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e have given enough space to politics all the time. But this week will be a break. The looming drinking water crisis deserves a close look. For many years, we have been harping on the slogan of 'water for all'. Yet, half the population of Nepal goes vvithout safe drinking water. Despite the government claim that SO percent of the population has access to water, the quality of water has always been questionable. Diarrhea, caused by contaminated water, continues to be a major killer of poor people in the country. Every year, April and May create a havoc in far and mid west. Diarrhea took epidemic proportions there just the year before. In the midst of political instability and chaos, water quality and its COVER STORY: Dying For Safe Water Front cover Photo: Manish Gautam consequences were simply drowned out. 18 The cover article, along with related pieces, assesses the situation. Another concern of growing public interest after the major earthquake in .Japan is Nepal's preparedness for a similar disaster. Situated in an active quake ::one, Nepal should learn lessons from Japanese people and government preparing POLITICS: Time Bomb for and coping with quakes. 7 NEW SPOTLIGHT INVESTIGATION 26 As scientific community bas the habit NEWS NOTES 2 of predicting a major quake as due for ECONOMIC BRIEFS 4 our part of the world, we have taken up NEWS CLIP this topic to assess 5 how well prepared COMMENTARY : Yubaraj Gh imire we are. In Kathmandu 6 valley, a major UK AID: Old Ties, New Priorities quake, experts argue, may 9 kill more than FACE TO FACE : Rajendra Mahato half a million 10 people. Japan is gradually FORUM: Dr. Surya Dhungel recovering from the devastat 11 ing POLITICAL PROCESS: Ill Liberal State earthquake and nuclear plant 13 accident NUCLEAR SAFETY: Climate Dangers caused by it. We are with the 14 DARJEELING ELECTION: Gurkhas in Campaign government and people 15 of .Japan at this FNCCI: Clash Of Tycoons critical juncture and wish for ret 16 urn of FOCUS: Water And Energy Commission early normalcy in that country 21 VIEWPOINT: Dr. Ravi Sharma Aryal 24 VIEWPOINT: Dev Raj Da hal 25 ARAB UPRISING: Desert Storm In The Himalayas? 29 FORUM : Madhav Prasad Ghim ire 30 Keshab Poudel ARTICLE: Samira Poudel 31 Editor HEALTH: Buddha Basnyat, MD 32 Editor and Publisher : Keshab Poudel, Senior Correspondent: Saroj Dahal, Correspondent Uma Kanta Khanal, (Jhapa) Abijit Sharma (New Delhi), Reporter: Manish Gautam, Yogesh Gyawali, Nitish Dev Bhattarai Marketing Manager : Madan Raj Poudel, Tel: 9841320517 , Nabin Kumar Maharj8n Tel: 9841291404, Photographer : Sandesh Manandhar cover Designll.ayout : Han Krishna Bastakoti Editorial Office; Tel: 9n-14430250 E-mail: [email protected], P.O.Bo Office x: 7256 ; Kamal Pokhari, Thir Bom Marg, House No. 559/144 (Opposite to Himal Hospital) Printers : Pioneer Offset Printers (P.) Ltd., Dllllbazar, Kathmandu. Ph: 4415687 KalhmanduDAORegd.No.148/111063164,POS1aiRegd.No.36l0671068 USUbrary of Congress Catalogue No. 91-905060, ISSN : 2091-0711 (Print), ISSN: 2091-0754 (Online)

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZIN~ Mar. 25, 2011 j 1 NEWS NOTE Pakistan Day Celebration reception. Chairmna of Constituent as for the peace and prosperity and Assembly Subahs Chandra Nembang progress of Bangladesh. and Deputy prime minister Krishna In the discussion meeting Govinda Pakistan Embassy celebrated Bahadur Mahara were chief guest. Shanna, Principal of Universal College Pakistan National Day by hosting a Hosted by Pakistan's ambassador to and Preparatory School and Ambassador Nepal Syed Abrar Hussain a of Bangladesh to Nepal Dr. Neem large number of diplomats, Chandra Bhowmik, among others, scholars and peoples from highlighted the contribution of

various walks of life attended Bangabandhu towards achievina0 the the reception. independence of Bangladesh. In the morning Documentary Released ambassador Hussain also British Council Climate Champion, hoisted Pakistan's national Sunita KC released her documentary - flag at Emabssy's premises. "the silent sufferers of climate change" Pakistani Community in at the British Council. Her documentary Nepal took part in the event. grasped how climate chanae0 is affectina0 the life of conunon people and farmers. Program On Constitution universities and publicly-funded further Indian Aid For Bridge Making education colleges will retain the right Construction Various speakers discussed the to work, only government-sponsored Ambassador of India to Nepal Rakesh ongoing constitution making process at students, and certain postgraduate Sood handed over a cheque of NRs. a function organised by Department of students, will be able to bring their 545.35 million to Deputy Prime Minister Constitutional Law ofNepalLaw Campus dependants, there will be a limit on the and Minister of Finance, Commerce and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. Eminent overall time that can be spent on a student &: Supplies, Energy and Irrigation Hon 'ble constitutional lawyers and political visa in the UK, graduates can still work, Mr. Bharat Mohan Adhikari as India's leaders took part in the seminar. but will now have to secure a skilled job contribution towards construction of Moderated by associate professor with a Tier 2 sponsor embanlanents along Lalbakeya, Bagmati. and department chief Ganesh Dutta Bangabandhu's Birth Anniversary and Kamla rivers in Nepalwhichi being Bhatta, former chief of Conunission of Observed undertaken in accordance with the Investigation of Abuse of Authority CIAA The 9lst birth anniversary of the deci ions made by the India-Nepal joint Suryanath Upadhyaya and associate F"ather of the Nation of Bangladesh Committee on Inundation and Flood professor of Nepal Campus Surya Man Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Management. Shakya presented papers. Former speaker architect of the nation's independence, India has been providing assistance Damannath Dhungana, member of and National Children 's Day was to Nepal for strengthening and extension Constituent Assembly Ramesh Lekhak observed by the Embassy of Bangladesh of embankments along Lalbakeya, and Dean of Law Faculty professor doctor in Nepal in a befitting manner by Bagmati and Kamla rivers. With the Amber Prasad Panta were conunentators. organizing various functions. The present assistance, the total grant Participants raised various questions on functions, held within the Embassy assistance already disbursed for the paper at the program titled Dialogue premises, included paying homage to embanlanent construction alona these on the Challenges of Constitution Bangabandhu by placing the wreaths to 0 rivers, stands at NRs. 2023.35 million of Making. Head of FES -Nepal Dev Raj the portrait of Bangabandhu, special which NRs.l65.5 million was releaseclin Dahal welcomed the participants. prayer, discussion on the significance of 2008, NRs. 531.5 million in 2009, and UK Announces New Visa the day, and cultural programme. Rule NRs.599.78 million in 2010. The programme started with The Home Minister has announced Meanwhile, a Memorandum of the results recitation from holy Quran. The of an extensive consultation Understanding (MoU) was signed on Ambassador of Bangladesh to Nepal Dr. process on student visas: reforms that 17th March 2011 by the Embassy of India, Neem Chandra Bhowmik paid homage minimize abuse while building on the Kathmandu vvith the Ministry of Physical to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu global reputation of the UK as a provider Planning and Works, Department of of high-quality Sheikh Mujibur Ralunan on his 9lst birth education. Roads, Division Office, Dhanusha for anniversary by placing wreaths at his According to press release of British providing Govt. of India grant assistance Embassy, the portrait. Special prayers were offered main changes announced of NRs. 2.68 crores for construction of a are as follows: seeking divine blessings for the eternal Tougher rules for UK bridge over] amuni River along Jhoji education peace of the departed soul of the Father institutions wanting to be Kataiya-Lohana- ] anakpur Road and sponsors, of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh those coming to study at degree Construction of a Slab-Culvert over] alad Mujibur Ralunan who was assassinated level will have to speak a higher level of Khola under Nepal-India Economic English than on the fateful night of August 15 along before, Only students at Cooperation Programme. This is the with most of his family members as well seventeenth development project in the NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZIN~ Mar. 25, 2011J 2

. . . : ~ _;; NEWS NOTE

The opening of the regional seminar purchasing power, sexually transmitted was addressed by Minister Barsa Man diseases, substance abuse, and the Pun. The seminar was attended by high­ inability to talk about their issues openly. level representatives from 17 countries The children also performed the from South and Southeast Asia, as well traditional deuda dance that further as the United Nations, the South Asian highlighted these issues, mixing sharp Association for Regional Cooperation modern messages with traditional modes (SAARC), the Association of Southeast of communication. Asian Nations (ASEAN), and civil The launch ceremony was attended Dhanusha District being undertaken with society organizations. by district authorities including the the assistance of Govt. of India. Indian Ambassador Provides local Development Officer Mahendra Lal The J amuni River is a perennial river Scholarship Shrestha, Constituent Assembly members that flows North-South through alluvial At a felicitation function held at Hotel Bhairey Kami and Sharad Singh plains at Jhoji-Kataiya and lohana Radisson, Kathmandu on March 11, 2011, Bhandari, and John Brittain, from VDCs. During monsoon, 8 VDCs Qhoji ­ Ambassador of India to Nepal Rakesh UNICEF. Kataiya, Dhnauji, Iterwa, Bhadariya, Sood presented Certificates of Merit to Finnish Funds To Improve lakhauri, Kharihani, Tarahi and Water Nepali students of the 9th Batch of Gordaha) remain disconnected with &: Sanitation the Golden Jubilee Scholarship Scheme rest of the district due to flooding in An agreement on "Aligning for the awarded by the Government oflndia. The river. The proposed bridge over the J amuni Action: Sanitation and Water for all in Golden Jubilee Scholarship Scheme was River being constructed with Govt. the Context of Climate Change in Nepal" of launched by Governn1ent of India in 2002 India grant assistance will was signed between the Government of directly to cormnemorate 50 years of Economic benefit over 70,000 people of 8 VDCs the Republic of Finland and UNICEF in by Cooperation between India and Nepal. providing all year connectivity with Kathmandu on March 15. the At the inception of this scheme, 50 di trict. Kari Leppanen, Acting Charge d' Nepalese students undertaking different Similarly, during his recent visit Affaires of the Finnish Embassy and Ms. to undergraduate courses in Nepal were Palpa District, Rakesh Sood, Ambassador Gillian Mellsop, UNICEF Nepal awarded the scholarship. Since the year of India inaugurated the newly Representative signed the agreement that 2007, the number of scholarships has con tructcd campus outlines the Finnish Government's grant building forT ansen been doubled to 100. Multiple Campus in Palpa District of Euro 9.8 million over five years for Consultation Explores constructed with the Govt. of India grant UNICEF Nepal's Water and Sanitation Adolescents assistance under the Nepal-India Issues Prograrmne. Economic Cooperation Progranune. The State of the World's Children In h.i.s address, Ambassador of India (SOW C) 2011 was launched in Nepal on underlined the importance of India­ March 11 by adolescents at a function Nepal Cooperation Programme as a organized in Mangalsen, the cornerstone of the overall relationship Headquarter of Achham District. Young between the two countries, and expressed people who gathered there for the week the hope that various developments as part of a UNICEF consultation to discuss projects being implemented under the and explore issues that most affect programme would help the people of them, plmmed the SOWC launch Nepal in their stride towards peace and ceremony themselves. The UNICEF prospe1ity. report entitled 'Adolescence: An Age of Regional Seminar On Armed Opportunity' concludes that investing in the world's 1.2 billion adolescents aged Conflict The funds will help 10-19 now, can break entrenched cycles the formulation A tlu·ee day and development long regional seminar for of poverty and inequity. of a national WASH South and Southeast Asia on armed sector programme in Nepal. The launch in Nepal was chaired by The violence reduction and prevention programme will was 13-year-old] awa Khanal who had walked target the most held (16 to 18 March 2011) in marginalised and underserved Kathmandu for two days to attend the consultation people in The seminar was co-hosted the country by ensuring by the UN and launch. During the SOWC launch, that access to Reaional Centre for Peace improved sanitation and b and teenage boys and girls enacted a short water supply Disarmament in Asia and the systems is increased in these Pacific play that encapsulated the issues that areas. The (UNRCPD), together with funds will also help develop the they had decided were most important to the Government of Nepal and financially emergency preparedness and them in the two day consultation. The response supported by the Government capacity of the Government of issues included social and gender of Nepal, Svvitzerland with contingency plans in all discrimination, child marriage, lack of disaster prone districts.

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZIN~ Mar. 25, 20111 3 ECONOMIC BRIEF

Ashutosh In Young Global Honoree's List Rates Ashutosh Tiwari, the country representative ofWaterAid Around 10 Nepalis conml.it suicide everyday, says a report. Nepal and former chief executive officer of Himal Media, has The study by the police state that economic deprivation and been included in the list of 2011 Young Global leaders unemployment are primary causes for suicides. The report Honorees. based on the study of nearly three years by the police state that Tiwari is one of the 190 honorees from across the world and 9440 Nepalis conml.itted suicide during that period. Of the the only leader from Nepal to make it to the list. total4 726 were women and4 714 were men. Majority of them - The forum of Young Global leaders (YGL), according to 5164 conml.itted suicide by hanging themselves while 3556 the World Economic Forum Website, "is a unique, multi­ consumed poison to take their lives. The smdy revealed that 40 stakeholder community of more than 700 exceptional young percent of those who cmmnitted suicide did so out of economic leaders who share a commitment to shaping the global future. problems while 25 percent were found to be unemployed. Around15 percent of the incidents were caused by domestic violence and 20 percent by mental problem. Wagle Chooses Extended] ail Term Over Fines Former minister Cll.iranjccv:i Wagle is said to have chosen to accept extended jail term instead of paying the fines slapped by the Supreme Court (SC) that sentenced it to prison on conviction of corruption charges. The apex court had sentenced hi.m to one and a half year of prison and slapped lum with Rs 20 million of fine. But Wagle has opted to stay in prison for extended period rather than pay the fine. And as per the laws, notwithstanding the amount of fine, the maximum extended sentence in exchange of non-payment cannot exceed 4 years. As such, Wagle will end up earning Rs 422,620 a month by staying in jail. Authorities say that the convicts could similarly misuse the lax legal provision that can allow them to stay in jails for short time instead of paying fines. Pro~ Maoist Splinter Outfits Rush To

Ashutosh Tiwari Agitate The three splinters of the pro-Maoist trade union outfit "A part of the World Economic Forum, YGL was established have indicated that they wiU soon be agitating simultaneously. in 2005 comprising leaders under 40 years of age from After the am1ouncemcnt by the ShalikramJ ammarkattcl faction multidisciplinary sectors. do c to Maoist chairman Prachanda to start agitation after a Talking to New Spotlight, Tiwari said the onus of enlisting week if the nl.inimum pay is not increased toRs 10,000; the him for the award on his "organizational leadership." Knowing Baclri Bajgain faction do c to vice chairman Mohan Baidya strengths and weaknesses are key traits of a leader," said Tiwari. has also made similar announcement. It has accused the The YGUeaders arc selected through a competitive process jmm11arkattel faction of selling out on the workers' interest. and include leaders from politics, civil society, academia, and The third faction led by Laldhoj Nemwang close to another from arts and culture across seven geographic regions-East vice chairman Baburam Bhattarai, too, is in a mood to agitate ­ Asia, South Asia, Europe, Middle East, North Africa, sub­ if for notll.ing else then to show its presence.• Saharan Africa, North America and latin America. The leaders are questioned on various issues related to leadership such as the characteristics of the next generation of * fi41{Cfll q;l;:f ~ ? leaders and their challenges and opportunities during the selection process. '({«.l!f.tf. I 3lft . ~ . ~ . ~ ? According to Tiwari, in the context of Nepal, one of the major challenges facing Nepali leaders-in any sector-is good f~'f1( ... ~'li{l~~ (14l{Cfil (1([1( governance. Being a part of the 190 leaders from all across the globe in EASY\ . . . CALL the class of 2011 YGL, Tiwari said he needs to gear up to meet the expectations. According to Tiwari, he will be working toward Any.. phort.e_Any Where the Millennium Development Goals and advocate for water and sanitation related issues. .· 1--- -&·.so .. As a founder of Entrepreneurs for Nepal, a network o£3,000 1i. ~oo•- , 1i. young Nepali entrepreneurs, Tiwari also seeks to help in the ~oo, -, 1i. 9, ooo• ­ growth of social entrepreneurship that he opines would motivate ~ CfiR-1•• Cfil&~· ~ ••1&'1({ ' the future generation of leaders to help solve social problems. Economic Deprivation Pushing Suicide

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZIN~ Mar. 25, 2011 j 4 NEWS CLIPS former prime 1ninister Surya B a h a d u r Thapa met, among others, the Indian prime minister Man Mohan Singh, 'Menon Given Charge OfNepalAffairs' Congress - I chairperson The Indian Sonia Gandhi, goverm11ent has given top opposition the charge of dealing leaders and with the Nepal affairs national to national security security advisor Shiv Shankar ad visor Shiv Menon. He has been Shankar asked to take initiative Menon. Prior to resolve the issues with Nepal and end the to departure Former King Gyanendra from Nepal, he recent gap with the had said that visit Nepalese government. was for a regular health check up. But there is no information yet This was revealed where did he undergo health check up and who checked him up during a meeting nor was there any clue about his disease. (Ghatna ra Bichar, between the prime March 16) In another related development, three Madhesi minister Man Mohan leaders visited Delhi for political talks with top Indian leaders Singh and leader of an Shiv Shankar Menon They included the president of the Madhesi Janadhikar opposition alliance Forum-Loktantrik, Bijay Kumar Gachhchhdar, the president of the Terai Madhesh Loktantrik member, Sharad Yadav. Menon was present during the meeting Party, Mahantha Thakur and the president of the Sadvabana between Singh and the Janata Dal (United) leader. Sources Party, Rajendra Mahato. The three parties arc in an alliance close to the J DU quoted Singh as receiving reports, in response which has threatened a revolt in Madhesh if the region's to Yael a v's suggestion to engage the Nepalese Maoists to improve demands are not met and a new constitution is not put in place the relations with the Nepali people, that the Maoists have within the extended deadline. For a change, the Maoist been following the path of the dictatorship of the proletariat supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' suddenly dashed to instead of democracy. Sources said t hat Menon has been Singapore for talks with Chinese officials, according to sources. assigned the task of improving the relations with the Nepalese (N agarik, March 17) He has ostensibly been invited to attend a Maoists. But they pointed out that Menon is considered to be function organised by a Chinese non-government organisation, tough on the Maoists. (Naya Patrika, but some newspapers March17) quoted unnamed Maoist ources that Prachanda would be meeting the Indian intelligence Bharat Darshan officials in the south east Asian nation, the way he did last year. • Former king Gyancndra returned from a week-long India visit without meeting any political leader. He had gone to Khajurao to attend a relative's wedcbng ceremony. Heal o visited Write Better some Hindu temples. Although this visit was limited to family and religious duties, it is learnt that the former king will be in Go for GUTS, a two-week course at The Word Lab on India in April on a special visit which is expected to be English Grammar, Usage, Tone politically significant. and Style. Seasoned journalists and teachers at the Lab will help you Prime minister Jhalnath has been desperate to make improve your writing for your own purposes. arrangements for a visit to India as his first foreign outing after assuming the office. This followed the advice from his aides Call9851021758 to learn about other course modules, that fir t visit to India is crucial to prolong the life of the dates and seats. Or, visit the Lab website: government. But he has been anxious as there has been no official invitation yet. He has been looking for proper channels to persuade India to extend the invitation. The mystery behind the India visit by a big leader of a twl. web.officelive.com small party has not unfolded yet. In the Indian capital, Delhi, The Word Lab

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZIN~ Mar. 25, 2011 1 5 COMMENTARY Bigger Than Life

By YUBA RAJ GHIMIRE

On March 21, an attempt by the Congress Party to have the Ranas, then against the Panchayat regime, again in 1990 Sankha Park in the capital named after G P Koirala, was foiled and finally 2006 needs to be acknowledged and honoured by by thclocal people. The party had not secured any permission the country. But imposing him as a Hero by his family and the to do so. Irate people also resisted the Party 's move to have late Party he headed are not the way to go about it. There arc many G P K's statue installed there. Why did people react the way dark side mired in mystery yctto be written about, except that they did? G P Koirala himself has revealed it partly. That he had hijacked G P Koirala died last year aged 85. He played important or Nepal Airlines plane in the 70s keeping India's external leading role in country's politics, especially during the intelligence agency chief informed, that he was involved in movement of 2006. He had his success and failure. He was counterfeiting Indian currency and was considering smuggling known for his adventurism in politics. But he was never rated as uranium to Israel, obviously for clandestine manufacture of a leader who valued morality in politics. Nor was he a firm nuclear explosives arc some of the revelations he made, believer of probity in public life. glorifying his act as an acceptable means for establishing Therefore, people will be democracy in Nepal. judging him both as a Hero and a But how will these acts that he villain. indulged in effect or inspire future Those who dclink his role of gencration?Howwilltl1atbeviewed the past-especially when he was by the Congress Party when it in power-from his crusade for officially comes to their knowledge restoration of parliament that through G P's own account? And ultimately succeeded in April what will of all persons, his 2006fouryearsaftcrit dissolution ucccssor Sushil Koirala, think would no doubt consider him a about it? Will the Nepali hero. But unfortunately, Congrcsshavethecouragc totakc democracy is also all about official line on these issues? If the accountability. As the Prime Nepali Congress responds these Minister and acting head of the issues with silence, then the Party state for two years following will have no future. G P Koirala- parliament's revival, should or with all these revealed-will should not G P be held posthumously be the Hero and accountable for the current mess property of the Maoists more than the country is in? that of the Nepali Congre . This is an answer the Nepali In the eyes of some in the Congress , his heir in the family Nepali Congress, G P is a much Sujata Koirala, and Sushil Koirala bigger hero than B P if the impact who succeeded him as the =La=.t::.::e=-=G"-'.P-" .....:Kc.=: o::..:ic:..:ra""'l=a----+------good or bad-brought by their President of the Nepali Congress, have to respond to the people, leadership is to be assessed. K P Bhattarai was a dismal failure especially the ones who opposed installation of G P's statue in that sense because Bhattarai-invoking B P-kept opposing N and park named after him. C endorsing the republic agenda that G P vigorously pursued This also raises a question that neec;ls an answer. Are there after Maoist Chief Prachanda promised that G P Koirala will be laws governing use of public property by the followers of a made the first President of the country once the Monarchy was particular leader? Or can it be used by the party and his/her abolished. The promise was not kept by the Maoists, and G P followers at will? Or the cabinet needs to take appropriate died a betrayed man. decision for the purpose after a thorough assessment of the last is yet to be heard and spoken of G P as the policy he person's contribution to the nation and how much the nation pursued, the changes he presided and the ambition he owes to him. displayed has taken a heavy toll in the country, and that will G P Koirala, as a valiant fighterfor democracy -first against continue to be part of future political debate in the country.•

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZIN~ Mar. 25, 20111 6 POLITICS

peace process. He is not, according to the sources. Wary that the credit will go to the prime mrnister Jhalnath Khanal he is keen Time to bring him down and assume Bomb the mantle himself. Before the constitution deadline. As the constituent assembly braces to breathe its last despite moves Hence his feelers to the influential power centres to pump in artificial oxygen a political time bomb starts ticking at home and abroad. As of now he has not been able to make much headway. Waiting By SUSHIL SHARMA for his failure is rival, Baburam Bhattarai, who has been pursuing a campaign to ast week, an influential aide next two months or so, bringing along a consolidate own position among the to a top leader sought his boss' dangerous political vacuum. former rebel ranks. permission for L a foreign jaunt. It is this vacuum and a possible role If Bhattarai is seen to be strong The response: a flat NO. he might be expected to play to fill it enough to bulldoze his way and prevail "You can not leave the that the top leader had in mind when he over Prachanda and 'hardliner' Mohan country for at least another two months," refused to give a green signal to his trusted Vaidya, the future path will be clear for the most trusted aide, on whom the leader aide's foreign jaunt. him. But getting there appears to be too heavily depends, was told. Having failed to steer the country tough for him. And he is not too tough The precaution was understandable. through a critical transition to a peaceful yet to get going. As the constitution deadline draws closer, and stable political journey, the major There are many others, waiting in the the next two months will be the most wings as alternatives parties have also been bracing up for the . It was not for unpredictable time after the dawn of a inevitable. nothing that former prime minister Surya republic. Bahadur Thapa and the The Maoist supremo Prachanda Madhesi leaders The UML-led Maoist-dominated embarked on Delhi sojourns for political coalition dashed off to Singapore for an has its eyes clearly set op. meetings and consultations. After all, extending unspecified meeting with unspecified the life of the constituent Delhi continues to be the Mecca for the people under the official banner assembly for the second time. of a secular politicians of the erstwhile dubious Hilldu Others and the factions within the organization that had earlier last nation. governing year provided him the opportunity parties are not too keen. The to meet With prayers for a smooth and natural Madhesi ou senior intelligence officials tfits have even gone on to warn of another end to the political transition less likely of resignation neighbour last en-masse against such a year. to be answered, the new republic is set move. Having engineered the incumbent for a fresh bout of turmoil. New constitution or not, the CA is coalition, Prachanda might be inclined No wonder the aide to the top leader almost bound to breathe its last. In the to see it complete the constitution and has been asked to stand by. •

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZIN~ Mar. 25, 20111 7 ARTICLE India Nepal Trade

By RAKESH SOOD ICCI has made an important revenues to the exchequer, import necessary support from Government of contribution in advancing India-Nepal substitution, promoted Nepal's exports Nepal in addressing these challenges trade and economic relations. Its 16 year to India and provided direct employment would give confidence to the Indian old history parallel s the continuing to around 30000 Nepali citizens and authorities not to constrain or diminish growth and diversification in India- indirect employment to more than twice the existing facilities enjoyed by Nepal. Nepal commercial relations. that number. My attention has been also drawn to This relationship, c haracterized by Regrettably, what we have witnessed the rampant practice of copying of open border and free movement of their in the last decade is a deteriorating popular Indian brands and trademarks people, was forged not after 1947 but investment climate, sagging industrial by some unscrupulous Nepalese much earlier. It is time tested and has confidence and departure of some of the manufacturers with the intention of proved to be mutually beneficial. It has Indian investors. Outstanding issues exploiting Indian brand reputation. thrown open opportunities for Nepalese relating to some of the existing Such infringement will neither help people to study and work in India and investments continue to hamper new Nepal trade with India nor meet its for Indian entrepreneurs to explore investments. We also come across external trade objectives, but it will economic opportunities in Nepal. unsubstantiated media reports against certainly create doubts in the minds of While 1 speak about the special Indian joint ventures in Nepal and in the Indian business about the legal relationship, I should add that with the recent months I some Indian companies framework in Nepal on protection of special relationship come special have reported that they were being intellectual property. r c s pons i b i lit i e s; , ••IIIIIIIIIIIIPJIIII.III!III While India whether it is in terms 1!11 has been further widening the of mutual assistance scope of privileges offered or addressing mutual to Nepal as could be co ncerns. We arc witnessed in the 2009 con ciou of this fact. Trade Treaty, the last Since India's decade has seen a Independence, we have extended adversely discriminated in the public significant erosion of margin of extensive economic assistance to Nepal; procurement. These combined factors preference given by Government of Nepal we have granted Nepal special privileges are creating a negati vc perception on import of goods from India. This not in trade and commerce; and perhaps no among Indian companies about Nepal. only puts a question mark on our other land-locked country in the world Today, when Indian companies are bilateral trading arrangement, but it is enjoys the same kind of transit facilities actively pursuing investment also hampering economic growth in that have been provided by India to opportunities across the globe and have Nepal by adding to inflation and making Nepal. committed US$ 70 billion abroad in last the critical inputs costlier. Today our assistance programme has 5 years, it is a sad reflection that no new I am convinced that the extensive its imprints in nearly all districts of major Indian investment has come to privileges, facilities and assistance Nepal, with over 400 projects under Nepal since 2003. extended by India to Nepal, coupled implementation having an outlay of more We continue to receive reports that with India's own econornic growth and a than NRs. 60 billion. In the last five years, the freedom of transit accorded to Nepal market of 1.2 billion people, have a huge our capacity building programme has is being misused by some unscrupulous potential, to act as a catalyst for driving benefitted over 9000 Nepali citizens, in elements to divert goods into India either Nepalese economy towards high growth government and in the private sector and on the way or after it reaches Nepal. This if these efforts are complemented by the students pursuing higher education. The was discussed at the recently held India- Government of Nepal through renewed conce sionallines of credit of USD 350 Nepal Inter Governmental Sub- commitment, determination and million offered by India to the Committee meeting on trade and transit firmness for improving the investment Government of Nepal will further issues. We have urged the Government and business climate in Nepal. I can augment our efforts to create of Nepal to check such diversion of third assure you that Government and people development infrastructur e. country goods from Nepal to India by of India would not be found wanting in Indian investors have also played a taking effective policy and extending whatever help Nepal may key role in the economic development administrative measures. In respect of require in this endeavour. in Nepal. They account for nearly 45 % diversion of goods into India during SoodislndianAmbassadorto Ncpa l.Excerpts of Nepal's foreign direct investment. their transit, the Indian side proposed of Ambassador's address at the Annual General They have brought in new technologies affixation of an additional one time lock MeetingoJNepal -IndiaChamberoJCommcrce& and management skills; they have made by Indian Customs, which is intended to Industry (NICCI) on March 15,2011 a significant contribution in terms of facilitate Nepal's transit trade. The

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZIN~ Mar. 25, 20111 8 NATIONAL UK AID both remote rural areas and with the growing urban poor)." Old Ties, " In Nepal, care should be taken to New Priorities avoid an over-enthusiastic alignment British government agenda in a context where legitimate announces to nearly double its aid for Nepal the over power structures are missing, coalitions next four years, but will it really make a difference? are unstable and systems of patronage and weak governance are still in place," By BHAGIRATH YOGI in london the evaluation report said. Critics say foreign aid has often hile visiting entrenched corruption and given Kathmandu in the aid budget to make a difference and rise to a 'new class of noveau mid-March, the British we will scrutinize how it riche' in poor is spent. Value and developing minister of state for for money and accountability countries including W are our Nepal. international They also call for a need development, new mantra of how we operate and to have a what fresh new look Alan Duncan, announced we require of our partners." to evaluate the overall that his government contribution of aid in was going to almost A least developed country emerging national double its aid to Nepal development and ownership over the next four out of the decade-old conflict, of the years. development program itself. Nepal has remained one of the priority At a time "In Nepal, there is little when Britain is countries for the British development doubt that implementing harsh some programmes funded by measures back assistance. The largest bilateral donor external home to reduce its budget agencies have resulted in significant deficit by to Nepal, British assistance over the last making tens of thousands of infrastructural development (in eg. public sector workers redundant, transport, communications, health and it allocated £331 million for Nepal education), and made contributions for the period 2011-15 . elsewhere. But the major consequences "Our assistance aims to is to create a growing reliance and support the peace process, help dependency on foreign 'aid' -which has trengthen governance, improve far-reaching negative implications, not security and access to justice at only for the balance of payments and the same time helping poor and national accounts, but also for national excluded people benefit from self-reliance and for the capacity to economic growth in Nepal," devise and implement a coherent, declared minister Duncan. progressive development strategy," said Other objectives for the British Prof. David Seddon, a British economist. assistance included helping Prof. Seddon, who co-edited the deliver better health and much-talked about book "Nepal in education services, help Nepal Crisis: Growth and Stagnation at the adapt to climate Periphery" in the eighties, insists change, reduce British Minister Alan Duncan that risk from disasters, including the government of Nepal should earthquake and improve carefully re-think and re-negotiate the lives of five decades spanned in the areas its women and girls, relationship with the foreign the Department for including road construction, education, 'aid' International agencies, to decrease its Development (DFID) said. health, management of natural reliance on 'aid', resources both as a source According to the DFID, the plan will and poverty alleviation. of funding and, equally create 230,000 jobs, importantly, as a source of ideas reduce climate But getting valuefor money has about vulnerability been what constitutes development of three million poor a tough challenge for international , and to people, lift 570,000 increase its own capacity to devise an people out of poverty donors including UK. A study through the forestry appropriate strategy and appropriate programme alone, commissioned by the DFID to avert 108,200 unintended policies for the broad-based pregnancies assess the impact of its aid in Nepal, and provide safe development of Nepal, including latrines for 110,000 reported in 2007 that "a return the people. capacity of the Nepalese people to the status quo ante of2000, i.e. working to "Nepal is a priority determine the direction and nature of country for UK mainly through Government structures, development assistance. that development. By 2014/15, we is likely to prove inappropriate in the will have increased At a time when the political economy our aid to Nepal by current context. DFID's programme is 91%," said Duncan of Nepal seems to be increasingly adding, "Our and should remain large enough to allow increased commitment directed from beyond its borders, the to Nepal means both the building up and reform of increased pursuit of a free and independent accountability to our tax Government systems, while continuing policy in terms of 'foreign aid', payers. So we want every single penny of support to non-government however, looks actors (in remote.• NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZIN~ Mar. 25, 20111 9 FACE TO FACE "Indian Leaders Support Madhes Demands"

RA]ENDRA MAHATO RAJENDRA MARATO, along with two other powerful regional based party leaders, recently visited India and met senior Indian leaders, including Indian Prime minister Dr. Man Mohan Singh and top security officials. Mahato, the leader of Nepal Sadbhawana Party, poke to NEW SPOTLIGHT on the visit and various issues. Excerpt : You met with Indian leaders, what concerns do they have in Nepal? As a close neighbor, Indian leaders arc very much concerned about the deteriorating situation in Nepal. This is natural. What do the Indian leaders want to see in Nepal? Indian leaders want to see the promulgation of the new constitution and logical end of the peace process in Nepal. They suggested to us that instead What are other major concerns? support from all forces and India is not of working to extend the tenure of They arc concerned about the peace exception. We even need support of Constituent Assembly, we need to focus process and delay in constitution writi11g. underground armed groups of Madhesh our attention to write the new Indian leaders want to see promulgation for our cause. constitution. of new democratic constitution by If your demands are not met, how Will they accept the new stipulated time and political stability in will you react? constitution without concluding the Nepal. India's main opposition leader We will then have to go to street for peace process? and leaderofBharatiyaJanta Party even rebellion taking any political decision. They have made it clear that the peace blamed Maoists for the present crisis. We may even resign en masse. Advaniji process needs to be concluded before expressed doubt over Maoist What do Indian leaders say on this? commitments to democracy promulgation of the new constitution. and They told us that India is always ready democratic process. He held the view that We too want a similar thing to happen. to support us for the preservation and there is a deviation in Maoist stand. W c cannot accept the new constitution promotion of democracy. It is also reported that your without completion of the peace process. How many leaders did you meet? Have they supported your delegation also met the leaders of We met Indian foreign minister S. ,_ demands? three armed groups Jaya Krishna Go it Krishna, finance minister Pranab What Indian leaders said is that all of all Terai liberation Front, Jwala Mukharejee, Janta Dal United leader the problems can be sorted out through Singh of T erai Liberation Front and Sarad Yadav, National security advisor the promulgation of new democratic Jagadish Adhikary Raj an of Madhesh Shiva Shanker Menon, leader of constitution. Indian leaders said that Tiger. Samajbadi Party Mulayaam Singh Yadav, they favor a democratic constitution and It was a wrong reporting. We have main opposition One Madhesh One Pradesh. not met any underground leaders of terai party leader Lal Krishna Advani and Congress What is the observation of Indian in New Delhi. We can meet them in leader Karan Singh. leaders on integration of Maoist Madhesh at any time. What other issues did you discuss combatants? Your visit took place just a few with them? Indian leaders are also worried about weeks after the announcement of We requested for their moral support the delay in the integration process. Madhesh rebellion. Have you sought towards our proposed rebellion against They want to see the integration process moral support from Indian leaders? thE.. conspiracy. We have made it clear to be completed sooner. Indian leaders Our demand is clear. The constitution to them that the interest of Madhesh expressed concern that Maoists may grab needs to be promulgated by May with cannot be fulfilled without a single the power and impose communist our demand One Madhesh and One autonomous province in the southern tyranny by using their combatants. Pradesh addressed. We need moral plains. •

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE I Mar. 25, 2011 110 FORUM The Disturbing Verdict

By DR. SURYA DHUNGEL

The Supreme Court of Nepal in a Very few people recent normally read full not expect anything more than what a constitutional caseinter alia said: text of a Supreme Court verdict. For the team of three justices, although very wise • The eighth constitutional amendment commoners, whatever to journalists write or and competent, could conclude under extend the tenure of the disseminate Constituent through media is the the Interim Constitution of political Assembly by one year was constitutional valid, and there interpretation of any transition in their unanimous verdict, was no procedural error; the Full Bench important legal issues. of Lawyers are also which might be simply summarised in the court had immense not faith on the CA seen fair at times in giving correct six words: "constitutional amendment members that they would complete messages to the task the people due to their valid; writ petition quashed". What is ofconstitution making political within the extended biases. And no wonder, actually disturbing than the conclusive period of one year but in case they politicians read did not the courtverdicts and verdict, as shown in bullet points, is the cany out the task due to complex views on them natureof as suited to their political pseudo constitutional jurisprudence that the work, history would make ajudgment interest. In this way, , all goes well in the has been pronounced through ratio as not the court. state of political and legal spheres in well as obiter. Neither the verdict has its • The court, which was the Nepal except creation of the the nation which suffers head, nor a tail. Politicians and political Interim Constitution, could most from the trag not think of edy oflegal uncertainty lawyers may however enjoy playing with entertaining the petition that and political might resu It in instability. each word of the text. As every Nepali constitutional crisis and create a situation of The judges constitutional vacuum by destroying itsow11 from d1eivory tower, creator. immune from • The work of the present Co nstituent public criticism, Assembly wmlld not be complete until it keep on laughing ••• produces a new Constitution and in view of at the lawyers' thecomplexitiesoftheconstitution making it discourses and isbutnaturalfor theCA to take longer time make the mockery to prepare a compromisedocument. Hence, of judiciary driven hannonious and purposive interpretation of cons ti tu tionalism. Articles 33, 63, 64, 82 and Preamble of the Political parties arc interim Constitution has to bema de. the immediate • Thetwoyeartenurcspecified inArticle64 is beneficiaries of not mandawry, it is si mply direct01y, such fallacies. This whercasAiticle33 (d), which is unenforceable is what has exactly _S_u.:...p_re_m_e_C_o_u_r_t______underChapter4, cannot happened witha be ignored, and recent judgment of the and CA member, not to talk about a therefore, must be followed. Supreme Court Full Bench on the issue litigation lawyer and legal academics, in T11e concerns and apprehensions of last year's extension • raised by ofConstituent the present day Nepal is blessed with the the petitioners that repeated extension Assembly's tenure may through eighth designation of 'constitutional e21..'Pert ', result in political uncertainty amendment and chaos were of the Interim Constitution. this commentator as a student of 'l1ypothetical Article questions' whic/1 the court 64 of the Constitution which constitutional law will whole-heartedly would not answer. mandated Tf1e court however the Constituent Assembly to welcome even the harshest criticism one avoided to say complete anything about the prospect the task of constitution drafting may but sincerely offer on this note. ofelecting a ncwConstituent in two years was Assembly if the amended to extend the While denying to speak on the present one is dissolved period from to due to its failure to two three years.This was questions of 'possible implications of the produce challengcdin a new Constitution. a Public Interest Petitionat repeatedly extended and prolonged The Interim Constiwtion the Supreme • is meantjor Court filed last year by two Constituent Assembly of a huge size' and managing the transition lawyers. The and it is achallenging full text of the verdict the 'replacement of present CA by a task for to delivered the count1y restructure the state by the court last November has freshly mandated new Constituent anddcvolvepowerthrough however been federalism, under released recently, about a Assembly' as hypothetical issue, the which, according couple to the court, central or of weeks ago (ref. Vijaya Raj court has itself dwelt on hypothetical federal government Shaky a vs. Legislature receives power as and -Parliament and assumptions in dealing with all whatever is delegated/ others, Certiorari granted by states or Writ, Nov 2010). constitutional issues. The court is provinces. An ordinary Nepali individual could obviously alarmedwith apprehension as expressed at three places that 'a situation NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE I Mar. 25, 2011111 FORUM of constitutional vacuum (without a hannonious interpretation is needed not 'constitutional politics' in order to help constitution in the country) cannot even between Articles 33 , 64 and 82 alone as stretch and safeguard the longevity of the be imagined" if the petitioners' demands stated by the Supreme Court but amongst Constituent Assembly. It is therefore are entertained and the tenure of theCA Preamble and Articles 1, 59, 63, 64, 82, bound to be controversial as it has failed has not been extended. 83, 14 3 andl48, all together. Fourthly, to respond to the genuine question of a lost in such hypothetical questions, Article 33, which is a part of State fresh poll of CAin case the present CA is the court goes on and on to justify the Responsibilities and Directive Principles unable to even draft a 'skeletal framework' extension of CA on the grounds that even is not enforceable and obligatory as before May 28 to justify its possible a legislation sometime takes one full year suggested. Fifthly, and above all, a extension through another amendment to get it through. The court appears to harmonious interpretation of Articles 64, of Article 64, which is solely a jurisdiction have forgotten that the Interim 82, 14 3 and 148 prohibits the legislature­ of CA.Despite the Supreme Court 's Con titution whichitwasinterpretingwas Parliament from entering into the numerous hypothetical discourses of produced in less than four months, and jurisdiction of Constituent Assembly political nature, the question is still alive the earlier 1990 Constitution in little over which alone has the power to reduce or as to what would happen if theCA fails to six months period. How could the court increase the tenureof CA through a produce a new Constitution and the forget the existence and continuation of resolution. This puts a Umit on the power legislative wing of CA is unable to pass the Interim Constitution until it has been of legislature-Parliament to increase the an amendment bill. let this hypothetical replaced by a new one ?Where did the tenure of CA. The court may not have question not be a reality. question of vacuum come? The question answers to these questions. Dr.Swya Dhungel, Constitutional Lawyer is: Should the CA be constitutionally lastly, to make the note short, the ([email protected]) obliged to produce a Constitution within court has entered in to the regime of the prescribed period ? Moreover, the petitioner was advocating for the election of a new Constituent Assembly if the existing one failed to produce a new Constitution in time.The court avoided to answer this question while unnecessarily groping on a series of imaginati vc and hypothetical situations. Can the Supreme Court give guarantee that the current CA will deliver a new Constitution by May 28, as the judgcshavc exprc sed their unsolicited faith on the hone ty, ability and wisdom of current CA members and the CA ? Truly speaking and with due respect to the court, one may say, no Have a taste of pronouncement in the case has hardly cmanateclany lofty constitutional Opportunity I jurisprudence worth appreciating in the verdict. On the contrary, however, the court has unfortunately slipped into muddy waterthrough distorted interpretation of the constitutional provisions. To note a few of them as examples as stated earlier are: firstly, the Supreme Court is wrong to suggest that Article 64whichsets out two year deadline for drafting a Constitutionis directory, not mandatory, as the Constitution is the supreme law of the land under Article 1 and all constitutional provisions are mandatoryand enforceable except the State's Responsibilities and Directive Principles (Chapter 4), and the Preamble. Secondly, Article 64 spelling out two year tenure is not CA's goal it is the 'limit', a deadline. Thirdly, NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE I Ma r. 25, 2011 112 NATIONAL

POLITICAL PROCESS in the new constitution,' said CA member and Nepali Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak. Ill Liberal His indication is that the new State constitution may not have the clauses which were there in the constitution of Be it planned or coincidental, Nepal's state policy seems to be going against 1990 and previous five constitutions of the the values of a liberal democracy past. "New Nepal will have new constitution as the mandate of By KESHAB POUDEL J anandolan II ." At a time when chief justice Shrestha has been f the current political trend of the Although some NGOs and INGOs urging CA members to retain independent state is any indication, efforts might have done wrong, they have played of judiciary, he needs to eem to be underway to hit the important role in creating the present broaden his alliance with the forces I ethos and values of which support his cause. Chief Justice a liberal level of political and social awareness at democratic political system. From grassroots level. Their work Shrestha may have earned more enemy individual freedom to pluralistic to uplift the life of rural political system, ideals are coming under poor is unchallengeable. threat. The state institutions and However, there is a individuals are, knowingly and campaign against them unknowingly, promoting state control from all fronts. and state regulatory system. Chief Justice Ram Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Prasad Shrcstha and his Adh.ikary tabled a bill in the Legislature­ senior judge Khil Raj Parliament with the clause that everyone Regmi of Supreme Court, ha to disclose the property in front of which is demanding tate authority if necessary. The financial independence of judiciary, bill will eventually put private banks in their recent decision under the government purview. Private against former mini ter sector has already opposed the bill. Chiranjibi Wagle ruled ''The government must withdraw that the son does not have certain clauses that go against the the property right if he lives CA Members In Debate individual's right to property," said CA with his father. ------member and industrialist Diwakar Legal experts say this decision closes by terming his fellow judges and court Golchha. "lf the act is passed by the prospects for an individual to try corrupt. parliament, Nepal's financial individual entrepreneurship. Known for One of the victims in the proposed institutions will crumble. " his clean image and respectability, chief new constitution will be the media. The Some provisions in this act will justice Ram Prasad Shrestha's recent constitution of Kingdom of Nepall990 c hallcnge the li beraliza tio n p roccss decision will have far reaching guarantees free press saying that no which has helped private banking system consequences in the process of periodical or press shall be closed or to flourish in epal. Nepal Rastra Bank's liberalization. seized nor shall its registration be order to limit the salary of CEOs and other The state must act to free the society cancelled merely for printing or officials of private banks has already of corruption by putting the corrupt publishing any news items, articles, shaken the open and competitive market. behind bar but it must follow the clue editorials, writing and other reading The new act will certainly help it to process of law and respect the right to materials. collapse. property. For the crime of Chiranji bi In the proposed new constitution, Kathmandu University, the country's Wagle, the court cannot deny the right there arc some restrictions on the press only private university, was shut down of his son to earn income. and media. 1f the CA passes the proposed under the order of two cmmnunist student Even in the process of constitution constitution as it is, the era of free press fronts. Student unions have already making, there is no guarantee that comes to an end. "We have already issued a threat to private boarding schools democratic rights and values established submitted a memorandum to CA chair not to raise the fees. sixty years ago will be protected in the against this," said Dharmendra Jha, By announcing work on a new law to new constitution. In spite of the avowed president of Federation of Nepalese contain the International Non­ aim to bring liberal and progressive Journalists. governmenta l Organizations and Non­ system by removing monarchy, Nepal is From private banking to the media, governmental Organizations, for malz.ing now heading towards more regressive path from political freedom to the right to them transparent and accountable, Social where basics of liberal democratic values property and the right to organize Welfare Council and Ministry of will have no place. through NGOs, the state is gradually Women and Social Welfare have already "I am proud that we are able to makingeffortstocontrolthemall.Finally, made clear that they want intervening role convince UCPN-Maoist to accept some these efforts will weaken the liberal in their affairs. components of liberal democratic values democratic values. • NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE I Mar. 25, 2011113 ABROAD

NUCLEAR SAFETY and its tributaries are in the Himalayas, climatically one of the most sensitive regions in the world, the risk of, say, Climate Dangers unusually disastrous flooding is quite high. Nuclear power may help control climate change but what if the latter makes When climate-induced floods can the former even more dangerous? pose threat to other infrastructures like bridge, barrage, embankments and By NAYIN SINGH KHADKA in London highways, nuclear facilities built along rivers can be no exceptions- no matter xposed to criticism yet again atmosphere slowing down the earth's how safe they are said to be. after the radiation leak from warming that in turn controls climate What the Ganga is for Narora nuclear the Tsunami-hit Fukushima change. plant, the Indus can be for the Chashma E nuclear plant in Japan, But an even bigger question is: Can nuclear power complex in the Punjab supporters of the nuke energy the nuclear facilities themselves be province of Pakistan. now have in defence a immune to the impacts of climate And what havoc can a swelled Indus relatively new argument: climate change. change? wreak is a fresh account. They say nuclear power is one of the The Narora nuclear plant in Indian The cataclysmic flood on the Indus most promising "clean energy" in the state Uttar Pradesh bordering Nepal, for last year have not been linked to the fight against climatic changes. example, stands beside the river Ganga. impacts of climate change so far. Even before the disaster in Japan, Already located in a seismically Imagine then what could happen if govenm1ents in both developed and fast active zone, the plant benefits from the climate is at play. developing countries had begun to cite river water in normal circumstances. As These arc only a couple of many nuclear plants as one of the best bets to did the Fukushima plant from the possible risks whereas in the changing cut clown carbon emissions that warm the Pacific ocean waters. climate, elisa ters can take any shape not planet. But when the same ocean water known to elate. Rapidly emerging economies like turned into Tsunami and swept Critically, experts say, climate China and India began to count on everything on its way, it became a impacts ha vc hardly been factored in for nuclear plants even more as they got lamentable liability for the Japanese nuclear safety. increasingly power hungry while coming nuclear facility. Just like Tsunami w..as not for the under tremendous pressure to reduce Given that the sources of the Ganga Fukushima's diesel-run cooling pumps. greenhouse gases. Khadka And now that the prickly nuclear "There Is No safety affair has disclo ed stream of Threat To Nepal" uncomfortable details yet again, those Dr. RAMHARI ARYAL, secretary supporting the arguably most secretive at the Ministry of Science and energy source arc playing the climate Technology,spoke about the threat of issue up. radiation following the nuclear disas­ "Melting polar ice and variant climate ter in Japan. patterns may have more threats in store Is there any threat for Nepal of for humanity than could result from radiation? dozens of nuclear meltdowns," Ronald K Since the disaster area is far from Chessar, director of the Centre for Nepal, there is no immediate mthrcat Environmental Radiation Studies at of radiation in Nepal. We discussed Texas Tech University, wrote in the CNN this matter with our nuclear scientists. website last week They said that there is no need to panic "The past 150 years of indiscriminate here. consumption of fossil fuels has brought no Rumors are rife about the unalterable changes to our planet." support from IAEA. posssibility. How do you assure the And so, experts argue nuclear energy Do we have a long term people that they are just rumours? strategy can help in the fight against climate to cope with such a crisis in the The Ministry of Science and Tech fu­ change. News reports from India, Nepal's ­ ture? nology has already issued a public irmediate nuclear concerns, have also We are working to make necessary statement following discussions with resonated similar arguments. arrangements to enhance scientists and other stakeholders. our capabili­ They may well have a point because ties to cope with these things Have you also consulted with in the fu­ compared to coal, diesel or gas-fired the ture. power plants, nuclear reactors IAEA on this? do not emit The Ministry has already started the carbon dioxide. Which means, As a member of IAEA, Nepal can overall work and we are also seeking support less carbon will be emitted receive support from IAEA. But, at the to the from international agencies.

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE I Mar. 25, 2011114 NEIGHBOUR

corner for the agitating Gorkha J anmukti Morcha, has left the seats in Darjeeling for Indian National Congress. The ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) has its slogan "more autonomy" for the hills. "Even the agitating party GJM has changed its mentality to the interim set up instead of Gorkhaland, there is no need to raise the demand of Gorkhaland through our party," CPI (M)'s leader, Saman Pathak said. He said that his party would restore a democratic setup in the hills blaming that Gorkha Janmukti Morcha had snatched the rights of people. The ruling party has already decided its candidates for the elections. CPI (M) had said that there was no situation of election in the hills. Up to now, the agitating GJM doesn't seem to have given the preference to the elections because the party has not decided who will contest in the elections DARJEELING on its behalf. ELECTION Morcha's spokesperson Dr. Harka Bahadur Chhetri said, "We will see till the last moment and will decide on the Gurkhas in Campaign best way forward." He further said that As the election his party will use this election to show approaches, agitating Gurkha Party members are busy select ~ ing their candidates the strength of hill people. The people of Darjeeling had supported GJM in the last Lok Sabha UMA KANT A KHANAL in Jhapa elections and had elected Bharatiya J anata Party's candidate,] as want Singh. he Gorkhas of Darjeeling legislative assembly. But this time GJM seems in no mood to agitating for their separate GNLF has decided to contest the support BJP. T state, Gorkhaland, are now assembly elections alone with the thrust It is reported that this is the hardest busy campaigning for the on the execution of the Sixth Schedule time for the ruling party CPI (M) to win election of West Bengal's agreement by fielding fresh faces in the the elections. One reason is the influence legislative assembly slated for three hill seats. of other parties like Trinmul Congress led April lB. "Subash Ghising will soon commence by Mamata Banerjee ~ the union railway The agitating Gorkha J anmukti the campaign for the elections," party minister in the state and the other is Morcha and other minor parties are sources say. majority in the hills support the party choosing their candidates. Every party According to the party sources, the which has the slogan for a separate state in the hills has emphasized on the GNLFwillnotalign withanyanti~ Gorkha for the Indian Gorkhas, Gorkhaland. • common candidacy in the elections. But J anmukti Morcha party or national party they have not reached any agreement yet. and will fight the elections alone. GJM has emphasized candidates The slogan of GNLFs campaign is with political background who have the Sixth Schedule agreement signed by SPOTLIGHT. . NEWSMAGAZINE supported the movement for Gorkhaland Ghising, the Centre and the Bengal Available at the followmg stands but Revolutionary Marxist Party govermnent in December 2005. Ghising 1. Bhatbhateni Supermarket: Bhatbhateni emphasizes the non~ political candidates was forced to leave the hills on july 26, 2. Bhatbhateni Store: Maharajgunj for whom the common ground could be 2008, a day after a Nari 3. Mandala Book Point: Kantipath, Morcha supporter Ph:4227711 obtained. had fallen to bullets allegedly fired from 4. Vajra Book Store, Jyatha Ph.:4220562 Former president of Darjeeling the house of a G NLF leader in 6. Book Paradise, Jamal Gorkha Hill Council Subash Ghising, who Darjeeling. The incident turned violent 7. Namaste Supermarket, Narayani Complex Pulchwok is still the president of Gorkha National against GNLF leaders in the hills. The 8. Namaste Supermarket, Maha~gunj (Opposite to Liberation Front, has announced he will houses of Ghising and other leaders were American Embassy. take part in the state's legislative torched by Morcha members, as the 9. Himalayan Book, Bagbazar. elections. administration claims. 10. Bhaktapur Stationery, Ny1apaul Darjeeling has 3 seats in the state's Trimnul Congress, which has a soft 11. Utsav Books and Stationers, Putalisada Tele hone:4220882 NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE! Mar. 25, 2011115 ECONOMY FNCCI Had Vaidya been chosen as a consensus candidate, it would have been the ideal choice in the present context when FNCCI is facing a serious crisis in all Clash Of Tycoons fronts. In the past, FNCCI was the sole Early campaign signs show industrialist Sura} Vaidya leading the elec­ organization of industrialists tion race for FNCCI president and business groups, but now organizations like Confederation of Nepalese Industry By A CORRESSPONDENT ( CN1) led by charismatic industrialist Binod Chaudhari are there. Other epal's apex industrial body capacity to negotiate with foreign small industrial groups arc also corning Federation of Nepalese investors will be a real asset in attracting up to challenge the existence of FNCCI Chamber of Commerce and the much needed foreign direct at the local level. This way N Vaidya's leadership Industries (FNCCI) is i:nvesonent. will be worth a try for FNCCI. preparing to elect its new This skill was what had been lacking Despite differences about many issues, pre ident at a time when the industrial in the FNCCI leadership after Binod nobody dares to challenge Vaidya's personality. sector has been passing though a very Kumar Chaudhari and Rup] yoti. uncertain period characterized by Known for his internal leadership "At this juncture, Vaidya will be an slumps and shutdowns. quality at the national level, Azad asset for the umbrella organization like FNCCI," says Tycoons Suraj Vaidya and Azad Shrestha too has many qualities. He is Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnicar, Shrcstha are tra veiling across the country bold and strong. vice-presidential candidate. "I think Vaidya to woo voters with promises to bring about As the country ha been passing will secure an overwhelming victory." a drastic change in the industrial sector. through a very crucial period "My candidacy is for the protection interspersed with bursts of anarchy, Pokhara based industrialist Azad Shresd1a of industries and industrialists,"thunders Vaidya, son of Gajananda, may be the is no less knovvn at the local level. "F Vaidya. right choice. His capability is going to NCCI needs a personality li.kc Azad "I will do my best to protect the rights be an asset for FNCCI. who is daring and fights for the right of of industrialists," roars Shrestha, adding, In view of the industrial unrest, and industrialists," says former president of FNCCI "I will work to promote harmony among the need for foreign investment and for Mahesh Lal Praclhan. At the local all stakeholders." restoring image of Nepal's prestigious level, Shrestha is said to have a strong ln terms of experience, exposure and apex body FNCCI in the international lobby. Backed by outgoing president personality, Vaidya has no match. His level, Vaidya's leadership is required. Kush Kumar Joshi, Azad is hoping to international exposure and personal secure vote from districts. •

'Will Strengthen Self-esteem Of Businesses'

Industralst AJAD SHRESTHA is problcmsofthelocalcommunity. constesing the election for the post of If you win what will be FNCCI president. Shrestha spoke to your priority area? NEW SPOTLIGHT about his agenda. The foremost thing I'll Why did you vie for the post of do is give a full attention to FNCCI president? tourism industry. We, the private My candidacy will make the sector, will workhand in hand with whole private sector proud. It will the government to make NTY a strengthen self-esteem of businesses grand success. Second, I'll leave and heighten the nation through their no stone unturned to attract the healthy conduct. · privateinstitutionswithinandout Every candidate claims so. Then of country to invest in our water what new can we expect from you? resources. Third, agriculture Indeed, I have been involved needs to be professionalized. in FNCCI for the last twenty years and And I'll work for it. Still70% of I've been working for empowering the the total population relies on small and medium industries for more agriculture. So I'll work on developing much attention on mobilizing and than a decade. And I've my own ideas agriculture scientifically and according managing the human resources by and experiences of solving economic to demand of the time. I, too, will pay unleashing newer employment areas.

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE I Mar. 25, 2011 116 ECONOMY 'Politics Is Not My Cup Of Tea'

Industralst SURAJ VAIDYA is Labour unrest has been badly constesing the election for the post of damaging Nepal's industries. What is FNCCI president. Shrestha spoke to your take on this? NEW SPOTLIGHT about his agenda. We have worked on the political Why did you vie for the post of agenda that political parties and FNCCI president? leadership have. But we think the Nepal is going through a political frame has limitations. What we transition and T think every Nepali who need is work in partnership with these wishes to lead the country in a certain people in convincing where we can r direction should come forward. We'll address their concerns without affecting probably face the hardest time in the investment. So, 1 think the approach coming days. With the new constitution should be to work with the trade unions which is expected to come in the next as partners. two and a half months, there will bela ws Don't you think there is a and by laws which will totally change competition within FNCCI at this our way of working, and, therefore, private crucial juncture? sector's voices and views must be The beauty of democracy is we get accommodated in these new laws. l stronger when we have differences. New believe that FNCCI leadership will have ideas emerge out o[ differences. an important role to play and I feel I can Therefore, 1 think the FNCCI style of rich country. We have tremendous give contribute my 25 years of experience management over 46 years by electing potential. vVe need to focu , we need to with FNCCI by choosing to lead it. leaders through the process of be more energetic in approaching the What are your agenda? countrywide elections has strengthened problems together. Differences will I've six agenda. They are to initiate the apex industrial association and it has strengthen us. We must look at the the private sector-led economic weaknesses as well. So, 1 think election is nation as the fundamental thing and programs. Right now we believe that all healthy as long as we practice it in a keep our self interests out of it. Nepali the economic programs are led by healthy manner. people need to build this country by political institutions. And this change What do you think about FNCCI'S promoting both whereby we all will then must be brought about by FNCCI. rols ? benefit from having a prosperous Nepal Within six months of my coming, we 1 think the prorninent issue is FNCC1 in the long run. will present the political leadership by looks after the interest of the national What rols FNCCI need to play? with our fast track rebounding approach economy and its development. The The total import is at about 4.6 to the nations economy. And, hopefully, priority in the last ten years and twelve billion US dollars and export is about we will be able to implement that through years for the international community only 1 billion dollars. The foreign reserve the government that will come in the and the political leadership has not been has diminished from an amount future. economic development. It's been peace covering 9 months to 5 months. Tlus is Tn the area of energy, we will try and and security. 1 don't believe that any of alarming. And, therefore, we doubt the create an atmosphere to make sure that these questions is less important than possibility of bringing more FDl the investment will come in as it is economy. But it's the priority of the time investment in this country. It is not required. Laws have been seating in the and time today demands that we have a possible for Nepal to create the kind of parliament for the last two and half years. situation where we have peace and environment that we CJ{pect and to create We will lobby that the laws come into security. And that being the focus, we the wealth that we need for this country. force as soon as possible. We believe think economy has been second to these The government of Nepal needs to be that in energy it is all a supply and issues. But again unless you have people more open to FDI, invite more of it by demand situation. And, therefore, the who have a job, who have employment, giving more incentives to try and government of Nepal needs to look at who can send their children to schools, reignite the industrial process in Nepal. giving incentives in attracting who can have better care when they go Most of your senior colleagues investment in this area. That is back home; what we are all looking have been in politics, don't you think something we will lobby for. There 11re forward to is not going to come. Therefore, you are left alone? trade unions. We need to create an we stress, we request to the international No! I am a businessman and I think environment in Nepal that helps community to change their focus from my work, my ethics is business. I believe productivity grow. We want to provide peace and security to economy as the that profit motivates people to get social security vvith flexibility. And these fundamental engine to drive peace and involved in investments. We need to two agendas can be accepted by the trade security and this is something FNCCI is create the environment so that profit will unions. We believe that we can create a going to work on under my leadership increase more revenue for the better environment for investments in a with the international community. government and create more year. These will be the major points T'll How do you see present sutitution ? employment. Politics is not my cup of be working for. Nepal is not a poor country. It is a t ea.

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE! Mar. 25, 2011117 COVERSTORY \VORLD\VATERDAY Dying For Safe Water The fact that less than 50 per cent of Nepalese have access to safe drinking waterrenders the popular catchphrase about Nepal's water abundance meaningless. About 8000 people die every year due to contaminated water. Diarrhea epidemic starts in the wake of theWorld Water Day celebrations lJ when pledges come in plenty to provide safe drinking water to all. Populist slogans like water to all sound hollow when people continue to die in want of safe water

By KESHAB POUDEL

anesh Saud, 29, a resident of Nepal has to spend a huge amount of March 22 to March 28 calling to increase Sigas village of Baitadi money to supply of safe drinking water to the safe drinl

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE I Mar. 25, 2011 118 COVERSTORY

Waiting for water

More than 15 died of diarrhea in their live to a diarrhea epidemic. sources. Still many people belonging to Baitadi district last year. According to Though the government has claimed poor and excluded groups, those living in District Health office in Baitadi, of those that it has made provisions to supply safe areas beyond the sources or scarce in ground who died, three were residents of Sigas drinl

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE I Mar. 25, 2011 120 WATER AND ENERGY COMMISSION Seeking Legal Mandate Despite expertise in water related sectors and institutional capability to deal with them, Water and Energy Commission (WECS) is yet be made legally mandated powerful agency

By A CORRESPONDENT

or purposes ranging from documentation center for all regional drinking to irrigation and water resources and energy related hydro-power production, researches and studies etc," said Shyam F Nepal needs water in different Prasad Mainali, secretary of WECS. spheres of life. A planning Water Resources Strategy and and regulatory authority for National Water Plan have mandated Former executive secretary and integrated and sustainable use of water WECS as Central Regulatory Body and currently secretary to Minisuy of Tourism will be a good thing to have. The Water have imparted the authority to provide and Civil Aviation Kishorc Thapa holds and Energy Commission Secretariat techno-economic clearance for various sirnilar views. "As the country is going (WECS) can be just that. major water related projects including into a federal structure from a unitary WECS, at the moment, however, multipurpose projects/projects with state, the role of WECS will be much looks like a toothless agency having no inter-basin transfer/trans-boundary more important," said Thapa. "WECS mandatory authority in the process of implications. However, this authority is can play a vital role in the water and implementation of water related issues. yet to be supported by legal instruments energy sector of Nepal. WECS's The Commi sian wa established in for effective implementation. expertise on river basin planning 1975 by the Government of Nepal with a "Formally, WECS is recognized as management, modeling of wateru e and cabinet decision as an apex body to work an apex body to deal with water related allocation and multipurpose project is for the promotion and development of issues but it has not been given any legal in1portant." water resources and energy sector of rights to execute the decision. Having WECS was entrusted as the cpal in a sustainable, integrated and such a pool of experts and institutional coordinator of the task force to formulate optimal manner from a holistic capability, WECS is now just Twenty Year Hydro-electricity perspective both in natural state and in recommcndatmy agency having no legal Development Plan. During the study, it balancing the competing demands on rights," said Shishir Koirala, clivi ional was found that if we honestly work hard, various aspects of water utilization and engineer of WECS. "Our CA']JCricnccs have the country can generate 1815 MW of energy consumptions. shown that without de£i11ing WECS role electricity by the year 2014 out of which "A permanent secretariat of WEC by lawwithmanclatmyrights, I clon'tthink 1645MW will be available for domestic was established in 1981 in the form of we will be able to make our visible presence." consumption and the rcstfor export. The Water and Energy Commission WECS has been playing advisory role next five years will be crucial for the Secretariat (WECS). The objectives and in the whole decision malting related to energy sector of the country. mandates of WECS have been envisaged water resources. The institution has "WECS with its expertise on water as to include primarily the already conducted numbers of smdics on and energy can play and is playing a responsibilities like to formulate water related areas but they are yet to pivotal role in the water and energy sector necessary policies, strategies and become of much u c. WECS has well of Nepal. It can provide tcclmical support planning of projects with long term established documentation center with on resettlement and rehabilitation vision, conducting smdy, research, survey over 5000 books, re earch!stucly reports programs in hydro-electric projects, and analysis on various aspects of water and many technical journals. This water optimization in river basins and resources and energy development in documentation centre has developed itself resolution of the conflict between keeping with the priorities and targets into a leading reference library in the field different competing uses of water. No Government of Nepal, to enact the of water and energy sector in Nepal. other institution in the country can necessary laws pertaining to the "As long as WECS is not made provide a holistic overview of the water development of water resources and mandatory institution giving certain sector of Nepal than WECS. On the energy, to establish coordination among legal authority, I don't think we can make energy side, WECS is developing its national and sectoral policies relating any differences. In the coming clays, capability in strategic planning of the to water resources and energy sector, to when Nepal has to face many challenges energy sector, energy efficiency, demand render opmwn, advice and in the context of utilization of water in side management and optimization of recommendations on bilateral and integrated manner, a stronger and more different sources of energy," said multilateral issues relating to water powerful organization like WECS will be secretary Main ali. • resources and energy, to act as a needed," said Koirala.

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE I Mar. 25, 2011 121 FOCUS "WECS Working On Integrated Water Policy"

SHYAM PRASAD MAINALI

SHYAM PRASAD MAINALI, our country is facing an awful situation What are its mandates? Secretary of Water and Energy Commission, is a of energy crisis. WECS has prepared a As I have already mentioned the well known civil servant. Having worked for almost National Energy Strategy which is in mandates of WECS are huge. Its primary three decades, Maina li knows the ins and outs of draft form and is yet to be approved by responsibilities are to formulate Nepal's civil service. As Nepal is celebrating the World the Government of Nepal. We are also necessary policies, strategies and Water Day, secretary Mainali spoke to NEW implementing Nepal Energy Efficiency planning of projects with long term SPOTLIGHT on various issues. Excerpts: Project under theTA program provided· visions, conduct study, research, survey WECS has played very important by Government of Germany through GTZ and analysis on various aspects of water role in the formulation of water Nepal which includes components like resources and energy development in related strategy and policy. What is public awareness and formulation of keeping with the priorities and targets the current status of WECS? policy driver on energy efficiency, of Government of Nepal. Besides, Water Water and Energy Commission energy efficiency in house hold (rural Resources Strategy and National Water Secretariat (WECS) is a central level as well as urban), preparation of Plan have mandated WECS as Central Government Organization working on standards and labeling for energy Regulatory Body and have imparted the sustainable development and efficient electric appliances, authority to provide techno-economic management of Water Resources and establishment of energy efficiency clearance for various major water related Energy sector in Nepal. We are putting centre with public private partnership projects including multi purpose thrust on Integrated Water Resources approach, and energy auditing on projects/projects with inter-basin Management (IWRM) principle and industrial sector. transfer/trans-boundary implications. focusing on economic efficiency, social As Nepal is in the process of However, this authority is yet to be equity and environment conservation in constitution making for a federal supported by legal instruments for our Water Resources Strategy and Plan. setup, many problems will come up effective implementation. To transfer IWRM principle into in water sharing among provinces. Has WECS made any contribution implementation, WECS is currently What role will the organization like in constitution making? working on formulation of Integrated WECS play in the future? WECS has conducted a series of Water Policy and establishment of Nepal, as of now, is the only state workshops and discussions/interactions knowledge based information system in facing problems regarding water among various stakeholders including WECS and River Basin Offices in three sharing. We can definitely say that water Constituent Assembly members, major river systems of Nepal; Koshi, sharing issues in federal Nepal arc very eminent water experts, and civil societies Narayani and Karnali in collaboration likely to increase, especially among to advocate the state restructuring in the with the Department of Hydrology and different provinces. We arc yet to define perspective of natural resources Meteorology to move forward in river the borders of our provinces. If a river management. WECS with basin planning for sustainable water basin falls within two or more provinces' representation by its officials in Natural resources management and development the chance of conflicts on water sharing Resources, Economic Right and Revenue in Nepal. Sharing Committee issues among t h e provinces are has been providing Does your organization work in valuable inputs as and seemingly likely, as we have cen in when necessary. other areas? WECS and] alasrot Vikas Sanstha QVS) many parts of the world. Since rivers do WECS is also involved in Koshi River jointly organized a two day discussion not follow any political boundary, and Basin Management Program under the program to make necessary sugge tions/, fra mework of Koshi River Basin since the water resources are key to life recommendations on the report prepare Management Strategy and is and Nepal's prosperity, the available by the Committee. Proceeding of the implementing the two pilot projects in resources mu st be optimally planned program have been duly submitted to the Dudh Koshi andindrawatisub basins with and equitably distributed to all the Chair of the Constitutional Committee. support of WWF Nepal for transition concerned provinces based on their Experts are predicting that the towards more adaptive and participatory needs. Thus the role of WECS will be climate change is going to affect integrated water resources management much more important in the federal Nepal's glaciers. As a policy level (IWRM). Similarly, WECS is doing a structure of the country since it is the institution of water, what role has study in Bagmati River Basin on water central level, apex organization WECS been playing? security and pollution issues under regarding the planning, development The glaciers of Greater Himalaya are regional Technical Assistance funded and management of the country's water known as Water Tower of Asia and by ADB and Japan Water Agency. resources. In the federal structure, support the livelihoods of the billions of How about the energy sector? WECS possible role could be in people residing in the region. Several Energy is an important sector. We integrated water resources planning and studies conducted show that climate do have an abundant potential of hydro management, basin planning, benefit change will have adverse effect on water power development in Nepal. However, optimization, conflict resolution etc. as well as energy sector including many

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE! Mar. 25, 2011j22 FOCUS other sectors like agriculture, health, and environment. As a result of global warming, it is believed as a fact that the • glaciers have been retreating and resulting in expansion of existing glacial lakes and forming new glacial lakes. Is WECS is doing something on this? WECS) in association with ICIMOD has been involved in the study of Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) assessment and mitigation aspect of potentially dangerou s glacier lakes in Nepal. WECS has also prepared a concept paper on GLOF. Besides, WECS has prepared report on Water Resources of Nepal in the context of Climate Change. This report i released on March 17, 2011. As WECS is known for its expertise, what is the state of WECS now? WECS with its expertise on water term solution? .How do you look at this? and energy can play and is playing a The present crisis is the result of our l would not entirely agree with your pivotal role in the water and energy inaction of the past, whether we talk statement of WECS made as a clumping sector of Nepal. WECS's expertise on about water supply or energy. During the ground for technical and civil service, river basin planning and management, last one decade we could not do much in although there arc some issues which modeling of water usc and allocation, harnessing our water resources, whether may ha ve triggered you to make uch a development of multi-purpose projects it is For water supply or hydropower statement. Personally for me, it has been and trans-boundary water issues will be generation. The electricity supply could quite a useful experience. As yo u know l ve ry useful for the government agencies not match the ever increasing demand am not a technical person in relation to as well as private developers. It can provide becau se of the nature of our hydro­ water and energy sector. Being a technical support on resettlement and electric projects (Run of River type). generalist, I have had a great opportunity rehabilitation programs in hydro­ Similarly our water supply could not to enhance my knowledge regarding electric projects, water optimization in match the rapidly increasing urban water and energy sector after coming to river basins and resolution of the conflict population because we did nothing in W EC S. between different competing uses of action eve n though the c risis was Tell us more on your experience? water. o other institution in the country looming over our head. In order to get WECS is regarded as a think tank can provide a holistic overview of the water out of the vicious circle, we have to add for Government of Nepal in the area of sector of Nepal than WECS. more projects in a shorter span of time water and energy and it has expertise What are other areas? and develop transmission network to al o, but clue to the lack of clear cut work Based on its expertise, WECS has evacuate the energy generated from mandate with full legal backing, it has initiated and is implementing many chlfcrent power stations. been quite difficult to perform up to the programs which I have already What has WECS clone in this expectations. Institutions like WECS mentioned above. Additionally it is regard? need to be independent and not under working as a secretariat of the WEC WECS was entrusted as the the shadow of a particular ministry. Nepal National Committee for World coordinator of the task force to formulate Since large numbers of employees Energy Council (WEC), secretariat of Twenty Year Hydro-electricity are hanging here and there, how do the ICOLD-Nepal National Committee Development Plan. During the study, it you claim that it is not a dumping for International Commission on Large was found that if we honestly work hard, ground? Dams (ICOLD) and is the member of the country can generate 1815 MW of Dumping ground for technical and these organizations. It is also a member electricity by the year 2014 out of which civil service personnel is a place where of Network of Asian River Basin 1645MW will be available for domestic there is no scope for showing ones' Organization (NARBO) and Water and consumption and the rest for export. The personal performance and expertise. Environment Partnership in Asia next five years will be crucial for the Contrary to this, WECS as an institution (WEPA). It is also entrusted as the focal energy sector of the country. has ample scope for its employees to point of BIMSTEC for energy sector. Despite its institutional capability show their performance and expertise. It Nepal has been facing severe and technical expertise, WECS is said has very good reputation among similarly water as well as energy crisis. What to be made as a d umping ground for mandated international organizations role WECS can play to find out a long tech nical and civil service people and relevant experts.

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE I Mar. 25, 2011123 VIEWPOINT Ground Water Reality DR. RA VI SHARMA ARYAL Groundwater is water that is found pollution. Hence only 34% of the underground, Committee for Underground Water in in cracks and spaces in populations are thought to have access 1975. This Committee is chaired by the soil, sand and rocks. The top of the area to safe drinking water. Secretary of Ministry of Irrigation. where water fills these spaces is called The Historically, rights and ownership mandate provided the water table. Heavy rains to this Committee is or melting issues concerning ground water have snow may to survey, study, innovate, supervise and cause the water table to rise, never been viewed serio usly. However, monitor ground water. Together it could or an extended period of dry weather may no such regulatory framework develop information system cause the water table to fall. Groundwater and develop concerning the rights of ground water plans supplies are rep and utilization strategy on ground lenished, or recharged, by its users as well as the stakeholders by water. This order only provides a board rain and snow melt. In some areas of exists. It is not even considered as a formation mandate to work in the world, and even in Nepal, people this sector. similar activity like mining, that many But this order face serious water shortages is not sufficient to regulate because other countries consider. Thus, there groundwater is ownership and other ground water issues. is used faster than it is ambiguity in defining the ground water Conflict on ground water in our naturally replenished. In other areas, resource and the rights over it in Nepal. neighboring country India groundwater is being polluted by human could be a Similarly, overlapping authority of good example activities. Like any renewable to point out here. Activists resource, different institutions working on ground groundwater say an ongoing drought has threatened could be consumed water shows institutional problems for groundwater supplies across India, indefinitely as long as the rate of regulating and ground water. Ground water many villagers in withdrawal does not exceed rural areas are blaming the rate Management Committee is formed by of replacement. Coca-Cola for aggravating the problem. Over pumping of an an order but hardly could regulate Coca-Cola operates 52 water-intensive aquifer occurs when groundwater is ground water as Kathmandu Upatyaka bottling plants in India. withdrawn faster than nature can In the southern replace Khanepani Limited, Drinking Water Indian or recharge it. village of Plachimacla in Kerala Supply Authority and Department of Therefore, state, for example, persistent droughts groundwater depletion is Irrigation are using ground water in their have dried up groundwater and local a growing problem, not just in Nepal own ways without coordination. wells, forcing many residents but worldwide. Many parts of the globe to rely on Confusion at the conceptual level water supplies face serious fresh water shortages, tanker in daily by the which also lends itself to field levels as we see government. have resulted from groundwater the case of ground water in Nepal. It is Competition over depletion and water quality problems. ground water neither in the private domain, nor entirely resources between Many communmes obtain mechanically their in the public domain. As far as its powered drinking water Deep Tube wells (DTW) and aquifers. Water suppliers extraction and use in agriculture, drill manual hand pump for drinking water wells through soil and rock into industry, or domestic sectors is supply are forcing communities and aquifers to reach the ground and supply concerned, both the private and public authorities to think about instituting the public with drinking water. Many sectors are involved . However, extraction regulations over the use of homes al o have their own private wells ground of water for elling to other user is water. However, drilled on their property as conflicts are to tap this not possible by the private sector, which supply increasing, people and communities . would have resulted in it being an are beginning to develop local level High rainfall totals generally give rise extractable commodity because all sub- controls and self-management of to abundant water supplies, at least soil this products are, by law, under the critical open access seasonally, and surface resource. Unlike the water and government's jurisdiction. But in reality groundwater other major open access resource­ are both important sources there i.s a lot of violation on use of ground surface water of rivers-whose use faces for domestic, industrial and agricultural water uses. Such activities are in some regulations in usc. Groundwater is abundant terms of diversion or in the operation in a huge scale especially in lessening aquifers of the of flow, as well as fishing Terai and the Kathmandu Kathmandu Valley and water table level rights, the ground water resource is still Valley. About 50% of the water used in has been decreasing clay by day. E>.'Perts very much in a laissezfaire state. the city of Kathmandu is derived from It is also say this might create natural disaster not a common groundwater. There is an overall resource for lack of and could convert our land into desert if communities water-quality to regulate its use, as its data for Nepal and hence water extraction is continued in extraction is dependent upon assessment of the main quality problems unmanaged way. technologies without is difficult. Many of the documented which it is not National Water Plan 2005 provides available problems are related unlike forests and pastures, to pollution of both importance to ground water uses together surfacewatersandshallowgroundwaters which are there for people to use. with National Water Resource Strategy Dr. Ravi from domestic, agricultural Sharma Aryal is joint and 2002 but less priority is given to it in the Secretary industrial wastes. Much at Water &: Energy of the Nepalese regulatory framework. There is no special populationusessurfacewaterforpotable Commission of Government of Nepal. act to regulate ground water in Nepal Author can supply which is most vulnerable be reached at: to except an order which created the [email protected] NEW SPOTLIGHT NE WSMAGAZINE I Mar. 25, 2011 124 ______..., VIEWPOINT T awards A Constitutional State

DEY RAJ DAHAL,

Introduction national citizenship, not those who attack from both state-bearing institutions and Nepal is in the process of national nationalism through the local governance and their bids for envisioning for the construction of a instrumentalization of primordial and executive power have weakened the democratic state. It is creative moment communal passions weaken state-bearing division and devolution of power and any for the citizens to exercise their rights institutions. In a security vacuum rule of zeal for the transformation of negative and express legitimate aspirations law becomes just meaningless. Fourth, peace into positive peace. It has begun through various participatory the creation of social welfare state is to erode the nation's civic spirit itself mechanisms in the Constituent linked to the control of the inunigration undermining moral and political check Assembly. But, these rights can be of foreigners because native citizens are of national polity. As a result, the realized only within an effective state legitimate claimants of welfare rights. proliferation of factional politics has having legitimate monopoly on power But, the spread of globalization beyond produced continuous deadlock over and ability to enforce rule of law. A the writ of state, has blurred the power-sharing and constitutional issues democratic state, moreover, also unites boundaries between domestic and foreign diminishing the outreach of state in the general will of all citizens into a policies. society. None of the parties are able to sovereign power to abolish the state of Crisis of Rule of law inspire confidence in each other for the nature and reduces the menace of fear in law can prevail only under rule oflaw, vision of a common good and address the society toked by irrational human a law that socializes citizens to act anarchy of armed outfits who oppose tate nature, nature of state, and "state of according to constitutional tradition of sovereignty. ln this context, autonomy anarchy," which political realists politics. In Nepal, crisis of law springs and fairness of judiciary and watchdog uniformly label for the nature of the from many sources. First, interest of functions of civil society, media and current world system. Civilized states have political parties to implement multiple public institutions arc necessary already resolved this problem through ideologies rather than agreed laws and Imperative of Active Citizenship democratic-will formation, harmonized public policies in the country is flagging The intense craving of Nepali citizen laws with the fundamental rights of the cmmnon identity of law makers and for a release from their suffering from citizens, established the rightfulness of citizen . It has marked a coming crisis of basic needs deficits has made them non ­ law and legislative legitimacy. Nepali citizenship. Second, the basis of stakeholders of rule of law and constantly In Nepal, the peace accord and laws on property ownership, not public struggle for change through extra­ Interim Constitution define the reason, has made laws of no consequences constructional mean s. ln the situation of framework of constitution en vi ioning the for the poor. Third, the problems in de­ utter contempt for the powerless, authority of state based not on power linking violence from politics and constitution building requires inventing equation but on democratic principles. perpetuation of impunity for powerful proper means to reduce the level of The peace they postulated aims to reduce have eroded the impersonality oflaw. And structural injustice by offering peace conflict by eradicating the structural finally, inability of rule of law to establish dividends, curtailing the menace of injustice of society, bringing social human rights of citizens as sacred and violence, and democratizing the tran formation, and setting off post­ inviolable has created trust deficits. law pyramids of undemocratic structures so conflict peaccbuilding process. One can, can become a medium for social and that journey to self-realization becomes however, see a clear disjuncture between system integration in Nepal if it is easier. the public expectation of post-conflict grounded in universal public reason and Conclusion p eace eli vidcnd, and the leaders' public participation. legal technocrats' The challenges before the upcoming incapacity to create open-access public vehement arguments in defense of known new constitution lie in building bridges order that proscribes the use of violence culprit against innocent citizens in no across the gaps between the state and and allows citizens to pursue their rights way amounts a fair justice in a country citizens, institutions and aspiration, and and enterprises. like Nepal where legal literacy among groups and individuals through healing Constitutional Control Nepali people is pathetically low and and reconciling with the spiritual, social, The Nepali state presupposes majoriry of citizens cannot afford to buy economic, and political resources of the constitutional closure in a number of the service of lawyers. If a hefty fee makes nation. Thi , however, requires a self­ areas to resolve all contesting issues legal technocrats unconscious of the reflective learning of the leadership about within the bounds of Constituent corruption of self-interest, law fails to the wisdom of ordinary folk, public Assembly. First, democracy is tied to become a conception of common good. opinion, and cultural heritage of the national self-determination of citizens I o be truly sovereign in the nation's tolerance of diversity nurtured in all national initiatives includin"g implementation of law, Nepali state has by its sages, statesmen, and citizens for constitution-making. Unreasonable to render itself autonomous from the long. It is preposterous to think external penetration on constitutional dominant interest groups of society and democratic state without drafting and public policy undermines address the distributional struggle of the acknowledgement to historical identity public ownership in it. Public policy poor for social justice, a conception of of its nation and tolerate external making is the prerogative of the national higher law, necessary to achieve a stable intervention in whatever the name. parliament as it is regarded political peace. Excerpts of Paper presented by microcosm of national representation. leadership Challenge Dahal, head of FES-Nepal, at a Half Third, recruitment of army is tied to The deviation of Nepalese leadership day Workshop recnetly.

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE I Mar. 25, 2011125 NEW SPOTUGHT INVESTIGATION MISSION MUNICIPALITY For Clean Nepalgunj

Long after becoming helpless witnesses to irregularities committed by representatives of major political parties in the municipal functions, the civil society members living in Nepalgunjg Municipality have finally launched a campaign to make the institution accountable, clean and ef­ fec tive. Under the nominees of political parties since 2006, Nepalgunj Municipality, which was once regarded as robust, has now turned into a mess. How the civil society campaign makes the municipality respon-­ sive remains to be seen

By NETRA KC in Nepalgunj

Development work has come to a becomes a mess in case the local bodies functions devolved on them. complete standstill in Nepalgunj for the fail to respond and address the issue in According to the clause 96 of the la t ix years. Infrastructure like roads time. act, there are certain mandatory functions and and hospitals is a casualty. Worse is the "We have watched inaction of the duties of the municipal areas. Along with rampant mi use of municipal budget. municipality and municipal officials preparing the annual budget, After the expiry of the tenure of elected and the political mechanism for year municipality has also repre entatives of the municipality functions and in hoping that they will act. We are duties 2001, the institution related to physical development, ha been under non ­ compelled to raise the issue as people elected including to carrying out plants on representatives of various are losing faith," said Mahat. drinking water, drainage in the areas of political groups. After ] ana dolan II, the Preamble of Local Self-Governance municipality and operate, maintain municipal affairs went under the control Act and repair or cause to be operated, of four major political parties- Nepali Local Self Governance Act's preamble maintained and repaired the same. Congress, UCPN- Maoist, CPN-UML says it is expedien t to make provisions To preserve rivers, streams, ponds, and MJF conducive to the enjoyment through the deep water wells and utilize them "E nough is enough. We cannot utmost participation of the sovereign properly, to control and prevent river tolerate the inaction and irregularity in people in the process of governance by cutting, flood and soil erosion, to carry the municipality. We want effective way of decentralization and to constitute out, transport and manage the disposal service delivery, improvement of local local bodies for the development of the of garbage and solid waste, to distribute infrastructure and clean and healthy city local self -governance system in a manner electricity to municipal areas, as it was in the past," said Bhola to manage Mahat, that they are able to make decisions on the pre-primary regional representative schools are the duties of of INSEC and the matters affecting the day -to-day municipality. convener of the Mission. "When a public needs and lives of the people by State of Municipality utility institution fails to function developing local l eadership. Whatever the resources it has and properly and political parties do not According to Local Self-Governance whatever the situation in the respond, it is the duty of civil society to Act 1999 , the government formed the municipality, no new development raise the issue. This is what is our local bodies building and development projects like roads have been started in objective." of institutional mechanism and Nepalgunj Municipal area. Due to use With bumpy roads, the city is full of functional str ucture for local people and of low quality materials, the repaired dust. The uncollected garbage is left bearing responsibilities. The act follows black topped roads turn into earth in a everywhere. People cannot find fresh air the principle and policies for the short time and the drainage systems to breathe. In the rainy season, the city development are of local self-governance virtually defunct and the city is turns into a big pond due to full of lack of system h aving the municipalities uncollected garbage. sewerage and drain. Even newly oriented towards establishing the civil Although the municipality has been constructed and upgraded roads, society based on democratic process, annually spending millions of rupees pavements and other infrastructures do transparent practice, public under these titles, the huge chunk of not last long. The situation of Nepalgunj accountability and people's money was misused by local leaders of Municipality has shown how life participation in carrying out the political parties, local employees of NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE I Mar. 25, 2011 126 NEW SPOTLIGHT INVESTIGATION municipality and contractors. There are financial irregularities everywhere. "After knowing about the huge irregularities, we have already summoned our previous representatives and appointed new ones for the post," said leader of Nepali Congress. 'Our party representative may have done some wrong but he alone cannot be blamed. All representatives of political parties attended the meeting and approved the programs and budgets.' CPN-UML's representatives too hold similar views. 'Our representative often was misled by municipal employees. Our party has already nominated new representative," said UML district chair. The tragedy of Ncpalgunj Municipality - which was regarded as the best municipality till a decade ago in terms of roads, drinking water and sewerage- is that it did not formulate plans for people. Due to this, it looks like a city of full of earth and garbage. Nepalgunj Municipality Moreover, traffic jams have become a new I roblcm in Nepalgunj as the their henchmen." the state of Ncpalgunj municipality in construction and expansion of the new In terms of budget allocation, garbage. urban roads is virtually halted and the Ncpalgunj Municipality's annual "The municipality docs not ha vc number o[ vehicles grows. budget has been increasing for the last enough budgets under anitation. We Thanks to unholy alliance between one decade and the donor agencies like don't have vehicles, tractors and municipal employees, representatives of UNDP and UDLE have also been employees in sanitation department. political mechanism and contractors, supporting the basic requirement of These all are creating problems," said a every year the annual budget is spent on municipality. However, the face of municipal employee. paper. The municipality makes plan for municipality is still ugly. Mission to Save the Municipality road construction and improvement of It is estimated that arouncllS tons of After looking at the rampant misuse other infrastructure and calls tenders. So waste is generated within the of resources, a group of lawyers, human far a the qualities of works arc municipality each clay. The major solid rights activities, and media institutions concerned, they are below the par. waste generators in Nepalgunj have set up a Mission Municipality. The In some cases, the contractors collect municipality are hospitals, clinic , alliance points out the weakness of advance money and collect the final nursing homes, medical shops, groceries, political parties to turn the municipality in tallment just completing the paper slaughter houses, vegetable markets, into a mess. works. "The budget allocated for the pathology labs, and hair saloons etc. The mission ha already organized a development works is generally divided Waste collection and transportation couple of discussions programs with among representatives of political partie , is solely carried out by the mu~icipality. various stakeholders including the employees of municipality and There is no specific collection centre in political party leaders, lawyers, media contractor .' the municipal area. The wastes are thrown persons and others. The mission also Due to this, many construction works in empty lands, road sides and storm informed district administration and including culverts, roads, drinking water drain. The municipality sweeps the road C IAA about the growing misuse of taps and other buildings are ruined a few and collects the waste from roadsides. au thority in the municipality's day to day months after the construction. The drains are also cleaned frequently work. "We are very much concerned "Political party representatives and and the wastes are taken out and the about the executive secretary of the members of civil society have been wastes are collected. Three tractors are municipality,' said Mahat. making hue and cry blaming us squarely. mobilized to collect the wastes from 17 However, the municipal employees This is unjust. Political representatives wards of the municipality. The said that the civil society members need pressed us to award contracts and issue municipality has employed about 93 to press the representatives of political checks. We are not the persons to prepare sweepers and laborers to clean up the city. parties who are holding the key as the plan and sanction the budget,' said With support from Practical Action, members of all party mechanism- which an employee of municipality on Municipal Association Nepal, UDLE, is equivalent to Municipal Council and condition of anonymity. "A lot of work Europe Aid Cooperation Office, a project Municipal Executive body. "No program has been completed. The quality of work Strengthening Local Capacities in can be executed without the approval of was compromised because of leaders of Integrated Sustainable Waste the mechanism, " said an employee. political parties who wanted money to Management (ISWM) in small and "Why is the civil society organization medium municipalities of Nepal showed silent about this?"

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE I Mar. 25, 2011 127 NEW SPOTLIGHT INVESTIGATION

According to Clause SO (l) of Local "The development process of Self-Governance Act 1999, the municipal the municipality was disrupted council is the supreme body to formulate because of their inactions " said the policies and programs. Political Mahat. Political p~rties mechanism, though it is composed of nominate their representatives; nominated representatives of political but they have hardly asked what parties, enjoys equal power and authority has been going on in the as previously elected council members. municipality," said Mahat, According to clause 100 (a), convener of the Mission functions and duties and powers of Municipality secretary are to perform all administrative Sixteen political parties have nominated representatives functions of the municipality under the for the political mechanism of the direction of mayor, to execute the municipality. The mechanism is .___ _ approved town development program equivalent to the elected council under the direction Nepalgunj's City Road mayor and to of the past. Following mounting __--=.._::______:______maintain accounts of expenses incurred criticism from civil society, two largest The caucus accused on the construction works performed that executi·e parties Nepali Congress and CPN-UML Shrestha distributed 30 million rupees within the municipality and so on. summoned their representatives from in development budget received from Human Rights Caucus recently political mechanism and a ppointed two UNDP and 7 million rupees from internal organized a discussion program inviting new party representatives. resources to the employees. Executive the representatives of political parties, Mission Municipality Shrcstha also distributed petrol to the media persons, lawyers and other civil One of the aims of the civil society workers of political parties to appease society members. The caucus holds the caucus is to book the culprits involved in them. By selling the view that the inaction of those groups is the irregularities and make the coupon of petrol, also responsible for the present mess in municipality free from corruption. workers of political parties buy alcohol, the municipality. lt also draws the Divided into 17 wards, the population of meat and other commodities. conclusion that there are rampant the municipality is 300,000. Executive officer Shrestha, however, irregularities in the municipal Due to the bad conditions of road and denied all these allegations and said they development activities. lack of proper drainage, the municipality were personally motivated works of some Budget Expense has been facing a number of problems. incli viduals. According to the Key financial However, municipality has clone nothincr According to clause 90 of Municipal indicators of Nepalgunj Municipality, in the last five years. The common pcopl~ Council, it is the council which sanctions actual capital investment is weak. squarely blame executive officer Ram lal budgets, formulates plans and i sue Shrcstha Prepared by UDLE, the indicators show for the state of affairs. guidelines to municipality. Under the Following the the Ncpalgunj Municipality heavily complaint of local direction of the government, all party people and civil society members, the spent its money under the capital political mechanism is now replaced by investment Commission for lnve tigation of Abuse out of its total budget. it. Under the government decision, the According of Authority raided the municipality and to UDLE, Nepalgunj political mechanism has sweeping power Municipality generated Rs. 104,284,372 took various documents under control. related to clay to day affairs and in the year 2006/07. Out of tills, It "After initial investigation of the spent development issues of the municipality. Rs. 44,492,538 as a capital investment. In documents, we found a lot of evidence of From awarding tenders to other executive the years 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, the rampant corruption," said Devcndraraj works, the executive secretary total expenditures of the municipality Bharati, local unit chief of ClAA. · has to abide by the political mechani were Rs.3l, 329,901, Rs. 28,116,485. Rs. According to Bharati, executive sm. " 40,147,549, Rs. 28,230,964 and Rs . officer Shrestha is irregular and the team I cannot do anything alone. There is 39,710,290. Out of this, the municipality found that he was absent up to 16 clays in a board represented by all political spent as a capital investment Rs. 13,144, a single month. There is rampant parties. Only after the consensus and 412, Rs 8,144,553, Rs 19 ,924,863, Rs. indiscipline in the municipality and agreement in the board, I was authorized 7,129,475 and Rs. 8,755,374. employees do not obey the basic rules. to use budget. Due to political pressure, As the number of employees "We have issued several warnings to I was unable to carry out development increased, the ratio of employees' salary, employees and executive officer Shrestha activities. but nobody listened allowances and travel and per-diem al(>O to us. Executive "It is unfortunate that we are unable secretary Shrestha is responsible for the increased in the last five years. In the year to initiate development activities but I 2005 present state," said Bharati. /06, the total salary was 2,276,4 20 but have no idea about the misuse of money," the salary The CIAA conmlittee also found that of 2008/09 was more than Rs. said Krislma Raj Pandey, representative 30 million. executive secretary distributed donations of the United People's Front. The regional representative of IN SEC to various persons arbitrarily. After This is the eighth of nine investigative stories on Bhola Mahat charged that negligence of investigation of official documents of politics of local bodies supported by The Asia leaders of political parties and municipal municipality, the caucus found that more Foundation. The views expressed by theAuthordo employees was responsible for the than 10 million rupees was distributed to not necessarily reflect those ofThe Foundation or present state of municipality. the retired employees of municipality. found er •

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE \ Mar. 25, 20 11\ 28 ECONOMY

ARAB UPRISING leash another political explosion in the country," said Dr. Bishwambher Desert Storm In The Himalayas? Pyakuryal, an economist. The raging uprising in the Arab streets pose serious questions on the He points out to the fact that every sustainability ofNepal's remittance-based economy year around 400,000 Nepalis come looking for job in the employment mar­ By SANJAYA DHAKAL ket. "We do not have industries to take all of those workers. Therefore, for the he worsening instability, The future dispensation in these tin1e being, we have no alternative other particularly in the Gulf coun­ cm\ntries may be lesser inclined to im­ than the foreign employment." T tries, has increased worries porting laborers, they say. The latest data show that in the six about the security of around "This is certain to have long lasting member countries of the Gulf Coop­ one million Nepali workers impact on Nepal. If the agitation eration Council - Bahrain, Oman, Ku­ and the national economy that is depen­ spreads and results in regime change in wait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE - dant on the remittance they send back countries uch as Bahrain or Kuwait or there are almost one million Nepali home. United Arab Emirates, then we have migrant workers. Every year, Nepal receives around absolutely no idea how the future gov­ In Bahrain, where the agitation has Rs 230 billion as remittance from al- ernment would react to foreign employ­ intensified, there are around 20,000 most two million Nepali migrant work­ ment. This can invite an unfortunate Nepali workers. In Saudi Arabia, where spread around the world. situation for us,'' said Nishchal Nath protests have largely been spo­ Of the total, half of the work­ ~,_....,... __ radic, there arc 450,000 Nepali crs arc stationed in the Gulf coun workers. tries alone. Former Finance Minister The uprisings in that part Surendra Pandey agrees that it could severely derail stability will not be in the long-term inter back home, warn e:;.qxrts. ­ est to bind national economy Raging Flame so firmly with the foreign employ­ The Hamc of uprising that ment that is vulnerable to factors started three months ago in T uni­ outside the control of the country. sia is engulfing Arab countries "We must go for building na­ one after another - Egypt, Libya, tional industries. There is no al­ Ycmcn, Oman and Balu·ain. Nepalese Worker Returning from Libya ternative to that. We arc living in In the last one decade, there- glass house at the moment," he said. mittancc receipts have become the Pandey, Director of Centre for South The scariest part is what happens mainstay of the Nepali economy. Asian Studies. if the situations in Gulf Arab countries In that, the stability of the Gulf He also regrets what he calls total deteriorate to the level seen in Libya. is as important - at least from indifference on the part of the govern­ The officials shudder to even think economic perspective - to Nepal as is ment towards the unravelling situation about the prospects of mass rescue. • its domestic political stability. in the Gulf despite its tremendous im­ But the scenes of popular unrest, plications for Nepal. Are You In a Hurry for Suiting ? street protests and rebellion in streets Financial Tsunan1i of Arab that have hugged the world The econon1ists do not tlunk that GOPAL TAILORS headlines since last three months is now such a situation is impossible. They Is at your Doorstep Specialist in Suit, Shirt and Safari thTcatening to unravel the stability diat warn that it could have tsunan1i-like had marked the Arab world for many impact on Nepal's economy. For All Kinds of Clothing materials and decades. "If due to the current Arab upris­ Supplier of School Dress and Office Uniform Analysts also fear that since the pro­ ings the remittance flow is affected, then testers have, often times, raised senti­ that will break the backbone of Nepali Khichapokhari, Kathmandu Nepal (Opposite to Everest Bank) ments of 'nationalism,' the future of for­ economy. That can trigger a financial Contact: Gopal Upadhyay eign employees hangs in balance. earthquake. In fact, that can even un- Phone: 977-1-4423412 Mobile: 9841 330970

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE I Mar. 25, 2011 129 FORUM

DRINKING WATER SUPPLY Widening Gap

By MADRAV PRASAD GHIMIRE Tens of thousands of people go for a million but the infrastructure for water some positive signs too. Nepal government long walk to get a bucket of drinking distribution is designed to meet less than has recently made Melamchi as a water. In rural parts of Nepal and urban one million people. This kind of a flagship project. There is a unit to look areas, all people face more or less similar situation is there in all parts of the city. after the progress of the project and we problems. Despite claims of Nepal being All the cities in Nepal have been are taking all necessary steps to complete a country rich in water resources, we are facing the problems of drinking water. the project. After taking this initiative, yet to be able to supply water to all by Whether they are the newly emerging the construction of the project has 2015. Of course, the country has more towns like Bharatpur or old cities like gradually accelerated. This is good news. than 6000 rivers with abundant waters. Bhaktapur, drinking water is inadequate. We have to accept the fact that Studies have shown that the surface water The gap of supply and demand is so huge bringing Melamchi project is not going available in the country is estimated to in the urban areas that one cannot deny to solve the problems related to water. be about 225 Billion Cusec Meter per a major conflict on water in the coming Next problem will be the distribution of annum. However, the reality is different days if Nepal fails to build the the water. Whether we will be able to do in term of supply of water. Less than 70 institutional mechanism. equitable water distribution or not is percent of the population has access to Water has no substitution and there another important question. In water. We have to accept the reality that is no life without water. This is the reason Kathmandu, Kathmandu Upatyaka nobody can guarantee the question of celebrating the water week has Khanepani Ltd (KUKL) has already quality of water. From institutional significance. As water is life, it needs to started the improvement of distri arrangement to capability, Nepal has be distributed equally to all. More than areas as well as ways to bridge the gap. already faced a number of problems 80 percent of populations have access to Water has multiple uses. We need related to water upply. Particularly, the drinking water but we cannot guarantee water for drinking, irrigation and that the water supplied to generation of hydro power. In case, the the people is absolutely safe government fail to manage the water for clrin king. The gap distribution, there will be a conflict in between rich and poor is the future. There is enough indication widening in urban areas a for this kind of situation. For instance, well as rural parts of Nepal. the dispute between upper riparian and The challenges for coming lower riparian has been there. Another clays will be to fill the gap. question is about rights to use the water, Kathmandu Valley has whether water is for irrigation or drinking been facing chronic or power generating purpose. The clrinking water problems. A questions of water user's rights and so on large number of people do will be major challenges. The time has not ...... = ...... ha vc access to water. come for all us to think in this direction. Water Week Celebration Even those people who have Nepal has been passing though a post ------access to piped water don't transition period of a long bloody conflict. people living in the urban areas have to get safe and quality water. Despite the If we are unable to address this issue, the face very difficult tasks. The climate possibility to increase the supply of water country has to face other conflicts that change is going to have adverse impacts by containing leakage, we are unable to arc going to be related to the conflict on the availability of water and water will do so . With a high priority, the water sharing. Even now the conflict be the harde t hit by the climate change. government of Nepal has been executing between Melamchi's residents and This way I am excited to speak on the the Melamchi Drinking Water project Kathmandu's population has already slogan Water for Cities: Responding to to solve the crisis of drinking water of gown on the issue of who the Urban Challenges. need to get the There is no doubt Kathmandu. We conceptualized priority. that the number of urban population has Melamchi in 1996 and, in the year 2002, Of course the slogan of this years' been rising and many rural people are we had the target to bring the water in world water day is excellent but the time shifting to the urban areas. The foremost the valley through a 29-kilometer tunnel to live in the sweet slogan has gone. What important challenges they will face after by 2012 . Despite tender award three years we need is action and commitment to migrating to the urban centres will be ago, we are yet to move as expected to translate the slogan into reality. If drinking water. Of course, we are there are meet our target. We need to ask the able to do so, problems we can make a lot of of drinking water in rural areas question what we did till now. I have to difierence. too but the problem is much severe in admit the fact that nobody can predict (Ghimire is the chief secretary of urban areas in the context of growing when the Melamchi will complete given Government of Nepal. Excerpts of his population. For instance, the population the current situation. statement delivered at a program of the Kathmandu valley is now almost 5 Amidst this gloomy picture, there are organized to mark the World Water Day) NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE I Mar. 25, 2011130 ARTICLE CareWork For Gender Equality

By SAMIRA POUDEL

'Every time 1 see a mother with an infant, 1 notlling can be changed when important the economy. They will be free for the !wow I am seeing a woman at work. I know that issues hke tllis are left bellind. Care work development work and contribute on the workisnotleisLtreanditisnotsleepanditmaywdl has a crucial relationsllip with economic economic progress of the country. be enjoyable. I know that money payment is not empowerment which unfolds new If care work is dealt with economic necessary for work to be done. But again, 1see m to employment opportunities. A lens, then it can be one of the major pillars be at odds with economics as a discipline, becaLtse characteristic of successful economic of social security, which is one of the most when work becomes concept in institutionalized empowerment is the ability to exercise essential aspect to maintain justice in economics, payment enters the picture ... No choice in matters of society, economy and the society. Justice creates level playing hoLt scwivesaccordingtothiseconomicdefinition,are politics. Women who were often treated field for both male and female and also workers ' as dependent of men in social practice generates equal access to opportunity. Marilyn Waring, Former MP, New Zealand ha vc now freedom to choose job. To be sure, social security is important (1999) Economic empowerment plays a vital role for social and economic development. Care work is a service provided to in decision making. Above all when We cannot measure social security only others which can be either paid or women arc economically empowered then in term of costs, but also an investment unpaid. The social work everyone does in human assets for better productivity at home, for instance, cooking, ..,...-...,.,.. ..'""". and freedom. These consideration help cleaning, caring elderly and children to reduce poverty maintain equity and and all other household works arc not equality and support economic and taken as a productive work until social capacity of women. To connect ntly. Economy only takes into ocial security with care work, state or account those works which are charitable institution have to invest in connected to financial benefits and care centers so that it is easily wage is counted as per labor hours accessible to low income groups of spent. Nepalese society. Obviously, care activities also take Conclusion up a large amount of time and energy Until recently, care work in Asia has for those who perform it because it not been taken as a work, but now it is requires a superhuman strength and Woman at Work getting recognized. Its indirect not all can cope w1th these tasks. ------contribution to the household to GDP However , even if it is recognized that all paradigm shift of society will occur from ha inspired policy makers to these services at the household sector are inequality to equality. To create a just institutionalize care work considering equally important and valuable form of and equal society planners have to that it creates the environment for equal · production point of view, there is still a concentrate on this new option of care access to opportunity. Care work from dilemma of how to make tllis services work which is engaging women all the economic perspective, takes into account visible from invisibility in economic time and not having freedom to take part the concern of focus on informal part calculations and counted as labor and on public affairs. Care work in Nepal's since large number of women's work are work context is the most important issue wllich based on household tasks which are for instance, if we look into some is hindering the future path to equality. largely unorganized and informal. fanlilies, where female members are also Care work in the village life is less a Unless the state gives priority to these in formal jobs, they have started hiring a matter of concern as family members tasks and makes it visibly counted in the to look after the elderly or the volunteer this job. But in urban areas GDP, the path to equality is difficult. As with a monthly salary which is there is large number of care center both men and women are living together, again an econornic issue to the person opened to give care for children, elderly each and everything that happens affect who is doing this job. This is already a and the needy ones. In rural areas, them equally. Therefore, removal of the fresh recognition to care work and slowly women are totally occupied with care work traditional, social and cultural barriers it can be transformed into productive work and other household tasks which are not is a precondition to move further to a spirit in a more organized way. Large numbers as easy as in urban areas. All these tasks of mutual cooperation. Since every of women are entering the public arena are making them extremely busy and they society has its own customs and values, it from the private life of household; this cannot even concentrate on agricultural is very difficult to reform and have strong means a solution can be found where tasks where 74 percent of the women gender commitments. It is very in portant women 1 are entitled to do care work as a workers are engaged. Huge shift of male to empower the disadvantaged women, but choice and also an opportunity. The youths to foreign employment is another without ruining the society's positive changing nature of economy has given biggest challenge, where women are left norms and the value of social security women freedom and justice and no job with added responsibilities for all private provided by our families. Therefore, boundaries are felt between male and and public tasks. Therefore, if the issue knowledge, awareness and economic female. Why is care work so important of care work is taken over by the state, empowerment will slowly brirlg changes and what are its implications? Even if civil society institutions and private at some point and will unfold the utility the country agrees to all UN resolutions sectors then women can compete with the of new economic concept of care work. • and launches national action plans, equal access to opportunities offered by

NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE I Mar. 25, 2011131 HEALTH Smoky Homes

~ByBUDDHABASNYAT,MD

Three decades ago Dr Mirgcndra Raj the full blown disease, it is game over the home continues in Nepal. Cigarette Pandey with the help of young doctors because doctors cannot do much at that smoking and atmospheric pollution have and health workers showed that indoor stage. Prevention is better than cure not helped. But women in Nepal as in pollution in the homes clue to open applies very clearly to COPD. many parts of the developing world hearths was a major cause of ill health in The most intriguing finding from Dr continue to cook in open hearths. Besides cpal. Changes were made in Pandey's early work in the villages in COPD, a whole host of other problems are constructing better chimneys and Jumla, rural Kathmandu, and the Tcrai caused by smoky homes and open smokeless "chulos". People were able to was that women had significant amount fireplace : eye problems, heart problems, breathe better as a result. However the of COPD which lead to early heart failure lung cancer, pneumonia, and burn problem of open fireplaces in homes and death. This catastrophe happened injuries especially in children playing persists and continues to wreak havoc. notwithstanding the Fact that women around the open hearth. The burn injuries Nearly 2 million people die prematurely s mo keel far fcwc r ciga rcttcs/bidis/ arc especially tragic as, if the child in the developing world clue to i ncloor tamakhu than men. ln these women there survives, the initial injury may lead to pollution. Recently Hilary Clinton has was an obvious co relation of the burn contractu res of the surrounding area taken up this cause by trying to help excessively high prevalence of COPD and of the skin and require "release ' introduce more efficient, incxpcnsi vc hours spent cooking with firewood and operations which may not happen in a and u er friencUy stoves in village homes cow patties in soot filled kitchens. village setting in Nepal. in the developing world. The program will Relatively yo ung woman in their forties Many villagers arc averse to be headed by the U nitcd ations suffer from this disease if they cook in because they feel the smoke filled Foundation which is a charity. the smoky atmosphere year in and year provides warmth in the\vinter and termite Sadly, even today one of the most out. Amazingly these women some of prevention from eating away the roof of important problems we sec in the whom smoke only 3 or 4 cigarettes a clay the house. So, dealing with these I ossiblc hospitals in Nepal especially in the have lungs that resemblc four pack a clay mispcrception and fears will be as winter time is chronic obstructive lung smoker of a veteran's hospital in the US. important as installing a new stove or disease ( COPD). Visit any medical ward This is the aclclitivc effect of using chimney. Otherwise projects of this kind in Nepal and almost every other bed has firewood and "ghuita" for cooking. are bound to fail rcgarcUess of their good a COPD patient. Once the patient has This e:>.1_Josure to the deadly smoke in intentions. • such a great earthquake as anticipated takes place, the amount of devastation is Doom To Come sure to be mindboggling. Adding to the high fatality figures in the country is the inaccessibility of some villages and By SHRADHA GYA WALl hence, the difficulty that emergency services may have in reaching and Nepal is often a victim of landslides, a greater disaster may be looming over rescuing people. It is also notable that flood and earthquakes. In fact, it was Nepal, which sits on the border between our country has very poor social originally formed by a huge earthquake two huge plates that have moved together infrastructure such as roads. Any over millions of years ago. This over millions of years to form the disruption, damage or blockage of th earthquake was of such an immense power Himalayas. roads could easily have a clev that it resulted in the high peaks which Geologists believe Nepal is at a risk consequence. ot only this, the people now characterize Nepal-The Himalayas. from an earthquake with a magnitude of of our country have not been educated in The last major earthquake to hit around eight in the Richter scale that safety measures. Buildings have Nepal was inl934, when almost 20,000 or will kill more than half the population of increased dramatically over the past few more people were killed. Additionally, the country, although it has not suffered years and finally the population of many residential homes in Nepal were a major quake for decades. Sadly, our Kathmandu city alone has increased lost and a number of great landmarks and country is woefully unprepared for such tremendously. national treasures were destroyed. a jolt. Very low building standards, weak Awareness levels have increased over Despite the terrible loss of lives, property, infrastructures, lack of planning and the the past couple of years, but it is not enough. A and infrastructure during this great fact that Kathmandu is built on the soft massive and significant earthquake prevention programme is earthquake in epal, little learning has sediment of a former lake bed all needed to be strictly reinforced and taken place and that our country appears contribute to a high risk. adhered to if lives are to be saved. unlikely to successfully withstand Since our country lies in a highly Shouldn't we be preparing ourselves to another great earthquake. seismic zone, the threat of an earthquake face the upcoming doom~ As Japan counts the cost of the is very real. Experts have often stated that Gyawali is based in USA devastating earthquake in its aftermath, the next "BIG ONE" is due anytime. If NEW SPOTLIGHT NEWSMAGAZINE I Mar. 25, 2011132 - Yeti A irlines we fly with you

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