UTL TOLD TO PAY RS.896 MILLION ROYALTY FEE

UTL ORDERED TO PAY
RS.896 MILLION IN ROYALTY

Kathmandu, 17 Sept, An appellate committee under the information and communication Ministry Friday rejected a United Telecom Ltd (UTD) appeal to waive its outstanding royalty to Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA).
UTL owes NTA Rs.896 million in royalty fees.
UTL claimed Rs.4 4 billion in compensation for losses charging NTA for not fulfilling terms and conditions while being awarded an operating permit.
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REASONS FOR HOME SECRETARY TRANSFER

Kathmandu, 17 Sept : Despite Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai´s own assurances that the government secretaries would not be transferred within the first month of his entering Baluwatar just to appease any individual or group, the cabinet meeting on Friday transferred Home Secretary Leela Mani Paudyal, describing it as an ‘exceptional step’ to address deepening misunderstanding between minister and secretary, Kiran Chapagain writes in Republica.

A cabinet source told Republica that the cabinet took the decision upon a "special request" by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar.

"Since the home minister has said repeatedly that he has not been on the same wavelength as Home Secretary Paudyal, I have been compelled to take the decision, though it goes against my own words. This decision should be taken as an exception," a source quoted the prime minister as saying in the cabinet.

A second source informed that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayankaji Shrestha, who had worked with Paudyal when he was home minister in the previous government, objected to the transfer, saying, "The decision to transfer one of the best secretaries would make a mockery of the government´s commitment to good governance".

Many had predicted Paudyal’s transfer the moment Gachchhadar was appointed home minister as Gachchhadar’s past record would not resonate with Paudyal, who has demonstrated an impressive record in terms of good governance.

Other sources close to Gachchhadar and Paudyal told Republica that the home minister was not happy with Paudyal over his policy of promoting good governance at the police administration and home ministry and his unshakable stance against those breaking the law under the aegis of the political parties.

Sources close to recent developments at the Home Ministry point out that the following reasons at least might have instigated Home Minister Gachchhadar to get Paudyal transferred.

First, Paudyal had resisted political pressure with regard to the arrest of Kausar Ali Musalman, who faces criminal charges in Butwal, in the first week of September. The home minister himself had called the police in Kapilvastu to release Musalman, but Paudyal directed the police not to release him.

Second, Gachchhadar was also not happy with the arrest of businessman BL Sharma, owner of Anmol Sweets, who is now under arrest for selling substandard sweets. Gachchhadar wanted not to arrest Sharma, citing the latter´s age. Sharma is 88 and has been under "treatment" at Norvic Hospital from the day he was arrested. But Paudyal was in favor of arresting Sharma at all cost and the arrest took place under his direction.

Thirdly, Gachchhadar wanted to loosen the screws against the smuggling of red sandalwood in which Ganesh Lama, a don long protected by the home minister, is involved, said a source close to Paudyal. But Paudyal refused to budge over the matter.

Fourthly, Gachchhadar had recently expressed displeasure with Paudyal over the raids at casinos at Everest and Hyatt hotels. Paudyal had directed the raid as the casinos have not paid royalty to the government.

Fifth, Gachchhadar wanted to loosen the screws against smuggling in the Tarai districts but the secretary had warned police officers in the Tarai that they would be punishment if they allowed smuggling.

Similarly, the ministry is making preparations to promote and transfer senior police officers. The secretary had prepared certain procedures for deciding on police promotions and transfers. But Gachchhadar wanted to handle the promotions and transfers at his own discretion. Home Ministry sources said that promotions and transfers in the Nepal police generally involve money changing hands.

Lately, the police in Boudha had arrested a don protected by Gachchhadar. The home minister also knew that the police were after another don protected by Gachchhadar in a Tarai district, another source close to the home minister told Republica.

Last but the not least, certain diplomatic missions in Nepal were not happy with Paudyal for strictly prohibiting police officers from meeting officials from any international mission.

The source said that they had exerted pressure on Gachchhadar to transfer him. In addition, he had made it mandatory for either a joint secretary or an under-secretary to be present when the home minister meets officials from foreign missions. A couple of foreign embassies, while seeking his removal, had accused him of being close to China.

Paudyal has now been posted at the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers while Secretary at that office, Sushil Jung Bahadur Rana, has been named Paudyal´s successor.
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KMC TO OPERATE DOUBLE DECKERS IN CAPITAL
Kathmandu, 17 Sept.: In a bid to reduce traffic congestion in the capital, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is planning to introduce double decker buses in the capital. The KMC says it has already started necessary preparations for bringing such vehicles into operation, Arjun Poudel writes in Republica.

The KMC´s move comes in response to the suggestion of the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division of Kathmandu (MTPD). The MTPD has been facing difficulty managing traffic congestion during the peak hours.


“We have given various suggestions to tackle the ongoing traffic problem, including the concept of double decker vehicles, which can carry more passengers,” said MTPD Spokesperson Jaget Shrestha.

Shrestha said the MTPD has also suggested the KMC to bring an Act which can help displace old and small public vehicles operating in the capital.

“The problems cannot be reduced without displacing small public vehicles which are operating in capital,” he added. The MTPD has also requested the KMC to build overhead bridges, railings and footpaths.

“We have been holding discussions with the traffic police on introducing double decker bus service,” said Ganesh Rai, executive director of KMC.

He said that the KMC has already published a public notice asking the authorities concerned to remove roadside wires within a month. “The wires of the electricity, cables and telephone would pose a major hurdle in operating double decker buses in the capital,” he said.

The KMC will coordinate with the private sector to operate the vehicles. After the terms and condition are finalized, the office will start the bidding process.

“Sajha Yatayat and Trolly bus services failed to provide effective services, so we decided to introduce the service,” he added.

The KMC has also sped up its preparation to operate night-time bus services. Hundreds of people in the metropolis are facing difficulties in the absence of night-time public transport services.
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