This photo includes my own paddy field, which was captured on the auspicious day of Dashain today.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Paddy field near by my home
This photo includes my own paddy field, which was captured on the auspicious day of Dashain today.
Dashain in my family
This Dashain on September 28, my mother, youngest brother Gaurav and two nieces begot by my brother Brihaspati at my home premises,located at Rampur, Palpa, Lumbini.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Aweful anecdotes of goat-sellers in Dashain
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
KATHMANDU: September 24
Like previous years, Khadga Bahadur Shrestha, 38, a resident of Gajuri-1 in Dhading district, is once again here in the capital for about a week along with a pair of goats.
He desperately hopes to get lucky like last year and make a few thousands before heading back to his village to celebrate this Dashain. But as of Thursday, his sacrificial goats remained unsold, dampening his Dashain prospects.
It is not only Shrestha, but many other residents of adjoining districts of the Kathmandu Valley, who had come here to collect some amount to celebrate Dashain, have not been able to sell their castrated goats.
“It’s been a decade I have been selling goats. However, this is the first time I am unable to sell a single goat,” he revealed.
Such is the case of many other street goat sellers who can be spotted in Balkhu, Bhrikuti Mandap, Bagbazaar and New Bus Park areas.
“We’re here for a couple of days waiting for the prospective goat buyers, but to no avail,” said Jeet Bahadur Ghale, another farmer from Nuwakot district, who is seen along with Shrestha at Balkhu.
“It seems I should return empty handed,” he said. According to him, people just come and ask the price and start bargaining with a huge margin.
“We take back our goats to home if they cannot be sold in appropriate rate,” Ghale said. He has brought eight goats - among which four were purchased in the village and four were reared by himself.
“People out here offer just Rs 250 per kg of live goat while per kg of mutton in the market is above Rs 450,” he lamented.
Consumer Nabin Puri, who was searching for a goat for about four hours in the market, said that the rate of the goat was increased this year. “Last year, the goats were being sold at the rate of Rs 190 per kg but Rs 300 has been fixed for the same this year,” said Puri, an office staffer in the capital.
Raj Kumar Lama, 32, a seller stationed at Baghbazaar, said that they were forced to sell the goats at cheaper price than they purchased. Lama and his four friends had brought 37 goats, hoping that they would sell quickly as in previous years. “We’re very disappointed this time. Not a single goat has been sold out yet,” he said. “If
I can’t sell them by Saturday, I’ll take the goats back home.”
Lama said that they pay Rs 5 each goat to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City for keeping in the street. “During night time, we pay Rs 15 per goat to the school for providing room,” he added.
Bhim Bahadur Bhale, 65, from Kampur in Dhading, said that they just sold five of 25 goats they brought in here. “If we’re unable to sell them off now, then we’ll come back here again in Tihar, the second biggest festival of Hindus.”
KATHMANDU: September 24
Like previous years, Khadga Bahadur Shrestha, 38, a resident of Gajuri-1 in Dhading district, is once again here in the capital for about a week along with a pair of goats.
He desperately hopes to get lucky like last year and make a few thousands before heading back to his village to celebrate this Dashain. But as of Thursday, his sacrificial goats remained unsold, dampening his Dashain prospects.
It is not only Shrestha, but many other residents of adjoining districts of the Kathmandu Valley, who had come here to collect some amount to celebrate Dashain, have not been able to sell their castrated goats.
“It’s been a decade I have been selling goats. However, this is the first time I am unable to sell a single goat,” he revealed.
Such is the case of many other street goat sellers who can be spotted in Balkhu, Bhrikuti Mandap, Bagbazaar and New Bus Park areas.
“We’re here for a couple of days waiting for the prospective goat buyers, but to no avail,” said Jeet Bahadur Ghale, another farmer from Nuwakot district, who is seen along with Shrestha at Balkhu.
“It seems I should return empty handed,” he said. According to him, people just come and ask the price and start bargaining with a huge margin.
“We take back our goats to home if they cannot be sold in appropriate rate,” Ghale said. He has brought eight goats - among which four were purchased in the village and four were reared by himself.
“People out here offer just Rs 250 per kg of live goat while per kg of mutton in the market is above Rs 450,” he lamented.
Consumer Nabin Puri, who was searching for a goat for about four hours in the market, said that the rate of the goat was increased this year. “Last year, the goats were being sold at the rate of Rs 190 per kg but Rs 300 has been fixed for the same this year,” said Puri, an office staffer in the capital.
Raj Kumar Lama, 32, a seller stationed at Baghbazaar, said that they were forced to sell the goats at cheaper price than they purchased. Lama and his four friends had brought 37 goats, hoping that they would sell quickly as in previous years. “We’re very disappointed this time. Not a single goat has been sold out yet,” he said. “If
I can’t sell them by Saturday, I’ll take the goats back home.”
Lama said that they pay Rs 5 each goat to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City for keeping in the street. “During night time, we pay Rs 15 per goat to the school for providing room,” he added.
Bhim Bahadur Bhale, 65, from Kampur in Dhading, said that they just sold five of 25 goats they brought in here. “If we’re unable to sell them off now, then we’ll come back here again in Tihar, the second biggest festival of Hindus.”
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Vendors struggle hard to buy joy in Dashain
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, September 18
The street vendors would be relieved from the hassles caused by the city police at least during the Dashain festival for selling goods on the streets. Despite against the traffic rules, it is a consideration for the ordinary people to earn happiness in the greatest festival of the Hindus.
"I have sighed relief at least during the Dashain as we are allowed to sell the goods on the streets for earning something to buy happiness in my family," said Leela Shrestha, 44, from Chainpur VDC-8 in Dhading district. "In other days, we were terribly troubled while selling goods on the streets," Shrestha said.
Shrestha spouse along with two sisters and three daughters have been living in a rented room in Kathmandu for more than a decade. They have maintained their livelihood and mediocre life in the expensive capital city by selling ready-made clothes on streets. They have been able to educate their children in the city from the toiling labours.
Shrestha couple said that the city police used to snatch away their clothes when they used to sell the items on the streets around Sundhara in other days. "We earn some Rs 300-400 each day," they echoed. "The consumers bargain very tightly even though we are selling the items at low price."
Consumer Ramila Devkota, who was shopping for her kids, said that the clothes sold in the streets were definitely cheaper than in the commercial houses. "However, we are accustomed to bargain tightly," she said laughing.
Another vendor Meghnath Siwakoti from Sunkhani VDC in Dolakha district has been continuing this profession for about eight years. "It is hard to celebrate the festival due to the skyrocketing price in the market," he said.
"This time, the sale is very low perhaps because of economic meltdown," said Siwakoti. "In the previous years, we used to make sale of upto Rs 5,000. However, I have hardly earned Rs 500 per day this year," he grieved.
Siwakoti, who is also the member of the Joint Business Association of National Trade, expressed qualm over the people in power doing whatever they like but only ordinary people were forced to abide by the law.
This time, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has allowed the vendors, who number in hundreds of such sellers, to make though little money by bargaining with the tightfisted consumers. The KMC has made a routine from 1pm to 8pm to sell the goods on the streets effective from September 13 to 27. They will be permitted from 11am from September 19, which is the Ghatasthapana (First day of the festival).
"We provided them this special opportunity during the festival after the different organisations belonging to trade and business communities asked us for consideration," said DSP Dhanapati Sapkota, chief of the Implementation Division under the KMC. "We have also specially made arrangement of two places-Baghbazaar and Balkhu for selling goats. However, there is no restriction for other vendors," he added.
Kathmandu, September 18
The street vendors would be relieved from the hassles caused by the city police at least during the Dashain festival for selling goods on the streets. Despite against the traffic rules, it is a consideration for the ordinary people to earn happiness in the greatest festival of the Hindus.
"I have sighed relief at least during the Dashain as we are allowed to sell the goods on the streets for earning something to buy happiness in my family," said Leela Shrestha, 44, from Chainpur VDC-8 in Dhading district. "In other days, we were terribly troubled while selling goods on the streets," Shrestha said.
Shrestha spouse along with two sisters and three daughters have been living in a rented room in Kathmandu for more than a decade. They have maintained their livelihood and mediocre life in the expensive capital city by selling ready-made clothes on streets. They have been able to educate their children in the city from the toiling labours.
Shrestha couple said that the city police used to snatch away their clothes when they used to sell the items on the streets around Sundhara in other days. "We earn some Rs 300-400 each day," they echoed. "The consumers bargain very tightly even though we are selling the items at low price."
Consumer Ramila Devkota, who was shopping for her kids, said that the clothes sold in the streets were definitely cheaper than in the commercial houses. "However, we are accustomed to bargain tightly," she said laughing.
Another vendor Meghnath Siwakoti from Sunkhani VDC in Dolakha district has been continuing this profession for about eight years. "It is hard to celebrate the festival due to the skyrocketing price in the market," he said.
"This time, the sale is very low perhaps because of economic meltdown," said Siwakoti. "In the previous years, we used to make sale of upto Rs 5,000. However, I have hardly earned Rs 500 per day this year," he grieved.
Siwakoti, who is also the member of the Joint Business Association of National Trade, expressed qualm over the people in power doing whatever they like but only ordinary people were forced to abide by the law.
This time, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has allowed the vendors, who number in hundreds of such sellers, to make though little money by bargaining with the tightfisted consumers. The KMC has made a routine from 1pm to 8pm to sell the goods on the streets effective from September 13 to 27. They will be permitted from 11am from September 19, which is the Ghatasthapana (First day of the festival).
"We provided them this special opportunity during the festival after the different organisations belonging to trade and business communities asked us for consideration," said DSP Dhanapati Sapkota, chief of the Implementation Division under the KMC. "We have also specially made arrangement of two places-Baghbazaar and Balkhu for selling goats. However, there is no restriction for other vendors," he added.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Rs 1.69B unaudied in devlopment ministry
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Lalitpur, September 17
Some Rs 1.69 billion remains non-audited budget, which is unlikely to recover, in the different departments and programmes under the Ministry of Local Development.
According to the MoLD, there are 75 District Development Committees (DDC) and 58 municipalities along with departments, commissions and committees as bodies of the ministry.
Devi Prasad Gyawali, under-secretary and chief at the Financial Administrative Section in the ministry, said that Rs 2.42 billion was a total of non-audited amount in the fiscal year 2006/2007. “We were successful to recover Rs 720 million by the end of last fiscal year during the past years,” he said. “Rs 12.3 million was recovered in the last fiscal year alone.”
Among the total non-audited budget, Rs 1.17 billion belongs to 75 DDCs and 58 municipals, Rs 401.7 million to the departments and commissions under the ministry and Rs 220 million under the central office of the MoLD and its programmes.
The Dalit Commission, Gumba (Monastry) Commission, Marginalised and Disadvantaged Communities Commission, Commission for Preservation of Endangered Ethnic Minorities, Rural Area Development Board, Solid Waste Management and Resource Mobilisation Centre, Local Development Training Academy, among other programmes, are those bodies responsible for increasing the non-audited budget of the MoLD.
Another high ranking official at the Ministry said that the revealed amount of non-audited budget was not real. “The amount of non-audited might be higher than this. There is not a specific data of non-audited budget,” he said requesting not to reveal his name.
Gyawali, however, said that this amount was published by the Office of Auditor General. “The real amount may vary from the published one,” he admitted.
There is less chance to recover the entire non-audited budget, said Gyawali. “Those amounts were spent by avoiding the transparency. Some might be utilised in proper purposes while others misused,” he added. “It is almost impossible to recover the rest of the non-audited amount from the concerned departments, commissions and programmes.”
Lalitpur, September 17
Some Rs 1.69 billion remains non-audited budget, which is unlikely to recover, in the different departments and programmes under the Ministry of Local Development.
According to the MoLD, there are 75 District Development Committees (DDC) and 58 municipalities along with departments, commissions and committees as bodies of the ministry.
Devi Prasad Gyawali, under-secretary and chief at the Financial Administrative Section in the ministry, said that Rs 2.42 billion was a total of non-audited amount in the fiscal year 2006/2007. “We were successful to recover Rs 720 million by the end of last fiscal year during the past years,” he said. “Rs 12.3 million was recovered in the last fiscal year alone.”
Among the total non-audited budget, Rs 1.17 billion belongs to 75 DDCs and 58 municipals, Rs 401.7 million to the departments and commissions under the ministry and Rs 220 million under the central office of the MoLD and its programmes.
The Dalit Commission, Gumba (Monastry) Commission, Marginalised and Disadvantaged Communities Commission, Commission for Preservation of Endangered Ethnic Minorities, Rural Area Development Board, Solid Waste Management and Resource Mobilisation Centre, Local Development Training Academy, among other programmes, are those bodies responsible for increasing the non-audited budget of the MoLD.
Another high ranking official at the Ministry said that the revealed amount of non-audited budget was not real. “The amount of non-audited might be higher than this. There is not a specific data of non-audited budget,” he said requesting not to reveal his name.
Gyawali, however, said that this amount was published by the Office of Auditor General. “The real amount may vary from the published one,” he admitted.
There is less chance to recover the entire non-audited budget, said Gyawali. “Those amounts were spent by avoiding the transparency. Some might be utilised in proper purposes while others misused,” he added. “It is almost impossible to recover the rest of the non-audited amount from the concerned departments, commissions and programmes.”
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Korean govt setting up RDF plant in Lalitpur
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Lalitpur, September 17
The ENVICO, a South Korea government organisation has been carrying out a feasibility study to set up RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) plant in Lalitpur. The RDF plant to be fuelled with 30 metric tons of garbage is taken as a technology transfer to Nepal.
“A team of consultants hired by the ENVICO body has been carrying out feasibility study to establish waste-to-energy facility (RDF manufacture) construction project in Lalitpur,” said senior engineer Prabin Shrestha of the Urban Development Division at the Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City. “The plant will be set up in assistance with the Korean government,” he added.
According to the LSMC, the plant site will be at Sundarighat of LSMC-4. “The study will be completed by the end of December,” said Pradip Amatya, chief at the Environment Division of the LSMC. “After developing all the strategies, the setting up of the plant will be started from the next fiscal year that begins on mid-July,” he said.
The feasibility study of Rs 40 million began from last December. “The plant to produce gas, electricity, energy and manure will be of Rs 210 million project, which will be provided by the Korean government,” said Amatya. “The construction of the plant will be completed within two years,” he added.
A team of LSMC visited South Korea to observe the RDF plants on the last week of July. Now, a Korean team is in the city in a bid to speed up the activities of the project, said Shrestha. “If the local people will allow us, the plant will be established in the city.”
Amatya said that the LSMC had already sent the documents to the Ministry of Local Development for the permission to open plant. “The MoLD and Ministry of Finance has permitted us to set up the plant,” he said.
This project has come into existence at a time when the government is planning to allow private sector to set up garbage-fuelled plant for the sustainable management of the waste in the Kathmandu valley. The government has recently formed a high level committee to deal with the private sector, which is likely to begin the process to construct a 500 metric-ton garbage-fuelled plant in mid-December.
Dr Sumitra Amatya, general manager of the Solid Waste Management and Resource Mobilisation Centre under the MoLD, said that the 30 metric-ton plant would not be capable to solve the valley garbage where more than 600 metric tons of waste is produced. “We will keep on our project,” she, who is member secretary of the high level committee, said.
Lalitpur, September 17
The ENVICO, a South Korea government organisation has been carrying out a feasibility study to set up RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) plant in Lalitpur. The RDF plant to be fuelled with 30 metric tons of garbage is taken as a technology transfer to Nepal.
“A team of consultants hired by the ENVICO body has been carrying out feasibility study to establish waste-to-energy facility (RDF manufacture) construction project in Lalitpur,” said senior engineer Prabin Shrestha of the Urban Development Division at the Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City. “The plant will be set up in assistance with the Korean government,” he added.
According to the LSMC, the plant site will be at Sundarighat of LSMC-4. “The study will be completed by the end of December,” said Pradip Amatya, chief at the Environment Division of the LSMC. “After developing all the strategies, the setting up of the plant will be started from the next fiscal year that begins on mid-July,” he said.
LALITPUR: Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City is all set to prohibit plastic bags in certain areas. “We have planned to prohibit plastic bags in some areas in the initial phase,” said Pradip Amatya, chief at the Environment Division of the LSMC. The areas are five government schools-Namuna Machhindra, Yashodhara, Shramik Shanti, Bal Binod and Nilnath, and two departmental stores-Namste and Everest, according to the LSMC. The plastic bags were already banned at the Central Zoo, Jawalakhel. -- BPA
The feasibility study of Rs 40 million began from last December. “The plant to produce gas, electricity, energy and manure will be of Rs 210 million project, which will be provided by the Korean government,” said Amatya. “The construction of the plant will be completed within two years,” he added.
A team of LSMC visited South Korea to observe the RDF plants on the last week of July. Now, a Korean team is in the city in a bid to speed up the activities of the project, said Shrestha. “If the local people will allow us, the plant will be established in the city.”
Amatya said that the LSMC had already sent the documents to the Ministry of Local Development for the permission to open plant. “The MoLD and Ministry of Finance has permitted us to set up the plant,” he said.
This project has come into existence at a time when the government is planning to allow private sector to set up garbage-fuelled plant for the sustainable management of the waste in the Kathmandu valley. The government has recently formed a high level committee to deal with the private sector, which is likely to begin the process to construct a 500 metric-ton garbage-fuelled plant in mid-December.
Dr Sumitra Amatya, general manager of the Solid Waste Management and Resource Mobilisation Centre under the MoLD, said that the 30 metric-ton plant would not be capable to solve the valley garbage where more than 600 metric tons of waste is produced. “We will keep on our project,” she, who is member secretary of the high level committee, said.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Three teams to study on WFP food rumour
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Lalitpur, September 15
Despite late after more than 320 death tolls from diarrhea in mid-west hilly districts of Nepal in last three months, three study teams of the government are leaving for the diarrhea affected districts tomorrow.
According to the Ministry of Local Development, three different teams are scheduled to visit Surkhet, Dailekh, Jajarkot, Nepalgunj, Salyan and Achham districts. “The teams will study on the causes of diarrhea, used foodstuffs and sources of food programmes people received the foods,” said Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, spokesperson for the MoLD. “The team will complete its study within a week,” he added.
The team led by Dr Mukunda Sharma, joint-secretary of the Ministry of Health will visit Surkhet and Dailekh districts. This team includes under-secretary Kailash Nath Kharel of Ministry of Home Affairs, officer Ishwori Prasad Dhakal of Ministry of Commerce and Supplies and a representative from the World Food Programme.
Another team headed by Thapaliya will visit Jajarkot district. This team comprises of under-secretary Puroshottam Nepal of MoLD, Prem Lal Maharjan of National Consumers’ Forum and a representative of WFP.
The third team headed by under secretary Nirmal Shiwakoti of the Ministry of Finance includes senior food research officer Dr Megh Raj Bhandary of Food Technology and Quality Control and a WFP representative. This team will look into supply of foods from the custom point of Nepalgunj to Sallibazaar of Salyan and Sanphebagar of Achham districts.
Thapaliya said that the teams would meet before Dashain festival after completion of the field visits. “We will submit the study reports within three weeks,” he added. “The objective of the study is to find out the truth on WFP food rumour and forge preventive measures to avert the possible outbreaks in the future.”
The teams were formed as per the decision of the MoF on August 27 to probe into the outbreak of diarrhea and controversy of foodstuffs as the cause of the death tools in the mid-west hilly districts.
Lalitpur, September 15
Despite late after more than 320 death tolls from diarrhea in mid-west hilly districts of Nepal in last three months, three study teams of the government are leaving for the diarrhea affected districts tomorrow.
According to the Ministry of Local Development, three different teams are scheduled to visit Surkhet, Dailekh, Jajarkot, Nepalgunj, Salyan and Achham districts. “The teams will study on the causes of diarrhea, used foodstuffs and sources of food programmes people received the foods,” said Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, spokesperson for the MoLD. “The team will complete its study within a week,” he added.
The team led by Dr Mukunda Sharma, joint-secretary of the Ministry of Health will visit Surkhet and Dailekh districts. This team includes under-secretary Kailash Nath Kharel of Ministry of Home Affairs, officer Ishwori Prasad Dhakal of Ministry of Commerce and Supplies and a representative from the World Food Programme.
Another team headed by Thapaliya will visit Jajarkot district. This team comprises of under-secretary Puroshottam Nepal of MoLD, Prem Lal Maharjan of National Consumers’ Forum and a representative of WFP.
The third team headed by under secretary Nirmal Shiwakoti of the Ministry of Finance includes senior food research officer Dr Megh Raj Bhandary of Food Technology and Quality Control and a WFP representative. This team will look into supply of foods from the custom point of Nepalgunj to Sallibazaar of Salyan and Sanphebagar of Achham districts.
Thapaliya said that the teams would meet before Dashain festival after completion of the field visits. “We will submit the study reports within three weeks,” he added. “The objective of the study is to find out the truth on WFP food rumour and forge preventive measures to avert the possible outbreaks in the future.”
The teams were formed as per the decision of the MoF on August 27 to probe into the outbreak of diarrhea and controversy of foodstuffs as the cause of the death tools in the mid-west hilly districts.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
UN to pay experts for garbage management
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Lalitpur, September 15
The Public-Private Partnership Urban Environment, an INGO under United Nations is committed to pay the three experts of the government committee to deal with the private sectors for the garbage management.
“The PPPUE has assured us to pay the three experts to be hired for dealing with the private sector to set up garbage-fuelled energy plant,” said Dr Sumitra Amatya, General Manager at the Solid Waste Management and Resource Mobilisation Centre under the Ministry of Local Development. “Each of them will be paid Rs 200,000 for the tenure of three months,” Amatya, who is member-secretary of the committee, said.
The government has already formed a five-member high level special empowered garbage management committee, headed by Dr Dinesh Chandra Devkota, member of the National Planning Commission. Other members include MoLD secretary Krishna Gyawali; Niranjan Baral, executive chief of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City; secretaries of the Ministries of Land Reforms, Physical Planning and Environment.
Dr Amatya said that they would include three experts in the committee to prepare the Terms of Reference (ToR) for dealing with the private sector. “We have recommended the names of nine experts to the PPPUE for their payment as per the PPPUE rules. Among them, we will finalise the names of three experts tomorrow, who will be hired as the committee members,” she said.
The government has been working to involve the private sector in managing the valley garbage by setting up energy plant. According to the MoLD, the agreement between the government and the private sector will be signed by mid-December. Then the energy plant will be set up within two years.
Amatya said that they were discussing on the publication of call for expression of interest (EoI) from the interested firms to establish garbage-fuelled plant. “Then we will shortlist the interested companies for the final competition,” she added.
More than a dozen of private companies have already shown interests to set up garbage-fuelled plant.
Lalitpur, September 15
The Public-Private Partnership Urban Environment, an INGO under United Nations is committed to pay the three experts of the government committee to deal with the private sectors for the garbage management.
“The PPPUE has assured us to pay the three experts to be hired for dealing with the private sector to set up garbage-fuelled energy plant,” said Dr Sumitra Amatya, General Manager at the Solid Waste Management and Resource Mobilisation Centre under the Ministry of Local Development. “Each of them will be paid Rs 200,000 for the tenure of three months,” Amatya, who is member-secretary of the committee, said.
The government has already formed a five-member high level special empowered garbage management committee, headed by Dr Dinesh Chandra Devkota, member of the National Planning Commission. Other members include MoLD secretary Krishna Gyawali; Niranjan Baral, executive chief of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City; secretaries of the Ministries of Land Reforms, Physical Planning and Environment.
Dr Amatya said that they would include three experts in the committee to prepare the Terms of Reference (ToR) for dealing with the private sector. “We have recommended the names of nine experts to the PPPUE for their payment as per the PPPUE rules. Among them, we will finalise the names of three experts tomorrow, who will be hired as the committee members,” she said.
The government has been working to involve the private sector in managing the valley garbage by setting up energy plant. According to the MoLD, the agreement between the government and the private sector will be signed by mid-December. Then the energy plant will be set up within two years.
Amatya said that they were discussing on the publication of call for expression of interest (EoI) from the interested firms to establish garbage-fuelled plant. “Then we will shortlist the interested companies for the final competition,” she added.
More than a dozen of private companies have already shown interests to set up garbage-fuelled plant.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Metropolis fails to meet minimum criteria
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, September 14
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City, the only metropolis based in the capital city, has failed to meet the minimum standards set by the Ministry of Local Development.
The MoLD has set criteria of minimum condition performance measure (MCPM) to provide budget under the Local Governance Community Development Programme for the municipalities from the this fiscal year.
“KMC and Khandbari municipality in Shankhusabha failed to meet the criteria,” said Narahari Sharma Bhandari, officer at the Munical Management Section under the MoLD.
The ministry has formulated the MCPM to provide budget under the LGCDP project in the municipalities. The budget of those municipalities, which are weaker in the performance, will be reduced by 25 per cent, said Bhandari.
There are 58 municipalities in the country. Rs 75 million will be provided to the 58 municipalities on the basis of the MCPM, according to the MoLD. MC comprises of 15 conditions whereas PM has 40 points. “KMC and Khandbari were unable to meet even seven out of 15 MC points,” said Bhandari. This time, only seven out of 15 points were made to meet mandatory.
The MC includes approval of the annual budget, audit, analysis, transparency, operation of information section, internal audit, estimation of revenues and identification of resources of the concerned municipalities.
Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, spokesperson for the MoLD, said that the ministry official visited KMC two weeks ago to collect the documents but the KMC could not produce it. “We told them to submit within a week but to no avail,” said Thapaliya.
Deepak Koirala, assistant executive chief of the KMC, ignored about the ministry appeal to provide documents. “If the ministry asks us, we are ready to provide the documents any time,” Koirala said.
Fourteen municipalities with top performance will be given additional 25 per cent of the budget while other 14 municipalities with poor performance will be reduced 25 per cent of the budget, according to MoLD. And 30 municipalities with the satisfactory performance will also be divided into two groups. First 15 better municipalities will get additional 10 per cent of the budget and other 15 will get 10 per cent less budget.
The MoLD is scrutinizing the performance of the municipalities and collecting documents. It was, however, scheduled to complete the monitoring by the end of June to include it in the annual budget. “We are yet to publish the final report of the MCPM monitoring,” said Bhandari. “We will publish it within two weeks and allocate the budget respectively,” he added.
Kathmandu, September 14
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City, the only metropolis based in the capital city, has failed to meet the minimum standards set by the Ministry of Local Development.
The MoLD has set criteria of minimum condition performance measure (MCPM) to provide budget under the Local Governance Community Development Programme for the municipalities from the this fiscal year.
“KMC and Khandbari municipality in Shankhusabha failed to meet the criteria,” said Narahari Sharma Bhandari, officer at the Munical Management Section under the MoLD.
The ministry has formulated the MCPM to provide budget under the LGCDP project in the municipalities. The budget of those municipalities, which are weaker in the performance, will be reduced by 25 per cent, said Bhandari.
There are 58 municipalities in the country. Rs 75 million will be provided to the 58 municipalities on the basis of the MCPM, according to the MoLD. MC comprises of 15 conditions whereas PM has 40 points. “KMC and Khandbari were unable to meet even seven out of 15 MC points,” said Bhandari. This time, only seven out of 15 points were made to meet mandatory.
The MC includes approval of the annual budget, audit, analysis, transparency, operation of information section, internal audit, estimation of revenues and identification of resources of the concerned municipalities.
Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, spokesperson for the MoLD, said that the ministry official visited KMC two weeks ago to collect the documents but the KMC could not produce it. “We told them to submit within a week but to no avail,” said Thapaliya.
Deepak Koirala, assistant executive chief of the KMC, ignored about the ministry appeal to provide documents. “If the ministry asks us, we are ready to provide the documents any time,” Koirala said.
Fourteen municipalities with top performance will be given additional 25 per cent of the budget while other 14 municipalities with poor performance will be reduced 25 per cent of the budget, according to MoLD. And 30 municipalities with the satisfactory performance will also be divided into two groups. First 15 better municipalities will get additional 10 per cent of the budget and other 15 will get 10 per cent less budget.
The MoLD is scrutinizing the performance of the municipalities and collecting documents. It was, however, scheduled to complete the monitoring by the end of June to include it in the annual budget. “We are yet to publish the final report of the MCPM monitoring,” said Bhandari. “We will publish it within two weeks and allocate the budget respectively,” he added.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Dev suffers as all-party mechanism fails
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
KATHMANDU: September 12
A row over all-party mechanism, that keep changing over and again, has manifestly obstructed the board meetings required to approve budget and breakdown of the development programmes for the local bodies.
“We are unable to carry out the regular development projects due to the dispute,” said Gopal Parajuli, local development officer at the Kathmandu District Development Committee.
“Every time there is a dispute over the local body, development projects suffer,” he added.
As per the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, it was agreed that an all-party mechanism comprising of seven political parties, would resolve all the disputes. However, Jeevan Sitaula, LDO of the Lalitpur District Development Committee, said this was not happening now.
“The cumulative effects of all this is that neither the budget could be approved nor any board meeting could take place,” Sitaula added.
The Ministry of Local Development has issued notices to the local bodies and the members representing political parties in the Constituent Assembly, but all in vain.
The annual budget was to be approved on or before mid-July, when the fiscal year begins. But the discussions on budget allocations and projects have yet to start, said Prabha Pandey, LDO of Bhaktapur.
“Last year’s programmes are completed, but the new ones are yet to be discussed and endorsed,” she added.
There is now a 10-party mechanism in place in Bhaktapur against the five-party mechanism decided upon earlier. Pandey said that the conflict has ensued between the old and new mechanisms, whereby the new mechanism has not been able to go forward.
The main contentious issue is centred around number of votes garnered by the parties during the CA elections. “They say that those parties which failed to secure 10 per cent of votes in CA election should not be included in the mechanism, “ she added.
Yet another daunting problem before the parties to resolve is how to provide security to the government employees in the local bodies for the smooth implementation of those budget and the programmes.
Krishna Prasad Aryal, LDO of Sindhupalchowk, said that they have been facing several death threats on the new mechanism. “We feel highly insecure to perform our job due to the pressure from the political parties,” he said, adding, “ On the other hand, the dispute of all-party mechanism has left us paralysed to carry out development activities, resulting in a terrible loss of time,” he said.
Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, spokesperson at the MoLD, said that the Maoists were announcing parallel government in the local bodies, which has worsened the situation.
Admitting government’s failure to provide security to the employees, State Minister for Local Development Ganesh Bahadur Khadka said that the Maoists were claiming four-five representatives in the mechanism against the CPA spirit and common consensus. “This has created difficult situation in the local level performance,” Khadka said.
KATHMANDU: September 12
A row over all-party mechanism, that keep changing over and again, has manifestly obstructed the board meetings required to approve budget and breakdown of the development programmes for the local bodies.
“We are unable to carry out the regular development projects due to the dispute,” said Gopal Parajuli, local development officer at the Kathmandu District Development Committee.
“Every time there is a dispute over the local body, development projects suffer,” he added.
As per the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, it was agreed that an all-party mechanism comprising of seven political parties, would resolve all the disputes. However, Jeevan Sitaula, LDO of the Lalitpur District Development Committee, said this was not happening now.
“The cumulative effects of all this is that neither the budget could be approved nor any board meeting could take place,” Sitaula added.
The Ministry of Local Development has issued notices to the local bodies and the members representing political parties in the Constituent Assembly, but all in vain.
The annual budget was to be approved on or before mid-July, when the fiscal year begins. But the discussions on budget allocations and projects have yet to start, said Prabha Pandey, LDO of Bhaktapur.
“Last year’s programmes are completed, but the new ones are yet to be discussed and endorsed,” she added.
There is now a 10-party mechanism in place in Bhaktapur against the five-party mechanism decided upon earlier. Pandey said that the conflict has ensued between the old and new mechanisms, whereby the new mechanism has not been able to go forward.
The main contentious issue is centred around number of votes garnered by the parties during the CA elections. “They say that those parties which failed to secure 10 per cent of votes in CA election should not be included in the mechanism, “ she added.
With no mayor at helm, city planning in limbo
KATHMANDU: The City Planning Commission (CPC), a body responsible for streamlining the development of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has long been non-operational.
The commission which comprised a mayor, experts and managers to implement urban planning and other short- and long-term projects for the development of the city, has been inoperative since 2002, apparently following the end of the tenure of then local body representatives.
"The commission could become operational under the municipal officials and representatives from all parties, but nothing of that sort has happened yet," Naba Raj Dhakal, officer at the Revenue Division of the KMC.
KMC officials said that in the absence of the Mayor, the executive chief had taken over the responsibility to oversee the implementation of the programme in
coordination with the all-party mechanism.
Dhakal also said that the periodic and annual programmes of the metropolis could not be implemented since then.
Meanwhile, sources elsewhere said that the CPC was revived a few weeks ago but is only coming into nominal existence.
When asked, Deepak Koirala, assistant executive of the KMC, said he was unaware of the existence of the Commission. "I am recently transferred here and I am not briefed on CPC," he said.
Koirala informed that there was a temporary metropolis reformation programme to advice the KMC for good governance."I will study on the CPC and explain more about it," he added.
There are six departments and 16 divisions under the KMC, where a total of 2,300 staffs have been employed.
Yet another daunting problem before the parties to resolve is how to provide security to the government employees in the local bodies for the smooth implementation of those budget and the programmes.
Krishna Prasad Aryal, LDO of Sindhupalchowk, said that they have been facing several death threats on the new mechanism. “We feel highly insecure to perform our job due to the pressure from the political parties,” he said, adding, “ On the other hand, the dispute of all-party mechanism has left us paralysed to carry out development activities, resulting in a terrible loss of time,” he said.
Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, spokesperson at the MoLD, said that the Maoists were announcing parallel government in the local bodies, which has worsened the situation.
Admitting government’s failure to provide security to the employees, State Minister for Local Development Ganesh Bahadur Khadka said that the Maoists were claiming four-five representatives in the mechanism against the CPA spirit and common consensus. “This has created difficult situation in the local level performance,” Khadka said.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Lack of transparency slur in civic body
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, September 11
About 50 per cent of the budget allocated for the garbage and environment purposes in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City is complained of avoiding transparency.
Rs 340 million, which accounts nearly 40 per cent of the KMC budget, was allocated to the Environment Management Division (EMD) under the civic body in the last fiscal year (2065/66), according to the KMC. Similarly, Rs 310 million was allocated in the previous fiscal (2064/65). Among them, some Rs 130 million was used to pay 1,300 staff of the division. Among them, they are 900 sweepers, and 400 others including police, mechanics, administrative staff and gardeners.
Nearly 50 per cent is misused under the different heads neglecting the principle of transparency, said account officer Nava Raj Dhakal at the Revenue Division of the KMC. "Although the documents are prepared in formal formats, the forgery might be rampant behind the scenes," Dhakal added.
Dr Sumitra Amatya, general manager at the Solid Waste Management and Resource Mobilisation Centre under the Ministry of Local Development, said that transparency was neither in the centre nor in the EMD. "There must be transparency in the democracy," she added.
Buddha Ratna Manandhar, chief at the Budget and Account Division, said that some Rs 200 million was used for salaries, fuel, vehicles, environment, greenery, landfill site maintenance, community expenses, park construction and conservation, training and seminars. "A total of allocated budget in the fiscal can be additionally spent," he said.
"We provide the big sum of amount on the basis of proposal and break-down details by approving phase-wise from the KMC board," said Manandhar. "However, the authority to distribute a small amount of budget up to Rs 35,000 is given to division head. Besides, a small portion of amount is given to some local clubs without any records on their pressure," he said. "The amount is limited between Rs 5,000 to 10,000."
Dhakal said that there would be immoral agreement of commission between the KMC official and locals. "It is provided up to Rs 1 million to a club," he claimed.
According to the KMC, it issues total allocated budget to the EMD and but does not keep detail breakdown records of the supporting documents. "We send auditors to audit them but don't question on their documents," said Manandhar. "In this sense, there is no transparency," he admitted.
Manandhar said that there was no mandatory of bills and vouchers for the assistance and aids given to any parties. "But this amount will not be bigger," he added. "However, the division should present here for the final approval."
Rabin Man Shrestha, chief of the EMD said that there was clear transparency in the budget. "It was only blame for the sake of blame. Everybody can come and see the bills and documents of the expenses directly," said Shrestha. "Rs 45 million is spent annually on fuel alone for 100 vehicles per year while Rs 20 million is spent on mechanics," he added.
This is only the formality and the KMC is obliged to issue payment on the basis of ready-made documents, said Dhakal. "The transparency lacks in the crisis management. On the other hand, local people, NGOs and clubs are also spending nearly Rs 150 million from their own efforts of collection in the local level, which is helping the garbage management but not included in the KMC project," he explained.
Kathmandu, September 11
About 50 per cent of the budget allocated for the garbage and environment purposes in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City is complained of avoiding transparency.
Rs 340 million, which accounts nearly 40 per cent of the KMC budget, was allocated to the Environment Management Division (EMD) under the civic body in the last fiscal year (2065/66), according to the KMC. Similarly, Rs 310 million was allocated in the previous fiscal (2064/65). Among them, some Rs 130 million was used to pay 1,300 staff of the division. Among them, they are 900 sweepers, and 400 others including police, mechanics, administrative staff and gardeners.
Nearly 50 per cent is misused under the different heads neglecting the principle of transparency, said account officer Nava Raj Dhakal at the Revenue Division of the KMC. "Although the documents are prepared in formal formats, the forgery might be rampant behind the scenes," Dhakal added.
Dr Sumitra Amatya, general manager at the Solid Waste Management and Resource Mobilisation Centre under the Ministry of Local Development, said that transparency was neither in the centre nor in the EMD. "There must be transparency in the democracy," she added.
Buddha Ratna Manandhar, chief at the Budget and Account Division, said that some Rs 200 million was used for salaries, fuel, vehicles, environment, greenery, landfill site maintenance, community expenses, park construction and conservation, training and seminars. "A total of allocated budget in the fiscal can be additionally spent," he said.
"We provide the big sum of amount on the basis of proposal and break-down details by approving phase-wise from the KMC board," said Manandhar. "However, the authority to distribute a small amount of budget up to Rs 35,000 is given to division head. Besides, a small portion of amount is given to some local clubs without any records on their pressure," he said. "The amount is limited between Rs 5,000 to 10,000."
Dhakal said that there would be immoral agreement of commission between the KMC official and locals. "It is provided up to Rs 1 million to a club," he claimed.
According to the KMC, it issues total allocated budget to the EMD and but does not keep detail breakdown records of the supporting documents. "We send auditors to audit them but don't question on their documents," said Manandhar. "In this sense, there is no transparency," he admitted.
Manandhar said that there was no mandatory of bills and vouchers for the assistance and aids given to any parties. "But this amount will not be bigger," he added. "However, the division should present here for the final approval."
Rabin Man Shrestha, chief of the EMD said that there was clear transparency in the budget. "It was only blame for the sake of blame. Everybody can come and see the bills and documents of the expenses directly," said Shrestha. "Rs 45 million is spent annually on fuel alone for 100 vehicles per year while Rs 20 million is spent on mechanics," he added.
This is only the formality and the KMC is obliged to issue payment on the basis of ready-made documents, said Dhakal. "The transparency lacks in the crisis management. On the other hand, local people, NGOs and clubs are also spending nearly Rs 150 million from their own efforts of collection in the local level, which is helping the garbage management but not included in the KMC project," he explained.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Govt urged to fulfill 1279 VDC secys soon
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Lalitpur, September 10
Proposing four different alternatives, the Ministry of Local Development has urged the cabinet to decide on appointing secretaries in 1279 village development committees within 15 days.
According to the MoLD, there are 1279 out of 3915 VDCs without secretaries across the country.
The cabinet should decide on the matter to fulfill the seats lying vacant by the MoLD within two weeks, said Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, spokesman for the MoLD. "We have proposed to coordinate while inter-ministries transfer of the staff, forge policies to allow the local level for appointing the VDC secretaries on the basis of merit, allow zonal office of Public Service Commission appointing temporary secretaries and manage the district employees both technical and non technical to work as secretaries," said Thapaliya.
Thapaliya said that people are deprived from first step of getting government facilities due to the lack of VDC secretaries in many districts. "People should feel presence of the government in the local level as per the decentralization policy," he said. “Local level should be allowed to appoint the secretaries for the long-term solution of the problem.”
The lack of secretaries in the VDCs has barred people from getting recommendation for citizenship paper, birth/death registration, and so on.
The government has completely failed to ensure priority in the local governance, said Bhim Prasad Dhungana, general secretary of the Village Development Committee Federation of Nepal. “More than one third of the VDCs of country do not have secretaries,” he said. “In some districts, there are more than necessary quotas while many districts are facing short.”
The government should give priority in such a serious matter, said Thapaliya. "On one hand, it is time to initiate development projects of the current fiscal year and the grants have been already issued. On the other, the social security allowances such as elderly and widow allowance should be distributed before Dashain festival," he added. "But, everything is at halt now."
Thapaliya indicated the drawbacks of the Ministry of Public Administration and the Public Service Commission in failing to relocate and recruit the personnel in the VDCs. "There is lack of coordination of MoPA with other ministries and the PSC takes about six months to appoint a staff," he said.
There are only 29 VDC secretaries working in Saptari district where 114 VDCs exist. Similarly, 28 VDC secretaries out of 50 VDCs are working in Taplejung. "There were already more than 500 posts of secretaries vacant in different districts while more than 500 bid golden handshake recently," said Thapaliya. "However, the VDC secretaries were recruited en masse about 35 years ago. How can it be sustained now?"
Dhungana said that some of the districts such as Dhankuta, Biratnagar and Kathmandu are overcrowded with secretaries while others remain vacant. "The majority of personnel don't like to go in VDCs while others like to transfer anywhere from there because of the security reason in the local level," said Thapaliya.
Lalitpur, September 10
Proposing four different alternatives, the Ministry of Local Development has urged the cabinet to decide on appointing secretaries in 1279 village development committees within 15 days.
According to the MoLD, there are 1279 out of 3915 VDCs without secretaries across the country.
The cabinet should decide on the matter to fulfill the seats lying vacant by the MoLD within two weeks, said Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, spokesman for the MoLD. "We have proposed to coordinate while inter-ministries transfer of the staff, forge policies to allow the local level for appointing the VDC secretaries on the basis of merit, allow zonal office of Public Service Commission appointing temporary secretaries and manage the district employees both technical and non technical to work as secretaries," said Thapaliya.
Thapaliya said that people are deprived from first step of getting government facilities due to the lack of VDC secretaries in many districts. "People should feel presence of the government in the local level as per the decentralization policy," he said. “Local level should be allowed to appoint the secretaries for the long-term solution of the problem.”
The lack of secretaries in the VDCs has barred people from getting recommendation for citizenship paper, birth/death registration, and so on.
The government has completely failed to ensure priority in the local governance, said Bhim Prasad Dhungana, general secretary of the Village Development Committee Federation of Nepal. “More than one third of the VDCs of country do not have secretaries,” he said. “In some districts, there are more than necessary quotas while many districts are facing short.”
The government should give priority in such a serious matter, said Thapaliya. "On one hand, it is time to initiate development projects of the current fiscal year and the grants have been already issued. On the other, the social security allowances such as elderly and widow allowance should be distributed before Dashain festival," he added. "But, everything is at halt now."
Thapaliya indicated the drawbacks of the Ministry of Public Administration and the Public Service Commission in failing to relocate and recruit the personnel in the VDCs. "There is lack of coordination of MoPA with other ministries and the PSC takes about six months to appoint a staff," he said.
There are only 29 VDC secretaries working in Saptari district where 114 VDCs exist. Similarly, 28 VDC secretaries out of 50 VDCs are working in Taplejung. "There were already more than 500 posts of secretaries vacant in different districts while more than 500 bid golden handshake recently," said Thapaliya. "However, the VDC secretaries were recruited en masse about 35 years ago. How can it be sustained now?"
Dhungana said that some of the districts such as Dhankuta, Biratnagar and Kathmandu are overcrowded with secretaries while others remain vacant. "The majority of personnel don't like to go in VDCs while others like to transfer anywhere from there because of the security reason in the local level," said Thapaliya.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Bid to improve chaotic capital city
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, September 4
The Ganesh Man Singh Memorial Academy has come up with a holy and small but noteworthy step to improve the society and the lives of people to be initiated at Constituency-8 of Kathmandu district. Twelve volunteer women are determined to change the society by stepping up to their doors to raise awareness of the community for the local development.
Kathmandu, the centre of Nepal, is getting no better, safer or cleaner place to live, said the 12 women in a unitary voice. “So we are dedicated to make the community involve in the betterment of their society,” they said, adding their name was not important but the deeds.
Volunteer Jyotshna Sindurakar, a local of KMC Ward No 25, said that they had visited the people of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Wards 15, 19, 23, 24, 25 and Sita Paila VDC in the constituency. “Two wards are yet to be visited,” she said.
They go to the people, collect the problems and suggestions given by the locals on garbage problem, drinking water, security, electricity and roads. Each of the people is forced to live up amidst rising insecurity, failing public utility services, increasing pollution, worsening traffic and growing modernisation, they said. “Eighty per cent of the people are excited about the campaign.”
‘Wake Up Kathmandu’, an initiative under the GMSMA aims at improving the lifestyle of capital denizens and their access to public services. “We inspire the people to begin any works from ourselves,” said Sindurakar. “We want them to form committees in the community level to make the drive successful.”
Constituent Assembly member Nabindra Raj Joshi, leader of the GMSA said the participatory approach involves the public-private and civil society partnership, centralised on safety and security, livelihood and public services, health and hygiene, environment and aesthetics, and culture and tradition.
The pilot project would be formally inaugurated on the day of the Ghatasthapana on September 19, which will be eventually extended citywide within five years with the active involvement of the key stakeholders and enthusiastic arena of people.
“We believe the sorry state of the city can be corrected if we stand together and start doing something from today,” said Joshi. “We are only the facilitator and provide them training and technical support to encourage community.”
Joshi said that Rs one million has been allocated for the purpose now. “Among it, Ace Development Bank has contributed Rs 200,000,” he added.
Late Ganesh Man Singh was the heroic and leading political leader, freedom fighter and democratic hero in the history of Nepalese politics and democracy.
Kathmandu, September 4
The Ganesh Man Singh Memorial Academy has come up with a holy and small but noteworthy step to improve the society and the lives of people to be initiated at Constituency-8 of Kathmandu district. Twelve volunteer women are determined to change the society by stepping up to their doors to raise awareness of the community for the local development.
Kathmandu, the centre of Nepal, is getting no better, safer or cleaner place to live, said the 12 women in a unitary voice. “So we are dedicated to make the community involve in the betterment of their society,” they said, adding their name was not important but the deeds.
Volunteer Jyotshna Sindurakar, a local of KMC Ward No 25, said that they had visited the people of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Wards 15, 19, 23, 24, 25 and Sita Paila VDC in the constituency. “Two wards are yet to be visited,” she said.
They go to the people, collect the problems and suggestions given by the locals on garbage problem, drinking water, security, electricity and roads. Each of the people is forced to live up amidst rising insecurity, failing public utility services, increasing pollution, worsening traffic and growing modernisation, they said. “Eighty per cent of the people are excited about the campaign.”
‘Wake Up Kathmandu’, an initiative under the GMSMA aims at improving the lifestyle of capital denizens and their access to public services. “We inspire the people to begin any works from ourselves,” said Sindurakar. “We want them to form committees in the community level to make the drive successful.”
Constituent Assembly member Nabindra Raj Joshi, leader of the GMSA said the participatory approach involves the public-private and civil society partnership, centralised on safety and security, livelihood and public services, health and hygiene, environment and aesthetics, and culture and tradition.
The pilot project would be formally inaugurated on the day of the Ghatasthapana on September 19, which will be eventually extended citywide within five years with the active involvement of the key stakeholders and enthusiastic arena of people.
“We believe the sorry state of the city can be corrected if we stand together and start doing something from today,” said Joshi. “We are only the facilitator and provide them training and technical support to encourage community.”
Joshi said that Rs one million has been allocated for the purpose now. “Among it, Ace Development Bank has contributed Rs 200,000,” he added.
Late Ganesh Man Singh was the heroic and leading political leader, freedom fighter and democratic hero in the history of Nepalese politics and democracy.
Friday, September 4, 2009
100-day road of MoLD to nowhere
HONEYMOON PERIOD of the GOVERNMENT
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, September 4
The Ministry of Local Development has failed to achieve the major targets put under priority to complete within the first 100 days of the Madhav Kumar Nepal led government.
According to the MoLD, the ministry had prioritised five major agendas to carry out within the honeymoon period. They are management of the people’s representatives in the local bodies, declaration of 41 new municipalities, formation of promotion board of disadvantaged and backward communities, and national Muslim commission, bringing policy to involve private sector for the garbage management, and infrastructure development in different districts.
Bhim Prasad Dhungana, general secretary of the Village Development Committee Federation of Nepal said that nothing significant has been done in this period. “The government could not ensure local governance by arranging people’s representatives in this period despite commitment,” Dhungana said.
It only repeated the all-party mechanism instead of elected representatives vacant for last seven years, said Dhungana. “There are more than 1100 VDC secretaries lying vacant and people are deprived of local government and service delivery,” he said. “It did not dare to hold local elections in the pretext of state restructuring.”
Dhungana said the UCPN-Maoists instead started forming parallel government during the honeymoon period of this government.
Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, spokesman for the MoLD, said that the government was unable to declare the 41 new municipalities recommended by a technical team about a decade ago. “It neither formed a promotion board for disadvantaged and backward communities nor shaped anything about national Muslim commission,” he said, adding everything was on process.
The government in the initiation of PM could approve the proposal of formation of high-level special empowered garbage management committee to involve private sector for the garbage management, Thapaliya said. “However, the policy on this matter is yet to be formulated,”
Regarding the infrastructure, it could take little bit pace in different projects in the districts, which were the continuation of the development programmes included in the fiscal budget of the earlier government. “It was only positive nod that government added budget for the VDCs,” said Dhungana.
Dhungana, meanwhile, informed that the Ministry of Peace and State Restructuring has recently decided to rehabilitate 250 police posts displaced during the 10-year insurgency. “It has also planned to rebuild all the infrastructure damaged by the Maoists,” he added. “Otherwise, this government is not different from any of the past ones.”
Minister for Local Development Purna Kumar Sherma Limbu could not be contacted despite several attempts.
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, September 4
The Ministry of Local Development has failed to achieve the major targets put under priority to complete within the first 100 days of the Madhav Kumar Nepal led government.
According to the MoLD, the ministry had prioritised five major agendas to carry out within the honeymoon period. They are management of the people’s representatives in the local bodies, declaration of 41 new municipalities, formation of promotion board of disadvantaged and backward communities, and national Muslim commission, bringing policy to involve private sector for the garbage management, and infrastructure development in different districts.
Bhim Prasad Dhungana, general secretary of the Village Development Committee Federation of Nepal said that nothing significant has been done in this period. “The government could not ensure local governance by arranging people’s representatives in this period despite commitment,” Dhungana said.
It only repeated the all-party mechanism instead of elected representatives vacant for last seven years, said Dhungana. “There are more than 1100 VDC secretaries lying vacant and people are deprived of local government and service delivery,” he said. “It did not dare to hold local elections in the pretext of state restructuring.”
Dhungana said the UCPN-Maoists instead started forming parallel government during the honeymoon period of this government.
Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, spokesman for the MoLD, said that the government was unable to declare the 41 new municipalities recommended by a technical team about a decade ago. “It neither formed a promotion board for disadvantaged and backward communities nor shaped anything about national Muslim commission,” he said, adding everything was on process.
The government in the initiation of PM could approve the proposal of formation of high-level special empowered garbage management committee to involve private sector for the garbage management, Thapaliya said. “However, the policy on this matter is yet to be formulated,”
Regarding the infrastructure, it could take little bit pace in different projects in the districts, which were the continuation of the development programmes included in the fiscal budget of the earlier government. “It was only positive nod that government added budget for the VDCs,” said Dhungana.
Dhungana, meanwhile, informed that the Ministry of Peace and State Restructuring has recently decided to rehabilitate 250 police posts displaced during the 10-year insurgency. “It has also planned to rebuild all the infrastructure damaged by the Maoists,” he added. “Otherwise, this government is not different from any of the past ones.”
Minister for Local Development Purna Kumar Sherma Limbu could not be contacted despite several attempts.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Prez PM greeted black flag in Indra Jatra
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, September 3
They came amidst a tight security, they saw and they went. They came to Basantapur to see the famous Indra Jatra and chariot pulling of living Goddess Kumari but they were welcomed with black flags. Thousands of devotees were present at the function.
They were President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Minister for Culture Dr Minendra Rijal, Minister for Energy Bal Krishna Khand, parliamentary members, high ranking government officials and ambassadors of different diplomatic missions among others here.
The Indra Jatra, which is very important festival of Newars, that began Tuesday will end on September 8. The main day of the Indra Jatra falls today and the chariot pulling of Kumari begins.
First PM Nepal arrived at 4:20 pm and the cadres of Newa: National Liberation Front, affiliated to the UCPN Maoist party shouted slogans against him and the President urging to resign. They demanded to table a Sankalp Prastav (Resolution motion) on the parliament against the President. They also shouted slogans against Indian envoy Rakesh Sood.
They were urging the people to boycott President and celebrate the festival. “President and defeated PM, resign from the posts!,” they shouted and floated pamphlets while they came there. However, people were desperate to observe the festival.
Devotee and onlooker Nani Mainya Maharjan of Ason said that it was the concern of Maoists but not of the Newars. “We care about our culture not the politics,” she added.
The good time to pull the chariot was scheduled at 4:30 pm. However, it could not begin on time as the President delayed to arrive, owing to the fragile situation there. “It is tense here, so President will be here soon,” said Nabin Joshi, member of the festival organising committee.
Living Goddess Kumari was brought outside the temple at 5:05 pm and the camerapersons and onlookers were thronging towards Goddess. President Dr Yadav arrived at 5:07 pm. The rituals and performances were going on. Kumari descended on the main of the three chariots.
It was 5:20 pm, the pulling of Kumari chariot began. It was pulled towards the area where President, PM, Ministers and diplomatic dignitaries were awaiting to see Goddess. The chariot reached in front of them at 5:25 pm. President and PM offered flowers to Kumari and it moved ahead.
Then they left the place being greeted with black flags again.
Kathmandu, September 3
They came amidst a tight security, they saw and they went. They came to Basantapur to see the famous Indra Jatra and chariot pulling of living Goddess Kumari but they were welcomed with black flags. Thousands of devotees were present at the function.
They were President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Minister for Culture Dr Minendra Rijal, Minister for Energy Bal Krishna Khand, parliamentary members, high ranking government officials and ambassadors of different diplomatic missions among others here.
The Indra Jatra, which is very important festival of Newars, that began Tuesday will end on September 8. The main day of the Indra Jatra falls today and the chariot pulling of Kumari begins.
First PM Nepal arrived at 4:20 pm and the cadres of Newa: National Liberation Front, affiliated to the UCPN Maoist party shouted slogans against him and the President urging to resign. They demanded to table a Sankalp Prastav (Resolution motion) on the parliament against the President. They also shouted slogans against Indian envoy Rakesh Sood.
They were urging the people to boycott President and celebrate the festival. “President and defeated PM, resign from the posts!,” they shouted and floated pamphlets while they came there. However, people were desperate to observe the festival.
KATHMANDU: Three security personnel were injured and seven protestors at the Indra Jatra were held from Basantapur on Thursday. The policemen, who were injured in course of controlling mob, were admitted at Bir Hospital. One of the policemen was critically injured, according to the police. -- BPA
Devotee and onlooker Nani Mainya Maharjan of Ason said that it was the concern of Maoists but not of the Newars. “We care about our culture not the politics,” she added.
The good time to pull the chariot was scheduled at 4:30 pm. However, it could not begin on time as the President delayed to arrive, owing to the fragile situation there. “It is tense here, so President will be here soon,” said Nabin Joshi, member of the festival organising committee.
Living Goddess Kumari was brought outside the temple at 5:05 pm and the camerapersons and onlookers were thronging towards Goddess. President Dr Yadav arrived at 5:07 pm. The rituals and performances were going on. Kumari descended on the main of the three chariots.
It was 5:20 pm, the pulling of Kumari chariot began. It was pulled towards the area where President, PM, Ministers and diplomatic dignitaries were awaiting to see Goddess. The chariot reached in front of them at 5:25 pm. President and PM offered flowers to Kumari and it moved ahead.
Then they left the place being greeted with black flags again.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Only Rs 12.84 for famous Kumari Jatra
Paltry Guthi allocation for Indra Jatra
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, September 2
The Guthi Corporation, main operating committee, provides only Rs 12.84 for the Kumari Chariot pulling festival, which begins tomorrow,on the very day of the Indra Jatra that started yesterday. This amount was fixed some 300 years ago.
“The corporation provides only Rs 12.84 for the expenses of Kumari chariot pulling in the Indra Jatra festival,” said Uttam Shakya, member of the Indra Jatra Management Committee. “This is surprising amount in the present time, which was fixed in Nepal Era 877 while Jaya Prakash Malla was king of Kathmandu,” he added. It is Nepal Era 1129 this year.
However, Hari Prasad Joshi, chief of the Guthi Corporation, Kathmandu, said that it was not true. “We spend at least Rs 800,000 in the festival that is celebrated for eight days beginning yesterday,” he added. The chariot pulling will go different thoroughfares of Basantapur area and end on September 8.
Indra Jatra, who is believed God of rain in the Newar community both Hindus and Buddhists, is celebrated, coinciding with the living goddess Kumari chariot pulling. The festival began yesterday by erecting lingum and it ends tomorrow when the chariot pulling of Kumari begins tomorrow.
According to the legend, Indra, king of gods, descended in Kathmandu from heaven many years ago. He entered in a garden of local in Kathmandu in this season and started picking up flower of Parijat ( perfumed white flower). Meanwhile, people caught without knowing him. Later as they came to know him, he was released. The chariot pulling of Kumari began form the Indra Jatra for his salvation from his sin of picking flower without permission.
It was very unreasonable to allocate such a minimal amount for the chariot pulling, said Shakya. “The Corporation might allocate that amount of about Rs 1 million for various festivals,” he added. “On the other hand, the government last year cut all the budget given to the different 10 trusts.”
Shakya informed that the Ministry of Culture provided Rs 365,000 to the ten Guthi Khala: for the festival. Joshi also complained that the government did not provide any amount to them for the Indra Jatra and the Kumari festival.
Joshi also lambasted the government for failing to pay all of the 60 Manes (assistants in the festivals) since 2006. Their allowance was fixed ranging from Rs 220 to Rs 375 each person some 20 years ago. “It has not been reviewed yet once,” said Joshi.
The Manes were all set to disrupt the festival owing to the non-payment to them, according to the Corporation. “We convinced them not to disrupt this time after we talked to the Ministry of Finance to manage pay them immediately. However, the ministry is yet to decide on the matter,” said Joshi.
Dev Raj Joshi, assistant administrator of the Hanumandhoka Durbar Square Conservation Programme under the Kathmandu Metropolitan City said that the preparation for the festival was complete. “The festival will run smoothly as its calendar,” he added.
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, September 2
The Guthi Corporation, main operating committee, provides only Rs 12.84 for the Kumari Chariot pulling festival, which begins tomorrow,on the very day of the Indra Jatra that started yesterday. This amount was fixed some 300 years ago.
“The corporation provides only Rs 12.84 for the expenses of Kumari chariot pulling in the Indra Jatra festival,” said Uttam Shakya, member of the Indra Jatra Management Committee. “This is surprising amount in the present time, which was fixed in Nepal Era 877 while Jaya Prakash Malla was king of Kathmandu,” he added. It is Nepal Era 1129 this year.
However, Hari Prasad Joshi, chief of the Guthi Corporation, Kathmandu, said that it was not true. “We spend at least Rs 800,000 in the festival that is celebrated for eight days beginning yesterday,” he added. The chariot pulling will go different thoroughfares of Basantapur area and end on September 8.
Indra Jatra, who is believed God of rain in the Newar community both Hindus and Buddhists, is celebrated, coinciding with the living goddess Kumari chariot pulling. The festival began yesterday by erecting lingum and it ends tomorrow when the chariot pulling of Kumari begins tomorrow.
KATHMANDU: President Dr Ram Baran Yadav will be present at the Indra Jatra festival tomorrow. As the chariot pulling of Kumari begins on right time, the Indra Jatra ends, according to the Guthi Corporation. President Yadav and Prime Minister Madhav Kumar will attend the function at Basantur at 4:30 PM, said Hari Prasad Joshi, chief at GC. -- BPA
According to the legend, Indra, king of gods, descended in Kathmandu from heaven many years ago. He entered in a garden of local in Kathmandu in this season and started picking up flower of Parijat ( perfumed white flower). Meanwhile, people caught without knowing him. Later as they came to know him, he was released. The chariot pulling of Kumari began form the Indra Jatra for his salvation from his sin of picking flower without permission.
It was very unreasonable to allocate such a minimal amount for the chariot pulling, said Shakya. “The Corporation might allocate that amount of about Rs 1 million for various festivals,” he added. “On the other hand, the government last year cut all the budget given to the different 10 trusts.”
Shakya informed that the Ministry of Culture provided Rs 365,000 to the ten Guthi Khala: for the festival. Joshi also complained that the government did not provide any amount to them for the Indra Jatra and the Kumari festival.
Joshi also lambasted the government for failing to pay all of the 60 Manes (assistants in the festivals) since 2006. Their allowance was fixed ranging from Rs 220 to Rs 375 each person some 20 years ago. “It has not been reviewed yet once,” said Joshi.
The Manes were all set to disrupt the festival owing to the non-payment to them, according to the Corporation. “We convinced them not to disrupt this time after we talked to the Ministry of Finance to manage pay them immediately. However, the ministry is yet to decide on the matter,” said Joshi.
Dev Raj Joshi, assistant administrator of the Hanumandhoka Durbar Square Conservation Programme under the Kathmandu Metropolitan City said that the preparation for the festival was complete. “The festival will run smoothly as its calendar,” he added.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
1134 out of 3915 VDC secretaries vacant
Govt planning to allow local level to appoint VDC secretaries
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, August 31
The government has failed to ensure democratic realisation and its presence to the local level, where the first step of the governance begins.
The government has completely failed to ensure priority in the local governance, said Bhim Prasad Dhungana, general secretary of the Village Development Committee Federation of Nepal.
“More than one third of the VDCs of the country do not have secretaries,” he said. “In some districts, there are more than necessary quotas while many districts are facing short.”
The Ministry of Local Development has planned to formulate policies empowering the local bodies to appoint the Village Development Committee secretaries, said a high-ranking ministry official.
"We are discussing to forge policies to allow the local level for appointing the VDC secretaries on the basis of merit," said Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, spokesman for the MoLD. "This process must be approved by the cabinet to bring the concept into practice," he added.
Thapaliya said that people are deprived from first step of getting government facilities due to the lack of VDC secretaries in many districts. "People should feel presence of the government in the local level as per the decentralization policy," he said. "But this has been a far cry here."
According to the MoLD, 1134 VDCs are running without secretaries, which has barred people from getting recommendation for citizenship paper, birth/death registration, and so on. There are 3915 VDCs across the nation.
The government should give priority in such a serious matter, said Thapaliya. "On one hand, it is time to initiate development projects of the current fiscal year and the grants have been already issued. On the other, the social security allowances such as elderly and widow allowance should be distributed before Dashain festival," he added. "But, everything is at halt now."
Thapaliya indicated the drawbacks of the Ministry of Public Administration and the Public Service Commission in failing to relocate and recruit the personnel in the VDCs. "There is lack of coordination of MoPA with other ministries and the PSC takes about six months to appoint a staff," he said.
There are only 29 VDC secretaries working in Saptari district where 114 VDCs exist. Similarly, 28 VDC secretaries out of 50 VDCs are working in Taplejung. "There were already more than 500 posts of secretaries vacant in different districts while more than 500 bid golden handshake recently," said Thapaliya. "However, the VDC secretaries were recruited en masse about 35 years ago. How can it be sustained now?"
Dhungana said that some of the districts such as Dhankuta, Biratnagar and Kathmandu are overcrowded with secretaries while others remain vacant. "The majority of personnel don't like to go in the VDCs while others like to transfer anywhere from there due to the security reason in the local level," said Thapaliya.
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, August 31
The government has failed to ensure democratic realisation and its presence to the local level, where the first step of the governance begins.
The government has completely failed to ensure priority in the local governance, said Bhim Prasad Dhungana, general secretary of the Village Development Committee Federation of Nepal.
“More than one third of the VDCs of the country do not have secretaries,” he said. “In some districts, there are more than necessary quotas while many districts are facing short.”
The Ministry of Local Development has planned to formulate policies empowering the local bodies to appoint the Village Development Committee secretaries, said a high-ranking ministry official.
"We are discussing to forge policies to allow the local level for appointing the VDC secretaries on the basis of merit," said Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, spokesman for the MoLD. "This process must be approved by the cabinet to bring the concept into practice," he added.
Thapaliya said that people are deprived from first step of getting government facilities due to the lack of VDC secretaries in many districts. "People should feel presence of the government in the local level as per the decentralization policy," he said. "But this has been a far cry here."
According to the MoLD, 1134 VDCs are running without secretaries, which has barred people from getting recommendation for citizenship paper, birth/death registration, and so on. There are 3915 VDCs across the nation.
The government should give priority in such a serious matter, said Thapaliya. "On one hand, it is time to initiate development projects of the current fiscal year and the grants have been already issued. On the other, the social security allowances such as elderly and widow allowance should be distributed before Dashain festival," he added. "But, everything is at halt now."
Thapaliya indicated the drawbacks of the Ministry of Public Administration and the Public Service Commission in failing to relocate and recruit the personnel in the VDCs. "There is lack of coordination of MoPA with other ministries and the PSC takes about six months to appoint a staff," he said.
There are only 29 VDC secretaries working in Saptari district where 114 VDCs exist. Similarly, 28 VDC secretaries out of 50 VDCs are working in Taplejung. "There were already more than 500 posts of secretaries vacant in different districts while more than 500 bid golden handshake recently," said Thapaliya. "However, the VDC secretaries were recruited en masse about 35 years ago. How can it be sustained now?"
Dhungana said that some of the districts such as Dhankuta, Biratnagar and Kathmandu are overcrowded with secretaries while others remain vacant. "The majority of personnel don't like to go in the VDCs while others like to transfer anywhere from there due to the security reason in the local level," said Thapaliya.
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