[Reader-list] Now a Nepali ID card- are we witnessing an ID-Cards Ripple Effect?

[Taha Mehmood]

Dear All

That the Indian ID card exercise is being sold as a 'unique', a
'grandiose', and a 'historical' project in human identification is
something which needs to be thought through very carefully. Especially
now, when one sees one more country in the South Asian region
expressing a desire to identify all its citizens. The move though, has
begun on predictable lines. The arguments though, are also
predictable. The initial category of social groups to be verified and
coded will of course be the poor and the non-residents Nepali
citizens.

The two relevant portions, which pertains to identity cards, of this
rather long speech made in the Nepali parliament, on July 09th 2009,
introducing Nepal government’s Policies and programmes for the fiscal
year 2010/2011, are reproduced below for your perusal-

-Distribution of ‘State-Privileged Identity Cards’ will be initiated
in order to raise the living standards of families living below the
poverty line, and priority will be given Identity Card while providing
services by the Government authorities including in education, health,
food, employment etc.-

-Arrangements will be made for severe punishment to prohibit
kidnapping, rape, drug- trafficking, allegations of witchcraft,
untouchability, etc. Necessary steps will be taken to eliminate the
social evils like the dowry system. Arrangements will be made for the
protection of the rights and interests of the Nepalese migrant workers
and investment of their skill and capital into the country will be
encouraged. Non-resident Nepalese will be provided with special
identity cards and encouraged to take part in the development campaign
of Nepal.-

One has to bear in mind, that both the neighbors of India, Pakistan
and Bangladesh has already got their national identity cards. The
arguments presented in favor of introducing it must have been similar
and as we can perhaps see that with god's grace,
shukr-e-alhumdo-lillah- there is hardly any problem related to
security, terrorism, illegal immigrants in these nations. Moreover we
can also see that all government schemes are functioning properly, and
there is no problem at all related to hunger or distribution of foods
and other essential commodities.

It goes without saying the vibrant democracy is thriving in both these
countries and the overall happiness of all citizens has seen a marked
increase in the years since the identity card was introduced. One must
of course view skeptically what media reports, for I am sure there
would be hundreds of thousands of leaflets, booklets and pamphlets
which documents other views pertaining to 'critical' public discourse
also.

I would of course keep a track of the development of ID story in
Nepal, however I would be deeply grateful to any member of the list
who could kindly share with us any story which relates to how the
discourse related to ID cards is unfolding in their respective
countries. And while we are at it, may I suggest a caveat too - No
literature regarding pamphlets, booklets, and/or leaflets please,
although it would be nice to have a look at them now and then, but the
urgent need of the hour is get the perspective of big media and the
State first.

There is view that, logic of industrialization is becoming more
apparent with every passing government agreeing to a national
identification drive, just like an individual consumer can 'taste' the
same burger everywhere in the world irrespective of who produces it,
where it is produced, how many cycles it goes through and so on, now
it seems that the governments all over the world can 'taste' the same
power too- of having total control over the most fundamental knowledge
concerning people- who the State wants to see and identify as
'citizens' ; irrespective of who makes the technology, who processes
the information, who cashes the bill, who packages the identity card
and who distributes it. I just wish that things were as simple and as
clear as they appear to be.

With warm regards and love towards all

Taha









 Nepal government’s Policies and programmes for the fiscal year 2010/2011


July 09th 2009. - Nepal government’s Policies and programmes for the
fiscal year 2010/2011

Rt. Hon Speaker,

It gives me pleasure to present before this Legislative Parliament the
Policies and Programmes for the fiscal year 2066/067 on behalf of the
coalition Government constituted with a view to creating a just,
equal, strong, independent and prosperous Nepal while undertaking the
obligation to write a new constitution reflecting the spirit of the
historic People's Movement and the people’s aspirations through the
Constituent Assembly within the stipulated time-frame by strengthening
mutual dialogue, consensus and collaboration. We have entered a new
era of the Federal Democratic Republic by ending the aged old feudal
monarchy and overcoming the long, difficult and historic phases of the
struggle. As I address the Legislative Parliament for the second time
in my capacity as President of the Republic of Nepal, I would like to
recall the various aspects of the lives and struggles of the activists
of the movement who fought to build a democratic and just Nepal. At
this historic moment, I offer my respectful tributes to all the
martyrs who have sacrificed their invaluable life for the cause of the
nation.

Likewise, I also offer my deep respects to the wounded freedom
fighters. I would also like to put stress on the need for eliminating
the unimaginable agonies of the disappeared, displaced and
conflict-affected families. It has been more than a year when the
Constituent Assembly was elected by the sovereign people of Nepal for
writing a new constitution. More than two years have elapsed since the
Comprehensive Peace Accord was signed with the commitment to move
forward towards sustainable peace and democracy by ending the series
of violence and counter-violence. However, the responsibilities to
take the peace process to a positive conclusion, to undertake the
restructuring of the State, and to write the new constitution through
the Constituent Assembly have yet to be accomplished.

Rt. Hon. Speaker, National consensus among the political parties is
extremely important to attain the epoch-making transformations sought
by the people. The Government is committed to establish constitutional
supremacy, to ensure the rule of law and good governance, to implement
the understandings and agreements and to take the peace process to a
positive conclusion by eliminating anarchy, insecurity and impunity.
Making a new constitution within the stipulated time-frame on the
basis of national consensus, restructuring of the state, ending
feudalism and achieving rapid economic development together with
socio-economic transformation are the main priorities of the
Government. Border security will be strengthened by consolidating
Nepal's sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity. Laws
and regulations will be changed to institutionalize the Federal
Democratic Republic. The Government will expedite and facilitate the
work of the state restructuring commission created to assist the
Constituent Assembly in institutionalizing federalism. Property
belonging to the former royal family, both within the country and
abroad, will be investigated and utilized for the good of the nation.
Constitutional supremacy, independence of the judiciary, human rights,
civil and fundamental rights, press freedom, the rule of law,
democratic system based on multi-party competition and the fundamental
rights of the oppressed class, caste, region, gender and communities
will be guaranteed.

Crimes and anarchy prevalent in the society will be controlled by
strengthening the law and order situation, and impunity will be
eliminated. A code of conduct will be developed and enforced so as to
make all State mechanisms including the administration and the
security agencies impartial and accountable in order to guarantee
safety and security to the people. Arrangements will be made to
address the security grievances of the people instantly by launching a
campaign “Peace and Security: Expectations of the People”.

The civil administration, Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police
and other security agencies will be run on the basis of the prevailing
laws in order to ensure the rule of law and good governance. They will
be kept away and free from party politics. The civil service and the
security agencies will be made impartial, professionally efficient,
and accountable to the people.

A special plan will be implemented to stop the acts of obstructing
major roads and essential services in the name of “bandhs” (closures)
by forging national consensus. A system of third-party insurance will
be implemented to end road obstructions owing to traffic accidents and
such road obstructions will be cleared by rapid deployment of security
agencies.

A special policy will be adopted to guarantee peace and security in
the districts, to ensure justice and good governance, to implement
development plans in time and with the required quality standard, and
to make the district administration and police chiefs efficient and
accountable to monitor the construction works. The agreements made by
the Government of Nepal with the Madhesi People's Rights Forum and the
United Democratic Madhesi Front will be implemented. However, a
high-level monitoring committee will be formed to monitor the status
of implementation of agreements with various parties while leaving all
matters related to the constitution to be decided by the Constituent
Assembly itself.

The process of inclusion in all State organs and levels of women,
Dalits, indigenous groups, Madhesi and inhabitants of the Terai,
indigenous groups of the Terai including Tharus, Muslims, minorities,
people with disabilities and the people of the backward regions will
be carried forward on the basis of social justice and in a forward
looking manner. The inclusion-related Bill currently under
consideration of the Legislative Parliament will be moved forward. A
high-level commission will be formed to define, identify and respect
the martyrs. A systematic record of individuals who have attained
martyrdom at different times will be maintained. Attention will be
given to the development of the various regions where fighters of the
democratic movement had sacrificed their lives.

The Commission on the Investigation of Abuse of Authority and other
agencies related to judicial administration will be strengthened to
control corruption effectively. Additional legal and institutional
arrangements will be made to stop irregularities at all levels of the
State. Procrastination will be ended by establishing transparency and
accountability.

National consensus will be forged to hold elections of the local
bodies. Interim arrangement as per the constitutional provision will
be made to run the local bodies until elections are held. Agreements
made by the Government with the different political parties in the
past and the commitments made in parliament will be implemented.
Reports of various inquiry commissions and committees will be made
public and their recommendations expeditiously implemented.

All legitimate demands put forward by the workers, peasants, women,
youths, students, teachers, professors, intellectuals, doctors,
engineers, lawyers, civil servants, journalists, entrepreneurs,
cultural artists, the landless, the squatters, the conflict-affected,
the displaced, freed bonded labours (Kamaiyas), the Haliyas, Badis,
and the disabled will be gradually fulfilled through mutual dialogue.
The supervision, integration and rehabilitation of the combatants of
the Maoist army and management of arms will be done in accordance with
the provisions of agreements including the Comprehensive Peace Accord
signed between the Government of Nepal and the Communist Party of
Nepal (Maoist). The supervision, integration and rehabilitation of the
combatants of the Maoist army will be carried out prior to the
completion of the task of writing the new constitution. The national
security policy will be formulated in keeping with the suggestions of
the Legislative-Parliament and political consensus. The national peace
and rehabilitation commission, the high-level truth and reconciliation
commission, the high-level state structuring suggestions commission,
the commission for the investigation of the disappeared will be
constituted/re-constituted. The act of monitoring of implementation
and compliance of the understandings and agreements will be done by
the national peace and rehabilitation commission. All kinds of
conflicts and problems that have come up in the Terai-Madhes and some
other parts of the country will be resolved through talks and
dialogue. However, violent and criminal activities will not be
tolerated.

Relief and rehabilitation works will be undertaken for the benefit of
the conflict-affected and displaced people. Construction of 'Health
Shelters’, one each in the five development regions, will be initiated
for the care of the conflict-affected senior citizens. A Sarjak Ashram
will be established in Kathmandu for the respect and security of the
senior national figures.

Priority will be given to mechanisms which are capable of providing
quick services to the people and which have multiple uses, while
special priority will be given to the reconstruction of the physical
infrastructures damaged during the conflict.

A People’s Movement and Martyrs Memorial Museum will be established in
Gokarna, Kathmandu. Planned development of the Narayanhiti Museum will
be made. Construction of the Republic Monument will be completed. A
national ethnic museum will be established in Champadevi, Kathmandu.
The State will help establish ethnic museums in different districts
covering all the castes and communities at the initiative and
responsibility of the local people. The State will give special
attention to preserve the culture and heritage of the Terai-Madhesh,
the Hills and the Mountains.

Rt. Hon. Speaker, Families of those who were killed or disappeared
during the conflict and who have not yet received relief assistance
will be given relief assistance, and the act of rehabilitating the
displaced will be carried forward. Those whose property has been
forcibly seized as well as those whose property has been proven to
have been damaged but have not yet received compensation will be given
compensation. A special fund will be established for the rescue,
relief, rehabilitation and assistance to those who have been affected
by violence and conflict and are displaced. In order to provide direct
relief to the people of the affected region, programs involving
people’s participation will be undertaken. Those who were wounded in
course of different movements but have not received appropriate
treatment will be provided treatment facilities. Those who were
physically disabled will be given compensation.

Price rise will be controlled by increasing the supply of food items
and other daily necessities. Price Cartelling in essential commodities
and the syndicate system in the transportation sector will be
abolished. Public distribution system will be strengthened so as to
make the essential commodities available at affordable prices to the
squatters and people living below the poverty line. Necessary
arrangements will be made to ensure the rights and interests of the
consumers. Relief and rehabilitation works for the people affected by
the Koshi floods will be made effective. High priority will be given
to the reconstruction of the Koshi dam so as to minimize the risks.
Necessary steps will be taken to provide relief to the people of the
far west and other parts of the country seriously affected by floods
and landslides.

In order to consolidate the political achievements made by the country
through the historic People's Movement and to strengthen the national
economy on the basis of the principles of welfare state and make it
socialism-oriented and people-oriented, emphasis will be given on the
public, cooperative and private sector partnerships. While focusing
development efforts on reducing poverty, unemployment, backwardness,
inequality and dependence, economic and social policies and programmes
based on social justice, economic growth and distributive justice will
be adopted. The slogan ‘Cooperatives in Villages and Cities, and
Employment at Every Household’ will be realized.

Distribution of ‘State-Privileged Identity Cards’ will be initiated in
order to raise the living standards of families living below the
poverty line, and priority will be given Identity Card while providing
services by the Government authorities including in education, health,
food, employment etc.

Employment will be gradually established as a fundamental right of the
citizen. Employment opportunities will be expanded through the medium
of the public, cooperative and private sectors. An ‘Employment
Guarantee Program’ will be carried out by the State to ensure at least
100 days of employment each year to people living below the poverty
line. Necessary laws and regulations for this will be formulated.

With a view to establishing social justice, ensuring equitable
distribution of the factors of production and achieving economic
growth, scientific land reforms programme will be implemented to
maintain access of local landless and tenant farmers to land. The
problem of land trust (Guthi) will be resolved. Special attention will
be paid to the socio-economic uplifting of the agriculture labour,
freed bonded labour, landless and squatters. Food security policy will
be implemented.

Nine programs consisting of education for all and literacy, health,
safe drinking water, small irrigation, small and cottage industry,
skill-oriented training and employment, intensive afforestation, small
hydroelectricity and local road will be effectively undertaken.
Agriculture sector that has been the foundation of livelihood, income
and employment of the majority of the people will be transformed from
the current 'agriculture for subsistence' into 'agriculture for
sustainable development'. Emphasis will be laid on enhancing
production pursuant to 'One Village, One Product' policy. Farmers will
be provided concessions with regard to necessary fertilizer, seed,
agricultural tools, cold storage and irrigation-related electricity
tariff. Private sector will be encouraged to establish livestock
farms. Perspective plan for agriculture development will be
implemented. Provision of subsidy will be made with regard to the
price and transportation of chemical fertilizers as well as commercial
production of organic fertilizers. While discouraging the
fragmentation of agriculture land, programs of consolidated farming
through cooperatives will be encouraged. In order to ensure that the
farmers get appropriate price for their products, agricultural
wholesale market based on cooperatives will be expanded. For the
qualitative enhancement of agriculture production and productivity,
special priority will be accorded to the implementation of small and
medium-sized irrigation projects. Big irrigation projects will be
implemented as multi-purpose projects. Sunkoshi-Kamala Diversion and
Bheri-Babai Diversion will be undertaken in this context. River
training programs will be launched as a campaign to protect loss of
lives and property, to generate employment as well as to promote
resettlement programs for the landless people by reclaiming the land.

With a view to developing necessary physical infrastructure required
to attract the private sector in the overall economic development and
industrialization of the country, the role of government will be made
effective. While ensuring industrial peace, new industrial policy will
be implemented to create conducive environment for investment.
Industrial security force will be constituted for the safety of
industrial zones. Board of investment will be established under the
chairmanship of the Prime Minister for the smooth and expeditious
implementation of decisions relating to the private sector investment
of national significance. Common people's access to ownership of
shares in the projects to be constructed under public sector
investment as well as other public enterprizes will be made easier.
Delivery of services by the public enterprizes will be made less
expensive, easier and effective by introducing management reforms.
Nepal Airlines Corporation will be operated under public-private
partnership.

With a view to ensuring uninterrupted supply of electricity in the
country in the long-run as well as promoting its export in the future,
programs for the development of energy including hydro electricity
will be initiated as an important basis for national development.
Long-term policy will be adopted for the mobilization of national,
foreign, private, bilateral as well as multilateral investments. The
existing policies as well institutional arrangements will be reformed
for this purpose. The local people's access to and participation in
hydroelectricity projects will be ensured. High priority will be
accorded to the implementation of rural electrification programs and
'Bright Nepal Campaign' will be launched with the expansion of solar
energy as well as micro and small hydropower projects.

Policy and programs relating to the resolution of energy crisis will
be implemented effectively. In order to reduce power shortage
especially during the dry season capacity of the existing power houses
will be enhanced and short-term policy of operating the thermal plants
in full capacity will be adopted. High priority with national resolve
will be accorded to the expeditious implementation of some large scale
hydropower projects.

Construction works of East-West railway and Hulaki road in
Terai-Madhesh will be initiated. The task of linking District
Headquarters with road will be undertaken with priority. Mid-hilly
road as well as Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali corridor road projects
connecting Nepal-India border to Nepal's border with Tibet in China
will be initiated. A fast track connecting Kathmandu to Terai as well
as Dharan-Chatara-Gaighat-Hetauda Road, Seti highway and Rapti highway
will be constructed. Construction work of a bridge over Koshi river at
Chatara will be initiated. Projection of resources will be made along
with 3-year expenditure plan with a view to ensuring resources for
high-priority project and programmes as well as to continue
development and construction works through 'multiyear contract'
system,. In order to enhance the competitiveness of the contract
system, arrangements will be made for submission of tender bids
electronically to multiple centers. Public Procurement Act will be
reviewed to check corruption and enhance effectiveness of construction
works through reform in public procurement and construction system.

The concept of Public-Private partnership will be adopted in the
construction and operation of big infrastructure projects. The
existing laws and rules will be reviewed to promote private sector
investment in infrastructure. National and foreign investment will be
encouraged in the development of infrastructure under
build-operate-transfer scheme.

Emphasis will be givenon the balanced development of Terai-Madhesh,
Hill, Mountain as well as of villages and cities. Special programs
will be launched and mechanism will be established for the development
of backward regions including Karnali. To carry out a comprehensive
study of mid and far-western regions lagging behind in terms of
development and opportunity, a Commission will be constituted and
special programmes will be implemented.

Natural, social and cultural resources and heritage of the country
will be preserved. With a view to contributing to the economic
development, special incentives will be offered to programs in the
areas of religious, cultural, rural, health and educational tourism.
Construction works of international airport at Nijgadh as well as of
regional airports at Pokhara and Lumbini will be initiated. Other
airports in operation will be upgraded.

'Nepal Tourism Year- 2011' program will be successfully implemented.
Emphasis will be laid on the identification and development of new
tourism spots and products as well as on the conduct of promotional
activities in the tourist generating locations also in partnership
with the private sector. New strategy will be formulated for the
promotion of domestic, regional as well as international tourism, and
Nepal Tourism Board will be activated to implement it. Air Services
Agreements will be concluded with additional countries for the
promotion of tourism. Special Economic Zones will be established to
expand the base and competitive strength of exportable items. While
appropriately managing the challenges emerging in industrial and trade
sector on account of bilateral, regional and multilateral trade
treaties and agreements, atmosphere will be created to take advantage
of the available opportunities.

Local Integrated Service Centre, cooperatives as well as depots of the
concerned public enterprizes will be mobilized to ensure supply of
essential products including food, salt, sugar and kerosene in the
remote districts of Hill and Mountain regions. Additional transport
subsidy will be granted to protect the people in remote and
inaccessible hilly regions from soaring prices.

Necessary legal framework will be prepared and implemented to involve
private sector in the business of petroleum products to make the
supply and distribution of petroleum products competitive, smooth and
systematic. Forest area will be expanded by launching afforestation
programme as a campaign so as to promote livestock development,
promoting conservation of resources and ecosystem. Community forest
programs will be encouraged in view of its contribution to the
protection of environment. In Terai-Madhesh, the concept of
'partnership forest' will also be introduced in accordance with the
demand of the local people. Arrangements will be made for the public
audit for the institutional development of community and partnership
forest. Special programs will be undertaken to minimize environment
pollution and deforestation in view of the environmental degradation,
imbalance and global warming.

Intensive forest management program will be conducted for the
commercialization as well as enhancement of productivity of forest
resources. Open space in the forest area will be made available to the
poor people living below the poverty line as a leasehold forest for
their subsistence and employment. 'Mechi Mahakali Integrated Chure
Protection Action Plan' will be formulated and implemented for the
protection of Chure and Shivalik region. The existing Act and Rules
will be amended with a view to encouraging investment in rearing
selected wild animals and birds as well as in promoting investment in
production and processing of herbs and herbal products.

With a view to minimizing the effects of climate change on different
sectors including agriculture sector, climate change-related policy
and national adaptation program will be formulated and implemented
within the next Fiscal Year. A climate change-related Action Plan
Preparation Committee will be constituted under the chairmanship of
the Prime Minister. While emphasizing the concept of sustainable and
clean development, high priority will be accorded to renewable energy
to generate green employment. For this, rural energy subsidy policy
will be continued in the next Fiscal Year with further improvement.

Financial sector reform programmes will be undertaken. Strict action
will be taken to the willful defaulters of bank loans. Programmes to
encourage good debtors will be undertaken. Additional legal
arrangements will be introduced for the regulation of savings and
credit cooperatives. Crops and livestock insurance programmes will be
expanded through micro insurance services. Necessary legal
arrangements will be made for this purpose.

Regulatory and supervisory capacity of Nepal Rastra Bank will be
further strengthened. In order to protect the deposit of small
individual depositors, compulsory insurance of certain amount of
savings and fixed deposit by Banks and Financial Institutions will be
introduced. Access to modern banking services will be expanded in the
rural areas.

Free and compulsory education programmes will be undertaken gradually
up to secondary level. National literacy campaign will be implemented
with necessary changes. National literacy campaign will be implemented
with necessary amendments. Special emphasis will be laid on the
qualitative, employment-oriented, vocational and technical education
accessible to the people. Primary and informal education in mother
tongue will be expanded.

School sector reform programs will be effectively implemented to make
the basic education qualitative. The level of assistance of the State,
participation and accountability of the community in the management of
community schools will be increased to enhance the quality of
school-level education. Promotion of quality education and capacity
building through institutionalization of the collaboration between
public and private sectors will be encouraged. The process of
establishment of Universities which have been granted approval in
principle, in the past, in accordance with the concept of
multi-university will be carried forward. Emphasis will be laid on the
enhancement of quality education by reviewing the existing structure
of Tribhuban University. Necessary legal, institutional and
infrastructure arrangements will be made for the establishment of
Poly-technic University. With a view to ensuring access of all
citizens to technical education and vocational training, additional
training units, also with participation of private sector, will be
established and resources will be mobilized. Arrangements for 'child
protection subsidy' will be made on behalf of the State for the
nurturing and healthy development of children as future stars. This
facility, initially to be granted to the families of oppressed,
endangered and marginalized ethnic groups and it will be gradually
extended to cover all children. Primary and basic health will be
ensured as a fundamental right of the people. With a view to making
health services easy and accessible to the people, investment in the
rural health programmes will be enhanced and monitoring the services
under such investment will be strengthened. Policies to encourage
community and cooporative health programmes will be pursued.
Preparations will be made for the implementation of 'Health Insurance
Programme'. Arrangements will be made for the free treatment of the
people below poverty line suffering from complicated diseases. Special
incentive programmes will be introduced to ensure the presence of
health workers in remote and backward areas.

New programs will be initiated in the area of reproductive health
under the banner of 'Safe Motherhood, Women's Right'. Additional
programs will be initiated to minimize malnutrition as well as
maternal and infant mortality rates. Free maternity services will be
expanded and incentives will be provided to make use of pre and
post-delivery health care services. Arrangements for Twenty four-hour
maternity services will be made in the health posts. Mobile services
will also be provided for the benefit of the women suffering from
prolapse of uterus. Incentive programmes for the women health
volunteers will be undertaken.

With a view to enhancing the access of the poor citizens of the urban
areas to health services, arrangement for the establishment of
additional health institutions and strengthening of the existing
institutions and additional women health volunteers will be made on
the basis of population and geography in coordination with the local
bodies. Naturopathy, Yoga, Ayurvedic, Homeopathic, Yunani, Acupuncture
and Amchi services will be promoted under the alternative medical
therapy.

Under social security scheme, the social security progarmmes will be
made available to the senior citizens, widows, endangered ethnic and
indigenous groups, Dalits, disabled and fully incapacitated persons
will be expanded. Budget and people’s participation will be enhanced
in programmes related to drinking water, sanitation, and construction
of rural infrastructure. The construction works of the Melamchi
Drinking Water Project will be completed within the stipulated
timeframe with high priority. In order to enhance the quality of
services to be provided by drinking water and sanitation related
projects, the participation of the private sector will be encouraged.
Emphasis will be laid on the maximum utilization of rain water
harvesting.

Special focus will be given on the problems related to the sanitation
and traffic management system of Kathmandu and a comprehensive reform
package will be undertaken for the improvement. The use of plastic
bags will be prohibited in some designated areas and this will be
gradually expanded to other areas.

In order to protect the Bagmati civilization, the resources of Bagmati
areas will be protected and the construction of the Bagmati Corridor
will be expedited. Additional programmes will be carried out for the
religious and cultural development of Pashupati, Janakpur and Lumbini
areas. Operating businesses in the vicinity of religious sites will be
discouraged.

Arrangements of low cost “People's Residences” for the highly backward
community, poor dalits, endangered ethnic groups and marginalized
communities will be made. This programme will be gradually expanded to
other communities. To provide social security to the elderly people,
old-age homes will be constructed immediately in five development
regions. The government will extend its support to the organizations
and communities involved in this field.

Necessary reforms will be made in the Labour Act so as to guarantee
professional rights and protection of labourers as well as to enhance
the productivity of industries and businesses. The foreign employment
will be made systematic and easily accessible to general public.
Priority shall be given to co-operative programmes for generating
self-employment and self relience for rural women.

In accordance with the policy of the devolution of power, the capacity
of local bodies will be stregnthened. The programme, “Build Our
Village Ourselves”, will be pushed forward in order to make
development projects at grass-root level more participatory. A policy
of devolving power to local bodies, except those which should be done
by the Centre itself, will be adopted. In order to make creative
development of the youth force, an action plan on ‘Youth Empowerment’
will be undertaken in line with the National Youth Policy. The youth
will be deployed in various development activities as volunteers and
the youth self-employment programmes will be carried out as a
campaign. The youth will be mobilized on nationwide basis to undertake
local development, social mobilization, monitoring of development
programmes as well as for ending social evils. Programmes targeted to
the youth will be taken to the villages by forming a ‘National Youth
Council’. Support will be provided for the personality development of
talented youth in different sectors exploring the latent talency in
the children.

A new Sports Policy will be implemented for the development of sports
sector. Physical infrastructures will be developed and improved, and a
wide-ranging development and expansion of the sports will be
undertaken from school level. The sports sector will be widely
extended on the basis of a slogan, “Sports for Healthy Life and
National Pride”. A programme for finding talents in sports will be
initiated and special arrangements will be made for the livelihood of
the athletes winning international awards. The state will pay special
attention to respect and protect special talents, who have dedicated
their lives in the diverse fields of literature, music and arts.

Arrangements will be made for severe punishment to prohibit
kidnapping, rape, drug- trafficking, allegations of witchcraft,
untouchability, etc. Necessary steps will be taken to eliminate the
social evils like the dowry system. Arrangements will be made for the
protection of the rights and interests of the Nepalese migrant workers
and investment of their skill and capital into the country will be
encouraged. Non-resident Nepalese will be provided with special
identity cards and encouraged to take part in the development campaign
of Nepal.

A special programme will be carried out to stop brain-drain. Special
arrangement will be made to utilize the remittances for national
development. Appropriate fiscal and monetary policies will be
implemented so as to minimize the empacts of the global economic
recession in Nepal. Programmes will be undertaken to integrate the
returnee Nepalese migrant workers into the labour market of Nepal.
Emphasis will be laid on expanding tax net, adjusting rates,
controlling leakages and strengthening administrative capacity for the
mobilization of internal resources. Arrangement will be made to
provide easy services to taxpayers in all district headquarters. The
tax administration will be made transparent. A policy of mobilizing
foreign aid in accordance with national need, interests and priority
as well as utilizing foreign aid in a transparent and effective manner
will be adopted by reviewing Foreign Aid Policy.

Right Hon'ble Speaker, Despite the progress that Nepal has made
gradually in the area of information and communication sectors, a
large portion of the population has not been able to take advantage of
its multi-dimensional use. The Government will integrate this sector
with the overall development processes by adopting a policy under the
theme, “Knowledge, Information and Communication, Foundation of New
Nepal”. Telephone services will be expanded within this year to all
Village Development Committees. A programme will be initiated with a
mission of extending optical fiber to all district headquarters so as
to provide internet facility in all Village Development Committees. By
introducing qualitative improvement in the traditional postal system,
the services will be diversified through the use of modern information
technology. A programme will be undertaken to develop the Department
of Information as the central information bank of the Government of
Nepal. While making security printing effective, the capacity to get
all security printing works done within the country will be developed.
Stress will be given on the effective implementation of the Rights to
Information Act and the Working Journalist Act. Persons involved in
journalism for long period of time will be specially honoured. The
inclusive programmes run by Radio Nepal and Nepal Television will be
made effective. The publications carried out in different national
languages by Gorkhapatra will be expanded. Encouragement will be given
to the screening of the films contributing to the development and
protection of Nepalese arts and culture. With a view to developing
Nepal as an attractive place for the screening of international films,
the act of developing a film city, equipped with all facilities will
be taken up.

Women's participation with their capacity enhancement will be promoted
in various organs of the state as well as every sector of national
life. Special programmes will be implemented for education, health and
employment of the indigenous and ethnic groups, inhabitants of
Terai/Madhesi, dalits, oppressed, poor, disabled and the people living
in backward regions. Special arrangements will be made for the supply
of food as well as for identification and mobilization of alternative
resources in the food-deficit remote districts including Karnali
region.

Special programmes including social security will be implemented for
the development of dalits, oppressed and backward groups, communities
and areas. The whole country will be declared free from
untouchabibily. A wide spread campaign will be carried out in order to
eliminate the practice of Chhaupadi. Social discrimination and
untouchability against the dalits will be taken as punishable offence
and arrangements for strong action will be made against such offences.
Programmes of positive discrimination will be implemented for the
up-liftment of the dalit community. Additional programmes will be
initiated for social integration.

Ending all kinds of discriminations against women, the laws related
with the control of crimes such as rape, domestic violence, and
trafficking of women will be effectively enforced. "Women Awareness
Programme" will be implemented for rehabilitation, up-liftment and
development of affected women and children from above mentioned social
evils. In order to provide temporary shelter to women displaced by
domestic violence, “Women Shelters” will be established at fifteen
most affected places. Partnership will be forged with Non-governmental
Organizations (NGOs) to this end.

Disabled persons will be given either special training and
opportunities for employment or disability allowances. Social security
will be provided to the elderly, helpless and widows. Priority will be
given for working-age widows for employment. Public places will be
gradually made disabled friendly. All types of discriminations against
religion, language and culture will be eliminated. A national policy
will be formulated and implemented for the protection, utilization and
mobilization of cultural heritage. Arrangements will be made for the
protection of scattered heritages by maintaining their record. The
protection of places enlisted as the World Heritage Sites will be made
effective. A National Commission will be constituted to make
recommendations for the overall welfare and development of various
religious, minority groups and communities.

The rehabilitation works of the freed kamaiyas (bonded labours) will
be made systematic. Necessary steps will be taken for liberation and
rehabilitation of Kamalari and Haliya. Similary, rehabilitation works
of Badi and deuki communities will be initiated after undertaking
comprehensive studies. The efficiency of Nepal Army will be promoted.
The involvement of Nepal Army in the development of infrastructure and
conservation of heritage sites will be continued. The efficiency of
Nepal Army will be enhanced so as to increase their participation in
Peacekeeping missions. Human rights education will be made mandatory
for army personnel's trainings.

In line with the policy of making justice accessible to all, the
process of reforming judicial services will be undertaken. Necessary
legal arrangements will be made to expand the jurisdictions of the
Appellate and District Courts. Promotion and protection of human
rights will be made effective. Based upon the experience gained in the
past elections, procedural reforms will be carried out so as to make
elections free, fair, and credible. The distribution of National
Identity Card will be completed within next year. Arrangements will be
made to reveal the identity of voters through the National Identity
Card by making the voters list more systematic. Necessary arrangements
will be made for a strong and effective role of the Election
Commission.

The state’s foreign policy will be conducted based on the principles
of the UN Charter, Panchasheela, and Non-alignment keeping national
interest on the top. Friendly and cordial relations with neighbouring
countries, particularly with India and China will be further
strengthened on the basis of mutual respect, equality, co-operation
and cordiality. The Nepalese territory will not be allowed to be used
against any neighboring and friendly countries. Concerted efforts will
be made to return the Bhutanese citizens living in Nepal as refugees
to their country with dignity and respect. The relations with other
friendly countries will also be strengthened and expanded. Nepal’s
participation in the UN peacekeeping will be given continuity.

The Nepalese Missions abroad will be equipped with resources so as to
making economic diplomacy more effective. In line with the policy of
expanding diplomatic relations as needed, Nepalese Embassies will be
established in South Africa, Brazil, Canada and Kuwait in the next
fiscal year. In order to protect and promote the rights and interests
of the Nepalese migrant workers and to provide appropriate assistance
to those who are in difficulties, the appointment of Labour Attaches
will be made.

The Government is firm in its belief that the national interests can
be better protected with the unity and consensus among political
parties. While safeguarding the sovereignty, national unity,
territorial integrity, independence and self respect, national
security, foreign policy, utilization of water resources and
mobilization of foreign aid will be made according to the national
interests of Nepal. The treaties and agreements inconsistent with
national interests will be reviewed.

Timely increment will be made on facilities given to civil servants
based upon the recommendations of the High Level Pay Commission in
order to keep the morale of civil servants high, enhance their work
efficiency and re-gain people’s confidence through fair and efficient
administration. The recommendations of the administrative
restructuring commission will be gradually implemented. In order to
increase the efficiency of civil servants, arrangements will be made
to impart training to officials of various levels and classes at least
once in the next five years. Rt. Hon Speaker,

In the background of the historic People's Movement, we had initiated
a peace process of its own kind. The international community is as
much interested in its success as we ourselves are enthusiastic and
serious about it. By realizing the strong interest for peace of the
Nepali people, there is a need for all parties to be responsible for
implementing the understandings and agreements reached at different
times including the Comprehensive Peace Accord. The Government is
fully committed to take the peace process to a positive conclusion.
The Government of Nepal expresses its grateful thanks to the United
Nations and the donor agencies who have assisted in the peace process
and the socio-economic development of Nepal. The Government of Nepal
is confident that it will continue to receive valuable assistance and
solidarity from the international community in the accomplishment of
Nepal's peace process, consolidation of democracy and in its
socio-economic development.

Our commitment to making the constitution has been obvious by the fact
that even when the Legislative-Parliament was obstructed, the task of
making the new constitution was continuing. The interest shown by the
Nepali people in making the constitution is appreciable. It is
necessary to give continuity to the task of making the constitution,
and there will be full cooperation of the Government in this. The
Government of Nepal expresses its sincere thankfulness to all the
political parties, the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly, the
Honourable Members and all others. The Government expects even more
cooperation from all of you in the days ahead. The present Government
has taken the cooperation extended to us from all as an inspiration.
We had taken the leadership of the joint People's Movement for
democracy and peace by developing the twelve point understanding which
was founded on the belief that additional achievements could be made
only by facing challenges. We had made different agreements,
understandings and decisions in the direction of peace and stability
subsequently. We have succeeded in resolving the differences that had
obstructed the Legislative-Parliament. It is self evident that the
challenges ahead can also be tackled on the basis of dialogue,
consensus and co-operation. Let us move ahead from darkness to light,
from mistrust to trust, and from conflict to reconciliation. A
peaceful, prosperous, equitable, strong and democratic Nepal can be
built by positive thinking, optimism towards the future and our
collective effort. Thank you!