●NAC receives five bids for new aircrafts●
●NPC coach resigns over team’s defeat in AFC cup●
●35 kg explosive substance seized in Kathmandu●
●UWTC closed for indefinite period●
●Lawyer prepares model constitution●
●CIAA moves court against retired EPF, bank and textile employees●
●SC stays PADT regulations●
●UK grants settlement rights to all Gurkhas●
●UML lodges complaint at NHRC over Ramechhap incident●
●Aid groups ask govt to punish schools that expel HIV-infected children●
●MJF decides to join govt●
●Allies intensify parleys to decide new govt's composition●
●Tension continues in Pashupatinath area●
●Appa sets new Everest climb record●
●Mainali re-elected chairman of ML●
●Tourist quarantined in suspicion of swine flu●
●Maoists agree to resume House; PM to address the parliament today●
●British home secy to address House of Commons on Gurkhas●
●Danish rep assures PM-in-waiting of continues aid●
●Constitutional Committee goes into recess●
●YCL district in-charge suspended over attack on UML gen secy●
●House stalled again; Maoists table 'commitment proposal' against President's move●
●80 climbers scale Everest in a day●
At least 80 climbers scaled Mount Everest from the southern side on Tuesday,
the highest number on a single day this climbing season, reports say.
Some 100 climbers departed South Col Monday night and summit calls started
some hours later, mounteverest.com reported. Members of the Jagged Globe
expedition team- Doug, Bill, Nick and Wille reached the peak first for the day
at 7:15 am.
They were followed by members of the First Ascent team Peter Whittaker, Jake
Norton, John Griber, Ed Viesturs and Gerry Moffatt. More climbers from various
expedition teams reached the top of the highest mountain in the world. Ang
Dorjee Sherpa reached the top of Everest for the 13th time.
"You know what? I’m calling from the summit of Mount Everest," an exhilarated
climber Sam Mansikka said over the phone. "I’m here with our team members; Dale
Wagner, Richard Pattison, Vikram Sahney, David Fairweather, Thile Nuru, and
Tenji."
"The route wasn’t easy up here," Sam added. "It was a long and hard route,
but we made it in pretty good time, despite all of the rope fixing."
"There are some clouds on the Tibet side. The Nepal side is much clearer,"
Sam said before heading back down.
Ang Chhiring Sherpa, president of Nepal Mountaineering Association, confirmed
at least 80 climbers had reached the peak by Tuesday afternoon.
nepalnews.com May 20 09
●Nepalese tourism promoted in Denmark●
The Embassy of Nepal Denmark, along with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) organised
a tourism programme at the Embassy premises on 18 May 2009.
According to the NTB, the main purpose of the programme was to promote
Nepalese tourism by honoring Danish personalities among mountain climbers,
frequent visitors and writers on Nepalese tourism. The embassy had published
public notice in local news paper and web sites and collected information.
According to set criteria and acquired information, the Embassy selected 43
persons to be honoured. The ambassador of Nepal to Denmark, Vijaykant Lal Karna,
distributed plaques, Khadas and letters of honor on the occasion.
The Embassy was established in May 2007 and the programme was organized on
the eve of second anniversary. During the welcome speech, Ambassador Karna said
that the programme would not only help promote Nepalese tourism but also
contribute to introduce each other and bridge relations among Danish and Nepali
people. The Ambassador also highlighted on the Government's decision to launch a
national tourism campaign "Nepal Tourism Year 2011".
Mr. Lars Gundrsen,
Honorary Public Relations Representative of Nepal Tourism Board had conducted
the programme. Journalists, travel agents, tour operators, representatives of
tourism sector, government officials, among others, were also invited in the
programme.
The persons honored were as
follows:
The following received a metal plaque and
khada:
Travel Agencies: Mr. Mogens Jacobsen,
Jysk Rejsebureau; Ms. Karen Stigsen, Grace Tours; Mr. Casper Sutton, Trekking
Bureauet; Albatros Travel; Mr. Lars Gundersen, Kipling Travel
Mountain Climbers: Mr. Mogens Jensen, Mr. Henrik Jessen
Hansen, Mr. Soren Smidt, Mr. Asmus Norreslet, Mr. Mads Granlien, Ms. Lene
Gammelgaard, Mr. Michael Knakkergaard Jorgensen
Books/articles: Mr. Knud Wentzel, Mr. Svend Age Lorenz
Christensen, Dr. Michael Vinding, Mr. Soren Lauridsen, Mr. Poul Selvig, Mr.
Mogens Engelund, Mr. Klavs Becker-Larsen, Mr. Ole Janus Larsen, Mr. Poul
Bjerager, Denmark-Nepal Society
The following received a letter of honour and
khada:
Mountain Climbers: Henrik
Kristensen
Books/articles/photography: Jan Eriksen,
Christina Hauschildt, Torbjorn Ydegaard, Dr. Jesper Trier
Press: Soren Sattrup, Politiken; Rasmus Bech, Adventure
World; Charitable Work; Adventure Heart.
Others: Bo Ulfhoj, Bethsy Holck, Ole Hjort Rasmussen, Ole
Garde, Bo Belvedere Christensen, Jan Mathorne, Claus Andreasen, Soren Viit
Nielsen, John Christensen, Knud West Hansen, Kurt Lomborg.
nepalnews.com May 20 09
●NRB takes over BoK●
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has taken over the management of Bank of Kathmandu
(BoK) by suspending the latter’s board, following confusion that arose with
deepening disputes among promoters of the bank.
An emergency board meeting of the central bank Tuesday evening decided to
take over BoK management for up to three months or until the former is convinced
the incumbent management is capable of running the bank on its own.
The central bank came to such decision after it got two letters in response
to a clarification call it sought on the termination of erstwhile Chief
Executive Officer Radheshyam Pant, clearly revealing disputes within the
promoters. Responding to the clarification call, the BoK board, based on a
majority decision, wrote to the central bank that firing erstwhile CEO Pant was
an internal matter and a normal process of the bank. However, promoters
dissatisfied with the board’s decision expressed their grudge with the central
bank urging the latter to intervene.
The central bank has decided to deploy a four-member NRB board led by
Director Laxmi Prapanna Niraula to manage the bank. The NRB deployed board will
work in coordination with existing acting chief executive Sabin Lal
Shrestha.
The management has been taken over due to the failure of BoK management to
safeguard interests of Bank’s promoters and depositors due to ongoing disputes
among promoters, the central bank said.
This is the second instance that the central bank has taken over management
of a commercial bank. Earlier, NRB had taken over the management of Nepal
Bangladesh Bank in November 2006 due to financial irregularities.
nepalnews.com May 20 09
●Ending House deadlock is PM’s responsibility: Speaker Nemwang●
Speaker of the legislature parliament Subash Chandra Nemwang has said it is
the responsibility of the Prime Minister to end the deadlock of the House.
Speaker Nemwang met caretaker PM Tuesday evening and urged him to end the
House deadlock to facilitate the formation of new government.
It is the responsibility of the PM to end the House deadlock as he is the
leader of the parliament, Nemwang told media after the meeting.
Earlier, leaders of 22 political parties had met with Speaker Nemwang and
urged him to run the House using marshals or elect the Prime Minister from
outside the parliament. The speaker refused both proposals saying electing PM
from outside the parliament is against the norms and spirits of the Interim
Constitution and tradition.
Speaker Nemwang apprised Dahal of the suggestions put forward by the 22
parties and requested the latter to solve the differences from the parliament as
a government-less situation for a long time would invite crisis in the country,
reports say.
Speaking at a different programme in Pokhara Tuesday afternoon, speaker
Nemwang had said the obstruction of the House in the name of taking the
President’s move to the parliament is meaningless as the very issue would be the
first thing to be discussed in the parliament after its normal business resumes.
nepalnews.com May 20 09
●Coca Cola Inter-school football from 24th May ●
The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) is organizing the Inter-school
Football tournament from 24th May in various cities.
In all, 450 schools throughout the nation will take part in first round
matches from where top 12 teams from Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, Dhangadi and
Biratnagar will play the final round matches in Kathmandu.
The main sponsor, Bottlers Nepal Limited, will bear the accommodation
expenses of out-of-valley teams and will provide jersey to all finalist 12
teams. Those twelve teams will be divided into four groups and will play cross
semifinals before entering the final.
ANFA President Ganesh Thapa and BNL country manager Saumindra Bhattacharya
signed in a MoU of 1.5 million rupees on Tuesday at a press meet held at ANFA
complex, Satdobato. nepalnews.com bt May 20 09
●Judo players off to Taiwan●
Two Judo players are going to Taiwan to take part in Asian Judo championship.
Dipak Shrestha and Radha Devi Rai are participating in 73 and 52 kg weight
categories respectively.
Coach Dharma Kumar Shrestha, referee Surya Bhusan Shrestha and manager Usha
Basnet are accompanying the players. nepalnews.com bt May 20
09
●MJF meeting inconclusive●
The central committee meeting of the Madheshi Janadhikar Forum called to
decide on the party’s official stance on whether or not to join the new
government ended inconclusively Tuesday evening with most of the CC members yet
to express their views.
Party leaders discussed ways to resolve differences that arose between two
factions after two important party bodies took contradictory decisions.
The central committee where party chairman Upendra Yadav has a majority
decided not to join the government, while the parliamentary party where its
leader Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar has a majority decided to join the government.
The party is in the verge of split after 32 lawmakers of Gachchhadar camp
submitted their signature in support of the UML-NC alliance against the CC
decision.
CC members have suggested the leaders to adopt a ‘middle path’ in order to
protect the party from splitting. The suggested ‘middle path’ proposes for
withdrawal of the signatures from the Gachchhadar camp and withdrawal of plans
to take action against those lawmakers from the Yadav camp.
The meeting that started at 4 pm, three hours behind the scheduled time in a
hotel in Kathmandu ended inconclusively at 8.00pm. Another meeting is called for
Thursday. nepalnews.com May 19 09
●Leaders urge CA chairman to resume House●
Leaders of 22 political parties representing the Constituent Assembly have
met with CA chairman Subas Chandra Nemwang and urged him to resume the regular
business of the legislature parliament at the earliest, Tuesday.
At the meeting held at Nemwang’s office in Singha Durbar, the leaders
requested Nemwang to follow the legal procedures to resume the House if the
Unified CPN (Maoist) continued obstructing the House.
The Maoists have been obstructing the House protesting against the
President’s move to block government decision to sack the army chief. They have
put forward a condition of a ‘commitment proposal’ against the President’s move
to allow normal business of the House.
However, an all party meeting of the 22 parties, which are all set to elect
UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal as the new Prime Minister, decided not to allow
such proposal at the parliament saying a ‘commitment proposal’ against the
President would be unconstitutional.
The UML and Nepali Congress leaders met Maoist leaders separately Tuesday
afternoon to request them to allow normal proceedings of the House in vain.
nepalnews.com May 19 09
●Woman entering Tibet from Nepal tests positive for swine flu●
An Italian tourist who was in Nepal from May 12 to 16 has been tested
positive for swine flu in China.
Chinese health ministry issued a press statement Tuesday saying initial tests
on the 42-year-old Italian woman showed her as positive for the H1N1 virus. The
woman was not identified by name.
She left Nepal on Saturday for Tibet through Zhangmu border where she was
stopped and taken to a local hospital. The woman had developed cold symptoms a
day before leaving Nepal and had other symptoms like fever of 38.5 Celsius, sore
throat and chills at the time of crossing the border, the statement says.
The woman was reported in stable condition and 23 of her foreign traveling
companions have been confined to their hotel for medical observation, the
statement says.
Nepali health ministry officials have said it cannot be confirmed if the
woman was infected by flu in Nepal, but have intensified preventive measures
against possible entry of the virus. nepalnews.com May 19
09
●UNMIN hints it was not responsible for
erroneous registration of PLA●
United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) has hinted that it was not
responsible for erroneous registration of more Maoist combatants than their
actual strength as revealed in the recent controversial video.
In a statement issued Tuesday, UNMIN said it was not requested to verify
whether the registered Maoist army personnel were eligible for integration into
the security forces. “This issue is to be considered by the inter-party Special
Committee to supervise, integrate, and rehabilitate Maoist army, which held its
first meeting on January 16, 2009.”
The UN political mission also said that it was mandated only to assist the
parties through a Joint Monitoring Coordination Committee (JMCC) in implementing
their agreement on the management of arms and armed personnel and monitor the
management of arms and armed personnel of the Nepal Army and the Maoist army, in
line with the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed by the
Government of Nepal and the Maoists on November 21, 2006.
Nepali Congress and its allies have been asking the UNMIN for re-verification
of the Maoist combatants after the controversial Shaktikhor video of Pushpa
Kamal Dahal speaking revealed that the original strength of the People’s
Liberation Army was between 7,000 and 8,000.
The UNMIN said the Agreement on Monitoring of the Management of Arms and
Armies (AMMAA) signed by the government and Maoists on December 8, 2006 sets
only two conditions for eligibility – joining service before 25 May 2006, and
being born before 25 May 1988 and the two sides decided that possession of a
weapon was not a criterion for eligibility but presentation of a Maoist army
identity card was required to demonstrate service.
The statement further reads the UN teams collected personal military
information and examined identity cards.
The UN teams conducted the verification of registered Maoist army personnel
between June and December 2007 as per the process and questions developed by the
UN, discussed and agreed at the JMCC.
“UN teams verified the eligibility of the registrants through detailed
individual interviews conducted in confidence. Language assistants and a
military pediatrician were also present with the UN teams. The teams referred
cases raising any doubts for higher-level review,” the statement reads.
The UN said parties were briefed by its chief on the monitoring process and
in one instance the Seven-Party Alliance inspected the verification process in
one cantonment.
The verification exercise found 2,973 minors (born after May 25, 1988), who
were disqualified. 1,035 persons were disqualified as having been recruited
after May 25, 2006 and 8,640 registered individuals did not present themselves
for the verification process and were thus disqualified. The UN had announced
that number of verified Maoist army personnel was 19,602.
nepalnews.com ia May 19 09
●Diplomats urge Dahal to end deadlock●
Amidst delay in formation of a new government even after the Maoist-led
government was pulled down two weeks ago, diplomats have again started political
consultation.
Envoys from some half a dozen countries from the European Union and United
States of America called caretaker Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Tuesday
morning.
During the meeting held at Singha Durbar, the diplomats are learnt to have
expressed concern over continued obstruction of the parliament that has delayed
formation of a new government even after opposition alliance gathered majority
votes.
The envoys asked Dahal to give a way out of the current crisis and suggested
him that delay in formation of new government could spoil the image of Nepal in
the international arena.
However, PM Dahal reiterated his party’s stand for civilian supremacy and
said his party would not turn back on the position. nepalnews.com ia
May 19 09
●Rightists dividing communists:
Khanal●
CPN (UML) chairman Jhala Nath Khanal has claimed that rightists have been
trying to increase hostilities among the communist forces in Nepal.
Speaking in a function organised by the party’s women wing in Balkhu Tuesday,
Khanal said increasing disputes among the left parties in the country has
benefited the rightists and weakened position of the communist forces.
Khanal, who advocates for unity among the communist parties, cautioned the
party cadres against such attempts and added the party must continue its working
alliance with the Unified CPN (Maoist).
He said de-linking working unity with the Maoists would invite political
chaos and derail the ongoing peace process leading the country without a
constitution for years. nepalnews.com ia May 19
09
●Load shedding hours reduced●
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has reduced load shedding hours by four
hours a day on average.
The load shedding hours have been reduced after production of
run-off-the-river projects increased in the recent days.
NEA has not published the new schedule of load shedding yet.
However, there has been no change in the load shedding hours in
Sunsari-Morang industrial corridor and the Lamahi area in Dang.
nepalnews.com May 19 09
●House deadlock continues●
The legislature parliament could not enter into normal business Tuesday
afternoon due to obstructions by Maoist CA members.
Speaker Subas Nemwang had to announce the adjournment of the sitting for
3 pm Wednesday as the Maoist lawmakers chanted slogans against the President's
move to reinstate the army chief.
A secretariat meeting of the Unified CPN (Maoist) Monday had decided not
to allow normal proceedings of the House until the issue of the President’s
move on the army chief is taken to the parliament.
A meeting of top leaders of the UML and Nepali Congress decided Tuesday
morning not to allow the issue to be taken to the parliament.
Earlier in the day, a meeting between top leaders of the UML and the Maoists
ended with the latter sticking to their stance of not allowing the House
to proceed until their demands are met.
The NC-UML alliance has not been able to initiate process of government
formation despite a clear majority in the parliament due to the obstruction.
nepalnews.com May 19 09
●Samakalin Sahitya bags INLS web award ●
International Nepali Literary Society (INLS), the largest international
network of Nepali literature, has announced that the Narayan Jayanta Literary
Journalism Award for this year has been conferred to a site operated from
Belgium.
Samakalin Sahitya (samakalinsahitya.com) has been given the award for its
role in promoting Nepali literature across the global through the website.
The site is operated by Krishna Bajgai and Sanju Nepal. The award carries
certificate and cash purse of US 200 dollars, sponsored by Kamal Prasai. Bajgai
is general secretary of the INLS. nepalnews.com May 19
09
●ICRC extends medical support for train blast injured●
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Nepal Red Cross
Society (NRCS) have extended medical support to over 32 people injured in a bomb
explosion in the Janakpur-Jayanagar train Sunday.
An ICRC team visited the Janakpur Zonal hospital, where the injured are being
treated, and distributed two dressing kits sufficient for 30-35 injured
persons.
"There are at least 15 women and 2 children who are injured and in need of
urgent assistance", Natacha Emerson, head of the ICRC sub delegation in
Biratnagar said through a press statement issued Tuesday.
The ICRC and NRCS continue to be on alert and ready to respond to any
emerging humanitarian needs of those injured in the blast, the statement reads.
nepalnews.com May 19 09
●UML fails to convince Maoist leadership ●
The CPN (UML) leadership on Tuesday failed to convince the Unified CPN
(Maoist) to allow the resumption of normal business at the parliament.
The meeting between the top leaders of the two parties held at Maoist’s
parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar ended inconclusively as Maoist
leaders refused to budge from their stance.
The UML leaders had requested the Maoists to allow resumption of House
proceedings to open way for formation of a new government.
Caretaker Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal told UML chairman Jhala Nath
Khanal that his party will continue obstructing the House until other parties
are ready to debate the constitutionality of president’s move in parliament.
While other parties have been saying that issues under review in court cannot
be the subject of debate in parliament, Maoists insist that this issue must be
debated at the parliament owing to its political nature.
In an interview to Nepal FM, Dahal cited the instance of reinstatement of
House of Representatives after Jana Andolan II when the issue was still under
review in the court. nepalnews.com May 19 09
●NC, UML leaders consult legal experts ●
After the NC-UML alliance failed to form a new government despite clear
majority in the parliament Monday due to the continued obstruction of the House
proceedings by Maoist CA members, they have started discussions on seeking legal
options to form the government.
Prime Minister hopeful of the alliance and senior UML leader Madhav Kumar
Nepal reached the residence of Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala
Tuesday morning to discuss the House deadlock, the Maoists’ proposal to take the
President’s move to the parliament and the shape of future government.
Nepal skipped a pre-scheduled meeting of the Constitutional Committee that he
chairs to meet Koirala and other NC leaders. Leaders are discussing other
options to form the new government if the House obstruction continues in
presence of advocates including Shambhu Thapa, Agni Kharel, Sher Bahadur KC,
Harihar Dahal and Birendra Poudel among others.
Nepal has handed over the responsibility to chair the Constitutional
Committee meeting to another UML lawmaker Sapana Pradhan Malla.
Reports say the leaders are also discussing on distribution of various
ministry portfolios in the new cabinet to parties likely to join the government.
NC leaders Sushil Koirala, Ram Chandra Poudel, Krishna Sitoula, and UML leader
KP Oli, among others are present at the meeting. The leaders are also discussing
on taking the President’s move to the parliament as demanded by the Maoists.
According to sources, the leaders have agreed not to allow the Maoists to
table their proposal against the president’s move at the parliament but hold
discussion with the party to solve the issue outside the parliament.
According to the Interim Constitution, any matter being reviewed in courts is
not entitled to be discussed at the parliament. nepalnews.com May 19
09
●Revenue collection up by 40 percent ●
The government successfully collected Rs 110 billion in revenue in the first
10 months of the current fiscal year, an increase by 40 percent compared to the
same period last year.
During the budget speech, Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai had announced
to collect Rs 141 billion from revenue. The government is now Rs 31 billion
behind to meet its target.
Various schemes including Voluntary Declaration of Income Sources (VDIS) and
the Concessional House-Land Rental Tax payment had also helped to mobilide an
additional Rs 2 billion. nepalnews.com May 19 09
●Nepal gets patent rights on pashmina ●
Pashmina manufacturers of Nepal have managed to register pashmina as a trademark
in Norway. This is the first instance of Nepalese producers succeeding in
getting international patent rights in pashmina.
The
registration has established pashmina as a typical Nepalese product. It defined
pashmina items as commodities that have well-defined material content and
traits.
Nepal Pashmina Manufacturers Association (NPMA) received the
confirmation of registration of trademark from the Norwegian authorities few
weeks ago and they expect same from Australian authorities in a
month.
Nepalese manufacturers had sent their applications for an
international trademark to Australia, the US, the EU, Canada, Japan and China in
December last year.
The registration is likely to help regain the lost
market of pashmina in western countries which has slowed down in the last few
years. nepalnews.com May 19 09
●One arrested red handed while printing currency notes●
A special police squad deployed from the police headquarters has arrested one
person red handed while printing currency notes from a house in Tinkune,
Kathmandu, Kantipur daily reported.
Police arrested Rabi Man Shrestha
with evidence on Monday after following him for four months. They have seized 28
five-hundred-rupees notes, 88 hundred-rupees notes and one thousand-rupee note
along with printer, computer and scanner used in printing the notes.
Shrestha was preparing to print hundreds of thousand-rupees notes,
according to the police. They seized a carton filled with wads of unprinted
notes with security threads.
The duplicate notes resembled the original
ones to a large extent. Most of the shopkeepers gave them change along with
articles when police in plain clothes went to shops with the duplicate notes.
It is not known if the arrested had any accomplice. A graphic designer
by profession, Shrestha was found working alone. nepalnews.com May
19 09
●Stock gains as politics changes●
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) has gained by double digits on Monday in its
continued climb for the second consecutive day, thanks to political parties
agreeing to form UML-led government.
With the resignation of Prime
Minister two weeks ago, the secondary market had showed downward trend owning to
possible political instability.
Hoping for favorable government policy
for share-market development, investors have returned to the market on Monday.
The NEPSE index climbed 2.17 percent or 14.42 points, to touch 683.41 points
when the market closed trading for Monday.
Banking and Finance group rose
15.39 points and 9.17 points, to close at 683.41 points and 767.93 points
respectively while Trading and Hydropower group gain 4.46 points and 1.51
points, to reach 243.47 points and 874.81 points respectively. Insurance and the
other groups gained 2.93 points and 23.5 points, to end at 628.8 points and
669.69 points respectively.
A total of 147,030 units of shares, amounting
to Rs 103.63 million, was traded through 1,863 transactions on Monday. The
market capitalization increased to Rs 438.17 billion up from Rs 426.49 billion
the previous day. nepalnews.com May 19 09
●CA committee proposes compulsory military training to all adult citizens●
A CA subcommittee under the National Interest Preservation Committee has
proposed for compulsory military training to all adult Nepali citizens, Kantipur
daily reported.
The subcommittee headed by UML lawmaker Rabindra Adhikari on Monday finalised
a concept paper on National Security and Nepal Army with a provision of
compulsory military training and service for two years to all citizens above 18
years of age.
The concept paper, however, has proposed exemptions from military training to
those not interested in the training due to religious or faith related reasons.
They will be employed in alternative service to the nation, according to the
concept paper.
Such provision would address the issue of social inclusion being raised by
various ethnic communities and also enable the state to mobilize all citizens
for national security when need arises.
We can create a small professional army equipped with modern infrastructure
and technology after we introduce a provision for compulsory military training
and service, reads the report.
The subcommittee has 11 members including conflict resolution specialist
Indrajeet Rai representing the Maoists, retired brigadier general Gopal Singh
Bohara representing the UML, Jagdish Nar Singh KC representing Nepali Congress
and Atma Ram Sah representing Madhesi Janadhikar Forum.
nepalnews.com May 19 09
●Dipendra’s computer hard disks stolen●
Computer hard disks and mother boards used by late crown prince Dipendra,
other members of the royal family and high level officials of the royal palace
have been stolen, Nagarik Daily reported.
The parts went missing while the computers were being transferred from the
royal palace to the foreign ministry.
‘All computers were working properly when we went for inspection and we asked
to pack the computers’ a foreign ministry official who had gone for inspection
before the computers were handed over to the ministry said.
‘They packed up the computers. When we opened the packages in Shital Niwas
(where office of the foreign ministry is located) almost all computers were
without the hard disks and motherboards.’
It is suspected that the hard-disks have been stolen to wipe out all
documents that could reveal the secrets of the royal palace. There are softwares
which can retrieve even deleted data from a hard disk.
There is no other plausible reason for stealing the hard disks, an official
said. All computers were Pentium II and their parts do not come to use in any of
the modern day computers. nepalnews.com May 19 09
●Parties paid money to lawmakers for their support: Bhattarai ●
Finance minister of the caretaker government and Maoist senior leader Babu
Ram Bhattarai has accused other political parties of engaging in a nasty
horse-trading to accumulate a majority for a new coalition.
Speaking at a function in Gorkha Monday, Bhattarai claimed he had evidence
that parties paid hefty amount of money to lawmakers to gain their support to
form the government.
"Although I have evidence that huge sums of money changed hands in hotel
rooms in exchange of support to the new alliance, I cannot reveal the evidences
now as, officially, I am still a minister," Bhattarai said.
Stressing on the need of a government with national consensus, Dr Bhattarai
said a government formed without such consensus would not last for more than
three months.
Madhav Kumar Nepal is becoming the Prime Minister only to make history, his
tenure will not last long, he said. nepalnews.com May 18
09
●LTTE chief 'dead'; 25-yr long civil war is over●
The chief of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Velupillai Prabhakaran,
has been killed in an offensive by the Sri Lankan military, reports say.
The announcement on Sri Lanka's state television came shortly after the
military said it had surrounded Prabhakaran in a tiny patch of jungle in
the north-east, the BBC reported.
The head of the Sri Lankan army Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka said the military
had defeated the rebels and "liberated the entire country".
"Today we finished the work handed to us by the president to liberate
the country from the LTTE," Gen Fonseka said in the broadcast. He
said troops were working to identify Prabhakaran's body from among the
dead.
The broadcast quoted military officials as saying Prabhakaran, 54, was
killed along with two of his deputies.
It said Prabhakaran, his intelligence chief Pottu Amman and Soosai, the
head of the rebels' naval wing, were shot dead in an ambush in the Mullivaikal
district while trying to escape the war zone in an ambulance.
Earlier, at least three senior rebel leaders were killed, including Prabhakaran's
eldest son, Charles Anthony, the military said.
Sri Lankan military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara confirmed Prabhakaran's
death, saying 250 Tamil Tigers were also killed overnight.
The government's information department also sent news of Prabhakaran's
death by text message to mobile phones across the country, according to
the BBC report, adding that the death of the Tiger supremo could not be
confirmed independently as reporters have been barred from going to the
area.
More than 70,000 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced
in the brutal insurgency lasting for 25 years. nepalnews.com May 18 09
●RPP-N supports UML-led coalition●
Rejecting request from caretaker Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Rastriya
Prajatantra Party-Nepal (RPP-N) on Monday announced its support UML for
formation of new government.
The party today submitted signatures of its four parliamentarians to UML
leader Jhala Nath Khanal supporting Madhav Kumar Nepal as the new Prime
Minister.
With these four signatures, UML-NC coalition has accumulated at least 354
votes on its side, which is a comfortable majority.
The coalition has already received 350 signatures from 22 parties, but
Madhesi Janadhikar Forum is yet to submit the signatures of remains of
the 53 lawmakers. Only 32 lawmakers of the party had forwarded their signatures
to UML leadership yesterday. nepalnews.com ia May 18 09
●NPC out of AFC Presidents’ Cup●
Nepal Police Club (NPC) has crashed out of the AFC President's Cup Football
Tournament after playing to a 2-2 draw against defending champions Regar
Tadaz of Tajikistan at Dashrath Stadium Monday afternoon.
NPC needed a victory margin of at least 2 goals and a draw in the other
match between WAPDA and Taiwan Power Company to qualify.
Chetan Ghimire scored both goals for NPC while Nematov and Rustamov scored
for Regar Tadaz. nepalnews.com May 18 09
●VP Jha for consensus govt●
VP Jha for consensus govt
Vice President Pramananda Jha has said the current situation in the country
demands a government of national consensus rather than a majority government.
Talking to media persons in Biratnagar on Monday, Jha said political parties
should still take initiative for a consensus government. The main priority
at the moment is to expedite the constitution-drafting process rather formation
of the government, he added.
Jha also questioned the durability of a majority government. "The
government collapsed when there were only 114 CA members in the opposition.
How can the new government last long while there are 238 members in the
opposition?"
The Vice President also said both the Prime Minister and the President
erred in the army chief row and added that such mistakes should not be
repeated in future. nepalnews.com May 18 09
●Setback to formation of new govt as Maoists to continue obstructing parliament●
The Maoist lawmakers obstructed the proceedings of the legislature parliament
Monday. Speaker Subas Nemwang had to announce the adjournment of the sitting
as the Maoist lawmakers started chanting slogans against the President's
move to reinstate the army chief.
The Maoist lawmakers picketed the rostrum demanding withdrawal of President's
move.
Earlier today, the central secretariat meeting of the Unified CPN (Maoist)
held at Baluwatar decided to continue the protest in the House and the
streets until the demand to nullify the President's move is met.
In a statement after the meeting caretaker Prime Minister and Maoist chairman
Pushpa Kamal Dahal said his party was in favour of immediate resumption
of House proceedings but, for that, the parties should create a favorable
atmosphere by meeting the demand.
"To restore normal business at the House immediately, the main agenda
that we raised while obstructing the proceedings must first enter into
House debate and should be addressed."
The party has called upon all political forces for dialogue to solve the
issue.
The obstruction in the House is sure to hinder the formation of the new
government even though the UML has already garnered support from 22 political
parties. nepalnews.com ia May 18 09
●Sacking of Pant is internal matter: BoK ●
Bank of Kathmandu (BoK) said its decision to sack Radhesh Pant from the
post of managing director of the bank was ‘an internal matter and normal
process.’
The Himalayan Times daily quoted Sanjay Bahadur Shah, chairman of the bank
board, as saying that the bank had furnished the answers to questions that
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) asked it.
The written explanation furnished by the bank’s board to the NRB on Sunday
said that ‘everything was fine and dandy’ with its daily business.
The bank’s board meeting on March 22 had decided to call back Pant from
the post of managing director. The board has seven members including Pant.
Four directors, two each from promoters and public, upheld the decision
against Pant while the remaining two did not oppose them. But later they
wrote letters to NRB asking for its intervention in the matter. nepalnews.com May 18 09
●CJ urges lawyers to cooperate in controling corruption in judiciary ●
Chief Justice Min Bahadur Rayamajhee has called on all lawyers to fight
against corruption prevalent in the judiciary.
Speaking at a function organised in his honor as the new Chief Justice
by the Supreme Court Bar Association, CJ Rayamajhee urged lawyers not to
take up cases where clients want to win by hook or crook.
You should educate your clients about respecting court and its verdicts
as both the plaintiffs and the defendants visit your offices before visiting
courts, Rayamajhee said addressing the lawyers.
Corruption in judiciary can be reduced if you chose not to take up cases
where clients want to win at any cost, CJ Rayamajhee added.
Rayamajhee has made corruption control in judiciary as the chief agenda
during his term as the Chief Justice. He has already announced his plans
to install close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the chambers of all
judges starting from his own. nepalnews.com May 18 09
●Stones pelted at UML leader’s vehicle in Ramechhap●
Maoist cadres have pelted stones at the vehicle of UML leaders including
general secretary Ishwar Pokhrel at Tipling of Ramechhap, Sunday evening.
Road was obstructed and stones pelted aiming at UML general secretary Pokhrel
and other UML leaders as they were returning to Kathmandu after addressing
a training programme their party cadres in Manthali, district headquarter
of Ramechhap.
Police escorting Pokhrel opened fire in the air to disperse the attackers.
Pokhrel organised a press conference about the attack after he arrived
in Charikot of Dolakha district. There was no damage to Pokhrel’s vehicle.
Meanwhile, the government has started providing additional security to
some UML and Nepali Congress leaders after threats from the Maoist cadres
started increasing in various districts. nepalnews.com May 18 09
●Popular edible oil brands found substandard●
The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTCQ) has said
three popular brands of edible oil -Dhara, Family and Shakti have been
found substandard and unfit for consumption.
Organising a press conference in Kathmandu Sunday, the DFTCQ said Family
brand mustard oil, Dhara brand mustard oil and Shakti brand soybean oil
have been found not meeting the minimum standard quality set by the government.
All three brands of edible oil collected from six different places of Kathmandu
valley were found sub-standard, said Uttar Kumar Bhattarai, director general
of the department.
The department has said, Family and Dhara brand mustard oil packets were
found adulterated with soybean oil, whereas Shakti brand soybean oil was
found adulterated with other substances rendering them unfit for consumption.
The department has asked the producers of those brands to furnish clarification
within seven days.
Likewise, the department has ordered five mineral water companies to freeze
their production and distribution as they failed to renew their permission
on time, despite repeated notices from the public media.
Ayush Beverages, the producer of Aqua King, Ichangu Drinking Water and
Beverages, the producer of Aqua Drops, Pashupati Spring Water Industry,
the producer of Aqua Express; and Balaji Mineral Water, the producer of
Aqua Nice have been ordered to stop their production.
The DFTQC has filed 45 cases against different companies for failing to
renew their license or not meeting standard during the current fiscal year.
nepalnews.com May 18 09
●80-yr-old former minister to scale Everest●
Former foreign minister Shailendra Kumar Upadhyaya is all set to embark
on an adventurous expedition of scaling Mount Everest at the age of 80.
Upadhyaya announced his plans at a press meet organised in the capital
Sunday.
Speaking at the press meet, tourism minister Hisila Yami said Upadhyay's
bid should be an encouragement to youths. nepalnews.com May 17 09
●Daylight robbery in Nepalgunj●
Unidentified gunmen have looted Rs. 1.5 million from a financial institution
staffer in the western town of Nepalgunj, Sunday.
Two men carrying a gun and Khukuri looted the money from Shanta GC, the
accountant of International Money Express, near its office on Surkhet Road.
GC had withdrawn the money from a bank in order to pay IME clients. She
was looted near the gate of IME located onSurkhet Road. Police has said
the search for the looters is on. nepalnews.com May 17 09
●Dahal accuses parties of trying to wreck peace process; dubs bid for new govt as a foreign-orchestrated move ●
Caretaker Prime Minister and Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has accused
the UML-led new coalition of trying to derail the peace process, insisting
that the parties are being 'remote-controlled' as they engage in homework
to form the new government.
"On the surface it looks like an attempt to bring down the Maoist-led
government, but their intention is to disrupt the peace process. They want
to push the country into disarray," Dahal said, addressing a mass
meeting organised by his party at Kathmandu's Khula Manch on Sunday. The
mass meeting preceded by protest rallies across the town was part of the
protest against the President's order to reinstate the army chief sacked
by the government.
Dahal said the Maoist party would not backtrack from the peace process
despite being provoked to do so. "We will fight peacefully to make
sure that the new constitution is drafted and peace process concluded,"
he said.
The outgoing Prime Minister claimed that he was aware of the President's
move two weeks beforehand, as the move was being devised "somewhere
else".
He also accused the parties of being guided by foreign powers in the entire
development since the onset of the army chief row.
"They [parties] are not doing this on their own. Attempts are being
made to snatch away the right of Nepali people to self-decision,"
he said, claiming that the parties were involved in all sorts of nefarious
practices to secure a simple majority to form the new government.
Dahal was addressing the mass meeting hours after the UML-led coalition
of 22 parties submitted signatures of majority of lawmakers to Constituent
Assembly chairman Subas Nemang.
Senior UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal is all set to become the new Prime
Minister with the support of some 350 lawmakers. nepalnews.com mk May 17 09
●Dozens injured in Maoists-NC clash in Bara●
As the Unified CPN (Maoist) were taking out a mass rally in Kathmandu and
other parts of the country to protest the President's decision to reinstate
the Army chief, its cadres clashed with Nepali Congress activists at Bariyaarpur-4
of Bara District on Sunday, leaving more than a dozen from both parties
injured.
Reports quoted police as saying that eight among the injured are in critical
condition. They had clashed over a land dispute.
Most of the seriously injured are local members of the NC while only two
belonged to the Maoists.
The injured NC activists were immediately taken to the Narayani Sub-Regional
Hospital where their condition is said to be stable.
The Maoist activists only received minor injuries and are undergoing treatment
at the Kalaiya Hospital. nepalnews.com May 17 09
●UML-led coalition submits 350 signatures to Speaker, deck clear for MK
Nepal to become PM●
The UML-led coalition has submitted 350 signatures of lawmakers to Speaker
Subas Nemwang for formation of a majority government under the leadership
of senior UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Altogether 22 political parties including Nepali Congress, Madhesi Janadhikar
Forum, Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party, Nepal Sadbhawana Party, Rastriya
Prajatantra Party and CPN-United have extended their support to UML to
form the new government. Only two others, Unified CPN (Maoist) and Nepal
Workers and Peasants' Party (NWPP), have not signed in favor of Nepal.
A team comprising UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, NC senior leader Sher
Bahadur Deuba, MJF leaders Bijaya Gachchhadar and J.P Gupta met Nemwang
at the latter's office at the Parliament Secretariat, Singha Durbar and
submitted the signatures.
They also urged the Speaker to initiate necessary procedures in the House
to form the new government.
The UML-led alliance submitted the signatures hours after parliamentary
party leader of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar submitted
the signatures of thirty-two MJF lawmakers to the CPN-UML expressing his
party's commitment to support the CPN-UML to form the next government.
Although the remaining MJF lawmakers - who belong to the faction led by
party chairman Upendra Yadav - have pledged support to the UML-led government,
they did not submit their signatures in favor of UML-led government.
Receiving the signatures, the Speaker assured that he will soon call the
meeting of the legislature-parliament and push ahead the process of government
formation.
Nemwang also expressed hope that with the submission of the signatures
for the formation of majority government it will be easy to push ahead
the constitution drafting process which has been delayed due to repeated
obstructions in the House.
The speaker is expected to hold consultations with various political parties
till today evening to decide on the date for the meeting of the legislature-parliament
where he will invite the UML-led coalition to form the next government.
However, the Maoist lawmakers have repeatedly obstructed the House proceedings
protesting the President's move to reinstate the Army chief. They have
said they will continue to disrupt House sessions until the move which
they claim is "unconstitutional" is rectified.
But last week constitutional experts advised NC and UML leaders to garner
support of the lawmakers for their government through a signature campaign
and submit it to the House speaker Subash Nemwang, who will then use his
residual rights to remove any obstruction that exists in government formation
With comfortable majority on his side, UML senior leader MK Nepal is all
set to become the new Prime Minister. nepalnews.com May 17 09
●Over two dozens injured in Janakpur train explosion●
At least 29 passengers were injured, three critically, when a bomb went
off inside a train bound for Janakpur from Jayanagar in India on Sunday
morning.
Although it is still too early to determine what kind of bomb was exploded
and what was the motive behind it, police said it was a "cylinder
bomb" - a kind of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED)
According to reports, the injured are undergoing treatment at Janakpur
Zonal Hospital.
District Police Office, Dhanusha, said they have not been able to identify
the injured, especially the three critically injured ones.
No body has yet taken the responsibility for the incident, but police said
investigation is underway to nab the guilty.
The Janakpur-Jayanagar railway is country's sole railway service. Hundreds
of people from both sides of the border commute in the train daily and
is often jam-packed. nepalnews.com May 17 09
●With MJF support, MK Nepal all set to get the top job●
After days of uncertainty on his appointment to the post of Prime Minister,
senior CPN (United Marxist Leninist) leader Madhav Kumar Nepal is now all
but certain to get the top job.
This became apparent after a meeting between top leaders of CPN (UML),
Nepali Congress, Bijaya Gachchhadar-led faction of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum
(MJF) and CPN (United) Sunday morning ended in a tentative agreement to
accept Nepal as Prime Minister of the next government. During the meeting
that took place at the NC president's residence in Maharajgunj, a 32-member
faction led by MJF parliamentary party leader Gachchhadar extended support
to the UML-NC alliance.
Sources said the MJF faction pledged support to the UML-NC alliance in
writing.
After the meeting, Gachchhadar said that the party will join the UML-led
government.
"The party took this decision (to support the UML-NC alliance) coming
to conclusion that the country should not remain without a government for
long," he told media persons. There are rumours that Gachchhadar has
been promised the plum post of deputy-prime minister/home minister, which
was earlier held by CPN (UML) leader Bam Dev Gautam.
After majority of parliamentarians supporting Gachchhadar gave their support
to the UML, the Upendra Yadav-led faction later on agreed to join the new
coalition.
Earlier, MJF was rigid on its stance with its central committee deciding
to form a coalition under its own leadership or stay out of the government.
Similarly, emerging from the meeting, a beaming MK Nepal thanked the MJF
for extending its support to the UML led alliance. He also assured that
the country will have a new government under his party's leadership in
one week.
CPN (United), a fringe leftist party that also participated in the meeting,
has also decided to extend its support to the UML-led alliance. With the
MJF lawmakers coming into fold, UML-NC alliance claim they now have the
support 327 lawmakers.
A party needs the support of 301 lawmakers in the 601-member Constituent
Assembly to form a government.
UML and NC leaders said that they will end their signature campaign to
rally support for the alliance they lead today.
Constitutional experts had advised the two parties last week to garner
support of the lawmakers for their government through a signature campaign
and submit it to the House speaker Subash Nemwang, who will then use his
residual rights to remove any obstruction that exists in government formation.
nepalnews.com ag May 17 09
●AFC Presidents' Cup: NPC plays to a goalless draw●
In the ongoing AFC Presidents' Cup being played at Dashrath Stadium, Nepal
Police Club (NPC) played to a goalless draw against WAPDA of Pakistan on
Saturday.
Having lost its opener against Taiwan Power Company, NPC came out all guns
blazing but could not win the match despite numerous chances. In the first
half, WAPDA goalkeeper made some good saves to keep the match scoreless.
Additionally NPC was unlucky as Yogandra Shrestha saw two of his attempts
rebound off the woodwork. Chetan Ghimire also failed to capitalise in a
goalmouth melee midway into the first half.
The second half was the same with NPC pressing for a goal, but despite
some good chances, NPC could not score.
In the other game, ten-man Regar Tadaz saw off nine-man Taiwan Power Company
3-1
NPC still has chances to qualify but with some help. They will have to
beat Regar Tadaz in the last game with a good margin and hope that the
WAPDA and Taiwan Power Company ends in a draw. Both games are scheduled
to be played on May 18. nepalnews.com May 17 09
●MJF takes a softer stance in supporting UML●
As the CPN (UML) is striving to garner support of at least 301 lawmakers
required to form the new coalition, Madheshi Janadhikar Forum, which holds
a decisive role in the process, has taken a softer stance in supporting
the UML-led coalition.
“We have not said we will not accept the leadership of Madhav Kumar Nepal,”
said JP Gupta, co-chairman of MJF after a meeting with UML chairman Jhala
Nath Khanal and Madhav Kumar Nepal Sunday morning. “All we are looking
for is a written assurance on the implementation of February 28 agreements
with the Madhesi community.”
Earlier, MJF was rigid on its stance with its central committee deciding
to form a coalition under its own leadership or stay out of the government.
MJF has been clearly divided into two factions on which party to support
for the new coalition. A faction led by parliamentary party leader Bijaya
Kumar Gachechedar is for supporting the UML-NC alliance, while the faction
led by party chairman Upendra Yadav is for supporting the Maoists.
After the meeting with Nepal and Khanal, Gupta said his party would not
insist on forming the government under its leadership if an assurance on
implementing the agreements is given.
Meanwhile, the UML has claimed it has got support of enough lawmakers to
form the government even without the MJF.
UML secretary Shankar Pokhrel said 292 lawmakers from various parties including
Nepali Congress, Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party, Sadbhawana party, among
others had submitted their signatures in favour of the premiership of Madhav
Kumar Nepal at the UML parliamentary party office.
The UML is counting on RPP Nepal, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party and
CPN (United) for the deficit number. However, all three parties have indicated
they would not participate in the signature campaign, although they might
support the coalition later.
CPN (United) leader Ganesh Shah has said it would not take part in the
signature campaign.
RPP Nepal chairman Kamal Thapa said his party would not join the government
and NWPP has put forward an 18-point charter of demands to join the new
coalition. nepalnews.com May 17 09
●Maoist rally disrupts traffic in Kathmandu ●
Traffic and day-to-day life in capital Kathmandu has been adversely affected
Sunday morning as the Unified CPN (Maoist) prepare for rallies and a huge
mass assembly for Sunday afternoon.
The Maoists are organising rallies and mass assemblies in Kathmandu, Biratnagar,
Nepalgunj and Dhangadi Sunday afternoon as part of their protest programme
against the President’s move to intervene in the government decision to
sack the army chief.
They are taking out rallies from 11 different locations in Kathmandu including
Lagankhel, Kalanki, Gongabu and Chabahil, among others. Traffic has been
disrupted in the valley due to the rallies. According to the valley traffic
control room, public transports have already stopped in some places.
The Maoists are bringing their cadres from various districts around the
capital to participate in the mass assembly. Some 45 passenger buses are
ferrying Maoist cadres for participation in the rally from Gorkha alone,
according to a transport entrepreneur.
Top leaders will address the mass assembly at Khula Manch Sunday afternoon.
The Maoists are also expected to announce further protest programmes against
the President’s move today.
Meanwhile, Maoist spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma said the rallies and the
mass assemblies would be peaceful and refuted speculations that the Maoists
had plans to defy the prohibitory orders. nepalnews.com May 17 09
●One killed, another injured in bomb explosion●
Yam Bahadur Roka has been killed, while his son Ramesh Roka has been seriously
injured when a stray bomb went off in Bhingri VDC, Pyuthan.
Roka duo were working in their field when the bomb went off. Police said
the information was received late and a team had been dispatched to the
blast site to investigate the incident. nepalnews.com May 17 09
●Three Nepalese killed in Dubai●
Three Nepali youths have been killed in separate incidents in the United
Arab Emirates on Friday.
According to Himal Bhandari of Nepal Ekata Samaj, Arjun Pokhrel of Bastu
VDC, Gulmi died in a road mishap, Ishwari Gyawali of Arjai VDC of the same
district was electrocuted and Gagan Chaudhary of Chainpur-9 died of heart
stroke at Musafa.
Their bodies have been kept in a local hospital in Dubai and will be sent
to Nepal soon, the Nepalese Embassy said. nepalnews.com May 17 09
●UML-led quartet still eyes MJF support●
A meeting of the four parties of a proposed ruling alliance - CPN (UML),
Nepali Congress, Terai Madhesi Loktantrik Party (TMLP) and Sadbhawana Party
(SP) -- on Saturday decided to hold discussions with Madhesi Janadhikar
Forum (MJF) leadership to bring it into their fold.
The meeting held at UML parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar ended
with the conclusion that formation of a UML-led government could be delayed
by few more days with the MJF not making its position clear.
NC leader Prakash Saran Mahat, who participated in the meeting, said the
four-party leaders will meet MJF leadership to convince it over the issues
it has raised, including clear commitment to implement the past agreement
with the United Democratic Madhesi Front.
Mahat said majority for the UML-led government has already been secured,
but MJF's support would still be crucial for the government.
After getting green signals from the Maoists, MJF's central committee meeting
had on Thursday decided to stake claim for the leadership of the next government,
but there was the next day with more than half of MJF lawmakers speaking
against the CC decision.
MJF chairman Upendra Yadav and vice chairman J.P Gupta are opposed to NC-UML
combine's efforts to form new government under the premiership of Madhav
Kumar Nepal while head of the parliamentary party, Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar,
is in favour joining such a coalition. nepalnews.com mk May 16 09
●Congress-led UPA sweeps Indian polls ●
Supporters of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) have started
celebrating victory across India as they take a clear lead in the 543-member
Lok Sabha elections.
Prime Minister and UPA leader Manmohan Singh has declared victory, while
their opponents Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the left-wing parties
have accepted defeat.
Opposition leader Lal Krishna Advani, projected Prime Ministerial candidate
by the BJP, has resigned as opposition leader owing to the party's unprecedented
defeat in the national polls.
"I express my deep sense of gratitude to the people of the country
for the massive mandate they have given the alliance", PM Singh said
as results indicated his alliance had achieved a sweeping - and surprising
- success in the month long polls that will keep him in power for another
term, Associated Press reported.
The Hindu nationalist BJP, the country's other main party, failed to convince
voters to change the national leadership during a time of economic uncertainty
and regional instability.
"We accept the people's verdict," said Arun Jaitley, a senior
BJP leader. "Certainly something did go wrong."
News channels called the election in Congress' favor based on more than
70 percent of votes counted.
The CNN-IBN channel said the Congress-led alliance could win 258 seats
in the 543-seat Parliament, and the BJP-led alliance could take 162. It
projected that the Congress party alone - without the support of its coalition
allies - would take 198 seats, putting it far ahead of all other parties.
Other channels predicted similar results in the massive vote - the largest
in the democratic world - which for logistical and security reasons was
held in five phases between April 16 and May 13.
If counting trends continue the same direction, it would be a clear victory
for the Congress coalition - but would still leave it short of the 272
seats needed to govern alone and it would require the support of other
parties. India has been ruled by coalition governments for most of the
last two decades. However, the results appeared far better for Congress
than nearly everyone expected. For months, polls and political observers
have predicted that neither of the country's two main parties would emerge
a clear winner, forcing an unstable and unwieldy coalition that could have
conceivably included dozens of smaller parties.
Things now appear far clearer: Congress "seems to have the upper hand,"
said Venkaiah Naidu, a BJP leader.
The "Third Front," an alliance of communist, regional and caste-based
parties that had banded together - and which for a time had been seen as
a wild card that could emerge with immense power - appeared to have done
poorly. Most news stations predicted they would win less than 80 seats.
As results came in, celebrations erupted outside the Congress party headquarters.
Party workers set off fireworks and danced in the streets carrying posters
of party leader Sonia Gandhi.
"We have won a thumping majority," Congress activist Parag Jain
said outside the party offices, in a leafy, elegant south New Delhi neighborhood.
"Successful rule begins and ends with Congress and the Gandhi family."
The BJP's office compound offered a somber contrast, as supporters and
party workers held quiet discussions inside the shuttered gates, decorated
with the party symbol of a lotus flower.
The Congress party has long said that Singh, 76, an economist and technocrat
who helped open India's economy nearly 20 years ago, would return to power
if it won. But the election appeared to also be a clear victory for Sonia
Gandhi's son, Rahul, who emerged as a key strategist during the campaign
and became the party's most visible face. While a relative political newcomer,
he has been increasingly viewed as a future prime minister.
Rahul, 38, is a scion of India's most powerful family - the son of former
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, grandson of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
and great-grandson of Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister. The
family was closely allied to the pacifist icon Mohandas Gandhi, though
they are not related.
The results also indicated that the communist parties, a traditional power
in Indian politics, had dropped from 60 seats to less than half that number.
Prakash Karat, the general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist),
said it was cause to re-examine their approach, saying they had "suffered
a major setback."
The communist parties had supported Congress for much of the previous term,
but broke ties over the Indian-U.S. civilian nuclear agreement, the cornerstone
of warmer relations between New Delhi and Washington. According to the
Indian Constitution, a new legislature has to be in place by June 2.
The long, grueling campaign season produced few central issues that resonated
across the wildly diverse nation of 1.2 billion people and 714 million
eligible voters. Total voter turnout was approximately 60 percent, the
national election commission said, up slightly from 58 percent in the last
national vote in 2004. nepalnews.com May 16 09
●UML CC meet postponed●
The meeting of the UML central committee has been postponed until Wednesday
as senior party leaders remained busy in consultations with different parties
in a bid to rally support for a UML-led government.
UML leaders were busy in a joint meeting with leaders of three other parties
- Nepali Congress, Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party and Sadbhawana Party Saturday
afternoon.
The four-party meeting held at the UML parliamentary party office in Singha
Durbar decided to hold discussion with Madhesi Janadhikar Forum leadership
on the conditions it has put forth for supporting the would-be coalition
government.
NC, TMLP and SP have already declared their support to the UML and have
already given the signatures of their lawmakers to show majority for the
new government. nepalnews.com May 16 09
●Two burnt alive on suspicion of kidnapping●
In a latest example of mob rule in Terai, two persons were burnt alive
by villagers in Saptari district Saturday on suspicion of being involved
in abduction of kids.
Two Indian nationals, who identities were not known immediately, were caught
by locals of Joganiya-9 Saturday and beaten up. They were then thrown into
the stacks of hay and burnt alive, reports said.
The locals claimed that the two men were caught while trying to lure the
kids by offering chocolates.
The incident is the latest in a series of killings and maiming of suspected
kidnappers by villagers in Terai districts. Two days earlier, an Indian
national was beaten to death under similar circumstances in Saptari district.
nepalnews.com May 16 09
●PM Dahal meets leaders of fringe parties ●
Caretaker Prime Minister and Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal held separate
discussions with leaders of fringe parties Saturday morning in an effort
to avert formation of a UML-led government.
Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal (RPP-N) chairman Kamal Thapa met Dahal
in Baluwatar.
In the meeting, Dahal sought RPP-N's help in formation of new government
under the leadership of Unified CPN (Maoist) and asked Thapa not to support
the UML-led coalition. PM Dahal also criticised the parties for advocating
a majority government instead of a unity government.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Thapa said his party would
not join the next government, but was ready to give support from outside
if it is convinced that the new coalition is suitable for the big tasks
like bringing the peace process to a conclusion and facilitating the constitution-drafting
process.
Thapa said a government without the Maoist participation would not be able
to bring the peace process to a conclusion.
Indicating his dissatisfaction over Dahal's conflicting statements on foreign
intervention in Nepal's internal matters, Thapa said there is a tendency
to exploit the nationality issue, which must stop.
Thapa, whose party has four seats in the Constituent Assembly, had met
Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala yesterday.
Meanwhile, Maoist leadership also held separate meetings with Nepali Janata
Dal (NJD) chairman Haricharan Shah today and is set to meet others to win
their support for an alternative coalition. nepalnews.com mk/ ia May 16 09
●Convict runs away from Central Jail ●
An inmate, serving a fifteen years jail term on charges of smuggling narcotics,
fled from the Central Jail on Wednesday, said an official at Ministry of
Home Affairs (MoHA) on Friday.
Sujan KC, who had been jailed four years ago for his involvement in smuggling
of narcotics, is at large since Wednesday, according to Nabin Ghimire,
spokesperson at MoHA. The security agencies have not been able to trace
him yet, Ghimire said.
KC had become a leader of the inmates in the recent days. Sources say,
the jail administration was involved in helping KC run away.
Meanwhile, the government has formed a taskforce led by Narendra Sharma,
a senior official at the MoHA and including Murari Sharma, director, Department
of Jail Management (DoJM), and a Superintendent of Police to probe into
the case. The taskforce will interrogate the jail officials shortly. DoJM
and MoHA representatives visited the Central Jail Friday. nepalnews.com May 16 09
●‘The govt informed Prez about army chief’s dismissal’●
The Maoist-led caretaker government has informed the Supreme Court (SC)
it had formally informed President Dr Ram Baran Yadav about its decision
to sack Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Rookmangud Katawal, on Friday.
Responding to a show cause notice issued by the SC, Chief Secretary Dr
Bhoj Raj Ghimire, said the government had forwarded a letter about its
decision to oust the CoAS to the President’s Office on May 3.
The SC had issued a show cause notice to the government after advocate
Damodar Paudel filed a writ petition against the cabinet decision to sack
Chief of Army Staff Rookmangud Katawal.
The government’s response has addressed General Katawal as a former CoAS
and General Khadka as the acting CoAS.
Meanwhile, on Friday, Katawal participated in a public function in capacity
of the CoAS for the first time after the controversy surfaced. Although,
Katawal was discharging his duties as the CoAS from the army headquarters,
he had not participated in public functions in the same capacity. nepalnews.com May 16 09
●MJF lawmakers engage in fist fighting●
Madheshi Janadhikar Forum lawmakers on Friday created a scene by engaging
in fist fighting at a parliamentary party meeting in Singha Durbar.
MJF leaders, who have clearly been divided into two factions over the issue
of which party to support in the new coalition, reached such a situation
from a debate that started with a petty issue.
The debate started after Mrigendra Singh, a supporter of PP leader Bijaya
Kumar Gachechedar, got more applause after his speech than party chairman
Upendra Yadav. Yadav's supporters objected to the same, saying it was not
appropriate to clap longer for a CA member's speech than for the party
chairman's.
CA members also attempted to snatch away the camera of media persons who
had captured the scene. The meeting was called off following the incident.
PP leader Gachechedar, who is in favour an NC-UML alliance, issued a press
release after the meeting condemning the party leadership and the central
committee of bypassing the PP while taking important decisions.
MJF CC had decided to either form a government under its leadership or
stay out of the government this morning.
Meanwhile, the CPN (UML) has started collecting signatures of parliamentarians
in favour of its senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal.
CA members representing Nepali Congress, Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party
and Sadhbhavana party have submitted their signatures to the UML parliamentary
party office, it is learnt.
UML sources have confirmed the receipt of 114 signatures from NC CA members.
nepalnews.com ta May 15 09
●Koirala asks Dahal to cooperate in govt formation efforts●
Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala has asked caretaker Prime
Minister and Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal to cooperate in the ongoing
efforts to form a new government under the leadership of CPN (UML).
During a meeting Friday evening, Koirala asked the Maoist leadership to
join the next government. According to NC leader Krishna Sitaula, Koirala
proposed a high-level political body of the would-be allies to oversee
the government's actions.
Dahal, who is vehemently opposed to UML leadership for the next government,
suggested Koirala to take initiatives for a national government.
"He [Koirala] played important role in signing the 12-point agreement.
We asked him to take initiative for new consensus in the same spirit,"
Dahal told reporters after the meeting held at Koirala's Maharajgunj residence.
Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai, who was present at the meeting, said his
party was ready to be part of the new government if it's formed on the
basis of national consensus. "But no consensus can evolve by projecting
a person or a party [as the leader of new government]," he said, indicating
that the Maoist party is not ready to support UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal
as the Prime Minister.
Bhattarai also said his party was committed to peace process and timely
drafting of the new constitution.
The meeting between NC and Maoist leaderships comes amid uncertainly over
the formation of new government.
The UML has started signature campaign as part of securing majority for
the new government. nepalnews.com mk May 15 09
●Oli seeks support from Maoists for government formation●
A vocal critic of the Unified CPN (Maoist), CPN-UML leader K. P. Oli has
sought support from the Maoist leadership to form the new coalition government.
Speaking at a function in capital Friday, Oli said his party intends to
form a unity government under the leadership of his party’s senior leader
Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Oli still blamed Maoists for putting hindrance in the process as they have
been obstructing the House proceedings protesting the president’s move
to reinstate army chief Rookmangud Katawal.
Refuting allegations that UML was power hungry and more involved in leading
the new government rather than the broader duty of writing new constitution,
Oli claimed UML’s present initiative was the result of sudden political
change in the country.
Since the Maoist-led government was pulled down, UML backed by the Nepali
Congress has been taking initiative to make its senior leader Nepal the
new prime minister with support from the smaller parties. nepalnews.com ia May 15 09
●'Activism of foreign power centres must be checked'●
Minister for Health and Population Giriraj Mani Pokharel on Friday said
that the main task ahead for the new government that will replace the current
caretaker one will be to complete army integration process and write new
constitution so as to take the ongoing peace process to its logical conclusion.
He further said that the new government should also check the increased
activism of "foreign power centers" in Nepal, warning that his
party Unified CPN (Maoist) will take to the streets if nothing is done
on this regard. He didn't elaborate on the matter further.
Speaking at a programme in Surkhet, the outgoing minister expressed dismay
at the number of deaths in the diarrhea-affected villages in Jajarkot where
he had just conducted an inspection visit.
However, he made no such assurances nor announced relief packages for the
victims and their families.
According to reports, thirteen people have so far lost their lives in Jajarkot
because of not receiving timely treatment amidst a diarrhea outbreak that
has gripped the district since last month.
The villages where the diarrhea has caused such havoc is about 25 kilometers
from the district headquarters. Over 3,000 people in these villages are
said to be suffering from diarrhea.
The District Public Health Office said it has sent four medical teams to
the affected area, but the epidemic has not come under control. nepalnews.com May 15 09
●House stalemate continues●
The Unified CPN (Maoist) has again blocked the parliamentary proceedings.
Friday's meeting of the legislature-parliament was adjourned after Maoist
lawmakers gheraoed the speaker's rostrum and chanted slogans. They demanded
that the President withdraw his 'unconstitutional' order to reinstate the
sacked army chief and restore 'civilian supremacy'.
The next sitting of the parliament will take place on Monday.
The obstruction in the House came despite caretaker Prime Minister and
Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal's statement on Thursday that his party
would allow the normal proceedings. He, however, didn't mention when the
House would be allowed to function normally. nepalnews.com May 15 09
●Two shot at in Lahan●
Two persons sustained bullet injuries when unidentified gunmen opened fired
at them on Thursday night in Lahan.
The injured have been identified as Suresh Singh of Tenuwapatti-9 and Ram
Narayan Singh of Sitapur of Siraha.
Reports quoted police as saying that the duo were attacked while returning
home from India on a motorcycle. It, however, didn't say how badly were
the two injured.
The gang also took away the motorcycle. The injured are said to be currently
undergoing treatment at the BP Koirala Institute of Health Science in Dharan.
Madhesh Rastra Janatantrik -Revolutionary called the local media and has
owned up responsibility for the attack. nepalnews.com May 15 09
●Khanal calls for 'unity govt' as UML scrambles to secure majority●
While the UML seems still far from securing simple majority for a new government,
its chairman Jhala Nath Khanal has called for a "government of national
unity".
Inaugurating a literacy campaign launched by the party's student wing,
ANNFSU, in the capital on Friday, Khanal said that major talks like constitution-making,
state restructuring and peace process cannot be completed without political
consensus. He also urged all the political parties to join the proposed
UML-led government.
Khanal made the call for unity government as the prospects of new government
led by UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal grew weaker with the Madhesi
Janadhikar Forum (MJF) staking claim for government leadership. MJF has
53 seats in the 601 Constituent Assembly, which will be decisive for forming
a majority government in the current situation.
MJF is believed to have arrived at this conclusion following the Maoist
leadership's pledge for support in its bid to quash the UML's attempts
to form the new government. However, the Maoist party has not officially
announced its support to MJF.
MJF has come up with another option according to which it will support
any coalition government from outside provided such a government makes
commitment to implement the agreements reached with then Unified Democratic
Madhesi Front. nepalnews.com mk May 14 09
●Six trainee workers off to Japan●
The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on
Thursday has bid farewell to six industrial trainees leaving for Japan
under the Japan Industrial Training Cooperation Organization (JITCO).
The six girls will fly to Japan this Sunday. The workers are being sent
to Japan after six years of signing memorandum of understanding (MoU) between
FNCCI and JITCO.
"Fulfilling the JITCO process is a difficult task, and it takes time
to select trainees," FNCCI president Kush Kumar Joshi in the farewell
propgramme. The MoU gave FNCCI the sole right to send trainees. The six
JITCO trainees from garment sector were selected from among 36 short listed
by Garment Association of Nepal (GAN).
According to the agreement, only six trainees can be chosen in a batch
who can well speak Japanese language and is familiar with Japanese culture.
Japan's ambassador to Nepal Tatsuo Mizuno congratulated the trainees and
hoped their training would benefit the declining Nepali garment industry.
"You must work hard and learn skills to support your industry,"
he said. nepalnews.com May 15 09
●IOC, NOC agree for petro pipeline●
Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) have agreed
to build a 41-km long petro pipeline linking Raxual of India and Amlekhgunj
of Nepal.
A joint meeting held between the two companies recently also decided to
start work to prepare the model of the pipeline that would facilitate
oil supply to Nepal.
Petroleum supply to Nepal through tankers has been facing difficulties
due to frequent strikes in Terai districts since few years.
According to the agreement, IOC will invest 70 percent and the NOC agreed
to invest 30 percent for the estimated Rs 3 billion project.
Feasibility study for the project will start soon. nepalnews.com May 15 09
●Koirala seeks support from Kamal Thapa●
Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala has sought support from
Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal (RPP-N) chairman Kamal Thapa for formation
of a new government under the UML leadership.
The NC-UML coalition has faced a set back in its mission after Madhesi
Jahadhikar Forum decided to claim government leadership. Efforts are being
made from early Friday morning to collect support from at least 301 lawmakers.
Thapa, on invitation from Koirala, had reached Koirala’s residence in Maharajgunj
early Friday morning. Koirala requested Thapa to vote in favour of Madhav
Kumar Nepal-led coalition government and send representative to the new
cabinet.
However, Thapa did not commit of support saying the matter has not been
discussed with his party. He is learnt to have informed Koirala that a
formal decision will be taken shortly. nepalnews.com ia May 15 09
●Mount Everest Day on May 29●
A joint meeting of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, Hotel Association
Nepal, Trekking Association of Nepal, Nepal Association of Tour Operators
and Nepal Association of Rafting Agents Thursday decided to mark the Mount
Everest Day on May 29.
The meeting also decided to take out a rally and hold a get together of
tourism entrepreneurs and people affiliated with this industry on May 29
along with other programmes.
Additionally, the Mount Everest Prize of Rs 100,000 and Tenzing Hillary
Prize of Rs 50,000 established by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation
would be provided on the Day.
The Day will be observed for the second time in Nepal is also marked in
Denmark, Doha, Malaysia, Dhaka and Sydney as a Nepal Festival, the NATTA
said. nepalnews.com May 15 09
●Nepalese can be priest at Pashupati●
Pashupati Area Development Trust has promulgated the PADT Working Procedure
Regulations which has opened up doors for Nepalese priests as well to be
chief of the Pashupati temple.
The Himalayan Times has quoted a PADT official as saying that candidate’s
nationality is no bar for appointment as a priest in the new provision.
However, the official has not made it clear whether he meant the priest
can also be from countries other than Nepal and India.
The regulation has also specified selection procedure, qualification of
candidates and remuneration applicable for the Bhattas and Bhandaris. For
instance, candidates need to sit for written as well as practical examinations
and should be between 30 and 45 years of age.
The regulation ends the priests’ monopoly over the donations made at the
temple. Donations and offerings have to be deposited with the Trust. nepalnews.com ia May 15 09
●Football: Taiwan Power Company stuns Nepal Police●
Chinese Taipei league champions Taiwan Power Company stunned Nepal Police
Club (NPC) 3-2 in the second match of the AFC Presidents' Cup Group A qualifiers
at Dashrath Stadium Thursday.
NPC had taken a playful lead in the 21st minute through Yogesh Shrestha
but Taiwan replied back in a minute. Police goalie Ritesh Thapa made a
blunder and Peng Pao struck to level the score.
After the re-start, NPC’s defense line was caught sleeping and Lin Po Yuan
scored an easy goal in the 1st minute giving Taiwan Power Company a 2-1
lead. The visiting team was then awarded a penalty kick when Rakesh Shrestha
fouled a Chinese player inside the D-box. Taiwan Power Company sent the
spot kick into the net for a 3-1 lead.
Chetan Ghimire cut the deficit in the 84th minute but that was not enough
to save the match.
"We lost the match due to our own mistakes", police coach Birat
Krishna Shrestha said. Taiwan Power coach Chen Jen said they were lucky
to win the match.
In the other match played earlier, WAPDA of Pakistan held defending champions
Regar Tadaz of Tajikistan to a goalless draw. nepalnews.com bt May 15 09
●UML leaders warn of revolt●
A dozen central committee members have warned the UML leadership of revolt
if the party leadership agrees with the demands put forward by the Terai
based parties in an effort to get support for formation of new government.
Gokarna Bista, Rajendra Shrestha, Ram Chandra Jha, Prakash Jwala, Surendra
Pandey among others met with party chairman Jhala Nath Khanal Thursday
and suggested him not to accept the Madhesi demands just for leading the
new government.
Talking to Radio Sagarmatha Friday morning, Bista said they asked the party
leadership not to ignore national interest while taking opportunity for
leading a coalition government.
Among others, the Terai based parties have been demanding ‘One Madhes One
Province’ as the condition to support the new government proposed to be
formed under the UML leadership.
In the meantime, vice president of the party Bamdev Gautam has said it
was a mistake to withdraw from the government and that his party will have
to repent for it.
Addressing a trainers' training programme organised by All Nepal National
Free Students' Union in Kathmandu Thursday, Gautam said his party comrades
will realise the mistake later.
He claimed government's decision to take action against Chief of Army Staff
Rookmangud Katawal was justifiable since he disobeyed the government and
was also convicted by the Rayamajhi Commission.
He also criticised party chairman Khanal and general secretary Ishwor Pokhrel
for not sticking by their earlier stance to take action against army chief. nepalnews.com ia May 15 08 09
●MJF stakes claim on govt leadership●
Madhesi Janadhikar Fourm (MJF), after days of long deliberations among the party members has finally projected itself as the party to lead the new government.
In a statement issued by Co-chairman Jay Prakash Prasad Gupta, the party
said it would take initiatives to gather support and solidarity from other
parties for formation of new government under its leadership.
The central committee meeting held until late night Thursday also floated
a second alternative to support other coalitions for formation of new government
based on their past good and bad policies/deeds.
However, the party said it won’t join the new government. The statement
further said its support will go that party, coalition or front which expresses
commitments to implement the 8-point agreement reached between the government
and the Madhesi front in the past.
Support from the Madhesi coalition is crucial for the NC-UML coalition
to form a new government, proposed to be under the leadership of Madhav
Kumar Nepal. nepalnews.com ia May 15 09
●Dahal says his party won't block formation of new govt●
Caretaker Prime Minister and Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said on
Thursday that the obstruction in the parliament would end soon, adding that he,
too, wanted the new government to take shape at the earliest.
Although Dahal said his party would allow normal parliamentary soon, he
didn't when mention when. He added that the Maoists would not pose any hurdle in
establishing a government if the parties came up with clear majority.
Speaking at a book launch in the capital, Dahal said the Unified CPN (Maoist)
in favour of a government with civilian supremacy that could stand up to foreign
intervention. The caretaker Prime Minister, who had resigned from his post
slamming foreign intervention, said "remote controlled government" cannot
safeguard democracy.
He, nevertheless, emphasised that "broad consensus" is necessary to bring the
peace process to its logical conclusion and write new constitution.
nepalnews.com mk May 14 08
●Court verdict cannot resolve current crisis: Law minister●
Minister for Law, Justice and Constituent Assembly, Dev Gurung, has claimed
the current dispute over the President's step against the government decision
cannot be settled through court verdict, as it is a political issue, not a legal
one.
"The President has made a political move. There cannot be legal solution to
it," Gurung told reporters in Pokhara Thursday. It's the political parties and
the parliament that should find a solution to the current crisis, he added.
The law minister's remarks almost coincided with the Supreme Court's show
cause order on a writ petition against the government decision to sack army
chief Rookmangud Katawal.
Gurung who arrived in Pokhara to attend a meeting of the Unified CPN
(Maoist)'s Tamuwan State Council, also accused the Nepali Congress of trying to
derail the peace process by demanding re-verification of the Maoist combatants.
nepalnews.com May 14 09
●US urges Nepal to focus on constitution drafting●
As the bitter political climate not only threatens to delay new government
formation but even derail the country's peace process, a top US official
Thursday urged Nepal's political parties to resolve their differences and come
together to finish the main task ahead - of writing the nation's
constitution.
"It is important for Nepal to form the government and get on with the big
task of writing the constitution," reports quoted the outgoing Assistant
Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher as
saying.
Boucher, who was speaking to a select South Asian journalist in Washington
DC, said US is trying to encourage the Nepalese political parties in this
regard, but he didn't hide his dismay at the current political situation in
Nepal.
"We do not think, it was better off with the monarchy. We think, we are
better off having these different point of views being worked out through a
political process," Boucher further said.
"Remember, this is a Constituent Assembly to write a new constitution. That
is the big issue. We hope that maximum number of parties, maximum number of
people can get together and agree upon." Two weeks ago a US report said that the
Unified CPN (Maoist) is still in Terrorist Exclusion List of the country, that
restricts the party's members from traveling to US.
The report said that while Nepal experienced no significant acts of
international terrorism, several incidents of politically-motivated violence
occurred across the country in 2008.
"In response to continued violence by Maoist-affiliated youth wing (Young
Communist League), other political parties condoned the use of violence for
their youth wings and unrest in Terai increased with the proliferation of
numerous armed groups," the report said.
Two days after the report became public, the Maoist-led government ended
weeks of uncertainty over the Govt-Army row by giving the boot to Army chief
Rookmangud Katawal. The next day Prime Minister and Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal
Dahal resigned from his post following President's move to reinstate Katawal by
overriding the cabinet's decision to sack him. nepalnews.com May 14
09
●SC asks govt to furnish reasons for sacking CoAS●
Responding to the writ petition filed by advocate Damodar Paudel against the
cabinet decision to sack Chief of Army Staff Rookmangud Katawal, the Supreme
Court has issued a show cause in the name of government on Thursday.
The one-member bench of Bharat Raj Upreti of the apex court asked the
government to submit a written explanation within 15 days on what grounds
Katawal was terminated from the job.
The government on May 3 had sacked Katawal and appointed second in command
Kul Bahadur Khadka as the acting chief of army. The same day, president Dr Ram
Baran Yadav asked Katawal to continue working as the army chief.
nepalnews.com ia May 14 09
●Man returns to village to find his entire life savings rotting●
Even imagining the prospect of losing one's entire life savings is enough to
give a person sleepless nights, how would you feel if it actually starts to
happen?
Maybe something quite similar to what Chatta Dani of Shrinagar-6 of Humla
district is feeling now.
For a person hailing from one of the most remote and impoverished district in
the country, Dani, 45, had a bundle of Rs 60,000 in his hands, a sum he had
managed by saving every penny he earned through his blood and sweat, according
to Kantipur Daily.
But the saying that 'money doesn't bring happiness' applied literally to his
life as he started to get increasingly worried both for his small fortune as
well as his life as at that time the entire village was terrified by the Maoists
coming to their houses seeking donation or some kind of help, sometimes even
robbing away their cash and whatever precious belongings if they resisted.
Depositing the cash in the bank or giving it to relatives for safe-keeping
was also not a good idea as he feared there was always a chance of Maoists
knowing about it. The fear of having to lose his entire life's savings took a
toll on him and because of it he started to have sleepless nights.
After much thinking, he finally came up with what he thought was a very
bright idea -- to dig a hole and stash away all his money for safe-keeping.
He thought this way he neither would have to give the money in donation nor
will there be danger of the money being stolen. So he dug up a hole inside the
cow-shed, wrapped all the money inside a plastic bag, put it in a tin box and
into the hole and covered it again.
He then took a long sigh of relief thinking that his life's savings is safe
now. But he didn't know at that time how badly will he repent his decision
later.
With the money taken care of, he felt it will not be safe for him to remain
in the village. He then went to India where many people from his village go to
earn their livelihood, or perhaps to escape the despair and depravation of home
that was increasingly becoming unsafe because of the Maoists' war.
Spring turned to summer, and summer to winter. Years went by. And with time,
the situation of the country also changed. The Maoists ended their vicious
people's war; shed their rebel past to come into peaceful politics. They won the
election and also formed a government. People in the village again started to
feel some semblance of peace. And, exactly 10 years after he decided to leave
for India, Dani returned to his village again.
He went home and immediately rushed inside the cowshed where he had hid the
money. He quickly dug the place where he had kept the money, found the box,
opened it and slowly untied the worn plastic, and that's when drops of tears
fell down from his cheeks - most of the paper money had rotten beyond
recognition and was in pieces.
But still with a flame of hope in his heart, he carefully bundled the rotten
money and took it to the district headquarters, where he pleaded in front of the
Chief District Officer and then to the local Rastra Banijya Bank officials to
exchange it with fresh notes. But much to his dismay, he received little help
from both places.
However, as the bank officials have told him that Nepal Rastra Bank can
possibly exchange the notes, he has not let all his hopes rot inside him.
nepalnews.com ag May 14 09
●Koirala holds joint consultation on new govt, MJF leaders absent●
Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala held joint consultation with
leaders of CPN (UML), Terai Madhesh Democratic Party (TMDP) and Sadbhawana Party
(SP) as part of the attempt to form a new ruling coalition headed by UML leader
Madhav Kumar Nepal, on Thursday.
Koirala had invited leaders of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), but they
didn't attend citing their internal consultations continuing since
yesterday.
In the meeting held at Koirala's Maharajgunj residence, TMDP and SP leaders
promised their support to the UML-led government and agreed to cooperate with
the signature campaign being initiated by the NC for the new government.
UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, who was present at the meeting, told
reporters that NC and UML are ready to implement the agreements signed between
the government and the then United Democratic Madhesi Front and that the Madhesi
parties are convinced by the pledge.
MJF's support is a must for the NC-UML combine to form the new government.
The Madhesi party that was part of the Maoist-led government has not been able
to decide whether to support the UML-led government or to ally with the
Maoists.
The MJF parliamentary party is clearly divided on the issue. Party chairman
Upendra Yadav and vice chairman J.P Gupta are in favour of an alliance with the
Maoists while parliamentary leader Bijay Gachhadar has been lobbying for the
UML-led coalition government. nepalnews.com mk May 14
09
●Dozens hurt in separate bus mishaps●
At least 65 persons were injured in two separate road mishaps in Bhaktapur
and Chitwan districts Wednesday evening.
Reports said some 49 students were injured when a school bus met with
an
accident in Bhaktapur yesterday.
The bus carrying 55 students and a teacher of Saraswoti Shikshya Sadan lost
control and skidded off the road at Gundu, falling 200 meters below.
Three students are said to have sustained serious injuries, but most students
were fortunate enough to have escaped with minor injury.
Immediately after the accident, the students were rushed to B & B
Hospital in Laliptur, Bhaktapur Hospital, Patan Hospital and Korea-Nepal
Friendship Hospital at Thimi.
The students have sustained injuries on the head, neck, legs and hands, but
all of them were out of danger, according to doctors involved in their
treatment.
School teacher Hari Prasad Rimal said that the main reason behind the
accident was that the driver was new to the route.
The driver fled the scene after the incident.
Similarly, at least 16 persons were injured, one seriously, when a bus met
with an accident at Piple in Chitwan district Wednesday evening.
The bus heading to Kathmandu from Birgunj skidded off the road and overturned
due to its exceeding speed.
Fifteen of the injured are undergoing treatment at Bharatpur Hospital while
seriously injured Jogendra Chaudhary, 24, was rushed to Kathmandu.
Early Wednesday morning three people were killed in a road accident in
Bandipur section of the East-West Highway of Siraha district.
nepalnews.com May 14 09
●Chinese envoy meets top leaders ●
Chinese envoy to Nepal Qui Guohong has intensified his political consultation
with leaders of various political leaders as parties delay gathering majority to
form a new government.
The Chinese diplomat reached residence of Nepali Congress president Girija
Prasad Koirala in Maharajgunj on Thursday morning. The duo discussed the ongoing
peace process and the formation of new government.
Guohong had held discussion with caretaker prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal
at his residence Baluwatar on Wednesday. Earlier, he had called CPN (UML)
chairman Jhala Nath Khanal to discuss the issue.
The Chinese envoy has become active amidst allegations of foreign
intervention into the internal affairs of Nepal lately.
China on Wednesday had refuted the Indian media reports saying that it
intervened in the army row. nepalnews.com May 14 09
●Cabinet’s decision on CoAS appointment challenged at SC ●
At a time when the Supreme Court is yet to give its final verdict on whether
the step taken by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav to reinstate the Chief of Army
Staff (CoAS) sacked by the government is constitutional, another writ has been
filed at the court challenging the constitutionality of the government decision
to sack the army chief.
Demanding scraping of the cabinet’s decision to terminate Rookmangud Katawal
and deputing his job to Kul Bahadur Khadka, a writ petition has been filed at
the apex court on Wednesday by advocate Damodar Paudel.
The petitioner has made the Office of the Prime Minister, the Council of
Ministers and Khadka as the defendants.
“Since the cabinet’s decision has been overruled by the President’s decision,
Katawal is now the CoAS of the Nepali Army and Khadka his deputy. The apex court
intervention into the issue is required as the cabinet’s decision has put the
peace process in peril,” the petition said in his Public Interest
Litigation.
It is argued that since the Interim Constitution does not allow the prime
minister to bypass the president while appointing or sacking the CoAS, Khadka's
"unconstitutional" appointment should be scrapped. However, Paudel claimed that
president’s move to nullify government’s decision was constitutional.
It further said the cabinet’s decision violated Article 43 of the
Constitution which says the government shall function as per the spirit of the
2006 Democratic Movement with "political consensus" and collaboration.
nepalnews.com May 14 09
●Six die of diarrhea in Gorkha and Jajarkot ●
At least three people are reported to have died of diarrhea epidemic in Lapu
VDC in Gorkha district last week. Two of the deceased have been identified as
Gita Gurung and Ambir Gurung.
According to a media report, more than 30 people in Wards No 5, 7, 8 and 9 of
the VDC have been hit by the epidemic.
No medical team has been sent to the affected areas since the team dispatched
to Gumda area of the same district to control the viral spread has not
returned.
Similarly, three more people are reported dead in Jajarkot district last week
due to diarrhea. The deceased are Bhau Singh and Mamata BK of Sagla VDC and
Dharmi Nepali of Rokayagaun VDC. A medical team with medicine has been sent to
the affected area. nepalnews.com May 14 09
●MJF still undecided over new govt●
The key player in formation of new government Madhesi Janadhikar Forum has
failed to give its final decision on Wednesday regarding its support in the new
coalition.
The parliamentary party meeting held Wednesday evening could not reach a
conclusion. Though most lawmakers demanded ‘voting’ to decide party’s position,
president Upendra Yadav and vice president Jay Prakash Prasad Gupta, who have
been opposing support to UML-led government, purposely postponed the meeting
until Friday.
The party has called its central committee meeting for Thursday where
establishment faction has majority support.
Few lawmakers also suggested the party leadership to support the UML-led
coalition to be formed under the leadership of Madhav Kumar Nepal without
joining the new government.
Parliamentary party leader Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar has been advocating for
UML-led government. The sharp division in the party leadership in the run up to
formation of new government has created possibility for split in the party.
nepalnews.com May 14 09
●SC orders govt to protect rights of HIV+●
The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued verdict directing the government
authorities to promulgate the Act for protecting the rights of people who are
HIV-positive.
Two-member bench of justices Kalyan Shrestha and Sushila Karki ordered
the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Law, Justice and Constituent Assembly
Affairs to prepare the bill and table it before the House for endorsement
at the earliest possible.
The apex court has also asked the authorities to consult experts and the
patients before tabling the bill in the legislature-parliament.
Stating that the HIV+ patients should enjoy equal rights as other citizens,
the court ordered the government to ensure end to all discriminatory treatment
against them.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was jointly filed by Nepal Environmental
Lawyers’ Association, Chitwan Active Society and Child and Women Empowerment
Society seeking the apex court’s intervention in promulgation of laws two
and a half years ago. nepalnews.com May 14 09
●Koirala throws his weight behind Nepal●
Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala has assured UML leader Madhav
Kumar Nepal of full support in forming the new government under his
leadership.
Koirala made this pledge during a meeting with Nepal Wednesday afternoon.
"The NC President said his party would give full backing to Nepal as the next
Prime Minister and asked him to form the government on the basis of consensus,"
UML leader Raghuji Pant, who was present at the meeting, quoted Koirala as
saying.
Koirala also stressed that the new government should be able to bring the
peace process to a logical end and complete the task of constitution-drafting on
time.
According to Nepali Congress vice-president Ram Chanadra Poudel, NC and UML
will be making joint efforts to win support from other parties for the UML-led
government.
Earlier today, Nepal met caretaker Prime Minister and Maoist chairman Pushpa
Kamal Dahal and asked him to cooperate in forming the new government by allowing
the legislature-parliament function.
"If they (Maoists) can show majority on their side, they can form the
government, but they should take it easy if UML does that," Nepal told reporters
after the meeting held at Finance Minister Baburam Bhattarai's official quarters
in Pulchowk. nepalnews.com mk May 13 09
●'Murder-accused PLA commander was set free after being arrested'●
A Maoist PLA commander who was on the most-wanted list of the police for the
murder of a Kathmandu-based businessman was caught and then subsequently
released at the behest of the Home Minister, a weekly newspaper reported
Wednesday.
According to Janaastha, a weekly tabloid published from Kathmandu, PLA Third
division commander Kali Bahadur Kham Magar a.k.a Bibidh, the main-accused in the
murder of businessman Ram Hari Shrestha of Koteshwor, was arrested over a month
ago along with three of his aides at around 9:30 pm from a police check-point in
Bouddha area in Kathmandu.
Police also confiscated weapons from the PLA commander who has been
absconding since he was charged of the murder, the Weekly said.
It further said that Bibidh had at first resisted arrest saying that he was a
central member of the Maoist party.
Indeed, the last convention of the Unified CPN (Maoist) promoted Bibidh to
the powerful Central Secretariat level, though he was charged of murdering
Shrestha.
Despite facing intense pressure to take action against Bibidh, the Maoist
party had been saying they don't know about his whereabouts, this even as
reports claimed that Bibidh was holed up inside the PLA Third Division
cantonment where he allegedly kept Shrestha for many days before murdering
him.
After arresting Bibidh, Bouddha police immediately informed Inspector General
of Police (IGP) Ramesh Chand about it. The police chief then notified Home
Minister Bam Dev Gautam about Bibidh being in police custody, the weekly
said.
Home Minister Gautam then reportedly ordered that Bibidh and his armed aides
be handed over to PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal in Baluwatar.
The police did as they were ordered and took Bibidh and his aides to the PM's
official residence where they reportedly handed him over to PM Dahal.
The revelation, if true, would be interesting given that Home Minister Gautam
had promised the victim's family that he would bring Bibidh to book.
nepalnews.com May 13 09
●New govt not likely before Sunday: Baidya●
Unified CPN (Maoist) leader Mohan Baidya said Wednesday that the new
government is not going to shape up before Sunday.
Speaking at a programme organised by Janasanchar Abhiyan in the capital,
Baidya said his party would not allow parliamentary proceedings until Sunday. He
added that the Maoist party would not accept a government that is formed outside
of the parliament.
He also argued that the democratic image of Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) has
tarnished after the latest political development.
Maoists are scheduled to hold mass gatherings in four different places across
the country on Sunday to intensify their protests against president's move.
nepalnews.com ia May 13 09
●Three die in road mishap●
Three people were killed in a road accident in Bandipur section of the
East-West Highway of Siraha district Wednesday morning.
Reports quoted police as saying that the incident occurred when a bus heading
for Biratnagar from the capital hit a motorcycle coming from the opposite
direction.
Apparently three people were riding on the motorcycle, who were later
identified as Udit Narayan Yadav of Govindapur, his son Sudip Narayan and Ram
Pratap Yadav of Sabaila-1.
Udit and his son Sudip died on the spot while Ram Pratap died while being
rushed to the hospital for treatment. nepalnews.com May 13
09
●Bhutanese refugees in Australia celebrate resettlement anniversary●
About 300 Bhutanese refugees gathered at Olympic House at Franklin Street
mark the first anniversary of their arrival in Australia, showcasing their food,
culture, dance and singing.
The first two refugee families had arrived South Australia on May 13 last
year.
Of 700 Bhutanese refugees resettled in Australia, 300 have made Adelaide
their homes. They have started fresh lives in Adelaide, New South Wales,
Victoria, Tamania and Darwin.
Inaugurating the anniversary function, Premier Mike Rann said that he was
impressed by the remarkable quality and commitment shown by Bhutanese refugees.
According to Bhuwaneshor Sharma, a Nepalese journalist based in Adelaide, , Rann
said he was looking forward to know more about Bhutanese people. "The story of
Australia is the story of migrant. I am myself a migrant," he added.
Greg Kelly, state Director at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship,
appreciated the communities' contribution in Victorian Bushfire early this
year.
Lately, the Bhutanese have come together to start a Bhutanese Australian
Association under the chair of Ratan Gazmere, a Bhutanese rights activists back
in Nepal. Ratan reached Adelaide three months back with his family. He said he
is happy to be there to start anew.
About 5,000 refugees will make home in Adelaide, New South Wales, Victoria,
Tasmania and Darwin with in the next five years as a part of Australian
government's commitment to resettle them. epalnews.com ia May 13
09
●Rights activists protest President's move●
A group of human rights activists carried out a protest rally against the
president's move to reinstate army chief Rookmangud Katawal claiming the move
was unconstitutional.
The protest rally outside the presidential palace Shital Niwas disrupted
transportation for few hours Wednesday morning.
Speakers at the rally urged President Dr Ram Baran Yadav to withdraw his
decision to uphold civil supremacy. They claimed president's move has put the
peace process in peril and heightened the possibility of military rule in the
country.
Maoist affiliated organisations have been organising such protest rallies
daily since government was pulled down early last week.
nepalnews.com May 13 09
●VP hopes early end to political deadlock●
Vice president Paramananda Jha has expressed hope that the current political
deadlock will be resolved through political consensus at the earliest.
Speaking to journalists in Pokhara, on his way to Tanahu, Jha said the
parties solved many critical issues through dialogue in the past and expressed
hope that they would be able to do so now. Responding to journalists' query on
if President's move is constitutional or not, Jha denied comments. He only said
the case is being reviewed at the Supreme Court and is not good to comment until
court gives its verdict.
Despite repeated requests from the journalists, Jha refused to comment on the
army chief's case. nepalnews.com May 13 09
●China dismisses news report on interference in Nepal●
At a time when "foreign interference" in Nepal's affairs is being hotly
debated, China has denied an Indian media report that it had interfered in
Nepal's internal affairs in the row that led to the resignation of Prime
Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
The report (in The Times of India) "is sheer unfounded rumor," Chinese
official news agency Xinhua quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu as
saying during a regular press conference Tuesday. "The Chinese government always
adheres to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other
countries."
Ma said that China, as a friendly neighbor of Nepal, sincerely hoped all
parties in Nepal would work together for peace, political stability and economic
development.
The Times of India reported on May 9: "While India was inviting popular
opprobrium in Nepal trying to prevent Maoist Prime Minister Prachanda from
sacking the army chief, China at the same time sent messages to Prachanda
pledging support for doing just the opposite."
The Times article also said that "according to sources monitoring events in
Nepal during those crucial days, China reportedly told Prachanda to stick to his
guns and they would support him".
While resigning from his post, Dahal hinted at "foreign interference" in the
political developments, stating that no foreign interference in Nepal's internal
matters would be tolerated.
On the contrary, in an interview to The Hindu, an Indian daily, Dahal
admitted seeking Indian help in resolving the dispute.
According to him, he had suggested Indian ambassador Rakesh Sood to ask New
Delhi to send a special envoy to settle the dispute over the government's plan
to sack army chief Rookmangud Katawal. nepalnews.com mk May 13
09
●MK Nepal meets Dahal to rally support for UML-led govt●
Amidst heavy political exercise for new government formation, a meeting
has taken place between Caretaker Prime Minister and Unified CPN (Maoist)
chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and senior UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal at
the Ministerial quarters in Pulchowk Wednesday.
The meeting between the two leaders is significant as Dahal has again set out
to form a new government under Maoist leadership only a little over a week after
the party resigned from the government while Nepal has been proposed for the new
prime minister by the UML-Nepali Congress combo who are ever so confident to
lead the next government.
Although both rival camps are holding intense political parleys, mainly with
Madhesi political parties, to garner support for their respective alliances, the
situation seems to favor the UML-NC led alliance, as Terai Madhesh Democratic
Party (TMDP), Sadbhawana Party (SP) and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) - who
together make the Unified Madhesi Democratic Front (UMDF) - have showed interest
in supporting UML leadership in the next government.
Perhaps sensing this possibility, sources having access to the meeting said
Dahal had in response to MK Nepal's request to support his candidacy for the
post of prime minister categorically asserted that the President needs to first
correct his move reinstating the Army chief then "he can think about it".
Dahal's deputy Dr Baburam Bhattarai was also present at the meeting
Earlier, Dahal had met former home minister and UML leader Bam Dev Gautam who
has become a virtual pariah inside his own party since he objected to the
party's decision to pull out of the Maoist-led government over the Army-chief
row.
Gautam rushing to Baluwatar to hold discussion with the caretaker PM when his
party is engaged in efforts to form a new government under its leadership has
been viewed very meaningfully by political observers.
Maoist chairman Dahal also held discussion with MJF leaders at his official
residence today morning and proposed a new alliance between the two parties for
new government formation.
MJF leader Sharad Singh Bhandari told a local radio station that the party
will extend its support to that alliance which guarantees implementation of the
eight points agreements reached with UMDF.
With 54 lawmakers in the 601 member Constituent Assembly, MJF has a
key
role to play in the formation of new government.
However, in reality MJF is also clearly divided on whom to support for the
next government, with majority of its lawmakers including parliamentary party
leader Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar have made up their mind to support the UML
leadership in the new government while 15 lawmakers, including MJF chairman
Upendra Yadav and co-chairman Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta, are for supporting the
Maoist leadership in the next government.
The party is holding emergency meeting now to come up with a final decision
on whom to support for the next government. The party is also holding meetings
with UML-NC alliance later today to discuss the assurances given by the latter
on the implementation of Madheshi demands. nepalnews.com ag May 13
09
●Preparations complete for AFC Presidents’ Cup: ANFA ●
The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has said that it has completed
all preparations for the AFC Presidents’ Cup qualifiers starting from 14th
May at Dashrath Stadium.
League champions from four countries are participating in qualifiers that
will see one winner going to the final round of the AFC Presidents Cup.
Nepal Police Club, Regar Tadaz from Tajikistan, WAPDA from Pakistan and
Taiwan Power Company from Chinese Taipei will vie for a place to the final
round.
According to Lalit Krishna Shrestha, coordinator of tournament organizing
committee, ANFA has formed nine sub-committees to operate the tournament
smoothly. Tournament secretariat management committee, security committee,
finance committee, printing and ticket committee, health committee and
ground management committee have been formed.
Asian Football Confederation has already appointed officials from different
countries. According to the ANFA, there will be a match commissioner and
referee assessor for the qualifiers.
ANFA also informed that the estimated budget of the tournament is 3.8 million
rupees while 15,000 USD will be provided by Asian Football Confederation
to operate the tournament. “We expect to cover the expenses from the gate
money collection and sponsors”, ANFA said.
ANFA has also confirmed the timing of the match, beginning at 1 pm, which
could be a bother to the Nepalese football fans due to the heat. There
are two matches scheduled on 14th, 16th and 18th May respectively.
ANFA has also appealed to everyone not to carry helmets, inflammable objects,
water bottles, cigarettes and lighter while coming to watch the matches.
Group A
Nepal Police Club – Nepal
Taiwan Power Company – Chinese Taipei
Pakistan WAPDA – Pakistan
Regar Tadaz – Tajikistan
Match Day 1 (14th May)
Regar Tadaz Vs Pakistan WAPDA – 13:00 NST
Nepal Police Vs Taiwan Power Company – 15:30 NST
Match Day 2 (16th May)
Pakistan WAPDA Vs Nepal Police Club – 13:00 NST
Taiwan Power Company Vs Rgar Tadaz – 15:30 NST
Match Day 3 (18th May)
Regar Tadaz Vs Nepal Police Club – 13:00 NST
Taiwan Power Company Vs Pakistan WAPDA – 15:30 NST
nepalnews.com bt May 13 09
● NC-UML coalition closer to majority●
The NC-UML alliance has reached closer on forming a new government under
the leadership of UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal.
After several rounds of bilateral and multilateral talks till late evening
Tuesday, the coalition has garnered verbal support from at least 15 fringe
political parties in the constituent assembly.
Two of the three members in the Madhesi coalition have already sent their
memos to support Nepal’s candidacy but decks are yet to be cleared due
to bargaining on addressing the 8-point agreement signed between the government
and the Madhesi parties.
Division in Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum has delayed the Madhesi coalition
in taking a concrete decision. MJF’s support will pave clear road for MK
Nepal as the new prime minister.
NC and UML leaders are scheduled to hold talks with Madhesi coalition further
on their demands Wednesday and find possible measures to address their
demands. Three-point commitments from NC and UML did not appease the Madhesi
groups on Tuesday. nepalnews.com May 13 09
●Gurung carries out Katawal’s duty●
Though President Dr Ram Baran Yadav ordered Rookmangud Katawal to continue
working as the chief of army staff, most works to be done by army chief
are being carried out by Chhatra Man Singh Gurung, third in command of
the army roll.
Naresh Khapangi Magar writes in government-owned Gorkhapatra daily, Katawal
calls meetings and presides over them but Gurung signs the most important
documents ‘as order’ by the army chief.
The report further says, complaints addressed to Katawal are being forwarded
to Gurung for review while Katawal has been advised not to do any works,
including speaking to media persons, that might bring controversy later.
On the other hand, Kul Bahadur Khadka, who was appointed as acting chief
of the army by the Maoist-led government, has so far never attended any
meetings called by Katawal. He also has not attended the Friday meetings,
where department chiefs submit their regular reports. nepalnews.com May 13 09
●NHRC expresses concern over deteriorating security●
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the security agencies
and the government to take necessary steps to immediately to improve the
security situation across the country.
The commission had called home ministry officials, chiefs of the Nepal
Police and Armed Police Force at its office in Lalitpur to discuss the
current security situation and steps to be taken in days ahead.
Expressing concern that many political activists in districts have been
displaced after the Maoist-led coalition government was pulled down last
week, the NHRC sought end of such situation.
NHRC also cautioned the agencies that incidences of beating, abduction
and extortion have increased significantly in the recent days.
The commission has directed the security agencies and the government to
take immediate and appropriate measures to reinstate internal security.
nepalnews.com ia may 12 09
●Experts ask parties not to bypass House to form govt ●
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the security agencies
and the government to take necessary steps to immediately to improve the
security situation across the country.
The commission had called home ministry officials, chiefs of the Nepal
Police and Armed Police Force at its office in Lalitpur to discuss the
current security situation and steps to be taken in days ahead.
Expressing concern that many political activists in districts have been
displaced after the Maoist-led coalition government was pulled down last
week, the NHRC sought end of such situation.
NHRC also cautioned the agencies that incidences of beating, abduction
and extortion have increased significantly in the recent days.
The commission has directed the security agencies and the government to
take immediate and appropriate measures to reinstate internal security.
nepalnews.com ia may 12 09
●Dahal complains 'weak parties' trying to form new govt as UML-NC combo
eyes Madheshi parties' support●
Caretaker Prime Minister and Unified CPN (Maoist) chairman Pushpa Kamal
Dahal has said "weak political parties" are actively engaged
in attempts to form a new government.
In a 'political report' he tabled at the party's politburo meeting Tuesday,
chairman Dahal has stated that the government formed by sidestepping the
parliament and undermining the people's mandate 'will have no meaning'.
Such a government will not be acceptable to us, he has stated in the report.
Dahal's political report stresses on the need to intensify the agitations
from 'the streets and the parliament' against President's unconstitutional
move to reinstate the sacked Army chief.
It also lays emphasis on finishing the main task of drafting the new constitution
and taking the peace process to a conclusion.
The report tabled at the politburo meeting which is being held since Thursday
last week will be studied by politburo members. They will give their views
on it in the next meeting, the date for which has not been fixed yet.
The meeting has been put off for the time being and will be held soon,
reports quoted a politburo member as saying.
Dahal has come up with the report at a time when his own party is engaged
in hefty parleys with various political parties to form a new government
under its leadership.
The party had resigned from the government a little over a week ago following
the President's move to reinstate the Army chief.
Immediately after that former coalition partner UML and Nepali Congress
have engaged in efforts to form a majority government under UML's leadership.
Two Madhes- based political parties - Terai Madhesh Democratic Party (TMDP)
and Sadbhawana Party (SP) - have already assured the CPN-UML leaders that
they would support the alliance led by the party.
A majority of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) lawmakers are also said to
be in favor of joining the UML and NC-led democratic alliance. With 53
lawmakers in the 601-seat parliament, the MJF can make or break NC and
UML's plan to form a new government under UML leadership.
To secure the Madhesh-based parties' support, UML and NC today expressed
their commitment to implement the agreements signed with United Democratic
Madhesi Front (UMDF) - a recently re-activated alliance of MJF, TMDP and
SP.
During a discussion with Madheshi leaders at UML parliamentary party office
in Singha Durbar, NC and UML leaders assured to implement the agreements
if they promise to support UML leadership in the next government.
Early today, fearful of the possibility of a new power equation between
UML-NC combo and Madhesi parties, caretaker PM Dahal summoned top leaders
of MJF, TMDP and SP at his Baluwatar residence to discuss issues related
to formation of new government.
During the meeting, Dahal reportedly asked the Madhesi leaders not to make
unnecessary haste in forging alliance for formation for a new government.
The meeting could also not arrive at any tangible conclusion regarding
Dahal's proposal to the Madhesi parties for support to the Maoist-led government.
Emerging from the meeting, the Madhesi leaders said that they asked the
PM to end the obstruction in the parliament because this would cause more
uncertainly over the formation of new government, but PM Dahal's response
was negative. nepalnews.com ag May 12 09
●Experts ask parties not to bypass House to form govt●
Nepal Bar Association (NBA) president Biwokant Mainali has warned of further
civil strife if parties fail to form government through the constituent
assembly.
Speaking at an interaction in capital Tuesday, Mainali urged parties for
a consensus government saying the country should not have an opposition
party when it is in a mission to write a new constitution.
However, general secretary of NBA Raman Kumar Shrestha said the current
crisis would be solved in minutes if the president withdraws his move to
nullify the government decision to sack army chief. He further said government
formed by bypassing the parliament will not get legal recognition.
Senior Nepali Congress leader Radheshyam Adhikari also said a new government
can be formed only through the parliament, adding moral pressure on Maoists
would grow once UML shows majority votes on its side.
Kedar Nar Singh KC of Nepal Medical Association called on the parties to
work out on politics of consensus to avoid further instability and chaos
in the country. nepalnews.com ia may 12 09
●Maoists obstruct House again●
The Unified CPN (Maoist) again obstructed the parliamentary proceedings
on Tuesday as well delaying the formation of new government.
The Maoist lawmakers started sloganeering demanding withdrawal of the president’s
move immediately after speaker announced the beginning of House proceedings.
Following the protests, speaker Subas Nemwang announced the postponement
of the House session until Wednesday afternoon.
The Maoists have vowed to obstruct the parliament continuously until the
president withdraws his action. Other parties and experts have asked the
Maoists to act responsibly and open up way for formation of new government.
nepalnews.com ia may 12 09
●TIA security personnel fall ill due to food poisoning●
Security at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) was thrown into disarray
after more than 30 security personnel deployed there suddenly fell ill
early Monday morning.
The police personnel started complaining of abdominal pain, nausea and
repeated vomiting, raising fears of an outbreak of swine flu. TIA officials
have been in high alert at the country's only international airport since
the past few weeks due to the swine flu.
The police personnel were then immediately rushed to the Nepal Police Hospital
in Maharajgunj for treatment where there condition is said to be stable.
Although initially it was suspected that the police personnel fell ill
because of drinking contaminated water, doctors treating them later said
food-poisoning was the main reason behind the outbreak of such illness.
Department of Epidemiology and Tropical Disease said rumors that the police
personnel contracted the deadly swine flu were baseless. nepalnews.com May 12 09
●Lightning kills two in Udaypur●
Two members of a single family were killed after being struck by a bolt
of lightning aｔ Toksila of Udaypur district Tuesday morning.
Police identified the deceased as Asha Kunwar and her three-year old son
Laxman.
Asha's two other sons Hari Bahadur and Dhan Bahadur have also been seriously
injured by the lightning.
The injured are undergoing treatment at Dharan based BP Koirala Institute
of Medical and their condition is said to be stable. nepalnews.com May 12 09
●Polarisation begins as parties work out new govt●
The call from President Dr Ram Baran Yadav has led to political polarisation
as parties intensify their efforts for formation of a new majority government.
Proposed by the Nepali Congress, CPN (UML) has intensified its talks with
other fringe parties including the Terai-based parties seeking support
for its candidate Madhav Kumar Nepal as the new prime minister.
Few parties including Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party, CPN (ML), Rastriya
Prajatantra Party have clarified their support will go for UML-NC coalition
while CPN (Unified), CPN (United), Nepali Janata Dal, Sanghiya Loktantrik
Party, Dalit Janajati Party, Samajbadi Dal and Nepal Sadbhawana Party (led
by Sarita Giri) have been favouring the Maoist-led government.
Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, whose vote is crucial for formation of the new
government, is still undecided and has been advocating for consensus government.
The party is divided over who should lead the new government.
The discussion between caretaker prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and
Madhes based parties Tuesday morning was part of the Maoist effort to form
a new government under their leadership again. Dahal had earlier expressed
hope that a new government will also be under Maoist leadership. Dahal
tried to woo Madhesi parties today claiming that Unified CPN (Maoist) is
more revolutionary than others in addressing Madhesi issues.
Under the UML initiative, an all-party meeting has been called at UML parliamentary
party office later today to garner support for NC-UML coalition. UML is
also holding a separate discussion with Terai based parties before the
all-party meeting.
The polarisation has indicated that the new government will have just majority
votes or both the coalition will fail to collect enough votes. At least
301 votes are necessary for formation of the government. nepalnews.com ia May 12 09
●DDC official shot at●
Unidentified gunmen attempted to murder a District Development Committee
(DDC) official in Dhanusha Tuesday morning.
Reports quoted District Police Office as saying that Jiva Nath Chaudhary,
a junior clerk at the DDC, was shot from behind while he was on his way
to office.
The attackers immediately fled from the scene taking Chaudhary for dead
after he fell unconscious on the ground.
Locals immediately rushed Chaudhary to the district hospital where his
condition is said to be critical.
Doctors have referred him to Kathmandu as the local hospital is incapable
of treating Chaudhary.
Another DDC official Mitthu Chaudhary and a local women also sustained
bullet injuries in the attack.
The two are undergoing treatment at the local hospital.
Police said they have yet no clue who carried out the attack, but suspect
one of many Madhesh-based armed outfits of behind the incident.
Dozens of undergoing Madhesi outfits are active in the eastern Terai districts
of Nepal claiming to be fighting for the liberation of Madhesi people.
They have been involved in many extortions, abductions and targeted killings
of especially government officials and local businessmen.
Meanwhile, an unidentified gang attacked Daindra Maakhim, the principal
of Public Secondary School in Panchthar district at his residence in Limba-4
of Lumangdin Monday night.
A group of six/seven people wearing masks attacked Maakhim yesterday night
and critically wounded him He is undergoing treatment at BP Koirala Institute
of Medical Sciences in Dharan. nepalnews.com May 12 09
●Nepal Tourism Year 2011 promoted in Dubai ●
Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), along with five private travel trade companies
and the national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation participated in
the ATM- 2009 held in Dubai, UAE, from May 5-8, 2009.
According to the Nepal Tourism Board, the Nepalese tourism industry gave
the continuity to the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) participation for the
third time to keep tapping the expatriates as well as the Emirate travelers’
market for Nepal from the UAE countries. This year the special focus was
to create awareness for Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011.
At Nepal stand most of the queries came in for connectivity and the attractions
of Nepal especially soft adventure and nature. Some of the big outbound
travel companies showed good interest to put Nepal in their list of outbound
destinations as upcoming holiday destination for UAE market.
With good connectivity through Nepal Airlines Corporation, Etihad Airways,
Bahrain Air, Air Arabia, Gulf Air and Qatar Airways, the tour operators
floated special tour packages for Nepal.
His Excellency Ambassador of Nepal to UAE Mr. Arjun Bahadur Thapa along
with Embassy officials visited the Nepal stall to interact with NTB officials
and the participating companies
Nepal Airlines Corporation, KGH Group, Gokarna Forest Resort, Sierra International
Travel & Tours, the Everest Hotel and Yeti Travels participated in
the Mart.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai
and UAE Minister of Finance, inaugurated the ATM on May 5, 2009 at the
Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC). Arabian Travel
Market 2009 boasted more than 2,100 exhibitors and stand-sharers, from
69 countries, including 70 new-to-market representatives, as well as nearly
60 national tourist bodies representing six continents. nepalnews.com May 12 09
●Missing Nepali skier found ●
Uttam Rayamajhi, the 17 year old Nepali ski racer who vanished from his
team base in the French Alps without money or spare clothes on 27 April
has been discovered on the streets of Paris after members of the public
recognised him from a Facebook campaign launched to find him.
According to a statement by Nepal Ski Team Base, where Rayamajhi was training,
former team Manager and trainer Richard Morley was contacted and immediately
made the 700km journey from the Alps to collect Uttam from the Eiffel Tower
where they arranged to meet.
The teenager had been living rough after walking several hundred kilometres
across France surviving through the kindness of local people. He was stopped
at routine police checks several times but never detained, as his visa
is valid. Eventually a stranger near the Bastille alerted him to the Facebook
campaign and showed him the news on the Internet.
Richard and Uttam reported the full circumstances of the events surrounding
the teenager’s disappearance to the French police at Bourg St Maurice who
had instigated a nation wide manhunt for him. Uttam informed them that
he experienced considerable depression and anxiety when the Nepal Olympic
Committee disbanded the team after Morley complained of their corruption
to the IOC. This effectively ended Uttam’s promising career and raised
fears that the Nepali authorities would punish him for his involvement
in the complaint.
Uttam agreed to return to the team base when he learnt that his disappearance
was jeopardising the funding and participation of team-mate Shyam Dhakal
at the forthcoming Vancouver Winter Olympics. Dhakal is hoping to become
the first ever Nepali Olympic Alpine skier. He has been in training since
2003 and is on the brink of Olympic qualification. nepalnews.com May 12 09
●UML receive tactical support from Madhesi parties for govt formation●
Three Madhesi political parties on Monday assured the CPN-UML leaders that
they would support the alliance led by the party.
Terai Madhesh Democratic Party (TMDP) and Sadbhawana Party (SP) leaders
held separate meetings with UML leaders Monday and vowed to support the
UML-led alliance.
Reports quoted SP leaders as saying that they had found that UML was positive
towards the joint agenda set by the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF),
an alliance of the three Madhesi parties.
Similarly, a majority of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) lawmakers is said
to be in favor of joining the UML and NC-led democratic alliance that is
trying to form a new government.
Reports said 38 out of 53 MJF lawmakers, including Parliamentary party
leader Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar have made up their mind to support the
UML leadership in the new government while 15 lawmakers, including MJF
chairman Upendra Yadav and co-chairman Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta, are for
supporting the Maoist leadership in the next government. nepalnews.com May 12 09
●Indian news agency claims MK Nepal to be of 'Indian origin' ●
India's state-owned news agency Press Trust of India (PTI) has filed a
news item claiming CPN-UML's senior leader and Constitutional Council chairman
Madhav Kumar Nepal as being an 'Ethnic Indian'.
The news item has been published with priority by major newspapers in India.
In the news titled 'Ethnic Indian Madhav Nepal May Become Next PM', it
has been claimed that the ancestors of 56-year-old MK Nepal who hails from
Rautahat district actually came from India.
Citing a UML party source, the report further said that there is no dispute
inside the party regarding his candidacy for the top job.
UML has proposed MK Nepal for the post of Prime Minister after Nepali Congress
and various Terai-based parties supported UML's leadership in the next
government.
Prior to this, the former UML general secretary had been proposed for the
post of President. But his dream to become the first head of state of the
new republic was thwarted after Maoists refused to back him despite initially
agreeing to support him. nepalnews.com May 12 09
●Madhesi leaders ask caretaker PM to end House obstruction●
Leaders of Madhesi parties have asked caretaker Prime Minister and Maoist
chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal to end the obstruction created by his party
in the legislature parliament in order to pave the way for formation of
a majority government.
Top leaders of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), Terai Madhes Loktantrik
Party (TMLP) and Sadbhawana Party (SP) met Dahal at his Baluwatar residence
Tuesday morning, discussing issues related to formation of new government
which has hit a snag with the parties failing to reach consensus.
Emerging from the meeting, the Madhesi leaders said that they asked the
PM to end the obstruction in the parliament because this would cause more
uncertainly over the formation of new government, but PM Dahal's response
was negative. He maintained that his party would not relent until the President
rectified his 'unconstitutional' order to reinstate the army chief sacked
by the government.
The meeting could not arrive at any tangible conclusion regarding Dahal's
proposal to the Madhesi parties for support to Maoist-led government.
The three Madhesi parties have revived their alliance called Unified Democratic
Madhesi Front and they want the would-be ruling alliance to give clear
commitment to implement the past agreements with the Front, as a condition
for their support. nepalnews.com mk May 12 09
●AG submits report to President ●
Attorney General Raghav Lal Vaidya on Monday submitted the annual report
of his office for the fiscal year 2007/08 to President Dr Ram Baran Yadav,
urging him to reform the justice system to make it more effective.
The report states that lack of timely amendment to the laws has given rise
to a number of problems in the criminal justice system and hindered its
modernisation. Vaidya suggested promulgating an Act related to the AG and
the government attorneys, as the lack of the Act has been hampering effective
justice system in the country.
The OAG advised the government to promulgate unified criminal procedure
codes, Witness Protection Act and Victims Assistance Act to make the justice
system more effective.
It also requested the government to increase facilities at the OAG. nepalnews.com May 12 09
●SLC results by June end ●
The Office of the Controller of Examination (OCE) on Monday said they would
publish the results of the 2065 School Leaving Certificate examinations
held from March 25 to April 2 by June 23.
Deputy controller at OCE, Ambika Prasad Regmi, told The Himalayan Times
that they were targeting to publish the SLC results no later than June
23.
Regmi further added that they had formed a monitoring team to inspect the
offices assigned to correct the answer sheets by exam centres to avoid
any kind of errors during the correction process. nepalnews.com May 12 09
●Nepse loses 1.25 points●
Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) index lost 1.25 points to close at 659.17
on Monday.
After making gains for five consecutive days, the Nepse tumbled amid uncertainty
about the new government.
The Sensitive Index, the barometer of category ´A´ companies, also slipped
0.51 points to 173.84 points. The Float Index also went down by 0.2 points
to 63.59 points.
The Banking group and the Trading group lost 3.68 points and 3.94 points
to respite at to 657.15 points and 214.08 points, respectively. The Insurance
group index also dipped by 3.42 points, to finish at 631.5 points.
Development Bank group and Finance group rose by 2.24 points and 3.72 points
to reach 775.98 and 749.75 points, respectively. The Other group also gained
1.17 points, to get to 646.19 points.
The total market capitalization reached Rs 422.31 billion with 66,674 shares
worth Rs 53.57 million traded through 824 transactions. nepalnews.com May 12 09
●Maoist leader instructs cadres to drive out NC, UML activists●
A senior Unified CPN (Maoist) leader has instructed party cadres to chase
away activists of Nepali Congress and UML from villages by taking "people's
action" against them.
"Maoists will take people's action against those supporting the president's
move and drive them out of the villages," Kantipur Daily quoted Central
Secretariat member of Unified CPN (Maoist) Top Bahadur Rayamajhi as saying
while addressing a protest programme in Sandhikharka on Monday.
He also said those supporting the president's move should resign from their
parties within a week or face consequences.
This remark from a senior Maoist leader has come at a time when Prime Minister
and Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the party will take action
against any of its cadres issuing such threats.
Terming the president's move to reinstate Chief of Army Staff Rookmangud
Katawal "an initiation of war", the Maoist leader said that the
party won't hesitate to raise arms again and capture villages and the capital
"if they are forced to take such a step."
Rayamajhi also said there is no possibility of forming a new government
without the Maoists, adding that if NC and UML formed the government alone
it would not run even for a couple of days.
Meanwhile, in Bardiya district, former VDC chairman of Manau VDC Gopal
Siwakoti and NC activists have arrived at the district headquarters Gulariya
to take refuge following the Maoist threat.
Siwakoti told Kantipur that they had come to seek refuge at the District
Administration Office after local Maoist cadres threatened them with their
life if they don't leave the village. nepalnews.com May 12 09
●Maoists decide to intensify stir●
The Unified CPN (Maoist) has decided to escalate street agitation against
the President's 'unconstitutional' step overturning the government decision
to sack army chief Rookmangud Katawal.
A meeting of the Maoist politburo took this decision Monday. Rallies and
mass meetings would be organised across the country as part of the protest
programme.
Likewise, the party has also arrived at the conclusion that new "government
with civilian supremacy" cannot be formed unless the current "constitutional
crisis" is resolved.
Earlier today, during a meeting with representatives of donor agencies
and UNMIN officials, caretaker Prime Minister and party chairman Pushpa
Kamal Dahal reiterated that his party was not in a mood to relent unless
the President's step is reserved. nepalnews.com May 11 09
●UML postpones CC meeting to devote more time on govt formation●
Concluding that the party needs to intensify discussion with other political
parties to form a new government, CPN-UML has put off its Central Committee
(CC) meeting for two days.
The UML CC meeting which was being held at the party's headquarter in Balkhu
from the last three days has decided to form a politburo and has also proposed
party's senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal as the possible candidate for
the post of prime minister.
Immediately after postponing the meeting, UML leadership engaged in series
of meetings with their Nepali Congress counterparts with whom the party
hopes to form a new government.
The leaders of the two parties also consulted legal experts at Balkhu on
dealing with the current political crisis.
Reports said the legal experts advised the NC and UML leaders to intensify
efforts to form a new majority government. nepalnews.com May 11 09
●NC claims enough seats secured for UML-led govt●
A senior Nepali Congress leader has claimed that they have secured the
number of seats needed to form a coalition government under the leadership
of CPN-UML, the third largest party in the Constituent Assembly.
NC vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel said at a program organized in the
capital Monday that the government under UML will have support from both
his party and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum and that "it will be formed
soon".
However, even if the seats of the three parties - UML, NC and MJF - are
combined, it still falls short of the 301 seats necessary in the 601-seat
Constituent Assembly to form a majority government.
On Sunday, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav called on all political parties
to form a majority government after attempts to reach consensus to form
a unity government failed.
The senior NC leader further said that since the attempts to form a"government
of consensus" under the leadership of UML is to establish sustainable
peace in the country, "Maoists should also extend support to the government."
However, the Maoists have now lately started to say that there's possibility
that the party might again try to form a new government under its leadership
despite the fact that it recently resigned from the current government
reasoning that other political parties are incapable of mustering up enough
support to form a new government.
On the other hand, MJF, TMDP and Sadbhavana Party - who have flocked under
United Madhesi Democratic Front - have renewed their demand for the
implementation of the eight-point agreement reached with Madhesi parties.
One of the key demands of the three Madhesh centric parties is to declare
the entire Madhesh as one state. They have said that its support for the
new government will hinge on its ability to fulfill their demands.
Criticizing the Maoists for disrupting the House proceedings which has
delayed the formation of new government, Poudel urged the former rebel
party to open the doors for the formation of new government.
"If the Maoists continue to disrupt parliamentary proceedings then
we will have to start discussion on the alternatives available for the
formation of the new government," Poudel said.
Maoists lawmakers have vowed to obstruct House proceedings until President
Yadav rectifies his decision to reinstate the Army chief by overturning
the government's decision.
On this, Poudel said that this demand of Maoists would only invite political
and constitutional crisis in the country. nepalnews.com ag May 11 09
●PM Dahal admits seeking Indian help to settle Army chief row●
Even as he resigned from his post saying he will never tolerate interference
of "foreign lords" on country's internal matters, Prime Minister
Pushpa Kamal Dahal has revealed to an Indian newspaper that he requested
New Delhi to send a top diplomat to help forge a consensus on the increasingly
tense standoff over the his government's plans to dismiss the Army chief.
In an interview to The Hindu at his official Baluwatar residence on Sunday,
PM Dahal said he asked Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood to request New Delhi
to send Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon "or some other senior
official" for talks as his government moved towards dismissing Army
chief Rookmangud Katawal in the beginning of may.
"We knew some confusion is there between the Maoist-led government
and India on this question," PM Dahal, who is also the chairman of
Unified CPN (Maoist), told the paper talking about the "urgent message"
he sent to India seeking the presence of a high-level envoy to help forge
a political consensus over the issue.
This in a situation, as according to the paper, when parties like the CPN-UML
"were changing their stand and siding with the general with quiet
encouragement from India."
"I wanted to settle this issue through interaction and discussion
with high-level officials from Delhi. But unfortunately, the ambassador
informed me that this cannot happen now because the election campaign is
going on, that nobody is there, that it is very difficult."
Expressing his angst over the Maoist-led government's failure to affirm"military
supremacy over the military" by dismissing Katawal, he also said he
believed the long election season in India meant the country's security
and bureaucratic establishment "were now calling the shots on Nepal
policy" and that a "mechanical and subjective analysis"
of the situation "especially on the question of Nepal's so-called
tilt to China" had colored South Block's perception of the civil-military
issue.
PM Dahal, however, acknowledged that several Chinese officials had visited
Nepal in recent months but said "not a single delegation" had
come on his invitation.
"The initiative for these visits came solely from the Chinese side,
mainly because of the Tibet crisis," he said.
Dahal also said his government had no intention of concluding a new friendship
treaty with China without discussions among all Nepali political parties
as well as with New Delhi. nepalnews.com ag May 11 09
●Tarun Dal submits memo to UNMIN demanding PLA re-verification ●
Nepal Tarun Dal, the youth wing of the Nepali Congress, submitted a memorandum
to the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), demanding that the mission
verify the cantoned Maoist combatants all over again.
Tarun Dal in its memo has stated that re-verification of the members of
the People's Liberation Army (PLA) should be done on the basis of the footage
of a PLA training programme some 16 months ago in which Maoist chairman
and current caretaker Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal confessed that
the real strength of the PLA was around 8,000. In the tell-tale videotape
Dahal explains to PLA commanders how the party managed to add 20,000-plus
additional force.
Dahal also said the PLA strength would come down to around 4000 after verification
if the actual number of PLA members were kept in the cantonment.
However, in a press conference last week he claimed that the PLA had three-tier
structure - central regular army, regional regular army and militia - whose
number was over around 100,000. In the video, he insisted, he was taking
only about the central regular army.
The government has been providing allowances and logistics to the Maoist
combatants confined in seven cantonments.
UNMIN on its part has not said anything officially regarding the video
controversy as well as the re-verification demand.
UNMIN chief Karin Landgren during a meeting with Prime Minister Dahal on
Sunday is known to have expressed serious concern over the video and asked
him for clarification. nepalnews.com mk May 11 09
●Donor reps, envoys meet PM, NC Prez●
Ambassadors from 16 countries, representatives of multinational donors
and chief of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), Karen Landgren,
jointly called on acting prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Monday morning.
Envoys from United States, Germany, France, UK, Norway, China and India
and representatives from World Bank and Asian Development Bank were among
those participating in the meeting with PM Dahal, which comes amid uncertainties
over formation of new government and postponement of the Nepal Development
Forum (NDF) meet.
The discussion dwelled mainly on postponement of NDF meeting and delay
in formation of the new government due to continued obstruction of parliament
proceedings by the Maoists.
They also inquired about the statement given by Dahal in the recently leaked
video tape.
Dahal was asked to find solution of the political stalemate at the earliest.
Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai, who was present at the meeting,
informed the envoys that the new government would organise the NDF meet
in September or October.
The delegations of UNMIN, foreign envoys and representatives of donor agencies
also met Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala at his residence
in Maharajgunj.
During the meeting, the delegation expressed concern over political changes
that would have negative impact on the ongoing peace process. In response,
Koirala assured to end the current dispute through talks. He said he would
personally consult with Maoist chairman Dahal and UML chairman Jhala Nath
Khanal to resolve the stalemate. nepalnews.com ia May 11 09
●Madhesi parties renew 'one Madhes' demand●
The revived alliance of Madhesh-based parties, United Democratic Madhesi
Alliance (UDMA), has decided to resurrect its demand for one Madhes one
province if other parties wish votes to form a majority government.
The alliance during its Sunday’s discussion concluded to join the government
of the parties that support their demand.
The alliance comprising Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), Terai Madhesh Loktantrik
Party (TMLP) and Sadbhavana Party (SP) have 83 seats in the constituent
assembly, which are crucial votes for formation of new government.
In the meantime, MJF chief Upendra Yadav said the country will not get
a new government at least for next two weeks. nepalnews.com May 11 09
●PAC objects to excessive expenditure on travels●
Parliament's Public Account Committee (PAC) has objected to government's
excessive expenditure on travel of ministers and government officials,
and unjustified transfer of budget from one heading to another.
PAC members during Sunday’s meeting said the government misappropriated
massive funds allocated under the miscellaneous heading of the current
fiscal year.
In their preliminary discussion on the finance ministry’s report, PAC members
said most funds were spent on foreign travels. Members said the report
also indicated that government distributed certain amount to some District
Development Committees without consulting local development ministry.
Kathmandu and Gorkha DDCs received such budgets.
Against the initial allocation of Rs 375 million under miscellaneous, the
government spent Rs 4.06 billion under that heading, the finance ministry
document reads.
It further says, government released additional Rs 1.10 billion for DDCs
by transferring budget allocated for other purposes. Kathmandu received
Rs 63.7 million and Gorkha, the home district of finance minister, received
Rs 57 million additional budget. nepalnews.com May 11 09
●NC PP demands re-verification of combatants●
Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party has demanded re-verification of the
Maoist combatants saying the real number of the fighters were far less
than they are today.
During the parliamentary party meeting held Sunday at Singha Durbar, the
NC lawmakers asked the party leadership to take up the issue seriously
since the fact was revealed by the recently leaked video.
The party concluded that Maoists had succeeded in misguiding the United
Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), which confirmed the number of combatants
to be around 19,000.
Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, speaking in the leaked video, had said
the real strength of the combatants was between 8,000 and 9,000.
The lawmakers also sought probe into the distribution of billions of rupees
from national exchequer among the Maoist cadres and expressed serious concern
about the Maoists' strategy of buying weaponry by using state coffer in
their mission to capture the state. nepalnews.com May 11 09
●NC, UML decide to take joint initiative to form govt●
Leaders of Nepali Congress and CPN (UML), who met Sunday afternoon, have
decided to make joint efforts to form a UML-led coalition government.
The two parties have decided to hold an all-party meeting on Tuesday.
Since the UML has accepted NC’s proposal to form new government under UML
leadership, we have decided to hold consultations with other parties to
reach an understanding, NC vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel said after
the meeting.
Most senior UML leaders including party chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, Madhav
Kumar Nepal, KP Oli, Ishwor Pokharel, Shanker Pokharel, Ashok Rai and Bidhya
Bhandari were present at the meeting while the NC team comprised of vice
chairman Poudel, senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, Bimalendra Nidhi and
Minendra Rijal.
NC leaders also agreed to back Nepal as the Prime Minister of the would-be
government. The ongoing central committee meeting of the UML today named
Nepal as the leader of the proposed coalition. nepalnews.com May 10 09
●PM Dahal meets Oli●
Caretaker Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal met CPN (UML) leader K.P Sharma
Oli and discussed the thorny issue of government formation.
"In the meeting the Prime Minister repeated what he had been saying
publicly -- that the upcoming government should also be under Maoist leadership,"
Oli, who is a known critic of Maoists, said, "But I clarified our
position that the Maoist-led coalition didn't work, so the new government
should be led by the UML."
The meeting took place at Khanna Garment in Lalitpur where Prime Minister
Dahal had addressed a function organised by the families of involuntarily
disappeared citizens earlier today.
Dahal met Oli when the central committee of the UML still underway at the
party headquarters in Balkhu. The UML central committee endorsed party
chairman Jhala Nath Khanal's proposal to choose Madhav Kumar Nepal as the
Prime Minister of the would-be UML-led coalition government. nepalnews.com May 10 09
●Maoists continue to obstruct House proceedings●
The legislature parliament was adjourned even before it entered into its
regular business after the Maoist lawmakers gheraoed the speaker's rostrum
and chanted slogan against the President's move, on Sunday.
The next sitting of the House will take place on Tuesday.
The Unified CPN (Maoist) has vowed to block the parliamentary proceedings
until the President rectifies his 'unconstitutional' step against the government
decision to sack the army chief.
Formation of the new government is likely to hit another snag with the
Maoists refusing to allow the parliament to function.
Earlier today, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav wrote a letter to the parliament
asking for initiatives to form a government of majority after the parties
failed to meet the deadline for a unity government.
Now, the party or coalition with majority of lawmakers on its side will
form the new government. nepalnews.com mk May 10 09
●CJ Rayamajhee sworn in●
Newly appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Min Bahadur Rayamajhee
was sworn in on Sunday.
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav administered him the oath of office and secrecy
amid a ceremony at Shitwal Niwas, the President's office.
Rayamajhee was appointed as the CJ on Friday. nepalnews.com May 10 09
●SC rejects govt plea to vacate stay order on 8 Generals' case●
The Supreme Court (SC) on Sunday said it will not vacate its stay order
which was issued against the government's decision to pension off eight
brigadier generals of Nepal Army.
A division bench of justices Anup Raj Sharma and Prem Sharma gave the ruling
by rejecting the government's plea to vacate the stay order.
The bench stated that it didn't find any reason to vacate the order and
has set the announcement of the final verdict on the case on May 31.
The eight brigadier generals were forced into retirement after the defense
ministry refused to extend their terms by another three years despite the
recommendation to do so by the army headquarters.
The eight brigadier generals moved the Supreme Court against the decision
and the latter on March 24 issued a stay order against it.
The stay order allowed the brigadiers to continue in office, sparking a
serious row with the Maoist controlled defense ministry and then the government
itself.
The government filed a writ pleading the Apex court to vacate its stay
order.
The row got out of proportions, ultimately becoming one of the reasons
that led Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal government to sack Army chief
Rookmangud Katawal, but which was overturned by the President's order to
reinstate him. nepalnews.com ag May 10 09
●SC trashes govt plea to vacate stay order on 8 brig generals case●
The Supreme Court (SC) on Sunday said it will not vacate its stay order
which was issued against the government's decision to pension off eight
brigadier generals of Nepal Army.
A division bench of justices Anup Raj Sharma and Prem Sharma gave the ruling
by rejecting the government's plea to vacate the stay order.
The bench stated that it didn't find any reason to vacate the order and
has set the announcement of the final verdict on the case on May 31.
The eight brigadier generals were forced into retirement after the defense
ministry refused to extend their terms by another three years despite the
recommendation to do so by the army headquarters.
The eight brigadier generals moved the Supreme Court against the decision
and the latter on March 24 issued a stay order against it.
The stay order allowed the brigadiers to continue in office, sparking a
serious row with the Maoist controlled defense ministry and then the government
itself.
The government filed a writ pleading the Apex court to vacate its stay
order.
The row got out of proportions, ultimately becoming one of the reasons
that led Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal government to sack Army chief
Rookmangud Katawal, but which was overturned by the President's order to
reinstate him. nepalnews.com ag May 10 09
●Martin unexpectedly turns up in Ktm as UNMIN finds itself in soup over
re-verification demands●
Former chief of United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) Ian Martin has
arrived in Kathmandu Sunday morning.
Martin's unexpected arrival has been considered meaningful by observers
especially as it comes at a time when demands for re-verification of Maoist
People's Liberation Army (PLA) combatants is being raised by the Nepali
Congress following the leak of the Prime Minister and Unified CPN (Maoist)
chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal's Shaktikhor videos.
In the video dated January 2, 2008 when his party was in the interim government
led by Girija Prasad Koirala, the Maoist chairman is seen telling PLA combatants
in a meeting at Shaktikhor-based cantonment in Chitwan how the party swindled
all into believing that the number of PLA was 35,000 when it was actually
not more than 8,000 apart from sharing plans to control army and capture
state.
It is presumed that Martin is here to discuss the controversy created by
the tape, especially as it also raises serious question on the verification
of PLA combatants conducted by UNMIN under the leadership of Martin.
However, UNMIN has said that Martin's visit is purely a "personal
one", which has nothing to do with UNMIN related-works here in Nepal.
"He hasn't arrived here on any UNMIN related work. This is purely
his personal visit," Kosmos Biswokarma, UNMIN's media officer told
Nepalnews.
He didn't wished to comment on the timing of Martin's visit, but according
to some reports the former UNMIN chief is here for a two-week long stay
to "meet friends" and go on a trekking in popular mountain trails.
There is also possibility that Martin might meet PM Dahal over the latter's
controversial video which has led NC demand for re-verification of PLA
combatants.
However, Maoist minister for Peace and Reconstruction Janardhan Sharma
has already ruled out any possibility of re-verification.
UNMIN had under the leadership of Martin played an important role in Nepal's
peace process by assisting the Maoists to come into the mainstream of national
politics and especially the verification of PLA combatants. He was replaced
by Karin Landgren early this year.
Meanwhile, UNMIN chief Landgren met Finance Minister and senior Maoist
leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai today morning and discussed the ongoing peace
process, possibility of formation of new government, army integration and
PM Dahal's Shaktikhor videos. She is scheduled to meet NC president Girija
Prasad Koirala later today.
Landgren had last week met PM Dahal to discuss the video in which the latter
appears to have reported an inflated figure to UNMIN when he was the Maoist
chairman.
During the meeting, Dahal reportedly assured extension of UNMIN's term
set to expire soon especially "keeping in view the UN body's indispensable
role in the Nepalis peace process."
Landgren told a meeting of the UN Security Council last Tuesday that the
crisis sparked by the Prime Minister's resignation threatens the gains
made so far in the peace process and urged all parties in Nepal to work
urgently to rebuild trust and achieve consensus. nepalnews.com ag May 10 09
●Maoist politburo meet postponed●
Unified CPN (Maoist) has postponed its politburo meeting, which started
yesterday, till Monday for consultation with the parties on formation of
new government.
Caretaker Prime Minister and party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal will remain
busy in meetings with leaders of other parties in a bid to persuade them
into accepting Maoist leadership in the upcoming government, party sources
say.
Dahal is set to intensify consultations with the expiry of the deadline
given by the President to form a unity government. However, Maoist leaders
have said their immediate priority is to carry out protests in the streets
and parliament to force the President to retract his 'unconstitutional'
order to keep the army chief in his position by vetoing the government's
sack order.
They have said the party would not allow parliamentary business to resume
unless the President rectifies his move.
Obstruction in the House is likely to make formation of new government
all the more uncertain because, for new cabinet to shape up, future ruling
allies will have to show majority in the House. nepalnews.com mk May 10 09
●President writes to parliament calling for formation of majority govt●
With Saturday midnight deadline for political parties to reach consensus
for a new unity government already over, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav Sunday
wrote a letter to legislature parliament to start procedures for formation
of a majority government.
Any party or coalition will now have to show majority in the House to form
the government. 301 seats are needed in the 601-seat Constituent Assembly
to make a majority government.
As per the Article 38 (2) of the Interim Constitution, if attempts to form
a government of "national consensus" do not bear results then
a call should be made to form a majority government.
However, Maoist obstruction of the Legislature-Parliament over the President's
decision to re-instate the Army chief sacked by the government has also
made the possibility of formation of a government based on the majority
of seats in the Constituent Assembly dim.
The Politburo meeting of the Unified CPN (Maoist) held at Ravi Bhawan Saturday
decided not to take any initiative to form new government until President
Dr. Ram Baran Yadav corrects his "unconstitutional move" by reversing
his step to reinstate the army chief.
Meanwhile, CPN (UML) is set to start consultation with possible partners
for formation of government under its leadership.
The central committee meeting of the third largest party in the Constituent
Assembly, the UML finally laid claim on leadership of the new government
of national consensus on Saturday.
The four-point decision the parties reached yesterday has called all parties
in the constituent assembly, especially the other four big parties - Nepali
Congress, Unified CPN (Maoist), Madhesi Janadhikar Forum and Terai Madhes
Loktantrik Party - to extend helping hand for formation of a unity government.
A nine-member panel has been constituted under the leadership of party
chairman Jhala Nath Khanal to hold talks with other parties in their effort
to garner support for unity government. nepalnews.com ag May 10 09
●Peace Minister rules out possibility of PLA re-verification ●
Minister for Peace and Reconstruction and Maoist leader Janardan Sharma
has ruled out re-verification of the People’s Liberation Army following
the leak of Maoist chairman Prachanda’s Shaktikhor videos and NC’s subsequent
demand for re-verification, saying that it (verification) is not a matter
to be conducted repeatedly.
Speaking programme in Nepalgunj Saturday, he also said that the Maoists
would take the peace process to its logical conclusion under any circumstances.
“No, the Maoists will not return to war,” Sharma said, “rest assured, we
will also not go underground.”
He also said that President Dr Ram Baran Yadav's decision to reinstate
the Army chief sacked by the government invited the current political stalemate
and added his party will continue applying pressure on the President to
resign for his "unconstitutional move".
Furthermore, he has denied that the party directed its cadres to drive
away Nepali Congress and UML leaders and activists from villages across
the country.
“We will take action if they are involved in such things,” he said at a
programme in Nepalgunj Saturday. nepalnews.com May 10 09
●Maoists thrash NC, UML members in Banke●
Unified CPN (Maoist) cadres have threatened and thrashed members of CPN-UML
and the Nepali Congress who did not leave their villages in Bardiya district.
Maoist cadres allege these two parties of supporting the move of President
Dr Ram Baran Yadav to reinstate army chief Rookmangud Katawal.
The Maoists attacked NC’s Basanta Raj Bhatt, former VDC chairman and UML
member Gopal Silwal, NC district member Krishna Paudel and an NC-affiliated
teacher Keshav Paudel in the district. Injured Bhatt has reached Nepalgunj
for security and treatment. According to him, some 60 Khukuri wielding
Maoist cadres attacked him at 11:30 p.m. and looted Rs 27,000.
The unruly Maoist cadres also vandalised the house of Anantaram Tharu alleging
him of allowing his house to be used as an NC village unit office.
YCL cadres have distributed pamphlets stating that they would continue
their action in Banke and Bardiya districts.
Maoists have issued similar threat in Ramechap and Kailali as well. nepalnews.com May 10 09
●NBA says parties interpreting statute to suit their interests●
The Nepal Bar Association (NBA) has concluded that the current political
instability and uncertainty are the result of political parties interpreting
country’s constitution to suit their partisan interests.
The two-day conference of the NBA’s Central Executive Council that concluded
in capital Saturday said in its six-point declaration that interpretation
of constitution to suit partisan interests (of the parties’) has claimed
toll on constitutional supremacy and constitutionalism.
The declaration issued by the gathering of over 400 representatives from
across the country says, "Rule of the law, constitutional supremacy
and security of the people can be established only through a competent,
objective and independent judiciary."
The apex body of lawyers also urged all concerned parties for an environment
conducive to the drafting of the new constitution and leading the peace
process to a logical conclusion within the time frame prescribed by the
interim constitution.
The gathering also asked the political parties to seek constitutional remedy
over the army dispute and expressed concern over continued obstruction
of the parliament which is the highest authoritative body for finding solution
to all problems. nepalnews.com May 10 09
●UML lays claim on govt leadership●
The ongoing central committee meeting of the third largest party in the
Constituent Assembly CPN (UML) has finally laid claim on leadership of
the new government of national consensus on Saturday.
Maoists’ three conditions
I. The Unified CPN (Maoist) has put forward three conditions for formation
of consensus government, hinting to be involved in such government.
II. Speakers at the ongoing meeting of the party’s politburo said on Saturday
that party would be involved in the unity government if one of its three
conditions is met.
III. The party demanded correction of the move by president, or resignation
of the president or all parties in the constituent assembly declare president’s
move as unconstitutional.
|
The party’s four-point decision has called all parties in the constituent
assembly, especially the other four big parties - Nepali Congress, Unified
CPN (Maoist), Madhesi Janadhikar Forum and Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party
– to extend helping hand for formation of a unity government.
A nine-member panel has been constituted under the leadership of party
chairman Jhala Nath Khanal to hold talks with other parties in their effort
to garner support for unity government. Other team members include Madhav
Kumar Nepal, K. P. Oli, Ashok Rai, Bidhya Bhandari, Ishwor Pokharel, Shankar
Pokharel, Bharat Mohan Adhikari and Surendra Pandey.
The party said the team will discuss common minimum program (CMP) and code
of conduct for ministers of the coalition government with possible partners.
The party has not clarified name of the leader to lead the new government
but said it will announce once other parties agree on CMP and code. Few
leaders hinted Nepal would be the most probable candidate. nepalnews.com May 10 09
●2553rd Buddha Jayanti observed ●
The 2553rd Buddha Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha, the
apostle of peace, was observed Saturday by organizing various programmes
with the message of peace and harmony among people.
International Baudha Study Centre, Buddha Jayanti Samaroha Samiti and United
Nations (UN) jointly organized a programme in the capital on Saturday to
mark the occasion.
At the programme Buddhist gurus and UN diplomats discussed Buddha’s teachings
and how it can liberate human beings from the misery and sufferings of
life.
They also said that Buddha’s teachings can help resolve today’s problems
like climate change, financial crisis, pandemics, terrorism and other international
threat.
Venerable Pragya Ratna, a Buddhist guru, said that Buddha was the one who
first spread the message of peace and how one could achieve it by “cleansing
soul, speech and action.”
A message urging for global solidarity to combat today’s problems sent
by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon was also read out at the function
“I constantly remind leaders that we must act together or we will fail
individually,” said Ban in the message delivered on the occasion of Buddha
Jayanti. “I tell them that we must join forces in solidarity. Not only
is this the right thing to do; it is in our best interests.” Ban also suggested
all to carry on the spirit of Buddha’s teachings
The United Nations has been observing the Anniversary of Lord Buddha as
a public holiday since 2002.
As the birth, enlightenment and Nirvana of Lord Buddha falls on the same
day of the full moon of the fourth lunar month (month of Baisakh), Buddhists
around the world, including Nepal, observes Buddha Jayanti with respect
and devotion to Buddha.
With the realization that there was more to life than the lavish and luxurious
life he was leading, Prince Siddharth Gautam, who was born in the southern
Terai region of Nepal in about 543 BC, left his palace in search for enlightenment
and the true meaning of life. After much wandering and searching, Gautam
finally attained enlightenment while meditating under a pipal tree. Henceforth,
known as the "Buddha" or "the enlightened one" he began
to preach "The Four Noble Truths" to all who would listen. According
to this doctrine, people suffer because of their desires and the root cause
of all misery is desire. These desires and consequently all problems can
be totally eliminated by following the "eightfold path"- right
conduct, right motive, right speech, right effort, right resolve, right
livelihood, right attention and right meditation to gain mastery over suffering.
Gautama Buddha lived and taught in northern India in the 6th Century B.C.
Buddha traveled far and wide teaching hundreds of followers. Even after
death his disciples continued to spread his teachings. nepalnews.com May 09 09
●CJ calls for independence of judiciary●
Newly appointed Chief Justice Min Bahadur Rayamajhee has urged all to cooperate
in upholding the independence and neutrality of the judiciary.
Speaking at a programme organised by the Supreme Court on the occasion
of Law Day on Saturday, Rayamajhee said even as healthy criticism on activities
of the judiciary and court decisions should be taken positively, the tendency
to criticise the court decisions whenever they are not in one's favour
would only infringe the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.
He said such a tendency has grown of late.
Alluding to the recent demonstrations by Maoist cadres against the SC's
interim order on the retirement of eight Nepal Army generals, Rayamajhee
maintained that street protests against court verdicts are a threat to
independent judiciary.
Rayamajhee was appointed new CJ on Friday, a day after the parliamentary
hearing special committee unanimously endorsed his nomination. nepalnews.com May 09 09
●Deadline to form new govt is over; consensus eludes parties●
The parties have failed to meet the deadline given by President Dr Ram
Baran Yadav to form a new government through consensus by Saturday. Major
parties seem nowhere close to forming the new ruling alliance.
Politics of consensus and new unity government have been the much debated
topics since the Maoist-led government collapsed owing to differences among
major coalition partners over the cabinet decision to dismiss the army
chief and the subsequent Presidential veto against the decision.
CPN (UML), which has been backed by the Nepali Congress to lead the next
government, is yet to name its leader for the top job and the party is
still busy in internal meetings. In the meantime, Nepali Congress leaders
spent much of their time in the meetings of the central working committee,
defending the President's move and criticising the Maoists over the recent
controversial videotape.
The NC, projecting Madhav Kumar Nepal as new prime minister and handing
over responsibility to UML for garnering support from other parties, has
failed to give any substantial decision thereafter.
The party had hoped that UML leadership would be able to coax the Maoists
and other parties into joining the new government, but the Maoist leadership
so far remains stubborn in its stand not to engage in any discussions for
formation of new government.
The UML stands divided. Jhala Nath Khanal-led establishment of the party
is not willing to name senior leader Nepal as the new PM, who also holds
the position of Constitutional Committee chair with biggest responsibility
to write new constitution as mandated by the last year's election.
The fourth largest party, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, is giving confusing
signals on government formation. Terai based parties are likely to based
their stand in line with MJF that has said whichever party supports the
Madhesi agendas would get its backing.
The main reason behind the delay was obstruction of the legislature parliament
by the Maoists, saying they would continue obstruction until the President
withdraws his decision to reinstate the sacked army chief. Since the government
cannot be formed without the House functioning much will depend on the
Maoists' maneuvering. nepalnews.com Indra Adhikari May 09 09
●MJF still undecided over new govt●
Madhesi Jahadhikar Forum (MJF), whose support is crucial for formation
of new government, could not come up with a clear view on the matter after
its two-day long political committee meeting.
In a press meet organised by the party Saturday, party chairman Upendra
Yadav said they are yet to decide which party they would be supporting
would depend on the unfolding political developments. He said their priority
is for an all-party government and if it does not materialise, the party
would take a final decision later.
The party has formed a three-member committee under the leadership of Jaya
Prakash Prasad Gupta to discuss with parties on the formation of the government
and forge alliance with other Madhesi parties.
When asked if his party is going stake claim for prime minister, Yadav
said they don't claim but will not reject if circumstances 'compelled'
them to accept it. He also said whichever party supports the demands of
Terai based parties would get MJF's backing.
The party has criticised both Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and President
Dr Ram Baran Yadav for their moves saying both are responsible for creating
current political uncertainties.
The party said PM's move was a challenge to politics of consensus while
the President's order to army chief to stay put was unconstitutional.
MJF further said with the fall of the Maoist-led government, coalitions
that existed earlier have lost their meaning and that there is need to
work out for new coalitions and called for all-party committee to sort
out the political deadlock created after Maoist continuously obstructed
the parliament sessions. nepalnews.com ia May 09 09
●Old parties are trying to buy CA members: PM Dahal ●
Caretaker Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has accused 'old parties' of
trying to pay out tens of millions of rupees to Constituent Assembly members
of other parties in a bid to secure majority necessary for forming the
new government.
Addressing a programme organised by the families of state-disappeared persons
at Basantapur, Kathmandu, on Saturday, PM Dahal claimed that old parties
were trying to buy MPs at the behest of foreign power centres, and urged
caution against such attempts.
"I just heard from a leader of a party that tens of millions of rupees
is being spent to buy CA members. The parties have started engaging in
the same old game," he said.
Saying that his party, Unified CPN (Maoist), was ready for big sacrifice
in order to restore civilian supremacy in the country, Dahal said the parties
that identify themselves as democrats have thrown their weight behind the
army chief who challenged civilian supremacy. He described his resignation
as a salvo against the foreign intervention and political betrayers and
warned of strong protest movement against "brokers and betrayers".
He further said the ongoing attempts of other parties to form new government
exclusive of Maoists are the outcome of defeated mentality. nepalnews.com May 09 09
●UML-led govt has no alternative, claims Oli●
CPN (UML) leader KP Oli has claimed there is no alternative to his party
leading the next coalition government.
Speaking at a function in Bhaktapur Saturday morning, Oli argued that the
past nine months reflected the failure of the Maoist to lead government.
Oli had served as the home minister in Nepal's first communist government
of his party some 15 years ago that also had ruled the country for nine
months.
Oli, a staunch critic of Maoists, said his party is ready to go ahead for
majority government if the Maoists do not show willingness for consensus
government and warned to take strong measures if the Maoists continued
to obstruct the parliament sessions.
He also blamed the Maoists for the instability in the country, claiming
the government failed to respect the rule of law. nepalnews.com ia May 09 09
●MJF divided on leadership of new government●
The largest Terai based party Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) has been divided
on the issue of which party to support while forming the new government.
Party chairman Upendra Yadav and his supporters have voiced for an all-party
government under the leadership of the Unified CPN (Maoist), the biggest
party in the parliament. On the contrary, MJF’s parliamentary party leader
Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar and his supporters have spoken for UML-NC alliance
with UML taking the lead of the government since the Maoist-led government
failed to work as per mandate and did not implement agreement reached with
Terai-based parties.
Due to the dispute, the party’s political committee meeting on Friday failed
to decide on which party to support for the formation of new government.
Earlier, the party had said it would clarify its position by Friday evening.
Gachchhadar had left the party headquarters in the middle of the meeting
to meet Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala.
The party is scheduled to continue internal discussion Saturday. nepalnews.com ia May 09 09
●Three killed, five injured in Saptari firing●
Three youths were killed and five others critically injured when dispute
over landholdings took a nasty turn ensuing one side to open fire in Pakari
VDC of Saptari Friday.
The deceased are Ramesh Mandal, 16, Ranjit Yadav, 33, and Sakal Dev Mandal.
Five others including Bhola Mandal, Sanat Mandal, Udit Mandal, Santosh
Mandal and Bam Singh Mandal have been critically injured. They are undergoing
treatment at Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital, Rajbiraj.
Meanwhile, unidentified people hacked to death one Ramraj Prasad Shah,
a Kalaiya based businessman in Bara Friday morning. Locals have shut down
the market and disrupted traffic in Kalaiya following Shah’s killing. nepalnews.com May 09 09
●UML CC meet begins; leadership divided over formation of new govt●
The central committee meeting of CPN (UML) started at the party headquarters,
Balkhu, on Friday. The meeting is expected to name the leader of the would-be
ruling coalition, among other things.
Speaking at the meeting, party chairman Jhala Nath Khanal emphasised that
the party should go for a government of national consensus, which should
include the Maoists, it is learnt. Most central committee members who spoke
at the meeting said the party should take initiatives for new government
under its leadership.
The CC members will again meet on Saturday.
The CC meeting has been called at a time when the Nepali Congress and a
few fringe parties have said they are ready to back UML to form the new
government. However, UML has not been able to name its leader.
A faction of the party prefers Khanal to be the leader of the coalition,
which is unlikely to shape up any time soon, while the KP Oli faction stands
behind senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal. UML sources say Oli is firm in
his anti-Maoist stance.
Apart from deciding the party's position on the formation of new government,
the CC meeting will form the politburo, the second highest body after the
standing committee. nepalnews.com mk May 08 09
●NA refutes media reports●
The Nepali Army on Friday issued a statement refuting controversial media
reports about NA obscurely indicating at the report that said the video
tape about Maoist Chairman Prachanda addressing his cadres at Shaktikhor
cantonment had been supplied by the Army.
We are concerned about controversial reports connecting Nepal Army published
by some media houses in the recent days, the statement reads. We urge the
people not to be misled by such reports as they don’t have any truth, adds
the statement.
A broadsheet daily ran a story earlier this week claiming NA got hold of
the controversial video tape, then supplied to the President’s office,
from where it was leaked to the media. nepalnews.com May 08 09
●Rayamajhee appointed new CJ●
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav today appointed Min Bahadur Rayamajhee as
the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
The parliamentary special hearing committee had on Thursday unanimously
approved his nomination as the new CJ.
The Constitutional Council had named him as CJ on April 29.
Rayamajhee had been working as acting CJ since the retirement of Kedar
Prasad Giri from the top judicial post. nepalnews.com mk May 08 09
●Sushil wants re-verification of Maoist combatants●
Acting president of Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala has demanded for re-verification
of the Maoist combatants, reducing it to the same number as mentioned by
Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal in his controversial video.
In a face to face programme with journalists at Reporters Club Friday,
Koirala said irresponsibility of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN)
encouraged the Maoists to increase their army seven-fold.
Disclosure of the fact about Maoist combatants through Dahal’s tape has
made it urgent for re-verification of the combatants, he added.
Alleging that UNMIN failed to play a pivotal role in peace process, Koirala
blamed United Nations for not sending ‘responsible leadership’.
He defended the president’s move claiming that if such initiative had not
been taken, the nation would have faced unexpected political turmoil, claiming
a planned coup by the Maoists.
In another context, Koirala urged UML to choose leadership for new government
at the earliest possible cautioning that delay in taking such crucial decision
would invite disaster. nepalnews.com ia May 08 09
●New govt unlikely within given time ●
The formation of new government within the timeframe given time by President
Dr Ram Baran Yadav looks obvious to be delayed as parties are divided over
consensus government.
The Unified CPN (Maoist) during its politburo meeting Thursday concluded
to remain out of forming new government until president withdraws his move
to reinstate army chief.
Party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal also told Nepali Congress Girija Prasad
Koirala yesterday that his party will not participate in any government
without its demand being met.
On the other hand, UML leadership is divided over who should lead the new
government. Party chairman Jhala Nath Khanal who was positive of his leadership
in the new government pulled back after Nepali Congress proposed Madhav
Kumar Nepal as the prime ministerial candidate.
MK Nepal lost Constituent Assembly elections from both constituencies he
contested and was later appointed under proportional representation seat,
through political consensus. He is now the chairman of the Constitutional
Committee.
The establishment faction of the UML has started lobbying again for the
Maoists leading the new government amid Nepali Congress announcement not
to join Maoist-led government at any cost. Dahal on Wednesday also had
claimed that new government could be under his party’s leadership.
Constitutionally, the alternative to consensus government is given by majority
government. However, the continued obstruction of Constituent Assembly
sittings by the Maoists will hamper the election of the new prime minister.
As per the constitution, prime minister needs to be elected from the constituent
assembly.
CA chairman Subash Nemwang has cautioned President Dr Yadav of this provision
after getting hints that some lawyers advised president to bypass the procedure
if obstruction in House continued. nepalnews.com ia May 08 09
NEPEMCO(ネペムコ)
![Caretaker Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal releases a book "Uthalputhal Ka Das Barhsa" [Ten years of upheaval] authored by Journalist Deepak Sapkota, during a function in Kathmandu Thursday, May 14 09. nepalnews.com/NPA](may_14_09_bookrelease_a.jpg)
