i) A committee was formed during the period of this report with the assistance of non-government organizations to help finalize the bill concerning women’s inheritance rights to parental property taking into consideration women’s interests. The necessary initiatives and activities under the committee regarding the issue are continuing. In addition, taking into account the necessity of an adequate budget to make effective the government’s women related programs envisaged in the 10th plan, suggestions were provided to the National Planning Commission following interaction with all the concerned organizations. j) An inspection tour of prisons in the Kathmandu Valley and neighboring districts was undertaken for necessary suggestions regarding prison reforms and the condition of inmates. Following the identification of the areas of reforms and the types of reforms to be carried out, preparations are underway to put forth to the Government recommendations regarding the matter. k) Since the protection and promotion of human rights is possible only with the concrete assistance of Government and non-governmental organizations, interactions with representatives of such organizations on various human rights related issues have been carried out. Deliberations and interaction programs have also been undertaken with intellectuals and scholars active in various areas. These deliberations and interactions have, on the one hand, provided directions in formulating the short-term and long-term policies, plans and programs of the Commission. On the other, they have extended the areas of cooperation and coordination between the Commission and such organizations and individuals. l) In order to bring about awareness among concerned officials and the general public for human rights protection, efforts have been initiated to provide information on international human rights standards, the commitment of His Majesty’s Government regarding such standards, the legal, social and political obstacles to human rights protection and the initiatives regarding such matters. In this connection, activities like the publication of brochures and periodic bulletins, establishment of a documentation center, informing the public through the media about the Commission’s decisions, and the celebrating of national and international days that assist in human rights protection have taken place. m) Following its formation, the Commission had started work from a one room chamber with two personnel and a budget of Rs. 800,000 provided by His Majesty’s Government. At present, the Commission has 22 staff, including a Secretary, six persons deputed from the Government and 15 other persons recruited by the Commission on a temporary basis. Due to the increase in its personnel and work load, the government has allocated to the Commission the first floor of the building that used to house the Ministry of Supplies. His Majesty’s Government allocated a budget of Rs. 1,300,000 for the fiscal year 1999-2000 and a budget of Rs. 5,664,000 for the fiscal year 2000-2001. For the fiscal year 2001-2002, it has allocated a budget of Rs. 5,000,000 only. n) The Commission, within the short period of its formation, has acquired Membership of the Asia-Pacific Forum of Human Rights Institutions. Various dignitaries like Princess Anne of the United Kingdom, the then Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and the heads of diplomatic missions in Kathmandu as well as the representative of donor agencies visited the office of the Commission during the period of this report. The visits have opened possibilities of assistance for strengthening the Commission. o) The overall evaluation of the year completed shows that the Commission, despite various difficulties, has moved ahead with its activities. During the year, in order to facilitate the work