The central working committee (CWC) of the Nepali Congress Thursday decided to take initiative for the implementation of the recent five-point agreement, but hinted that it would not press for immediate resignation of the Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal.
NC vice chairman Ram Chandra Poudel said after the CWC meeting that the party would start talks for the implementation of the five-point deal.
"We have concluded that the agreement should be implemented to resolve the problems," said he.
The CWC meeting also endorsed the five-point agreement and concluded that the new agreement has turned the earlier UML-Maoist seven-point deal completely redundant.
According to a source, a number of CWC members said at the meeting that the party should not cling on to the demand for immediate resignation of the Prime Minister since the latter has already expressed readiness to quit and that the party should focus on the implementation of the five-point agreement altogether.
On Wednesday, in his address to the nation, Prime Minister Khanal said he would step down if the NC suggested "an alternative based on consensus". nepalnews.com
Friday, June 3, 2011
Real Estate Expo in August
REPUBLICA
KATHMANDU, June 2: Nepal Land and Housing Developers Association in association with Direction Nepal is organizing second Real Estate Expo from 25th to 28th August at Exhibition Hall, Bhrikutimandap.
The second Real Estate Expo is being organized with the motive of showcasing latest innovation in land and housing sector as well as to give emphasis on policies relating to the development of land and housing sector in Nepal.
Icchya Raj Tamang, the president of Nepal Land and Housing Association, informed the exhibition will not just focus on housing sector but also work out for the formulation of better land and housing policy. "We expect that the exhibition will turn out to be a great platform to make land and housing business more dynamic," Tamang said.
The organizers of the event in a media briefing held in the capital informed that the expo will be taken to a higher level by promoting it among Non Resident Nepalis (NRN) as well.
The association is working in coordination with Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) and NRN´s for the purpose.
The three day expo is also expected to raise awareness on the importance of earthquake resistant housing technology among customers.
The expo will house over 200 stalls showcasing developed plots, community housing and apartments as well as various other housing related products. Stalls at the exhibition will also showcase payment plans, financing models, on the spot banking services, interior and exterior decoration items and electrical equipments among others.
The organizers further informed that the expo will only showcase projects that have received authorization from the government.
The organizers have expected more than 50,000 visitors at the expo.
KATHMANDU, June 2: Nepal Land and Housing Developers Association in association with Direction Nepal is organizing second Real Estate Expo from 25th to 28th August at Exhibition Hall, Bhrikutimandap.
The second Real Estate Expo is being organized with the motive of showcasing latest innovation in land and housing sector as well as to give emphasis on policies relating to the development of land and housing sector in Nepal.
Icchya Raj Tamang, the president of Nepal Land and Housing Association, informed the exhibition will not just focus on housing sector but also work out for the formulation of better land and housing policy. "We expect that the exhibition will turn out to be a great platform to make land and housing business more dynamic," Tamang said.
The organizers of the event in a media briefing held in the capital informed that the expo will be taken to a higher level by promoting it among Non Resident Nepalis (NRN) as well.
The association is working in coordination with Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) and NRN´s for the purpose.
The three day expo is also expected to raise awareness on the importance of earthquake resistant housing technology among customers.
The expo will house over 200 stalls showcasing developed plots, community housing and apartments as well as various other housing related products. Stalls at the exhibition will also showcase payment plans, financing models, on the spot banking services, interior and exterior decoration items and electrical equipments among others.
The organizers further informed that the expo will only showcase projects that have received authorization from the government.
The organizers have expected more than 50,000 visitors at the expo.
Govt's political status is caretaker: PM
REPUBLICA
KATHMANDU, June 3: Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal said at a meeting of the CPN-UML on Thursday that his government is politically a caretaker one but has a constitutionally full-fledged status, following the signing of the five-point deal among major political parties.
Addressing the Central Committee (CC) meeting of the CPN-UML, Khanal, who is also party chairman, urged the party´s CC members not to waste too much energy lobbying for or against the issue of the prime minister´s resignation, saying that he was ready to act as per the deal.
"Since we have already reached a political agreement I am very clear that my government´s status is politically that of a caretaker but constitutionally that of a full-fledged one and I am not in favor of prolonging my stay in office just to enjoy state facilities in that capacity," a senior UML leader close to the prime minister quoted him as saying.
The prime minister, according to the UML leader, made the statement after some of the leaders demanded that he make his position clear as contradictory interpretations were being made of point number 5 in the deal, which concerns the prime minister´s resignation. While leaders close to Khanal argued that the agreement meant he would step down only after the major political parties were ready with another prime ministerial candidate, members from the rival faction argued that the prime minister was bound to step down beforehand to pave the way for the formation of a new government.
"This is exactly the same statement I gave last year concerning the previous government after a similar deal was reached and I am firm in my conviction that the present government also has the same status," said the prime minister at the meeting. "Friends don´t need to argue and counter-argue in this connection since I am in serious discussions with Prachandaji and Sushilji [Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala] over the matter."
According to the UML leaders, the prime minister tried to convince the CC members that he was not going to cling on to office once the major parties came up with an alternative candidate for prime minister but he would not also quit the post in a situation that would cause a political void.
According to CC member Karna Thapa, many leaders emphasize that the five-point deal should replace the controversial seven-point agreement reached between Khanal and Maoist Chairman Dahal just ahead of Khanal´s election as prime minister. Altogether 24 members aired their views at the meeting.
"Since the five-point deal has clearly mentioned that the prime minister should pave the way [for the formation of a new government] after the minimum ground for forming a national consensus government is ready, and this has been endorsed by parliament, we urge one and all not to drag this issue into controversy but to concentrate all their efforts on accomplishing the peace process," a statement issued by the party said.
The party´s all-powerful body, CC, endorsed the five-point deal and recommended to party leaders to give utmost priority to utilizing the extended three-month term of the Constituent Assembly (CA) for preparing a draft of the new constitution and accomplishing the fundament tasks of the peace process.
The UML has passed a special proposal saying that the tasks of fixing the number of Maoist combatants to be integrated into government security agencies and those to be rehabilitated should be fixed within the period of a week. Likewise, the UML has said that rank harmonization, the formation of a separate force following integration, ending of dual security for top Maoist leaders and preparing a package for Maoist combatants opting for rehabilitation in society, should all be accomplished within a week.
KATHMANDU, June 3: Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal said at a meeting of the CPN-UML on Thursday that his government is politically a caretaker one but has a constitutionally full-fledged status, following the signing of the five-point deal among major political parties.
Addressing the Central Committee (CC) meeting of the CPN-UML, Khanal, who is also party chairman, urged the party´s CC members not to waste too much energy lobbying for or against the issue of the prime minister´s resignation, saying that he was ready to act as per the deal.
"Since we have already reached a political agreement I am very clear that my government´s status is politically that of a caretaker but constitutionally that of a full-fledged one and I am not in favor of prolonging my stay in office just to enjoy state facilities in that capacity," a senior UML leader close to the prime minister quoted him as saying.
The prime minister, according to the UML leader, made the statement after some of the leaders demanded that he make his position clear as contradictory interpretations were being made of point number 5 in the deal, which concerns the prime minister´s resignation. While leaders close to Khanal argued that the agreement meant he would step down only after the major political parties were ready with another prime ministerial candidate, members from the rival faction argued that the prime minister was bound to step down beforehand to pave the way for the formation of a new government.
"This is exactly the same statement I gave last year concerning the previous government after a similar deal was reached and I am firm in my conviction that the present government also has the same status," said the prime minister at the meeting. "Friends don´t need to argue and counter-argue in this connection since I am in serious discussions with Prachandaji and Sushilji [Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala] over the matter."
According to the UML leaders, the prime minister tried to convince the CC members that he was not going to cling on to office once the major parties came up with an alternative candidate for prime minister but he would not also quit the post in a situation that would cause a political void.
According to CC member Karna Thapa, many leaders emphasize that the five-point deal should replace the controversial seven-point agreement reached between Khanal and Maoist Chairman Dahal just ahead of Khanal´s election as prime minister. Altogether 24 members aired their views at the meeting.
"Since the five-point deal has clearly mentioned that the prime minister should pave the way [for the formation of a new government] after the minimum ground for forming a national consensus government is ready, and this has been endorsed by parliament, we urge one and all not to drag this issue into controversy but to concentrate all their efforts on accomplishing the peace process," a statement issued by the party said.
The party´s all-powerful body, CC, endorsed the five-point deal and recommended to party leaders to give utmost priority to utilizing the extended three-month term of the Constituent Assembly (CA) for preparing a draft of the new constitution and accomplishing the fundament tasks of the peace process.
The UML has passed a special proposal saying that the tasks of fixing the number of Maoist combatants to be integrated into government security agencies and those to be rehabilitated should be fixed within the period of a week. Likewise, the UML has said that rank harmonization, the formation of a separate force following integration, ending of dual security for top Maoist leaders and preparing a package for Maoist combatants opting for rehabilitation in society, should all be accomplished within a week.
जीवन बीमाको गलत बुझाइ र यसको प्रवर्द्धन
ईश्वर सेडाईं
आमरूपमा जीवन बीमालाई मरेपछि पाइने सम्पत्तिका रूपमा बुझ्ने गरिन्छ । त्यसैले भन्ने गरिन्छ 'आफूले बीमा गरेको रकम आफैले उपभोग गर्न पाइँदैन भने बीमा किन गर्ने ? मरेपछि डुमै राजा ।' बीमा बुझ्ने र जान्ने मानिससमेत जीवन बीमामा लगानी गर्न अनुचितझैं ठान्छन् । लामो समयको अन्तरालपछि लगानी फिर्ता पाइने र सम्पत्ति प्राप्त हुने अवस्थासम्म बुढेसकालले घेर्ने हुनाले त्यसको खासै प्रयोजन नहुने उनीहरूको तर्क छ । यस्ता असान्दर्भिक तर्क जीवन बीमाको वास्तविक उपलब्धिलाई सही रूपमा बुझ्न नसकेर मात्र भइरहेका छन् ।
जीवन बीमामा गरिएको लगानीको प्रतिफल बाँच्दा पनि र मृत्यु हुँदा पनि पाइन्छ । जीवन बीमालाई जीवनको आवश्यकता ठानेर सही समयमा बीमा गर्ने हो भने न लामो समयको अन्तराल नै कुर्नुपर्छ, न बुढयौली उमेरको नै अनुभव गर्नुपर्छ । युवावस्थामा नै बीमामा गरेको लगानीको प्रतिफल प्राप्त गर्न सकिन्छ । कतिपय मानिस मृत्युपछि आनन्द हुने ठान्छन्, तर जीवनको मूल्याङ्कन जीवन रहँदा मात्र हुने हो । त्यसैले हरेक व्यक्ति वा परिवारले युवावस्थामा अझ भनौं बालबच्चाको हकमा जन्मेपछि बीमा गर्नेतर्फअग्रसर हुनुपर्दछ । खासमा जीवन बीमाका लाभलाई सही रूपमा बुझ्न सकिएमा त्यसबाट बीमाको आवश्यकता महसूस हुन्छ ।
जीवन बीमामा लगानी गर्दा बीमा गर्ने व्यक्तिको मात्र होइन, समस्त परिवारको व्यवस्थापन गर्न सकिन्छ । किनभने जीवन बीमा राम्रो आर्थिक योजना हो । बीमामा कुनै ठूलो रकम एकमुष्ट लगानी गर्नुपर्दैन । थोरै रकम निश्चित अवधिसम्म किस्ताकिस्तामा तिरे पुग्छ । पछि गएर सोही रकम अपत्यारिलो आम्दानी बन्नपुग्छ । त्यो रकम पारिवारिक व्यवस्थापन गर्ने दरिलो आधार बन्छ । साथै, बीमामा गरिएको सानो लगानीले आशातीत पूँजी जुटाउने कार्यमा सघाउ पुग्दछ । त्यसैले जीवन बीमामा लगानी गर्ने हरेक व्यक्तिको आर्थिक भविष्य सुरक्षित भइरहेको हुन्छ ।
आम मानिसलाई सोध्नुस्, जीवनको मूल्यवान् सम्पत्ति के हो ? धेरै मानिसको जवाफ आउँछ, बैङ्कमा भएको निक्षेप, घर, कार, सुन, चाँदी आदि । मेरो विचारमा यो जवाफ त्यति तर्कसङ्गत छैन । मुख्य कुरा त मानिसको आम्दानी गर्ने क्षमता सबैभन्दा ठूलो सम्पति हो । मानिसले जति सम्पत्ति जोडेको हुन्छ, त्यो उसको आम्दानी गर्ने क्षमताको कारणले हो ।
तपाईं कल्पना गर्नुस् त, यदि तपाईंको जीवनमा प्रतिकूल अवस्था आयो र आम्दानी ठप्प भयो भने के हुन्छ ? जीवन सञ्चालनका लागि भएभरको सम्पत्ति बेच्नुपर्ने हुन्छ । त्यसबाट जीवन नै डामाडोल हुन पुग्दछ । त्यसैले जीवनमा आम्दानीको क्षमतालाई ऊर्जाशील र भयमुक्त बनाउन जीवन बीमा अपरिहार्य आवश्यकता हो । किनभने जीवन बीमाले जोखिमविरुद्ध संरक्षण प्रदान गर्छ भने मृत्युपछि पनि लाभदायक परिणाम दिन्छ ।
मानिसको जीवन सधैं एकनासले चल्छ भन्ने छैन । जीवनमा अनेक उतारचढाव आउँछन् । जीवनमा कतिपय अवस्थामा अकल्पनीय घटनासमेत हुन सक्छ । एक व्यक्तिका कारण परिवारका सम्पूर्ण सदस्यलाई आर्थिक समस्याले पिरोल्न सक्छ । यस्तो बेलामा जीवन बीमा गरिएको छ भने आर्थिक समस्या टार्न बीमा रकमले ठूलै राहत प्रदान गर्छ । दुर्घटनामा परिहाले बीमा रकमका अतिरिक्त सोहीबराबर थप रकम परिवारका व्यक्तिले प्राप्त गर्ने हुनाले बाँच्नेहरूको भविष्य अनिश्चित हुन पाउँदैन ।
तर, यसका लागि बीमा गर्ने व्यक्तिले केही कुरामा भने अवश्य ध्यान दिनुपर्दछ । सक्षम र उत्कृष्ट व्यवस्थापन, सरल दाबी भुक्तानी, लगानीकर्ताहरूको व्यावसायिक प्रतिबद्धता, बीमा गर्नेहरूप्रति सरल र इमानदार व्यवहार, कानूनी व्यवस्थाको सही रूपमा र संस्थागत सुशासनको निष्ठापूर्वक परिपालना गर्ने जीवन बीमा कम्पनी तपाईंले छनोट गर्नुपर्छ । मुख्य कुरा सेवाको प्रभावकारिता सँगसँगै सुविधा र सरलीकृत योजना भएको कम्पनी छनोट गर्न सकिएमा मात्रै बीमा गर्नेको वास्तविक हित हुन्छ । बीमाका मूल्यमान्यताहरूप्रति प्रतिबद्ध कम्पनीमा गरिएको जीवनबीमा लगानीले तपाईंलाई सदैव खुशी र आर्थिक भविष्यको सुमार्गमा उभ्याइरहेको हुन्छ ।
हामीले बुझ्नुपर्दछ कि जीवन बीमाले मृत्युलाई संरक्षण गर्न सक्दैन तर आर्थिक सुरक्षा भने अवश्य प्रदान गर्छ । आफ्नो आम्दानीलाई संरक्षण प्रदान गर्छ । जीवन बीमामा गरिएको लगानी कुनै पनि अवस्थामा जोखिममा पर्दैन । जीवन बीमाको एउटा योजनाले बहुलाभ प्राप्त भइरहेको हुन्छ । जस्तो कि- कर लाभ, ऋण सुविधा, आर्थिक सुरक्षाको प्रत्याभूति, जाखिम हस्तान्तरण आदि ।
जीवन बीमाका लाभलाई आम मानिसको पहुँचमा पुर्याउन बीमा कम्पनीहरूले विविध प्रकारका योजना अगाडि ल्याइरहेका छन् । ती योजना बालबच्चा, युवा, वयस्कसम्मका लागि परिलक्षित छन् । यस्ता योजना एकल रूपमा मात्र नभएर सामूहिक र संस्थागत आधारमा समेत तयार गरिएका छन् । जुनसुकै वर्ग र हैसियतका मानिससमेत यस प्रकारको योजनामा सहभागी भई लाभ लिन सक्छन् । यस्ता लाभ छोटो र लामो दुवै समयका लागि लिन सकिन्छ ।
बीमा योजना सरल, किफायती र लाभदायक हुँदाहुँदै पनि आम मानिसको ध्यान यसतर्फ प्रभावकारी रूपमा तानिन सकेको छैन । स्वतःस्फूर्त रूपमा जीवन बीमा गर्नुपर्छ भन्नेहरू औंलामा गन्न सकिने होलान् । अहिलेसम्मको अवस्था हेर्दा जीवन बीमामा देखिएको न्यून उपलब्धि बीमा कम्पनीको प्रयासले मात्र सम्भव भइरहेको छ भन्दा उचित नै हुन्छ ।
जीवन बीमाको वर्तमान अवस्थालाई हेर्दा जीवन बीमा कम्पनीहरूको व्यवसायका लागि मात्र हो भन्ने देखिएको छ । जीवन बीमा गर्नेहरूलाई बीमाकर्मीहरूले विश्वस्त तुल्याएर आकर्षित गर्नु परिरहेको छ । जीवन बीमाको आवश्यकताबोध गराउन बीमाकर्मीहरूले निकै प्रयत्न गरिरहेका छन् । तर पनि, बीमा गर्नेहरूले बीमा आफ्नो हित र फाइदाका लागि हो भन्ने अनुभूति गर्न नसकिरहेको देखिन्छ । यसो हुनुमा केही कारण छन्: पहिलो, जीवन बीमाको सन्दर्भमा राज्यले अनुकूल र यथोचित् नीतिगत व्यवस्था नगर्नु, दोस्रो, आम जनमानसमा जीवन बीमाप्रतिको सचेतनाको अभाव, तेस्रो, जीवन बीमाको क्षेत्रमा विदेशी कम्पनीको अनधिकृत प्रवेश । यस्ता कारणले नेपालका जीवन बीमा कम्पनीहरूले समस्या
झेल्दै आएका छन् ।
'बीमा म र मेरो परिवारको सुखद भविष्यका लागि' आवश्यक हो भन्ने महसूस गराउन सक्नुपर्ने दायित्व बीमाकर्मीहरूको हो । बीमाकर्मीहरू आफ्नो व्यावसायिक क्षेत्रमा निकै सक्रिय भएर लागेका छन् र केही हदसम्म उपलब्धि पनि हासिल गरेका छन् । मुख्य कुरा राज्यले नीतिगत तहबाट प्रभावकारी व्यवस्था गरी अनुकूल परिवेश तयार गर्नुपर्ने हुन्छ । त्यसो त बीमा व्यवसायको नियमनकारी निकायले बीमा कम्पनीलाई निर्देशित गर्ने मात्र होइन, यो व्यवसाय प्रवर्द्धनका निम्ति कानूनी तहबाट सुधारको पहल पनि गर्नुपर्छ । साथसाथै आम जनमानसमा बीमा सचेतना जगाई जीवन बीमातर्फ आकर्षित गर्ने कार्यक्रम अगाडि ल्याउनुपर्छ । किनभने बीमाप्रति मानिसको लगाव र विश्वास बढ्नु भनेको जनताको सुरक्षा र समृद्धि कायम हुनु हो ।
आम नागरिकको आर्थिक सुरक्षाका लागि जीवन बीमा प्रभावकारी बनाउने दायित्व राज्यको हो । नागरिकलाई आर्थिक असुरक्षाको महसूस हुन नदिन र निर्बाध रूपमा जीवनयापन गर्ने परिस्थिति तयार गर्न जीवन बीमाका हितकारी कार्यक्रम राज्यले ल्याउनैपर्ने हुन्छ । जीवन बीमा कम्पनीहरूलाई नागरिकको बीमा गर्ने अनुकूल कानूनी वातावरण तयार गर्ने दिशामा राज्यले ठोस कार्ययोजना अगाडि ल्याउनुपर्छ ।
जीवन बीमाप्रति राज्यको स्पष्ट दृष्टिकोण बन्न नसकिरहेका कारणले आम मानिस बीमाप्रति आश्वस्त हुन सकिरहेका छैनन् । जीवन बीमालाई राज्यले नीतिगत रूपमै सम्बोधन गरेर दूरगामी कार्यक्रमहरू ल्याउनुपर्छ । साथै, राज्य त्यस्ता कार्यक्रमको कार्यान्वयन र संरक्षणका लागि अग्रसर हुनुपर्छ । आर्थिक उन्नतिको महत्त्वपूर्ण आधार जीवन बीमा हो भन्ने कुरालाई राज्यले आत्मसात् गर्नुपर्छ । कम्तीमा पनि राज्यले जीवन बीमालाई आम जनताको पहुँचसम्म पुर्याउने व्यवस्थालाई नीतिगत तहमै व्यवस्था गर्न सक्ने हो भने त्यसबाट आमजनता जीवन बीमाको बृहत् क्षेत्रभित्र आबद्ध हुने कुरामा दुईमत छैन ।
लेखक अधिवक्ता हुन् । उनी सूर्य लाइफ इन्स्योरेन्स कम्पनीसँग आबद्ध छन् ।
Admin 2011-06-02
http://www.abhiyan.com.np/article-dristikon_19_jetha
आमरूपमा जीवन बीमालाई मरेपछि पाइने सम्पत्तिका रूपमा बुझ्ने गरिन्छ । त्यसैले भन्ने गरिन्छ 'आफूले बीमा गरेको रकम आफैले उपभोग गर्न पाइँदैन भने बीमा किन गर्ने ? मरेपछि डुमै राजा ।' बीमा बुझ्ने र जान्ने मानिससमेत जीवन बीमामा लगानी गर्न अनुचितझैं ठान्छन् । लामो समयको अन्तरालपछि लगानी फिर्ता पाइने र सम्पत्ति प्राप्त हुने अवस्थासम्म बुढेसकालले घेर्ने हुनाले त्यसको खासै प्रयोजन नहुने उनीहरूको तर्क छ । यस्ता असान्दर्भिक तर्क जीवन बीमाको वास्तविक उपलब्धिलाई सही रूपमा बुझ्न नसकेर मात्र भइरहेका छन् ।
जीवन बीमामा गरिएको लगानीको प्रतिफल बाँच्दा पनि र मृत्यु हुँदा पनि पाइन्छ । जीवन बीमालाई जीवनको आवश्यकता ठानेर सही समयमा बीमा गर्ने हो भने न लामो समयको अन्तराल नै कुर्नुपर्छ, न बुढयौली उमेरको नै अनुभव गर्नुपर्छ । युवावस्थामा नै बीमामा गरेको लगानीको प्रतिफल प्राप्त गर्न सकिन्छ । कतिपय मानिस मृत्युपछि आनन्द हुने ठान्छन्, तर जीवनको मूल्याङ्कन जीवन रहँदा मात्र हुने हो । त्यसैले हरेक व्यक्ति वा परिवारले युवावस्थामा अझ भनौं बालबच्चाको हकमा जन्मेपछि बीमा गर्नेतर्फअग्रसर हुनुपर्दछ । खासमा जीवन बीमाका लाभलाई सही रूपमा बुझ्न सकिएमा त्यसबाट बीमाको आवश्यकता महसूस हुन्छ ।
जीवन बीमामा लगानी गर्दा बीमा गर्ने व्यक्तिको मात्र होइन, समस्त परिवारको व्यवस्थापन गर्न सकिन्छ । किनभने जीवन बीमा राम्रो आर्थिक योजना हो । बीमामा कुनै ठूलो रकम एकमुष्ट लगानी गर्नुपर्दैन । थोरै रकम निश्चित अवधिसम्म किस्ताकिस्तामा तिरे पुग्छ । पछि गएर सोही रकम अपत्यारिलो आम्दानी बन्नपुग्छ । त्यो रकम पारिवारिक व्यवस्थापन गर्ने दरिलो आधार बन्छ । साथै, बीमामा गरिएको सानो लगानीले आशातीत पूँजी जुटाउने कार्यमा सघाउ पुग्दछ । त्यसैले जीवन बीमामा लगानी गर्ने हरेक व्यक्तिको आर्थिक भविष्य सुरक्षित भइरहेको हुन्छ ।
आम मानिसलाई सोध्नुस्, जीवनको मूल्यवान् सम्पत्ति के हो ? धेरै मानिसको जवाफ आउँछ, बैङ्कमा भएको निक्षेप, घर, कार, सुन, चाँदी आदि । मेरो विचारमा यो जवाफ त्यति तर्कसङ्गत छैन । मुख्य कुरा त मानिसको आम्दानी गर्ने क्षमता सबैभन्दा ठूलो सम्पति हो । मानिसले जति सम्पत्ति जोडेको हुन्छ, त्यो उसको आम्दानी गर्ने क्षमताको कारणले हो ।
तपाईं कल्पना गर्नुस् त, यदि तपाईंको जीवनमा प्रतिकूल अवस्था आयो र आम्दानी ठप्प भयो भने के हुन्छ ? जीवन सञ्चालनका लागि भएभरको सम्पत्ति बेच्नुपर्ने हुन्छ । त्यसबाट जीवन नै डामाडोल हुन पुग्दछ । त्यसैले जीवनमा आम्दानीको क्षमतालाई ऊर्जाशील र भयमुक्त बनाउन जीवन बीमा अपरिहार्य आवश्यकता हो । किनभने जीवन बीमाले जोखिमविरुद्ध संरक्षण प्रदान गर्छ भने मृत्युपछि पनि लाभदायक परिणाम दिन्छ ।
मानिसको जीवन सधैं एकनासले चल्छ भन्ने छैन । जीवनमा अनेक उतारचढाव आउँछन् । जीवनमा कतिपय अवस्थामा अकल्पनीय घटनासमेत हुन सक्छ । एक व्यक्तिका कारण परिवारका सम्पूर्ण सदस्यलाई आर्थिक समस्याले पिरोल्न सक्छ । यस्तो बेलामा जीवन बीमा गरिएको छ भने आर्थिक समस्या टार्न बीमा रकमले ठूलै राहत प्रदान गर्छ । दुर्घटनामा परिहाले बीमा रकमका अतिरिक्त सोहीबराबर थप रकम परिवारका व्यक्तिले प्राप्त गर्ने हुनाले बाँच्नेहरूको भविष्य अनिश्चित हुन पाउँदैन ।
तर, यसका लागि बीमा गर्ने व्यक्तिले केही कुरामा भने अवश्य ध्यान दिनुपर्दछ । सक्षम र उत्कृष्ट व्यवस्थापन, सरल दाबी भुक्तानी, लगानीकर्ताहरूको व्यावसायिक प्रतिबद्धता, बीमा गर्नेहरूप्रति सरल र इमानदार व्यवहार, कानूनी व्यवस्थाको सही रूपमा र संस्थागत सुशासनको निष्ठापूर्वक परिपालना गर्ने जीवन बीमा कम्पनी तपाईंले छनोट गर्नुपर्छ । मुख्य कुरा सेवाको प्रभावकारिता सँगसँगै सुविधा र सरलीकृत योजना भएको कम्पनी छनोट गर्न सकिएमा मात्रै बीमा गर्नेको वास्तविक हित हुन्छ । बीमाका मूल्यमान्यताहरूप्रति प्रतिबद्ध कम्पनीमा गरिएको जीवनबीमा लगानीले तपाईंलाई सदैव खुशी र आर्थिक भविष्यको सुमार्गमा उभ्याइरहेको हुन्छ ।
हामीले बुझ्नुपर्दछ कि जीवन बीमाले मृत्युलाई संरक्षण गर्न सक्दैन तर आर्थिक सुरक्षा भने अवश्य प्रदान गर्छ । आफ्नो आम्दानीलाई संरक्षण प्रदान गर्छ । जीवन बीमामा गरिएको लगानी कुनै पनि अवस्थामा जोखिममा पर्दैन । जीवन बीमाको एउटा योजनाले बहुलाभ प्राप्त भइरहेको हुन्छ । जस्तो कि- कर लाभ, ऋण सुविधा, आर्थिक सुरक्षाको प्रत्याभूति, जाखिम हस्तान्तरण आदि ।
जीवन बीमाका लाभलाई आम मानिसको पहुँचमा पुर्याउन बीमा कम्पनीहरूले विविध प्रकारका योजना अगाडि ल्याइरहेका छन् । ती योजना बालबच्चा, युवा, वयस्कसम्मका लागि परिलक्षित छन् । यस्ता योजना एकल रूपमा मात्र नभएर सामूहिक र संस्थागत आधारमा समेत तयार गरिएका छन् । जुनसुकै वर्ग र हैसियतका मानिससमेत यस प्रकारको योजनामा सहभागी भई लाभ लिन सक्छन् । यस्ता लाभ छोटो र लामो दुवै समयका लागि लिन सकिन्छ ।
बीमा योजना सरल, किफायती र लाभदायक हुँदाहुँदै पनि आम मानिसको ध्यान यसतर्फ प्रभावकारी रूपमा तानिन सकेको छैन । स्वतःस्फूर्त रूपमा जीवन बीमा गर्नुपर्छ भन्नेहरू औंलामा गन्न सकिने होलान् । अहिलेसम्मको अवस्था हेर्दा जीवन बीमामा देखिएको न्यून उपलब्धि बीमा कम्पनीको प्रयासले मात्र सम्भव भइरहेको छ भन्दा उचित नै हुन्छ ।
जीवन बीमाको वर्तमान अवस्थालाई हेर्दा जीवन बीमा कम्पनीहरूको व्यवसायका लागि मात्र हो भन्ने देखिएको छ । जीवन बीमा गर्नेहरूलाई बीमाकर्मीहरूले विश्वस्त तुल्याएर आकर्षित गर्नु परिरहेको छ । जीवन बीमाको आवश्यकताबोध गराउन बीमाकर्मीहरूले निकै प्रयत्न गरिरहेका छन् । तर पनि, बीमा गर्नेहरूले बीमा आफ्नो हित र फाइदाका लागि हो भन्ने अनुभूति गर्न नसकिरहेको देखिन्छ । यसो हुनुमा केही कारण छन्: पहिलो, जीवन बीमाको सन्दर्भमा राज्यले अनुकूल र यथोचित् नीतिगत व्यवस्था नगर्नु, दोस्रो, आम जनमानसमा जीवन बीमाप्रतिको सचेतनाको अभाव, तेस्रो, जीवन बीमाको क्षेत्रमा विदेशी कम्पनीको अनधिकृत प्रवेश । यस्ता कारणले नेपालका जीवन बीमा कम्पनीहरूले समस्या
झेल्दै आएका छन् ।
'बीमा म र मेरो परिवारको सुखद भविष्यका लागि' आवश्यक हो भन्ने महसूस गराउन सक्नुपर्ने दायित्व बीमाकर्मीहरूको हो । बीमाकर्मीहरू आफ्नो व्यावसायिक क्षेत्रमा निकै सक्रिय भएर लागेका छन् र केही हदसम्म उपलब्धि पनि हासिल गरेका छन् । मुख्य कुरा राज्यले नीतिगत तहबाट प्रभावकारी व्यवस्था गरी अनुकूल परिवेश तयार गर्नुपर्ने हुन्छ । त्यसो त बीमा व्यवसायको नियमनकारी निकायले बीमा कम्पनीलाई निर्देशित गर्ने मात्र होइन, यो व्यवसाय प्रवर्द्धनका निम्ति कानूनी तहबाट सुधारको पहल पनि गर्नुपर्छ । साथसाथै आम जनमानसमा बीमा सचेतना जगाई जीवन बीमातर्फ आकर्षित गर्ने कार्यक्रम अगाडि ल्याउनुपर्छ । किनभने बीमाप्रति मानिसको लगाव र विश्वास बढ्नु भनेको जनताको सुरक्षा र समृद्धि कायम हुनु हो ।
आम नागरिकको आर्थिक सुरक्षाका लागि जीवन बीमा प्रभावकारी बनाउने दायित्व राज्यको हो । नागरिकलाई आर्थिक असुरक्षाको महसूस हुन नदिन र निर्बाध रूपमा जीवनयापन गर्ने परिस्थिति तयार गर्न जीवन बीमाका हितकारी कार्यक्रम राज्यले ल्याउनैपर्ने हुन्छ । जीवन बीमा कम्पनीहरूलाई नागरिकको बीमा गर्ने अनुकूल कानूनी वातावरण तयार गर्ने दिशामा राज्यले ठोस कार्ययोजना अगाडि ल्याउनुपर्छ ।
जीवन बीमाप्रति राज्यको स्पष्ट दृष्टिकोण बन्न नसकिरहेका कारणले आम मानिस बीमाप्रति आश्वस्त हुन सकिरहेका छैनन् । जीवन बीमालाई राज्यले नीतिगत रूपमै सम्बोधन गरेर दूरगामी कार्यक्रमहरू ल्याउनुपर्छ । साथै, राज्य त्यस्ता कार्यक्रमको कार्यान्वयन र संरक्षणका लागि अग्रसर हुनुपर्छ । आर्थिक उन्नतिको महत्त्वपूर्ण आधार जीवन बीमा हो भन्ने कुरालाई राज्यले आत्मसात् गर्नुपर्छ । कम्तीमा पनि राज्यले जीवन बीमालाई आम जनताको पहुँचसम्म पुर्याउने व्यवस्थालाई नीतिगत तहमै व्यवस्था गर्न सक्ने हो भने त्यसबाट आमजनता जीवन बीमाको बृहत् क्षेत्रभित्र आबद्ध हुने कुरामा दुईमत छैन ।
लेखक अधिवक्ता हुन् । उनी सूर्य लाइफ इन्स्योरेन्स कम्पनीसँग आबद्ध छन् ।
Admin 2011-06-02
http://www.abhiyan.com.np/article-dristikon_19_jetha
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Earthquake risk reduction must be national priority: Shrestha
Nepal sits pretty on a seismically active zone and experts believe that a tremor, which is a cyclic phenomenon, is long overdue in Nepal. Although tremors could not be predicted, the preparedness and rapid response are all the more essential to ward off greater loss of life and property in case a tremor of high magnitude hits the nation. Amid the looming danger of earthquake, Narayan Upadhyay of The Rising Nepal spoke about different dimensions of this kind of disaster with respect to Nepal’s problems, preparedness, and its ability to tackle challenges emanating from the disaster, with Surya Narayan Shrestha, Deputy Executive Director of National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (N-SET). An excerpt:
1. Can an earthquake be predicted? Why are there so many hue and cries about earthquakes hitting our nation or Kathmandu any time soon? Is the doom-saying well placed?
Earthquakes cannot be predicted. Scientific researches so far have not been able to predict earthquakes. However, by studying geology and historical earthquakes in a particular location, it can be identified that certain area is prone to earthquakes.
Nepal is prone to earthquakes. Nepal sits astride the boundary between Indian and Tibetan tectonic plates; due to internal geological processes, such boundary area is seismically very active. Large amount of strain is accumulated every year in this convergence zone and when such strain exceeds the capacity of rock masses, it is released through the active faults in the form of earthquakes. A mapping, done during the national building code development project in 1992-1994 identified 92 such active faults throughout the country which are potential sources of earthquakes.
Historically also, Nepal has suffered number of large magnitude earthquakes. In the past nine centuries, seven major earthquakes hit Kathmandu Valley and surrounding areas. On average an earthquake of magnitude 8 or above has occurred once every 70-100 years. The last major earthquake that hit Nepal was in 1934 (popularly known "Nabbe salko mahabhukamta") during which 8,519 were killed throughout the country and 4,296 in Kathmandu Valley. Since then, a significant amount of stress has accumulated and a major earthquake is around the corner. Scientists even say that a big one is already overdue.
2. What are the things that must be followed to tackle the challenges of earthquakes and to save the loss of life and property?
There is a common saying that "Earthquakes do not kill people but the unsafe buildings do!" Main cause of human casualty during earthquakes is the damage and destruction of houses that people live in. If you go through cases of big earthquakes hitting developing countries like us, almost 80 percent of loss of life is found to be due to building collapses. Therefore, our main focus should be on constructing safe buildings. That can help reduce probable losses of life and property.
We can tackle this challenge with three-pronged approach: a) Stop increasing risk, b) Reduce the existing risk, and c) Be prepared for the possible consequences. We should not add up more risks in our new construction i.e. buildings to be built in earthquake-resistant manner. We should assess & identify the prevailing risks and adopt ways to reduce that. Ideas of non structural mitigation works and also technical interventions like retrofitting the existing structures which can improve earthquake safety of buildings can ensure better safety. Third area of work is to enhance preparedness at various levels, from individual to community to state level. We should have enough knowledge and skills on what we should do before, during and after earthquake.
3. Where is Nepal in terms of tackling the challenges of natural disasters like earthquakes?
During later years, there have been significant efforts from state and non-state stakeholders in promoting earthquake safety in Nepal. But such efforts seem to be very little as compared to the extent of problem that we face. We have been able to make a few number of schools earthquake safe, a few number of hospitals safe and a few number of communities prepared for the consequences. Comparatively very small number of Nepali communities have been reached for raising their awareness and helping them build capacity. Only few municipalities have been able to implement building codes. Several trainings and knowledge sharing efforts to policy makers, engineers, sub-engineers, masons, house-owners and community people have been conducted but still not enough. It is thus I would say we are on right track but a lot of works are still lying ahead.
4. What are the problems that are obstructing the nation in bringing out concrete plans to mitigate the effects of earthquake?
Let me first endorse your point that we need to have long term, short term and immediate plans to mitigate the effects of earthquake. Not having concrete plans means we are having lots of problems. Main problem is actually not giving justifiable priority to earthquake issues at various levels. Like other many disasters, earthquake considerations should be integral part of development approaches which we are missing, knowingly or unknowingly. We still lack well set institutional mechanisms and proper policy instruments in place. After endorsing National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management in 2009, Government of Nepal is now about to bring out the Disaster Management Act in the near future and then perhaps we will have more structured plans and activities to improving the disaster safety in Nepal.
5. It is generally believed that the houses and big structures are built flouting the earthquake resistant rules? As an earthquake expert, what are you suggestions to address this issue?
Yes, there has been a general tendency that people neglect issues of earthquake safety while constructing buildings. This is because of lack of awareness in one hand, and on the other hand, most of the municipalities do not have a system of checking safety provisions while issuing the building permits. Only few municipalities initiated the mandatory implementation of building codes. I think to avert the situation, we have to have three strategies: a) Raise awareness of the people of earthquake safety issues so that people themselves demand safe construction; b) Enhance knowledge and skills of masons so that they can construct buildings in proper manner (almost 90% of the buildings in Nepal are constructed by the masons, head masons or the petty contractors); and c) devise a system of mandatory implementation of building code in all urban and urbanizing areas of the country so that engineers are made liable to the design and construction of the buildings.
6. The haphazard urbanization and a lack of land use plan creating problems in making the city safe from earthquakes? What is N-SET is doing to make Kathmandu Valley and other parts safe from the ill effects of tremors?
Our strategies for achieving ‘earthquake safe communities in Nepal are:
Public Awareness: Each and every individual should be made aware on earthquake safety. By awareness raising myths and fallacies can be eradicated, fatalism can be reduced and community can be convinced of impending seismic risk and way out to mitigate it. NSET has developed innovative ideas to aware people from all walks of life – policy and decision makers, politicians, media, international agencies etc. And of course, the objectives of awareness raising are different for the different target groups: for politicians and senior officials, it is to convince them of the necessity to look at disaster risk reduction as a development issue, for the general public it is enabling them to understand the risk and to identify possible measures that could reduce the vulnerability on an incremental basis.
Capacity Building/Training: In addition to public awareness we stride to make community safer by imparting knowledge skills required for reducing the risk. IT is through training of masons and technical professionals on earthquake safer construction, it is through training of local volunteers on community level preparedness and so on.
Our focus is on the internalization of the knowledge and ultimately its ownership and use, as much as possible, in day to day life. We strongly believe that each and every activity on earthquake preparedness should be institutionalized to achieve earthquake safe communities.
Institutionalization: Institutions be it municipalities, VDCs or departments and ministries should be made stronger and capable to implement DRR. Institutional capacities will ensure sustained efforts for DRR.
7. Is there any obstruction in carrying out the plans you and your institution have envisioned to lower the ill effects of earthquake in the nation? If yes, what are they?
As I have already mentioned there has been several good examples and successes in terms of demonstrating feasible earthquake risk reduction measures. However, such good examples and successes need up-scaling and institutionalization so that the entire country and the communities can be made safer. One of the biggest challenges lying ahead is to make earthquake risk reduction a national priority and reflected in policy and institutional mechanisms.
8. Since an earthquake is a cyclic event and considering this fact, an earthquake is long due in Nepal. In such a precarious situation, is the rapid response to an earthquake in place now?
We do have some systems for emergency response. Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible to provide such emergency response. In minor to moderate event of incidents like frequent floods, landslides, and snow avalanches, the system is somehow capable to cope with the situation. However, recent experiences have shown that current system and legal mechanism are not well enough to cope to major disaster such as that the expected earthquake devastation in Kathmandu Valley.
9. No doubt, the role of government agencies is important in making policies and taking actions to ward off any eventuality from an earthquake. Do you think that the government bodies are doing needful in this regard?
The perception about risk in decision-making level is still not enough. This is what makes people more vulnerable. Everybody should do disaster preparedness. It is not only earthquake but also other disasters like avalanches, floods and landslides that have risks associated with human life and property. Ultimately what is required is a culture at all levels including at household and prime ministerial level about the risk and mitigation. We did have some household culture in the past. We did have indigenous level of culture on how to face the flood, landslides or earthquake. There is a necessity for forcefully bringing this practice into the mindset of the people and their behavior. For that what we require is a very strong policy commitment as well as legal instruments to support. What are missing in Nepal are such kinds of mechanisms - which could take into consideration the totality of disaster scenario.
Recently National Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction has been approved which will serve as country’s guide for subsequent action planning and implementation for effective disaster risk management (DRM) in Nepal. NSDRM has envisioned highest level institution the National Commission for DRM (NCDRM) under the chairmanship of honorable Prime Minister responsible for endorsement of national policies on DRM and approving the national-level DRM plans and programs, guide and oversee management of fund generation and mobilization and provide policy guidance for bilateral, sub-regional, regional and international cooperation in the area of DRM.
However to implement the strategy the pertinent act is required which has been drafted but not yet approved by the parliament. Unless the act is enacted the formation of the council is not possible. So we hope it will come out very soon.
http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/rising.detail.php?article_id=50850&cat_id=29
1. Can an earthquake be predicted? Why are there so many hue and cries about earthquakes hitting our nation or Kathmandu any time soon? Is the doom-saying well placed?
Earthquakes cannot be predicted. Scientific researches so far have not been able to predict earthquakes. However, by studying geology and historical earthquakes in a particular location, it can be identified that certain area is prone to earthquakes.
Nepal is prone to earthquakes. Nepal sits astride the boundary between Indian and Tibetan tectonic plates; due to internal geological processes, such boundary area is seismically very active. Large amount of strain is accumulated every year in this convergence zone and when such strain exceeds the capacity of rock masses, it is released through the active faults in the form of earthquakes. A mapping, done during the national building code development project in 1992-1994 identified 92 such active faults throughout the country which are potential sources of earthquakes.
Historically also, Nepal has suffered number of large magnitude earthquakes. In the past nine centuries, seven major earthquakes hit Kathmandu Valley and surrounding areas. On average an earthquake of magnitude 8 or above has occurred once every 70-100 years. The last major earthquake that hit Nepal was in 1934 (popularly known "Nabbe salko mahabhukamta") during which 8,519 were killed throughout the country and 4,296 in Kathmandu Valley. Since then, a significant amount of stress has accumulated and a major earthquake is around the corner. Scientists even say that a big one is already overdue.
2. What are the things that must be followed to tackle the challenges of earthquakes and to save the loss of life and property?
There is a common saying that "Earthquakes do not kill people but the unsafe buildings do!" Main cause of human casualty during earthquakes is the damage and destruction of houses that people live in. If you go through cases of big earthquakes hitting developing countries like us, almost 80 percent of loss of life is found to be due to building collapses. Therefore, our main focus should be on constructing safe buildings. That can help reduce probable losses of life and property.
We can tackle this challenge with three-pronged approach: a) Stop increasing risk, b) Reduce the existing risk, and c) Be prepared for the possible consequences. We should not add up more risks in our new construction i.e. buildings to be built in earthquake-resistant manner. We should assess & identify the prevailing risks and adopt ways to reduce that. Ideas of non structural mitigation works and also technical interventions like retrofitting the existing structures which can improve earthquake safety of buildings can ensure better safety. Third area of work is to enhance preparedness at various levels, from individual to community to state level. We should have enough knowledge and skills on what we should do before, during and after earthquake.
3. Where is Nepal in terms of tackling the challenges of natural disasters like earthquakes?
During later years, there have been significant efforts from state and non-state stakeholders in promoting earthquake safety in Nepal. But such efforts seem to be very little as compared to the extent of problem that we face. We have been able to make a few number of schools earthquake safe, a few number of hospitals safe and a few number of communities prepared for the consequences. Comparatively very small number of Nepali communities have been reached for raising their awareness and helping them build capacity. Only few municipalities have been able to implement building codes. Several trainings and knowledge sharing efforts to policy makers, engineers, sub-engineers, masons, house-owners and community people have been conducted but still not enough. It is thus I would say we are on right track but a lot of works are still lying ahead.
4. What are the problems that are obstructing the nation in bringing out concrete plans to mitigate the effects of earthquake?
Let me first endorse your point that we need to have long term, short term and immediate plans to mitigate the effects of earthquake. Not having concrete plans means we are having lots of problems. Main problem is actually not giving justifiable priority to earthquake issues at various levels. Like other many disasters, earthquake considerations should be integral part of development approaches which we are missing, knowingly or unknowingly. We still lack well set institutional mechanisms and proper policy instruments in place. After endorsing National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management in 2009, Government of Nepal is now about to bring out the Disaster Management Act in the near future and then perhaps we will have more structured plans and activities to improving the disaster safety in Nepal.
5. It is generally believed that the houses and big structures are built flouting the earthquake resistant rules? As an earthquake expert, what are you suggestions to address this issue?
Yes, there has been a general tendency that people neglect issues of earthquake safety while constructing buildings. This is because of lack of awareness in one hand, and on the other hand, most of the municipalities do not have a system of checking safety provisions while issuing the building permits. Only few municipalities initiated the mandatory implementation of building codes. I think to avert the situation, we have to have three strategies: a) Raise awareness of the people of earthquake safety issues so that people themselves demand safe construction; b) Enhance knowledge and skills of masons so that they can construct buildings in proper manner (almost 90% of the buildings in Nepal are constructed by the masons, head masons or the petty contractors); and c) devise a system of mandatory implementation of building code in all urban and urbanizing areas of the country so that engineers are made liable to the design and construction of the buildings.
6. The haphazard urbanization and a lack of land use plan creating problems in making the city safe from earthquakes? What is N-SET is doing to make Kathmandu Valley and other parts safe from the ill effects of tremors?
Our strategies for achieving ‘earthquake safe communities in Nepal are:
Public Awareness: Each and every individual should be made aware on earthquake safety. By awareness raising myths and fallacies can be eradicated, fatalism can be reduced and community can be convinced of impending seismic risk and way out to mitigate it. NSET has developed innovative ideas to aware people from all walks of life – policy and decision makers, politicians, media, international agencies etc. And of course, the objectives of awareness raising are different for the different target groups: for politicians and senior officials, it is to convince them of the necessity to look at disaster risk reduction as a development issue, for the general public it is enabling them to understand the risk and to identify possible measures that could reduce the vulnerability on an incremental basis.
Capacity Building/Training: In addition to public awareness we stride to make community safer by imparting knowledge skills required for reducing the risk. IT is through training of masons and technical professionals on earthquake safer construction, it is through training of local volunteers on community level preparedness and so on.
Our focus is on the internalization of the knowledge and ultimately its ownership and use, as much as possible, in day to day life. We strongly believe that each and every activity on earthquake preparedness should be institutionalized to achieve earthquake safe communities.
Institutionalization: Institutions be it municipalities, VDCs or departments and ministries should be made stronger and capable to implement DRR. Institutional capacities will ensure sustained efforts for DRR.
7. Is there any obstruction in carrying out the plans you and your institution have envisioned to lower the ill effects of earthquake in the nation? If yes, what are they?
As I have already mentioned there has been several good examples and successes in terms of demonstrating feasible earthquake risk reduction measures. However, such good examples and successes need up-scaling and institutionalization so that the entire country and the communities can be made safer. One of the biggest challenges lying ahead is to make earthquake risk reduction a national priority and reflected in policy and institutional mechanisms.
8. Since an earthquake is a cyclic event and considering this fact, an earthquake is long due in Nepal. In such a precarious situation, is the rapid response to an earthquake in place now?
We do have some systems for emergency response. Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible to provide such emergency response. In minor to moderate event of incidents like frequent floods, landslides, and snow avalanches, the system is somehow capable to cope with the situation. However, recent experiences have shown that current system and legal mechanism are not well enough to cope to major disaster such as that the expected earthquake devastation in Kathmandu Valley.
9. No doubt, the role of government agencies is important in making policies and taking actions to ward off any eventuality from an earthquake. Do you think that the government bodies are doing needful in this regard?
The perception about risk in decision-making level is still not enough. This is what makes people more vulnerable. Everybody should do disaster preparedness. It is not only earthquake but also other disasters like avalanches, floods and landslides that have risks associated with human life and property. Ultimately what is required is a culture at all levels including at household and prime ministerial level about the risk and mitigation. We did have some household culture in the past. We did have indigenous level of culture on how to face the flood, landslides or earthquake. There is a necessity for forcefully bringing this practice into the mindset of the people and their behavior. For that what we require is a very strong policy commitment as well as legal instruments to support. What are missing in Nepal are such kinds of mechanisms - which could take into consideration the totality of disaster scenario.
Recently National Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction has been approved which will serve as country’s guide for subsequent action planning and implementation for effective disaster risk management (DRM) in Nepal. NSDRM has envisioned highest level institution the National Commission for DRM (NCDRM) under the chairmanship of honorable Prime Minister responsible for endorsement of national policies on DRM and approving the national-level DRM plans and programs, guide and oversee management of fund generation and mobilization and provide policy guidance for bilateral, sub-regional, regional and international cooperation in the area of DRM.
However to implement the strategy the pertinent act is required which has been drafted but not yet approved by the parliament. Unless the act is enacted the formation of the council is not possible. So we hope it will come out very soon.
http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/rising.detail.php?article_id=50850&cat_id=29
PM says he is committed to 5-pt pact; asks NC to take initiation for national unity govt
Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal addressed the nation Tuesday, clarifying that he was committed to the recent five-point agreement signed by the three major parties that saved the Constituent Assembly.
PM Jhal Nath Khanal
In his televised address to the nation this evening, Prime Minister Khanal urged the main opposition Nepali Congress to take initiative for consensus government, as outlined in the agreement.
"I am ready to play constructive role for the formation of national consensus government, but the Nepali Congress as an opposition party needs to be more serious about it," PM Khanal said.
According to the PM, his government would not be an obstacle to the formation of an all-party government and that he was ready to step down once the parties forged consensus for the same.
However, he gave a clear hint that he would not resign before there is a concrete agreement to form the unity government as he mentioned that resigning now without an 'alternative' would leave the country in a state of uncertainty.
"Such a state of uncertainty will have long-term impact on the country's economy and security situations."
PM Khanal, who said that his government had faced criticisms from the very beginning, also mentioned that it took a long time for him to give full shape to the cabinet since UCPN (Maoist) took a long time to take a decision on its ministerial candidates.
Khanal offered an apology for the failure to meet the 28 May deadline of the CA.
The Prime Minister, in his 13-minute long address delivered from the National Planning Commission hall in Singha Durbar, also noted that parties had already done major exercise by finalising several pending issues concerning the new constitution and said something significant could happen regarding peace process in a few weeks time. nepalnews.com
PM Jhal Nath Khanal
In his televised address to the nation this evening, Prime Minister Khanal urged the main opposition Nepali Congress to take initiative for consensus government, as outlined in the agreement.
"I am ready to play constructive role for the formation of national consensus government, but the Nepali Congress as an opposition party needs to be more serious about it," PM Khanal said.
According to the PM, his government would not be an obstacle to the formation of an all-party government and that he was ready to step down once the parties forged consensus for the same.
However, he gave a clear hint that he would not resign before there is a concrete agreement to form the unity government as he mentioned that resigning now without an 'alternative' would leave the country in a state of uncertainty.
"Such a state of uncertainty will have long-term impact on the country's economy and security situations."
PM Khanal, who said that his government had faced criticisms from the very beginning, also mentioned that it took a long time for him to give full shape to the cabinet since UCPN (Maoist) took a long time to take a decision on its ministerial candidates.
Khanal offered an apology for the failure to meet the 28 May deadline of the CA.
The Prime Minister, in his 13-minute long address delivered from the National Planning Commission hall in Singha Durbar, also noted that parties had already done major exercise by finalising several pending issues concerning the new constitution and said something significant could happen regarding peace process in a few weeks time. nepalnews.com
Royal massacre still a mystery 10 years on
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE
KATHMANDU, May 31: A decade after Nepal´s crown prince stunned the world by gunning down nine family members, mystery still surrounds the massacre that plunged the monarchy into a crisis from which it never recovered.
Many Nepalese believe they may never know the truth about the night of June 1, 2001, when a drink- and drugs-fuelled prince Dipendra ran amok with an automatic weapon at a family dinner at the palace in the capital Kathmandu.
Dipendra, dressed in military fatigues, killed his revered father, King Birendra, his mother, brother and sister and five other relatives before shooting himself, according to official findings.
The 31-year-old Eton-educated heir to the throne was believed to have been crazed with anger after being stopped by the queen from marrying the woman he loved.
But conspiracy theories continue to swirl in Nepal about the bloodbath, which caused outpourings of hysterical grief in the impoverished nation where the king was seen as the reincarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu.
"The high-level (government) commission formed to investigate the massacre only reported what happened and how it happened," said Vivek Kumar Shah, a former military secretary at the royal palace.
"It didn´t say why it happened," he added.
Shah said some internal and external forces could have provoked the crown prince but declined to elaborate, saying only: "There were interest groups who wanted to end the monarchy."
The royal massacre, believed to have been the worst since Russia´s Romanovs were shot on the order of Vladimir Lenin in 1918, prompted rumours about the possible role in the slayings of the king´s less popular brother, Gyanendra.
Gyanendra was away from the Nepalese capital on the night of the killings.
"The people, who were numb with grief, reached a hasty conclusion it was a conspiracy (involving Gyanendra)," Kishor Shrestha, editor of Nepalese weekly Jana Aastha, said.
From the start of his reign, Gyanendra was much less beloved than his brother who in 1990 had legalised political parties, ushering in a new era of democracy and constitutional monarchy.
Gyanendra´s unpopularity only deepened when he dismissed the government and embarked on a period of autocratic rule in 2005, a move that united Maoist rebels with political parties, paving the way for mass protests that forced the king to step down three years ago.
A Maoist-dominated constitutional assembly declared a republic in May 2008. Many ordinary Nepalese were delighted to see the back of the dour king as well as his playboy would-be heir, Paras.
On June 11, 2008, Gyanendra left the palace for a hunting lodge on Kathmandu´s outskirts, marking the final end to a royal lineage founded by his warrior ancestor Prithvi Narayan Shah, who conquered dozens of small kingdoms in the 18th century.
"The monarchy lost its traditional respect" with Gyanendra´s decision to dismiss the government, said Nepalese journalist Yubaraj Ghimire.
"Looking back, I think the politics of 2006 when the Maoists and other parties were arrayed against the monarchy played a critical role in its demise," Ghimire said.
Now, Nepal remains in tumult, racked by political crisis as parties struggle to draft a new constitution and oversee the peace process that began when the decade-long Maoist civil war ended in 2006.
The widespread hope that followed the end of the conflict and the abolition of the unpopular monarchy has been replaced by a growing sense of anger and frustration in Nepal, one of the world´s poorest countries.
And 10 years on from the royal massacre, even though many Nepalese believe they still do not know the full truth, there is a waning desire to reopen old wounds with another investigation.
"Nobody is interested in probing it," Shrestha said.
KATHMANDU, May 31: A decade after Nepal´s crown prince stunned the world by gunning down nine family members, mystery still surrounds the massacre that plunged the monarchy into a crisis from which it never recovered.
Many Nepalese believe they may never know the truth about the night of June 1, 2001, when a drink- and drugs-fuelled prince Dipendra ran amok with an automatic weapon at a family dinner at the palace in the capital Kathmandu.
Dipendra, dressed in military fatigues, killed his revered father, King Birendra, his mother, brother and sister and five other relatives before shooting himself, according to official findings.
The 31-year-old Eton-educated heir to the throne was believed to have been crazed with anger after being stopped by the queen from marrying the woman he loved.
But conspiracy theories continue to swirl in Nepal about the bloodbath, which caused outpourings of hysterical grief in the impoverished nation where the king was seen as the reincarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu.
"The high-level (government) commission formed to investigate the massacre only reported what happened and how it happened," said Vivek Kumar Shah, a former military secretary at the royal palace.
"It didn´t say why it happened," he added.
Shah said some internal and external forces could have provoked the crown prince but declined to elaborate, saying only: "There were interest groups who wanted to end the monarchy."
The royal massacre, believed to have been the worst since Russia´s Romanovs were shot on the order of Vladimir Lenin in 1918, prompted rumours about the possible role in the slayings of the king´s less popular brother, Gyanendra.
Gyanendra was away from the Nepalese capital on the night of the killings.
"The people, who were numb with grief, reached a hasty conclusion it was a conspiracy (involving Gyanendra)," Kishor Shrestha, editor of Nepalese weekly Jana Aastha, said.
From the start of his reign, Gyanendra was much less beloved than his brother who in 1990 had legalised political parties, ushering in a new era of democracy and constitutional monarchy.
Gyanendra´s unpopularity only deepened when he dismissed the government and embarked on a period of autocratic rule in 2005, a move that united Maoist rebels with political parties, paving the way for mass protests that forced the king to step down three years ago.
A Maoist-dominated constitutional assembly declared a republic in May 2008. Many ordinary Nepalese were delighted to see the back of the dour king as well as his playboy would-be heir, Paras.
On June 11, 2008, Gyanendra left the palace for a hunting lodge on Kathmandu´s outskirts, marking the final end to a royal lineage founded by his warrior ancestor Prithvi Narayan Shah, who conquered dozens of small kingdoms in the 18th century.
"The monarchy lost its traditional respect" with Gyanendra´s decision to dismiss the government, said Nepalese journalist Yubaraj Ghimire.
"Looking back, I think the politics of 2006 when the Maoists and other parties were arrayed against the monarchy played a critical role in its demise," Ghimire said.
Now, Nepal remains in tumult, racked by political crisis as parties struggle to draft a new constitution and oversee the peace process that began when the decade-long Maoist civil war ended in 2006.
The widespread hope that followed the end of the conflict and the abolition of the unpopular monarchy has been replaced by a growing sense of anger and frustration in Nepal, one of the world´s poorest countries.
And 10 years on from the royal massacre, even though many Nepalese believe they still do not know the full truth, there is a waning desire to reopen old wounds with another investigation.
"Nobody is interested in probing it," Shrestha said.
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