HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
KATHMANDU: Rastriya Banijya Bank has got a new board under the leadership of Narhari Dhakal.
The new board — appointed by the current government led by Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai — took the oath of secrecy of the office amid a ceremony today.
The wholly state-owned bank, like other government entities, has been a centre for appointment for the cadres of successive governments.
Chairman of the board Dhakal is a development economist, who has more than 25 year long experience in working in financial sector restructuring and establishment across many Asian countries, according to the Rastriya Banijya Bank that has been in search of chief executive since its last chief executive Janardan Acharya’s term expired.
Though the government started the process of new chief executive appointment, the anti-graft body has stopped the process after an unsatisfied candidate complained.
The other members of the RBB board appointed today include Shanta Raj Subedi, Bishnu Das Dangol, Bal Chandra Shrestha and Pitri Bhakta Pokharel.
Similarly, another partly government-owned Nepal Bank Ltd is also gearing up for the change in the board due to the pressure from the government-affiliated union in the bank. At present, NBL’s board is headed by Keshav Khadka with Pramod Raj Sharma, Ramesh Prasad Upadhayay and Surendra Mani Tripathi — who were appointed by the former government of CPN-UML, but with the change in the guard of government, the UCPN-Maoist affiliated union in the oldest bank of the country has forwarded the name of Dr Bharat Shrestha to head the board with Kamala Hyachuri, Dinanath Pathak, Bhawanath Upadhayay.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Michael Jackson's doctor sentenced to 4 years in jail
REUTERS
LOS ANGELES: Michael Jackson's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, on Tuesday was sentenced to four years in jail and denied probation for his conviction on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the pop star's death.
"Thriller" singer Jackson died of a drug overdose in June 2009, principally from the use of the surgical anesthetic propofol as a sleep aid. That drug had been obtained and administered to Jackson by Murray at the singer's rented home.
Earlier this month, a jury convicted Murray of involuntary manslaughter, or gross negligence, in his treatment of Jackson after witnesses testified propofol should not be administered at home and, even if it is, it must be given only with the proper life-monitoring equipment on hand. It was not.
Dr. Murray had agreed to care for Jackson ahead of the singer's planned comeback concerts in London, and had negotiated a salary of $150,000 per month to care for the singer.
In sentencing Murray on Tuesday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor called Murray's actions "money for medicine madness that is simply not acceptable to me."
Murray sat in his chair, dressed in a gray suit and purple paisley tie, and did not express any emotion.
LOS ANGELES: Michael Jackson's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, on Tuesday was sentenced to four years in jail and denied probation for his conviction on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the pop star's death.
"Thriller" singer Jackson died of a drug overdose in June 2009, principally from the use of the surgical anesthetic propofol as a sleep aid. That drug had been obtained and administered to Jackson by Murray at the singer's rented home.
Earlier this month, a jury convicted Murray of involuntary manslaughter, or gross negligence, in his treatment of Jackson after witnesses testified propofol should not be administered at home and, even if it is, it must be given only with the proper life-monitoring equipment on hand. It was not.
Dr. Murray had agreed to care for Jackson ahead of the singer's planned comeback concerts in London, and had negotiated a salary of $150,000 per month to care for the singer.
In sentencing Murray on Tuesday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor called Murray's actions "money for medicine madness that is simply not acceptable to me."
Murray sat in his chair, dressed in a gray suit and purple paisley tie, and did not express any emotion.
Chopper crashes‚ all safe
HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
SALLERI: A Fishtail Air 9N-AIK helicopter with a crew member and a passenger, an Australian, on Tuesday met with an accident at Khumjung in Solukhumbu. There were no casualties though, said Fishtail Air CEO Suman Pandey. The chopper had failed to take off to a hover at Labuche area at around 1 pm. Bishnu Prasad Dhakal of Eco Lodge in Labuche, an eyewitness, said the chopper lost its balance while Captain Dipak Rana was making an attempt to lift off. The chopper was damaged. Another helicopter belonging to Air Dynasty had later rescued Rana and a co-pilot, who was not on board when the incident occurred. The Australian national, however, refused to return via a chopper and decided to trek to Lukla.
SALLERI: A Fishtail Air 9N-AIK helicopter with a crew member and a passenger, an Australian, on Tuesday met with an accident at Khumjung in Solukhumbu. There were no casualties though, said Fishtail Air CEO Suman Pandey. The chopper had failed to take off to a hover at Labuche area at around 1 pm. Bishnu Prasad Dhakal of Eco Lodge in Labuche, an eyewitness, said the chopper lost its balance while Captain Dipak Rana was making an attempt to lift off. The chopper was damaged. Another helicopter belonging to Air Dynasty had later rescued Rana and a co-pilot, who was not on board when the incident occurred. The Australian national, however, refused to return via a chopper and decided to trek to Lukla.
Special security for CA building
HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
KATHMANDU: Special security arrangements have been made in the Capital city with special focus on the Constituent Assembly building following the extension of CA tenure by six months.
Police said the measures were adopted to prevent any untoward incidents based on intelligence that some political parties and groups unhappy with the tenure extension were likely to disturb peace.
More than 1,160 cops, led by Kathmandu police chief SP Rajendra Shrestha, were mobilised in and adjoining areas of the CA building round-the-clock.
Besides Nepal Police, more than 500 elite cops of Armed Police Force are mobilised as back-up.
Sniffer dogs, bomb disposal squads, water cannons and ambulances have been kept ready to cope with any unpleasant situation.
“Security in and around the CA building is our top priority,” SP Shrestha said.
Four major road junctions leading to the CA building are under the surveillance of security forces.
The security measures also coincide with rallies and various means of protests against the extension of CA tenure.
“We have arranged five-tier security for the CA building,” SP Shrestha informed. Earlier, Kathmandu District Administration Office had declared various parts of the Capital city a prohibited zone until further notice in view of the expiry of the CA term.
The prohibited zones cover areas near the Office of the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Singha Durbar and the CA building. Police said they had also kept tight vigil on transit points of the Valley. The administration has empowered police to arrest any suspects.
KATHMANDU: Special security arrangements have been made in the Capital city with special focus on the Constituent Assembly building following the extension of CA tenure by six months.
Police said the measures were adopted to prevent any untoward incidents based on intelligence that some political parties and groups unhappy with the tenure extension were likely to disturb peace.
More than 1,160 cops, led by Kathmandu police chief SP Rajendra Shrestha, were mobilised in and adjoining areas of the CA building round-the-clock.
Besides Nepal Police, more than 500 elite cops of Armed Police Force are mobilised as back-up.
Sniffer dogs, bomb disposal squads, water cannons and ambulances have been kept ready to cope with any unpleasant situation.
“Security in and around the CA building is our top priority,” SP Shrestha said.
Four major road junctions leading to the CA building are under the surveillance of security forces.
The security measures also coincide with rallies and various means of protests against the extension of CA tenure.
“We have arranged five-tier security for the CA building,” SP Shrestha informed. Earlier, Kathmandu District Administration Office had declared various parts of the Capital city a prohibited zone until further notice in view of the expiry of the CA term.
The prohibited zones cover areas near the Office of the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Singha Durbar and the CA building. Police said they had also kept tight vigil on transit points of the Valley. The administration has empowered police to arrest any suspects.
Big 3 agree to form national consensus govt
By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov 29, UCPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) Tuesday agreed to form a national unity government by extending the Constituent Assembly (CA) tenure for six months.
In a meeting held at Singha Durbar, the major political forces also inked a six-point consensus deal and said the parties would begin consultations to form the national unity government.
They also endorsed the report of the joint taskforce which recommended the 6-month extension of the CA tenure.
UCPN-Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, NC president Sushil Koirala, CPN-UML chairman Jhalanath Khanal, and Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Democratic chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar inked in the six-point deal.
According to the deal, the parties will start political consultations to form a national unity government, the top leaders will meet once a week, the State Restructuring Commission will submit the report within two months, the parties will continuously monitor the implementation of seven-point deal, the Constitutional Committee will submit the calendar of constitution drafting within December 6 and the combatants will be regrouped within December 4.
After the meeting, UCPN-M vice-chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha said that the parties agreed to extend the CA tenure for six months and were ready to intensify talks for a national unity government.
He said that the parties were serious to implement the seven-point deal and inked another six-point accord to implement it.
The parties also reached a consensus to start a weekly meeting of top leaders to analyze the implementation of the seven-point deal, Shrestha said.
NC vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel said that the leaders decided to continue the peace and statute writing processes and extend the CA term for six months.
He said that the newly inked six-point deal would help conclude the peace process within the stipulated deadline.
Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Ganatantrik chairman and Minister for Information and Communications JP Gupta said that the parties agreed to conclude the first phase combatants’ regrouping within 4 December.
He said that the leaders also agreed to start a homework to form the national unity government through consensus.
CPN-UML vice-chairman Bam Dev Gautam said that the meeting centered on the direction of the Supreme Court and decided to extend the CA tenure by six months.
NC leader Arjun Narsingh KC said that the parties agreed to continuously analyze and examine the peace and constitution writing processes.
Kathmandu, Nov 29, UCPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) Tuesday agreed to form a national unity government by extending the Constituent Assembly (CA) tenure for six months.
In a meeting held at Singha Durbar, the major political forces also inked a six-point consensus deal and said the parties would begin consultations to form the national unity government.
They also endorsed the report of the joint taskforce which recommended the 6-month extension of the CA tenure.
UCPN-Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, NC president Sushil Koirala, CPN-UML chairman Jhalanath Khanal, and Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Democratic chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar inked in the six-point deal.
According to the deal, the parties will start political consultations to form a national unity government, the top leaders will meet once a week, the State Restructuring Commission will submit the report within two months, the parties will continuously monitor the implementation of seven-point deal, the Constitutional Committee will submit the calendar of constitution drafting within December 6 and the combatants will be regrouped within December 4.
After the meeting, UCPN-M vice-chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha said that the parties agreed to extend the CA tenure for six months and were ready to intensify talks for a national unity government.
He said that the parties were serious to implement the seven-point deal and inked another six-point accord to implement it.
The parties also reached a consensus to start a weekly meeting of top leaders to analyze the implementation of the seven-point deal, Shrestha said.
NC vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel said that the leaders decided to continue the peace and statute writing processes and extend the CA term for six months.
He said that the newly inked six-point deal would help conclude the peace process within the stipulated deadline.
Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Ganatantrik chairman and Minister for Information and Communications JP Gupta said that the parties agreed to conclude the first phase combatants’ regrouping within 4 December.
He said that the leaders also agreed to start a homework to form the national unity government through consensus.
CPN-UML vice-chairman Bam Dev Gautam said that the meeting centered on the direction of the Supreme Court and decided to extend the CA tenure by six months.
NC leader Arjun Narsingh KC said that the parties agreed to continuously analyze and examine the peace and constitution writing processes.
DRI unearths 300 new cases of IC misappropriation
REPUBLICA
KATHMANDU, Nov 30: The Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) has unearthed more than 300 new cases of misuse of Indian Currency (IC) by eight Birgunj-based firms.
A team of the DRI and Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) is looking into suspicious withdrawal of IC from three leading commercial banks by those eight firms over the past four months.
The department had dispatched a team to Birgunj last week to further investigate into IC misappropriation racket. It suspects the involvement of customs officials and staff of the banks in IC misappropriation.
“We have found more than 300 new cases of IC misappropriation by the eight firms. They were found to have withdrawn a large amount of IC from Birgunj-based bank branch of NIC Bank, Siddhartha Bank and Laxmi Bank,” Mohan Bahadur Chand, director of the DRI, said
However, the exact amount misused by those firms is still to be ascertained as investigation officials are busy verifying documents.
“Most of the cases are related to Shyam Galla Bhandar that managed to withdraw IC by producing fake documents of dry fruits and groceries imports from India,” added Chand.
About a couple of weeks ago, DRI had said it was near to completing investigation into the IC misappropriation scam that has inflicted loss worth Rs 2 billion to the national exchequer.
Preliminary investigation has showed that IC worth Rs 900 million has been misappropriated by the Birgunj-based firms alone. A joint team from DRI and NRB has found the involvement of Laxmi Traders, Maha Laxmi Enterprises, Rehan Traders, Shyam Galla Store, GS Traders, Mata Di International, Maxwell Computers and Digital World in IC misuse.
The team has suspected involvement of customs staff, employees of around a dozen banks and the traders in IC misappropriation.
Before this latest revelation, DRI had found that Laxmi Trader, Mahalaxmi Enterprises and Rehan Traders withdrew Rs 20 million from Birgunj branch of Laxmi Bank by showing fake documents of potato imports through Chhatyauli small customs under Krishnanagar Customs Office.
Published on 2011-11-30 00:26:18
KATHMANDU, Nov 30: The Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) has unearthed more than 300 new cases of misuse of Indian Currency (IC) by eight Birgunj-based firms.
A team of the DRI and Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) is looking into suspicious withdrawal of IC from three leading commercial banks by those eight firms over the past four months.
The department had dispatched a team to Birgunj last week to further investigate into IC misappropriation racket. It suspects the involvement of customs officials and staff of the banks in IC misappropriation.
“We have found more than 300 new cases of IC misappropriation by the eight firms. They were found to have withdrawn a large amount of IC from Birgunj-based bank branch of NIC Bank, Siddhartha Bank and Laxmi Bank,” Mohan Bahadur Chand, director of the DRI, said
However, the exact amount misused by those firms is still to be ascertained as investigation officials are busy verifying documents.
“Most of the cases are related to Shyam Galla Bhandar that managed to withdraw IC by producing fake documents of dry fruits and groceries imports from India,” added Chand.
About a couple of weeks ago, DRI had said it was near to completing investigation into the IC misappropriation scam that has inflicted loss worth Rs 2 billion to the national exchequer.
Preliminary investigation has showed that IC worth Rs 900 million has been misappropriated by the Birgunj-based firms alone. A joint team from DRI and NRB has found the involvement of Laxmi Traders, Maha Laxmi Enterprises, Rehan Traders, Shyam Galla Store, GS Traders, Mata Di International, Maxwell Computers and Digital World in IC misuse.
The team has suspected involvement of customs staff, employees of around a dozen banks and the traders in IC misappropriation.
Before this latest revelation, DRI had found that Laxmi Trader, Mahalaxmi Enterprises and Rehan Traders withdrew Rs 20 million from Birgunj branch of Laxmi Bank by showing fake documents of potato imports through Chhatyauli small customs under Krishnanagar Customs Office.
Published on 2011-11-30 00:26:18
ANFA ink deal with Dabur Nepal
By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov 29
ANFA and Dabur Nepal signed a deal to sponsor National football team for SAFF Championship for AFC Challenge Cup on Tuesday in Kathmandu.
According to the deal, Dabur Nepal will provide Rs. 10, 00, 000 and football gears to ANFA. The Cup is scheduled to start from March 3-18 in Kathmandu. President of ANFA Ganesh Thapa and Representative of Dabur Nepal Avaya Gorkhali exchanged the MoU in the function.
In the function, the managing director of Dabur Nepal, Rukma shumser Rana handed over the football kits to President Thapa.
President Thapa informed that the flood light at the Dasarath Stadium will be maintained from Wednesday. "The technicians from China already have arrived in Kathmandu and they will put the lights back into form."
Meanwhile, Nepali football team will leave for India on Wednesday to take part in SAFF Championship that starts from December 2 in New Delhi.
Kathmandu, Nov 29
ANFA and Dabur Nepal signed a deal to sponsor National football team for SAFF Championship for AFC Challenge Cup on Tuesday in Kathmandu.
According to the deal, Dabur Nepal will provide Rs. 10, 00, 000 and football gears to ANFA. The Cup is scheduled to start from March 3-18 in Kathmandu. President of ANFA Ganesh Thapa and Representative of Dabur Nepal Avaya Gorkhali exchanged the MoU in the function.
In the function, the managing director of Dabur Nepal, Rukma shumser Rana handed over the football kits to President Thapa.
President Thapa informed that the flood light at the Dasarath Stadium will be maintained from Wednesday. "The technicians from China already have arrived in Kathmandu and they will put the lights back into form."
Meanwhile, Nepali football team will leave for India on Wednesday to take part in SAFF Championship that starts from December 2 in New Delhi.
Probe thefts of NA aircraft spare parts, PAC orders govt
REPUBLICA
KATHAMANDU, Nov 29: Members of parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday lambasted Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) top brass for their failure in safeguarding aircraft spare parts and ordered the government to seriously look into the cases of theft, suspecting possible involvement of senior NAC officials in the loss.
Lawmakers that grilled the NAC officials over recent cases of thefts of spare parts, something which has inflicted millions of rupees in loss to the national flag carrier, even urged the government to take action against persons involved in the theft under criminal law.
"The nature of thefts indicates that there might be direct involvement of senior NAC officials. The government must punish them severely," said lawmaker Lalbabu Pandit.
During a period of less than a year, NAC has reported loss of a fly-away kit and spare wheels of Boeing 757 and landing gears of Twin Otter. The cost of fly-away kit alone is estimated to be around Rs 45 million.
NAC board member Ranjan Krishna Aryal admitted that the equipment were lost because of irresponsibility of NAC officials. He even disclosed that the NAC staff had not cooperated with the investigation team that NAC board formed to dig out facts on thefts of spare parts.
"Internal investigations have not been fruitful because of lack of cooperation by staff themselves. Hence, there is a need to start fresh enquiry under criminal law," he added.
Given that the weight of missing spare parts was more than 150 kg, NAC´s investigation officer Mukunda Joshi said it was impossible for the outsider to steal those parts.
"Handling agency is required to load and unload such bulky equipment. Clearly, a group of people and agencies have been involved in such thefts," he added.
He also pushed for the formation of high-level committee to investigate into the cases.
PAC on the day had summoned tourism secretary Dr Ganesh Raj Joshi, NAC chairman Manarup Shahi, managing director KB Limbu and other officials to enquire about the missing spare parts.
Some of the lawmakers like Kamala Pant attributed the ongoing problem in NAC to the presence of two executive heads. "Until we resolve the controversy of who holds the executive power - chairman or the managing director, problems like these will continue in the corporation," Pant stated.
She also raised question against the NAC management for not punishing the wrongdoers identified by a probe team of MoTCA.
The investigation has shown the involvement of the then director of NAC engineering department A R Pahari along with other engineers R K Manandhar and Rajesh Shrestha in the loss of fly-away kit.
However, NAC Chairman Manarup Shahi did not take any action against them, arguing that the ministry´s probe report did not make clear recommendations on actions against them.
Initially, NAC had suspended Pahari, Manandhar and Shrestha, but allowed them to return to work soon after.
Published on 2011-11-29 23:28:05
KATHAMANDU, Nov 29: Members of parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday lambasted Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) top brass for their failure in safeguarding aircraft spare parts and ordered the government to seriously look into the cases of theft, suspecting possible involvement of senior NAC officials in the loss.
Lawmakers that grilled the NAC officials over recent cases of thefts of spare parts, something which has inflicted millions of rupees in loss to the national flag carrier, even urged the government to take action against persons involved in the theft under criminal law.
"The nature of thefts indicates that there might be direct involvement of senior NAC officials. The government must punish them severely," said lawmaker Lalbabu Pandit.
During a period of less than a year, NAC has reported loss of a fly-away kit and spare wheels of Boeing 757 and landing gears of Twin Otter. The cost of fly-away kit alone is estimated to be around Rs 45 million.
NAC board member Ranjan Krishna Aryal admitted that the equipment were lost because of irresponsibility of NAC officials. He even disclosed that the NAC staff had not cooperated with the investigation team that NAC board formed to dig out facts on thefts of spare parts.
"Internal investigations have not been fruitful because of lack of cooperation by staff themselves. Hence, there is a need to start fresh enquiry under criminal law," he added.
Given that the weight of missing spare parts was more than 150 kg, NAC´s investigation officer Mukunda Joshi said it was impossible for the outsider to steal those parts.
"Handling agency is required to load and unload such bulky equipment. Clearly, a group of people and agencies have been involved in such thefts," he added.
He also pushed for the formation of high-level committee to investigate into the cases.
PAC on the day had summoned tourism secretary Dr Ganesh Raj Joshi, NAC chairman Manarup Shahi, managing director KB Limbu and other officials to enquire about the missing spare parts.
Some of the lawmakers like Kamala Pant attributed the ongoing problem in NAC to the presence of two executive heads. "Until we resolve the controversy of who holds the executive power - chairman or the managing director, problems like these will continue in the corporation," Pant stated.
She also raised question against the NAC management for not punishing the wrongdoers identified by a probe team of MoTCA.
The investigation has shown the involvement of the then director of NAC engineering department A R Pahari along with other engineers R K Manandhar and Rajesh Shrestha in the loss of fly-away kit.
However, NAC Chairman Manarup Shahi did not take any action against them, arguing that the ministry´s probe report did not make clear recommendations on actions against them.
Initially, NAC had suspended Pahari, Manandhar and Shrestha, but allowed them to return to work soon after.
Published on 2011-11-29 23:28:05
Largest paper mill closing
CHITWAN, Nov 30: Bhrikuti Paper and Pulp Limited, the largest paper mill in the country based in Gaindakot of Nawalparasi district, will be shut down permanently.
The paper mill is owned by the Golcha Organization. The company was established in 1985 with the support of China. It was privatized in 1992 and Golchha Organization has been operating the factory ever since.
The annual general meeting of the company held on October 24 endorsed the special proposal of the management to close down the factory. Following the approval, its management has filed an application with the government through the Department of Labor (DoL) asking permission to lay off all its staff.
Workers, meanwhile, vented ire against the government and the factory promoters for showing little seriousness in continuing the factory operations. Some of the workers even claimed that the promoter of the factory is planning to develop its land into housing.
The paper factory halted productions in March this year, citing shortage of raw materials, over 16 hours of power-cut, and decline in demand of paper it produced, among others.
The management said the factory was operating undercpacity for years. The factory had an installed capacity of producing 80 tons of paper a day.
The factory is employing 485 workers, including 333 permanent employees. However, after the management realized that there was little chance of reviving the business, it laid off around 150 temporary workers hired on contract.
Following the AGM decision on October 24 that allowed the promoter to permanently shut down the factory after clearing all loans liability, the management on October 30 lodged an application at the DoL, seeking its permission to lay off all remaining staff members.
On November 22, the management further issued a notice that the factory would not be able to pay salary to 333 permanent staff for the period of eight months when it remained out of operation. The announcement, however, has drawn serious protests from the workers.
"The denial of the management to pay salary from the day the machines were turned off is against the existing law," said Ram Sharma, coordinator of Workers´ Protest Committee. The committee has requested the Labor Office to freeze the land owned by the industry until it pays staff´s salary dues.
Prior to the closure, the industry was producing as much as 1,530 tons of paper a month. It was selling paper at around Rs 60,000 per ton.
"The closure of the factory has forced the country to import an additional Rs 90 million worth of paper every month," said an official at the factory, requesting not to be named. Its permanent shut-down would increase the country´s dependence on import to fulfill local demand for paper.
There were altogether six paper mills, including Bhrikuti Paper and Pulp, operating in the country and together they were producing 150 tons of paper every day. The productions, however, was sufficient only to meet half of the demand, which is estimated to be around 300 tons a day.
Published on 2011-11-30 02:10:30
The paper mill is owned by the Golcha Organization. The company was established in 1985 with the support of China. It was privatized in 1992 and Golchha Organization has been operating the factory ever since.
The annual general meeting of the company held on October 24 endorsed the special proposal of the management to close down the factory. Following the approval, its management has filed an application with the government through the Department of Labor (DoL) asking permission to lay off all its staff.
Workers, meanwhile, vented ire against the government and the factory promoters for showing little seriousness in continuing the factory operations. Some of the workers even claimed that the promoter of the factory is planning to develop its land into housing.
The paper factory halted productions in March this year, citing shortage of raw materials, over 16 hours of power-cut, and decline in demand of paper it produced, among others.
The management said the factory was operating undercpacity for years. The factory had an installed capacity of producing 80 tons of paper a day.
The factory is employing 485 workers, including 333 permanent employees. However, after the management realized that there was little chance of reviving the business, it laid off around 150 temporary workers hired on contract.
Following the AGM decision on October 24 that allowed the promoter to permanently shut down the factory after clearing all loans liability, the management on October 30 lodged an application at the DoL, seeking its permission to lay off all remaining staff members.
On November 22, the management further issued a notice that the factory would not be able to pay salary to 333 permanent staff for the period of eight months when it remained out of operation. The announcement, however, has drawn serious protests from the workers.
"The denial of the management to pay salary from the day the machines were turned off is against the existing law," said Ram Sharma, coordinator of Workers´ Protest Committee. The committee has requested the Labor Office to freeze the land owned by the industry until it pays staff´s salary dues.
Prior to the closure, the industry was producing as much as 1,530 tons of paper a month. It was selling paper at around Rs 60,000 per ton.
"The closure of the factory has forced the country to import an additional Rs 90 million worth of paper every month," said an official at the factory, requesting not to be named. Its permanent shut-down would increase the country´s dependence on import to fulfill local demand for paper.
There were altogether six paper mills, including Bhrikuti Paper and Pulp, operating in the country and together they were producing 150 tons of paper every day. The productions, however, was sufficient only to meet half of the demand, which is estimated to be around 300 tons a day.
Published on 2011-11-30 02:10:30
CIAA directs NEA to not implement transfer decision
REPUBLICA
KATHMANDU, Nov 29: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has on Tuesday directed the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to not implement the decision taken by the officiating managing director to transfer and promote employees.
Officiating Managing Director Rameshwar Yadav has transferred over 70 staffers including some senior officers.
“We have taken up the issue as acting managing director, who is set to retire in one-and-a -half months, has been making massive transfers and promotions. We have directed the NEA not to implement the decisions until we complete our investigations,” Acting Chief of CIAA Bhagawati Kafle said.
The NEA staffers had padlocked the office of the managing director and administration section on Tuesday protesting the transfers made by Yadav.
The CIAA has also ordered Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, who is the ex-officio NEA Chairman, to direct NEA to not make payments for unnecessary purchases Yadav made as the head of Distribution and Consumer Services in the past. The CIAA in its letter sent to NEA and energy ministry has asked them to make payments only after seeking the permission of the board.
The CIAA has similarly directed the energy ministry to immediately initiate the process of hiring its managing director through free-competition. The cabinet has already directed the ministry to hire its head through free competition but the ministry has not sought applications till date, CIAA points.
“The process of publishing advertisement has been delayed as we are working to authorize the managing director to give performance contracts to general managers to make them accountable,” Secretary at the Ministry of Energy Balananda Poudel said. “We will announce vacancy within the next three days,” Poudel assured.
Published on 2011-11-29 21:52:34
KATHMANDU, Nov 29: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has on Tuesday directed the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to not implement the decision taken by the officiating managing director to transfer and promote employees.
Officiating Managing Director Rameshwar Yadav has transferred over 70 staffers including some senior officers.
“We have taken up the issue as acting managing director, who is set to retire in one-and-a -half months, has been making massive transfers and promotions. We have directed the NEA not to implement the decisions until we complete our investigations,” Acting Chief of CIAA Bhagawati Kafle said.
The NEA staffers had padlocked the office of the managing director and administration section on Tuesday protesting the transfers made by Yadav.
The CIAA has also ordered Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, who is the ex-officio NEA Chairman, to direct NEA to not make payments for unnecessary purchases Yadav made as the head of Distribution and Consumer Services in the past. The CIAA in its letter sent to NEA and energy ministry has asked them to make payments only after seeking the permission of the board.
The CIAA has similarly directed the energy ministry to immediately initiate the process of hiring its managing director through free-competition. The cabinet has already directed the ministry to hire its head through free competition but the ministry has not sought applications till date, CIAA points.
“The process of publishing advertisement has been delayed as we are working to authorize the managing director to give performance contracts to general managers to make them accountable,” Secretary at the Ministry of Energy Balananda Poudel said. “We will announce vacancy within the next three days,” Poudel assured.
Published on 2011-11-29 21:52:34
Division commanders jostle for post in NA directorate
KATHMANDU, Nov 30: With the PLA integration process making steady headway, senior Maoist commanders have entered a race to become the highest ranking Nepal Army (NA) official from among themselves.
Sources say that is why six of the division commanders have opted for integration, though Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal had earlier asked them to make arrangements for integration of only those below the rank of division vice-commander.
“We don´t want to lose the opportunity to become the leading ex-PLA in the directorate. Also, we will otherwise severely weaken our bargaining capacity with the party for better positions,” said a division commander who did not want to be named.
According to sources, each of the six division commanders is using his own political channel and power to influence Dahal to bag the position, and the latter is facing a tough time choosing one of the commanders.
Party insiders say Dahal wants his favorite commander Santu Darai, who is also his security chief, to the leading ex-PLA in the directorate, but he is wary of creating rifts within his own faction, and wants to handle things tactfully. All the division commanders are from the party establishment faction.
Party Military Bureau Chief Barshaman Pun is, however, lobbying for Dhan Bahadur Maski Magar. Deputy Commander Chandra Prakash Khanal, on the other hand, wants to appoint Yam Bahadur Adhikari in the much sough-after position. Similarly, Tej Bahadur Oli is the favorite of party leader Janardan Sharma, who has a good hold over the PLA.
Second Division Commander Suk Bahadur Roka Magar for his part is in the lists of both PLA chief Nand Kishor Pun and Barsh Man Pun.
Interestingly, regional politics is playing a crucial role, as usual, in picking the PLA commander for the NA directorate.
Dahal wants to pick Darai, who is from his home district Chitwan, Sharma wants Oli, who is from his own district Rukum, and Roka Magar from Rolpa is in the lists of both Barshaman from Nanda Kishor, who are also from that district.
Party insiders say there is long-standing enmity between leaders from Rolpa and Rukum districts. Sharma rather wishes Dahal to pick Oli for the position, but not Roka Magar from Rolpa.
Kali Bahadur Kham, Fifth Division commander who was purportedly suspended from his position due to alleged involvement in some criminal cases, is not in the race.
“The chairman has not yet disclosed how many senior positions we will get in the directorate. So we filled in the integration forms for now,” Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, Sixth Division commander, told Republica.
In the first PLA General Staff meeting since the Nov 1 peace deal, Dahal had stated that there would be some ´political appointments´ to senior positions in the directorate, though leaders from the other political parties say they are not aware of any such appointments.
Nep Bahadur Kunwar Magar, Sixth Division vice-commander, argues that there is yet another reason why six of the vice-commanders have filled the integration forms.
“They issued a fiat to the rank and file to opt for integration. So they had to justify that fiat and avoid facing the wrath of low-rank personnel at this juncture,” said Magar.
Published on 2011-11-30 09:18:38
Sources say that is why six of the division commanders have opted for integration, though Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal had earlier asked them to make arrangements for integration of only those below the rank of division vice-commander.
“We don´t want to lose the opportunity to become the leading ex-PLA in the directorate. Also, we will otherwise severely weaken our bargaining capacity with the party for better positions,” said a division commander who did not want to be named.
According to sources, each of the six division commanders is using his own political channel and power to influence Dahal to bag the position, and the latter is facing a tough time choosing one of the commanders.
Party insiders say Dahal wants his favorite commander Santu Darai, who is also his security chief, to the leading ex-PLA in the directorate, but he is wary of creating rifts within his own faction, and wants to handle things tactfully. All the division commanders are from the party establishment faction.
Party Military Bureau Chief Barshaman Pun is, however, lobbying for Dhan Bahadur Maski Magar. Deputy Commander Chandra Prakash Khanal, on the other hand, wants to appoint Yam Bahadur Adhikari in the much sough-after position. Similarly, Tej Bahadur Oli is the favorite of party leader Janardan Sharma, who has a good hold over the PLA.
Second Division Commander Suk Bahadur Roka Magar for his part is in the lists of both PLA chief Nand Kishor Pun and Barsh Man Pun.
Interestingly, regional politics is playing a crucial role, as usual, in picking the PLA commander for the NA directorate.
Dahal wants to pick Darai, who is from his home district Chitwan, Sharma wants Oli, who is from his own district Rukum, and Roka Magar from Rolpa is in the lists of both Barshaman from Nanda Kishor, who are also from that district.
Party insiders say there is long-standing enmity between leaders from Rolpa and Rukum districts. Sharma rather wishes Dahal to pick Oli for the position, but not Roka Magar from Rolpa.
Kali Bahadur Kham, Fifth Division commander who was purportedly suspended from his position due to alleged involvement in some criminal cases, is not in the race.
“The chairman has not yet disclosed how many senior positions we will get in the directorate. So we filled in the integration forms for now,” Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, Sixth Division commander, told Republica.
In the first PLA General Staff meeting since the Nov 1 peace deal, Dahal had stated that there would be some ´political appointments´ to senior positions in the directorate, though leaders from the other political parties say they are not aware of any such appointments.
Nep Bahadur Kunwar Magar, Sixth Division vice-commander, argues that there is yet another reason why six of the vice-commanders have filled the integration forms.
“They issued a fiat to the rank and file to opt for integration. So they had to justify that fiat and avoid facing the wrath of low-rank personnel at this juncture,” said Magar.
Published on 2011-11-30 09:18:38
Fishtail helicopter crashes in Solu, all 3 on board safe
A Fishtail Air helicopter crashed in Labuche of Solukhumbu district Tuesday afternoon.
All the persons on board-pilot Dipak Rana, co-pilot Anus and an Australian citizen are safe, according to the Fishtail Air sources.
The Eco Real AAS 350 chopper had taken off for Labuche from Lukla to airlift a sick tourist. nepalnews.com
All the persons on board-pilot Dipak Rana, co-pilot Anus and an Australian citizen are safe, according to the Fishtail Air sources.
The Eco Real AAS 350 chopper had taken off for Labuche from Lukla to airlift a sick tourist. nepalnews.com
Bird flu found in valley few months after declaration of bird flu free country
A few months after the government declared Nepal as the bird flu free country, cases of bird flu have been confirmed in the valley.
More than 5 hundred chickens have been culled near Jadibuti area of Bhaktapur after the bird flu cases were confirmed, chief of the District Livestock Service Office Bhaktapur Shiva Bahadur KC informed Nepalnews.
Local people had informed livestock office after the numbers of chickens and the ducks died continuously.
Bird flu detection is declared only after the Central Veterinary Disease Control Laboratory gets confirmation from international lab due to the lack of lab facility in the country. The laboratory sends sample to the UK for the final confirmation after conducting preliminary lab test here.
On July 13, the government had declared Nepal as the bird flu country though the cases were confirmed earlier too.
The poultry industry of the country was hit hard due to the outbreak of the bird flu last year. nepalnews.com
More than 5 hundred chickens have been culled near Jadibuti area of Bhaktapur after the bird flu cases were confirmed, chief of the District Livestock Service Office Bhaktapur Shiva Bahadur KC informed Nepalnews.
Local people had informed livestock office after the numbers of chickens and the ducks died continuously.
Bird flu detection is declared only after the Central Veterinary Disease Control Laboratory gets confirmation from international lab due to the lack of lab facility in the country. The laboratory sends sample to the UK for the final confirmation after conducting preliminary lab test here.
On July 13, the government had declared Nepal as the bird flu country though the cases were confirmed earlier too.
The poultry industry of the country was hit hard due to the outbreak of the bird flu last year. nepalnews.com
CIAA drags MJF lawmaker Yadav, eight others to court over misuse of diplomatic passport
The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) Tuesday filed cases against lawmaker Shiva Pujan Raya Yadav and eight others including three government officials at the Special Court on charges of misuse of diplomatic passport and bribery.
Immigration Department officials Devi Dutta Khatri, Ramesh Lamsal and computer operator Indra Sunuwar and five middlemen - Manoj Karki, Devendra Poudel, Santosh Uprety, Dil Bahadur Gharti and Gopal Baniya - were also dragged to the court along with the MJF lawmaker over the misuse of the red passport.
The anti-graft body has demanded Rs. 2.2 million fine from each of the nine accused. Yadav is accused of receiving money from the five middle men for renting of his diplomatic passport with the help of the immigration officials. nepalnews.com
Immigration Department officials Devi Dutta Khatri, Ramesh Lamsal and computer operator Indra Sunuwar and five middlemen - Manoj Karki, Devendra Poudel, Santosh Uprety, Dil Bahadur Gharti and Gopal Baniya - were also dragged to the court along with the MJF lawmaker over the misuse of the red passport.
The anti-graft body has demanded Rs. 2.2 million fine from each of the nine accused. Yadav is accused of receiving money from the five middle men for renting of his diplomatic passport with the help of the immigration officials. nepalnews.com
CA gets another lease of life as House extends its term for the fourth time
A day before the expiry of its term, the Constituent Assembly (CA) has got another lease of life with the Legislature-Parliament extending its tenure by six more months.
The parliamentary session held today afternoon endorsed the 11th constitution amendment bill proposed by the government seeking a six-month extension of the CA term with a majority vote.
In today's voting, 505 lawmakers voted in favour of 11the constitution amendment bill presented by Energy Minister Post Bahadur Bogati, while three lawmakers representing Rastriya Prajatantra party Nepal (RPP-Nepal) led by pro-monarch Kamal Thapa voted against the bill. Altogether 508 lawmakers were present in the House today.
This is the fourth time that the CA's term has been extended.
The constitution amendment bill had sought amendment in the Article 64 of the Interim Constitution 2007 which is related to the expiry of the CA term. With the latest extension, the term of the CA which was initially mandated for two years to promulgate the new constitution of the country has been extended to 4 years. nepalnews.com
The parliamentary session held today afternoon endorsed the 11th constitution amendment bill proposed by the government seeking a six-month extension of the CA term with a majority vote.
In today's voting, 505 lawmakers voted in favour of 11the constitution amendment bill presented by Energy Minister Post Bahadur Bogati, while three lawmakers representing Rastriya Prajatantra party Nepal (RPP-Nepal) led by pro-monarch Kamal Thapa voted against the bill. Altogether 508 lawmakers were present in the House today.
This is the fourth time that the CA's term has been extended.
The constitution amendment bill had sought amendment in the Article 64 of the Interim Constitution 2007 which is related to the expiry of the CA term. With the latest extension, the term of the CA which was initially mandated for two years to promulgate the new constitution of the country has been extended to 4 years. nepalnews.com
Monday, November 21, 2011
Makalu Air plane catches fire in Mugu airport while landing
MUGU: An aircraft of Makalu Airport caught fire while landing at Talcha Airport of Mugu on Monday evening. With eight passengers and two crew members, the 9NAZM plane had took off from Nepalgunj at 4 pm.
Captain PJ Shah and three passengers have been injured in the incident. Preparations are being made to airlift the injured for treatment.
Saguntala Budha and Parshuram Nepali, both of them residents of Roba VDC in the district, have been seriously injured, while the identity of the third person is yet to be known.
According to preliminary information, the aircraft witnessed a brake failure. It skidded off and fell some seven metres down before turn turtling and catching the fire.
Two of the passengers are said to be children. The fire was contained, and the passengers were rescued to a safe place.
Captain Shah has sustained injuries on his right eye.
http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Makalu+Air+plane+catches+fire+in+Mugu+airport+while+landing&NewsID=310043
Captain PJ Shah and three passengers have been injured in the incident. Preparations are being made to airlift the injured for treatment.
Saguntala Budha and Parshuram Nepali, both of them residents of Roba VDC in the district, have been seriously injured, while the identity of the third person is yet to be known.
According to preliminary information, the aircraft witnessed a brake failure. It skidded off and fell some seven metres down before turn turtling and catching the fire.
Two of the passengers are said to be children. The fire was contained, and the passengers were rescued to a safe place.
Captain Shah has sustained injuries on his right eye.
http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Makalu+Air+plane+catches+fire+in+Mugu+airport+while+landing&NewsID=310043
महँगो शिक्षा दिने अभिभावकको आयस्रोत खोजिने
एमबीबीएस र नर्सिङमा सरकारले तोकेभन्दा चर्को शुल्क तिर्छन् अभिभावक
काठमाडौं, ४ मंसिर
छोराछोरीको पढाइमा लाखौं रकम खर्चिने अभिभावकको सम्पत्ति स्रोतबारे सरकारले छानबिन गर्ने भएको छ ।
शिक्षण संस्थाले तोकिएको भन्दा चर्को शुल्क असुल गर्दा पनि विरोध जनाउनुको सट्टा मञ्जुरी जनाउँदै छोराछोरीलाई एमबीबीएस अध्यापन गराउने अभिभावक सम्पत्ति शुद्धीकरण अनुसन्धान विभागको छानबिनमा पर्ने भएका हुन् ।
शिक्षा मन्त्रालयले गत वर्ष एमबीबीएस अध्ययन शुल्क २५ लाख रुपैयाँ तोकेको थियो । तर, अभिभावकले निजी मेडिकल कलेजमा ३५ देखि ३८ लाख रुपैयाँ तिरेका थिए । निर्धारित शुल्क न्यून भएको र कार्यान्वयनमा नआएको भन्दै शुल्क निर्धारण समितिले यो वर्षका लागि एमबीबीएसमा ३१ लाख रुपैयाँ प्रस्ताव गरेको छ । यो पारित हुन भने बाँकी छ ।
त्यस्तै, नर्सिङ शिक्षाका तहअनुसार पहिलो पटक ३ देखि ५ लाख रुपैयाँसम्म शुल्क निर्धारण गरिएको छ । यो शुल्क कार्यान्वयनको विषय संसदीय समितिमा छलफलकै क्रममा छ । नर्सिङ शिक्षाका लागि कलेजहरूले ५ देखि ८ लाख रुपैयाँ शुल्क असुल गर्दै आएका छन् ।
मेडिकल कलेजले आफूखुसी तय गरेको चर्काे शुल्क तिरेर अभिभावकले नै कलेजहरूलाई प्रोत्साहित गर्ने गरेको विभागको भनाइ छ । काठमाडौं मेडिकल कलेजमा छात्रवृत्तिअन्तर्गत अध्ययनरत एक विद्यार्थीका अनुसार गत वर्ष ३५ लाख रुपैयाँ भुक्तानी गर्ने विद्यार्थीको संख्या ठूलो रहे पनि यस वर्ष ३८ लाख रुपैयाँसम्म तिरिरहेका छन् ।
मन्त्रालयका सहसचिव डा. लवदेव अवस्थीका अनुसार शुल्क निर्धारण समितिले मेडिकल अध्ययनका लागि ३१ लाख रुपैयाँ प्रस्ताव गरेर मन्त्रिपरिषद्मा पेस गरिसकेको छ । मेडिकल कलेज सञ्चालक एसोसिएसनका प्रतिनिधिको अनुरोधमा २५ बाट ३१ लाख रुपैयाँ प्रस्ताव गरिएको जानकारी उनले दिए ।
एसोसिएसनका प्रतिनिधिले ३१ लाख रुपैयाँभन्दा कम शुल्कमा अध्यापन गराउन नसक्ने जिकिर गरेकाले समितिले शुल्क वृद्धि गर्ने प्रस्तावमा सहमति जनाएको हो । मन्त्रिपरिषद्ले प्रस्तावित शुल्क पारित गरेपछि मात्र चालू शैक्षिक सत्रमा कलेजहरूले यो शुल्क लिन पाउनेछन् ।
शिक्षामन्त्री दीनानाथ शर्माले समितिको सिफारिसलाई अध्ययन गरेर छिट्टै पारित गरिने जानकारी दिए । उनका अनुसार मन्त्रीस्तरीय छलफलबाट शुल्क तय गरिनेछ । “पारित गरिएको शुल्कको बेवास्ता गरेर अनियमिता गर्ने कलेजलाई नियमअनुसार कारबाही गरिनेछ,” उनले भने ।
पाँच वर्षभित्र तीन किस्तामा शुल्क तिर्नुपर्ने प्रावधान रहे पनि कलेजहरूले एकमुष्ठ असुल गरेर विद्यार्थी भर्ना गर्दै आएका छन् । कलेजले यस वर्ष ३३ देखि ३८ लाख रुपैयाँ एकमुष्ठ असुलेका छन् ।
अभिभावक संघका अध्यक्ष सुप्रभात भण्डारीले आफ्नो निर्देशनको उल्लंघन हुँदासमेत सम्बन्धित निकाय निरीह बनेर मूकदर्शक बनेको आरोप लगाए ।
राजधानीमा सञ्चालित किस्ट मेडिकल कलेजका प्रिन्सपल डा. टीपी थापाले अघिल्लो वर्ष अन्य कलेजको तुलनामा केही महँगो शुल्क लिइएको स्वीकार गरे । सर्वत्र आलोचित हुनुपरेपछि यो वर्ष सरकारले तय गरेको शुल्कमै भर्ना लिइएको दाबी उनले गरे । “अस्वस्थ प्रतिस्पर्धाले नेपालमा मेडिकल शिक्षा महँगो बन्दै गएको छ,” उनले भने, “यसो हुनुमा राज्यको निरीहता प्रमुख कारण हो ।”
मेडिकल कलेजको नियामक निकाय नेपाल मेडिकल काउन्सिल भने शुल्क निर्धारण र अनुगमन गर्ने काम शिक्षा मन्त्रालयको भएको बताउँछ छ । अध्यक्ष डा.दामोदर गजुरेलले कारोबारसँग भने, “शिक्षाको गुणस्तर र कलेजको अवस्था नियमन गर्ने काममात्र काउन्सिलको हो ।”
पाटन स्वास्थ्य विज्ञान प्रतिष्ठानले सशुल्क अध्ययन गर्ने विद्यार्थीका लागि ३० लाख रुपैयाँ शुल्क तय गरेको छ । त्यसैगरी सरकारी स्वामित्वको शिक्षण अस्पतालले १७ सिटमा सशुल्क अध्ययन गर्न २९ लाख रुपैयाँ शुल्क तोकेको छ । त्रिवि चिकित्सा विज्ञान अध्ययन संस्थाका डिन डा. अरुण साय्मिले भने “विदेशीका लागि आरक्षित सिट नेपालीका लागि खुला गर्दै २९ लाख रुपैयाँ तय गरिएको हो ।”
सम्पत्ति शुद्धीकरण अनुसन्धान विभागका महानिर्देशक खुमराज पुञ्जालीले शिक्षा क्षेत्रसँग सम्बन्धित परिवारको सम्पत्तिबारे अहिलेसम्म छानबिन नगरिएको बताए । “अभिभावक र शैक्षिक संस्था विभागको दायरामा नपर्ने कुरै आउँदैन,” उनले भने ।
विद्यार्थीको प्रतिभालाई कदर गर्दै चर्काे शुल्क तिर्न बाध्य परिवारलाई कर छली गर्ने परिवारका रूपमा बुझ्न भने नहुने उनको भनाइ छ । “जानाजान चर्काे शुल्क तिर्ने अभिभावकलाई छानबिन गर्न विभागलाई अधिकार भने छ,” उनले थपे ।
कलेजले निर्धारितभन्दा बढी शुल्क लिने गरे पनि सरकारलाई राजस्व तिर्ने बेला भने २५ लाख रुपैयाँमात्रै देखाउने गरेका छन् । कलेजको लेखापरीक्षण गर्ने एक लेखापरीक्षकका अनुसार विद्यार्थीको कम संख्या देखाएर शैक्षिक संस्थाले कर छल्ने गरेका छन् ।
राजस्व अनुसन्धान विभागले कर छलीको आशंकमा शैक्षिक संस्थालाई अनुसन्धानको दायरामा पार्न सकेको छैन । “शंका लागेको वा उजुरीका आधारमा मात्रै विभागले अनुसन्धान गर्ने भएकाले शैक्षिक संस्था अनुसन्धानको दायरामा नपरेका हुन्,” विभागका उपमहानिर्देशक शिशिर ढुंगानाले भने ।
काठमाडौं विश्वविद्यालयअन्तर्गतका मेडिकल कलेजमा प्राध्यापन गरेका एक पूर्वप्राध्यापकले ‘भीआईपी’का लागि कलेजले निःशुल्क कोटा छुट्ट्याएर राख्ने गरेको दाबी गरे । मन्त्री, सचिव र राजनीतिक दलका नेताहरूलाई भीआईपीको कोटामा राख्ने गरिएको छ ।
मन्त्रालयका अनुसार बीपी स्वास्थ्य विज्ञान प्रतिष्ठान धरान र पाटन स्वास्थ्य विज्ञान प्रतिष्ठानसहित १६ मेडिकल कलेज हाल सञ्चालनमा छन् । ती कलेजमा वार्षिक २ हजार विद्यार्थी एमबीबीएस अध्ययनका लागि भर्ना हुन्छन् । तीमध्ये करिब २ सय ५० विद्यार्थीले मात्र छात्रवृत्ति पाउँछन् ।
http://www.karobardaily.com/news/11903
काठमाडौं, ४ मंसिर
छोराछोरीको पढाइमा लाखौं रकम खर्चिने अभिभावकको सम्पत्ति स्रोतबारे सरकारले छानबिन गर्ने भएको छ ।
शिक्षण संस्थाले तोकिएको भन्दा चर्को शुल्क असुल गर्दा पनि विरोध जनाउनुको सट्टा मञ्जुरी जनाउँदै छोराछोरीलाई एमबीबीएस अध्यापन गराउने अभिभावक सम्पत्ति शुद्धीकरण अनुसन्धान विभागको छानबिनमा पर्ने भएका हुन् ।
शिक्षा मन्त्रालयले गत वर्ष एमबीबीएस अध्ययन शुल्क २५ लाख रुपैयाँ तोकेको थियो । तर, अभिभावकले निजी मेडिकल कलेजमा ३५ देखि ३८ लाख रुपैयाँ तिरेका थिए । निर्धारित शुल्क न्यून भएको र कार्यान्वयनमा नआएको भन्दै शुल्क निर्धारण समितिले यो वर्षका लागि एमबीबीएसमा ३१ लाख रुपैयाँ प्रस्ताव गरेको छ । यो पारित हुन भने बाँकी छ ।
त्यस्तै, नर्सिङ शिक्षाका तहअनुसार पहिलो पटक ३ देखि ५ लाख रुपैयाँसम्म शुल्क निर्धारण गरिएको छ । यो शुल्क कार्यान्वयनको विषय संसदीय समितिमा छलफलकै क्रममा छ । नर्सिङ शिक्षाका लागि कलेजहरूले ५ देखि ८ लाख रुपैयाँ शुल्क असुल गर्दै आएका छन् ।
मेडिकल कलेजले आफूखुसी तय गरेको चर्काे शुल्क तिरेर अभिभावकले नै कलेजहरूलाई प्रोत्साहित गर्ने गरेको विभागको भनाइ छ । काठमाडौं मेडिकल कलेजमा छात्रवृत्तिअन्तर्गत अध्ययनरत एक विद्यार्थीका अनुसार गत वर्ष ३५ लाख रुपैयाँ भुक्तानी गर्ने विद्यार्थीको संख्या ठूलो रहे पनि यस वर्ष ३८ लाख रुपैयाँसम्म तिरिरहेका छन् ।
मन्त्रालयका सहसचिव डा. लवदेव अवस्थीका अनुसार शुल्क निर्धारण समितिले मेडिकल अध्ययनका लागि ३१ लाख रुपैयाँ प्रस्ताव गरेर मन्त्रिपरिषद्मा पेस गरिसकेको छ । मेडिकल कलेज सञ्चालक एसोसिएसनका प्रतिनिधिको अनुरोधमा २५ बाट ३१ लाख रुपैयाँ प्रस्ताव गरिएको जानकारी उनले दिए ।
एसोसिएसनका प्रतिनिधिले ३१ लाख रुपैयाँभन्दा कम शुल्कमा अध्यापन गराउन नसक्ने जिकिर गरेकाले समितिले शुल्क वृद्धि गर्ने प्रस्तावमा सहमति जनाएको हो । मन्त्रिपरिषद्ले प्रस्तावित शुल्क पारित गरेपछि मात्र चालू शैक्षिक सत्रमा कलेजहरूले यो शुल्क लिन पाउनेछन् ।
शिक्षामन्त्री दीनानाथ शर्माले समितिको सिफारिसलाई अध्ययन गरेर छिट्टै पारित गरिने जानकारी दिए । उनका अनुसार मन्त्रीस्तरीय छलफलबाट शुल्क तय गरिनेछ । “पारित गरिएको शुल्कको बेवास्ता गरेर अनियमिता गर्ने कलेजलाई नियमअनुसार कारबाही गरिनेछ,” उनले भने ।
पाँच वर्षभित्र तीन किस्तामा शुल्क तिर्नुपर्ने प्रावधान रहे पनि कलेजहरूले एकमुष्ठ असुल गरेर विद्यार्थी भर्ना गर्दै आएका छन् । कलेजले यस वर्ष ३३ देखि ३८ लाख रुपैयाँ एकमुष्ठ असुलेका छन् ।
अभिभावक संघका अध्यक्ष सुप्रभात भण्डारीले आफ्नो निर्देशनको उल्लंघन हुँदासमेत सम्बन्धित निकाय निरीह बनेर मूकदर्शक बनेको आरोप लगाए ।
राजधानीमा सञ्चालित किस्ट मेडिकल कलेजका प्रिन्सपल डा. टीपी थापाले अघिल्लो वर्ष अन्य कलेजको तुलनामा केही महँगो शुल्क लिइएको स्वीकार गरे । सर्वत्र आलोचित हुनुपरेपछि यो वर्ष सरकारले तय गरेको शुल्कमै भर्ना लिइएको दाबी उनले गरे । “अस्वस्थ प्रतिस्पर्धाले नेपालमा मेडिकल शिक्षा महँगो बन्दै गएको छ,” उनले भने, “यसो हुनुमा राज्यको निरीहता प्रमुख कारण हो ।”
मेडिकल कलेजको नियामक निकाय नेपाल मेडिकल काउन्सिल भने शुल्क निर्धारण र अनुगमन गर्ने काम शिक्षा मन्त्रालयको भएको बताउँछ छ । अध्यक्ष डा.दामोदर गजुरेलले कारोबारसँग भने, “शिक्षाको गुणस्तर र कलेजको अवस्था नियमन गर्ने काममात्र काउन्सिलको हो ।”
पाटन स्वास्थ्य विज्ञान प्रतिष्ठानले सशुल्क अध्ययन गर्ने विद्यार्थीका लागि ३० लाख रुपैयाँ शुल्क तय गरेको छ । त्यसैगरी सरकारी स्वामित्वको शिक्षण अस्पतालले १७ सिटमा सशुल्क अध्ययन गर्न २९ लाख रुपैयाँ शुल्क तोकेको छ । त्रिवि चिकित्सा विज्ञान अध्ययन संस्थाका डिन डा. अरुण साय्मिले भने “विदेशीका लागि आरक्षित सिट नेपालीका लागि खुला गर्दै २९ लाख रुपैयाँ तय गरिएको हो ।”
सम्पत्ति शुद्धीकरण अनुसन्धान विभागका महानिर्देशक खुमराज पुञ्जालीले शिक्षा क्षेत्रसँग सम्बन्धित परिवारको सम्पत्तिबारे अहिलेसम्म छानबिन नगरिएको बताए । “अभिभावक र शैक्षिक संस्था विभागको दायरामा नपर्ने कुरै आउँदैन,” उनले भने ।
विद्यार्थीको प्रतिभालाई कदर गर्दै चर्काे शुल्क तिर्न बाध्य परिवारलाई कर छली गर्ने परिवारका रूपमा बुझ्न भने नहुने उनको भनाइ छ । “जानाजान चर्काे शुल्क तिर्ने अभिभावकलाई छानबिन गर्न विभागलाई अधिकार भने छ,” उनले थपे ।
कलेजले निर्धारितभन्दा बढी शुल्क लिने गरे पनि सरकारलाई राजस्व तिर्ने बेला भने २५ लाख रुपैयाँमात्रै देखाउने गरेका छन् । कलेजको लेखापरीक्षण गर्ने एक लेखापरीक्षकका अनुसार विद्यार्थीको कम संख्या देखाएर शैक्षिक संस्थाले कर छल्ने गरेका छन् ।
राजस्व अनुसन्धान विभागले कर छलीको आशंकमा शैक्षिक संस्थालाई अनुसन्धानको दायरामा पार्न सकेको छैन । “शंका लागेको वा उजुरीका आधारमा मात्रै विभागले अनुसन्धान गर्ने भएकाले शैक्षिक संस्था अनुसन्धानको दायरामा नपरेका हुन्,” विभागका उपमहानिर्देशक शिशिर ढुंगानाले भने ।
काठमाडौं विश्वविद्यालयअन्तर्गतका मेडिकल कलेजमा प्राध्यापन गरेका एक पूर्वप्राध्यापकले ‘भीआईपी’का लागि कलेजले निःशुल्क कोटा छुट्ट्याएर राख्ने गरेको दाबी गरे । मन्त्री, सचिव र राजनीतिक दलका नेताहरूलाई भीआईपीको कोटामा राख्ने गरिएको छ ।
मन्त्रालयका अनुसार बीपी स्वास्थ्य विज्ञान प्रतिष्ठान धरान र पाटन स्वास्थ्य विज्ञान प्रतिष्ठानसहित १६ मेडिकल कलेज हाल सञ्चालनमा छन् । ती कलेजमा वार्षिक २ हजार विद्यार्थी एमबीबीएस अध्ययनका लागि भर्ना हुन्छन् । तीमध्ये करिब २ सय ५० विद्यार्थीले मात्र छात्रवृत्ति पाउँछन् ।
http://www.karobardaily.com/news/11903
Death penalty for Nepali in Saudi Arabia
POST REPORT
QATAR, NOV 20 -
A Saudi Arabian court has issued death penalty against a Nepali migrant worker, Umesh Yadav, who is doing time in the Jubel-based prison for his involvement in the murder of a Pakistani national, according to a document sent by the country’s Foreign Ministry to the Nepali embassy there.
The embassy said the victim’s personal details such as his address and age and other bits of information such as which court slapped the punishment and when it would be executed were yet to be ascertained. Nepali Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Udayaraj Pandey said his office was inquiring into the matter.
QATAR, NOV 20 -
A Saudi Arabian court has issued death penalty against a Nepali migrant worker, Umesh Yadav, who is doing time in the Jubel-based prison for his involvement in the murder of a Pakistani national, according to a document sent by the country’s Foreign Ministry to the Nepali embassy there.
The embassy said the victim’s personal details such as his address and age and other bits of information such as which court slapped the punishment and when it would be executed were yet to be ascertained. Nepali Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Udayaraj Pandey said his office was inquiring into the matter.
Dahal fails to impress owners of seized land
KATHMANDU, Nov 20: Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal reached Bardiya on Sunday to direct his party cadres to return land seized during the insurgency to their rightful owners, but returned Kathmandu without giving unambiguous directives to the cadres in this regard.
“Our objective is to implement the agreement between the political parties,” he said while speaking at a function held to announce the return of seized properties.
The Maoist chairman, however, added that the landless people should not be forcibly evicted.
“But the families who have been using the land should not be evicted forcibly. The land being used by them should not be seized,” he said.
Dahal was accompanied by UML leader Bamdev Gautam and NC leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula.
Dahal was of the opinion that the issue of seized land should be settled amicably after holding talks with the land grabbers. He asked the people to inform the party central office if problems persist while implementing the deal. The Maoist chairman reached the district as per deal on returning the seized properties reached between the parties on November 1.
As Dahal reached the district for the implementation of the peace deal, some expressed hope that their properties would be returned, while others still had doubts. “Dahal spoke diplomatic language once again. On the one hand, he says the peace deal should be implemented, but on the other adds that the seized land should not be vacated forcefully,” said Saroj Shrestha whose four bighas of land have been seized by the Maoists for a decade.
Before speaking at the function, Dahal had held separate discussions with the party´s district and state committee members.
According to the participants in the discussions, most of the cadres told that they cannot return the seized land which has already been distributed among the peasants. “How can we return the land that has already been distributed among the landless,” said Bardiya district secretary Durga Prasad Tharu.
Some of the party cadres had also threatened to retaliate if the properties were returned to the owners forcefully. Tharu said that the party has not seized private properties since 2006, and argued that such issues, therefore, should not be raised.
The UCPN (Maoist) has captured around 2,000 bighas of private and public land in Bardiya. According to the district administration office, 242 families have registered complaints about seizure of land by the Maoists.
Some civil servants were also confused about Dahal´s ambiguous directive. “If the seized properties are to be returned to the owners, the people who are using the land must be vacated,” said a civil servant.
http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=38599
“Our objective is to implement the agreement between the political parties,” he said while speaking at a function held to announce the return of seized properties.
The Maoist chairman, however, added that the landless people should not be forcibly evicted.
“But the families who have been using the land should not be evicted forcibly. The land being used by them should not be seized,” he said.
Dahal was accompanied by UML leader Bamdev Gautam and NC leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula.
Dahal was of the opinion that the issue of seized land should be settled amicably after holding talks with the land grabbers. He asked the people to inform the party central office if problems persist while implementing the deal. The Maoist chairman reached the district as per deal on returning the seized properties reached between the parties on November 1.
As Dahal reached the district for the implementation of the peace deal, some expressed hope that their properties would be returned, while others still had doubts. “Dahal spoke diplomatic language once again. On the one hand, he says the peace deal should be implemented, but on the other adds that the seized land should not be vacated forcefully,” said Saroj Shrestha whose four bighas of land have been seized by the Maoists for a decade.
Before speaking at the function, Dahal had held separate discussions with the party´s district and state committee members.
According to the participants in the discussions, most of the cadres told that they cannot return the seized land which has already been distributed among the peasants. “How can we return the land that has already been distributed among the landless,” said Bardiya district secretary Durga Prasad Tharu.
Some of the party cadres had also threatened to retaliate if the properties were returned to the owners forcefully. Tharu said that the party has not seized private properties since 2006, and argued that such issues, therefore, should not be raised.
The UCPN (Maoist) has captured around 2,000 bighas of private and public land in Bardiya. According to the district administration office, 242 families have registered complaints about seizure of land by the Maoists.
Some civil servants were also confused about Dahal´s ambiguous directive. “If the seized properties are to be returned to the owners, the people who are using the land must be vacated,” said a civil servant.
http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=38599
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