News from Nepal

Jajarkot villages in acute food shortages

2011-08-14T01:56:00.001-07:00

Villages in Jajarkot district have been facing major food crisis with the harvest season months away and old stock running out. Nepal Food Corporation (NFC) depots in the area have been shut for the past six months.

Despite a dozen villages in Jajarkot facing food shortage at the moment, it is unlikely that the problem will be resolved soon especially when the government agencies are not doing anything .According to NFC Jajarkot branch, 400 quintals of food grain is allotted to each depot and 5,500 quintals is allotted to the district headquarters.
He further informed that a tender has already been announced to transport the food grain to the shortage areas. The rice that normally costs Rs 50 per kg is sold at Rs 80 in the village. The contractors who transport the grains too sell the grains as they please, complain the locals.

Landslides in various places in the Chhinchu-Jajarkot road had obstructed the roads and transportation of the grains to the Salli Bazar in Khalanga section. Transportation has been obstructed for a month now e.g distributed as per requirement from the headquarters," said Aire, adding, "The shortage situation could remain till August but it will end when the maize season starts."

One of the main reasons for the shortage is the shutting down of a number of depots for more than six months. Another reason is the rice that was being distributed on a subsidized rate got over quickly.

18 year-old teenager has 5 wives in Eastern Nepal

2011-08-14T01:53:00.000-07:00

Marriageable age for a man as per the existing law in the country is 20, but one Bam Bahadur Badi of Jhapra-1, Fumna has five wives at 18.

Bam Bahadur had his first taste of conjugal life at 13 after marrying Sangeeta Badi, now 18, when he was a seventh grader.

His second wife Bishna Badi is now 19, third Kalika 20, fourth Jantara also 20 and the latest Kalpana is 18. He gave up studies after the first marriage and subsequently married four women. Bam Bahadur has no regrets whatsoever about marrying five women but has started to feel the heat while raising the family.

“I didn"t pay attention to education and married early in life. Now I neither have qualification nor a job,” he said. “It is almost impossible for me to get a job now and neither can I resume my study,” he added.

His parents are fed up with the son who brought home one wife after another. “What will he do in life after bringing so many wives at such an early age,” mother Bija said and then vented her ire on her daughters-in-law. “What sort of girls are they to agree to marry him despite knowing he has wives at home.”

“His father had just a single wife in me but he has brought home the whole village,” she fumed.

The polygamous teenager has left even his neighbors baffled. “He doesn"t earn a penny and has already brought home five wives. He has ruined his life. I wonder what plans he has for his future,” said Bir Bahadur Nepali, a neighbor.

Women rights activist Rita Rawal opined that the case of Bam Bahadur is common in the village that has widespread practices of polygamy and child-marriage.

Jajarkot President of the NGO Federation Khim Bahadur Shahi said polygamy and child marriage thrive in dalit communities due to lack of awareness and education.

Nursing mother treated mercilessly

2011-08-10T00:07:00.000-07:00

Local women of Arma Village Development Committee (VDC) of Rukum ruthlessly roughed up a nursing mother just after seven hours of giving birth to a child.

Local women of Nuwakot village thrashed Sita Biswokarma (19) of Arma VDC-1, Khaltakuri with nettle and water in an inhumane manner.

She has been residing at the home of Ram Bahadur Biswokarma (18) of Nuwakot-4 since last Asar (June-July) as per the decision of villagers gathering after physical relations between them came to public notice.

Sita was compelled to deliver a baby girl at cowshed at 5 AM on July 20 after she was neglected by family members.

‘I was beaten up ruthlessly with nettle and water for two hours from 3 pm to 5 pm in a bush nearby home. They thrashed me and a newborn and forcefully took us to maternal home’, she recounted her Paine added she never got enough food to eat though she has been residing at Ram Bahadur's home since last July.

Now Sita is knocking door of the District Administration Office by holding the newborn and has urged all to dispense justice to her.

Dengue cases in Chitwan on rise

2011-08-10T00:06:00.000-07:00

Seven more cases of dengue have been found in the past three weeks in Chitwan district according to the District Public Health Office (DPHO).

Vector control inspector at the DPHO Ram KC said six of those cases were found in Chitwan Medical College while the other was detected at Bharatpur Hospital.

There were 23 deaths due to high fever in Chitwan in 2067 BS with four of them attributed to dengue after the government started dengue tests. A total of 735 dengue cases were confirmed in the district after tests. KC said the total number of dengue cases in the district has reached 17 after the new Nepali year.

Typhoid and leptospirosis had also killed one each in the district last year and KC revealed cases of typhoid and leptospirosis along with swine flu have also been found this year. Even doctors had contracted dengue last year and they are getting themselves tested even for minor fever.

Over 600 viral fever patients were found at Bharatpur Hospital, Chitwan Medical College, Narayani Community Hospital and National City Hospital in the past three days. Around 40 percent of the patients are at Bharatpur Hospital.

Bharatpur Hospital sees around 150 viral fever patients daily while Bharatpur Medical College and Chitwan Medical College see around 50 viral fever patients daily.

Senior physician at Chitwan Medical College Dr Shital Adhikari warned of dengue epidemic amidst increasing cases of viral fever.

We should wear full-sleeve clothes to prevent ourselves from mosquito bites," Dr Adhikari said and advised common people to take patients of high fever to hospital or treat them in isolation at home.

Abandoned Newborn twins found in a bush - and they also found foster parents

2011-08-09T23:46:00.000-07:00

A newborn twins were found abandoned in a bush at Jorpati on August 8, Monday. A local, Tulasi Adhikari found them and rushed the twins, a boy and a girl, to nearby Shankarapur Hospital.

According to Dr Ramesh Dhakal, the hospital director, both the newborns are healthy except for a normal chest infection due to exposure to cold.

"Their health did not deteriorate much as locals happened to rescue in less than an hour after they were left abandoned," Dr Dhakal said. "We will keep treating them for a week until they are fully cured. We have informed the authorities about the finding of unattended babies."

The babies found unattended are generally handed over to persons, who would like to have a foster child, subject to approval of the district administration office.

Two local, Rabi Karki and Krishna Dahal, have agreed to take custody of the babies. Dahal will foster the girl child and Karki will take the boy.
Photo credit - Nagarik

Paras Shah said he is sad to see the current situation in country

2011-08-06T21:26:00.000-07:00

The former Crown Prince Paras Shah has expressed his concern over the deteriorating condition of the country.

Shah went to worship Pancha Maha Laxmi in the temple located in Chhaling VDC of Bhaktapur district on Friday. While talking to the media people present at the location, he expressed his concern over the worsening political and financial condition of the country.

Paras said, "I am also the citizen of this country, as one of the citizens of the country I feel sad seeing the poor development of the country," he added, "I am looking at the condition of my country."

Paras complained about the lack of law and order. He also held religious talks with Swami Kamalnayanacharya Muktinath Baba for around an hour and worshipped the goddess at 12 noon.

Meanwhile, actress Manisha Koirala also arrived in the temple at around 10:30. Koirala told that she didn't know about the visit of the former prince and she was there just to worship the goddess Pancha Maha Laxmi.

Nag Panchami, Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal

2011-08-06T00:10:00.000-07:00

A Hindu festival, Nag Panchami, is celebrated on the fifth day of the moonlit-fortnight in the month of Shrawan (between July and August).

This is the time when serpents come out of their holes that get inundated with rainwaters to seek shelters, posing a danger to man. Snakes are worshiped on this day.

This festival that falls in the rainy season is believed to counter the increased possibility of snakebites during this time.

Meanwhile, people also paste the portraits of snakes using cow dung on the either side of the entrance to their houses to mark Nag Panchami.

Smoking in public to be banned in Nepal from Sunday

2011-08-04T22:19:00.000-07:00

Tobacco Control and Regulation Act-2068 that will come in into effect from early next week will prohibits smoking in public places. A nationwide campaign for effective implementation of the much-awaited act was launched on Thursday, August 4, 2011.

The campaign was inaugurated by the Speaker Subas Nembang. According to Shanta Lal Mulmi, Executive Director of Resource Centre for Primary Health Care, that is coordinating the campaign, with 20,000 pamphlets were distributed in the core area of the Kathmandu valley on Thursday alone. This program will be extended to all the 75 districts.

President Dr Rambaran Yadav approved the act on April 29 after it was passed by the parliament. The act comes into effect in 90 days after the president's approval. The anti-tobacco act will come into effect on this August.

A study of the smokers in Nepal show that men start smoking at an average age of 19 while women do so at 23.

Radio Nepal's archive getting digitized

2010-03-25T12:37:00.000-07:00

AVASH KARMACHARYA

When Radio Nepal was officially established in 1951, it served the nation in two different ways: It broadcasted as the democratic mouthpiece of an internally liberated Nepal from 104 years of Rana regime, and then as the propaganda machine of the Panchayat Raj from 1960 to 1990, and thence as the medium of yet another democratic Nepal.

The second facet of Radio Nepal is as the first ever vehicle in Nepal that defined Nepali music industry throughout the politically - charged decades.

For the first time, Radio Nepal introduced itself as the only station in Nepal that gave a platform to Nepali music and musicians. Pioneers like Setu Ram Shrestha, Hari Prasad Rimal, Janardan Sama, Dharma Raj Thapa, Koili Devi, Nati Kaji Shrestha, Tara Devi Phatteman Rajbhandari, Amber Gurung, Gopal Yonzon, Narayan Gopal, Prem Dhoj Pradhan and many others contributed to Nepali music through Radio Nepal, thus establishing the industry and leaving their music to the library of the only air station in the country.

State-owned, Radio Nepal was also the only station in Nepal that took the responsibility of music archiving of the nation. In 1984, Radio Nepal was transformed into a development committee and it also started affiliating itself to different foreign projects to ensure that it archived Nepali music professionally. While Radio Nepal claims to have the biggest musical archives protected within its station, whether or not it has been truly archiving the national property still remains a debate.

Singer Komal Oli, who has been working at the station as a news editor for 16 years, agrees that it was Radio Nepal that pioneered Nepali folk and modern music, but says the station’s music archive is haywire.

“Radio Nepal was supported by Ratna Recording Corporation. Songs used to be recorded on tape spools and cartridges. To play the cartridges, we had a special gadget. We had to make sure that the cartridges were taken care of properly. There were thousands of them in the initial years of Radio Nepal. As a singer, I have to admit that Radio Nepal has failed to maintain its library. As a result, we’ve already lost many records that can never be heard now,” Oli unveiled and added, “Despite the fact that the officials knew that the archive and library needed certain temperature to store the music items and knew the library should not be exposed to sunlight, they however remained negligent and let many records be damaged by fungi.”

Novelist and writer Peter J Karthak, who worked as a studio musician at Radio Nepal from 1965 to 1975, says that the state “lacked a proper vision” which caused the nation’s musical archive to suffer.

“I never felt the government had any planning to ensure a sense of heritage for this national and cultural entity. For decades, Radio Nepal remained as an ad hoc official propaganda tool, so it never thought about professionally archiving its recorded and acquired music. Forget about archiving, there were no adequate music instruments in my years at the station. Nati Kaji Shrestha was sent to Japan to bring instruments. He brought some Yamaha sets – two electric organs, an electric guitar with an amplifier but no sets of strings, and a drum set with two cymbals missing. Many younger and modern musicians, including myself, took our own instruments to the studio because Radio Nepal didn’t have them,” Karthak recalls.

“Royal dictatorship was colossus and the system was scary. Many songs of Narayan Gopal and Ranjit Gajmer were dragged into controversies. They were banned from being aired. Whether or not Radio Nepal still has those records is a matter of serious question. Because Radio Nepal did not do its jobs competently, Gopal Yonzon set up his own state-of-the-art recording studio in his house. Radio Nepal failed in its core jobs – such as beaming the entire country for development, going FM, having its own digital recording technology, training musicians as early as the 1970s – and we saw the disarrayed condition of its library while I worked there,” he concluded. Karthak adds that friendly nations were always ready to turn Radio Nepal into a modern broadcasting station, with funds, equipment, technology and training, but the myopic Panchayat Raj had no vision to perpetuate its own plans and policies through Nepal’s airwaves.

On the other hand, Robin Sharma, deputy executive director at Radio Nepal, refutes all accusations and says that the station is doing its “level best” to archive Nepali music.
“I’d like to refute people who say Radio Nepal hasn’t maintained its archiving. I agree there have been times when certain tracks were pulled out from the shelves. But we’ve never destroyed any collections. We’ve never mishandled our records. Today, we’re doing our best to digitalize our analog prints.”

According to him, Radio Nepal, despite being a government entity, gets minimum funds to operate, and depends on foreign aid.

“Our prime objective is to save the culture for future generations. A private collector may have as many songs of Narayan Gopal and Gopal Yonjan as we have. But who other than Radio Nepal has archived traditional Nepali tunes like the one played in Gunla festival and sankha dhun (conch shell signature tune). Which other organization and stations have preserved the authentic tunes of Bhaktapur and Patan?” he questioned.

Sharma further added that Radio Nepal is currently involved in a German project through which the station is in the process of digitalizing its analog archives. Those cartridges which were played in spool before are no more in use, but they are in the process of being rerecorded.

Sharma elaborated, “Quality is a relative term. Radio Nepal is constantly trying to improve. Because we’re a public broadcaster, our priorities are different. We’re bound to live within certain rules and regulations. All the private FM channels are following our examples. We’re doing our best to survive in this fiercely competitive media world. But time is not elastic. It takes time.”

How exactly is the station archiving its records?

As per Min Bahadur Karki, the divisional engineer at the station, Radio Nepal is transforming its analogs into MP3 format, which he says is not recommended for long-term purposes. Karki says the station is technically backward by 100 years if compared with the international trends of archiving.

“Analog samples last longer if they’re converted into wave format. The archiving room needs to be set at a certain temperature. We’re using a room of 25 degree centigrade. This temperature needs to maintain throughout the year. Radio Nepal has so far been practicing to save analogs directly into digital, that is, without removing the noise and dusts. This way, we’ll destroy the originality of the tracks,” Karki highlighted the technical story behind and added, “Through the new German project, we’re trying to push the station to start converting the original tapes into wave format. We need to bring analog back into its original form through the meta-data process. We need to clean the ORTs (open reel tapes) and should convert them to digital. This way, we’ll not lose the original flavor of the music and songs.”

Published on 2010-03-19

Girija Prasad Koirala died - long live Koirala legacy!

2010-03-20T12:35:00.000-07:00

Last rites with state honor; Govt declares Sunday public holiday; National flag at half mast for three days

The man who fought for democracy during the greater part of an over 60 year political journey is no more.

President of the Nepali Congress and former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala succumbed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on Saturday afternoon after falling unconscious for over 12 hours. He was 86.

"Former prime minister Koirala died at 12:10 p.m. despite efforts to treat his asthma and lung ailment," said Dr Man Bahadur KC, who has been attending on Koirala for years, announcing the death of the octogenarian leader at his daughter´s residence at Mandikhatar in the capital where Koirala breathed his last.

Koirala´s close aide Krishna Prasad Sitaula told Republica that Koirala fell unconscious soon after he went to sleep at 11 p.m., Friday. The five-time prime minister did not regain consciousness.

He will be cremated at Aryaghat at Pashupatinath Temple complex on Sunday afternoon. Before that, his body will be kept at Dasharath Stadium to allow people to pay their last respects.

As Koirala´s condition deteriorated last Sunday, he was admitted to Sahid Gangalal Hospital and was discharged last Wednesday after there was an improvement in his health. But his health deteriorated again Thursday night, with a bout of diarrhea. On Friday evening, his doctors said Koirala was recuperating.

Rumors about the NC president started doing the rounds since early Saturday morning when reports about his falling unconscious leaked out. Thousands of people, many of them NC supporters, thronged Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala´s residence at Mandikhatar where her father had moved from his Maharajgunj home on March 12.

The visitors, who came over long distances, looked anxious to learn about Koirala´s condition as there was no official announcement of his death even two hours after he breathed his last. Doctors announced Koirala´s death at about 2 p.m. Before that, an emergency meeting of the Nepali Congress Central Working Committee was held at Mandikhatar.

Last November, when Koirala fell seriously ill, he was taken to Singapore by air ambulance. He received treatment at Gleneagles Hospital, a 380-bed private tertiary acute care facility there.

President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Vice-President Paramananda Jha and Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal visited Mandikhatar to offer their tributes to the late Koirala. Ministers, politicians, diplomats, intellectuals and people from different walks of life also reached there to offer their tributes.

With the ever increasing number of people showing no signs of leaving, the Koirala family placed the body at the premises at about 3.30 p.m. to allow people to offer their tributes. Long queues formed and paid their last respects with tearful eyes.

Maoist ministers make public code of conduct

2007-04-10T12:29:00.001-07:00

Maoist ministers make public code of conduct

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, April 9 - Expressing their commitments not to collect private property, the Maoist ministers in the interim government on Monday unveiled their code of conduct.

The Maoist ministers at their party secretariat in the capital also today promised to make public their property details while remaining in the government and after leaving their jobs. They claimed that they have no private property and that all property possessed now was that of their party.

They said that they handed over their property while joining the party in 1996.

The Maoist minister also said they would not indulge in corruption and irregularities.

Holding timely CA polls top priority in govt's CMP

2007-04-10T12:27:00.000-07:00

Holding timely CA polls top priority in govt's CMP

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, April 10 - The newly formed interim government Tuesday said that holding the elections to the Constituent Assembly by the stipulated time was its primary policy. Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Ram Chandra Poudel made the remarks while presenting the government's Common Minimum Program (CMP) including the annual programmes and policies at today's sitting of the Interim Legislature-Parliament. Minister Poudel presented the government's policies in the absence of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala owing to the latter's ill health. The CMP, which was finalised by a meeting of top eight parties, has primarily laid great stress on holding independent and free elections to the constitutional assembly. The programme has also given top priority to the promotion of national interest, loktantra and progression; improvement of security situation; change and reforms in all state systems and immediate relief for conflict-hit people. The major points in the CMP include, promotion of competitive politics, human rights and press freedom, strict implementation of the peace accord and formation of peace and rehabilitation, truth and reconciliation, and state restructuring commissions. Similarly, the CMP has also suggested an action plan to democratize the Nepali Army, a special cabinet committee to oversee, integrate and rehabilitate Maoist combatants in addition to stressing on a proper management of Maoist cantonments. The program plans to end all sorts of red-tapism, strikes, bandas, corruption and implement the eight party decision to nationalize royal property. Similarly, the government's annual plan also includes reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure, declaration of education and health institutions as peace zones, creation of an investment-friendly environment, and initiate strong action against willful defaulters in addition to tying up the loose ends in acting against those found guilty of suppressing the April uprising by the Rayamajhi Commission.

CPN-M donates Rs 500 to NC in Bhojpur

2007-04-06T13:41:00.003-07:00

CPN-M donates Rs 500 to NC in Bhojpur

Kantipur Report

BHOJPUR, April 6 - In an odd departure from its donation drives that has drawn criticism from all sides, the CPN-M, for the first time Friday, extended financial assistance to another political party.

CPN-M in Bhojpur donated Rs.500 to Nepali Congress (NC), which has started a formal donation collection from Thursday.

In a press conference held on Thursday, NC Chairman Bhojpur Nanda Mani Rai informed that the party was starting a donation drive not only to raise funds but also to foster goodwill with all other parties.

District CPN-M Secretary Dinesh donated Rs 500 to the NC cadres who had gone to the CPN-M party office to ask for donations.

Dinesh also urged NC to put the sum to “a good use” stating that it was a donation and not an investment into the party.

NT prepaid SIM-card distribution draws overwhelming response

2007-04-06T13:41:00.001-07:00

NT prepaid SIM-card distribution draws overwhelming response

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, April 6 - Thousands queued up at various Nepal Telecom (NT) offices in the valley on Friday as the NT began distribution of pre-paid mobile SIM-cards through its offices in all three districts in the valley.

Customers could be seen thronging telecom offices— sometimes in queues upto 8 kilometres long— since early morning following the announcement that pre-paid cards would be distributed through NT's Kathmandu regional directorate in Tripureshwor.

Meanwhile, police intervention became necessary in Bhaktapur and Kirtipur where minor scuffles broke out among customers waiting in line for their turn.

The overwhelming rush also owes to the new provision that makes the SIM-cards available immediately after the forms are registered.

Managing Director of NT Sugaratna Kansakar said that he has requested people to stop queuing after 2pm, as sim-cards would only be distributed to those customers who have been in queue before 2pm.

Kansakar informed that over 60000 prepaid SIM-cards were distributed today itself.

Sim-cards are being given out from various NT braches including those at Bhadrakali, Teku, Chhauni, Bhaisepati, Balambu, Gongabu, Patan and Bhaisipati, among others since 10 this morning.

Meanwhile, an emergency meeting was held at the NT head office after the number of people thronging NT offices for sim-cards exceeded all expectations.

According to Kansakar, the meeting will decide on issues like the total number of sim-cards to be distributed and basic distribution procedures.

The customers who have been in queues before 2pm will either be given the cards today itself or will be given cards later through coupons which will be issued to them today.

According to the Metropolitan Traffic Police Office, Ramshah path, the rush disrupted morning traffic in the capital. Traffic management has been disrupted as the queue in front of the NT main office, Bhadrakali extended upto Thapathali.

Meanwhile, telecom costumers in Dhading also had lined up at the Dhading NT office since midnight, our correspondent reported.

The NT however, refused to reveal just how many SIM-cards the Dhading office would be able to distribute.

Third day of SLC goes smoothly; one arrested with fake ID

2007-04-06T13:40:00.005-07:00

Third day of SLC goes smoothly; one arrested with fake ID

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, April 6 - The third day of School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examinations went on smoothly without any obstructions on Friday.

Students took test of their Social Studies test today.

According to Deputy Controller of the Office of the Controller of Examination (COE) Sundar Shakya said that although in some districts question papers were supposedly leaked, they were later found to be fake.

Shakya further informed that today’s exam was conducted normally nationwide.

Meanwhile, in Gaushala Primary School, Sarlahi, a youth was arrested while attempting to sit for the exam with a fake admission card.

According to our local correspondent, action was being initiated against 17-year-old Rajnish Mishra of Malangawa, who had tried to sit for the exam by sticking his photo in the admission card of one Anuj Kumar Jha of Saraswati Primary School, Sonam.

Prachanda, Martin discuss second phase of arms registration

2007-04-06T13:40:00.003-07:00

Prachanda, Martin discuss second phase of arms registration

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, April 6 - Maoist Chairman Prachanda Friday held discussions with chief of United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) Ian Martin regarding the second phase of arms registration.

The duo also discussed the Maoist leaders' security details.

According to sources, Prachanda had told Martin that all the issues should be addressed at the same time.

Sources added, the second phase of Maoists' arms registration and camp management will begin once the registration of the Nepal Army's weapons and its personnel is over. As per the agreement reached among the government, CPN-M and the UN, the Nepal Army also has to store an equal number of weapons in the containers kept at the Chhauni barracks.

The registration process of the Nepal Army is set to begin in a day or two.

Maoists and UNMIN have agreed to begin the second phase of registration after holding consultations with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

US adds $2 million more for Nepal peace process

2007-04-06T13:40:00.001-07:00

US adds $2 million more for Nepal peace process

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, April 6 - USAID will provide an additional $2 million to support Nepal’s peace process, stated a press release issued by the Embassy of the United States in Kathmandu on Friday.

"This commitment of new funding follows a six-day visit to Nepal by two senior USAID officials -- Michael Hess, Assistant Administrator for the Bureau of Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance, and Robert Jenkins, Acting Director of the Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI)," stated the press release.

The USAID officisals had visited USAID-funded projects and consulted with U.S. Mission officials, donor partners, and others.

US ambassador to Nepal James F Moriarty welcomed the increased assistance and he was quoted as saying, “This new funding underscores the commitment of the U.S. Government and people to support the peace process during this historic transition period. USAID plays a central role in our efforts to help Nepal.”

USAID/Nepal is the humanitarian and development assistance arm of the U.S. Mission to Nepal.

According to the release, the new funding will support additional activities, such as dialogues and trainings, to assist the peace process in Nepal, including by helping address the increased tension in the Terai.

The new funding is in addition to $6.25 million already committed to help Nepal by USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives, and is part of OTI’s total programme of up to $15 million over two years to help the peace process.

USAID’s current budget for Nepal in 2007 is projected at $40 million.

Kahane congratulates PM Koirala

2007-04-06T13:39:00.003-07:00

Kahane congratulates PM Koirala

RSS

KATHMANDU, April 6 - United Nations Resident Representative in Nepal, Matthew Kahane has congratulated Girija Prasad Koirala on his re-appointment as the Prime Minister of Nepal. Kahane also wished the PM a succesful and fruitful time in office. Similarly, Ambassador of Egypt to Nepal, Abdelhamid Mahmoud Soleiman also congatulated PM Koirala on being appointed Prime Minister. The Egyptian Ambassador also wished the PM a successful time in office.

Smiling little girls bring back lovely gifts from PM

2007-04-06T13:39:00.001-07:00

Smiling little girls bring back lovely gifts from PM

RSS

KATHMANDU, April 6 - Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala gave presents to the Panchakanyas who were waiting to welcome him with garlands in hand, at Tribhuvan International Airport upon his arrival after participating in the 14th SAARC Summit in New Delhi, India.

The Prime Minister had asked the Panchakanyas what presents they would like to have when he left Nepal last Sunday for New Delhi, India to take part in the SAARC Summit.

"You are standing out in the hot sun, tell me what gifts would you like when I come back," the Prime Minister had asked the five little girls standing at the airport to see him off.

The Panchakanyas who had answered the Prime Minister's question only with smiles on Sunday were all exhilarated today when they got the gifts.

It is a longstanding tradition for Panchakanyas to bid farewell and welcome back the Head of State or Government when he/she goes abroad.

It is believed in Hindu religion that all the obstacles are cleared when the Panchakanyas greet or see off anyone by garlanding the person.

This is possibly the first instance that any VVIP has publicly given presents to the Panchakanyas.

14th SAARC summit, a chance for member nations to mutually benefit, says PM Koirala

2007-04-06T13:38:00.000-07:00

14th SAARC summit, a chance for member nations to mutually benefit, says PM Koirala

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, April 6 - Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Friday said that the 14th SAARC summit was a huge success and that it provided an opportunity for member nations to find ways to mutually benefit from each other.

PM Koirala, who had left for New Delhi on April 1 to attend the 14th SAARC summit, made the comments while talking to media persons upon his arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport this afternoon.

PM Koirala expressed his happiness that the other member nations had conveyed their full support to the proposals made by Nepal during the meet. The PM had forwarded Nepal's proposal on issues including flood control in areas along the Indo-Nepal border, efficient use of resources and poverty alleviation.

PM Koirala also said that the member nations during the two-day SAARC summit reached a consensus on such issues as flood control, energy utilization and poverty alleviation, among others, in a bid to make SAARC a more effective body in the days to come.

During his visit to India this time around, PM Koirala had held separate meetings with Indian Prime Minister Dr Man Mohan Singh along with holding meetings with his other counterparts from participating nations.

The PM opined that the introduction of observer nations and Afghanistan into the SAARC has served to strengthen the South Asian body.

Stating that SAARC will become active within six months, PM Koirala said that the significance of SAARC has grown in the wake of the interest from powerful nations towards this South Asian body.

However, PM Koirala opted to keep mum on queries related to monarchy. A day earlier, talking to Nepali journalists in New Delhi, PM Koirala, in a roundabout way, had hinted at the republican set up. PM Koirala had taken a shot at the press when he answered a question with, "Are you talking about Gyanendra or king Gyanendra?"

Minister for Foreign Affairs Sahana Pradhan, Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat and other government officials who had accompanied the PM also returned to the capital today.

Foreign Minister Pradhan commented that the international community had attached importance to Nepal because of the example Nepal had set through its peace process.

Informing media persons regarding the discussions about the Bhutanese refugee crisis with her Indian counterpart, Pradhan said that the Indian government had given its word that it would look into this matter.

She further said that India was positive in regards to cooperation in controlling crime in the border region.

On the eve of his departure from New Delhi, PM Koirala also held meeting with former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Bajpayee. PM Koirala and Bajpayee discussed issues like the peace process in Nepal, recent Terai unrest and monarchy among others.

Similarly, PM Koriala’s meeting with Bhutanese Prime Minister Khandu Wangchuk was said to be quite fruitful as the Bhutanese PM gave his assurance that the issue would be resolved during the next bilateral ministerial-level meet.

EC calls ministers for discussion

2007-04-05T14:46:00.000-07:00

EC calls ministers for discussion

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, April 5 - Chief Election Commissioner Bhojraj Pokhrel and other Election Commission (EC) officials Thursday held meeting with the State Affairs Committee (SAC) members of the Interim Legislature-Parliament to discuss the Constituent Assembly Candidate Election Bill.

During the discussion, the EC said that the political parties needed to be clear about the proportional electoral system.

According to Hridayram Thani, a member of SAC, a nine-member committee comprising representatives of all political parties was formed to give suggestions regarding a proportional electoral system.

The EC is scheduled to hold another discussion regarding the same issues with the committee this Sunday.

Meanwhile, the EC will hold discussions with the Council of Ministers today regarding the issues pertaining to the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections that were yet to be finalised.

Sources have said that the EC had called on the ministers for a discussion as it has been facing problems in election preparations because the election dates are yet to be finalised.

According to an EC official, although all ministers had been invited for the discussion, Minister for Local Development Dev Gurung and State Minister for General Administration Ram Chandra Yadav would not be attending the programme as they were out of valley.

Likewise, Foreign Minister Sahana Pradhan and Finance Minister Dr Ram Saran Mahat — who are currently in New Delhi for the SAARC Summit — will also be absent at the discussion.

CPN-M to issue Code of Conduct for party ministers

2007-04-05T14:45:00.001-07:00

CPN-M to issue Code of Conduct for party ministers

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, April 5 - Maoist spokesperson and Minister for Information and Communication Technology Krishna Bahadur Mahara Thursday said that a new Code of Conduct for the Maoist ministers is being prepared.

The Maoist Central Secretariat will soon make public the Code of Conduct, which will contain work performance of the ministers and also "financial discipline".

Meanwhile, Mahara said that he plans to change the total outlook rather than just individual perspective in government media.

He also said that he would prioritise issues of national importance.

Furthermore, he also said that Maoist ministers would embrace pro-public transformation, trying to end anti-people traditions.

CPN-M has five ministers in the current coalition interim government.

NC will decide on monarchy before CA elections: Koirala

2007-04-05T09:18:00.001-07:00

NC will decide on monarchy before CA elections: Koirala

Kantipur Report

NEW DELHI, April 5 - Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Thursday said that the Nepali Congress (NC) will come up with a final decision regarding the king before the CA elections are held.

Talking to Nepali reporters in New Delhi — where he went to attend the 14th SAARC Summit — PM Koirala, albeit in a roundabout way, said that there was no chance of king Gyanendra being active during the CA elections.

When asked "What will you do if king Gyanendra tries to disrupt the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections?", Koirala replied with a question of his own, "Do you mean ‘king Gyanendra’ or ‘Gyanendra’?"

Koirala also said, "Forget the king, let's talk about Gyanendra."

"I can not talk about the issues of CA right now; we need some “spice” to create an environment for the CA and NC will provide the “spice”."

When asked about NC unification, Koirala said that in the present condition, unification was necessary, not only of the two Congress parties but among all the eight parties.

He also revealed that talks were being held with NC-D President Sher Bahadur Deuba regarding NC unificaiton.

"When I managed to get united even with the Maoists, of course unification with NC-D will happen," said Koirala.

The PM also said that Nepal's prestige among the international community had increased as the peace process was moving ahead positively.

Stating that the peace process was yet to reach a conclusion, Koirala expressed his commitment that he would make it (peace process) reach a final destination within his tenure.

Answering to a query regarding the Terai problems, PM Koirala said that he was ready to hold talks with concerned groups to resolve the Terai problems and would begin the needful consultations with all concerned as soon as he returns to the capital.

PM Koirala, who is scheduled to return to Nepal tomorrow, met Bangladesh's provisional government's Chief Advisor Fakrudhdhin Ahmed this morning.

Koirala is also scheduled to meet Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee and former Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee later today.

SLC begins with few glitches; 4 supervisors suspended

2007-04-04T16:42:00.002-07:00

SLC begins with few glitches; 4 supervisors suspended

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, April 4 - The first day of the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examinations Wednesday was carried out smoothly, except hitches in one of the exam centres.

According to Deputy Examination Controller Sundar Shakya, two were arrested by the police in Dhanusha while they were trying to enter the examination hall here in Dhanusha on the pretext of examination supervisors.

Laxman Prasad Shah and Ranjit Kumar Jha — who had entered the examination hall in of Kanya Primary School with the identity card of Raj Kishore Yadav — were discovered by the district examination monitoring team and were handed to the police, said Shakya.

Similarly, four examination supervisors have been suspended for acting against the rules of SLC examinations.

Among the suspended supervisors, two are from Shishu Gyan Nikunja Primary School and one each from Kanya Primary School and Aurahi Primary School.

According to our local correspondent in Sankhuwasabha, a student and a security guard have been suspended there.

The SLC examination — also known as the ‘Irongate” — began Wednesday at 7:30 am this year. Altogether 178,952 girls and 189,726 boys are appearing for the exam monitored by 33,225 teachers, officials and security personnel. Of the examinees, 292,287 are regular and 76,391 are exempted students.

The Ministry of Education and Sports informed that 1,186 centers have been set up across the country.

Of the total examinees, 102, 207 are from the eastern, 119, 216 from central, 77, 472 from western, 38,989 from mid-western and 30,794 from far western regions respectively.

Deputy Examination Controller Sunder Shakya said that all the centers are fully prepared for the examination. "All necessary materials have reached the respective centers and so have the resource persons, including 11,860 security personnel," he said. Earlier, SLC questions used to be prepared from class nine and 10 courses.

'SLC Guideline 2007' issued by the ministry said that though the examination is three hours long, differently-able students will get additional 90 minutes.

Over 50 businessmen arrested in Nepalgunj

2007-04-04T16:42:00.001-07:00

Over 50 businessmen arrested in Nepalgunj

Kantipur Report

NEPALGUNJ, April 4 - Police Wednesday arrested more than 50 local businessmen who were in a protest programme, demanding compensation for the loss during the Nepalgunj incident.

The businessmen, who took to the streets, claiming that the government had failed to provide compensation in accordance with its earlier commitment, were arrested this morning.

The police arrested them while they were trying to gherao the revenue office.

According to our correspondent, after the arrest, the business community in Nepalgunj called for shut down of the marketplaces today.

Koirala -Wangchuk meet: Bhutan vows to resolve refugee crisis soon

2007-04-04T16:41:00.000-07:00

Koirala -Wangchuk meet: Bhutan vows to resolve refugee crisis soon

By Gopal Khanal

NEW DELHI, April 4 - Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Bhutanese Prime Minister Khandu Wangchuk Wednesday discussed ways to find solutions to the Bhutanese Refugee problems.

In the 20-minute long discussion, both the prime ministers — who are currently in New Delhi, India to attend the 14th SAARC Summit — concluded that both parties need to be more “serious” in finding a long-term solution to the refugee issue.

During the meeting, Bhutanese PM Wangchuk vowed to resolve the refugee crisis by the next ministerial meeting of the two countries.

Koirala and Wangchuk also agreed to hold a secretary-level meeting soon.

The Bhutanese PM was positive at resolving the refugee imbroglio by the forthcoming ministerial meeting, PM Koirala’s foreign affairs advisor Dr Suresh Chalise quoted Koiaral after the meeting as saying.

PM Koirala also urged his Bhutanese counterpart to finalise the issue before 2008, when Bhutan would attain full democracy.

Koirala said that if the issue was resolved before the instatement of democracy in Bhutan, the refugees could also participate in the Bhutan democratization process and that it would also improve Bhutan’s image in the international committee.

Wangchuk assured Koirala that the upcoming ministerial level meeting between the two countries would find a concrete solution to the problem.

Moreover, Wangchuk also expressed commitment on behalf of Bhutan that his government would be more “serious” regarding the issue, Dr Chalise said.

Chalise added Koirala, who discussed the process of repatriation and third-country settlement of the Bhutanese refugees with Indian and US leaders, today talked to Wangchuk only on the repatriation process.

Meanwhile, PM Koirala met Sri Lankan President Mahindra Rajapaksa this afternoon and is scheduled to meet Maldives’ President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in the evening.

Likewise, a meeting of foreign ministers of the SAARC countries is underway in New Delhi to prepare a memorandum regarding the agreements made during the summit and previous ministerial meets.

In the memorandum, issues like formation of a common mechanism against terrorism, Open University, regional food store and commitment to help – made by the observer nations – will be included, a foreign ministry source said.

After the closing ceremony for the summit, at 5pm today, the memorandum will also be made public.

14th SAARC Summit ends adopting 30-point declaration

2007-04-04T16:40:00.000-07:00

14th SAARC Summit ends adopting 30-point declaration

By Gopal Khanal

NEW DELHI, April 4 - The 14th SAARC Summit held in the Indian capital of New Delhi Wednesday concluded adopting a 30-point declaration, which includes formation of a modality to fight against terrorism in the South Asian region.

Stressing the need to collectively overcome the challenges of poverty, disease, natural disasters and terrorism, the Heads of States or government during the Summit confirmed that countries of South Asia must work together to deal with these challenges in order to secure the region’s collective prosperity.

The SAARC members also underlined that terrorism is a threat to peace and security in the region. They reaffirmed their commitment to implement all international conventions relating to combating terrorism, to which SAARC Member States were respectively parties, as well as the SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism and the Additional Protocol to the SAARC Regional Convention dealing with the prevention and suppression of financing of terrorism. While urging continued efforts to combat terrorism, the Heads of State or Government also called for urgent conclusion of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, the Declaration says.

The SAARC members also expressed satisfaction at the launching of 2007 as the 'Year of Green South Asia.'

The leaders of the SAARC nations also expressed appreciation over the offer of the Maldives to host the 15th Summit Meeting of the Heads of States or Governments of the South Asian Association for the Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

The South Asian regional members also welcomed the People’s Republic of China, Japan, European Union, Republic of Korea and the United States of America, to be associated as Observers to SAARC.

Recognition to the full benefits of an integrated multimodal transport system in the region was also agreed. The SAARC members emphasized that this would not be realized unless physical infrastructure and matters relating to customs clearance and other facilitation measures, including multimodal transport operations, were addressed comprehensively. They called for an extension of the SAARC Regional Multimodal Transport Study (SRMTS) to include Afghanistan as well.

Stating that the SAARC Development Fund (SDF) was an important pillar that would bring concrete benefits to the people of the region, the members directed that the SDF be made operational at the earliest. They also agreed that the resources for SDF would be mobilised both from within and outside the region.

CIAA grills ex-army chief Thapa

2007-04-03T15:50:00.001-07:00

CIAA grills ex-army chief Thapa

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, April 3 - The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) Tuesday interrogated the former Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Pyar Jung Thapa on charges of misappropriation of funds.

Thapa had gone to the CIAA office this afternoon in answer to a summons by the CIAA.

Earlier, Thapa had been issued a summons letter on March 28 which ordered him to report to the CIAA within eight days of issuance of the letter.

The High-Level Probe Commission (HLPC) formed under the coordination of former Supreme Court justice Krishna Jung Rayamajhi to investigate atrocities and corruption committed during the royal regime had recommended action against Thapa, finding him guilty of misappropriating funds worth around Rs 20 million during his tenure as the CoAS.

Formation of interim govt beginning of a new chapter: PM Koirala

2007-04-03T15:49:00.000-07:00

Formation of interim govt beginning of a new chapter: PM Koirala

KATHMANDU , April 3
The 14th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit has kicked off in New Delhi Tuesday.The summit was inaugurated by the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh this morning.Speaking at the programme Singh stressed the need to increase multilateral assistance between the SAARC countries.

PM, Indian envoy; Speaker, US envoy discuss Maoists’ inclusion in new govt

2007-03-01T13:53:00.001-08:00

PM, Indian envoy; Speaker, US envoy discuss Maoists’ inclusion in new govt

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, March 1 - In the wake of up-paced consultations between the seven-party alliance government and the CPN-M regarding the formation of an interim government, the diplomatic missions in Nepal too have begun discussion sessions with the key members of the government and the political parties.

Indian ambassador to Nepal Shiv Shankar Mukherjee on Thursday met with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter’s Baluawatar residence.

Sources said the meeting between the PM and the Indian envoy concentrated on contemporary political issues and recent politcal developments.

The 20-minute meeting between the premier and the Indian envoy mainly had the issues like Maoists’ inclusion in the Interim Government and management of weapons among others.

In the eve of a meeting said to be held between the PM and Maoist Chairman Prachanda to discuss the inclusion of CPN-M in the interim government, the meeting between the PM Koirala and Mukharjee is being observed with immense “interest”.

Similarly, American ambassador to Nepal James F Moriarty met with the Speaker of the Interim Legislature-Parliament Subhas Nembang this morning at the Speaker’s official residence.

The meeting between the American envoy and the Speaker too focused on Maoists’ inclusion in the interim government, sources said.

Earlier yesterday envoy Moriarty had met with CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and had cast his doubts over the number of Maoist weapons registered with the UN. Moriarty had expressed his skepticism stating the Maoists did not register all the weapons they possess with the UN.

Govt, Maoists meet to fix polls date postponed Meanwhile, a government-Maoist meeting that was scheduled for today, to decide on the dates of the elections to the Constituent Assembly and Interim Government has been called off.

According to Maoist spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara, the meet was postponed to Friday due to PM Koirala’s time constraints.

The government and the CPN-Maoist yesterday discussed the issues of the soon-to-be-formed Interim Government and the elections to the Constituent Assembly slated for mid-June.

Maoist Chairman Prachanda, senior leaders Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Matrika Yadav, Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala, among others were present in the meeting at Hotel Himalaya in Lalitpur Wednesday afternoon to discuss the Interim Government issue.

Following the meet, Prachanda had said that the dates for the CA elections and the Interim Government could be finalized by today itself after a meeting with the PM.

Mistakes of the Government

2007-02-28T16:24:00.001-08:00

Mistakes of the Government

By Bipin Shah

Could this government hold a fair and peaceful election to the Constitution Assembly (CA) within the stipulated time? These days the government seems to have been grappling with too many problems which are diverting its attention from its main objective. Is the government getting hapless? Has it grown weaker? These are some legitimate questions. But the main question is-where have these political uncertainties suddenly popped out of? After all, this is the same government which, after coming into power following the April Movement, took so many historic decisions that ranged from striping King Gyanendra of the status of the head of state to bringing the Maoists into the mainstream politics. This is the same government that enjoyed an unprecedented popularity. So, where has the government missed? Some may see the protests of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) or the Janjati Mahasang or the other groups as efforts to undermine the legitimacy of the government. There is already an extremist view circulating around, which is trying hard to characterize these protests as designs of reactionary and regressive forces. We can blame every other thing that is not within the boundary of our interests for the political chaos we have been witnessing after the Madhesi Movement. This could be one way of seeing the issue from just one side of the fence. When one sees the issue from the other side, the story becomes a lot more interesting and contrasting. Promulgation of an interim constitution that was inherently flawed and not up to the expectations of the people can be considered the seed of all the present problems. Instead of realizing that, the government went on a spree of committing mistakes that only exposed its predilections and vulnerabilities. Those mistakes clearly showed that it did not have its fingers on the pulse of the ‘entire’ country. The first mistake was to treat the political activists of the MJF as some street hooligans when they were protesting against the interim constitution. This clearly showed the anti-Madhesi stratum of the government. The second mistake was not only to let the Nepalgunj event happen but also to not be serious enough to properly investigate it and bring the culprits to justice. The third mistake was to not take immediate initiatives to tackle the situation in Lahan, when a Maoist cadre gunned down a young schoolboy. The Lahan incident was really intriguing. After the incident Prachanda said his party would investigate and punish the culprit, if found guilty. I wonder, who is supposed to investigate, prosecute and punish if the crime of murder is committed- a party or the government? Who do you think is making the government weak? We all know what followed the Lahan incident. And after the Madhesi Movement and the lives of 29 Madhesis, where are we now? At the heap of some promises and the myriad of uncertainties. These promises may get translated into constitutional amendments, but whether it will be done completely, clearly and honestly is yet to be seen. I hope this time the government does not make any mistakes. The government has yet to take the MJF and the Jantantrick Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) in confidence to bring them to the negotiation table. The Janjati Mahasangh and other groups have continued protesting for their rights and demands. Accusing them of trying to weaken the government can be as ridiculous as it can get in a democratic society. Forming a talks committee and merely sending out letters asking the discontented groups to come to the negotiation table without creating a favorable environment is not going to achieve anything. Everybody knows how long it took and how many compromises the government had to make to bring the Maoists to the negotiation table. Why not make some compromises this time too? What the government should have done is to make a Madhesi the home minister. Is there anything wrong with the notion? There are many Madhesi leaders in the ruling parties, who are capable and experienced to run the home ministry. When the government expresses determination to ensure the unbiased participation of the Madhesi into the political process, why not live by examples? Such a decision by the SPA and the Maoists would have sent a clear signal that the government is serious to address the problems and flexible to sit for talks. There are arguments that resignation of Krishna Prasad Sitaula may have negative impacts on the peace process with the Maoists. Is it necessary that he be the home minister for the peace process to go forward? The seven-party alliance (SPA) and Maoists could have come to an agreement to change his ministry. This could have been a genuine first step to taking the agitated groups into confidence without discrediting Sitaula’s contribution to the peace process. It is not to say that the government has to accept all the legitimate and illegitimate demands of every other group that comes out on the street. But the government should try to remove all possible blockades, if there are any, when it decides to sit for talks. The MJF has put forward three pre-conditions for talks: resignation of the home minister, formation of a high level probe commission and punishment to those who are found guilty of suppressing the Madhesi Movement. It is striking that the MJF should not even have had to ask for the latter two conditions. The government itself should have immediately formed a commission to probe into the incidents that occurred during the Madhesi Movement. Formation of probe commissions has taken place after each movement in Nepal. What is different this time? Is there something to hide? The home minister recently conceded that mistakes may have been made. Why not bring those mistakes out in public? It becomes all the more surprising when the government shows so much promptness to form a commission to probe an incident of stone pelting on the Mercedes of Gyanendra. When Lena Sundh, representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (HCHR) in Nepal, points towards the need of an impartial investigation into the deaths, injuries and destruction of property in Terai during the Madhesi Movement, it indicates how keenly the international community is watching our political decisions and judgments. These are historic times. These are times of transition. The task of the government is not only to conduct the CA elections, but also to honestly protect and safeguard the interests of the whole country that it is supposed to be working for.

CA election dates will be announced by Thursday: Prachanda

2007-02-28T16:23:00.001-08:00

CA election dates will be announced by Thursday: Prachanda

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, Feb 28 - Maoist chairman Prachanda on Wednesday informed that the date for the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections will be announced by Thursday.

Prachanda further said that his party has begun "serious" discussions to this end with the government and other parties.

Talking to media persons during a press meet organized in Nepalgunj prior to his return to the capital, the Maoist chairman stated that his party was committed towards clearing up the confusion regarding the CA elections.

Prachanda also said that they would join the government in two to three days' time if the eight parties reach a "respectful" consensus regarding the distribution of the ministerial portfolios.

He further added that whether the Maoists will join the government or not will depend on the action that the government takes against those proved guilty by the Rayamajhi Commission.

The Maoist strongman also said that his party and other parties had started discussions regarding the announcement of a republic setup in Nepal through the Interim Legislature-Parliament itself.

Meanwhile, in a discussion with local businessmen, the Maoist chairman said that the party would publicly issue the White Paper regarding important business policies soon.

He further added that his party was also preparing to put a ceiling on fixed property other than lands.

Prachanda also informed that his party would return the confiscated land and property soon, adding that he would furnish the details in a statement to be issued on Thursday.

Govt-Maoist discuss interim govt, CA polls

2007-02-28T16:22:00.000-08:00

Govt-Maoist discuss interim govt, CA polls

KATHMANDU , Feb 28
The government and the CPN-Maoist on Wednesday discussed the issues of the soon-to-be-formed interim government and the elections to the Constituent Assembly promised for mid-June.Maoist Chairman Prachanda, senior leaders Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Matrika Yadav, Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala, among others were present in the meeting at Hotel...