INDIAN ASSISTANCE OF NRS.4.7 MILLION FOR NEPAL ART COUNCIL, KATHMANDU

In response to a question on the new Ordinance signed by King of Nepal imposing additional curbs on media the Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said in New Delhi on 13th October 2005:

"Though we have not yet seen the text of the Ordinance, we understand from media reports that several additional restrictions have been imposed on the media. We have always believed that a free and independent press is necessary for the people to enjoy their fundamental rights and democratic freedoms. Curbs on the freedom of expression and media, which is a fundamental pillar of democracy, will inevitably be counter-productive. We hope that the Ordinance would not be used to curb the freedom of expression and of the press in Nepal.”