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Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1731', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Army Integration: The Glass Is Half Full', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Sagar Ghimire </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> With the induction of 70 former Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army (NA) at officer levels at the Military Academy last Monday, the army integration, a key element of Nepal’s peace process, formally came to a conclusion after seven years of protracted transitional period. </div> <div> </div> <div> In 2006, when the former rebel CPN-Maoist joined mainstream politics, the integration of the former guerilla into the state army was a bone of contention among political parties. The idea was perceived by non-Maoist forces along with the NA as a ploy of the former communist rebel to infiltrate non-political institutions with communist dogma. </div> <div> </div> <div> The army integration process was considered to be a most challenging and sensitive aspect of Nepal’s home-grown peace process. Though the seven-year long integration process observed complications, mistrust and dillydallying among stake-holders of peace building efforts, the process gathered some momentum after the NA showed some flexibility to accommodate the former guerillas.</div> <div> </div> <div> The integration process in a unique way offers important lessons to the international community and also might be replicated in other countries in post-conflict period. NA and the former combatants, who had fought against each other during the decade long war, should be patted on the back for this accomplishment. </div> <div> </div> <div> They did not only maintain a high degree of restraint during these seven years of volatile and fragile situation, but later also agreed to accept each other as colleagues in the same institution. This achievement has obviously elated people who have witnessed the horror of war for more than a decade. </div> <div> </div> <div> However, as propagated by a section of media and political parties, the landmark achievement in the integration front itself is not the full accomplishment of the peace process. Agreed that it was a key component, equally important are issues like the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on Enforced Disappearances, security and justice sector reformation, preparation and implementation of a minimum common programme of socio-economic transformation and formulation of scientific land reform policies, among others. Some of the agenda of Nepal’s peace process are yet to receive significant attention while others have been completely overlooked by concerned stakeholders. </div> <div> </div> <div> The topmost priority and a larger part of Nepal’s peace process is the promulgation of a new constitution through an elected Constituent Assembly that will ensure a federal democratic republic set-up. </div> <div> </div> <div> The promise from leaders of political parties to promulgate a new constitution through the elected Constituent Assembly is yet to be delivered. </div> <div> </div> <div> The first two years of the CA witnessed wrangling among the Maoist and non-Maoist forces on whether the integration process should be completed before the constitution drafting or whether it should go hand in hand. The remaining two years of the CA were squandered in the debate on federalism. Eventually, the institution met a tragic fate of dissolution without delivering a constitution, shattering the peoples’ dream for peace.</div> <div> </div> <div> Political leaders boasting that they have successfully concluded the peace process without delivering a new constitution is merely a sign of complacence. </div> <div> </div> <div> Amid celebrations of the success of 70 former combatants’ integration into the NA as officers, the issue of over four thousand former combatants who were tagged as disqualified during the UN verification process has not bothered the government and parties as much. </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> Humiliated by expulsion with a ‘disqualified’ tag in their identity, they had even hit the streets a year back with a few demands. If not properly addressed and rehabilitated, these former combatants, most of them who possess armed tactics and skills coupled with violent mentality, can pose a serious challenge to society. These former combatants could be manipulated by any force, particularly the breakaway CPN-Maoist towards violent activities.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'With the induction of 70 former Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army (NA) at officer levels at the Military Academy last Monday, the army integration, a key element of Nepal’s peace process, formally came to a conclusion after seven years of protracted transitional period.', 'sortorder' => '1592', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1601', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'More Transparency In Political Finance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Siromani Dhungana</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties should recognise the value of transparency in the political process and provide citizens with information on funds raised and spent to influence their votes.</div> <div> </div> <div> Parties, however, keep their contributions hidden from the public eye. Consequently, voters never learn of the origins of the money used in financing election activities. This is less than ideal for an electoral system in a country that has experienced nascent democracy.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Why Disclose?</strong></div> <div> Disclosure helps prevent financial abuse during election and is necessary to promote healthy political competition.</div> <div> </div> <div> We need a body akin to what was set up in the U.S. under the Federal Election Campaign Act 1974. An agency called the Federal Election Commission supervises all financial transactions by political bodies that have solicited or spent money to support or defeat federal candidates. The organisation verifies all reports presented and discloses the same to the public. The Election Commission in Nepal should be empowered to do exactly the same.</div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties, on the other hand, should pledge to introduce a law to ban anonymous donations and formalise a common minimum understanding for regarding the public disclosure of their income and expenditure. </div> <div> </div> <div> An undisclosed contribution from any party is not a good sign as contributors will want returns from concerned political parties and anonymity will allow them to take advantage of the political affiliation. </div> <div> </div> <div> Past experience shows that undisclosed contributions can fuel ‘policy corruption’ as the government compensates its financial contributors while introducing the budget. Undisclosed contribution often raises questions as to whether political parties benefit from influence peddling, organised crime or drug trafficking.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Terrorised Business Community?</strong></div> <div> Principally, a major share of funding should come from voluntary contributions but that is not happening in Nepal. Forceful donation drives by political parties has become a common phenomenon and has terrorised the business community. </div> <div> </div> <div> Some businessmen have even revealed in public that all revenue frauds committed by them is a result of heavy donations to political parties. According to them, they are facing problems in adjusting donation funds in the balance sheet during the auditing process.</div> <div> </div> <div> Transparency in donation would help boost the morale of the business community that has been forced to donate with such conditions that they could not keep any record of the money dispensed. Political parties should now ensure that the election is not an event meant for terrorising the business community.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>But they aren’t so clean </strong></div> <div> The business fraternity, however, is not clean of controversy. Multi-billion Value Added Tax (VAT) scandals, adulteration in food products and other unethical business practices have been growing in the country and successive governments have failed to take action against even a single corporate house. Renowned faces from the business community entered the last CA representing different political parties. This clearly showed that they want political protection to go ahead in their business undisturbed. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>A Silver Lining </strong></div> <div> In a commendable move, however, the Nepali Congress recently promised that it is ready to reveal its sources of funds for the coming elections by accept ing donations through cheque only. This announcement may have provided relief to the business community. </div> <div> </div> <div> The announcement has provided a strong ground for the business community to bring this issue to the public domain. Other political parties, as public institutions, should be proactive to disclose their information and arrange for regular briefings using various information demystification channels.</div> <div> </div> <div> Routing money through bank accounts can also improve the identification of contributors which is important for monitoring limits as well as identity of sources.</div> <div> </div> <div> Nepal needs to set up a mechanism to ensure the transparency of party funds. The present opportunity and its timing can be used to initiate this much-needed change.</div> <div> <em>(The writer tweets @siromanid)</em></div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Political parties should recognise the value of transparency in the political process and provide citizens with information on funds raised and spent to influence their votes.', 'sortorder' => '1462', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1553', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Repeating Electoral Violence?', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Sagar Ghimire</span></strong></div> <div> </div> <div> As November 19, the slated date for the Constituent Assembly election draws closer, poll fever gradually grips the government, the Election Commission (EC) as well as the political parties. The EC is in full swing to make the election happen on the scheduled date. It enforced the Code of Conduct for the election and made the election time-table public too. Likewise, the government also held a meeting recently with security organs for the election to chart out a joint security strategy for the event. </div> <div> </div> <div> However, political parties have failed to do their bit. Instead of forging a conducive and congenial environment to conduct the elections peacefully, the leaders of the parties are now fomenting violence through their speeches. </div> <div> </div> <div> The unfortunate announcement from the CPN-Maoist to disrupt the election wasn’t as much a surprise as was the demand of the Nepali Congress leader and cadre to form their own ‘security squad’. </div> <div> </div> <div> Though the NC president turned down the demand raised during the party’s Training of Trainers, the demand is indicative of the deeply embedded militant mindsets of the leaders and the cadres of all big parties. </div> <div> </div> <div> The recent remark by UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal to mobilise 1000 Young Communist League cadres in each booth in response to the CPN-Maoist plan to deploy 10 cadres is tantamount to summon violent clashes in the upcoming elections. </div> <div> </div> <div> Violence has become a part and parcel of elections in Nepal. Earlier elections in Nepal also had witnessed massive use of violence, coercion and force by the parties. </div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties forming para-military forces and mobilising young goons during election campaigns and at poll booths is an enough evidence to indicate the proclivity of our leaders towards violence. </div> <div> </div> <div> Flexing muscles, particularly during elections, to influence voters, frighten opponents and intimidate election officers does not only undermine the credibility of the election but also violates citizens’ fundamental right to vote in a free and fair manner. When leaders or parties lose their confidence to woo the people through their policy and programme, they resort to wielding violence to bring election results to their favour. </div> <div> </div> <div> The CPN-Maoist party’s threat to disrupt polls by using force; UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Dahal’s warning to counter the CPN-Maoist attempt; NC leaders and cadres pitting the idea of forming their own ‘security squad’; and rising aggression within the CPN (UML)’s sister-wing the Youth Association Nepal from notorious dons and hoodlums paint us a familiar picture of the forthcoming election -- one marred with violence. </div> <div> </div> <div> Fraught with violence, the CA election is also likely to be a battle ground for party leaders to exploit youths for their vested political interests. </div> <div> </div> <div> Use of violence during elections gets exposed in the international front by international observers and media which ultimately becomes a matter of shame for the country. </div> <div> </div> <div> The confrontations and clashes during the election are already imminent with parties, leaders and cadres that mull the formation of youth squads to use them in bringing the election results in their favour. The Election Commission has already executed the Code of Conduct and the government has prepared mechanisms to contain violence. Yet, these fall short in front of the unruly and unholy young goons, when they are shielded and patronised by their leaders. </div> <div> </div> <div> If elections are to be held in a democratic, fair and peaceful manner, political leaders and their parties should make a sincere and honest commitment to shun violence. The government should make sure that no element that inflicts violence is spared. Political parties should value peoples’ power over violence and try not to repeat our history of electoral violence.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-05', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Business Ethics: Challenges in Implementation By Sagar Ghimire Though over 100 business companies have made a commitment towards the Business Code of Conduct (CoC) which was introduced by the National Business Initiative (NBI) last week in the Capital, implementation of such a self-abiding code will not be an easy task. The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), the Birjung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), Nepal Gas Dealers’ Association (NGDA), and Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA) are some of the leading business associations that have endorsed the CoC. A recently conducted survey of Kathmandu-based companies entitled ‘Ethical Business Practice in Nepal’ by NBI has found only 7 per cent of the companies following business ethics, while 41 per cent of the sample were found weak in this. Likewise, 52 per cent of the sample was found to have attempted to implement the CoC and partially following it. Jyoti Baniya, general secretary of Forum for Protection of Consumer Rights, expressed doubt regarding the sincere implementation of the CoC by the business community. “Some tangible differences in behaviour should have been discerned these past few days,” Baniya told The Corporate. “They (business houses) did not even think it necessary to place a framed copy of the CoC on their walls.” He, however, welcomes the initiative of the business community to come up with the CoC. This finding of the survey indicates that the implementation of CoC is fraught with challenges. There are doubts as to whether companies will duly follow the provisions stated in the CoC at a time when there are allegations upon some of them that they are flouting the business laws of the country.Some member companies of the associations that endorsed the CoC have come under the government’s scanner for their unscrupulous deeds. Gas dealers, transport entrepreneurs, gold merchants, are alleged of carteling, syndicates, adulteration, tax evasion and other malpractices. However, Saroj Prasad Pandey, coordinator of the CoC campaign at the NBI, claims that he was very hopeful for its implementation. “The endorsement by over 100 business associations and an overwhelming support from the government, political parties, labour unions, the media and people within a week showed that the CoC can be implemented,” he said. Pandey informed that they will soon form a joint committee comprising representatives from various business sectors to supervise and evaluate the implementation of the CoC. Although bringing the CoC is a positive step towards winning the trust of consumers, consumer right advocates, however, say that its implementation will fully depend on the will-power of business firms and the support from political parties and the government. When leaders or parties lose their confidence to woo people through their policies and programmes, they resort to wielding violence to bring the election results to their favour.', 'sortorder' => '1414', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1508', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Unfounded Fears Over Monarchy’s Revival', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Sagar Ghimire</span></strong></div> <div> </div> <div> While talking to journalists on Tuesday, UCPN (Maoist) Leader and former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai said that he would have thrown the former King Gyanendra Shah behind the bars if he was the Prime Minister of the country. </div> <div> </div> <div> Former Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai made such remarks at a time while a voice, albeit subtle, is emanating in favour of the deposed monarchy from a section of the political quarter. </div> <div> </div> <div> A leader of the Nepali Congress, speaking with BBC Nepali News Service, questioned the legitimacy of overthrowing the monarchy, and recently, Dr Bhattarai’s one-time communist compatriot Mohan Baidya also hinted towards the possibility of collaboration with the dethroned King on the issue of nationalism. </div> <div> </div> <div> The remark by a former Prime Minister to jail the ex-king obviously begs a question: Why should an ex-king, innocent of crime and rendered to the status of a citizen, be thrown behind bars when one of Bhattarai’s own party leaders, charged with murder by the apex court, is roaming scot-free? Apparently, it was Dr Bhattarai himself, while Prime Minister, who recommended the President to grant amnesty for a leader charged with murder. </div> <div> </div> <div> Should it be considered a crime in democracy when an ex-king attempts to woo flood victims by providing humanitarian assistance? Or, does he deserve prosecution just because he exercised his constitutional right of mobility by embarking on a trip to the far-west as a citizen of Nepal? </div> <div> </div> <div> It was easy for political leaders to pass the buck to the King while monarchy was at helm. But with monarchy all gone, the leaders have failed miserably to live up to people’s expectations. This is gradually leading to frustration, resentment and detestation among the public towards the current political dispensation. While this is not a good sign for Nepal’s nascent republic democracy, leaders should find solutions in correcting their course instead of mudslinging the erstwhile monarchy. </div> <div> </div> <div> There is no way a dead monarchy will make a comeback. Fear over the deposed monarchy’s revival is simply unfounded; the fear-mongering is an attempt to conceal one’s own incompetency and deflect public criticisms for wrongdoings. </div> <div> </div> <div> Reinstating the monarchy, no doubt, would be a regressive move. Feeble voices from a political section - particularly from the CPN (Maoist) party and a few leaders of the Nepali Congress in favour of the abolished monarchy - will either dissipate or be discarded by the people. </div> <div> </div> <div> The hue and cry over a small philanthropic move of a constitutionally powerless king reflects nothing but the defeated psyche of the UCPN (Maoist) leader. Obviously, people, who have fought for a long time for establishing a republic with multiparty democracy, would not look for monarchy as an alternative system. However, that does not necessarily mean people would stick to the same bunch of leaders who have failed to address their aspirations even after half a decade of regime change. </div> <div> </div> <div> In democracy, there should not be any room for negation, and never the politics of violence and coercion. The deposed king should be subjected to free trial if he commits any unlawful activity, but he should not be hounded time and again out of vengeance. </div> <div> </div> <div> The time is ripe for party leaders to introspect on their deeds on why they could not institutionalise a federal democratic republic and failed to win the hearts of the people. The sooner they realize it, the better.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-07-29', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'While talking to journalists on Tuesday, UCPN (Maoist) Leader and former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai said that he would have thrown the former King Gyanendra Shah behind the bars if he was the Prime Minister of the country.', 'sortorder' => '1369', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1461', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Resolving Rows Through Round Table Conference', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Sagar Ghimire</span></strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Albeit late, the four major political parties—Unified CPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress, CPN (UML) and United Democratic Madhesi Front—represented in the High Level Political Mechanism (HLPC) have seemingly conceded to the demand for a Round Table Conference (RTC) by UCPN (Maoist), the breakaway faction CPN-Maoist. </div> <div> </div> <div> After the leaders of all four parties hinted that they could sit for the Round Table Conference, the CPN (Maoist) party led by Mohan Baidya immediately reciprocated by announcing the formation of a five-member talk team under the leadership of Baidhya himself. </div> <div> This could be considered as a positive gesture from the CPN-Maoist side, which had earlier threatened to foil the CA polls by mobilising its force at the election booths. </div> <div> </div> <div> This latest development has also renewed a hope among the people for the November election of the Constituent Assembly. </div> <div> </div> <div> However, the success of the RTC hinges upon the HLPC’s ability to bring poll-opposing parties, especially CPN-Maoist, on board with the election process. </div> <div> </div> <div> Nevertheless, if held, the RTC could be an opportunity for dissident parties to put forth their issues on the table for discussion and deliberation. </div> <div> </div> <div> The RTC mechanism is a negotiating platform for resolving a long political standoff where parties have not held even a single dialogue since Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi’s dispensation. </div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties have tentatively agreed to hold the RTC, but they have not sat down together to work out a modality, date and the nature of such a mechanism. </div> <div> </div> <div> Also, there are diverging views between the CPN (Maoist) and the parties in the HLPC regarding the interpretation of the RTC. The former argues that contentious issues of the constitution drafting process should be brought in the RTC for endorsement while parties in the HLPC see it merely as a mechanism to resolve the current political impasse. </div> <div> </div> <div> Similarly, parties in the HLPC are seeking assurance from the CPN-Maoist and other protesting parties for taking part in the CA election slated for November before meeting the demands of the RTC. However, CPN-Maoist has refused to give such assurances. The party deigns agreeing on such conditions as tantamount to surrender. It has demanded that the election date be scrapped to give the RTC authority to take calls on the election. </div> <div> </div> <div> Another question pertaining to the RTC is how the parties will come to a conclusion, let alone consensus, when they will have so many contentious issues on the table to resolve. There are many challenges in the prospect of the RTC for releasing the country from the current quagmire. The country cannot be held hostage to such a crisis for long. </div> <div> </div> <div> Undeniably, in democracy, the solution to all problems could be found in election. Putting parties like the CPN-Maoist, the Madhesi Peoples’ Rights Forum led by Upendra Yadav, the Federal Socialist Party by Ashok Rai, and other fringe parties outside the election process, does not bode well for Nepal’s peaceful transition. </div> <div> </div> <div> The slow-paced election preparations by the Election Commission, government and the HLPC give enough room to cast doubt whether the election will really be held at the scheduled date. Even the Constituency Delineation Commission (CDC), which was formed with the mandate to come up with a report on delimiting election constituency, is grappling with political and constitutional difficulties. The CDC is left with two options now - to either submit the report keeping the current 240 constituencies intact, or remove the constitutional difficulties which could affect the CA election date. </div> <div> </div> <div> The HLPC should make some concessions even at the expense of postponing polls for the time being so as to convince the CPN-Maoist to step on board for the election process. But the CPN-Maoist should also sincerely agree to participate in the CA election thereby proving its democratic credential, which often comes under question.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-07-22', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The success of the RTC lies on the HLPC’s ability to bring poll-opposing parties on board in the election process.', 'sortorder' => '1322', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1339', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'November 19 Elections: Growing Doubts', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p> <strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Upashana Neupane</span></strong></p> <p> While the entire society (barring some groups) is upbeat about the November 19 elections for the Constituent Assembly Version-2, the chances of the elections actually being held are diminishing with each passing day. </p> <p> First is the timing of the election. November 19 falls immediately after a long holiday season. Generally, August- October is considered a festival season in Nepal and there are 15 festival holidays from August 1 to November 19 when the government offices remain closed (Aug 22 Gaijatra, Aug 28 Shreekrishna Janmastami, Sep 7 Teej, Sep 18 Indrajatra, Oct 5 Ghatasthapana, Oct 11-15 Dashain, Oct 18 Purnima, Nov 3-5 Tihar, and Nov 9 Chhath).</p> <p> In such situation, Election Commission (EC) has to almost finish all major preparation before these festivals start because the staffs in the government offices rarely work even in the working days during this period. The offices look totally deserted during one month period from October 5 (when the Dashain festival starts) till November 9 (the day of Chhath festival). That is the reason why all previous general elections were held on other seasons. One previous election held after the festivals was on over a week after Chhath. </p> <p> Secondly, Mohan Baidya-led Maoist Party has been threatening the government and other political parties to obstruct the upcoming elections. It had also created an alliance of 33 fringe parties. It is good sign that a total of 18 parties out of 33 from the alliance have decided to participate in the upcoming CA polls. And the number may further increase. </p> <p> However, EC should provide sufficient time to these parties to formally register for the polls. That too will work as a drag on election process. </p> <p> Similarly, some crucial issues such as voter education, voter registration and providing election symbols to these parties are also time-consuming. </p> <p> On the other hand, there are still disputes among political parties over some crucial agenda such as fixing the number of constituencies. The Government has asked the constituency delineation Commission that at least one seat must be there for each district. </p> <p> The Commission has just started its work and it is yet to solve the dispute over number of constituencies it seems it will also add trouble in the election of the CA.</p> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-07-08', 'modified' => '2013-07-08', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'While the entire society (barring some groups) is upbeat about the November 19 elections for the Constituent Assembly Version-2, the chances of the elections actually being held are diminishing with each passing day.', 'sortorder' => '1201', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1186', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Development Discourse With Dominic', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p> <strong><img alt="" height="147" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/UdkScCyRfDl9IJd_H4FG3RwWUKmUkCHA5nqlGN9ga8I=w149-h147-p-no" width="149" /><br /> </strong></p> <p> <strong>Dominic O’Neill<br /> Head, DFID Nepal</strong></p> <p> <strong>Apart from recruiting fearless and jobless Nepali youths to their Army, the British government has been building bridges and roads in Nepal that have helped ease lives of millions of Nepali people.</strong></p> <p> <strong><br /> By Siromani Dhungana </strong></p> <p> At one point on his last day in office as head of DFID Nepal, Dominic O’Neill was waiting for reporters. “This will probably be the last meeting with journalist in my nearly two years of stay in Nepal”, he said later. </p> <p> “Tomorrow,” he said on Friday, “I will be leaving this beautiful country. I will never forget this land. Be it Humla, Mustang, the Tarai or Hilly belt, my desire to visit all the parts of the country will always remain the same. This county will always stay fresh within my heart.” </p> <p> UK presence in Nepal is generally free of controversy, barring some exception. Apart from recruiting fearless and jobless Nepali youths to their Army, the British government has been building bridges and roads in Nepal that have helped to ease lives of millions of Nepali people. Lately however, they have been accused of using their aid money to reengineer Nepali society in such a way that pits one community against another. </p> <p> <strong>I started the discussion by asking Dominic what he felt about donors’ role in Nepal. Has Nepal become too dependent on donors? </strong></p> <p> “I believe we [the donor community], at least the UK government, do not want the country to be dependent on donors,” he said. “All we want is to see the country improving its economic indicators.” He said that donors’ money has been channeled to the neediest sectors such as education, health, agriculture and the result would be devastating if the aid flow to such sectors were to be cut. </p> <p> Development work has been seriously and negatively affected in the absence of elected bodies at the local level. The problem has been complicated by the political parties who often tend to put their organizational interests ahead of the overall developmental requirement of a village or a district. Excessive politicization of development work has seriously undermined accountability and transparency of public expenditure. Dominic acknowledged this and said holding local elections were key to face this challenge. </p> <p> “What I found at the local level is that the political parties divide local resources not according to the need of local people but rather to their interest. If the local election was held, the situation would have been much different and the resources might be utilized in a responsible manner,” he said. </p> <p> When you are interviewing a British diplomat (who also oversees the UK aid spending in Nepal) question about DFID fueling ethnic division in Nepal and favouring one community against another cannot go unasked. </p> <p> Dominic responded to the question by stating that DFID (a British government ministry) “is mandated to work on poverty issues, not politics. Our aim is to support the poorest of the poor section of society but not to fuel any ethic disharmony.” He used the term ‘social inclusion’ to describe what DFID has been doing to help poorest of the poor in Nepal. <br /> My own understanding is that a bridge like the one DFID built over Sabha Khola in January or a road that connects villages to national highway will have much more impact in reducing poverty in Nepal than spending (and wasting) money in the name of enhancing capacity of Nepali people. But a bridge over Sabha Khola doesn’t benefit the well connected and influential people in Kathmandu who are regular faces in cocktail circuit and have direct access to diplomats like Dominic. It is an uphill task for Kathmandu diplomats to get themselves out of Kathmandu’s cocktail circuit and go to villages to taste the local raksi. </p> <p> On his part, literally speaking, Dominic seems to have tried. While talking about some of the most memorable things that he did in Nepal, Dominic said: “I really enjoyed drinking local raksi.”<br /> <br /> </p>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-06-28', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'new business age political news & articles, political news & articles from new business age nepal, political headlines from nepal, current and latest political news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali political economic news and events, ongoing political news of nepal', 'description' => 'new business age political news & articles, political news & articles from new business age nepal, political headlines from nepal, current and latest political news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali political economic news and events, ongoing political news of nepal', 'sortorder' => '1048', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1144', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'The Election Path Is Not As Rosy As We Think', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p> <strong>Siromani Dhungana</strong><br /> <br /> E lections 2013 are going to be held in the same circumstances in which 2008 CA elections were held. Almost same faces, mainly same political parties and more or less same agenda. Some politicians have changed their parties but the ideological division that existed in 2008 remains unchanged. <br /> <br /> The problem is politicians are divided not on the basis of ideology or philosophy rather on the basis of their personal interest and benefit. There is wide rift between communists and non-communist forces. The division, at the moment, is in its worst level. There is division within communist forces and also within non-communist forces too. This deep division, almost to the level of hatred, may create obstacles in the election process. It will certainly be a stumbling block in the constitution writing process as it was before. <br /> <br /> Had the division or rift been based on ideology, philosophy, issues and agenda, forging consensus would have been less difficult. There can be no solution to personal egos, petty interests and simple hunger for power. People know that our politicians are corrupt and incompetent and hell bent on amassing cash and misusing public resources. That has to stop. <br /> <br /> Recently, Mohan Baidya has hinted that his party will not obstruct the election process but boycott it. But the CPN-Maoist, popularly known as the Dash Maoist, along with 41 fringe parties, imposed a general strike on Sunday showing their rage in full throttle. <br /> <br /> Though in small numbers in streets, strike enforcers were able to create fear and an atmosphere of intimidation even in Kathmandu valley. With the experience of running a brutal civil war, Baidya and his fellows know how to create psychological pressure among general public. Even a small incident of violence may discourage voters to cast their vote. That is because leaders haven’t given people any incentive to go to voting booth by putting their personal safety at risk. <br /> <br /> The incumbent government also has time to a tough face challenge from the Dash Maoist. Demands of other fringe parties can be managed but depends on how this government handles the issue. Tension in Tarai region is in hibernation at the moment. After dissolution of the CA, many underground groups shunned violence. But they may resume their violent activities to create pressure on government as election date approaches. <br /> <br /> Present Chief Justice-led government was formed and stands on a rather weak ground. It doesn’t have moral authority as it has breached the norms of separation of power. It is not very fair to expect very effective performance from this government. On the other hand, none of the political parties are fair enough to conduct a free, fair and peaceful election. In the past, Nepali Congress, CPN (UML) and UPCN Maoist have all captured booths- just that Maoists did it in a more effective manner in 2008 elections. Election monitoring organizations are present mainly on urban areas and, the problem is, they too are not beyond political influence. So the situation is bleak. But then we have no choice but to walk the path to elections.<br /> </p>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-06-25', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'sortorder' => '1007', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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The idea was perceived by non-Maoist forces along with the NA as a ploy of the former communist rebel to infiltrate non-political institutions with communist dogma. </div> <div> </div> <div> The army integration process was considered to be a most challenging and sensitive aspect of Nepal’s home-grown peace process. Though the seven-year long integration process observed complications, mistrust and dillydallying among stake-holders of peace building efforts, the process gathered some momentum after the NA showed some flexibility to accommodate the former guerillas.</div> <div> </div> <div> The integration process in a unique way offers important lessons to the international community and also might be replicated in other countries in post-conflict period. NA and the former combatants, who had fought against each other during the decade long war, should be patted on the back for this accomplishment. </div> <div> </div> <div> They did not only maintain a high degree of restraint during these seven years of volatile and fragile situation, but later also agreed to accept each other as colleagues in the same institution. This achievement has obviously elated people who have witnessed the horror of war for more than a decade. </div> <div> </div> <div> However, as propagated by a section of media and political parties, the landmark achievement in the integration front itself is not the full accomplishment of the peace process. Agreed that it was a key component, equally important are issues like the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on Enforced Disappearances, security and justice sector reformation, preparation and implementation of a minimum common programme of socio-economic transformation and formulation of scientific land reform policies, among others. Some of the agenda of Nepal’s peace process are yet to receive significant attention while others have been completely overlooked by concerned stakeholders. </div> <div> </div> <div> The topmost priority and a larger part of Nepal’s peace process is the promulgation of a new constitution through an elected Constituent Assembly that will ensure a federal democratic republic set-up. </div> <div> </div> <div> The promise from leaders of political parties to promulgate a new constitution through the elected Constituent Assembly is yet to be delivered. </div> <div> </div> <div> The first two years of the CA witnessed wrangling among the Maoist and non-Maoist forces on whether the integration process should be completed before the constitution drafting or whether it should go hand in hand. The remaining two years of the CA were squandered in the debate on federalism. Eventually, the institution met a tragic fate of dissolution without delivering a constitution, shattering the peoples’ dream for peace.</div> <div> </div> <div> Political leaders boasting that they have successfully concluded the peace process without delivering a new constitution is merely a sign of complacence. </div> <div> </div> <div> Amid celebrations of the success of 70 former combatants’ integration into the NA as officers, the issue of over four thousand former combatants who were tagged as disqualified during the UN verification process has not bothered the government and parties as much. </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> Humiliated by expulsion with a ‘disqualified’ tag in their identity, they had even hit the streets a year back with a few demands. If not properly addressed and rehabilitated, these former combatants, most of them who possess armed tactics and skills coupled with violent mentality, can pose a serious challenge to society. These former combatants could be manipulated by any force, particularly the breakaway CPN-Maoist towards violent activities.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'With the induction of 70 former Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army (NA) at officer levels at the Military Academy last Monday, the army integration, a key element of Nepal’s peace process, formally came to a conclusion after seven years of protracted transitional period.', 'sortorder' => '1592', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1601', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'More Transparency In Political Finance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Siromani Dhungana</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties should recognise the value of transparency in the political process and provide citizens with information on funds raised and spent to influence their votes.</div> <div> </div> <div> Parties, however, keep their contributions hidden from the public eye. Consequently, voters never learn of the origins of the money used in financing election activities. This is less than ideal for an electoral system in a country that has experienced nascent democracy.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Why Disclose?</strong></div> <div> Disclosure helps prevent financial abuse during election and is necessary to promote healthy political competition.</div> <div> </div> <div> We need a body akin to what was set up in the U.S. under the Federal Election Campaign Act 1974. An agency called the Federal Election Commission supervises all financial transactions by political bodies that have solicited or spent money to support or defeat federal candidates. The organisation verifies all reports presented and discloses the same to the public. The Election Commission in Nepal should be empowered to do exactly the same.</div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties, on the other hand, should pledge to introduce a law to ban anonymous donations and formalise a common minimum understanding for regarding the public disclosure of their income and expenditure. </div> <div> </div> <div> An undisclosed contribution from any party is not a good sign as contributors will want returns from concerned political parties and anonymity will allow them to take advantage of the political affiliation. </div> <div> </div> <div> Past experience shows that undisclosed contributions can fuel ‘policy corruption’ as the government compensates its financial contributors while introducing the budget. Undisclosed contribution often raises questions as to whether political parties benefit from influence peddling, organised crime or drug trafficking.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Terrorised Business Community?</strong></div> <div> Principally, a major share of funding should come from voluntary contributions but that is not happening in Nepal. Forceful donation drives by political parties has become a common phenomenon and has terrorised the business community. </div> <div> </div> <div> Some businessmen have even revealed in public that all revenue frauds committed by them is a result of heavy donations to political parties. According to them, they are facing problems in adjusting donation funds in the balance sheet during the auditing process.</div> <div> </div> <div> Transparency in donation would help boost the morale of the business community that has been forced to donate with such conditions that they could not keep any record of the money dispensed. Political parties should now ensure that the election is not an event meant for terrorising the business community.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>But they aren’t so clean </strong></div> <div> The business fraternity, however, is not clean of controversy. Multi-billion Value Added Tax (VAT) scandals, adulteration in food products and other unethical business practices have been growing in the country and successive governments have failed to take action against even a single corporate house. Renowned faces from the business community entered the last CA representing different political parties. This clearly showed that they want political protection to go ahead in their business undisturbed. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>A Silver Lining </strong></div> <div> In a commendable move, however, the Nepali Congress recently promised that it is ready to reveal its sources of funds for the coming elections by accept ing donations through cheque only. This announcement may have provided relief to the business community. </div> <div> </div> <div> The announcement has provided a strong ground for the business community to bring this issue to the public domain. Other political parties, as public institutions, should be proactive to disclose their information and arrange for regular briefings using various information demystification channels.</div> <div> </div> <div> Routing money through bank accounts can also improve the identification of contributors which is important for monitoring limits as well as identity of sources.</div> <div> </div> <div> Nepal needs to set up a mechanism to ensure the transparency of party funds. The present opportunity and its timing can be used to initiate this much-needed change.</div> <div> <em>(The writer tweets @siromanid)</em></div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Political parties should recognise the value of transparency in the political process and provide citizens with information on funds raised and spent to influence their votes.', 'sortorder' => '1462', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1553', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Repeating Electoral Violence?', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Sagar Ghimire</span></strong></div> <div> </div> <div> As November 19, the slated date for the Constituent Assembly election draws closer, poll fever gradually grips the government, the Election Commission (EC) as well as the political parties. The EC is in full swing to make the election happen on the scheduled date. It enforced the Code of Conduct for the election and made the election time-table public too. Likewise, the government also held a meeting recently with security organs for the election to chart out a joint security strategy for the event. </div> <div> </div> <div> However, political parties have failed to do their bit. Instead of forging a conducive and congenial environment to conduct the elections peacefully, the leaders of the parties are now fomenting violence through their speeches. </div> <div> </div> <div> The unfortunate announcement from the CPN-Maoist to disrupt the election wasn’t as much a surprise as was the demand of the Nepali Congress leader and cadre to form their own ‘security squad’. </div> <div> </div> <div> Though the NC president turned down the demand raised during the party’s Training of Trainers, the demand is indicative of the deeply embedded militant mindsets of the leaders and the cadres of all big parties. </div> <div> </div> <div> The recent remark by UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal to mobilise 1000 Young Communist League cadres in each booth in response to the CPN-Maoist plan to deploy 10 cadres is tantamount to summon violent clashes in the upcoming elections. </div> <div> </div> <div> Violence has become a part and parcel of elections in Nepal. Earlier elections in Nepal also had witnessed massive use of violence, coercion and force by the parties. </div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties forming para-military forces and mobilising young goons during election campaigns and at poll booths is an enough evidence to indicate the proclivity of our leaders towards violence. </div> <div> </div> <div> Flexing muscles, particularly during elections, to influence voters, frighten opponents and intimidate election officers does not only undermine the credibility of the election but also violates citizens’ fundamental right to vote in a free and fair manner. When leaders or parties lose their confidence to woo the people through their policy and programme, they resort to wielding violence to bring election results to their favour. </div> <div> </div> <div> The CPN-Maoist party’s threat to disrupt polls by using force; UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Dahal’s warning to counter the CPN-Maoist attempt; NC leaders and cadres pitting the idea of forming their own ‘security squad’; and rising aggression within the CPN (UML)’s sister-wing the Youth Association Nepal from notorious dons and hoodlums paint us a familiar picture of the forthcoming election -- one marred with violence. </div> <div> </div> <div> Fraught with violence, the CA election is also likely to be a battle ground for party leaders to exploit youths for their vested political interests. </div> <div> </div> <div> Use of violence during elections gets exposed in the international front by international observers and media which ultimately becomes a matter of shame for the country. </div> <div> </div> <div> The confrontations and clashes during the election are already imminent with parties, leaders and cadres that mull the formation of youth squads to use them in bringing the election results in their favour. The Election Commission has already executed the Code of Conduct and the government has prepared mechanisms to contain violence. Yet, these fall short in front of the unruly and unholy young goons, when they are shielded and patronised by their leaders. </div> <div> </div> <div> If elections are to be held in a democratic, fair and peaceful manner, political leaders and their parties should make a sincere and honest commitment to shun violence. The government should make sure that no element that inflicts violence is spared. Political parties should value peoples’ power over violence and try not to repeat our history of electoral violence.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-05', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Business Ethics: Challenges in Implementation By Sagar Ghimire Though over 100 business companies have made a commitment towards the Business Code of Conduct (CoC) which was introduced by the National Business Initiative (NBI) last week in the Capital, implementation of such a self-abiding code will not be an easy task. The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), the Birjung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), Nepal Gas Dealers’ Association (NGDA), and Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA) are some of the leading business associations that have endorsed the CoC. A recently conducted survey of Kathmandu-based companies entitled ‘Ethical Business Practice in Nepal’ by NBI has found only 7 per cent of the companies following business ethics, while 41 per cent of the sample were found weak in this. Likewise, 52 per cent of the sample was found to have attempted to implement the CoC and partially following it. Jyoti Baniya, general secretary of Forum for Protection of Consumer Rights, expressed doubt regarding the sincere implementation of the CoC by the business community. “Some tangible differences in behaviour should have been discerned these past few days,” Baniya told The Corporate. “They (business houses) did not even think it necessary to place a framed copy of the CoC on their walls.” He, however, welcomes the initiative of the business community to come up with the CoC. This finding of the survey indicates that the implementation of CoC is fraught with challenges. There are doubts as to whether companies will duly follow the provisions stated in the CoC at a time when there are allegations upon some of them that they are flouting the business laws of the country.Some member companies of the associations that endorsed the CoC have come under the government’s scanner for their unscrupulous deeds. Gas dealers, transport entrepreneurs, gold merchants, are alleged of carteling, syndicates, adulteration, tax evasion and other malpractices. However, Saroj Prasad Pandey, coordinator of the CoC campaign at the NBI, claims that he was very hopeful for its implementation. “The endorsement by over 100 business associations and an overwhelming support from the government, political parties, labour unions, the media and people within a week showed that the CoC can be implemented,” he said. Pandey informed that they will soon form a joint committee comprising representatives from various business sectors to supervise and evaluate the implementation of the CoC. Although bringing the CoC is a positive step towards winning the trust of consumers, consumer right advocates, however, say that its implementation will fully depend on the will-power of business firms and the support from political parties and the government. When leaders or parties lose their confidence to woo people through their policies and programmes, they resort to wielding violence to bring the election results to their favour.', 'sortorder' => '1414', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1508', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Unfounded Fears Over Monarchy’s Revival', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Sagar Ghimire</span></strong></div> <div> </div> <div> While talking to journalists on Tuesday, UCPN (Maoist) Leader and former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai said that he would have thrown the former King Gyanendra Shah behind the bars if he was the Prime Minister of the country. </div> <div> </div> <div> Former Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai made such remarks at a time while a voice, albeit subtle, is emanating in favour of the deposed monarchy from a section of the political quarter. </div> <div> </div> <div> A leader of the Nepali Congress, speaking with BBC Nepali News Service, questioned the legitimacy of overthrowing the monarchy, and recently, Dr Bhattarai’s one-time communist compatriot Mohan Baidya also hinted towards the possibility of collaboration with the dethroned King on the issue of nationalism. </div> <div> </div> <div> The remark by a former Prime Minister to jail the ex-king obviously begs a question: Why should an ex-king, innocent of crime and rendered to the status of a citizen, be thrown behind bars when one of Bhattarai’s own party leaders, charged with murder by the apex court, is roaming scot-free? Apparently, it was Dr Bhattarai himself, while Prime Minister, who recommended the President to grant amnesty for a leader charged with murder. </div> <div> </div> <div> Should it be considered a crime in democracy when an ex-king attempts to woo flood victims by providing humanitarian assistance? Or, does he deserve prosecution just because he exercised his constitutional right of mobility by embarking on a trip to the far-west as a citizen of Nepal? </div> <div> </div> <div> It was easy for political leaders to pass the buck to the King while monarchy was at helm. But with monarchy all gone, the leaders have failed miserably to live up to people’s expectations. This is gradually leading to frustration, resentment and detestation among the public towards the current political dispensation. While this is not a good sign for Nepal’s nascent republic democracy, leaders should find solutions in correcting their course instead of mudslinging the erstwhile monarchy. </div> <div> </div> <div> There is no way a dead monarchy will make a comeback. Fear over the deposed monarchy’s revival is simply unfounded; the fear-mongering is an attempt to conceal one’s own incompetency and deflect public criticisms for wrongdoings. </div> <div> </div> <div> Reinstating the monarchy, no doubt, would be a regressive move. Feeble voices from a political section - particularly from the CPN (Maoist) party and a few leaders of the Nepali Congress in favour of the abolished monarchy - will either dissipate or be discarded by the people. </div> <div> </div> <div> The hue and cry over a small philanthropic move of a constitutionally powerless king reflects nothing but the defeated psyche of the UCPN (Maoist) leader. Obviously, people, who have fought for a long time for establishing a republic with multiparty democracy, would not look for monarchy as an alternative system. However, that does not necessarily mean people would stick to the same bunch of leaders who have failed to address their aspirations even after half a decade of regime change. </div> <div> </div> <div> In democracy, there should not be any room for negation, and never the politics of violence and coercion. The deposed king should be subjected to free trial if he commits any unlawful activity, but he should not be hounded time and again out of vengeance. </div> <div> </div> <div> The time is ripe for party leaders to introspect on their deeds on why they could not institutionalise a federal democratic republic and failed to win the hearts of the people. The sooner they realize it, the better.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-07-29', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'While talking to journalists on Tuesday, UCPN (Maoist) Leader and former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai said that he would have thrown the former King Gyanendra Shah behind the bars if he was the Prime Minister of the country.', 'sortorder' => '1369', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1461', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Resolving Rows Through Round Table Conference', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Sagar Ghimire</span></strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Albeit late, the four major political parties—Unified CPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress, CPN (UML) and United Democratic Madhesi Front—represented in the High Level Political Mechanism (HLPC) have seemingly conceded to the demand for a Round Table Conference (RTC) by UCPN (Maoist), the breakaway faction CPN-Maoist. </div> <div> </div> <div> After the leaders of all four parties hinted that they could sit for the Round Table Conference, the CPN (Maoist) party led by Mohan Baidya immediately reciprocated by announcing the formation of a five-member talk team under the leadership of Baidhya himself. </div> <div> This could be considered as a positive gesture from the CPN-Maoist side, which had earlier threatened to foil the CA polls by mobilising its force at the election booths. </div> <div> </div> <div> This latest development has also renewed a hope among the people for the November election of the Constituent Assembly. </div> <div> </div> <div> However, the success of the RTC hinges upon the HLPC’s ability to bring poll-opposing parties, especially CPN-Maoist, on board with the election process. </div> <div> </div> <div> Nevertheless, if held, the RTC could be an opportunity for dissident parties to put forth their issues on the table for discussion and deliberation. </div> <div> </div> <div> The RTC mechanism is a negotiating platform for resolving a long political standoff where parties have not held even a single dialogue since Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi’s dispensation. </div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties have tentatively agreed to hold the RTC, but they have not sat down together to work out a modality, date and the nature of such a mechanism. </div> <div> </div> <div> Also, there are diverging views between the CPN (Maoist) and the parties in the HLPC regarding the interpretation of the RTC. The former argues that contentious issues of the constitution drafting process should be brought in the RTC for endorsement while parties in the HLPC see it merely as a mechanism to resolve the current political impasse. </div> <div> </div> <div> Similarly, parties in the HLPC are seeking assurance from the CPN-Maoist and other protesting parties for taking part in the CA election slated for November before meeting the demands of the RTC. However, CPN-Maoist has refused to give such assurances. The party deigns agreeing on such conditions as tantamount to surrender. It has demanded that the election date be scrapped to give the RTC authority to take calls on the election. </div> <div> </div> <div> Another question pertaining to the RTC is how the parties will come to a conclusion, let alone consensus, when they will have so many contentious issues on the table to resolve. There are many challenges in the prospect of the RTC for releasing the country from the current quagmire. The country cannot be held hostage to such a crisis for long. </div> <div> </div> <div> Undeniably, in democracy, the solution to all problems could be found in election. Putting parties like the CPN-Maoist, the Madhesi Peoples’ Rights Forum led by Upendra Yadav, the Federal Socialist Party by Ashok Rai, and other fringe parties outside the election process, does not bode well for Nepal’s peaceful transition. </div> <div> </div> <div> The slow-paced election preparations by the Election Commission, government and the HLPC give enough room to cast doubt whether the election will really be held at the scheduled date. Even the Constituency Delineation Commission (CDC), which was formed with the mandate to come up with a report on delimiting election constituency, is grappling with political and constitutional difficulties. The CDC is left with two options now - to either submit the report keeping the current 240 constituencies intact, or remove the constitutional difficulties which could affect the CA election date. </div> <div> </div> <div> The HLPC should make some concessions even at the expense of postponing polls for the time being so as to convince the CPN-Maoist to step on board for the election process. But the CPN-Maoist should also sincerely agree to participate in the CA election thereby proving its democratic credential, which often comes under question.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-07-22', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The success of the RTC lies on the HLPC’s ability to bring poll-opposing parties on board in the election process.', 'sortorder' => '1322', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1339', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'November 19 Elections: Growing Doubts', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p> <strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Upashana Neupane</span></strong></p> <p> While the entire society (barring some groups) is upbeat about the November 19 elections for the Constituent Assembly Version-2, the chances of the elections actually being held are diminishing with each passing day. </p> <p> First is the timing of the election. November 19 falls immediately after a long holiday season. Generally, August- October is considered a festival season in Nepal and there are 15 festival holidays from August 1 to November 19 when the government offices remain closed (Aug 22 Gaijatra, Aug 28 Shreekrishna Janmastami, Sep 7 Teej, Sep 18 Indrajatra, Oct 5 Ghatasthapana, Oct 11-15 Dashain, Oct 18 Purnima, Nov 3-5 Tihar, and Nov 9 Chhath).</p> <p> In such situation, Election Commission (EC) has to almost finish all major preparation before these festivals start because the staffs in the government offices rarely work even in the working days during this period. The offices look totally deserted during one month period from October 5 (when the Dashain festival starts) till November 9 (the day of Chhath festival). That is the reason why all previous general elections were held on other seasons. One previous election held after the festivals was on over a week after Chhath. </p> <p> Secondly, Mohan Baidya-led Maoist Party has been threatening the government and other political parties to obstruct the upcoming elections. It had also created an alliance of 33 fringe parties. It is good sign that a total of 18 parties out of 33 from the alliance have decided to participate in the upcoming CA polls. And the number may further increase. </p> <p> However, EC should provide sufficient time to these parties to formally register for the polls. That too will work as a drag on election process. </p> <p> Similarly, some crucial issues such as voter education, voter registration and providing election symbols to these parties are also time-consuming. </p> <p> On the other hand, there are still disputes among political parties over some crucial agenda such as fixing the number of constituencies. The Government has asked the constituency delineation Commission that at least one seat must be there for each district. </p> <p> The Commission has just started its work and it is yet to solve the dispute over number of constituencies it seems it will also add trouble in the election of the CA.</p> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-07-08', 'modified' => '2013-07-08', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'While the entire society (barring some groups) is upbeat about the November 19 elections for the Constituent Assembly Version-2, the chances of the elections actually being held are diminishing with each passing day.', 'sortorder' => '1201', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1186', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Development Discourse With Dominic', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p> <strong><img alt="" height="147" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/UdkScCyRfDl9IJd_H4FG3RwWUKmUkCHA5nqlGN9ga8I=w149-h147-p-no" width="149" /><br /> </strong></p> <p> <strong>Dominic O’Neill<br /> Head, DFID Nepal</strong></p> <p> <strong>Apart from recruiting fearless and jobless Nepali youths to their Army, the British government has been building bridges and roads in Nepal that have helped ease lives of millions of Nepali people.</strong></p> <p> <strong><br /> By Siromani Dhungana </strong></p> <p> At one point on his last day in office as head of DFID Nepal, Dominic O’Neill was waiting for reporters. “This will probably be the last meeting with journalist in my nearly two years of stay in Nepal”, he said later. </p> <p> “Tomorrow,” he said on Friday, “I will be leaving this beautiful country. I will never forget this land. Be it Humla, Mustang, the Tarai or Hilly belt, my desire to visit all the parts of the country will always remain the same. This county will always stay fresh within my heart.” </p> <p> UK presence in Nepal is generally free of controversy, barring some exception. Apart from recruiting fearless and jobless Nepali youths to their Army, the British government has been building bridges and roads in Nepal that have helped to ease lives of millions of Nepali people. Lately however, they have been accused of using their aid money to reengineer Nepali society in such a way that pits one community against another. </p> <p> <strong>I started the discussion by asking Dominic what he felt about donors’ role in Nepal. Has Nepal become too dependent on donors? </strong></p> <p> “I believe we [the donor community], at least the UK government, do not want the country to be dependent on donors,” he said. “All we want is to see the country improving its economic indicators.” He said that donors’ money has been channeled to the neediest sectors such as education, health, agriculture and the result would be devastating if the aid flow to such sectors were to be cut. </p> <p> Development work has been seriously and negatively affected in the absence of elected bodies at the local level. The problem has been complicated by the political parties who often tend to put their organizational interests ahead of the overall developmental requirement of a village or a district. Excessive politicization of development work has seriously undermined accountability and transparency of public expenditure. Dominic acknowledged this and said holding local elections were key to face this challenge. </p> <p> “What I found at the local level is that the political parties divide local resources not according to the need of local people but rather to their interest. If the local election was held, the situation would have been much different and the resources might be utilized in a responsible manner,” he said. </p> <p> When you are interviewing a British diplomat (who also oversees the UK aid spending in Nepal) question about DFID fueling ethnic division in Nepal and favouring one community against another cannot go unasked. </p> <p> Dominic responded to the question by stating that DFID (a British government ministry) “is mandated to work on poverty issues, not politics. Our aim is to support the poorest of the poor section of society but not to fuel any ethic disharmony.” He used the term ‘social inclusion’ to describe what DFID has been doing to help poorest of the poor in Nepal. <br /> My own understanding is that a bridge like the one DFID built over Sabha Khola in January or a road that connects villages to national highway will have much more impact in reducing poverty in Nepal than spending (and wasting) money in the name of enhancing capacity of Nepali people. But a bridge over Sabha Khola doesn’t benefit the well connected and influential people in Kathmandu who are regular faces in cocktail circuit and have direct access to diplomats like Dominic. It is an uphill task for Kathmandu diplomats to get themselves out of Kathmandu’s cocktail circuit and go to villages to taste the local raksi. </p> <p> On his part, literally speaking, Dominic seems to have tried. While talking about some of the most memorable things that he did in Nepal, Dominic said: “I really enjoyed drinking local raksi.”<br /> <br /> </p>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-06-28', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'new business age political news & articles, political news & articles from new business age nepal, political headlines from nepal, current and latest political news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali political economic news and events, ongoing political news of nepal', 'description' => 'new business age political news & articles, political news & articles from new business age nepal, political headlines from nepal, current and latest political news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali political economic news and events, ongoing political news of nepal', 'sortorder' => '1048', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1144', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'The Election Path Is Not As Rosy As We Think', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p> <strong>Siromani Dhungana</strong><br /> <br /> E lections 2013 are going to be held in the same circumstances in which 2008 CA elections were held. Almost same faces, mainly same political parties and more or less same agenda. Some politicians have changed their parties but the ideological division that existed in 2008 remains unchanged. <br /> <br /> The problem is politicians are divided not on the basis of ideology or philosophy rather on the basis of their personal interest and benefit. There is wide rift between communists and non-communist forces. The division, at the moment, is in its worst level. There is division within communist forces and also within non-communist forces too. This deep division, almost to the level of hatred, may create obstacles in the election process. It will certainly be a stumbling block in the constitution writing process as it was before. <br /> <br /> Had the division or rift been based on ideology, philosophy, issues and agenda, forging consensus would have been less difficult. There can be no solution to personal egos, petty interests and simple hunger for power. People know that our politicians are corrupt and incompetent and hell bent on amassing cash and misusing public resources. That has to stop. <br /> <br /> Recently, Mohan Baidya has hinted that his party will not obstruct the election process but boycott it. But the CPN-Maoist, popularly known as the Dash Maoist, along with 41 fringe parties, imposed a general strike on Sunday showing their rage in full throttle. <br /> <br /> Though in small numbers in streets, strike enforcers were able to create fear and an atmosphere of intimidation even in Kathmandu valley. With the experience of running a brutal civil war, Baidya and his fellows know how to create psychological pressure among general public. Even a small incident of violence may discourage voters to cast their vote. That is because leaders haven’t given people any incentive to go to voting booth by putting their personal safety at risk. <br /> <br /> The incumbent government also has time to a tough face challenge from the Dash Maoist. Demands of other fringe parties can be managed but depends on how this government handles the issue. Tension in Tarai region is in hibernation at the moment. After dissolution of the CA, many underground groups shunned violence. But they may resume their violent activities to create pressure on government as election date approaches. <br /> <br /> Present Chief Justice-led government was formed and stands on a rather weak ground. It doesn’t have moral authority as it has breached the norms of separation of power. It is not very fair to expect very effective performance from this government. On the other hand, none of the political parties are fair enough to conduct a free, fair and peaceful election. In the past, Nepali Congress, CPN (UML) and UPCN Maoist have all captured booths- just that Maoists did it in a more effective manner in 2008 elections. Election monitoring organizations are present mainly on urban areas and, the problem is, they too are not beyond political influence. So the situation is bleak. But then we have no choice but to walk the path to elections.<br /> </p>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-06-25', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'sortorder' => '1007', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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The idea was perceived by non-Maoist forces along with the NA as a ploy of the former communist rebel to infiltrate non-political institutions with communist dogma. </div> <div> </div> <div> The army integration process was considered to be a most challenging and sensitive aspect of Nepal’s home-grown peace process. Though the seven-year long integration process observed complications, mistrust and dillydallying among stake-holders of peace building efforts, the process gathered some momentum after the NA showed some flexibility to accommodate the former guerillas.</div> <div> </div> <div> The integration process in a unique way offers important lessons to the international community and also might be replicated in other countries in post-conflict period. NA and the former combatants, who had fought against each other during the decade long war, should be patted on the back for this accomplishment. </div> <div> </div> <div> They did not only maintain a high degree of restraint during these seven years of volatile and fragile situation, but later also agreed to accept each other as colleagues in the same institution. This achievement has obviously elated people who have witnessed the horror of war for more than a decade. </div> <div> </div> <div> However, as propagated by a section of media and political parties, the landmark achievement in the integration front itself is not the full accomplishment of the peace process. Agreed that it was a key component, equally important are issues like the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on Enforced Disappearances, security and justice sector reformation, preparation and implementation of a minimum common programme of socio-economic transformation and formulation of scientific land reform policies, among others. Some of the agenda of Nepal’s peace process are yet to receive significant attention while others have been completely overlooked by concerned stakeholders. </div> <div> </div> <div> The topmost priority and a larger part of Nepal’s peace process is the promulgation of a new constitution through an elected Constituent Assembly that will ensure a federal democratic republic set-up. </div> <div> </div> <div> The promise from leaders of political parties to promulgate a new constitution through the elected Constituent Assembly is yet to be delivered. </div> <div> </div> <div> The first two years of the CA witnessed wrangling among the Maoist and non-Maoist forces on whether the integration process should be completed before the constitution drafting or whether it should go hand in hand. The remaining two years of the CA were squandered in the debate on federalism. Eventually, the institution met a tragic fate of dissolution without delivering a constitution, shattering the peoples’ dream for peace.</div> <div> </div> <div> Political leaders boasting that they have successfully concluded the peace process without delivering a new constitution is merely a sign of complacence. </div> <div> </div> <div> Amid celebrations of the success of 70 former combatants’ integration into the NA as officers, the issue of over four thousand former combatants who were tagged as disqualified during the UN verification process has not bothered the government and parties as much. </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> Humiliated by expulsion with a ‘disqualified’ tag in their identity, they had even hit the streets a year back with a few demands. If not properly addressed and rehabilitated, these former combatants, most of them who possess armed tactics and skills coupled with violent mentality, can pose a serious challenge to society. These former combatants could be manipulated by any force, particularly the breakaway CPN-Maoist towards violent activities.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'With the induction of 70 former Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army (NA) at officer levels at the Military Academy last Monday, the army integration, a key element of Nepal’s peace process, formally came to a conclusion after seven years of protracted transitional period.', 'sortorder' => '1592', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1601', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'More Transparency In Political Finance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Siromani Dhungana</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties should recognise the value of transparency in the political process and provide citizens with information on funds raised and spent to influence their votes.</div> <div> </div> <div> Parties, however, keep their contributions hidden from the public eye. Consequently, voters never learn of the origins of the money used in financing election activities. This is less than ideal for an electoral system in a country that has experienced nascent democracy.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Why Disclose?</strong></div> <div> Disclosure helps prevent financial abuse during election and is necessary to promote healthy political competition.</div> <div> </div> <div> We need a body akin to what was set up in the U.S. under the Federal Election Campaign Act 1974. An agency called the Federal Election Commission supervises all financial transactions by political bodies that have solicited or spent money to support or defeat federal candidates. The organisation verifies all reports presented and discloses the same to the public. The Election Commission in Nepal should be empowered to do exactly the same.</div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties, on the other hand, should pledge to introduce a law to ban anonymous donations and formalise a common minimum understanding for regarding the public disclosure of their income and expenditure. </div> <div> </div> <div> An undisclosed contribution from any party is not a good sign as contributors will want returns from concerned political parties and anonymity will allow them to take advantage of the political affiliation. </div> <div> </div> <div> Past experience shows that undisclosed contributions can fuel ‘policy corruption’ as the government compensates its financial contributors while introducing the budget. Undisclosed contribution often raises questions as to whether political parties benefit from influence peddling, organised crime or drug trafficking.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Terrorised Business Community?</strong></div> <div> Principally, a major share of funding should come from voluntary contributions but that is not happening in Nepal. Forceful donation drives by political parties has become a common phenomenon and has terrorised the business community. </div> <div> </div> <div> Some businessmen have even revealed in public that all revenue frauds committed by them is a result of heavy donations to political parties. According to them, they are facing problems in adjusting donation funds in the balance sheet during the auditing process.</div> <div> </div> <div> Transparency in donation would help boost the morale of the business community that has been forced to donate with such conditions that they could not keep any record of the money dispensed. Political parties should now ensure that the election is not an event meant for terrorising the business community.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>But they aren’t so clean </strong></div> <div> The business fraternity, however, is not clean of controversy. Multi-billion Value Added Tax (VAT) scandals, adulteration in food products and other unethical business practices have been growing in the country and successive governments have failed to take action against even a single corporate house. Renowned faces from the business community entered the last CA representing different political parties. This clearly showed that they want political protection to go ahead in their business undisturbed. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>A Silver Lining </strong></div> <div> In a commendable move, however, the Nepali Congress recently promised that it is ready to reveal its sources of funds for the coming elections by accept ing donations through cheque only. This announcement may have provided relief to the business community. </div> <div> </div> <div> The announcement has provided a strong ground for the business community to bring this issue to the public domain. Other political parties, as public institutions, should be proactive to disclose their information and arrange for regular briefings using various information demystification channels.</div> <div> </div> <div> Routing money through bank accounts can also improve the identification of contributors which is important for monitoring limits as well as identity of sources.</div> <div> </div> <div> Nepal needs to set up a mechanism to ensure the transparency of party funds. The present opportunity and its timing can be used to initiate this much-needed change.</div> <div> <em>(The writer tweets @siromanid)</em></div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Political parties should recognise the value of transparency in the political process and provide citizens with information on funds raised and spent to influence their votes.', 'sortorder' => '1462', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1553', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Repeating Electoral Violence?', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Sagar Ghimire</span></strong></div> <div> </div> <div> As November 19, the slated date for the Constituent Assembly election draws closer, poll fever gradually grips the government, the Election Commission (EC) as well as the political parties. The EC is in full swing to make the election happen on the scheduled date. It enforced the Code of Conduct for the election and made the election time-table public too. Likewise, the government also held a meeting recently with security organs for the election to chart out a joint security strategy for the event. </div> <div> </div> <div> However, political parties have failed to do their bit. Instead of forging a conducive and congenial environment to conduct the elections peacefully, the leaders of the parties are now fomenting violence through their speeches. </div> <div> </div> <div> The unfortunate announcement from the CPN-Maoist to disrupt the election wasn’t as much a surprise as was the demand of the Nepali Congress leader and cadre to form their own ‘security squad’. </div> <div> </div> <div> Though the NC president turned down the demand raised during the party’s Training of Trainers, the demand is indicative of the deeply embedded militant mindsets of the leaders and the cadres of all big parties. </div> <div> </div> <div> The recent remark by UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal to mobilise 1000 Young Communist League cadres in each booth in response to the CPN-Maoist plan to deploy 10 cadres is tantamount to summon violent clashes in the upcoming elections. </div> <div> </div> <div> Violence has become a part and parcel of elections in Nepal. Earlier elections in Nepal also had witnessed massive use of violence, coercion and force by the parties. </div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties forming para-military forces and mobilising young goons during election campaigns and at poll booths is an enough evidence to indicate the proclivity of our leaders towards violence. </div> <div> </div> <div> Flexing muscles, particularly during elections, to influence voters, frighten opponents and intimidate election officers does not only undermine the credibility of the election but also violates citizens’ fundamental right to vote in a free and fair manner. When leaders or parties lose their confidence to woo the people through their policy and programme, they resort to wielding violence to bring election results to their favour. </div> <div> </div> <div> The CPN-Maoist party’s threat to disrupt polls by using force; UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Dahal’s warning to counter the CPN-Maoist attempt; NC leaders and cadres pitting the idea of forming their own ‘security squad’; and rising aggression within the CPN (UML)’s sister-wing the Youth Association Nepal from notorious dons and hoodlums paint us a familiar picture of the forthcoming election -- one marred with violence. </div> <div> </div> <div> Fraught with violence, the CA election is also likely to be a battle ground for party leaders to exploit youths for their vested political interests. </div> <div> </div> <div> Use of violence during elections gets exposed in the international front by international observers and media which ultimately becomes a matter of shame for the country. </div> <div> </div> <div> The confrontations and clashes during the election are already imminent with parties, leaders and cadres that mull the formation of youth squads to use them in bringing the election results in their favour. The Election Commission has already executed the Code of Conduct and the government has prepared mechanisms to contain violence. Yet, these fall short in front of the unruly and unholy young goons, when they are shielded and patronised by their leaders. </div> <div> </div> <div> If elections are to be held in a democratic, fair and peaceful manner, political leaders and their parties should make a sincere and honest commitment to shun violence. The government should make sure that no element that inflicts violence is spared. Political parties should value peoples’ power over violence and try not to repeat our history of electoral violence.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-05', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Business Ethics: Challenges in Implementation By Sagar Ghimire Though over 100 business companies have made a commitment towards the Business Code of Conduct (CoC) which was introduced by the National Business Initiative (NBI) last week in the Capital, implementation of such a self-abiding code will not be an easy task. The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), the Birjung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), Nepal Gas Dealers’ Association (NGDA), and Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA) are some of the leading business associations that have endorsed the CoC. A recently conducted survey of Kathmandu-based companies entitled ‘Ethical Business Practice in Nepal’ by NBI has found only 7 per cent of the companies following business ethics, while 41 per cent of the sample were found weak in this. Likewise, 52 per cent of the sample was found to have attempted to implement the CoC and partially following it. Jyoti Baniya, general secretary of Forum for Protection of Consumer Rights, expressed doubt regarding the sincere implementation of the CoC by the business community. “Some tangible differences in behaviour should have been discerned these past few days,” Baniya told The Corporate. “They (business houses) did not even think it necessary to place a framed copy of the CoC on their walls.” He, however, welcomes the initiative of the business community to come up with the CoC. This finding of the survey indicates that the implementation of CoC is fraught with challenges. There are doubts as to whether companies will duly follow the provisions stated in the CoC at a time when there are allegations upon some of them that they are flouting the business laws of the country.Some member companies of the associations that endorsed the CoC have come under the government’s scanner for their unscrupulous deeds. Gas dealers, transport entrepreneurs, gold merchants, are alleged of carteling, syndicates, adulteration, tax evasion and other malpractices. However, Saroj Prasad Pandey, coordinator of the CoC campaign at the NBI, claims that he was very hopeful for its implementation. “The endorsement by over 100 business associations and an overwhelming support from the government, political parties, labour unions, the media and people within a week showed that the CoC can be implemented,” he said. Pandey informed that they will soon form a joint committee comprising representatives from various business sectors to supervise and evaluate the implementation of the CoC. Although bringing the CoC is a positive step towards winning the trust of consumers, consumer right advocates, however, say that its implementation will fully depend on the will-power of business firms and the support from political parties and the government. When leaders or parties lose their confidence to woo people through their policies and programmes, they resort to wielding violence to bring the election results to their favour.', 'sortorder' => '1414', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1508', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Unfounded Fears Over Monarchy’s Revival', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Sagar Ghimire</span></strong></div> <div> </div> <div> While talking to journalists on Tuesday, UCPN (Maoist) Leader and former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai said that he would have thrown the former King Gyanendra Shah behind the bars if he was the Prime Minister of the country. </div> <div> </div> <div> Former Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai made such remarks at a time while a voice, albeit subtle, is emanating in favour of the deposed monarchy from a section of the political quarter. </div> <div> </div> <div> A leader of the Nepali Congress, speaking with BBC Nepali News Service, questioned the legitimacy of overthrowing the monarchy, and recently, Dr Bhattarai’s one-time communist compatriot Mohan Baidya also hinted towards the possibility of collaboration with the dethroned King on the issue of nationalism. </div> <div> </div> <div> The remark by a former Prime Minister to jail the ex-king obviously begs a question: Why should an ex-king, innocent of crime and rendered to the status of a citizen, be thrown behind bars when one of Bhattarai’s own party leaders, charged with murder by the apex court, is roaming scot-free? Apparently, it was Dr Bhattarai himself, while Prime Minister, who recommended the President to grant amnesty for a leader charged with murder. </div> <div> </div> <div> Should it be considered a crime in democracy when an ex-king attempts to woo flood victims by providing humanitarian assistance? Or, does he deserve prosecution just because he exercised his constitutional right of mobility by embarking on a trip to the far-west as a citizen of Nepal? </div> <div> </div> <div> It was easy for political leaders to pass the buck to the King while monarchy was at helm. But with monarchy all gone, the leaders have failed miserably to live up to people’s expectations. This is gradually leading to frustration, resentment and detestation among the public towards the current political dispensation. While this is not a good sign for Nepal’s nascent republic democracy, leaders should find solutions in correcting their course instead of mudslinging the erstwhile monarchy. </div> <div> </div> <div> There is no way a dead monarchy will make a comeback. Fear over the deposed monarchy’s revival is simply unfounded; the fear-mongering is an attempt to conceal one’s own incompetency and deflect public criticisms for wrongdoings. </div> <div> </div> <div> Reinstating the monarchy, no doubt, would be a regressive move. Feeble voices from a political section - particularly from the CPN (Maoist) party and a few leaders of the Nepali Congress in favour of the abolished monarchy - will either dissipate or be discarded by the people. </div> <div> </div> <div> The hue and cry over a small philanthropic move of a constitutionally powerless king reflects nothing but the defeated psyche of the UCPN (Maoist) leader. Obviously, people, who have fought for a long time for establishing a republic with multiparty democracy, would not look for monarchy as an alternative system. However, that does not necessarily mean people would stick to the same bunch of leaders who have failed to address their aspirations even after half a decade of regime change. </div> <div> </div> <div> In democracy, there should not be any room for negation, and never the politics of violence and coercion. The deposed king should be subjected to free trial if he commits any unlawful activity, but he should not be hounded time and again out of vengeance. </div> <div> </div> <div> The time is ripe for party leaders to introspect on their deeds on why they could not institutionalise a federal democratic republic and failed to win the hearts of the people. The sooner they realize it, the better.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-07-29', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'While talking to journalists on Tuesday, UCPN (Maoist) Leader and former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai said that he would have thrown the former King Gyanendra Shah behind the bars if he was the Prime Minister of the country.', 'sortorder' => '1369', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1461', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Resolving Rows Through Round Table Conference', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Sagar Ghimire</span></strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Albeit late, the four major political parties—Unified CPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress, CPN (UML) and United Democratic Madhesi Front—represented in the High Level Political Mechanism (HLPC) have seemingly conceded to the demand for a Round Table Conference (RTC) by UCPN (Maoist), the breakaway faction CPN-Maoist. </div> <div> </div> <div> After the leaders of all four parties hinted that they could sit for the Round Table Conference, the CPN (Maoist) party led by Mohan Baidya immediately reciprocated by announcing the formation of a five-member talk team under the leadership of Baidhya himself. </div> <div> This could be considered as a positive gesture from the CPN-Maoist side, which had earlier threatened to foil the CA polls by mobilising its force at the election booths. </div> <div> </div> <div> This latest development has also renewed a hope among the people for the November election of the Constituent Assembly. </div> <div> </div> <div> However, the success of the RTC hinges upon the HLPC’s ability to bring poll-opposing parties, especially CPN-Maoist, on board with the election process. </div> <div> </div> <div> Nevertheless, if held, the RTC could be an opportunity for dissident parties to put forth their issues on the table for discussion and deliberation. </div> <div> </div> <div> The RTC mechanism is a negotiating platform for resolving a long political standoff where parties have not held even a single dialogue since Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi’s dispensation. </div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties have tentatively agreed to hold the RTC, but they have not sat down together to work out a modality, date and the nature of such a mechanism. </div> <div> </div> <div> Also, there are diverging views between the CPN (Maoist) and the parties in the HLPC regarding the interpretation of the RTC. The former argues that contentious issues of the constitution drafting process should be brought in the RTC for endorsement while parties in the HLPC see it merely as a mechanism to resolve the current political impasse. </div> <div> </div> <div> Similarly, parties in the HLPC are seeking assurance from the CPN-Maoist and other protesting parties for taking part in the CA election slated for November before meeting the demands of the RTC. However, CPN-Maoist has refused to give such assurances. The party deigns agreeing on such conditions as tantamount to surrender. It has demanded that the election date be scrapped to give the RTC authority to take calls on the election. </div> <div> </div> <div> Another question pertaining to the RTC is how the parties will come to a conclusion, let alone consensus, when they will have so many contentious issues on the table to resolve. There are many challenges in the prospect of the RTC for releasing the country from the current quagmire. The country cannot be held hostage to such a crisis for long. </div> <div> </div> <div> Undeniably, in democracy, the solution to all problems could be found in election. Putting parties like the CPN-Maoist, the Madhesi Peoples’ Rights Forum led by Upendra Yadav, the Federal Socialist Party by Ashok Rai, and other fringe parties outside the election process, does not bode well for Nepal’s peaceful transition. </div> <div> </div> <div> The slow-paced election preparations by the Election Commission, government and the HLPC give enough room to cast doubt whether the election will really be held at the scheduled date. Even the Constituency Delineation Commission (CDC), which was formed with the mandate to come up with a report on delimiting election constituency, is grappling with political and constitutional difficulties. The CDC is left with two options now - to either submit the report keeping the current 240 constituencies intact, or remove the constitutional difficulties which could affect the CA election date. </div> <div> </div> <div> The HLPC should make some concessions even at the expense of postponing polls for the time being so as to convince the CPN-Maoist to step on board for the election process. But the CPN-Maoist should also sincerely agree to participate in the CA election thereby proving its democratic credential, which often comes under question.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-07-22', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The success of the RTC lies on the HLPC’s ability to bring poll-opposing parties on board in the election process.', 'sortorder' => '1322', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1339', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'November 19 Elections: Growing Doubts', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p> <strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Upashana Neupane</span></strong></p> <p> While the entire society (barring some groups) is upbeat about the November 19 elections for the Constituent Assembly Version-2, the chances of the elections actually being held are diminishing with each passing day. </p> <p> First is the timing of the election. November 19 falls immediately after a long holiday season. Generally, August- October is considered a festival season in Nepal and there are 15 festival holidays from August 1 to November 19 when the government offices remain closed (Aug 22 Gaijatra, Aug 28 Shreekrishna Janmastami, Sep 7 Teej, Sep 18 Indrajatra, Oct 5 Ghatasthapana, Oct 11-15 Dashain, Oct 18 Purnima, Nov 3-5 Tihar, and Nov 9 Chhath).</p> <p> In such situation, Election Commission (EC) has to almost finish all major preparation before these festivals start because the staffs in the government offices rarely work even in the working days during this period. The offices look totally deserted during one month period from October 5 (when the Dashain festival starts) till November 9 (the day of Chhath festival). That is the reason why all previous general elections were held on other seasons. One previous election held after the festivals was on over a week after Chhath. </p> <p> Secondly, Mohan Baidya-led Maoist Party has been threatening the government and other political parties to obstruct the upcoming elections. It had also created an alliance of 33 fringe parties. It is good sign that a total of 18 parties out of 33 from the alliance have decided to participate in the upcoming CA polls. And the number may further increase. </p> <p> However, EC should provide sufficient time to these parties to formally register for the polls. That too will work as a drag on election process. </p> <p> Similarly, some crucial issues such as voter education, voter registration and providing election symbols to these parties are also time-consuming. </p> <p> On the other hand, there are still disputes among political parties over some crucial agenda such as fixing the number of constituencies. The Government has asked the constituency delineation Commission that at least one seat must be there for each district. </p> <p> The Commission has just started its work and it is yet to solve the dispute over number of constituencies it seems it will also add trouble in the election of the CA.</p> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-07-08', 'modified' => '2013-07-08', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'While the entire society (barring some groups) is upbeat about the November 19 elections for the Constituent Assembly Version-2, the chances of the elections actually being held are diminishing with each passing day.', 'sortorder' => '1201', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1186', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Development Discourse With Dominic', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p> <strong><img alt="" height="147" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/UdkScCyRfDl9IJd_H4FG3RwWUKmUkCHA5nqlGN9ga8I=w149-h147-p-no" width="149" /><br /> </strong></p> <p> <strong>Dominic O’Neill<br /> Head, DFID Nepal</strong></p> <p> <strong>Apart from recruiting fearless and jobless Nepali youths to their Army, the British government has been building bridges and roads in Nepal that have helped ease lives of millions of Nepali people.</strong></p> <p> <strong><br /> By Siromani Dhungana </strong></p> <p> At one point on his last day in office as head of DFID Nepal, Dominic O’Neill was waiting for reporters. “This will probably be the last meeting with journalist in my nearly two years of stay in Nepal”, he said later. </p> <p> “Tomorrow,” he said on Friday, “I will be leaving this beautiful country. I will never forget this land. Be it Humla, Mustang, the Tarai or Hilly belt, my desire to visit all the parts of the country will always remain the same. This county will always stay fresh within my heart.” </p> <p> UK presence in Nepal is generally free of controversy, barring some exception. Apart from recruiting fearless and jobless Nepali youths to their Army, the British government has been building bridges and roads in Nepal that have helped to ease lives of millions of Nepali people. Lately however, they have been accused of using their aid money to reengineer Nepali society in such a way that pits one community against another. </p> <p> <strong>I started the discussion by asking Dominic what he felt about donors’ role in Nepal. Has Nepal become too dependent on donors? </strong></p> <p> “I believe we [the donor community], at least the UK government, do not want the country to be dependent on donors,” he said. “All we want is to see the country improving its economic indicators.” He said that donors’ money has been channeled to the neediest sectors such as education, health, agriculture and the result would be devastating if the aid flow to such sectors were to be cut. </p> <p> Development work has been seriously and negatively affected in the absence of elected bodies at the local level. The problem has been complicated by the political parties who often tend to put their organizational interests ahead of the overall developmental requirement of a village or a district. Excessive politicization of development work has seriously undermined accountability and transparency of public expenditure. Dominic acknowledged this and said holding local elections were key to face this challenge. </p> <p> “What I found at the local level is that the political parties divide local resources not according to the need of local people but rather to their interest. If the local election was held, the situation would have been much different and the resources might be utilized in a responsible manner,” he said. </p> <p> When you are interviewing a British diplomat (who also oversees the UK aid spending in Nepal) question about DFID fueling ethnic division in Nepal and favouring one community against another cannot go unasked. </p> <p> Dominic responded to the question by stating that DFID (a British government ministry) “is mandated to work on poverty issues, not politics. Our aim is to support the poorest of the poor section of society but not to fuel any ethic disharmony.” He used the term ‘social inclusion’ to describe what DFID has been doing to help poorest of the poor in Nepal. <br /> My own understanding is that a bridge like the one DFID built over Sabha Khola in January or a road that connects villages to national highway will have much more impact in reducing poverty in Nepal than spending (and wasting) money in the name of enhancing capacity of Nepali people. But a bridge over Sabha Khola doesn’t benefit the well connected and influential people in Kathmandu who are regular faces in cocktail circuit and have direct access to diplomats like Dominic. It is an uphill task for Kathmandu diplomats to get themselves out of Kathmandu’s cocktail circuit and go to villages to taste the local raksi. </p> <p> On his part, literally speaking, Dominic seems to have tried. While talking about some of the most memorable things that he did in Nepal, Dominic said: “I really enjoyed drinking local raksi.”<br /> <br /> </p>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-06-28', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'new business age political news & articles, political news & articles from new business age nepal, political headlines from nepal, current and latest political news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali political economic news and events, ongoing political news of nepal', 'description' => 'new business age political news & articles, political news & articles from new business age nepal, political headlines from nepal, current and latest political news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali political economic news and events, ongoing political news of nepal', 'sortorder' => '1048', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1144', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'The Election Path Is Not As Rosy As We Think', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p> <strong>Siromani Dhungana</strong><br /> <br /> E lections 2013 are going to be held in the same circumstances in which 2008 CA elections were held. Almost same faces, mainly same political parties and more or less same agenda. Some politicians have changed their parties but the ideological division that existed in 2008 remains unchanged. <br /> <br /> The problem is politicians are divided not on the basis of ideology or philosophy rather on the basis of their personal interest and benefit. There is wide rift between communists and non-communist forces. The division, at the moment, is in its worst level. There is division within communist forces and also within non-communist forces too. This deep division, almost to the level of hatred, may create obstacles in the election process. It will certainly be a stumbling block in the constitution writing process as it was before. <br /> <br /> Had the division or rift been based on ideology, philosophy, issues and agenda, forging consensus would have been less difficult. There can be no solution to personal egos, petty interests and simple hunger for power. People know that our politicians are corrupt and incompetent and hell bent on amassing cash and misusing public resources. That has to stop. <br /> <br /> Recently, Mohan Baidya has hinted that his party will not obstruct the election process but boycott it. But the CPN-Maoist, popularly known as the Dash Maoist, along with 41 fringe parties, imposed a general strike on Sunday showing their rage in full throttle. <br /> <br /> Though in small numbers in streets, strike enforcers were able to create fear and an atmosphere of intimidation even in Kathmandu valley. With the experience of running a brutal civil war, Baidya and his fellows know how to create psychological pressure among general public. Even a small incident of violence may discourage voters to cast their vote. That is because leaders haven’t given people any incentive to go to voting booth by putting their personal safety at risk. <br /> <br /> The incumbent government also has time to a tough face challenge from the Dash Maoist. Demands of other fringe parties can be managed but depends on how this government handles the issue. Tension in Tarai region is in hibernation at the moment. After dissolution of the CA, many underground groups shunned violence. But they may resume their violent activities to create pressure on government as election date approaches. <br /> <br /> Present Chief Justice-led government was formed and stands on a rather weak ground. It doesn’t have moral authority as it has breached the norms of separation of power. It is not very fair to expect very effective performance from this government. On the other hand, none of the political parties are fair enough to conduct a free, fair and peaceful election. In the past, Nepali Congress, CPN (UML) and UPCN Maoist have all captured booths- just that Maoists did it in a more effective manner in 2008 elections. Election monitoring organizations are present mainly on urban areas and, the problem is, they too are not beyond political influence. So the situation is bleak. But then we have no choice but to walk the path to elections.<br /> </p>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-06-25', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'sortorder' => '1007', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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The idea was perceived by non-Maoist forces along with the NA as a ploy of the former communist rebel to infiltrate non-political institutions with communist dogma. </div> <div> </div> <div> The army integration process was considered to be a most challenging and sensitive aspect of Nepal’s home-grown peace process. Though the seven-year long integration process observed complications, mistrust and dillydallying among stake-holders of peace building efforts, the process gathered some momentum after the NA showed some flexibility to accommodate the former guerillas.</div> <div> </div> <div> The integration process in a unique way offers important lessons to the international community and also might be replicated in other countries in post-conflict period. NA and the former combatants, who had fought against each other during the decade long war, should be patted on the back for this accomplishment. </div> <div> </div> <div> They did not only maintain a high degree of restraint during these seven years of volatile and fragile situation, but later also agreed to accept each other as colleagues in the same institution. This achievement has obviously elated people who have witnessed the horror of war for more than a decade. </div> <div> </div> <div> However, as propagated by a section of media and political parties, the landmark achievement in the integration front itself is not the full accomplishment of the peace process. Agreed that it was a key component, equally important are issues like the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on Enforced Disappearances, security and justice sector reformation, preparation and implementation of a minimum common programme of socio-economic transformation and formulation of scientific land reform policies, among others. Some of the agenda of Nepal’s peace process are yet to receive significant attention while others have been completely overlooked by concerned stakeholders. </div> <div> </div> <div> The topmost priority and a larger part of Nepal’s peace process is the promulgation of a new constitution through an elected Constituent Assembly that will ensure a federal democratic republic set-up. </div> <div> </div> <div> The promise from leaders of political parties to promulgate a new constitution through the elected Constituent Assembly is yet to be delivered. </div> <div> </div> <div> The first two years of the CA witnessed wrangling among the Maoist and non-Maoist forces on whether the integration process should be completed before the constitution drafting or whether it should go hand in hand. The remaining two years of the CA were squandered in the debate on federalism. Eventually, the institution met a tragic fate of dissolution without delivering a constitution, shattering the peoples’ dream for peace.</div> <div> </div> <div> Political leaders boasting that they have successfully concluded the peace process without delivering a new constitution is merely a sign of complacence. </div> <div> </div> <div> Amid celebrations of the success of 70 former combatants’ integration into the NA as officers, the issue of over four thousand former combatants who were tagged as disqualified during the UN verification process has not bothered the government and parties as much. </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> Humiliated by expulsion with a ‘disqualified’ tag in their identity, they had even hit the streets a year back with a few demands. If not properly addressed and rehabilitated, these former combatants, most of them who possess armed tactics and skills coupled with violent mentality, can pose a serious challenge to society. These former combatants could be manipulated by any force, particularly the breakaway CPN-Maoist towards violent activities.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'With the induction of 70 former Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army (NA) at officer levels at the Military Academy last Monday, the army integration, a key element of Nepal’s peace process, formally came to a conclusion after seven years of protracted transitional period.', 'sortorder' => '1592', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1601', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'More Transparency In Political Finance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Siromani Dhungana</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties should recognise the value of transparency in the political process and provide citizens with information on funds raised and spent to influence their votes.</div> <div> </div> <div> Parties, however, keep their contributions hidden from the public eye. Consequently, voters never learn of the origins of the money used in financing election activities. This is less than ideal for an electoral system in a country that has experienced nascent democracy.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Why Disclose?</strong></div> <div> Disclosure helps prevent financial abuse during election and is necessary to promote healthy political competition.</div> <div> </div> <div> We need a body akin to what was set up in the U.S. under the Federal Election Campaign Act 1974. An agency called the Federal Election Commission supervises all financial transactions by political bodies that have solicited or spent money to support or defeat federal candidates. The organisation verifies all reports presented and discloses the same to the public. The Election Commission in Nepal should be empowered to do exactly the same.</div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties, on the other hand, should pledge to introduce a law to ban anonymous donations and formalise a common minimum understanding for regarding the public disclosure of their income and expenditure. </div> <div> </div> <div> An undisclosed contribution from any party is not a good sign as contributors will want returns from concerned political parties and anonymity will allow them to take advantage of the political affiliation. </div> <div> </div> <div> Past experience shows that undisclosed contributions can fuel ‘policy corruption’ as the government compensates its financial contributors while introducing the budget. Undisclosed contribution often raises questions as to whether political parties benefit from influence peddling, organised crime or drug trafficking.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Terrorised Business Community?</strong></div> <div> Principally, a major share of funding should come from voluntary contributions but that is not happening in Nepal. Forceful donation drives by political parties has become a common phenomenon and has terrorised the business community. </div> <div> </div> <div> Some businessmen have even revealed in public that all revenue frauds committed by them is a result of heavy donations to political parties. According to them, they are facing problems in adjusting donation funds in the balance sheet during the auditing process.</div> <div> </div> <div> Transparency in donation would help boost the morale of the business community that has been forced to donate with such conditions that they could not keep any record of the money dispensed. Political parties should now ensure that the election is not an event meant for terrorising the business community.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>But they aren’t so clean </strong></div> <div> The business fraternity, however, is not clean of controversy. Multi-billion Value Added Tax (VAT) scandals, adulteration in food products and other unethical business practices have been growing in the country and successive governments have failed to take action against even a single corporate house. Renowned faces from the business community entered the last CA representing different political parties. This clearly showed that they want political protection to go ahead in their business undisturbed. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>A Silver Lining </strong></div> <div> In a commendable move, however, the Nepali Congress recently promised that it is ready to reveal its sources of funds for the coming elections by accept ing donations through cheque only. This announcement may have provided relief to the business community. </div> <div> </div> <div> The announcement has provided a strong ground for the business community to bring this issue to the public domain. Other political parties, as public institutions, should be proactive to disclose their information and arrange for regular briefings using various information demystification channels.</div> <div> </div> <div> Routing money through bank accounts can also improve the identification of contributors which is important for monitoring limits as well as identity of sources.</div> <div> </div> <div> Nepal needs to set up a mechanism to ensure the transparency of party funds. The present opportunity and its timing can be used to initiate this much-needed change.</div> <div> <em>(The writer tweets @siromanid)</em></div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Political parties should recognise the value of transparency in the political process and provide citizens with information on funds raised and spent to influence their votes.', 'sortorder' => '1462', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1553', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Repeating Electoral Violence?', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Sagar Ghimire</span></strong></div> <div> </div> <div> As November 19, the slated date for the Constituent Assembly election draws closer, poll fever gradually grips the government, the Election Commission (EC) as well as the political parties. The EC is in full swing to make the election happen on the scheduled date. It enforced the Code of Conduct for the election and made the election time-table public too. Likewise, the government also held a meeting recently with security organs for the election to chart out a joint security strategy for the event. </div> <div> </div> <div> However, political parties have failed to do their bit. Instead of forging a conducive and congenial environment to conduct the elections peacefully, the leaders of the parties are now fomenting violence through their speeches. </div> <div> </div> <div> The unfortunate announcement from the CPN-Maoist to disrupt the election wasn’t as much a surprise as was the demand of the Nepali Congress leader and cadre to form their own ‘security squad’. </div> <div> </div> <div> Though the NC president turned down the demand raised during the party’s Training of Trainers, the demand is indicative of the deeply embedded militant mindsets of the leaders and the cadres of all big parties. </div> <div> </div> <div> The recent remark by UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal to mobilise 1000 Young Communist League cadres in each booth in response to the CPN-Maoist plan to deploy 10 cadres is tantamount to summon violent clashes in the upcoming elections. </div> <div> </div> <div> Violence has become a part and parcel of elections in Nepal. Earlier elections in Nepal also had witnessed massive use of violence, coercion and force by the parties. </div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties forming para-military forces and mobilising young goons during election campaigns and at poll booths is an enough evidence to indicate the proclivity of our leaders towards violence. </div> <div> </div> <div> Flexing muscles, particularly during elections, to influence voters, frighten opponents and intimidate election officers does not only undermine the credibility of the election but also violates citizens’ fundamental right to vote in a free and fair manner. When leaders or parties lose their confidence to woo the people through their policy and programme, they resort to wielding violence to bring election results to their favour. </div> <div> </div> <div> The CPN-Maoist party’s threat to disrupt polls by using force; UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Dahal’s warning to counter the CPN-Maoist attempt; NC leaders and cadres pitting the idea of forming their own ‘security squad’; and rising aggression within the CPN (UML)’s sister-wing the Youth Association Nepal from notorious dons and hoodlums paint us a familiar picture of the forthcoming election -- one marred with violence. </div> <div> </div> <div> Fraught with violence, the CA election is also likely to be a battle ground for party leaders to exploit youths for their vested political interests. </div> <div> </div> <div> Use of violence during elections gets exposed in the international front by international observers and media which ultimately becomes a matter of shame for the country. </div> <div> </div> <div> The confrontations and clashes during the election are already imminent with parties, leaders and cadres that mull the formation of youth squads to use them in bringing the election results in their favour. The Election Commission has already executed the Code of Conduct and the government has prepared mechanisms to contain violence. Yet, these fall short in front of the unruly and unholy young goons, when they are shielded and patronised by their leaders. </div> <div> </div> <div> If elections are to be held in a democratic, fair and peaceful manner, political leaders and their parties should make a sincere and honest commitment to shun violence. The government should make sure that no element that inflicts violence is spared. Political parties should value peoples’ power over violence and try not to repeat our history of electoral violence.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-05', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Business Ethics: Challenges in Implementation By Sagar Ghimire Though over 100 business companies have made a commitment towards the Business Code of Conduct (CoC) which was introduced by the National Business Initiative (NBI) last week in the Capital, implementation of such a self-abiding code will not be an easy task. The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), the Birjung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), Nepal Gas Dealers’ Association (NGDA), and Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA) are some of the leading business associations that have endorsed the CoC. A recently conducted survey of Kathmandu-based companies entitled ‘Ethical Business Practice in Nepal’ by NBI has found only 7 per cent of the companies following business ethics, while 41 per cent of the sample were found weak in this. Likewise, 52 per cent of the sample was found to have attempted to implement the CoC and partially following it. Jyoti Baniya, general secretary of Forum for Protection of Consumer Rights, expressed doubt regarding the sincere implementation of the CoC by the business community. “Some tangible differences in behaviour should have been discerned these past few days,” Baniya told The Corporate. “They (business houses) did not even think it necessary to place a framed copy of the CoC on their walls.” He, however, welcomes the initiative of the business community to come up with the CoC. This finding of the survey indicates that the implementation of CoC is fraught with challenges. There are doubts as to whether companies will duly follow the provisions stated in the CoC at a time when there are allegations upon some of them that they are flouting the business laws of the country.Some member companies of the associations that endorsed the CoC have come under the government’s scanner for their unscrupulous deeds. Gas dealers, transport entrepreneurs, gold merchants, are alleged of carteling, syndicates, adulteration, tax evasion and other malpractices. However, Saroj Prasad Pandey, coordinator of the CoC campaign at the NBI, claims that he was very hopeful for its implementation. “The endorsement by over 100 business associations and an overwhelming support from the government, political parties, labour unions, the media and people within a week showed that the CoC can be implemented,” he said. Pandey informed that they will soon form a joint committee comprising representatives from various business sectors to supervise and evaluate the implementation of the CoC. Although bringing the CoC is a positive step towards winning the trust of consumers, consumer right advocates, however, say that its implementation will fully depend on the will-power of business firms and the support from political parties and the government. When leaders or parties lose their confidence to woo people through their policies and programmes, they resort to wielding violence to bring the election results to their favour.', 'sortorder' => '1414', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1508', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Unfounded Fears Over Monarchy’s Revival', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Sagar Ghimire</span></strong></div> <div> </div> <div> While talking to journalists on Tuesday, UCPN (Maoist) Leader and former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai said that he would have thrown the former King Gyanendra Shah behind the bars if he was the Prime Minister of the country. </div> <div> </div> <div> Former Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai made such remarks at a time while a voice, albeit subtle, is emanating in favour of the deposed monarchy from a section of the political quarter. </div> <div> </div> <div> A leader of the Nepali Congress, speaking with BBC Nepali News Service, questioned the legitimacy of overthrowing the monarchy, and recently, Dr Bhattarai’s one-time communist compatriot Mohan Baidya also hinted towards the possibility of collaboration with the dethroned King on the issue of nationalism. </div> <div> </div> <div> The remark by a former Prime Minister to jail the ex-king obviously begs a question: Why should an ex-king, innocent of crime and rendered to the status of a citizen, be thrown behind bars when one of Bhattarai’s own party leaders, charged with murder by the apex court, is roaming scot-free? Apparently, it was Dr Bhattarai himself, while Prime Minister, who recommended the President to grant amnesty for a leader charged with murder. </div> <div> </div> <div> Should it be considered a crime in democracy when an ex-king attempts to woo flood victims by providing humanitarian assistance? Or, does he deserve prosecution just because he exercised his constitutional right of mobility by embarking on a trip to the far-west as a citizen of Nepal? </div> <div> </div> <div> It was easy for political leaders to pass the buck to the King while monarchy was at helm. But with monarchy all gone, the leaders have failed miserably to live up to people’s expectations. This is gradually leading to frustration, resentment and detestation among the public towards the current political dispensation. While this is not a good sign for Nepal’s nascent republic democracy, leaders should find solutions in correcting their course instead of mudslinging the erstwhile monarchy. </div> <div> </div> <div> There is no way a dead monarchy will make a comeback. Fear over the deposed monarchy’s revival is simply unfounded; the fear-mongering is an attempt to conceal one’s own incompetency and deflect public criticisms for wrongdoings. </div> <div> </div> <div> Reinstating the monarchy, no doubt, would be a regressive move. Feeble voices from a political section - particularly from the CPN (Maoist) party and a few leaders of the Nepali Congress in favour of the abolished monarchy - will either dissipate or be discarded by the people. </div> <div> </div> <div> The hue and cry over a small philanthropic move of a constitutionally powerless king reflects nothing but the defeated psyche of the UCPN (Maoist) leader. Obviously, people, who have fought for a long time for establishing a republic with multiparty democracy, would not look for monarchy as an alternative system. However, that does not necessarily mean people would stick to the same bunch of leaders who have failed to address their aspirations even after half a decade of regime change. </div> <div> </div> <div> In democracy, there should not be any room for negation, and never the politics of violence and coercion. The deposed king should be subjected to free trial if he commits any unlawful activity, but he should not be hounded time and again out of vengeance. </div> <div> </div> <div> The time is ripe for party leaders to introspect on their deeds on why they could not institutionalise a federal democratic republic and failed to win the hearts of the people. The sooner they realize it, the better.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-07-29', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'While talking to journalists on Tuesday, UCPN (Maoist) Leader and former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai said that he would have thrown the former King Gyanendra Shah behind the bars if he was the Prime Minister of the country.', 'sortorder' => '1369', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1461', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Resolving Rows Through Round Table Conference', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Sagar Ghimire</span></strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Albeit late, the four major political parties—Unified CPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress, CPN (UML) and United Democratic Madhesi Front—represented in the High Level Political Mechanism (HLPC) have seemingly conceded to the demand for a Round Table Conference (RTC) by UCPN (Maoist), the breakaway faction CPN-Maoist. </div> <div> </div> <div> After the leaders of all four parties hinted that they could sit for the Round Table Conference, the CPN (Maoist) party led by Mohan Baidya immediately reciprocated by announcing the formation of a five-member talk team under the leadership of Baidhya himself. </div> <div> This could be considered as a positive gesture from the CPN-Maoist side, which had earlier threatened to foil the CA polls by mobilising its force at the election booths. </div> <div> </div> <div> This latest development has also renewed a hope among the people for the November election of the Constituent Assembly. </div> <div> </div> <div> However, the success of the RTC hinges upon the HLPC’s ability to bring poll-opposing parties, especially CPN-Maoist, on board with the election process. </div> <div> </div> <div> Nevertheless, if held, the RTC could be an opportunity for dissident parties to put forth their issues on the table for discussion and deliberation. </div> <div> </div> <div> The RTC mechanism is a negotiating platform for resolving a long political standoff where parties have not held even a single dialogue since Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi’s dispensation. </div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties have tentatively agreed to hold the RTC, but they have not sat down together to work out a modality, date and the nature of such a mechanism. </div> <div> </div> <div> Also, there are diverging views between the CPN (Maoist) and the parties in the HLPC regarding the interpretation of the RTC. The former argues that contentious issues of the constitution drafting process should be brought in the RTC for endorsement while parties in the HLPC see it merely as a mechanism to resolve the current political impasse. </div> <div> </div> <div> Similarly, parties in the HLPC are seeking assurance from the CPN-Maoist and other protesting parties for taking part in the CA election slated for November before meeting the demands of the RTC. However, CPN-Maoist has refused to give such assurances. The party deigns agreeing on such conditions as tantamount to surrender. It has demanded that the election date be scrapped to give the RTC authority to take calls on the election. </div> <div> </div> <div> Another question pertaining to the RTC is how the parties will come to a conclusion, let alone consensus, when they will have so many contentious issues on the table to resolve. There are many challenges in the prospect of the RTC for releasing the country from the current quagmire. The country cannot be held hostage to such a crisis for long. </div> <div> </div> <div> Undeniably, in democracy, the solution to all problems could be found in election. Putting parties like the CPN-Maoist, the Madhesi Peoples’ Rights Forum led by Upendra Yadav, the Federal Socialist Party by Ashok Rai, and other fringe parties outside the election process, does not bode well for Nepal’s peaceful transition. </div> <div> </div> <div> The slow-paced election preparations by the Election Commission, government and the HLPC give enough room to cast doubt whether the election will really be held at the scheduled date. Even the Constituency Delineation Commission (CDC), which was formed with the mandate to come up with a report on delimiting election constituency, is grappling with political and constitutional difficulties. The CDC is left with two options now - to either submit the report keeping the current 240 constituencies intact, or remove the constitutional difficulties which could affect the CA election date. </div> <div> </div> <div> The HLPC should make some concessions even at the expense of postponing polls for the time being so as to convince the CPN-Maoist to step on board for the election process. But the CPN-Maoist should also sincerely agree to participate in the CA election thereby proving its democratic credential, which often comes under question.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-07-22', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The success of the RTC lies on the HLPC’s ability to bring poll-opposing parties on board in the election process.', 'sortorder' => '1322', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1339', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'November 19 Elections: Growing Doubts', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p> <strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Upashana Neupane</span></strong></p> <p> While the entire society (barring some groups) is upbeat about the November 19 elections for the Constituent Assembly Version-2, the chances of the elections actually being held are diminishing with each passing day. </p> <p> First is the timing of the election. November 19 falls immediately after a long holiday season. Generally, August- October is considered a festival season in Nepal and there are 15 festival holidays from August 1 to November 19 when the government offices remain closed (Aug 22 Gaijatra, Aug 28 Shreekrishna Janmastami, Sep 7 Teej, Sep 18 Indrajatra, Oct 5 Ghatasthapana, Oct 11-15 Dashain, Oct 18 Purnima, Nov 3-5 Tihar, and Nov 9 Chhath).</p> <p> In such situation, Election Commission (EC) has to almost finish all major preparation before these festivals start because the staffs in the government offices rarely work even in the working days during this period. The offices look totally deserted during one month period from October 5 (when the Dashain festival starts) till November 9 (the day of Chhath festival). That is the reason why all previous general elections were held on other seasons. One previous election held after the festivals was on over a week after Chhath. </p> <p> Secondly, Mohan Baidya-led Maoist Party has been threatening the government and other political parties to obstruct the upcoming elections. It had also created an alliance of 33 fringe parties. It is good sign that a total of 18 parties out of 33 from the alliance have decided to participate in the upcoming CA polls. And the number may further increase. </p> <p> However, EC should provide sufficient time to these parties to formally register for the polls. That too will work as a drag on election process. </p> <p> Similarly, some crucial issues such as voter education, voter registration and providing election symbols to these parties are also time-consuming. </p> <p> On the other hand, there are still disputes among political parties over some crucial agenda such as fixing the number of constituencies. The Government has asked the constituency delineation Commission that at least one seat must be there for each district. </p> <p> The Commission has just started its work and it is yet to solve the dispute over number of constituencies it seems it will also add trouble in the election of the CA.</p> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-07-08', 'modified' => '2013-07-08', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'While the entire society (barring some groups) is upbeat about the November 19 elections for the Constituent Assembly Version-2, the chances of the elections actually being held are diminishing with each passing day.', 'sortorder' => '1201', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1186', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Development Discourse With Dominic', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p> <strong><img alt="" height="147" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/UdkScCyRfDl9IJd_H4FG3RwWUKmUkCHA5nqlGN9ga8I=w149-h147-p-no" width="149" /><br /> </strong></p> <p> <strong>Dominic O’Neill<br /> Head, DFID Nepal</strong></p> <p> <strong>Apart from recruiting fearless and jobless Nepali youths to their Army, the British government has been building bridges and roads in Nepal that have helped ease lives of millions of Nepali people.</strong></p> <p> <strong><br /> By Siromani Dhungana </strong></p> <p> At one point on his last day in office as head of DFID Nepal, Dominic O’Neill was waiting for reporters. “This will probably be the last meeting with journalist in my nearly two years of stay in Nepal”, he said later. </p> <p> “Tomorrow,” he said on Friday, “I will be leaving this beautiful country. I will never forget this land. Be it Humla, Mustang, the Tarai or Hilly belt, my desire to visit all the parts of the country will always remain the same. This county will always stay fresh within my heart.” </p> <p> UK presence in Nepal is generally free of controversy, barring some exception. Apart from recruiting fearless and jobless Nepali youths to their Army, the British government has been building bridges and roads in Nepal that have helped to ease lives of millions of Nepali people. Lately however, they have been accused of using their aid money to reengineer Nepali society in such a way that pits one community against another. </p> <p> <strong>I started the discussion by asking Dominic what he felt about donors’ role in Nepal. Has Nepal become too dependent on donors? </strong></p> <p> “I believe we [the donor community], at least the UK government, do not want the country to be dependent on donors,” he said. “All we want is to see the country improving its economic indicators.” He said that donors’ money has been channeled to the neediest sectors such as education, health, agriculture and the result would be devastating if the aid flow to such sectors were to be cut. </p> <p> Development work has been seriously and negatively affected in the absence of elected bodies at the local level. The problem has been complicated by the political parties who often tend to put their organizational interests ahead of the overall developmental requirement of a village or a district. Excessive politicization of development work has seriously undermined accountability and transparency of public expenditure. Dominic acknowledged this and said holding local elections were key to face this challenge. </p> <p> “What I found at the local level is that the political parties divide local resources not according to the need of local people but rather to their interest. If the local election was held, the situation would have been much different and the resources might be utilized in a responsible manner,” he said. </p> <p> When you are interviewing a British diplomat (who also oversees the UK aid spending in Nepal) question about DFID fueling ethnic division in Nepal and favouring one community against another cannot go unasked. </p> <p> Dominic responded to the question by stating that DFID (a British government ministry) “is mandated to work on poverty issues, not politics. Our aim is to support the poorest of the poor section of society but not to fuel any ethic disharmony.” He used the term ‘social inclusion’ to describe what DFID has been doing to help poorest of the poor in Nepal. <br /> My own understanding is that a bridge like the one DFID built over Sabha Khola in January or a road that connects villages to national highway will have much more impact in reducing poverty in Nepal than spending (and wasting) money in the name of enhancing capacity of Nepali people. But a bridge over Sabha Khola doesn’t benefit the well connected and influential people in Kathmandu who are regular faces in cocktail circuit and have direct access to diplomats like Dominic. It is an uphill task for Kathmandu diplomats to get themselves out of Kathmandu’s cocktail circuit and go to villages to taste the local raksi. </p> <p> On his part, literally speaking, Dominic seems to have tried. While talking about some of the most memorable things that he did in Nepal, Dominic said: “I really enjoyed drinking local raksi.”<br /> <br /> </p>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-06-28', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'new business age political news & articles, political news & articles from new business age nepal, political headlines from nepal, current and latest political news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali political economic news and events, ongoing political news of nepal', 'description' => 'new business age political news & articles, political news & articles from new business age nepal, political headlines from nepal, current and latest political news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali political economic news and events, ongoing political news of nepal', 'sortorder' => '1048', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1144', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'The Election Path Is Not As Rosy As We Think', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p> <strong>Siromani Dhungana</strong><br /> <br /> E lections 2013 are going to be held in the same circumstances in which 2008 CA elections were held. Almost same faces, mainly same political parties and more or less same agenda. Some politicians have changed their parties but the ideological division that existed in 2008 remains unchanged. <br /> <br /> The problem is politicians are divided not on the basis of ideology or philosophy rather on the basis of their personal interest and benefit. There is wide rift between communists and non-communist forces. The division, at the moment, is in its worst level. There is division within communist forces and also within non-communist forces too. This deep division, almost to the level of hatred, may create obstacles in the election process. It will certainly be a stumbling block in the constitution writing process as it was before. <br /> <br /> Had the division or rift been based on ideology, philosophy, issues and agenda, forging consensus would have been less difficult. There can be no solution to personal egos, petty interests and simple hunger for power. People know that our politicians are corrupt and incompetent and hell bent on amassing cash and misusing public resources. That has to stop. <br /> <br /> Recently, Mohan Baidya has hinted that his party will not obstruct the election process but boycott it. But the CPN-Maoist, popularly known as the Dash Maoist, along with 41 fringe parties, imposed a general strike on Sunday showing their rage in full throttle. <br /> <br /> Though in small numbers in streets, strike enforcers were able to create fear and an atmosphere of intimidation even in Kathmandu valley. With the experience of running a brutal civil war, Baidya and his fellows know how to create psychological pressure among general public. Even a small incident of violence may discourage voters to cast their vote. That is because leaders haven’t given people any incentive to go to voting booth by putting their personal safety at risk. <br /> <br /> The incumbent government also has time to a tough face challenge from the Dash Maoist. Demands of other fringe parties can be managed but depends on how this government handles the issue. Tension in Tarai region is in hibernation at the moment. After dissolution of the CA, many underground groups shunned violence. But they may resume their violent activities to create pressure on government as election date approaches. <br /> <br /> Present Chief Justice-led government was formed and stands on a rather weak ground. It doesn’t have moral authority as it has breached the norms of separation of power. It is not very fair to expect very effective performance from this government. On the other hand, none of the political parties are fair enough to conduct a free, fair and peaceful election. In the past, Nepali Congress, CPN (UML) and UPCN Maoist have all captured booths- just that Maoists did it in a more effective manner in 2008 elections. Election monitoring organizations are present mainly on urban areas and, the problem is, they too are not beyond political influence. So the situation is bleak. But then we have no choice but to walk the path to elections.<br /> </p>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-06-25', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'sortorder' => '1007', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
