DAMAULI:  Preparations are under way to declare Tanahun as the 12th literate district of the country. Prime Minister Sushil Koirala is scheduled to declare Tanahun a literate district at a programme on July 13. At a press conference held in Damauli today, it was informed that 304,000 out of 315, 598 people between the ages 15 and 60 were literate in Tanahun, which is 96.37 per cent. In the age group 15 to 60, around 98.36 per cent males and 94.43 per cent female were literate. According to international standard, a place can be declared literate if 95 per cent of the people there are literate. Acting DEO Baburam Devkota said that they were planning to announce Tanahun as the 12th literate district. Devkota said 17 million rupees had been spent on the literacy campaign in Tanahun. A major programme organising committee led by LDO Bandhu Prasad Bastola has been constituted to make sure the programme is a success. Likewise, as many as 11 sub-committees have also been formed, said assistant district education officer Ram Prasad Sharma.

Civil servant defrauds

RAUTAHAT: It has come to light that Umesh Yadav, office assistant of Banjaha VDC, withdrew Rs 420,000 illegally from the office’s bank account in Rautahat on Friday. Yadav had drawn the sum from Rastra Banijya Bank, Gaur branch, by putting his signature on behalf of Secretary Prem Shankar Barma and technical assistant Sanjaya Singh. Barma had written to the bank and District Administration Office demanding necessary action against Yadav after he came to know about the incident. CDO Madan Bhujel said a fraud case had been filed against Yadav.

Weapons submitted

RAJBIRAJ: Akhil Tarai Mukti Morcha (Ajit Group), an armed outfit, on Monday submitted weapons at Saptari DAO. The outfit had been carrying out insurgent activities in various Tarai districts. As per the agreement with the government talks team, Ajit Group’s Coordinator Ajay Kumar Yadav handed over weapons to the DAO. Yadav handed over four weapons to CDO Birendra Kumar Yadav. Ajay Kumar said his outfit had handed over two pistols and two socket bombs. Ajay informed that he had submitted as many as 13 sets of weapons so far. Ajit Group said that it had submitted weapons to the government as per the agreement reached with the government three years ago. Ajit Group Coordinator Ajay demanded security and safety for his party leaders and cadres and release of party leaders and cadres from detention. CDO Yadav pledged to provide security to the outfit’s leaders and cadres.