutritious," says Dr Ashokanand Mishra, a Rajbiraj-based physician. "In fact, it’s better, in terms of nutrition, than the usually preferred items such as fish, meat and even fruits, which are relatively more expensive," he says.
Children of Musahar communities are usually healthy despite their parents’ poor economic condition. Dr Mishra attributes this to the community’s eating habit, which includes snails in their regular diet.
The molluscs are normally found in watery places such as ponds, lakes, streams and ditches. When the region was plagued by tuberculosis (TB) last year, many thought the poor Musahars were done in. "But our Doctor saved us," says Hariya Sada of local Lokhram village rather figuratively, referring to snails. Sada was a TB patient last year but says he is fine now. "Besides medicine, I took regular doses of boiled snails," he says. But are snails really nutritious?
"Definitely," says Dr Rani Jha, a Saptari-based physician currently enroled in MD programme at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu. "It has all the elements essential for health, such as protein, calcium, salt and fat."
'Invest more on hydropower'
Minister for Water Resources Pashupati Shumsher J.B. Rana inaugurated the Maharajgunj Switching Station built under the project for extension and reinforcement of power transmission and distribution system in Kathmandu Valley.
The Japanese government provided a grant assistance of 5,195 million Japanese yen for the project that was completed in two phases. Likewise, His Majesty’s Government and Nepal Electricity Authority provided Rs. 32 million 939 thousand for the local currency portion of the project.
A total of 131 km of 11 KV line, 135 km of 400V line and 188 distribution transformers with 27,650 KVA capacity were added on completion of entire works of phase one and phase two of the project.
With dedicated feeders being provided for places and institutions of public importance under the project, Tribhuvan International Airport, T.U. Teaching Hospital, Patan Hospital, Maternity Hospital have very reliable power supply.
In his inaugural speech, Minister Rana called the attention of all sectors concerned to check electricity leakage which has reached about 25 percent of the total electricity generated in the country.
The completion of the project helps check leakage occurring due to technical faults but adequate attention needs to be paid to the leakage caused by the customers and the Nepal Electricity Authority itself, he said, warning that strict action will be taken against any employee of the authority, if found guilty of causing electricity leakage in one way or the other.
He also gave the assurance that efforts will be made to provide standard and efficient service to the customers.
Stating that on completion of power projects like Kali Gandaki "A", Chilime, Modikhola, Puwakhola, Khimti and Bhotekoshi projects the country will not have power shortage problems for some years, Minister Rana appealed to Japanese private companies to invest in Nepal’s Hydropower Projects referring to the policy of encouraging private sector pursuant to the government’s liberal economic policy.
Air Services Agreements
Nepal have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and initialled the air services agreeement concerning linkage of air services between Nepal, Oman Bahrain and Egypt at Mascot, the capital of Oman recently.
According to the MOU, designated airlines of both the countries will make seven passenger and seven cargo flights every week between Kathmandu and those copuntries.
During such air services Nepal will have the fifth freedom traffic rights in any intermediate points or beyond points, according to a press release of the Department of Civil Aviation. Likewise, the MOU has also provided the facility of multiple designation to both the countries.
A Nepalese delegation led by secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation Dipendra Purush Dhakal to conclude air services agreements.
Bank rates down by 2%
Nepal Rastra Bank has reduced the bank rate from 11 percent to nine percent charged on credit facilities being provided to banks and finance companies.
In this connection, Nepal Rastra Bank has informed all banks that the time has come to review the interest rate of commercial banks inorder to increase the competitive capacity of the present economic system.
Likewise, a provision has also been made for commercial banks to provide written information to Nepal Rastra Bank in every three months about the changes made in all types of deposits accepted by the banks, interest provided on deposits and interest charged on creditors. The banks should also publicise these changes through communication media.
The banks are allowed to increase or decrease the rate of interest being provided on deposits or being charged for loans only by 0.5 percent on the basis of understanding reached with the customers.
The bank has expressed the confidence that the new provisions will encourage the commercial banks to make improvment in the present interest rates which in turn will have a direct impact on the rate of interest charged by the banks and enhance the competitiveness of lthe goods produced by the agriculture and industrial sectors.
Open spaces conservation
A totally new concept to promote, conserve and manage the open spaces lying in the city is now a model at Newbaneswor, Kathmandu. The park located on one ropani of land opposite the west gate of the Birendra International Convention Centre was duely observed by a team of journalists today at the call of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office. The park divided into four plots adopts beautification area,relaxing benches, approach road to Bhagawati temple and community centre.
As per plan there will be thirty similar parks with the changing faces of nature to be set up throughout the metropolis within this year. The park is estimated to cost 1.5 million till its completion. The funds for park along with over 500 plants have been provided by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office. Open to the public at all times from now on,the park is made up of local materials.
Nepal, a spiritual destination
In an exclusive interview, Hollywood superstar Richard Gere, a name that sends million hearts the world over a-fluttering, spoke on his unanticipated and low-profile visit to the Himalayan kingdom.He is an out and out Buddhist
For somebody with a profile as high as that of Richard Gere, his coming to Nepal is in many ways auspicious as from the next month onwards Nepal will be basking in the glory and celebrations of Visit Nepal ’98. Sad but true, Richard and his friend Paul Berkowitz, a US Congressman, both shocked me by asking, "Visit Nepal Year ’98? We’ve never heard of that." And that too after being in Kathmandu for the past few days. He says, "In fact, I’d like an invitation from the Nepalese government, so that I can come and do something special here during VNY ’98.
You can have a Nepali or Kathmandu Film Festival or organize some wonderful teachings which also coincide with the millennium – the coming of the year 2000. More events will surely bring in more tourists. Nepal has a rich wealth of spiritual leaders and that should be used —that will be good publicity for the event, but firstly, I need an invitation."
Besides attending the enthronement ceremony of Ugyen Tendzin Jigme Lhundrup, the reincarnation or ‘Yangsi’ of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, at the Shechen Monastery at Baudhanath, Richard also took some time out to visit the Jawalakhel Tibetan Refugee Camp at Ekantkuna, Jawalakhel.
Colourful events for VNY
The Visit Nepal Year 1998 (VNY’98) is to be formally launched with various programmes on January 1, 1998, which is alomost knocking on the door. His Majesty the King will inaugurate the programme at a grand function by opening the specially constructed VNY’98 Gate" at Durbar Marg.
Coordinator of the VNY’98 inauguration committee, Mr. Yogendra Shakya informed that programmes to promote tourism like carnival parade, food festival, and fireworks will be organised on the inaugural day in which around 200 thousand people are expected to participate.
On the same day, the VNY’98 Utsav will be organised at Tundikhel from 12.00 noon which is featured by food festival and entertainment programmes for both tourists and the locals and the people of all ages. Likewise, the VNY’98 Fireworks and Drum presentation will be held at the Shahi Sainik Manch, Tundikhel from 6 to 7 pm.
Mid-term poll not far away
Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa is learnt to have seriously considered having the mid-term parliamentary poll in about five months. He feels the time most suitable for the RPP.
Having established himself as the single leader of RPP and weakened the top internal revival, Thapa next wants to better consolidate the position of his party in the parliament. Although the Premier cannot take independent decision on the poll, he is capable of getting the coalition partners convinced about the early poll, say politicos.
A section of Nepali Congress is in favour of early election while another wants some more time in government. NC President Girija Prasad Koirala is learnt not to have made any decision. "What he wants is : presiding over the parliamentary poll." One political source said the NC and RPP will have a confrontation over the matter of leading the government during the parliamentary election. Koirala has made a public statement forecasting "the next poll under the auspices of Nepali Congress."
The single largest party in parliament - the CPN UML - has no objection to the early poll. General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal indicated as much while talking to journalists recently. This would ultimately motivate the Premier to hold polls early.
Nepal Expells Diplomat
Nepal expelled a North Korean Diplomat who had been arrested for allegedly smuggling 100 kg gold into Kathmandu within 72 hours to leave the country, a foreign ministry spokesman said to our reporter.
MM Adhikari on market economy
Adhikari, former Prime Minster himself and the opposition leader, is learnt to have presented a concept paper on the role of market economy in the 21st century and the environmental pollution in a conference of former Heads of State or government held at Washington D.C. USA.
Observers say that this is the first time Adhikari has dwelt on market economy at the international level, Known for his knowledge of Marxist economy, Adhikari is learnt to have warned the former world leaders about the worsening pollution - situation throughout the globe.
Father Gafney Murdered
Father Thomas E. Gafney, 64, an American born Nepali was murdered. Gafney’s throat was slit half-way by Khukuri at his apartment in Dhobighat. A Christian priest Gafney came here as an educationist in 1959 and later turned into active anti-drugs campaigner. Gafney’s murder is linked with his involvement in anti-drugs campaign. He has also been involved in establishing various charities to rehabilitate drug abusers. His murder indicates growing insecurity situation in the capital.
Nepal earns Rs. 710 m
Nepal has earned foreign currency worth Rs. 719 million from the export of handicraft goods. United States alone imported handicraft items worth Rs. 190 million last year. It was disclosed at a function held recently to mark the silver jubilee anniversary of Nepal Handicrafts Association.
