Protests held for and against US attacks

KATHMANDU, Oct 12 (PR) – Two different groups burnt the effigies of US President George W. Bush and suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden in separate incidents here today.

The Maoist-aligned students’ group today submitted separate protest letters to the British and American embassies here, demanding both the governments to immediately halt the ongoing attacks in Afghanistan.

Leaders of the students’ group, All Nepal National Independent Students’ Union-Revolutionary (ANNISU-R), including its’ president Devendra Parajuli, vice-president Krishna KC and former vice-president Lekhnath Neupane, submitted the protest letters to the concerned officials at these embassies.

"Mass killing of innocent people in the name of countering world terrorism is nothing but another form of terrorism," reads the letter. "Whatever is the cause of the start of the attacks against Afghanistan’s Taliban regime, we request the concerned governments to immediately halt the attacks."

The submission of the protest letters was followed by a protest rally that started in the premises of the Amrit Science College, Thamel.

In another incident, a group of Sadhus burnt the effigy of Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect in the attacks on twin towers of World Trade Centre in New York and Pentagon in Washington. The US-led allied force is presently pounding various targets in Afghanistan in retaliation to the attacks in the US.

House approves Land Reforms Bill

By Binaj Gurubacharya

KATHMANDU, Oct 12 – The government’s controversial Land Reforms (Fifth Amendment) Bill, termed revolutionary by the government and misleading by the opposition parties, surged through the House of Representatives Friday.

The ruling Nepali Congress (NC) holding a majority in the House had no problem rushing through the Bill despite sharp criticism from all the opposition parties. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and the Nepal Sadbhawana (NSP), who had been continuing protests against the Bill from day one, boycotted the voting.

The government’s proposal of setting land ownership ceiling at 30 ropanis in the Kathmandu Valley, 11 bigas or 143 ropanis of land in the Terai region and 75 ropanis in the remaining hilly region, which covers most of the country, was accepted.

"We strongly condemn the government forcing the Bill through without even considering any changes in the Bill as suggested by the opposition parties," said Bharat Mohan Adhikari, a central member of the main opposition CPN-UML.

By the time the Bill was put to vote late in the afternoon, only seven members of the CPN-UML and four members from the National People’s Front remained in the opposition bench. All of them voted against the Bill but their voices were drown by the heavy presence on the treasury bench.

Ironically, none of the leaders of the NC, including party president Girija Prasad Koirala, and senior party leaders Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and Ram Chandra Poudel, were present during the voting despite a whip issued by Chief Whip Tek Bahadur Chokyal making it mandatory for all the party lawmakers to be present during voting.

Even Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was away, while Minister for Physical Planning Chirajivi Wagle presented the Bill for voting on behalf of his boss.

The government had forced the Bill through the parliamentary Natural Resources and Means Committee earlier this week ignoring calls from the opposition for changes in the Bill.

The government had declared at the committee that the government would not compromise on its proposal on the land ownership ceiling or agree to the CPN-UML proposal for fixing the number of members in a family. He said the issue of Guthi or trust and on the Mohi, tillers or farmers who work in the land owned by landlords would not be changed in the government proposal.

"The Bill would not be able to give land to the landless as claimed by the government. The problems of citizenship certificates should be first resolved and then ceiling on property and asset be also fixed before imposing ceiling on land ownership," said Pashupati Sumshere Rana of the RPP. Rana has been one of the leading opponents of the government’s "revolutionary" land reforms proposal.

"Today will be marked as a black day in the history of the country. This Bill would only bring more sufferings to the farmers instead of giving them relief as proposed by the government," said Badri Mandal of the NSP.

CPN-UML had sought that the ceiling on land ownership should be set at 58.5 ropanies in the Terai region, 20 ropanis in the hilly region including the Kathmandu Valley and 80 ropanis in the Himalayan region. In addition, the party wanted the ceiling further squeezed in the Kathmandu Valley where land prices are outrageous.

CPN-UML had also suggested that the number in a family be set at five so that there is consistency while determining the land ceiling. A family with additional member in the family would be entitled to get additional land. The government too rejected this proposal.

Nepse gears up to punish errant companies

By Prem Khanal

KATHMANDU, Oct 12 – About half the companies listed in the Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) are facing the possibility of being de-listed as stock exchange officials gear up to pressure these companies to comply with financial regulations.

Mukunda Nath Dhungel, general manager of Nepse, today told The Kathmandu Post that over 50 percent of the l15 listed companies could soon be de-listed (taken off the roster of traded companies) if they fail to submit key information within a specified time period.

"We have finalized the name of the companies to be de-listed and they would be given necessary time to take corrective measures," said Dhungel. "If they fail to submit the statement, the Nepse board would think of other alternatives, which will include the de-listing such companies."

As per the current Stock exchange Act, companies must be listed with Nepse to issue and transact shares on the Nepse floor. But such companies must comply with financial disclosure rules, such as submitting financial statements annually. These companies also need to pay a fee, ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 50,000 based on the company’s capitalization, in annual registration fees.

Dhungel said that over half the companies had failed to fulfill either one or the other of these criteria. Moreover, companies whose shares have not been transacted for a long time can also be de-listed. Also, some companies themselves are seeking de-listing either because they have collapsed or gone into liquidation.

Dhungel also informed that in the first phase, Nepse will start by de-listing those companies which have not paid annual registration fee, or whose shares have not been transacted or have received request for the respective companies to de-list themselves.

However, in the case of de-listing those companies which have failed to submit their financial statement on time, the Nepse is planning to issue letters to the concerned companies urging them to submit the statement within 35 days.

According to concerned experts, the de-listing of the companies whose shares are held by the public as well is certain to hurt small investors since the action will freeze share transactions in the stock exchange.

However, these investors can still transact shares among themselves on mutual understanding.

However, Nepse officials are confident that the de-listing of the companies would have nominal impact on the overall share market. "Since the majority of the these companies are small companies, their participation in the share transaction is almost nil. It won’t have any impact on the share market," said Dhungel.

Officials informed that most of the possible de-listing companies are from the manufacturing and processing group. Of the total 37 such companies enlisted in the Nepse, shares of only 10 companies were traded last year.

The de-listing process was begun over a month ago, say officials. Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat in his budget speech for the fiscal year 2001/02 had announced that process of the cancellation of the registration of the companies, which fails to issue audited financial statement for two consecutive years, would be initiated.

GPO does record sales as thousands apply for DV-2003

By Nitya Nanda Timsina

KATHMANDU, Oct 12 - The General Post Office (GPO) on Friday made a record sale of over 600,000 rupees worth of stamps as thousands of Nepalese rushed here to post their applications for 2003 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV-2003) of the United States.

Even those living outside the Kathmandu Valley have come here to try their luck to work in "the land of opportunities."

The sales of stamps bearing a picture of Dakshinkali temple, each costing Rs. 15, skyrocketed today even as the deadline for final submission of the DV-2003 application is still more than two weeks away.

"More than 50,000 letters were dispatched to America today," said an official at the counter. This led to the GPO to collect the revenue of Rs 500,000. Officials said that the sale is likely to increase in the next few days.

The GPO remained crowded throughout the day as people grappled with each other to send the application till late in the evening. Sensing the pressure of the applicants, the GPO today opened an hour early and closed half an hour late as hordes of frenzied applicants continued to pour in from several parts of the country.

"We had on an average sold a maximum of 200,000 rupees worth of stamps so far," said Bhoj Raj Ghimire, section officer at the GPO. "We had never imagined this kind of sale as this is unbelievably higher compared to previous years when the US government launched the programme, he added.

"We had to extend the office hour and recruited additional manpower and yet we have been facing tough time to deal with the applicants," a top official at the post office said.

The highly technical and lengthy requirements for entry have also raised the business of Internet cafes and computer centres.

Bharat Basnet, 47, came from Biratnagar to post his and his wife’s applications. "I want to immigrate to the land of opportunities, I want to stay there for rest of my life," says Basnet, one of the thousands of Nepalese who wish to get the chance to live and work in the US.

SC posts letters to Speaker, oppn leader

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Oct 12 – The Supreme Court today sent letters to the Speaker of the House of Representative, leader of the main opposition and three other lawmakers through post office after they personally refused to accept the court’s letter.

The apex court had charged Speaker Tara Nath Ranabhat and leader of the opposition Madhav Kumar Nepal with the contempt of court.

"We were compelled to use the post office after they refused to accept the letters, although, it was not such an event to be happened" said Durga Dawadi, spokesman of the Supreme Court. Besides the two top leaders, other leaders who refused the court letters are parliamentarians Rajendra Prasad Pandey, Sherdhan Rai and Mahendra Bahadur Pandey, all belonging to the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist Leninist).

The origin of the case traces back to the 16 months old Lohani versus Lohani case of Nuwakot constituency 1. While discussing the court verdict, the UML lawmakers had blamed the judges who they say had made the decision by accepting bribe.

Legal experts say this case is the very foundation of the on growing conflict between the judiciary and legislature and this is why the top leaders are not willing to accept the letters. In this case, the court had asked to furnish the record of the deliberation in the parliament which was denied.

"According to the Constitution, every one should provide an evidence relating to a case. But this case is the first exception," said advocate Rabi Raj Bhandari who is also the plaintiff of the case.

After the accusation against the judges levelled in the Parliament, advocate Bhandari had filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court demanding action against the Speaker, the leader of the opposition and the lawmakers who leveled such accusation for contempt of court.

As the court issued show cause notice in the name of the leaders, all of them refused to receive it, on one pretext or the other, said an official at the apex court. "My friend followed the leaders for months and I took it over last month as he left the job. But I failed to do so even after may repeated efforts," said Gopal Neupane a junior employee of the court who was asked to serve the letters to the leaders. " Neither the Parliament Secretariat nor the personal assistants of the opposition leader accepted the letters," added Neupane.

While contacted over telephone. Speaker Taranath Ranabhat said, "I don’t know about this all and the information about the issue could be obtained from the legal department of the Parliament Secretariat." Despite several efforts, Nepal could not be reached for his comments. His personal assistant, however, said, "We don’t know about this at all.’

Nepal drub Singapore in second tie, enter semis

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Oct 12 - Inspired by skipper Binod Das’s bowling, Nepal drubbed Singapore by 7 wickets in the Pool B match of the Youth Asia Cup 2001 held at Tribhuvan University Ground on Friday.

Nepal, by virtue of its second consecutive win in the pool, qualified to the semi-finals.

The Nepali batsmen, despite offering seven catches — all of which were dropped by the Singapore fielders, scored the required 115 runs in 31.5 overs for the loss of just three wickets.

Nepal made the run chase rather shakily losing the first wicket with just 12 on the board. Yashwant Subedi, the first to go with five runs against his name, survived an easy chance when he was on one. The ball, after taking the top edge of his bat, fell between the square leg and short mid-wicket fielder. Subedi failed to make use of the opportunity for long as he was beaten by an express delivery of Singapore paceman Prasanth Pushpanathan and comprehensively bowled just a couple of deliveries later.

Bardan Chalise topscored for Nepal with 37 while Kanishka Chaugain made 31, both enjoying a new lease of life as Singaporeans dropped a couple of catches. Chalise was first dropped when he was on 12, only to be dropped again at 16. On the other hand, Chaugain was dropped at 18 and 25.

Coach of the Nepali colts, Roy Dias expressed his dissatisfaction over the shot selection of the boys. "They (batsmen) chose the wrong ball to play the wrong shot," said the former Sri Lankan Test star, adding: "If somebody gets a start and reaches 20 or 30, they must capitalise on it and not throw away their wicket.

"The batsman needs to build up the score once they get set and are able to see the ball clearly."

Nepal captain Binod Das was also critical of the batting of the boys. "Batting was not as good as expected," said Das, " The boys were trying to be too aggressive on the wicket."

Earlier, Das— man of the match for today— justified his decision to field first after winning the toss as he wrecked the Singapore middle order taking four wickets in the match for 25 runs leading to their collapse for 114 runs in 49.5 overs.

The Singapore openers, who started the innings cautiously, were going well until both the batsmen were run out to the Nepali fielders. Nishant Balakrishnan (29) fell short of his grounds and Glenn Meyer left stranded by a direct Lakpa Lama throw from mid-on that left them at 33-2 from 29 for no loss.

Lakpa Lama, hero of yesterday’s match, tied the Singapore batsmen to the crease forcing them to play on backfoot. He returned with a match haul of two wickets giving away a miserly 21 runs off 10 overs.

Apart from Rajesh Lekhwar, who scored a patient 40 runs off 78 balls, the rest of Singapore batsmen failed to negotiate Nepali spin attack.

Speaking after the match, Singapore coach Goh Swee Heng credited his boys for playing ‘above themselves’. "The boys played cricketing shots and that’s satisfactory. We might have done better if it was not for those ‘silly run-outs’, especially when the boys were going so well."

With their place in the semi-finals already secured, Nepal are likely to change their strategies for the match against Malaysia on Saturday. Dias, Nepali team coach, hinted a change in the playing eleven for the match saying Basanta Regmi’s name might be considered. Given that the weather is favourable, Nepal may opt to bat first if toss goes Nepal’s way, indicated the coach.

‘Govt-Maoist dilly-dally might boost terrorism’

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Oct 12 - Former Prime Minister and chairman of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Surya Bahadur Thapa today said the dilly-dallying of the ongoing government-Maoist talks will create favourable environment for the rise of "terrorism" in the country.

"The terrorists are utilising the extended time of the government-Maoists talks in their benefit at the cost of the national interest," said Thapa while addressing a seminar organised in the capital, Friday.

Former PM Thapa was speaking at a seminar on "Impact of Terrorism in Nepal" organised by University Teachers’ Group.

"Terrorists" will dismantle every state mechanisms and structures if the dialogue is delayed, Thapa said. "The Maoists have escalated kidnapping, killing, looting and extortion spree and the government has become mute spectator to this. The government does not know any measure to stop such things except merely requesting them not to do so."

If the government only goes on doing the "politics of request" and does not initiate any concrete steps, every government will be dysfunctional and the state will finally loose, added Thapa.

Both the government and the Maoists presently are preparing for the third round of peace talks to give way to the nearly six-year-old insurgency that has already claimed more than 1,800 lives.

Speaking on the occasion, former chairman of Nepal University Teachers’ Association (NUTA), Professor Bhimsen Pradhan, said many political forces throughout the world have been indulged in terrorist acts for their vested interests.

"Even the United States of America that backed the terrorists against the former Soviet invasion of Afghanistan two decades ago is now turning against them," said Pradhan. "It is an example of politics-backed terrorism."

He also said former Indian prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajib Gandhi were also assassinated by the self-sponsored "terrorists", he added. "Both the prime ministers initially had sponsored some terrorists for their political interest."

Executive Director of Pragya Foundation, Professor Anand Aditya, said every nation in the world, regardless of rich and poor, has fallen victim of terrorism.

Addressing the function, RPP spokesperson Kamal Thapa said the terrorism has taken over the traditional security systems world over. "The world now should search the alternatives of the traditional security systems," he said.

The most important threat to Nepal for next 50 years is the terrorism resulted by the mass dissatisfaction emerged out of poverty and various forms of discrimination.

Govt geared for Reform Programme

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Oct 12 - The government is carrying out a number of reform measures under its Governance Reform Programme, said a government official here today.

Under Asian Development Bank’s assistance, the government is carrying out a set of reform programmes. "The government is already downsizing the size of the bureaucracy to reduce its general expenditure," said Mukunda Prasad Aryal, secretary of Ministry of General Administration.

"The government is geared to review its employees’ pay structure, performance indicators, training policy, transfer policy and promotion policy among others," said Aryal.

Speaking further at a press conference at the ministry, Aryal said that, "the government should express its commitment that it would table Bill that requires elected politicians and constitutional heads, among others, to make public their cash and assets before it becomes eligible for a cash loan of US$ 30 million from ADB to carry out its Governance Reform Program".

Aryal, who is a member of the government team to decide on the number of ministries pointed out that there was no requirement of increasing the number of ministries in the present situation.