I simply observed the natural beauty crafted at Nagarjun Jungle in the Shivapuri National Park, adjoining to the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Dev budget is reported misused in local bodies
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Lalitpur, October 29
In a bid to check corruption in the local bodies, the Ministry of Local Development (MoLD) has tabled a proposal to the cabinet to form a high level empowered monitoring body.
Minister for Local Development Purna Kumar Sherma Limbu said the ministry has been seriously working to check the activities in the local bodies after the people complained of irregularities and misuse of the development funds allocated for the local bodies. "We have taken this very seriously to make the monitoring effective in the local bodies," Minister Limbu told this scribe exclusively.
Though the monitoring bodies already exist in the central level, ministry and local bodies, they are frequently complained of not working actively and effectively, said Limbu. "So we felt an urgent need of active and effective mechanism to check such activities in the bodies," he said. "The quantity and quality of works, increasing unaudited budget, and inefficiency to take action against the guilty in the local bodies are frequently reported," he added.
"We submitted the proposal to the Office of the Council of Ministers on Monday," said Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, spokesperson for the MoLD. "We realised an immediate need of forming a powerful monitoring body to check the corruption in the local bodies," he added. "They prepare fake documents of spending money on development and misuse the fund badly."
According to the MoLD, a huge amount of budget is regularly sanctioned to the local bodies on the different heads and projects for the development. At least Rs 35 billion is disbursed for the local bodies throughout the country every year. Rs 1.69 billion is unaudited under the MoLD bodies at present.
Thapaliya said neither there was elected body nor the nominated all-party mechanism could work responsibly in the local bodies. "Now the committee headed by the MoLD secretary is proposed to carry out effective monitoring of such embezzlements," he said. "This mechanism will include representatives from the National Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Home Affairs and OCoM," he added.
Thapaliya said such mechanisms will be formed in the regional level and monitor all the 75 districts. "A team coordinated by joint-secretary comprising of experts will be assigned to the fields. It will consult with the political parties, civil society, beneficiaries and other stakeholders in course of monitoring," he said. "We will check income, expenditure, quality of works and overall management; and will recommend to the government for the immediate action against the guilty."
Nobody will escape the punishment if they are involved in the irregular activities, said Minister Limbu. "The committee will be approved once it is discussed on the cabinet and will be brought into effect immediately," he assured.
Lalitpur, October 29
In a bid to check corruption in the local bodies, the Ministry of Local Development (MoLD) has tabled a proposal to the cabinet to form a high level empowered monitoring body.
Minister for Local Development Purna Kumar Sherma Limbu said the ministry has been seriously working to check the activities in the local bodies after the people complained of irregularities and misuse of the development funds allocated for the local bodies. "We have taken this very seriously to make the monitoring effective in the local bodies," Minister Limbu told this scribe exclusively.
Though the monitoring bodies already exist in the central level, ministry and local bodies, they are frequently complained of not working actively and effectively, said Limbu. "So we felt an urgent need of active and effective mechanism to check such activities in the bodies," he said. "The quantity and quality of works, increasing unaudited budget, and inefficiency to take action against the guilty in the local bodies are frequently reported," he added.
"We submitted the proposal to the Office of the Council of Ministers on Monday," said Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, spokesperson for the MoLD. "We realised an immediate need of forming a powerful monitoring body to check the corruption in the local bodies," he added. "They prepare fake documents of spending money on development and misuse the fund badly."
According to the MoLD, a huge amount of budget is regularly sanctioned to the local bodies on the different heads and projects for the development. At least Rs 35 billion is disbursed for the local bodies throughout the country every year. Rs 1.69 billion is unaudited under the MoLD bodies at present.
Thapaliya said neither there was elected body nor the nominated all-party mechanism could work responsibly in the local bodies. "Now the committee headed by the MoLD secretary is proposed to carry out effective monitoring of such embezzlements," he said. "This mechanism will include representatives from the National Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Home Affairs and OCoM," he added.
Thapaliya said such mechanisms will be formed in the regional level and monitor all the 75 districts. "A team coordinated by joint-secretary comprising of experts will be assigned to the fields. It will consult with the political parties, civil society, beneficiaries and other stakeholders in course of monitoring," he said. "We will check income, expenditure, quality of works and overall management; and will recommend to the government for the immediate action against the guilty."
Nobody will escape the punishment if they are involved in the irregular activities, said Minister Limbu. "The committee will be approved once it is discussed on the cabinet and will be brought into effect immediately," he assured.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
What I saw on the roadside
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
WB's US$ 45M for 650km new roads and 10 bridges
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Lalitpur, October 28
The International Development Association under the World Bank is ready to provide US$ 45 million over a period of three years for constructing 650km of new roads and 10 motorable bridges in rural areas of 30 districts of Nepal.
“The negotiation between the government of Nepal and WB has recently reached to conclusion,” said Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, spokesperson for the MoLD. “The agreement will be officially signed between the Ministry of Finance and WB soon,” he added.
The negotiation was held on October 20 and 21 at the Office of the WB. Shyam Prasad Mainali, secretary at the Ministry of Local Development represented from the government ofNepal
Thapaliya said US$ 24.75 million will be a loan while US$ 20.25 will be on grants. “The budget will be spent on the infrastructure development of 30 districts through the Department of Local Infrastructure Development and Agriculture Roads (DOLIDAR) of MoLD,” he said. “The government of Nepal will additionally provide 10 per cent of the total budget while District Development Committees will add about another 10 per cent of the budget,” he added.
Thapaliya said that the total budget would reach to about US$ 60 million for the project. “The budget will be used to construct 650Km of the new roads and 10 motorable bridges. Some of the amount will also be spent on the maintenance of the roads,” he said.
A total of 1,560,170 people will benefit from the project in 30 districts. They are Kanchanpur, Kailali, Bardiya, Banke, Surkhet, Salyan, Dang, Pyuthan, Arghakhachi, Gulmi, Kapilvastu, Rupandehi, Nawalparasi, Palpa, Syangja, Kaski, Tanahu, Dhading, Nuwakot, Makwanpur, Parsa, Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Dhanusha, Siraha, Udayapur and Saptari.
According to the negotiation draft, among US$ 45 million of the budget, 31.20 million dollar will be spent on dry season rural roads, small community infrastructures, key motorable river crossings, and road maintenance.
Similarly, US$ 6 million will be used for rural trail bridges, 1.50M dollar for goods, $3.90M for consultants’ services and trainings, .60M dollar for incremental operating costs and $1.80M is unallocated yet. “The closing date of the financing is December 31, 2013,” said the negotiation paper of the WB.
Lalitpur, October 28
The International Development Association under the World Bank is ready to provide US$ 45 million over a period of three years for constructing 650km of new roads and 10 motorable bridges in rural areas of 30 districts of Nepal.
“The negotiation between the government of Nepal and WB has recently reached to conclusion,” said Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, spokesperson for the MoLD. “The agreement will be officially signed between the Ministry of Finance and WB soon,” he added.
The negotiation was held on October 20 and 21 at the Office of the WB. Shyam Prasad Mainali, secretary at the Ministry of Local Development represented from the government of
Thapaliya said US$ 24.75 million will be a loan while US$ 20.25 will be on grants. “The budget will be spent on the infrastructure development of 30 districts through the Department of Local Infrastructure Development and Agriculture Roads (DOLIDAR) of MoLD,” he said. “The government of Nepal will additionally provide 10 per cent of the total budget while District Development Committees will add about another 10 per cent of the budget,” he added.
Thapaliya said that the total budget would reach to about US$ 60 million for the project. “The budget will be used to construct 650Km of the new roads and 10 motorable bridges. Some of the amount will also be spent on the maintenance of the roads,” he said.
A total of 1,560,170 people will benefit from the project in 30 districts. They are Kanchanpur, Kailali, Bardiya, Banke, Surkhet, Salyan, Dang, Pyuthan, Arghakhachi, Gulmi, Kapilvastu, Rupandehi, Nawalparasi, Palpa, Syangja, Kaski, Tanahu, Dhading, Nuwakot, Makwanpur, Parsa, Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Dhanusha, Siraha, Udayapur and Saptari.
According to the negotiation draft, among US$ 45 million of the budget, 31.20 million dollar will be spent on dry season rural roads, small community infrastructures, key motorable river crossings, and road maintenance.
Similarly, US$ 6 million will be used for rural trail bridges, 1.50M dollar for goods, $3.90M for consultants’ services and trainings, .60M dollar for incremental operating costs and $1.80M is unallocated yet. “The closing date of the financing is December 31, 2013,” said the negotiation paper of the WB.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
A travel from my home to Kathmandu
3. Natural beauty on the way to Pokhara valley, it is the begining of the valley. 2. Famous Fewa Lake in Pokhara. 1. Kurintar, gateway to very famous tempele Manakamana (Goddess of wisehes fulfilment), from where cable car is available to reach to the temple atop the mountain from the base of the hill. It was a visit four weeks ago.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Famous Queen Lake in kathmandu
Ranipokhari (Queen Lake) made in 17th century and the Gaurishankar Temple at the centre of pond is very famous in the country. The pond was created to console the queen of King Pratap Malla after their young son died untimely.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
A pitiful picture of a pretty girl in Nepal
A Shameful Deed
By Bishnu Prasad Aryal
A FEW days back I met a smiling girl at a shelter under an NGO. She seemed to be happy. However, in reality she was not happy, as she was a lonely girl in the crowded city. She had a bitter story to tell. When she was a student of class one she was compelled to abandon her study.
Her mother married a man when she was a small child. She even does not know her father's name. He died before she knew him. She has been living with her mother at her stepfather's home. She is the youngest among eight sisters. She said that she would study if she got an opportunity.
It is a story of a 14-year old girl. A few months ago, she had been to one of her elder sisters' home. She helped in household works for her sister and brother-in-law who have a small child. They had a small teashop at the ground floor of a house. A police post has occupied the upper floor of the house.
On the 3rd of August, she was playing with her nephew. A policeman came there and snatched the baby away. He headed towards the office. By dint of panic and absence of his relative, he began to cry. Then her sister and brother-in-law sent the girl to bring the child back as they were busy at the teashop.
As soon as she entered into the police office, the same policeman taped her mouth and seduced her at the premises of the office. Another tall policeman was the witness to all this inhuman act.
After completing his task, the cruel creature in police uniform threatened her not to reveal the incident. If she complied, he would give her Rs. 100,000. But she denied it violently. He regretfully pleaded to her that he would, otherwise, be dismissed from his job.
She said he must be killed for what he did. According to her, the culprit is Netra Bahadur Karki, a policeman at Tundal Devi Mandir, Bishal Nagar, Kathmandu.
At present, the criminal is under custody and the government has assured that the culprit would be punished. Necessary legal procedures are underway. And CAP-CRON, an NGO for children has shown interest to offer legal aid for the victim.
The issue is very touching. Sadly this is not a rare of case. Teachers, fathers, brothers, employers are seducing children, girls and women. Our patriarchal society remains ignorant and negligent about such issues. Though voices against sexual harassment and gender suppression are emerging, they are yet to be effective to control such crimes.
At a time when women empowerment has become a catchword for a number of international organisations, a large number of girls here are falling victim to (s)exploitation. Women and children are badly undermined in traditional societies like ours. The United Nations Child Right Convention (UNCRC) 1989 ensured to implement the humanitarian principles for all under 18. The Constitution of Nepal has also included this provision. Children Act 1992 has been amended under the Constitution.
But due to the lack of implementation such legal provisions have become toothless.
If we analyse the present state of affair, we can trace the need of two kinds of rights. They are social justice and legal justice.
At present, legal justice has been altered into a new dimension but weakness lies in implementation.
In rapidly changing scenario of human civilization and development, the Children Act 1992 has been seen as incomplete and vague with some clauses that have hindered practicality.
To preserve the child rights, the Children's Bench was established in 1999 in 75 districts under juvenile justice. Yet, no case concerned to children has been filed and heard of in those districts, because of the lack of legal clarity.
On the other hand, members of civil society are not keenly aware about the implementation of those laws for them who are detested/condemned from family and local community.
Now, it has become a major issue to revive them in the society without any prejudice and protest so that they can be secured for their future prospect. Only then the smiling face of the girl and her enthusiasm can be protected. It is the responsibility of family, society and the state to do this.
This feature article was published on THE RISING NEPAL daily, Kathmandu Wednesday September 04, 2002 Bhadra 19, 2059.
By Bishnu Prasad Aryal
A FEW days back I met a smiling girl at a shelter under an NGO. She seemed to be happy. However, in reality she was not happy, as she was a lonely girl in the crowded city. She had a bitter story to tell. When she was a student of class one she was compelled to abandon her study.
Her mother married a man when she was a small child. She even does not know her father's name. He died before she knew him. She has been living with her mother at her stepfather's home. She is the youngest among eight sisters. She said that she would study if she got an opportunity.
It is a story of a 14-year old girl. A few months ago, she had been to one of her elder sisters' home. She helped in household works for her sister and brother-in-law who have a small child. They had a small teashop at the ground floor of a house. A police post has occupied the upper floor of the house.
On the 3rd of August, she was playing with her nephew. A policeman came there and snatched the baby away. He headed towards the office. By dint of panic and absence of his relative, he began to cry. Then her sister and brother-in-law sent the girl to bring the child back as they were busy at the teashop.
As soon as she entered into the police office, the same policeman taped her mouth and seduced her at the premises of the office. Another tall policeman was the witness to all this inhuman act.
After completing his task, the cruel creature in police uniform threatened her not to reveal the incident. If she complied, he would give her Rs. 100,000. But she denied it violently. He regretfully pleaded to her that he would, otherwise, be dismissed from his job.
She said he must be killed for what he did. According to her, the culprit is Netra Bahadur Karki, a policeman at Tundal Devi Mandir, Bishal Nagar, Kathmandu.
At present, the criminal is under custody and the government has assured that the culprit would be punished. Necessary legal procedures are underway. And CAP-CRON, an NGO for children has shown interest to offer legal aid for the victim.
The issue is very touching. Sadly this is not a rare of case. Teachers, fathers, brothers, employers are seducing children, girls and women. Our patriarchal society remains ignorant and negligent about such issues. Though voices against sexual harassment and gender suppression are emerging, they are yet to be effective to control such crimes.
At a time when women empowerment has become a catchword for a number of international organisations, a large number of girls here are falling victim to (s)exploitation. Women and children are badly undermined in traditional societies like ours. The United Nations Child Right Convention (UNCRC) 1989 ensured to implement the humanitarian principles for all under 18. The Constitution of Nepal has also included this provision. Children Act 1992 has been amended under the Constitution.
But due to the lack of implementation such legal provisions have become toothless.
If we analyse the present state of affair, we can trace the need of two kinds of rights. They are social justice and legal justice.
At present, legal justice has been altered into a new dimension but weakness lies in implementation.
In rapidly changing scenario of human civilization and development, the Children Act 1992 has been seen as incomplete and vague with some clauses that have hindered practicality.
To preserve the child rights, the Children's Bench was established in 1999 in 75 districts under juvenile justice. Yet, no case concerned to children has been filed and heard of in those districts, because of the lack of legal clarity.
On the other hand, members of civil society are not keenly aware about the implementation of those laws for them who are detested/condemned from family and local community.
Now, it has become a major issue to revive them in the society without any prejudice and protest so that they can be secured for their future prospect. Only then the smiling face of the girl and her enthusiasm can be protected. It is the responsibility of family, society and the state to do this.
This feature article was published on THE RISING NEPAL daily, Kathmandu Wednesday September 04, 2002 Bhadra 19, 2059.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Ranipokhari opens twice first time in history
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, October 20
Gaurishankar temple at the centre of the Ranipokhari (a lake), which usually opens one day a year on Bhaitika, remained open two days for the general public this year for the first time. However, both Newars and non-Newars visited the temple today in course of celebrating Tihar.
"This happened because some people of the Newar community celebrated Bhaitika today," said Harsh Narayan Guruji, the priest of the temple. "People who do not have sisters and brothers come to this temple to worship gods and receive Tika and blessing of long-life here," he added.
Majority of the people celebrated Bhaitika yesterday. This time, the five-day Tihar festival had only four days in calendar. Bhaitika falls on the last day of the festival.
The temple opens on the Bhaitika for the general public once a year. Gaurishankar temple, built at the period of King Pratap Malla (1641-1674) in seventeenth century, stands at the centre of the Ranipokhari with the idols of Bal Gopal (child form of Lord Krishna), goddess Mahalaxmi, Shiva Lingum and goddess Parvati.
As per the rule it had already been opened on Monday as other communities celebrated Bhai Tika on Monday. This time a number of the Newars celebrated Tika today and therefore the temple remained open for them today as well.
However, people from all communities visited the temple and received Tika whether they sisters and brothers. It was more interesting when a man who received Tika from his sister yesterday got Tika from a sister (woman) at the temple.
Kiran Rana, hailed from Birgunj, received Tika from Bimala Kapali, 45, who has been offering Tika to those without sisters for 28 years. "I am very happy today as I got an opportunity to visit the temple first time in my life," said Rana, whose grand-grand parent family was forced to leave Kathmandu after the murder of then prime minister Ranodeep Singh (Rana), brother of infamous PM Jung Bahadur Rana about 260 years ago.
Kiran, 51, said that he received Tika from his sisters yesterday in Kathmandu. "I believe there is no boundary to celebrate festival and our culture with great respect," said Rana.
Men who do not have sisters receive Tika from professional sisters sitting around the temple while women without brothers enter the temple and pray Bal Gopal. Another 77 year-old Ram Manandhar from Kalanki also visited the temple and received Tika from professional sister.
"I have not had Tika for about a decade although I have my sisters," said Manandhar, who is grandfather of about two dozens of grandchildren and from Newar family. "This is the first time I came here and received Tika from an unknown sister," he added. "All of my family members put on Tika yeasterday."
Bishnu Adhikari, a staff of Malla Hotel in Kathmandu, said that it was a great oppurtinity to visit the temple. "I had Tika yesterday with my sister and I am here today to pray in the temple and roam around the historical Ranipokhari," he said. "But I am shocked when I saw the dirty and filthy water of the lake."
People were alloed to visit the temple from 5AM to 5PM. Thousands of people visited the temple yesterday while 20 per cent of them came to the Ranipokhari today.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Second greatest festival Tihar being observed
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, October 17
The second day, the very important day of the Tihar (Deepawali) based on Vedic culture, was observed with the worship of Laxmi, goddess of wealth, education and power; and man's faithful companion, the dog with great revelry throughout the country today. Kag (Crow) Tihar was observed yesterday on the first day of the five-day Tihar festival.
Deepawali, after Dashain the second greatest festival of the Hindus, is commonly a five-day festival. However, this year it is of four days. Today is the Dog Tihar but Laxmi Puja also falls on the second half of the day, according to the Nepal Panchang Nirnayak Samitee.
People worship the dog in the morning by preparing special food for dogs and honouring them as Yamadut. Laxmi is worshipped in the evening with homes and streets lit up with clay-lamp and electric lights. People also clean their homes and surroundings to accord her a special welcome. "Laxmi Puja is the festival of lights and flowers, which symbilises the inner light, power and knowledge of human being," said Dr Madhav Prasad Bhattari, president of the NPNS.
Women fast the entire day and break their fast with Laxmi Prasad in the evening. The day is also called ‘Narak Chaturdarshi’ with Naraks being floated down the river at daybreak.Narak (hell) god of death are also worshipped in the festival.
Streets of Kathmandu valley are full of flowers and candles. People are busy in buying the items for the festival. "People worship birds, animals, nature, mountain, human being, death and gods during this festival," said Bhattarai. "This festival is the worship of soul and inner clearance as well as whole existence." Another characteristic of the festival is to enjoy by having sweets and exploding fireworks as an entertainment and celebration.
People will worship cow tomorrow. They worship mountain in the morning on Monday and the Bhaitika, the very day of the festival falls in the noon on the same day. The auspicious time for Tika falls at 11:53 AM on Monday, said astrologer Dr Bhattarai. Sisters put on Tika on the forehead of brothers on the Bhaitika and brothers to sisters. Those who don't have brothers and sisters go to have Tika at Ranipokhari in Kathmandu on Monday.
There is a three day government holiday from Laxmi Puja to Bhaitika throuhout the country. All the government and private offices, schools and campuses remain closed during the festival. People sing and dance by visiting different houses in the evening. "Playing Dhyausi and Bhaili is our culture emanated from thousands of years history. But people are misusing it by collecting donations on the name of the festival," said cultural expert Bhattarai. "This is corruption in the culture."
Deepawali festival coincides with the New Year of Newars (Nepal Sambat), Mha Puja and Chhath Parva, popular festival of the Tarai people. The birthday of Great Poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota also falls on the Laximi Puja day. So this festival is very important among the Nepalese people, said Bhattarai. "Non-Hindus also enjoy this festival by playing swing, cleaning houses and merry making in the society."
Kathmandu, October 17
The second day, the very important day of the Tihar (Deepawali) based on Vedic culture, was observed with the worship of Laxmi, goddess of wealth, education and power; and man's faithful companion, the dog with great revelry throughout the country today. Kag (Crow) Tihar was observed yesterday on the first day of the five-day Tihar festival.
Deepawali, after Dashain the second greatest festival of the Hindus, is commonly a five-day festival. However, this year it is of four days. Today is the Dog Tihar but Laxmi Puja also falls on the second half of the day, according to the Nepal Panchang Nirnayak Samitee.
People worship the dog in the morning by preparing special food for dogs and honouring them as Yamadut. Laxmi is worshipped in the evening with homes and streets lit up with clay-lamp and electric lights. People also clean their homes and surroundings to accord her a special welcome. "Laxmi Puja is the festival of lights and flowers, which symbilises the inner light, power and knowledge of human being," said Dr Madhav Prasad Bhattari, president of the NPNS.
Women fast the entire day and break their fast with Laxmi Prasad in the evening. The day is also called ‘Narak Chaturdarshi’ with Naraks being floated down the river at daybreak.Narak (hell) god of death are also worshipped in the festival.
Streets of Kathmandu valley are full of flowers and candles. People are busy in buying the items for the festival. "People worship birds, animals, nature, mountain, human being, death and gods during this festival," said Bhattarai. "This festival is the worship of soul and inner clearance as well as whole existence." Another characteristic of the festival is to enjoy by having sweets and exploding fireworks as an entertainment and celebration.
People will worship cow tomorrow. They worship mountain in the morning on Monday and the Bhaitika, the very day of the festival falls in the noon on the same day. The auspicious time for Tika falls at 11:53 AM on Monday, said astrologer Dr Bhattarai. Sisters put on Tika on the forehead of brothers on the Bhaitika and brothers to sisters. Those who don't have brothers and sisters go to have Tika at Ranipokhari in Kathmandu on Monday.
There is a three day government holiday from Laxmi Puja to Bhaitika throuhout the country. All the government and private offices, schools and campuses remain closed during the festival. People sing and dance by visiting different houses in the evening. "Playing Dhyausi and Bhaili is our culture emanated from thousands of years history. But people are misusing it by collecting donations on the name of the festival," said cultural expert Bhattarai. "This is corruption in the culture."
Deepawali festival coincides with the New Year of Newars (Nepal Sambat), Mha Puja and Chhath Parva, popular festival of the Tarai people. The birthday of Great Poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota also falls on the Laximi Puja day. So this festival is very important among the Nepalese people, said Bhattarai. "Non-Hindus also enjoy this festival by playing swing, cleaning houses and merry making in the society."
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Water-supplying staff don't use their own supply
They use jar-filled mineral water at home and office
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, October 15
Forget about the shortage and irregularity of drinking water supplied in the Kathmandu valley. It is reported to be unsafe and dangerous to health concerns due to the chemicals, viruses and bacteria contaminated in drinking water. Even the staffs of the Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL), the only water supplying body, choose jar-filled mineral water for use to avoid the hazard.
Ordinary people are compelled to use such substandard water silently at a time when water supply is hitting hard or unaware of the slow poison contaminated in water.
Ramesh Pradhan, an official at the KUKL, Lalitpur, said that he was also doubtful of the quality of drinking water supplied to the people. “We also use jar water in our office. The drinking water pipes are very vulnerable to contamination with leaks of sewerage pipe installed along with or adjoining to the KUKL pipes,” he said.
Rabin Lal Shrestha of Water Aid Nepal said that only 27 per cent of the total population in Kathmandu was provided with safe drinking water. “Rest of them are forced to have shortage and unsafe drinking water,” he said. “This is a slow-poison to the people.”
We use branded jar-filled water for drinking, said Bishnu Kumar Karki, technical officer at the KUKL, Lalitpur. “We are forced to use contaminated water at our homes. If we go on unraveling the facts, there will be a chain of lists of responsible authorities and bodies to manage the problem,” he said.
The treatment plants are installed following the reservoirs to treat water before they are supplied. The major three treatment plants installed at Mahankal Chaur Reservoir, Bansbari Reservoir and Bode Reservoir are not in proper use, said a KUKL official, adding that it was off-line.
When asked the Chief of the KUKL about the quality of the water supplied to the cities, he said that water reserved in the reservoirs was in accordance with the WHO standards.
“We are supplying water to the people, not the waste,” said Rudra Gautam, Managing Director at the Central Office of the KUKL, Kathmandu.
As this scribe questioned him-Does it mean that KUKL is supplying safe drinking water to the people?, Gautam remained silence. Surprisingly, there were branded jars of drinking water in the KUKL central office rooms.
After a while, Gautam said that there might be contamination on the routes to the homes of people. He referred to contact to the Manager of the KUKL Laboratory for the details about the quality of water supplied in the city.
Informing that lab is in a sorry state, Kiran Prakash Amatya, manager of the KUKL lab and chief at the Sewerage Operation Department, KUKL in Lalitpur admitted that there was contamination of bacteria, viruses and chemicals in the supplied water. “The pipes installed for supplying drinking water date back to Bir Shumsher Rana,” he said. “The growing unmanaged city planning has also forced to ground the water pipes and sewerage pipes nearly together.”
KUKL has been unable to replace the drinking water pipes installed at the regime of Rana, who was Prime Minister of Nepal from 1885 to 1901. “Even the newer pipes would be rusted and damaged in five to ten years due to the composition of soil in the Kathmanu valley,” said Karki.
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, October 15
Forget about the shortage and irregularity of drinking water supplied in the Kathmandu valley. It is reported to be unsafe and dangerous to health concerns due to the chemicals, viruses and bacteria contaminated in drinking water. Even the staffs of the Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL), the only water supplying body, choose jar-filled mineral water for use to avoid the hazard.
Ordinary people are compelled to use such substandard water silently at a time when water supply is hitting hard or unaware of the slow poison contaminated in water.
Ramesh Pradhan, an official at the KUKL, Lalitpur, said that he was also doubtful of the quality of drinking water supplied to the people. “We also use jar water in our office. The drinking water pipes are very vulnerable to contamination with leaks of sewerage pipe installed along with or adjoining to the KUKL pipes,” he said.
Rabin Lal Shrestha of Water Aid Nepal said that only 27 per cent of the total population in Kathmandu was provided with safe drinking water. “Rest of them are forced to have shortage and unsafe drinking water,” he said. “This is a slow-poison to the people.”
We use branded jar-filled water for drinking, said Bishnu Kumar Karki, technical officer at the KUKL, Lalitpur. “We are forced to use contaminated water at our homes. If we go on unraveling the facts, there will be a chain of lists of responsible authorities and bodies to manage the problem,” he said.
The treatment plants are installed following the reservoirs to treat water before they are supplied. The major three treatment plants installed at Mahankal Chaur Reservoir, Bansbari Reservoir and Bode Reservoir are not in proper use, said a KUKL official, adding that it was off-line.
When asked the Chief of the KUKL about the quality of the water supplied to the cities, he said that water reserved in the reservoirs was in accordance with the WHO standards.
“We are supplying water to the people, not the waste,” said Rudra Gautam, Managing Director at the Central Office of the KUKL, Kathmandu.
As this scribe questioned him-Does it mean that KUKL is supplying safe drinking water to the people?, Gautam remained silence. Surprisingly, there were branded jars of drinking water in the KUKL central office rooms.
After a while, Gautam said that there might be contamination on the routes to the homes of people. He referred to contact to the Manager of the KUKL Laboratory for the details about the quality of water supplied in the city.
Informing that lab is in a sorry state, Kiran Prakash Amatya, manager of the KUKL lab and chief at the Sewerage Operation Department, KUKL in Lalitpur admitted that there was contamination of bacteria, viruses and chemicals in the supplied water. “The pipes installed for supplying drinking water date back to Bir Shumsher Rana,” he said. “The growing unmanaged city planning has also forced to ground the water pipes and sewerage pipes nearly together.”
KUKL has been unable to replace the drinking water pipes installed at the regime of Rana, who was Prime Minister of Nepal from 1885 to 1901. “Even the newer pipes would be rusted and damaged in five to ten years due to the composition of soil in the Kathmanu valley,” said Karki.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Govt neglects far-west flood victims
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, October 13
The government is yet to provide relief to the thousands of people affected by the recent flood in the far western districts of the country. A group of victims are now in the capital to knock the government doors for the relief.
The people from far-western development region are miserably suffering from the recent flood damages at a time when the International Disaster Reduction Day is being observed on October 14.
Among them, she is Dhan Sara Sunar, 34, from Vajini VDC-9 in Kailali district. There are six members in her family. Walls of her house were crumbled in the flood, her paddy field was filled with three feet of sand and clothes of her family were swept by the swelling river.
Thousands of people are affected from the flood, scores died and many more are living without food, said Sunar. “However, the government has not supported us with anything,” she said. “Three died and one is disappearing in the flood at my village alone.”
Many lost their homes and all the crops were destroyed in the flood in far western region, Sunar said. “People remained without having food for three days until the Red Cross distributed beaten rice and instant noodle three days ago,” she said.
Two packets of beaten rice and four packets of instant noodles were given to each family. “It was not sufficient for them who are living in hunger,”
“We will submit our demands to the government and President tomorrow,” said Sunar.
The government report says that about the property worth Rs 1.208 billion is destroyed every year due to the natural calamity while more than 1,000 people die each year.
Prof Dr Jiba Raj Pokharel, disaster expert, said that the government was unable to address the disaster affected people in a reasonable manner. “Thousands of people from western part of Nepal have been badly affected by the floods that occurred recently,” said Pokharel.
The government lacks a clear policy and strategy to mitigate the damage caused by the natural disasters, said Pokharel. “The law and policies, which exist, are not enough to address the problems of the people.”
“We have prepared a declaration on the disaster reduction strategies, which will be made public tomorrow on the occasion of ISDR Day” said Ramchandra Neupane, chief of the ECO-Nepal. “The government should include it in its policies.”
A study reveals that about 97 per cent of people in Nepal are prone to any of the natural disasters. About 565 people die of outbreak and 40-80 of cold-wave annually.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the government has today approved the national strategy on disaster management to address the issues related to the natural calamity, its damages and relief to the affected people.
Kathmandu, October 13
The government is yet to provide relief to the thousands of people affected by the recent flood in the far western districts of the country. A group of victims are now in the capital to knock the government doors for the relief.
The people from far-western development region are miserably suffering from the recent flood damages at a time when the International Disaster Reduction Day is being observed on October 14.
Among them, she is Dhan Sara Sunar, 34, from Vajini VDC-9 in Kailali district. There are six members in her family. Walls of her house were crumbled in the flood, her paddy field was filled with three feet of sand and clothes of her family were swept by the swelling river.
Thousands of people are affected from the flood, scores died and many more are living without food, said Sunar. “However, the government has not supported us with anything,” she said. “Three died and one is disappearing in the flood at my village alone.”
Many lost their homes and all the crops were destroyed in the flood in far western region, Sunar said. “People remained without having food for three days until the Red Cross distributed beaten rice and instant noodle three days ago,” she said.
Two packets of beaten rice and four packets of instant noodles were given to each family. “It was not sufficient for them who are living in hunger,”
“We will submit our demands to the government and President tomorrow,” said Sunar.
The government report says that about the property worth Rs 1.208 billion is destroyed every year due to the natural calamity while more than 1,000 people die each year.
Prof Dr Jiba Raj Pokharel, disaster expert, said that the government was unable to address the disaster affected people in a reasonable manner. “Thousands of people from western part of Nepal have been badly affected by the floods that occurred recently,” said Pokharel.
The government lacks a clear policy and strategy to mitigate the damage caused by the natural disasters, said Pokharel. “The law and policies, which exist, are not enough to address the problems of the people.”
“We have prepared a declaration on the disaster reduction strategies, which will be made public tomorrow on the occasion of ISDR Day” said Ramchandra Neupane, chief of the ECO-Nepal. “The government should include it in its policies.”
A study reveals that about 97 per cent of people in Nepal are prone to any of the natural disasters. About 565 people die of outbreak and 40-80 of cold-wave annually.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the government has today approved the national strategy on disaster management to address the issues related to the natural calamity, its damages and relief to the affected people.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
City planning toothless for three decades
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, October 13
Despite city planning effective from 1976, the city sprawl has been rising in a high tempo, challenging the healthy urbanisation.
According to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works, the city planning came into effect since 1976 to manage the urban in a systematic manner.
"However, the planning system failed to solve the problems but it further created chains of problems," said Praphulla Man Pradhan, programme manager of the UN Habitat. "We are yet to develop the mechanism to cope up with the mismanaged growing cities," he said.
Pradhan said that it was time to think of the scary situation of the Kathmandu valley. "The problems of garbage, drinking water, electricity, roads, crime and violence, slums and squatters, corruption and environmental degradation are rising day by day," he said. "On the other hand, more than 40,000 street vendors in the valley are adding woes to the situation."
The number of houses out side the ring road is increasing by 15 per cent every year. "Along with the increase in population, the government has failed to address issues such as education, health and employment among others," said Pradhan.
Rabin Lal Shrestha of Water Aid Nepal said that only 27 per cent of the total population in Kathmandu was provided with safe drinking water. "Rest of them are forced to have shortage and unsafe drinking water," he said.
Shrestha said that the government could not achieve anything in the last three decades on the process of urbanisation. "There is poor monitoring system and lack of accountability to the issues," he said. "This is worse to say that 33 per cent of people in the valley use shared toilets."
"We formulated planning policies but forgot to implement through thorough monitoring mechanism," he said. "Instead, we were lured to monitory benefits."
Indra Bahadur Shrestha, Director General, at the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction under the MoPW, admitted that the policies were not effectively implemented. "The government is planning to coordinate with the I/NGOs to achieve the expected results through monitoring and implementation of the policies," he said.
Assistant Minister for MoPW Kalawati Devi Pasawan said that the chief of the government bodies were irresponsible to their duty and responsibility. "They have failed to implement the existing laws and rules," said Pasawan.
When people come to government offices for the service, chiefs of the municipalities send them to the District Development Committee and vice-versa, said assistant minister Paswan. "So the government officials should work for the interests of people," she added.
Kathmandu, October 13
Despite city planning effective from 1976, the city sprawl has been rising in a high tempo, challenging the healthy urbanisation.
According to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works, the city planning came into effect since 1976 to manage the urban in a systematic manner.
"However, the planning system failed to solve the problems but it further created chains of problems," said Praphulla Man Pradhan, programme manager of the UN Habitat. "We are yet to develop the mechanism to cope up with the mismanaged growing cities," he said.
Pradhan said that it was time to think of the scary situation of the Kathmandu valley. "The problems of garbage, drinking water, electricity, roads, crime and violence, slums and squatters, corruption and environmental degradation are rising day by day," he said. "On the other hand, more than 40,000 street vendors in the valley are adding woes to the situation."
The number of houses out side the ring road is increasing by 15 per cent every year. "Along with the increase in population, the government has failed to address issues such as education, health and employment among others," said Pradhan.
Rabin Lal Shrestha of Water Aid Nepal said that only 27 per cent of the total population in Kathmandu was provided with safe drinking water. "Rest of them are forced to have shortage and unsafe drinking water," he said.
Shrestha said that the government could not achieve anything in the last three decades on the process of urbanisation. "There is poor monitoring system and lack of accountability to the issues," he said. "This is worse to say that 33 per cent of people in the valley use shared toilets."
"We formulated planning policies but forgot to implement through thorough monitoring mechanism," he said. "Instead, we were lured to monitory benefits."
Indra Bahadur Shrestha, Director General, at the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction under the MoPW, admitted that the policies were not effectively implemented. "The government is planning to coordinate with the I/NGOs to achieve the expected results through monitoring and implementation of the policies," he said.
Assistant Minister for MoPW Kalawati Devi Pasawan said that the chief of the government bodies were irresponsible to their duty and responsibility. "They have failed to implement the existing laws and rules," said Pasawan.
When people come to government offices for the service, chiefs of the municipalities send them to the District Development Committee and vice-versa, said assistant minister Paswan. "So the government officials should work for the interests of people," she added.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
KMC indecision deprives people from justice
Civic body up to gills with pending cases
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, October 9
About 200 different cases filed in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City have been pending for about six months owing to the entangled situation of outgoing and incoming executive chiefs.
“It has been six months not a single case has been decided through the metropolis bench,” said Basant Acharya, legal officer at the Law and Case Division of the KMC. “People are deprived of quick delivery of justice from the civic body,” he added.
According to the KMC, there are more than 200 cases of land and house disputes, and divorce for six months. “We used to decide a case in a short time within three months,” said Acharya. “The justice seekers are about to lose their patience. They criticise the authority very seriously,” he added.
Bhusan Man Joshi of Chikamangul in KMC-20 said that the KMC was unnecessarily lingering their case of land dispute for about five months. “Brokers are eyeing our land claiming it producing fake documents,” he said. “However, the concern body is yet to decide on it,” he added. “Otherwise, we are obliged to knock the door of district court.”
Metropolis mayor used to give verdict of the cases earlier. However, the executive chief has been assigned to decide on the people's cases since the void situation of elected representatives in the local bodies for about eight years, said Acharya. “There used to be no cases pending on the bench earlier.”
Newly appointed executive chief Niranjan Baral assumed his office two months ago. Erstwhile executive chief, who was only in acting post, could not take any decision since he was reported to transfer anywhere for four months prior to Baral's appointment. “New chief is still studying the situation here. In such a complex situation, people are barred from getting quick delivery services,” said Acharya.
The dates scheduled for case hearing and verdict have been frequently postponed and deferred due to such complex situation, Acharya explained. “If the KMC could not decide on the cases, it will refer them to the courts,” he said. “But it is unfair to uphold the verdict of the cases.”
Admitting the delay, Baral, who is also the secretary in the government bureaucracy, said that the decisions were pending due to the various reasons. “I have heard about the people's problems and taken it very seriously,” he said.
Baral said that it was the matter of justice and truth, and people's interest and rights. “It is better to delay for true justice rather than giving wrong verdict in a hurry,” he said. “We are studying the cases seriously,” he added. “I will start deciding on the cases after two weeks.”
Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, October 9
About 200 different cases filed in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City have been pending for about six months owing to the entangled situation of outgoing and incoming executive chiefs.
“It has been six months not a single case has been decided through the metropolis bench,” said Basant Acharya, legal officer at the Law and Case Division of the KMC. “People are deprived of quick delivery of justice from the civic body,” he added.
According to the KMC, there are more than 200 cases of land and house disputes, and divorce for six months. “We used to decide a case in a short time within three months,” said Acharya. “The justice seekers are about to lose their patience. They criticise the authority very seriously,” he added.
Bhusan Man Joshi of Chikamangul in KMC-20 said that the KMC was unnecessarily lingering their case of land dispute for about five months. “Brokers are eyeing our land claiming it producing fake documents,” he said. “However, the concern body is yet to decide on it,” he added. “Otherwise, we are obliged to knock the door of district court.”
Metropolis mayor used to give verdict of the cases earlier. However, the executive chief has been assigned to decide on the people's cases since the void situation of elected representatives in the local bodies for about eight years, said Acharya. “There used to be no cases pending on the bench earlier.”
Newly appointed executive chief Niranjan Baral assumed his office two months ago. Erstwhile executive chief, who was only in acting post, could not take any decision since he was reported to transfer anywhere for four months prior to Baral's appointment. “New chief is still studying the situation here. In such a complex situation, people are barred from getting quick delivery services,” said Acharya.
The dates scheduled for case hearing and verdict have been frequently postponed and deferred due to such complex situation, Acharya explained. “If the KMC could not decide on the cases, it will refer them to the courts,” he said. “But it is unfair to uphold the verdict of the cases.”
Admitting the delay, Baral, who is also the secretary in the government bureaucracy, said that the decisions were pending due to the various reasons. “I have heard about the people's problems and taken it very seriously,” he said.
Baral said that it was the matter of justice and truth, and people's interest and rights. “It is better to delay for true justice rather than giving wrong verdict in a hurry,” he said. “We are studying the cases seriously,” he added. “I will start deciding on the cases after two weeks.”
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