Nepal, Austria take stock on bilateral relations

 Nepal and Austria today held virtual bilateral consultations to take stock of the overall state of the bilateral relations and cooperation between the two sovereign countries.

Various aspects of Nepal-Austria relations including the contributions made by the exchange of high-level visits and the need for enhancing economic cooperation were discussed during the meeting, according to Foreign Ministry.

The two sides exchanged views on expanding and deepening engagements in bilateral trade, investment, technology transfer, renewable energy and tourism, reads a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry. “The two sides also emphasised the importance of continuing collaborations in the areas of culture, heritage conservation as well as people-to-people relations,” the press release reads, adding that the two sides exchanged views on the challenges posed by Covid-19, as well as the measures adopted by their respective governments to fight against the global pandemic. “As mountainous and landlocked countries, both sides shared the importance of continued cooperation on matters of common agendas such as climate change at various multilateral forums.”

Joint Secretary of Europe and the Americas Division at the Foreign Ministry Nirmal Raj Kafle and head of Asia-Pacific Department of the Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs of Austria Gabriele Meon-Tschurtz led their respective delegations to the consultations.

The ambassador of Nepal to Austria and the ambassador of Austria to Nepal were also part of the discussions.

Ease restrictions on domestic flights: Airliners

Airline Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) has today requested the government to lift restrictions on domestic flights immediately to help rescue flood and landslide victims.
The government has – last week – announced to resume both domestic and international flights from August 17, but the association has issuing a press note – in the wake of recent floods and landslides – requested the government to resume domestic flights immediately. “Floods and landslides have damaged highways across the country making it hard for people to travel,” the press note reads, adding that the rescue and relief cargo flights need to operate. “Thus, the association requests the government to allow airline operators to operate non-scheduled regular flights for the convenience of people.”
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), in coordination with the association, has prepared Covid-19 prevention guideline to resume flights. Thus, the association claimed that there wouldn’t be any problem resuming flights immediately.
The rescue and relief flights have been affected due to flight restrictions, the press note reads, asking the the government to allow airlines to operate flights. “The emergency flight operations will also help airliners prepare for the resumption of regular commercial flights.”
The airliners have also pledged to provide flight services as per the airfare set by the government.
Currently, few airlines are operating repatriation, rescue and cargo flights with special permission from the Foreign Ministry and CAAN..

MCC deal will be endorsed in winter session: Foreign Affairs Minister

The current winter session of the parliament is going to endorse the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant assistance agreement.
According to foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, the agreement with the US government will endorse the largest grant agreement related to the economic development of Nepal in the current session. “The then government led by the Nepali Congress had reached the agreement and as the government is an institution with unbroken inheritance rights there is no alternative to passing it even to enhance the credibility of the country's image in the international sector,” he said, clarifying about the MCC agreement in the National Concerns and Coordination Committee meeting – under the National Assembly – here today.
“As all the national parties have no differences regarding the MCC, it will be passed by the parliament,” Gyawali added.
After some of the standing committee members of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) raised serious concern over the MCC agreement’s link to the Asia Pacific Strategy (IPS), a debate has been started either to endorse it or not.
“MCC and IPS are different things,” he said, adding that it is not necessary to relate them together.
Claiming that the incumbent government is alert and serious regarding issues of national interest and concern, he said that doubt regarding the MCC is because of historic mistakes. “This is an agreement related to assistance by the American government in projects for the infrastructure development,” he said, adding that the conditions in the agreement, which have to be considered at the time of its signing, cannot be changed now. “The US assistance, following the successful peace process and achievement of political stability in Nepal, will give the country benefit of positive message worth billions.”
According to him, an independent and professional body has been set up in Nepal for the implementation of the MCC assistance and Nepal's authorised entity can audit its account too. A project worth $64 billion, including around $55 billion US assistance, has been pursued with the objective of developing physical infrastructure and expanding connectivity for eliminating poverty and backwardness in the Asia Pacific Region.
Nepal is – under the project – constructing a 400 kV electricity transmission line from Nanglebhare of Kathmandu to Butwal via Ratmate of Nuwakot and Tanahu, apart from, some road networks of strategic importance.

Nepal, Russia eye strong economic partnership

Nepal and Russia underlined the need of building a strong economic partnership commensurate with the bond of friendship they have been cherishing since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1956.
They – during the meeting between visiting foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and his counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow today – also agreed to explore ways and means for enhancing economic and trade relations for mutual benefit. Through his Russian counterpart, Gyawali encouraged Russian entrepreneurs to invest in Nepal in view of an investment-friendly environment.
According to a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry, the two leaders – on the occasion – also shared their perspectives on important global agendas, including maintenance of international peace and security, disarmament and peacekeeping. They – reads the press note – expressed their commitment to multilateralism and the centrality of the United Nations (UN) to deal with international issues.
During the bilateral meeting – held in a cordial atmosphere – the two ministers exchanged views on various aspects of bilateral relations and importance of the exchange of high-level visits, including the judicial, parliamentary and business exchanges.
Minister Gyawali, on the occasion, handed over the invitation of President Mrs Bidhya Devi Bhandari to the President of the Russian Federation to pay a state visit to Nepal, apart from invitation of the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.
During the visit – in the gap of 14 years since the last visit from the Nepali side – the ministers also  agreed to harness the immense potentials to enlarge the scope and enrich the substance of the bilateral cooperation especially in the areas of investment, trade, tourism, education, energy, infrastructure development, and culture and people-to-people relations.
Inviting Lavrov to participate in the Sagarmatha Sambaad to be held in Kathmandu in April 2020, Gyawali also asked Russian investors to invest in Nepal as the country has huge potentials to develop organic agro-products such as tea, coffee, ginger, cardamom, which can be exported to Russia.
Nepal is currently a ‘dialogue partner’ of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) since 2015 and hopes to connect with the Central Asia and beyond through its framework of cooperation. The Russian Federation – as the Organisation’s founding member – on the occasion expressed its readiness to extend cooperation within the scope of the organisation, reads the press note.”The framework for the deeper engagement of Nepal with SCO is wide and Nepal believes that the partnership can be upgrade to a full membership.”

Bangladesh president to visit Nepal

President of Bangladesh Md Abdul Hamid will be paying an official goodwill visit to Nepal from November 12 to 15 at the invitation of President Bidhya Devi Bhandari.
Bangladesh President Hamid will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) upon his arrival, according to a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry. “During the visit, President Hamid will meet with President Bhandari, as President Bhandari will host a banquet in honour of her counterpart and his delegation.”
Likewise, vice-president Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, chairperson of the National Assembly Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, and Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali will call on President Hamid, the press note reads, adding that senior political leaders of various political parties will also call on the president of Bangladesh. “While in Nepal, Bangladesh President Hamid will also be visiting the Lake City Pokhara and historical, archaeological and cultural sites in Kathmandu valley.”
The two countries, on the occasion, will discuss all issues of mutual interests. However, Bangladeshi media has reported that Bangladesh and Nepal will hold talks on Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement during President Hamid’s Nepal visit.
On the sidelines of the 18th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Azerbaijan on October 26, Bangladesh Prime Minister Seikh Hasina had requested Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to finalise the PTA with Nepal during President Hamid’s upcoming visit to Nepal. “The two prime ministers have reached agreement to make the BBIN agreement functional,” the Bangladeshi media reported, though the Foreign Ministry could not confirm it. 

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi to visit Nepal

The Foreign Ministry today confirmed the two-day official visit of Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi.
Issuing a press note today, the ministry said the State Councillor and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Wang Yi is scheduled to visit Nepal from September 8 to September 10.
During Wang Yi’s stay in Nepal, he will call on President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister will also hold delegation-level bilateral talks with his Nepali counterpart Pradeep Kumar Gyawali on Monday, the note reads adding that the three-day visit is also expected to pave way for the visit of President Xi Jinping to Nepal and possible agreements between the two countries under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
President Bidya Devi Bhandari during her visit to China in April – to address the second BRI Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing – had extended invitation to Chinese President Xi to visit Nepal.  President Xi had expressed his willingness to visit Nepal at his convenient time. The Chinese President Xi is expected to visit Kathmandu in the course of his five-day state visit to India beginning from October 11.

Nepal, India agree to expedite bilateral project works

The seventh meeting of Nepal-India Oversight Mechanism held in Kathmandu today reviewed the progress of bilateral projects, and agreed to expedite works by overcoming obstacles.
The meeting – co-chaired by foreign secretary Shanker Das Bairagi and ambassador of India to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri – also reviewed the status of implementation of all ongoing bilateral projects including cross-border railways, petroleum pipelines, roads, integrated check posts, bridges, energy, irrigation, inundation, agriculture, and post-earthquake reconstruction.
Both sides agreed to address the problems and overcome obstacles to ensure smooth implementation of the projects, according to a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry after the meeting.
They also agreed to expedite the works to complete the projects on time, it reads, adding that the Nepal-India Oversight Mechanism was set up – after the state visit of Prime Minister Puspa Kamal Dahal in September 2016 – to oversee the implementation of bilateral projects, and and take necessary steps for their completion in time. “The eighth meeting of the mechanism will take place on a mutually convenient date.'

US envoy 'absent' in the government briefing

US ambassador to Nepal Randy Berry today skipped the government’s briefing to foreign diplomats based in Kathmandu. Instead deputy chief of Mission of the US Embassy Michael C Gonzales was presented in the government briefing – the third of its kind after the KP Sharma Oli-led government was formed almost a year ago – where ambassadors and deputy chiefs of missions from all diplomatic missions were present, according to the Foreign Ministry.
US ambassador to Nepal Berry’s 'conspicuous' absence to the government briefing has, however, made some eyebrows raised due to latest tension between US and Nepal on Venezuela.
The ruling party’s co-chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on January 25 issued a statement against the US 'involvement' on Republic of Venezuela’s current state-of-affairs. The US – through the Embassy in Kathmandu and also in Washington – sought the government's official view following the Dahal's statement as he is the co-chairman of the ruling party. The government, though, issued another formal statement – on January 29 – arguing that Nepal still follows the no aligned policy but the statement was almost in line with the Dahal's statement.
The US State Department had sought an explanation from Nepali ambassador to US Arjun Karki – in the Washington DC – following Dahal's statement that supported Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and denounced ‘intervention in internal affairs’ of Venezuela by the US and its allies. Senior officials from the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the State Department asked Nepali envoy Karki in Washington DC to submit clarification as – according to the US official – the US did not expect such statement from the leader of the ruling NCP (NCP) without any background on the internal affairs of Venezuela.
Though, the government tried to make its position clear in the issue of political crisis in Venezuela, the US has not been convinced.
The absence of the US envoy today in the government briefing in Kathmandu is diplomatic answer of the US to Nepal, according to a foreign policy expert. The US Embassy has currently been engaging with political leaders, high-level government officials and media to discuss the US government’s position on Venezuela also due to the government’s weak attempt to clarify its position.

Nepal keen to enhance connectivity with China under BRI : Foreign Minister

Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said that he has requested China to construct the cross-border railway between the two neighbors under a grant.
Speaking at the airport, after returning home today wrapping up his five-day official visit to China, he said that Nepal has requested – during the bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi – the China to build the cross-border railway under the grant aid as a symbol of bilateral relations between the two neighbours. "Developing cross-border railways between Nepal and China is a priority for Nepal government," he added.
However, Nepal is open for discussion about possible investment model, he said, adding that there could be several investment models for the implementation of projects under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), apart from enhancing cross-border connectivity.
The Nepal-China cross border railway line – from Kerung on China-Nepal border to Kathmandu and to Pokhara and Lumbini on Nepal-India border – is estimated to cost up to $8 billion.
Both sides have reached an understanding to conduct a feasibility study and preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Nepal-China cross border Railway line at the earliest. The agreement has been made 'for attaining common prosperity by incorporating areas such as railway line, trading port, air transport, electricity and communication', according to the press communique issued by the Foreign Ministry.
Gyawali also said that both Kathmandu and Beijing have agreed to implement all the past agreements – including the agreements by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in 2016 and by the then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamala Dahal in 2017 – signed between Nepal and China.
The Transit and Transport Agreement and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on launching a joint feasibility study for a Nepal-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are the key documents signed during Oli visit. Likewise, the Dahal-led government had signed a MoU on cooperation on the BRI.
Introduced by China in 2013, the BRI refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, aiming at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting countries along the ancient trade routes of the Silk Road.
He also said that both sides have shared common views on developing a Trans-Himalayan Multidimensional Transport Network to develop dry ports, railways, roads, air connectivity, cross-border electricity transmission and information technology for better connectivity between the two neighbours and ensuring sustainable common development.
Apart from meeting his counterpart Wang, Gyawali had also called on Chinese vice-president Wang Qishan.
During his visit to China, Gyawali had also held meetings with provincial leaders in Chengdu and delivered a speech at a programme held in his honour at Sichuwan University before his arrival back home today.
Delivering a lecture on Nepal-China Relations and Development Projects in the Trans-Himalayan Region at Sichuwan University in Chengdu, Gyawali appreciated China’s efforts at forging co-operative links between the countries in the region and beyond under the framework of BRI, reads the Foreign Ministry statement.
"Chinese investors may utilise the investment opportunities in Nepal for mutual benefits,” he said, assuring that Nepal government is fully committed to providing security to Chinese investors.

पाउलान् त बेलायतबाट नेपालीले १२ खर्ब क्षतिपूर्ति ?

भूतपूर्व गोर्खा सैनिकले १२ खर्ब हाराहारी क्षतिपूर्ति बेलायतले दिने दावी गरेका छन् । उक्त रकम नेपालको आगामी आर्थिक वर्षको बजेट सिलिङबराबर हो । परराष्ट्र मन्त्रालयले रकमको यकिन भइनसकेको बताए पनि भूतपूर्व गोर्खा सैनिकको आफ्नै गणनाअनुसार १२ खर्ब एकमुष्ट क्षतिपूर्ति पाउनुपर्ने देखिएको हो ।
भूतपूर्व गोर्खा सैनिकको लामो समयदेखिको बराबरीको हक तथा अधिकारको आन्दोलनलाई सम्बोधन गर्दै बेलायत सरकार क्षतिपूर्ति तिर्न राजी भएको उनीहरूले दावी गरेका छन् । अधिकार प्राप्तिको लडाइँको फलस्वरूप भूतपूर्व गोर्खा सैनिकले क्षतिपूर्तिबापत एकमुष्ट रकम तथा बर्सेनि ३७ अर्ब पेन्सन पाउन लागेको उनीहरूको भनाइ छ ।
एकमुष्ट १२ खर्ब हाराहारी क्षतिपूर्ति दिने विषयमा बेलायत सरकार तयार भएकोले नेपालले छिट्टै द्विपक्षीय वार्ता गरी उक्त रकम दावी गरिहाल्नुपर्ने भूपू गोर्खा सैनिकहरूको विभिन्न संगठनहरू एकजुट भएर बेलायतमा बनेको सत्याग्रह संघर्ष समितिका संयोजक कृष्णबहादुर राईले बताए । बेलायत सरकारले नेपालसँग सरकारसंग द्विपक्षीय वार्ता गर्न पत्रसमेत पठाइसकेको पनि उनले बताए । यसैक्रममा प्रधानमन्त्री केपी शर्मा ओलीसँग शनिबार भएको भेटघाटमा प्रधानमन्त्रीले आफूलाई पनि यस विषयमा जानकारी भएको तथा १ महिनादेखि ३ महिनाभित्र सरकारले यो मुद्दा टुंग्याउने बताएको पनि उनले जानकारी दिए । “प्रधानमन्त्रीले उक्त रकम नेपालमा उत्पादनशील क्षेत्रमा खर्च गर्न पनि आग्रह गरेका छन्,” राईले बताए ।
बेलायत सरकारको रक्षा मन्त्रालयअन्तर्गत आम्र्ड फोर्स मामिलामन्त्री लांककास्टरलाई गत वर्ष ४० पृष्ठ लामो प्रतिवेदन बुझाएपछि आफ्नो आन्दोलनले सफलताको बाटो टेकेको दावी गर्दै पूर्व गोर्खा राईले नेपाल सरकारले अब गम्भीर रूपमा वार्ता गरी क्षतिपूर्तिको मुद्दा टुंग्याउनुपर्ने बताए । गत वर्ष गोर्खा, नेपाली राजदूतावास र बेलायत सरकारबीच भएको त्रिपक्षीय वार्तामा पनि लांककास्टर सहभागी थिए । वार्तापछि लांककास्टरले गोर्खाहरूको समस्या बारेमा आफू गम्भीर भएको तथा उनीहरूको माग सम्बोधनको लागि पहल गर्ने बताएका थिए ।
गोर्खा भर्ती सुरु भएको २ सय वर्षपछि बेलायतले गोर्खाहरूलाई बिभेद गरेको भन्दै भूपू गोर्खाहरूले आन्दोलन गरेपछि बेलायत सरकार, नेपाली राजदूतावास र गोर्खाहरूबीच विभिन्न चरणमा वार्ता भएका थिए । बेलायतमा रहेका विभिन्न संघ संगठनले आन्दोलन जारी राखेपनि पूर्व गोर्खा सैनिक ज्ञानराज राईले ५ वर्षअघि तत्कालिन बेलायती प्रधानमन्त्री डेविड क्यामरुनको कार्यालयअगाडि आमरण अनसन बसेपछि बेलायत वार्ता गर्न तयार भएको थियो । आन्दोलनका क्रममा गैरआवासीय नेपालीका तर्फबाट तत्कालिन उपाध्यक्ष तथा हालका अध्यक्ष भवन भट्टलगायतले गोर्खाको मागमा ऐक्यबद्धता जनाएको स्मरण गर्दै अब बल नेपाल सरकारको कोर्टमा रहेको राईले बताए ।
गोर्खा सैनिकले सन् १८१६ देखि प्रत्येक सैन्य मोर्चामा ब्रिटिस साम्राज्यको पक्षबाट लडाईं लड्दै १३ भिक्टोरिया क्रस, दुई जर्ज क्रससहित ६ हजार ५ सय ठूला तक्माहरू पाएका छन् । तर, हजारौंको संख्यामा तक्मा तथा बहादुरीका विभूषण पाएका गोर्खा बराबरी पेन्सन तथा अन्य सुविधाको विषयमा भने ठगिँदै आएका छन् ।
मन्त्री लांककास्टरले नै जीटुजी द्विपक्षीय वार्तामा चासो राखेका थिए । गोर्खा सैनिकहरूको रेजिमेन्ट बाँडफाँडलाई केन्द्रित गरेर गरिएको सम्झौतालाई बेलायतको ‘रोयल कोर्ट अफ जस्टिस’ले ३० सेप्टेम्बर २००८ मा अमानवीय, अन्यायपूर्ण र अवैधानिक ठहर गरिसकेपछि नेपाल र बेलायतबीच द्विपक्षीय सम्झौताको कुरा उठान भएको हो । बेलायतले एउटा सार्वभौम नागरिकको रूपमा गोर्खा सैनिकहरूलाई समानताको सिद्धान्तका आधारमा व्यवहार गर्ने जनाएको हो ।
त्यसो त गोर्खा भूतपूर्व सैनिक संघ (गेसो)को आन्दोलनपछि पेन्सनमा केही वृद्धि गरिए पनि भूतपूर्व गोर्खा सैनिकले गोरा सैनिकको तुलनामा धेरैगुणा कम पेन्सन पाइरहेका भन्दै ऐतिहासिक अन्यायसमेतको क्षर्तिपूर्ति हुने गरी पेन्सन दिइनुपर्नेमा अडिग थिए ।
गत वर्ष सेवानिवृत्त गोर्खा सैनिकहरूको समस्या अध्यायन गर्न बनेको त्रिपक्षीय प्राविधिक समितिले तयार पारेको अन्तिम प्रतिवेदनका अनुसार २२ वर्ष नोकरी पूरा गरेका ब्रिटिस गोर्खा सिपाहीले ब्रिटिस सिपाही समान दर्जाअनुसारको पूर्ण पेन्सन पाउनुपर्ने, २१ वर्ष उमेरपछि १६ वर्ष नोकरी पूरा गरेका ब्रिटिस गोर्खा अफिसरले ब्रिटिस अफिसर समान दर्जा अनुसारको पूर्ण पेन्सन पाउनु पर्ने, १५ वर्ष नोकरी पूरा गरेका ब्रिटिस गोर्खा सिपाहीले ब्रिटिस सिपाहीले पाउने २२ वर्षको पेन्सनको अनुपातिक १५ वर्षको पेन्सन दर्जा अनुसारले पाउनुपर्ने, अप्रेसनल ड्युटीमा मारिएका, मरेका र घाइते भएका ब्रिटिस गोर्खाले ब्रिटिस समान लिबरल र डीसएबिलिटी (घाइते) पेन्सन पाउनु पर्ने साथै अन्य पेन्सनहरू जस्तैः बिधवा, मेडिकलआदि सबैखाले पेन्सनहरू ब्रिटिस सिपाहीसमान पाउनुपर्ने, सन् १९७५ अघि नोकरीबाट बर्खास्त गरिएकाहरूले क्षतिपूर्ति एकमुष्ट रकम पाउनुपर्ने, सन् १९७५ पछि नोकरीबाट बर्खास्त गरिएकाहरूले ब्रिटिस सिपाही समान प्रिजर्भड पेन्सन पाउनु पर्ने, ब्रिटिस गोर्खा सिपाहीले बेलायतमा रहदा नेसनल इन्स्योरेन्स (राष्ट्रिय बिमा) तिरेको र मलाया, हङकङ र नेपालमा रहँदा ब्रिटिस सिपाही समान तलब नदिएको हुँदा ‘स्टेट पेन्सन’ पाउनु पर्ने, ब्रिटिस गोर्खा सिपाहीको पेन्सन ब्रिटिस सिपाही समान तुरुन्त बनाउनु पर्ने, ब्रिटिस गोर्खाहरूलाई ऐतिहसिक अन्याय भएको हुँदा अन्यायको क्षतिपूर्तिका लागि सद्भावना पेमेन्ट (गुडवील पेमेन्ट) दर्जा र नोकरीको अवधि अनुसार पाउनुपर्ने, पेन्सन वा बर्खास्त भएका तर मरिसकेका ब्रिटिस गोर्खाका छोराछोरीहरूले सद्भावना पेमेन्ट (गुडवील पेमेन्ट) पाउनुपर्ने, ब्रिटिस रक्षा मन्त्रालयले ब्रिटिस गोर्खाहरूको लागि मेडिकल सुबिधा इन्डियन गोर्खाहरूले नेपालमा पाएको समान मेडिकल सुविधा दिनुपर्ने, ३० वर्ष भन्दामाथि उमेरका ब्रिटिस गोर्खाका छोराछोरी सबैलाई बेलायती आवासीय भिसा दिइनुपर्ने, भूतपूर्व ब्रिटिस गोर्खा र परिवारलाई ९० दिन नेपाल बस्न पाउने सुविधा पाउनु पर्ने तथा भूतपूर्व ब्रिटिस गोर्खाहरूले पाउने पेन्सन सुबिधा नेपाल राष्ट्र बैंकमा जाने व्यवस्था मिलाउनु पर्नेलगायतका बुँदा प्रतिवेदनमा समेटिएका छन् ।
भूतपूर्व गोर्खाहरूले बेलायत सरकारबाट पाउने पेन्सन नेपाल राष्ट्र बैंकमार्फत पाउनुपर्ने माग राख्दै हालसम्म गोर्खा सैनिकहरूले अवकास प्राप्त गरेपछि पाउने पेन्सन ‘भारतीय रिजर्भ बैंक’ मार्फत नेपाल पठाइने गरिएको छ । राईका अनुसार यसले गोर्खा सैनिकहरूलाईमात्र होइन मुलुकको अर्थतन्त्र र स्वाधिनतामा समेत आँच आउने काम गरेको छ । यो रकम सिधै नेपाल आउँदा देशको परिवत्र्य विदेशी मुद्रा संचितिमा पनि योगदान गर्ने गोर्खाहरूको तर्क छ ।

Department of Passport receives ISO certification

The Department of Passport under the Foreign Ministry has become the first government agency to be accredited with the ISO standards.
The International Organisation for Standarisation has accredited the department with the ISO 9001: 2015 certificate for being able to maintain international standards in the preparation, certification and distribution of passports.
Unveiling the ‘ISO 9001:2015’ certificate at a programme held at the department today, deputy prime minister and foreign minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara said that it was a matter of pride that the department was the first government agency to be honoured with the ISO certification.
Stating that the certification was a result of the dedication, efficiency and awareness of quality service of the department employees, Mahara directed the employees to work with a goal to maintain the achievement, and attain higher goals. "The government must work hard as it has to be prepared to issue e-passports,” he said.
Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi, on the occasion, said the accreditation was a result of increased transparency, professionalism and effectiveness, and expressed the hope that the feat would inspire other government agencies.
National Bureau of Standards and Metrology director general Biswababu Pudasaini lauded the department for the achievement, while calling for continued action to maintain it.

Government concerned over Indian blockade

Nepal has officially showed concern over 'India-imposed blockade' since last four days that has made the lives of Nepalis hard.
Foreign Ministry today – releasing a press note – said that the government is concerned over 'undue delay on the movement and clearance of cargo vehicles resulting in significant decrease in the flow of essential goods to Nepal from India via different border checkpoints for last few days.'
"It decreased flow has been noted particularly since September 23, whereas the security situation in Tarai has remained the same for more than a month and now has been improving gradually,” the ministry said in a statement.
Minister for Health and Population Khaga Raj Adhikari – who is officiating foreign
minister in an absence of foreign minister Mahendra Pandey – during his meeting with ambassador of India to Nepal at the Foreign Ministry in Singha Durbar yesterday, had informed about the fact and requested for necessary cooperation from Indian government for early release of cargo vehicles stuck at border checkpoints on the Indian side, according to the ministry.
A handful of vehicles – with perishable goods – were allowed to enter Nepal through Mechi and Dhangadhi check point. "Due to the blockade, Nepalis have begun to feel shortage of daily supplies on the eve of festive season,” the ministry said, further adding that as many as 29 cargo vehicles carrying perishable goods had managed to enter Nepal yesterday and the day before through Bhairahawa checkpoint.
The ministry also informed that 17 cargo vehicles, including three with petroleum products, through Mechi checkpoint and 25 cargo vehicles, including 20 with petroleum products, through Dhangadhi check point could enter Nepal, today.
"The situation of supply, however, has not improved ever since," it said, adding, "Not a single cargo vehicle could enter Nepal through Biratnagar, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Krishnanagar and Nepalgunj checkpoints until 5 pm today."
India has – showing its displeasure over promulgation of constitution through Constituent Assembly (CA) on September 20 – blocked cargo vehicles, including petroleum products, despite agreement to supply petroleum products to Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the sole supplier of petroleum products to Nepal. India sent a 7-point recommendation to add in the constitution, which Nepali leaders rejected. The Indian bureaucracy has taken the issue as its prestige issue and entered into ego-war with a tiny landlocked neighbour Nepal.
"Hundreds of vehicles carrying petroleum products and other essential goods are awaiting clearance to enter Nepal on the Indian side of the border,” the statement added, “Tankers have not been filled up with petroleum products."
Large number of vehicles have not been allowed to enter the Indian side and due to which people in Nepali side have begun to feel shortage of daily supplies on the eve of festive season, the statement further read. "Given the friendly relations existing between the two countries, Nepal sincerely hopes that the India will take all necessary steps at the earliest to ensure uninterrupted entry of vehicles carrying essential supplies, including petroleum products, to Nepal as before. It also reiterated that there would not be any problem inside the Nepali territory for the transport vehicles and their personnel since arrangements are already in place for their security.
Though not permitting transit right to a landlocked country like Nepal is a breach of freedom of transit rights of landlocked countries. If India continues to impose embargo on Nepal, Nepal can lodge complaints in the multilateral trade mechanism as it is the right of landlocked country. The transit and free supply of consumables is Nepal’s right and India should facilitate it without any hindrance, according to the multilateral and bilateral agreement.

Anti-Money Laundering case gone wrong

A man claims 'illegal money' in the US Court, dupes Nepal's finance ministry, foreign ministry and central bank easily and 'gets away' with $1 million, almost.
Its not the case of poor communication between the authorities rather a case of how deep the coruption is rooted in the bureaucracy and how one can 'influnce' the ministries and even the central bank.
Though, the central bank is still silence on the issue, the finance ministry has asked the Nepali embassy in Washington to get the detailed information on the case and forward the report to the US Court that the ministry sent today through courier.
The US Court had asked central bank and finance ministry on the claim of Asim Khatri Chhetri (KC) but the responsible authorities never received the letter.
"It proves that strong lobbying of KC inside the central bank and finance ministry," a senior central bank official said, adding that the letter never reached central bank governor or finance secretary but made its way back to the US Court that gave verdict on the basis of the
However, today the ministry has directed Nepali embassy in washington DC to hold talks with the US authority and clarify the government's stand on the case that is a clear case of money laundering.
In his petition to the US Court, KC had sought retrieval of the money he paid to Wu Lixian, a Chinese national for supplying logistics to the Nepal Army and Nepal Police.
The money was received in 2008 by Nepal Bangladesh Bank, Bhaisepati branch in the account of Chinese national Wu. But the bank suspecting something fishy reported the central bank instead of paying it to him.
"Neither the purchase has been made in Nepal nor the goods were delivered in Nepal," the finance ministry said, adding that the money has been however transferred to Nepal in a Nepali bank. "It is a clear case of Anti-Money Laundering but handled in a most unfortunate way."
But, this time around KC has 'almost' received the money after the US Court in New York issued a verdict in his favour two weeks ago.
Based on the court's verdict, Chase Bank that made the payment on July 14, 2008 had deducted $1 million from an account of Nepal Rastra Bank in New York to make the payment.

Revenue and Anti-Money Laundering Department gets cases
KATHMANDU: After the Anti-Money Laundering Act came into effect, the Revenue and Anti-Money Laundering Department has investigated 62 case. "Of them, three are finalised," said Mahesh Prasad Dahal, director general of the department. "Of the three also, one was fined Rs 600,000 as he could not provide the source of income of Rs 300,000," he said, adding that the remaining two got clean chit from the Special Court.