Six CPN-UML ministers to join govt Friday

Kathmandu, 29 Aug: Six CPN-UML ministers will join government Friday after Maoists agreed to give second ranking to former deputy prime minister Bam Deb Gautam who will be home minister.
CPN-UML stayed away from government after Dr Baburam Bhattarai was given second ranking.
The issue was resolved Thursday after the return of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda from China.
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PM Prachanda visiting India next month

Kathmandu, 29 Aug: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda is visiting India in September, The Himalayan Times reports quoting Nepalese Ambassador to India Durgesh Man Singh.
“He will be here next month before he goes for the UN General Assembly’s meeting in New York scheduled foe the third week of September. We are working out mutually convenient dates,” Singh was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav Thursday held discussions with his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee in NewDelhi where a meeting of BIMSTEK foreign ministers is being held.
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NPC vice-chairman resigns

Kathmandu, 29 Aug: Vice-chairman of National Planning Commission Dr Jagdish Chandra Pokhrel and six other members resigned Thursday with the change of government.
Pokhrel was a Congress nominee.
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117 Nepalis with US embassy saked

Kathmandu, 29 Aug: Altogether 117 Nepalis with the US embassy are being dismissed, Naya Parika reports.
For the first time Nepalis are being dismissed in such big numbers on Ghatastaphana 30 September.
Security guards are being dismissed and they have been notified.

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PM Prachanda moves to Baluwatar amid controversy

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 27 Aug: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda moved to the official residence of the government chief at t Baluwatar Wednesday.
He moved there on the 13th day after assuming office and shortly after returning from China.
Prachanda was living in a rented house near Balaju.
From The jungle to the official government quarter, the trip is complete is so far but may hurdles remain.
Major powers haven’t congratulated Prachanda, except India and China—a major problem of international acceptability
Prachanda’s furnishing with Rs 150,000 bed at Baluwatar has already created controversy for the ‘people’s’ government chief.
People and commentators are comparing it with a modest bed of the former king and queen at Najagarjung shown to the them courtesy the outgoing government of Maoists and Congress on protests of former King Gyanendra for violating personal privacy.
Prachanda has already come into controversy for adopting a lavish life-style riding h back of a janajati to wade a river in the mountains while showing off his Rolex watch during a political grip to the remote hills where ordinary people live in hardship.
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Nepali shot dead in Atlanta

Kathmandu, 27 Aug: A Nepali working in a department store was shot dead in Atlanta, Georgia, overnight, Radio Nepal said in its Wednesday evening prime news broadcast.
No other details were provided.
But the Nepali was identified as Binod Shrestha.
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PM Prachanda says first ‘political visit’ will be to India

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 27 Aug: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda said his ‘first political visit ‘ will be to India immediately after his Wednesday return from China where he attend the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics during the weekend.
He reiterated his visit to China was just to attend the Olympics and wasn’t political in nature.
A lot of fuss is being created on Prachanda’s first foreign trip that happened to be to China which hosted the Olympics and the prime minister didn’t pay a pilgrimage visit to India before proceeding to China.
But why?
Olympics aren’t held every other year and India didn’t host it.
Nepal absented itself from the opening ceremony even though President Dr Ram Baran Yadav was invited; the closing ceremony was held jus days after the official installation of Prachanda..
Why should Nepal, a neighbour of China , have absented itself from Beijing when even US President George W. Bush was the first American president to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympics in foreign soil?
Prachanda told reporters on return at the airport he also met European and other world leaders in the Chinese capital.
Even Sonia Gandhi, leader of the Congress (I) and coalition government in India, was present at the opening ceremony.
Continued dadagiri and Indian hegemonism isn’t acceptable even though Maoists were installed to power in Nepal by New Delhi.
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Secret Nepal Army assessment of Prachanda govt. (URGENT NEWS).

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 27 Aug: Maoists know the party will land in trouble if they don’t give up their attitude during the war, an internal report of Nepal Army for restricted circulation within the Army says, Janaastha reports.
It will be suicidal for Maoists if they can’t win over hearts of supporters who have joined
government abandoning policies, principles, philosophy and principles, the report says.
Their attitude to the army is the most serious issue as they considered the Nepal Army was an enemy and main opposition.
Pushpa Kamal Dahal should consider himself a Nepali Prime Minister to gain army support and not only a Maoist chairman; relations with the army will be one of the biggest challenges for the new government.
Prachanda will encounter difficulties if he attempts to sideline the army amid pressures from the PLA and YCL.
There’s no mention of the integration of the PLA and Nepal Amy anywhere and Maoist attempt to promote it is without logic.
Former guerrillas haven’t been assimilated into mainstream society socially and politically and integration therefore is objectionable from the national security perspective.
FOREING INTERVENTION has increased by in an unprecedented scale; SOME WESTERN countries HAVE MADE Nepal a BASE and are conducting anti-China activities sowing seeds of anarchy and uncertainty.
The army’s morale will he affected when the government chief himself doesn’t trust it; leadership under the circumstances must come out with a clear perception.
The attitude of the international community towards Nepal will be marred when the prime minister’s security is given an anarchist group taking it away from the army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force.
The tenure of the Maoist government could be shortened with after losing confidence of the security agencies main political power centers at the start.
There are moderates in Maoists as well; Prachanda could be embroiled in an internal party conflict.
USA, UK, India and China are watching the activities of the Maoists closely.
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CPN-UML central committee meets Saturday

Kathmandu, 27 Aug: The 20th session of the CPN-UML central committee is being convened Saturday.
The meeting will appoint committees for the eight-day party general convention being held in the capital from 16 Nov, party mouthpiece Budhabar reports.
Party organization restructuring proposal has been completed.
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Donors meeting being held Friday

Kathmandu, 27 Aug: A meeting of donors is being held in the capital Friday.
Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai has begun work on preparing a delayed annual budget for the fiscal year 2008/09 during the budget session of the CA 5 September.
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Army family quarter washed away in Kalikot

Kathmandu, 27 Aug: Landslide triggered by heavy rain washed away Nepal Army family quarter and two other houses overnight at Kalikot district headquarter at zero point,Radio Nepal said.
Ten other families have also been displaced.
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Passengers missing as truck falls into in Trisuli

Kathmandu, 27 Aug: Unknown number of people traveling in a truck have gone missing as a truck fell into Trisuli river at Dhading Wednesday morning.
The truck fell into the turbulent river at 10 in the morning.
The truck was heading for the capital from Malekhu.
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PM Prachanda returns from China later Wednesday

By Bhola B Rana


Kathmandu, 27 Aug: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda returns home from China later Wednesday after attending the spectacular closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
He also held discussions on bilateral issues with President Hu Jintao on his first foreign visit after assuming office.
India has objected the visit.
Prachanda arrived in Bangkok Tuesday en route home.
Prachanda will have begin homework on bringing CPN-UML into government soon after return.
CPN-UML stayed away from the government last week demanding second rank in government for former deputy prime minister Bamdeb Gautam, the leader of the CPN-UML team in government.
PRACHANDA on CHINA
“Overall, the visit has been a complete success.
“.. it is our understanding that whatever the political meetings were held after that [participation in closing ceremony], they were also very successful,” RSS quoted Prachanda.as saying.
The prime minister said a Chinese team is visiting Nepal soon to prepare visits of either President Hu or Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and added,” After that there is the possibility of the Chinese Prime Minister and, if possible, the President visiting Nepal.”
“Chinese interests in Nepal has qualitatively increased after the incident that occurred in Tibet sometime back and Nepal has to be utilized well by Nepal from the perspective of economic development and promoting our national interests.
“If Nepal utilizes this opportunity well, I think, not only a new history would be created, but a race for economic revolution will start in Nepal.”
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Work on saving two Kosi spurs to begin Wednesday

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 27 Aug: Work to save spurs 11 and 12 along Kosi river embankment will begin Wednesday on a war-footing to save adjoining areas from further flood damage, Sunsari CDO Durga Bhandari told Radio Nepal Wednesday.
A top government team led by ministers RamBahadur Thapa ‘Badal’, Bijaya Kumar Gachadhar, chiefs of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force and top officials, who arrived in Sunsari Tuesday will direct the effort to save spurs which are being eroded.
Rising river level following incessant rain in the eastern hill region is causing concern.
Thousands of Indian flood victims from across the Bihar who have crossed into Nepal are being looked after by the local administration on ‘ humanitarian ground’, he told state radio.
Bhandari said victims in 24 relief camps, kept mainly at schools, are being shifted so re-open schools soonest.
Meanwhile, Buddhi Narayan Shrestha, Nepal’s retired surveyor, repeated charges over Radio Nepal of two Nepali water resources experts India neglected maintenance of the Kosi barrage and adjoining facilities- a 199-year responsibility under treaty, to prioritize construction of the Kosi high dam in the upper hill region.
Shrestha said Nepal should permit construction of the high dam only after a national understanding with parties as it will inundate inner valleys and farmland again displacing thousands of people.
An emergency disaster relief committee meeting Tuesday formed a disaster coordinating committee under chairmanship of home ministry joint secretary Pratap Kumar Pathak.
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Indian PM Manmohan Singh discusses Nepal in New Delhi; dissatisfied with Prachanda’s China visit

Kathmandu, 27 Aug: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has discussed Nepal, including China visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and CPN-UML decision to stay from government, Gopal Khanal reports in Kantipur from New Delhi.
Singh held discussions with Janata Dal (United) Chairman Sharad Yadav, National Congress Party Chairman and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and General Secretary DP Tripathi.
Singh expressed dissatisfaction with the China visit.
Leaders said after the meetings a special discussion on Nepal will be held soon, according to Tripathi.
“Nepal-India relations won’t be affected just because of the China visit,” he added.
Sharad Yadav reported to Singh on his recent Nepal visit to attend the installation of Premier Prachanda.
Yadav, quoting Singh, said the China visit ‘was a mistake’.
“Not only Singh, the entire Indian government isn’t happy,” a source said.
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav is likely to visit India before the prime minister.
India will take up the China visit with Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav when he arrives in New Delhi Thursday to attend a meeting of foreign ministers of BIMSTEK.
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Bhutanese refugee camp bombed

Kathmandu, 27 Aug: A Bhutanese refugee camp at Sanischare in Morang was bombed by an unidentified group Monday, RSS reports.
Police said a gang of four persons bombed the camp without causing damage.
Police suspect the hand of groups against third country resettlement of refugees in the explosion, RSS said.
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UN demands release of Maoist child soldiers

Kathmandu, 27 Aug: Radhika Coomaraswamy, UN Secretary-General’s Special representative for Children and Armed Conflict, in a statement called for the release of nearly 3,000 child soldiers from Maoist cantonments.
They’re still there after the end of the conflict.
“… although many children have been released informally, there has been no progress in securing their formal discharge.
“.., promise of peace has not come to fruition for these children, whose lives have been adversely affected by the conflict.”
She called for ‘recovery and reintegration of the children’ into society.
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New ADB chief for Nepal

Kathmandu, 27 Aug: Barry James Hitchkok has been appointed new resident representative for Nepal, published reports said.
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Defence minister speaks out against army chief

Kathmandu, 27 Aug: Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal” Tuesday spoke out against Army Chief Rukmangud Katawal in Itahari, The Rising Nepal reports.
Stating the army chief ‘was giving contradictory expressions time and again’ the state-owned newspaper Wednesday quoted Badal as saying,” A state employee cannot speak like that.”
While inspecting flood-hit areas, Badal also said PLA would be integrated into the government security bodies within three to six months.
Nepal Army has opposed integration when Girija Prasad Koirala was prime minister.
But the peace process now is under the control of Maoists who have taken charge of the defence and peace and reconstruction ministries.
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Special court clears 16 of corruption charges

Kathmandu, 27 Aug: Special court, in one year, has cleared 16 persons of corruption charges leveled by CIAA, Naya Patrika reports.
They were cleared on technicalities.
Among those cleared are Gokarna Paudel, former personal secretary of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, former joint secretary Sabitri Rajbhandari, under-secretary Nagendra Prasad Ghimere and top officials Murari Bahadur Karki, Sriram Panta and Prem Bahadur Subedi.
Former lawmaker Chakrabandhu Aryal, Guru Prasad Dhakal and Dr Laxmi Raj Pathak were also cleared.
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Indian security personnel abduct six Nepalis from Nepali territory

Kathmandu, 27 Aug: Indian border security BSS abducted six Nepalis from Nepali territory and abducted them to India from Susta Monday.
They were abducted from a boat on Narayani river and released Monday night after four hours.
Nepali police went into India to secure their release.
MUnna Khan of Save Susta Campaign jumped into the river and fled.
Nepalis were mistreated by Indian security personnel across the border.
Indian security personnel fired in the air while overpowering the Nepalis.
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Former Kantipur owner registers two newspapers

Kathmandu, 27 Aug: The New Republic Media has been registered by Binod Geywali who is its chairman, Janaastha reports.
Geywali split with Kantipur Publications two weeks ago.
Two newspapers, New Nepal in Nepali language and New Republic in English, were registered with Lalitpur district administration Tuesday.
Narayan Wagle and Ameet Dhakal will be editors of the newspapers respectively; they will be published after Dasain/Tihar.
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Youngest daughter of former Crown Prince Paras to be admitted to Lincoln School

Kathmandu, 27 Aug: Kritika, youngest daughter of former Crown Prince Paras and Crown Princess Himani, is being admitted to Lincoln School in Rabi Bhawan, Janaastha reports.
Elder daughter son and daughter have been admitted to a school in Singapore.
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Flood situation worsens in the East

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: The flood situation in the East worsen Tuesday as Kosi river level rose with continuing rain on the upper catchment areas.
Flood victims were immediately removed to safer from camps where they are being looked after.
The Nepal Army mobilized a team of 16 doctors to help victims.
Floods have caused millions of rupees in damage.
Preliminary damage to crops is estimated at Rs 300 million.
A high-level government team, including ministers Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ and Bijaya Gachedhar, inspected the flood-hit areas Tuesday.
Floods have hit other areas in the hills and theterai.
Birgunj was deluged Tuesday.
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Indian, US envoys jointly planned boycott of PM Prachanda

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood have a big but failed effort to stop Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda’s China visit even urging the government chief over telephone not to Visit China, Madhav Basnet reports in Dhristi.
He conveyed the message even at a meeting.
India and USA are unhappy with the first China visit of Prachanda.
Sood and US Ambassador Nancy J. Powell boycotted the farewell at the airport.
Sood expressed his unhappiness at a meeting with Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai who said conspiracies are being hatched to topple the Maoist-led government.
The Indian ambassador and Powell met Thursday and decided to boycott the farewell reception for Prachanda at the airport Saturday.
They concluded Prachanda used the China card to give India and USA a message.
Acting Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai Tuesday dismissed any Indian objections to Prachanda’s China visit.
“Government fixes priorities according to the situation. The China visit came all of a sudden because Olympics aren’t held every other day. That’s why the prime minister visited China.
“He didn’t go to China to oppose India. We believe in balanced relations between India and China,” Bhattarai told Maoist mouthpiece Janadesh.
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Koirala won’t give up CPP leadership

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Despite his series of failed ambitions in the recent past
, former prime minister GP Koirala is unlikely to quit as the leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), newsfront reports.
With the party already deciding to sit in the opposition in theca which is also working as he normal legislature.
According to senior Congress leaders, the former PM is more hopeful of returning to power soon, given early signs of instability that the Prachanda led coalition is likely to face.
“That is why he is unlikely to relinquish the CPP leadership,” a prominent central committee member of the party said.
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Maoists preparing to give second ranking to CPN-UML in govt.

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Maoists are preparing to handover the second position in government to CPN-UML after the return of Prime Minister Prachanda from China, Kantipur reports.
Maoists leaders said this.
Maoist leader Deb Gurung said the issue is technical and added,” Cooperation is the main basis and programme,”
The party will get the opinions from all sectors but said CPN-UML attitude was childish.
Another Maoist leader CP Gajurel said the issue in untimely as he criticized his own party for raising the issue.
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Mohan Baidya ‘Kiran’ resigns from CA

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Maoist leader Mohan Baidya ‘Kiran’ has resigned from the CA , Kantipur reports.
He resigned to take up the leadership of the party after the appointment of Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda as prime minister.
He resigned with the expansion of the government,” CP Gajurel told Kantipur.
The resignation will be discussed after Prachanda returns from China.
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Dark blue coat for CA members

Kathmandu, 26 Aug A compulsory dark blue coat is a new dress for all members of the CA which meets Friday for a budget session.
Cream coats were the previous dress code.
Tarai CA members mainly objected to cream coats.
Security personnel were encountering problems identifying assembly members attending meetings in attire of their desire.
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Former king to be Japanese ambassador’s neighbour

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Former King Gyanendra will be the Japanese ambassador’s neighbour should be move to Himalayan Heights in Tahachal from Nagarjung.
Press reports have said the former king is moving to Tahachal where he owns a house currently rented by South Korean embassy.
The Japanese ambassador’s residence is situated across the street.
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Flood situation worsens in the East

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: The flood situation in the East worsen Tuesday as Kosi river level rose with continuing rain on the upper catchment areas.
Flood victims were immediately removed to safer from camps where they are being looked after.
The Nepal Army mobilized a team of 16 doctors to help victims.
Floods have caused millions of rupees in damage.
Preliminary damage to crops is estimated at Rs 300 million.
A high-level government team, including ministers Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ and Bijaya Gachedhar, inspected the flood-hit areas Tuesday.
Floods have hit other areas in the hills and theterai.
Birgunj was deluged Tuesday.
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Indian, US envoys jointly planned boycott of PM Prachanda

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood have a big but failed effort to stop Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda’s China visit even urging the government chief over telephone not to Visit China, Madhav Basnet reports in Dhristi.
He conveyed the message even at a meeting.
India and USA are unhappy with the first China visit of Prachanda.
Sood and US Ambassador Nancy J. Powell boycotted the farewell at the airport.
Sood expressed his unhappiness at a meeting with Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai who said conspiracies are being hatched to topple the Maoist-led government.
The Indian ambassador and Powell met Thursday and decided to boycott the farewell reception for Prachanda at the airport Saturday.
They concluded Prachanda used the China card to give India and USA a message.
Acting Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai Tuesday dismissed any Indian objections to Prachanda’s China visit.
“Government fixes priorities according to the situation. The China visit came all of a sudden because Olympics aren’t held every other day. That’s why the prime minister visited China.
“He didn’t go to China to oppose India. We believe in balanced relations between India and China,” Bhattarai told Maoist mouthpiece Janadesh.
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Koirala won’t give up CPP leadership

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Despite his series of failed ambitions in the recent past
, former prime minister GP Koirala is unlikely to quit as the leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), newsfront reports.
With the party already deciding to sit in the opposition in theca which is also working as he normal legislature.
According to senior Congress leaders, the former PM is more hopeful of returning to power soon, given early signs of instability that the Prachanda led coalition is likely to face.
“That is why he is unlikely to relinquish the CPP leadership,” a prominent central committee member of the party said.
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Maoists preparing to give second ranking to CPN-UML in govt.

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Maoists are preparing to handover the second position in government to CPN-UML after the return of Prime Minister Prachanda from China, Kantipur reports.
Maoists leaders said this.
Maoist leader Deb Gurung said the issue is technical and added,” Cooperation is the main basis and programme,”
The party will get the opinions from all sectors but said CPN-UML attitude was childish.
Another Maoist leader CP Gajurel said the issue in untimely as he criticized his own party for raising the issue.
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Mohan Baidya ‘Kiran’ resigns from CA

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Maoist leader Mohan Baidya ‘Kiran’ has resigned from the CA , Kantipur reports.
He resigned to take up the leadership of the party after the appointment of Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda as prime minister.
He resigned with the expansion of the government,” CP Gajurel told Kantipur.
The resignation will be discussed after Prachanda returns from China.
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Dark blue coat for CA members

Kathmandu, 26 Aug A compulsory dark blue coat is a new dress for all members of the CA which meets Friday for a budget session.
Cream coats were the previous dress code.
Tarai CA members mainly objected to cream coats.
Security personnel were encountering problems identifying assembly members attending meetings in attire of their desire.
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Former king to be Japanese ambassador’s neighbour

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Former King Gyanendra will be the Japanese ambassador’s neighbour should be move to Himalayan Heights in Tahachal from Nagarjung.
Press reports have said the former king is moving to Tahachal where he owns a house currently rented by South Korean embassy.
The Japanese ambassador’s residence is situated across the street.
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Power station blasted

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: The guest house of the 1,500 KW Chaku river hydel project was damaged in a blast Monday at Sindhupalchowk.
The project was completed two years ago.
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NC central committee meet continues

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Main opposition Nepali Congress central committee meeting continued for the second day Tuesday.
Six speakers expressed their views on the first day Monday.
The meeting was chaired by Acting President Sushil Koirala in he absence of President Girija Prasad Koirala.
The meeting is discussing when to hold its general convention that should held once every three years.
Top leader Ram Chandra Paudel said the meeting could be delayed because effective unity hasn’t taken place so far even after the formal unification with the rebel Deuba group before the CA polls.
The party is also discussing restructuring, reforms, amendment of the party parliamentary statute, extending the tenure of central and local committees and formation of a committee to form party policy on federalism and a new constitution.
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Former king moving to Himalayan Heights

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Former King Gyanendra is moving to his house in Himalayan Heights in Tahachal from Nagarjung, Naya Patrika reports.
The house in rented to the South Korean ambassador.
The former king moved to Nagarjung after government nationalized Narayanahiti Royal Palace.
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Prachanda visits Mao mausoleum

Kathmandu, 26 Aug Prachanda, whose party is named after the late Chairman Mao, visited his mausoleum Monday with his wife Sita and paid their respects.
China has objected to Mao’s name being transfixed with Nepal’s biggest political party now elected to power.
Prachanda also held discussions Monday with officials of the Chinese Communist Party to expand party ties.
The premier flies back home Wednesday.
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Shyam Sundar Gupta expelled

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Shyam Sundar Gupta and Khusilal Mandal have been expelled from NSP (D) by the party central working committee Monday for kidnapping and torturing party chairperson Ananda Debi Singh.
The meeting demanded Hindi be recognized as a second national language as a ‘link language’.
The meeting decided to hold a party national convention in Lahan, Siraha, 17 to 19 October.
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Indian team arrives; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26Aug: An Indian team led by Bihar state arrived in Biratnagar this week to start repair and maintenance work of the damaged Kosi project scheme.
India has asked Nepal for permission for aerial survey of the flood-affected region to assess damage for repair, Rajdhani reports quoting the Joint Secretary Shital Babu Regmi at Water Resources Ministry.
The request was made Sunday through a letter, new newspaper said.
Through agreement, India is responsible the upkeep of the project.
A Nepali government assessment team said India was responsible for the ravage because of neglect in maintenance.
Altogether 40,378 people from 7,102 households four VDCs were displaced by the floods, the Home Ministry said.
The flood also damaged 7,000 homes, 5,500 hectares of agricultural land, 12 km road, 13 long culverts and two pine culverts.
Industries in the East have closed down and movement of vehicles have been disrupted.
The flood damaged irrigation, drinking water projects, schools and other infrastructure causing millions of rupees in damage.
Thousands of Indians from across the border have streamed across the border into Nepal for relief as Bihar is also affected by floods.
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Israel resumes visas for Nepali workers

Kathmandu, 25 Aug: After a gap of 15 months, the government has resumed granting permission to Nepali job aspirants for employment in Israel, The Kathmandu Post reports.
According to Krishna Dawadi, director of the Department of Labour and Employment Promotion, more than a dozen applicants have received permits till Monday to work in Israel.
“We resumed granting permission from this week,” Dawadi said.
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Conspiracy to topple Prachanda govt.: Baburam Bhattarai

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Conspiracies are being hatched to topple the Maoist- led government, acting Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai charged Monday in the capital.
“Such conspirators will be swept away. Maoist government cannot fall,” he said. “If he Maoist government can’t function, on other government can.”
A no-confidence motion against the government can’t be registered in the CA in six months.
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Flood situation worsens in the East

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: The flood situation in the East worsen Tuesday as Kosi river level rose with continuing rain on the upper catchment areas.
Flood victims were immediately removed to safer from camps where they are being looked after.
The Nepal Army mobilized a team of 16 doctors to help victims.
Floods have caused millions of rupees in damage.
Preliminary damage to crops is estimated at Rs 300 million.
A high-level government team, including ministers Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ and Bijaya Gachedhar, inspected the flood-hit areas Tuesday.
Floods have hit other areas in the hills and theterai.
Birgunj was deluged Tuesday.
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Indian, US envoys jointly planned boycott of PM Prachanda

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood have a big but failed effort to stop Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda’s China visit even urging the government chief over telephone not to Visit China, Madhav Basnet reports in Dhristi.
He conveyed the message even at a meeting.
India and USA are unhappy with the first China visit of Prachanda.
Sood and US Ambassador Nancy J. Powell boycotted the farewell at the airport.
Sood expressed his unhappiness at a meeting with Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai who said conspiracies are being hatched to topple the Maoist-led government.
The Indian ambassador and Powell met Thursday and decided to boycott the farewell reception for Prachanda at the airport Saturday.
They concluded Prachanda used the China card to give India and USA a message.
Acting Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai Tuesday dismissed any Indian objections to Prachanda’s China visit.
“Government fixes priorities according to the situation. The China visit came all of a sudden because Olympics aren’t held every other day. That’s why the prime minister visited China.
“He didn’t go to China to oppose India. We believe in balanced relations between India and China,” Bhattarai told Maoist mouthpiece Janadesh.
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Koirala won’t give up CPP leadership

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Despite his series of failed ambitions in the recent past
, former prime minister GP Koirala is unlikely to quit as the leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), newsfront reports.
With the party already deciding to sit in the opposition in theca which is also working as he normal legislature.
According to senior Congress leaders, the former PM is more hopeful of returning to power soon, given early signs of instability that the Prachanda led coalition is likely to face.
“That is why he is unlikely to relinquish the CPP leadership,” a prominent central committee member of the party said.
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Maoists preparing to give second ranking to CPN-UML in govt.

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Maoists are preparing to handover the second position in government to CPN-UML after the return of Prime Minister Prachanda from China, Kantipur reports.
Maoists leaders said this.
Maoist leader Deb Gurung said the issue is technical and added,” Cooperation is the main basis and programme,”
The party will get the opinions from all sectors but said CPN-UML attitude was childish.
Another Maoist leader CP Gajurel said the issue in untimely as he criticized his own party for raising the issue.
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Mohan Baidya ‘Kiran’ resigns from CA

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Maoist leader Mohan Baidya ‘Kiran’ has resigned from the CA , Kantipur reports.
He resigned to take up the leadership of the party after the appointment of Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda as prime minister.
He resigned with the expansion of the government,” CP Gajurel told Kantipur.
The resignation will be discussed after Prachanda returns from China.
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Dark blue coat for CA members

Kathmandu, 26 Aug A compulsory dark blue coat is a new dress for all members of the CA which meets Friday for a budget session.
Cream coats were the previous dress code.
Tarai CA members mainly objected to cream coats.
Security personnel were encountering problems identifying assembly members attending meetings in attire of their desire.
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Former king to be Japanese ambassador’s neighbour

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Former King Gyanendra will be the Japanese ambassador’s neighbour should be move to Himalayan Heights in Tahachal from Nagarjung.
Press reports have said the former king is moving to Tahachal where he owns a house currently rented by South Korean embassy.
The Japanese ambassador’s residence is situated across the street.
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Power station blasted

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: The guest house of the 1,500 KW Chaku river hydel project was damaged in a blast Monday at Sindhupalchowk.
The project was completed two years ago.
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NC central committee meet continues

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Main opposition Nepali Congress central committee meeting continued for the second day Tuesday.
Six speakers expressed their views on the first day Monday.
The meeting was chaired by Acting President Sushil Koirala in he absence of President Girija Prasad Koirala.
The meeting is discussing when to hold its general convention that should held once every three years.
Top leader Ram Chandra Paudel said the meeting could be delayed because effective unity hasn’t taken place so far even after the formal unification with the rebel Deuba group before the CA polls.
The party is also discussing restructuring, reforms, amendment of the party parliamentary statute, extending the tenure of central and local committees and formation of a committee to form party policy on federalism and a new constitution.
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Former king moving to Himalayan Heights

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Former King Gyanendra is moving to his house in Himalayan Heights in Tahachal from Nagarjung, Naya Patrika reports.
The house in rented to the South Korean ambassador.
The former king moved to Nagarjung after government nationalized Narayanahiti Royal Palace.
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Prachanda visits Mao mausoleum

Kathmandu, 26 Aug Prachanda, whose party is named after the late Chairman Mao, visited his mausoleum Monday with his wife Sita and paid their respects.
China has objected to Mao’s name being transfixed with Nepal’s biggest political party now elected to power.
Prachanda also held discussions Monday with officials of the Chinese Communist Party to expand party ties.
The premier flies back home Wednesday.
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Shyam Sundar Gupta expelled

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Shyam Sundar Gupta and Khusilal Mandal have been expelled from NSP (D) by the party central working committee Monday for kidnapping and torturing party chairperson Ananda Debi Singh.
The meeting demanded Hindi be recognized as a second national language as a ‘link language’.
The meeting decided to hold a party national convention in Lahan, Siraha, 17 to 19 October.
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Indian team arrives; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26Aug: An Indian team led by Bihar state arrived in Biratnagar this week to start repair and maintenance work of the damaged Kosi project scheme.
India has asked Nepal for permission for aerial survey of the flood-affected region to assess damage for repair, Rajdhani reports quoting the Joint Secretary Shital Babu Regmi at Water Resources Ministry.
The request was made Sunday through a letter, new newspaper said.
Through agreement, India is responsible the upkeep of the project.
A Nepali government assessment team said India was responsible for the ravage because of neglect in maintenance.
Altogether 40,378 people from 7,102 households four VDCs were displaced by the floods, the Home Ministry said.
The flood also damaged 7,000 homes, 5,500 hectares of agricultural land, 12 km road, 13 long culverts and two pine culverts.
Industries in the East have closed down and movement of vehicles have been disrupted.
The flood damaged irrigation, drinking water projects, schools and other infrastructure causing millions of rupees in damage.
Thousands of Indians from across the border have streamed across the border into Nepal for relief as Bihar is also affected by floods.
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Israel resumes visas for Nepali workers

Kathmandu, 25 Aug: After a gap of 15 months, the government has resumed granting permission to Nepali job aspirants for employment in Israel, The Kathmandu Post reports.
According to Krishna Dawadi, director of the Department of Labour and Employment Promotion, more than a dozen applicants have received permits till Monday to work in Israel.
“We resumed granting permission from this week,” Dawadi said.
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Conspiracy to topple Prachanda govt.: Baburam Bhattarai

Kathmandu, 26 Aug: Conspiracies are being hatched to topple the Maoist- led government, acting Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai charged Monday in the capital.
“Such conspirators will be swept away. Maoist government cannot fall,” he said. “If he Maoist government can’t function, on other government can.”
A no-confidence motion against the government can’t be registered in the CA in six months.
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Nepal won’t permit anti-China activities; PM Prachanda

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 25 Aug: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda Monday assured Chinese President Nepal won’t permit anti-China activities on its soil at a meeting in Beijing where he attended the spectacular closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.
The second communist head of government of Nepal appealed for continued Chinese assistance—an assurance that was immediately given.
China pledged a further $300,000 assistance for the Sunsari flood victims in addition to $ 50,000 given to Nepal Red Cross Society.
The president and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao were invited to visit Nepal.
Prachanda briefed the Chinese president on current events in Nepal, concluding taking the peace process to its logical conclusion and drafting of the constitution.
India is following Prachanda’s visit closely.
“The prime minister has come to the Beijing Olympics closing ceremony within a week after being sworn in. This fully demonstrates the great attention Nepal attaches to relations with China and its profound friendship with the Chinese people. We highly appreciate that,” the president told the prime minister.
He also thanked Nepal for its one-China policy.
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CA session summoned

Kathmandu, 25 Aug: The CA session has been summoned by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav on 5 September on the recommendation of the prime minister.
The session was prorogued after the election of the prime minister.
The delayed annual budget will be presented in the session.
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.President visiting flood-hit areas Tuesday

Kathmandu, 25 Aug: President Dr Ram Baran Yadav is inspecting the flood-hit areas of Sunsari Tuesday.
The president will be accompanied by an army team and doctors to treat the sick.
Heavy overnight rain in the eastern hilly regions has aggravated the plight of the flood-hit region as the level of the Kosi rose Monday and further eroding embankments.
Search, rescue and relief work continued Monday.
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Nepali Congress central committee meets

Kathmandu, 25 Aug: Nepali Congress central committee meets later Tuesday to discuss future strategy and party reinforcement.
The Congress is the main opposition in the CA.
The party will also discuss effective integration after two factions united.
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Narayanman Bijukakchaya re-elected

Kathmandu, 25 Aug: Narayanman Bijukakchaya has been re-elected chairman of Nepal Majdoor Kishan party for another five-year term.
The three-day 5th party general convention that concluded Sunday elected him.
Bhaktapur is the party’s stronghold.
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European Commission help for flood victims

Kathmandu, 24 Aug: European Commission has pledged up to €1 million to assist victims of the floods that affected Sunsari district, an official announcement said.
Food aid and nutritional support will be provided to the victims. Funds will be channelled through the European Commission Humanitarian Aid department, ECHO, under the responsibility of Commissioner Louis Michel.
This assistance will target up to 50,000 people displaced by the floods. They will receive emergency food aid and the most vulnerable will benefit from nutritional support through the World Food Programme.
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PM Prachanda hold talks with Chinese counterpart

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 24 Aug: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda Sunday morning held talks on bilateral with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao, Radio Nepal said quoting an official of the Nepalese embassy in the Chinese capital.
He was assisted by Communication Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara and top Nepali government officials in the entourage.
Prachanda will Sunday’s closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics Sunday, Radio Nepal said.
He will hold talks with President Hu Jintao, Radio Nepal said.

India is following the visit closely.
Prachanda arrived in Beijing Saturday night.
Breaking tradition, Panchakanyas didn’t see off the prime minister at the airport Saturday morning.
Nepal put us a dismal performance in the Olympics without winning a single medal.
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Indian, US, British ambassadors didn’t see off PM Prachanda

Kathmandu, 24 Aug: Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood, US Ambassador Nancy J. Powell British Ambassador Andrew Hall didn’t see off Prime Minister Prachanda at the airport Saturday.
They had been invited by the protocol office of the foreign ministry.
Chief Justice Kedar Giri also absented himself.

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Jhalanath Khanal threatens to stay away from govt.

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 24 Aug: CPN-UML General Secretary Jhalanath Khanal Saturday threatened to stay away from government even as the party decided to join the Maoist-led ministry.
He demanded the second position for former deputy prime minister Bamdeb Gautam above Dr Baburam Bhattarai in government.
Gautam and five other members of the UML team didn’t take their oaths of office Friday when Maoists refused to concede second position to Gautam.
“We won’t join the government losing our self-respect. Hierarchies and roles are important,” he told a public meeting in Bara Saturday.
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222 assembly members involved in irregularities

Kathmandu,.24 Aug: Altogether 222 CA members have drawn Rs 11,450 monthly salaries of private secretaries without mentioning their names, Naya Patrika reports.
They have withdrawn such salaries for four months.
This is a financial irregularity.
Only 372 of 594 CA members have disclosed names of their private secretaries.
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Asian Mountain Bike Championship in Nepal
Kathmandu, 24 Aug: Nepal, famed for the world’s tallest peaks, will host the
14th Asian Mountain Bike Championship 6 to 10 November.
Nepal Cycling Association and Asian Cycling Federation signed an agreement in Beijing recently.
Around 200 cyclists from 22 countries are expected to participate in cross-country and downhill race.
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Without revolutionary fervour, PM Prachanda calls for real change

By Bhola B Rana


Kathmandu, 24 Aug: Without much revolutionary fervour, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda said Nepal’s history has changed as monarchy has ended with the establishment of a republic and added the nation is being restructured on a federal basis.
Prachanda said government will root out all vestiges of feudal economic and social system to build a new Nepal where people realize change in the real sense in all aspects.
In his first address to the nation Saturday after assuming office one day earlier, he said nationality and socio-economic transformation are his government’s top priorities while protecting sovereignty, national unity, independence and territorial integrity.
The 13-minute address relayed by radio and television reflected the difficulties he is facing in assembling a government with coalition partners even though most of the seven parties are communists with an absolute majority.
Prachanda said government will promote immediate relief and special help to the poor and backward regions, helpless, aged, disabled, families of disappeared and martyrs of people’s war.
The 12-point peace agreement has been successfully implemented, he claimed for which all Nepalis should be happy.
CPN9 Maoist) is now responsible for implementing the agreement with the Nepali Congress now in opposition and out of government and the CPN (Maoist) is also in control of the ministries of peace and reconstruction and defence.
Prachanda called for change and sustainable peace.
He asked for national understanding and called on other parties to rise above party interests and assist the government.
He appealed for ‘moral and material’ international help and support for the Maoist-led government, including co-operation and assistance from neighbouring countries.
He made no mention of India and China by name.
Prachanda said the new government will honour all international commitments of the previous government.
He appealed for national understanding and said one person or organization couldn’t build a new Nepal.
.He expressed commitment to multi-party periodical elections, rule of law, human rights and press freedom.
Support won’t be for ‘formal’ loktantra [Indian name for prajatantra or democracy now a bad work in Nepal because of its abuse by parties] but ‘real’ loktantra, he said.
The peace process will be taken to its logical conclusion and a new constitution drafted.
He assured foreign investment in sectors of national priority will be encouraged and protected.
He asked all three security agencies, including Nepal Army, to forget bitterness of the past and assured the government won’t have ‘ purbaghra [prejudices]’ against them in an appeal directed to gain their support.
He asked for help from the administration to run the country.
Prachanda addressed the nation from his office in Singha Durbar only hours before proceeding for China.
REACTION
Nepali Congress General Secretary Bimalendra Nidhi said the address without specific programmes was meaningless.
Rashtriya Janasakti Party vice-chairman Dr Prakash Hohini said the address was ‘positive” and added,” In the past positive statements has been forthcoming but they were never implemented.”
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Relief continues to help flood victims; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 24 Aug: Army, police, local administration and volunteers continued search, rescue and relief efforts Sunday in flood-ravaged Sunsari district.
Relief was being taken in boats to people who refused to leave their flooded homes to protest their property.
Bodies of hundreds of Nepalis carried downstream by flooded Kosi river have been found in Bihar, India, Nepal Samachaptra said quoting Indian journalist Pankaj Ranjit of Channel Sahara.
As water receded Saturday, some flood victims from 24 camps returned to four villages in Sunsari to recover belongings from their abandoned homes most of which were destroyed.
The Sapta Kosi river level rose Saturday raising additional concern as diseases spread.
The river continued to erode embankments threatening and flooding villages along the river which burst its banks.
Forty-percent of thousands of people in 22 relief camps are suffering from diseases like pneumonia, cold, typhoid and diarrhea as diseases spread..
A Nepali government study team has pinned responsibility for non-maintenance of the Kosi barrage leading to death and destruction, The Kathmandu Post said.
‘Every year in the past the Indian side used to do at least some maintenance work. But his year they did not carry out the repairs,” Khom Raj Dahal, Deputy Director of the department of Induced Disasater Prevention (DWIDP) told the Post in its Saturday editions.
“This was the main reason why the Kosi breached embankment and submerged about 10,000 hectares of cultivated and villages.”
Indians responsible for repairs and maintenance arrived too late.
Two Nepali water resources experts said India deliberately neglected maintenance to force and give Nepal government messages that New Delhi wanted construction of the Kosi high dam along the foothills as the Kosi barrage has built more than 50 years ago has lost its utility.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda said the agreement to construct the barrage was a historical mistake; no reaction has been forthcoming from India so far but it’s sure to react negatively as New Delhi is sensitive to such unflattering comments.
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Foreign Minister Yadav visiting India

Kathmandu, 24 Aug: Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav is visiting New Delhi Thursday to attend a conference of foreign ministers of member states of BIMSTK.
The conference begins the following day.
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CPN-UML stays out of govt,; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 23 Aug: CPN-UML stayed out of government at the last moment Friday demanding second position in the Maoist-led government of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda who flew for Beijing Saturday to participate in the concluding ceremony of the Olympics in Beijing Sunday.
The party demanded second position for Bamdeb Gautam—leader of the six-member CPN-UML team in government.
Maoists said the position belongs to Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai.
On instructions from CPN-UML General Jhalanath Khanal, the party team, dressed in formal attire to take up government responsibilities, didn’t take their oaths of office administered to eight ministers by the prime minister in the presence of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav Friday even threatening to stay away from government.
Gautam is a former deputy prime minister and home minister.
“As per traditional ranking system, the home minister used to be second in hierarcy. But the Maoists ignored this fact,” Khanal said.
The government was put together eight after the appointment of Prachanda and more than four months after the 10 April CA meet reflecting difficulties in government formation ; even then CPN-UML opted to stay out at the last moment..
CPN-UML demanded second ranking for Gautam in government even without agreement in a three-party alliance for post of deputy prime minister.
Other CPN-UML members in the government are: Bishnu Paudel, Astha Laxmi Sakya, Kiran Gurung, Gopal Sakya and Ram Chandra Jha; they have been allocated water resources, local development, industry and commerce, forest and soil conservation and youth and sport ministries respectively.
Besides Prime Minister Prachanda, .the Maoist team in the skeleton government include: defence minister Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’, communications minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara and minister for law and justice Deb Gurung.
MJF team include: foreign minister Upendra Yadav, minister for physical planning and works Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar, agriculture minister and cooperatives minister Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta and education minister Renu Yadav.
Gachedhar and Gupta are experienced ministers from Nepali Congress in previous administrations.
Only Maoist and MJF appointees formally joined government Friday; seats are also to be allocated to four ministers from four fringe parties..
An announcement said Prachanda will expand the government when he returns from China Wednesday; Prachanda is looking after ministries set aside for CPN-UML and fringe parties.
None of the cabinet members wore the national dress at the swearing-in ceremony as Dr Yadav watched with hands tied in a topi and labeda suruwal.
Maoists were in a suit and Nepali cap and MJF members didn’t don caps and wore coat and pant or kurtha and payajama.
Foreign Minister and MJF Chairman Upendra Yadav is ranked below Dr Bhattarai in protocol but above others in government.
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Krishna Bahadur Mahara appointed government spokesman

Kathmandu, 23 Aug: Krishna Bahadur Mahara has been appointed government spokesman by the cabinet Friday.
The cabinet met for the first time in the evening after a skeleton government
was assembled.
The first cabinet meet decided Dr Bhatatrai will be acting prime minister in Prachanda’s absence from the country.
For the first time, those who were killed in the Maoist people’s war will be given status of martyrs, Rajdhani reports.
This was decided by a cabinet meeting Friday.
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Private secretary of PM Prachanda

Kathmandu, 23 Aug: Sakti Basnet (Suresh Singh) has been appointed private secretary of the prime minister, Janadisha reports.
He is central member of CPN (Maoist) from Khalanga, Jajarkot.
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Differences surface in CPN-UML

Kathmandu, 23 Aug: Differences have surfaced in CPN-UML over the selection of the government with a prominent leader saying regions in the mid and far-West were’nt represented.
Bhim Rawal expressed resentment saying backward regions of Seti, Mahakali and Karnali weren’t represented is government.
“If the decision isn’t corrected, assembly members are prepared to resign collectively,” he threatened.
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Two injured in bomb blast

Kathmandu, 23 Aug: Two persons of a political party were injured as they were assembling a bomb in Bharatpur, Chitwan, Friday.
Ram Bahadur Thing and Santa Bahadur Rumba are undergoing treatment under police watch.
Bhim Bahadur Tamang, a suspect, is absconding and is affiliated with Rashtriya Janabhawana Party.
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Closed session of MJKP

Kathmandu, 23 Aug: The closed session of the Nepal Majdoor Kishan Party (NMKP) began in the capital Saturday on the second day of a three-day meeting of its 5th general convention.
The convention which will elect a new leadership for the next five years concluded Sunday.
The convention is expected to extend the tenure of Chairman Narayanman Bijukakchaya.
Bhaktapur is the party’s stronghold.
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China donates for flood victims

Kathmandu, 23 Aug: China, through Nepal Red Cross Society, has donated $50,000 for flood victims of Nepal, matching an American contribution.
“Now Nepal is suffering from the flood disaster and the Chinese government and people share the same feelings with the Nepalese side,” Chinese Ambassador Zheng Xiangling said announcing the contribution recalling Nepal’s help for quake victims of Sichuan earlier this year.
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Hunt on for new Kumari

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 23 Aug: Living Goddess Priti Sakya, installed seven years ago, is being replaced in Dasain, Nepal Samacharpatra reports.
Guthi Sansthan and Sakya families from 18 bahals [courtyards] have started a search for a new Kumari although its not their traditional responsibility.
A search has been intensified as a Kumari normally menstruates at 12 years of age.
Royal astrologer and chief priest traditionally chose the Kumari but they haven’t been appointed creaking difficulties.
Priti, who hails from Itum Bahal, was selected in 2058.
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Rebels attempt to overrun police post

Kathmandu, 22 Aug: Tarai rebels hurled 10 socket bombs at a police post in Shibnagar, Rautahat, in a failed attempt to overrun it at 8.30 at night Thursday.
Ashok Raya Yadav, 20, who was injured in an exchange of gunfire, has been arrested; he was among 15 rebels injured in the 30-minute gun-battle.
There were no police casualties.
Violence continues unabated in the south bordering India.
Two rebels were injured when bombs exploded at the rented house of a police officer in Janakpur Thursday evening.
The activists of Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha were injured as they were assembling bombs.
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Raghab Lal Baidhya appointed attorney general

Kathmandu, 22 Aug: Raghab Lal Baidhya has been appointed attorney general—the chief legal advisor of the Maoist-led government.
Baidhya resigned as an appellate court judge before taking up his new assignment.
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1,000 still missing in Saptakosi floods; other details

Kathmandu, 22 Aug: Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police continued search, rescue and relief work in flood-hit areas of Sunsari Friday after Saptakosi embankment bust five days ago.
Sunsari CDO Durga Bhandari said water-level is receding and efforts continue to end relief operations Friday.
The river has changed course and is now flowing through six villages 1.5 kms away from the original course.
Over 3,000 persons are still missing are out of contact.
Diseases like diarrhea and pneumonia have broken out in 14 relief camps and flood hit areas.
Seventy percent of the water of the flooded Kosi river has entered villages in Sunsari breaching embankments, a government study said.
Crops planted in 10,000 hectares of land have been destroyed.
The flooded continues to damage a spur while three spurs need immediate repair, the study said.
MJF has asked Prime Minister Prachanda to form a high-level committee to pin responsibility for negligence leading to the dam burst.
The government chief, while calling for international assistance for reconstruction and relief Thursday, said the flood was ‘one of the most tragic events in the history of disasters’.
Nepal Army has donated five million rupees for flood victims.
Two Nepali water resources experts who preferred anonymity said India deliberately neglected the upkeep of the five-decade old Kosi barrage on the Nepal-India border as it has lost its utility for New Delhi.
Unconcerned with death and devastation, New Delhi wanted to give Nepal government a lesson that it’s time to construct a Kosi high dam on the upper reaches of the river to control it, they said.
King Birendra earned Indira Gandhi’s ire when he told Newsweek Nepalis ‘felt cheated’ on Kosi.
In similar vein, for the first time Nepal’s prime minister said the Kosi was a ‘historic mistake’
Prachanda made the comment while inspecting the devastation caused by Kosi this week.
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav Thursday told protesting student leaders of eight unions Thursday an unequal treaty with India was the cause of the devastation caused by Kosi, radio and published newspaper reports said.
India won’t take the comments in positive vein to review the treaty as called by Prachanda.
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PM Prachanda heads a 11-member China team

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 22 Aug: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda will head a 11-member team that will participate in Sunday’s closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing.
Prachanda leaves on his first foreign tour with Maoist spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara and side, Sita, and returns home Wednesday.
Chief Secretary Bhoj Raj Acharya and Foreign Secretary Gyan Chand Acharya are members of the team.
‘The prime minister is going for the Olympics concluding ceremony and has no political agenda. The visit is not a break from the tradition. Mahara was quoted in The Himalayan Times as saying.
He would have gone to India or Bangladesh or any country had the Olympics been held there, the newspaper quoting Mahara said.
. The prime minister will ask his Chinese counterpart to extend the Beijing-Lhasa railway network to the border town of Khasa and will discuss the possibility of extending the an oil pipeline from Lhasa to the border, Annapurna Post said quoting an unnamed foreign ministry official.
Prachanda will seek the relaxation of control along the Nepal-Tibet border reinforced after Free Tibet demonstrations in Tibetans in Nepal.
The prime minister will also ask China to construct the strategic Jomsom-Beni and Rasuwagahi- Sanrubesi roads linking Nepal and Tibet.
Prachanda will also ask Beijing to construct two hydel plants to meet severe power shortage.
Efforts are ongoing to arrange a meeting with President Hu Jintao.
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Skeleton govt. being formed Friday

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 22 Aug: A skeleton government is being formed Friday after CPN (Maoist), CPN-UML and MJF one day earlier agreed on a power-sharing formula and a code of conduct for ruling parties.
The cabinet will take full shape after the prime minister returns from China Wednesday.
The code says government will mobilize security agencies on consensus as Maoists take charge of defence ministry and CPN-UML the home ministry.
Altogether nine ministries- defence, finance, peace and reconstruction, information and communication, culture, tourism and civil aviation, labour and transport, housing and rural development, land reforms and management and law and parliamentary—have been set aside for CPN (Maoist) in a power-sharing deal.
CPN-UML has control of six ministries—home, local development, water resources, forest and soil conservation, youth and sports and industry.
MJF has been allocated four ministries—foreign, physical planning, agriculture and supply.
Housing are rural development, youth and sports and supply will be independent ministries created after bifurcation.
There was no agreement on the post of deputy prime minister sought by all three parties; four ministries have been set seaside for four fringe parties in a seven-party government.
Besides Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Ram Bahadur Thapa “ Badal”, Maoists have decided to appoint Krishna Bahadur Mahara and Deb Gurung ministers of communication and law and justice respectively in the skeleton ministry.
A political coordination committee will direct the government.
The three-party alliance described the new coalition a ’national united government’.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Bamdeb Gautam will likely head the UML government team; Chairman Upendra Yadav will lead he MJF team in government.
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Congress threatens to boycott CA

Pokhara, 21 Aug: Nepali Congress (NC) central committee member Dr Shekhar Koirala on Thursday said his party would walk out of the CA if the leftists alliance tries to draft the constitution by sidelining democratic forces, Kulchandra Neupane reports in The Kathmandu Post.
“NC lawmakers will be compelled to resign en masse from the CA if the left alliance tries to draft the constitution in favour of leftists by bulldozing NC’s democratic norms,” Koirala said.
“Maoists have taken democratic forces as their main foes immediately after the implementation of republic in the country.”
Another NC central member Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, said the party was compelled to work with Maoists due to the former king’s wrong deeds.
“Maoists needed Nepali Congress to abolish monarchy,” he said, adding,” They threw us out after the implementation of a republic.”
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77 more bodies of flood victims recovered; other details; deliberate Indian negligence (Breaking News)


By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: Bodies of 77 more flood victims were found downstream in Bihar Thursday, radio and television reports said.
Twenty-seven bodies were found downstream Wednesday.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda appealed for international assistance to repair the damaged Kosi barrage and help victims of Nepal’s worst flood disaster in recent years as Nepal and India trade accusations for neglect in maintaining Kosi barrage.
Two Nepali water resources experts who didn’t want to be identified by name said India deliberately neglected the maintenance of the Kosi barrage, embankments and spurs leading to the floods, deaths and destruction of property and damage to infrastructure.
“They wanted to send a message to the government that the Kosi high dam should now be constructed. Kosi barrage is old and has lost its utility,” the said.
Sunsari residents said over television Thursday they had warned the local administration of the impending disaster one month ago.
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Three parties sign code of common minimum programme (Breaking News)

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: CPN (Maoist), CPN-UML and MJF Thursday night signed a common minimum programme and a code of conduct for ruling party members after intense haggling.
“The way has been paved for the formation of government Friday,” CPN-UML General Secretary Jhalanath Khanal said.
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First lot of ministers likely to be announced Thursday

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda is expected to announce the first lot of ministers Thursday in a delayed formation of government.
Prachanda leaves for Beijing Saturday to attend Sunday’s closing ceremony of the Olympics in the Chinese capital.
The full government is expected to be announced after his return from China.
Prachanda held separate meetings with leaders of CPN-UML and MJF Thursday morning.
Maoists Wednesday agreed to set aside the minister of local development and water resources to the CPN-UML.
CPN-UML leader Bhim Rawal revealed this Wednesday after a meeting with CPN (Maoist) leaders.
Another CPN-UML leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari said smaller parties—CPN-ML, CPN (United), Janamorcha Nepal and Sabhawana Party (D) would also join the seven-party Maoist-led government.
Five of the seven parties in government are communists.
For the first time, communists are in a majority in government.
CPN(Maoist), CPN-UML and MJF will share nine, six and four ministries each and four ministries have been allocated for four fringe parties.
MJF Chairman Upendra Yadav will lead the party team in government.
Full government after Premier Prachanda returns from Beijing where he will attend Sunday’s closing ceremony of the Olympic Games; the prime minister leaves for China Saturday.
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Another Nepali in the Guinness Book of Records

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: Gautam Sapkota of Hetauda made it to the Guinness Book of World records on July 12 for imitating the sounds of as many as151 species of birds, The Himalayan Times reports.
Talking to this daily, Sapkota, 26, said, ”Though my name was listed in the Guinness Book of Records on July 12, I knew about it only on Monday.”
Despite criticism from family and friends, Sapkota started imitating bird sounds on April 14, 2005.
“I can call crows and make them stay on trees for a while,” he said.
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Rabindranath Sharma joining RPP

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: Former RPP-Nepal Chairman Rabindranath Sherpa and top leader Rajeshwor Debkota are defecting to RPP led by Pashupati SJB Rana later Thursday.
The two defections will be a bid set setback for RPP-Nepal led by Kamal Thapa.
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Sarita Giri general secretary in reorganized NSP(D)

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: Sarita Giri has been appointed generals secretary in a reorganized national working committee of NSP(D).
The new committee has 35 members.
Siman Narayan Mishra has been appointed spokesman.
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Tarai rebel shot dead

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: Commander of All Tarai Mukti Morcha, Bara, Nagendra Yadav was killed in an encounter with police Wednesday.
He was killed at Buniyad-9, Bara, after an encounter with police.
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BJP call for recognition of Hindi interference: Kiran

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: Maoist leader Mohan Baidya ‘Kiran” said Wednesday the call on Indian main opposition BJP to recognize Hindi Nepal’s second language in interference in Nepal’s internal affairs.
“The BJP view tantamounts to interference. Hindi is not the mother tongue of anybody in Nepal. That’s why we oppose it,” Kiral told a public function.
‘Public political statements of foreign ambassadors will also be stopped henceforth,” he said.
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Congress team visiting China

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: A Nepali Congress team led by Vice-president Prakash Man Singh is visiting China from 30 August at the invitation of the Chinese Communist Party.
Other team members include: Sujata Koirala, Dr Minendra Rijal, Dr Narayan Khadka, CA members Pushpa Bhusal and Sambhuram Simkhada, according to Annapurna Post.
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ADBL, Israel agreement

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: Agriculture Development Bank Ltd (ADBL) and Center for International Cooperation (MASHAV) of the Israeli Foreign Ministry signed an agreement Wednesday to upgrade institutional efficiency and human resources of the bank.
Israel’s Ambassador Dan Stav and the bank’s general manager Yogeshwor Panta signed the agreement.
The bank’s financial viability and sustainability will be ensured through rural and modern banking services.
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US flood assistance

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) has released $50,000 to provide emergency relief supplies to flood victims in east Nepal, US embassy said
The money will be channeled through Save the Children and Nepal Red Cross.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said after inspecting the flood-hit areas Wednesday government will launch al appeal for international assistance.
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Indian reaction to PM Prachanda’s visit

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: India has no objection to the visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda to Beijing Saturday to attend the closing ceremony of the Olympics.
“We just wanted to know whether he is going to visit China. But it’s not an objection,” The Kathmandu Post reported Thursday quoting an unnamed source in New Delhi.
Maoist leader CP Gajurel earlier told BBC Nepali Service India had suggested ‘it would be a wise step had he not visited China so early’, according to the newspaper.
But former Indian Ambassador KV Rajan was quoted as saying,” That India seemed to be worried over the matter is not a surprise for it. It should be taken as a natural step as he is taking part in the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games. Obviously, the event provide him with a good opportunity to visit China.
“There should be no suspicion over the Nepali government’s decision as it was not a move taken in haste. Rather Nepal was invited for the event in advance. India should wait and see what decisions will be taken over there.”
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Search, rescue, relief operations continue

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: Search and rescue of thousands of marooned and missing people continued Thursday as hundreds have gone missing after Kosi river bust embankments washing away 1,000 and damaging 3,000 homes in Susari, former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s district.
Nepali Congress didn’t join an all-party team on an inspection visit of flood-hit areas but charged Wednesday it was excluded and never got government invite; the team was led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda who termed the devastation unprecedented and worst than expected.
Floods have left behind millions of rupees in damage and devastation destroying crops over thousands of acres of land washing away at least 3,000 homes and domestic animals.
Infrastructure, including the part of the East-West Highway, has ben destroyed.
Water pressure fedd and all rescue and search efforts are expected to end Thursday, Radio Nepal said..
Some people are refusing to be evacuated from rooftops to protest property.
Nearly 50,000 people have been displaced and 5,000 were rescued by helicopter and boats in a heroic effort by Nepal Army and police in three days until Wednesday as 8,000 others await rescue.
Marooned victims were plucked from roof and tree tops; television footage showed there was hardly a place for army rescue helicopters to land..
Twenty-seven bodies of children, women and elderly were found Wednesday downstream at Supaul district in Bihar, Naya Patrika reports.
Thirty-five are missing after two rescue boats overturned at Haripur, Rajdhani reports.
Seven family members of Bhutani Sada, 66, are missing.
Telephone services have been disrupted after underground optical fiber network was washed away.
An epidemic could breakout in 12 camps where victims are being cared in schools and government premises...
After an inspection of the flood-hit areas and Wednesday, Prime Minister Prachanda said the new government will seriously review flaws and shortcomings in agreements with India.
“Because the Kosi dam directly impacts Nepal’s politics, this is a national problem and not only Sunsari’s,’ he said.
Prachanda said the Kosi agreement with India was a historic mistake and the people are now being impacted.
‘The people are being impacted now with the agreement after the 2007 revolution,” he added saiing,” The government will now be serious when the embankment is constructed.”
He said talks will be held with India.
Prachanda told a review meeting in Inaruwa,” The present situation could have been averted had timely attention been given” and added the barrage burst because of the negligence of Indian and Nepali officials.
The prime minister said:” Government has already written to the government of India for a review of a treaty to find out where there are shortcomings.”.
The Kosi barrage burst the day Prachanda assumed office Monday.
The Indian embassy, reacting to criticism of India for the disaster, instead turned the blame of local Nepali officials.
Government is launching short and long-term relief measures as Rs 20 million has already been released to help victims.
Home ministry has appealed for national and international assistance. .
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Congress begins to act like opposition

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: Nepali Congress, now in the opposition in the CA, has started coming pout of the streets.
Tarun Dal, the youth wing of the party, Wednesday protested at Baneshwor the. deployment of PLA for the security of the prime minister.
The Dal also protested what it termed the insult of the national dress by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal who took his oath of office and secrecy in a suit and tie and a Nepali cap.
Earlier, Nepal Students’ Union, the party student wing, also held protests for the same reasons.
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NMKP general convention begins Thursday

Kathmandu, 21Aug: The fifth general convention of Nepal Majdoor Kishan Party (NMKP) begins in the capital Thursday.
Party Chairman Narayanman Bijukakchaya said his party won’t join the Maoist-led government.
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81st birthday of former Queen Mother Ratna celebrated

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: Former King Gyanendra discussed the current political situation with ministers of the royal regime and leaders supporting monarchy Wednesday at a birthday reception for his mother, former Queen Mother Ratna, Nepal Samacharpatra reports.
He held serious political discussions with three dozen leaders, including former prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa.
Industrialists, businessmen, inner circle and former security officials were among the 300 invitees at the reception organized by Rajibraj Shahi, son-in-law of Dhirendra Shah at Jiban Kunj.
Royal relatives were invited nearby at Nirmal Nibas.
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Miss Nepal contest again postponed

Kathmandu, 20 Aug: Miss Nepal 2008 contest was postponed for the second time Tuesday by organizers amid protests mainly from Maoist-affiliated groups.
Groups linked with CPN-UML also opposed the contest.
Contestants met Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda personally and sought his intervention this week to go ahead with the pageant.
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Airport VIP lounge only for ambassadors

Kathmandu, 20 Aug: A letter has been sent to all embassies telling them the VIP lounge at the airport will be opened henceforth for ambassadors only when they arrive to take up assignment and leave on completion of their tour, Janaastha reports.
Foreign diplomats were abusing the facility and the facility was sought even for lower level officials.
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Dollar gains

Kathmandu, 20 Aug: The US dollar touched a new high in the money market Wednesday.
Nepal Rashtra Bank fixed the selling rate of one dollar at Rs 70.10 and buying rate at Rs 69.50.
Price of hallmark gold has declined with the dollar’s gain against the Nepali rupee..
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Army again deployed in inner circle for PM’s security

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 20 Aug: The PLA has been removed by the government from the inner circle security ring of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal from Tuesday following a controversy, reports Rajdhanai.
The PLA was deployed Friday following a party decision.
Nepal Army contingent was deployed in the inner security ring from Tuesday.
The police will now lead the prime minister’s escort and the army contingent will be directly the prime minister’s car; PLA contingent will be behind the army contingent.
Maoists have decided the PLA will be deployed in the inner circle at the prime minister’s official residence and a contingent led by an army colonel will be placed in the outer circle.
[Deployment of PLA for the prime minister’s security has created a controversy even delaying government formation.]
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CPN-UML to take action against Pradip Nepal

Kathmandu, 20 Aug: CPN-UML general Secretary Jhalanath Khanal will propose action against standing committee member Pradip Nepal next week at the party central committee meeting 20 August, Janaastha reports.
Khanal gave this assurance at an informal meeting of the central members last Wednesday.
Pradip Nepal participated in the Beijing Olympics even after resigning as education minister embarrassing the party.
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Former king likely to move to Chauni

Kathmandu, 20 Aug: Former King Gyanendra is likely to move to Chauni, Janaastha reports.
The house of late HRH Prince Himalaya has been registered in his name.
The 81st birthday of former Queen Mother Ratna is being celebrated Wednesday evening at Nirmal Nibas.
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Formation of Maoist-led govt. stalled; other details (Breaking News)

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 19 Aug: Formation of a government led by Maoist Chairman Pusha Kamal Dahal Prachanda was stalled again Tuesday as CPN-UML and MJF objected to the deployment of former combatants of PLA for the inner security ring of the prime minister sidelining Nepal Army and two separate police forces.
CPN-UML and MJF leaders objected and discussed the deployment, MJF leader Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar told Radio Nepal.
Forum leader Gachedhar said PLA deployment was serious issue carried out without consultation with alliance partners.
Gachedhar said a new environment of confidence has to be created after the original environment was clouded with PLA deployment.
Maoists, by deploying PLA for Prachanda’s security, have created an atmosphere of distrust and possible confrontation with Nepal Army—knowingly or unknowingly—probably knowingly.
This can only benefit the Nepali Congress of Girija Prasad Koirala now in the opposition and Maoists lose bargaining chips with CPN-UML and MJF in negotiations for control of vital ministries like home, defence, finance and local development.
Prachanda was elected Friday prime minister by the CA but Maoists, CPN-UML and MJF didn’t hold a joint meeting for government formation Tuesday.
There was no agreement in bilateral meeting between Maoists and CPN-UML Tuesday and discussions will continue Wednesday.
New differences in government formation surfaced Monday when the CPN-UML said Maoists renegaded and demanded control of local development ministry set aside for it.
Maoists haven’t agreed to new Forum demands for control of foreign ministry; the creation of a post of deputy prime minister is also disputed.
Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katuwal didn’t congratulate PM Prachanda on his installation at Shital Niwas Monday.
Nepal is without a government even four days after the election of Prachanda reflecting the difficulty in government formation even as the Maoist chief was elected by an overwhelming 80 percent support of the 601-member CA.
USA hasn’t congratulated Prachanda on his election; inconsequential Norway sent a minister to lend support to the Maoist government as Oslo said it supports the people of Nepal and not a particular government.
Norway has lent support to the communist movement and spread of Christianity in Nepal.
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India shifts blame on Nepal for east Nepal floods

By Bhola B Rana

Army Tuesday rescued marooned people by three helicopters, including stranded police and army personnel in east Nepal..
Boats are being used to evacuate people to schools and government buildings in Sunsari.
Movement of vehicles in the eastern region has been disrupted.
Home Ministry meeting Tuesday headed by Prime Minister Prachanda, decided to provide immediate relief to people displaced by flooded Kosi river.
Rs 16 million has been released by government for help.
Decision was taken to coordinate relief with India.
Indian embassy Tuesday blamed Nepal for the collapse of the Sapta Kosi barrage and embankments as Nepal police and local officials blamed India..
Mobile telephone service has been disrupted in the east after optical fiber network was damaged.
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Bad weather hampers search, relief work along Kosi river; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 19 Aug: Kosi flood waters Tuesday continued to enter villages in Saptari from where more than 30,000 people from at least six villages have displaced and spurs of Sapta Kosi and embankments were breached at one in the afternoon Monday.
Five persons and domestic animals have been swept away, movement along the Mahendra Highway part of which was swept away, was disrupted and crops were destroyed causing millions of rupees destruction.
Locals have taken shelter at schools and other safe places.
The flooded Kosi rivers has breached spurs 1210, 1170,1060 built at Pashim Kushaha and Haripur after gates of Kosi barrage, under Indian control, weren’t opened, RSS reports.
Only 27 of 56 doors in Sapta Kosi barrage, under Indian control, were opened Saturday
Spurs were built to control floods in the river.
RSS quoting police said Indian authorities didn’t let Nepalese side open more doors saying that would submerge Indian territory downstream.
More than 2,000 homes have been inundated.
Floods displace Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve Office and the Shreebaksh Battalion of Nepal Army.
Nearly 200 army personnel and trucks have been marooned.
Indian staff posted at the Kosi barrage turned down local’s repeated pleas to open all
The water level in the river, flooded since a week, rose with the barrage staffers opening only a few gates out of 52,
Continued rain Tuesday hampered relief work of Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police as the river level continued to rise.
CPN-UML, in a statement signed by General-Secretary Jhalanath Khanal,
N drew the ‘serious attention and concern’ of his party to the obstruction of the normal river flow by control of the Kosi barrage contributing to floods and displacement of people in Nepal.
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Maoists, CPN (Mashal) haven’t joined the democratic process: Narayan Kazi Shrestha

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 19 Aug: CPN (Mashal) and CPN (Maoists) haven’t joined the ‘democratic process’, Mashal General Secretary Narayan Kazi Shrestha told The Kathmandu Post.
The statement is important because Shrestha negotiated the peace process and agreement between seven parliamentary parties and CPN (Maoist) in 2006.
“Neither the Maoists nor I have joined he democratic process. The goal of the uprising was to end the institution of monarchy and set up a new political system.
“We have laid the 240-year-old institution to rest. Now we are in the process of establishing a socialist democratic Nepal,” Shrestha said. In reply to a question: Have the Maoists really joined the democratic process now?
“Take it from me that we have not joined the democratic process. Rather, we have joined hands with other political parties to establish a new political system to liberate the people, make them sovereign and establish an independent Nepal.”
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Girija Prasad Koirala conspiring ‘coup’: Dhristi

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 19 Aug: Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala, after losing the premiership, is planning a new coup’, Dhristi reports.
Sources said Koirala Saturday, Sunday held discussions twice with President
Dr Ram Baran Yadav and Nepal Army generals.
According to a strategy to make it difficult for the government, Koirala is inciting the Army and has visited the Indian embassy for discussions with Ambassador Rakesh Sood.
Koirala absented himself Monday at the swearing-in ceremony of the prime minister citing health reasons.
But suspicions have mounted after he met the Indian ambassador Monday.
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NSU holds protests

Kathmandu, 19 Aug: Student activists of Nepal Students’ Union, a student wing of Nepali Congress, held anti-Prachanda street protests Tuesday in the capital.
They protested the installation Prime Minister Prachanda who didn’t take his oath in the national dress.
Prachanda wore a tie and a suit for the first time in public; but he put on a Nepali cap.
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Norwegian Minister Erik Solhem, Prachanda hold discussions

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 19 Aug: Visiting Norwegian Environment Minister Erik Solhem pledged Norwegian assistance to a Maoist-led government during discussions with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda Tuesday.
The first government minister to visit Nepal after a maoist takeover said Norway’s assistance was to the people of Nepal and not any party.
He also held separate discussions with CPN-UML General Secretary Jhalanath Khanal..
He will hold discussions with President Dr Ram Baran Yadav before flying for home Tuesday.
Solhem is a frequent visitor to Nepal, especially during times of transition.
The far-away and small but oil-rich Scandinavian country has been keeping unusual interest in Nepal and his country has cultivated special relations with Nepal’s communists.
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UN disarmament office opened

Kathmandu, 19 Aug: After a long delay, the United Nations Center for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) was opened in the capital Monday.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement, asked Asia-Pacific states to work closely with the center to strengthen the capacity of governments and civil society to achieve disarmament goals.
The center serves 43 countries in the region.
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First IFC investment in airline

Kathmandu, 19 Aug: IFC, a soft-lending wing of the World Bank, has invested for the first time $10 million in privately operated Buddha Air to support its expansion and adopt new fuel efficiency measures.
“We are pleased to support the development of the aviation sector, which is vital for the country,” said Anita George, IFC Infrastructure Director.
IFC had invested $62.7 million in four projects in Nepal before—two in hydropower, one in tourism and one in a leasing company.
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Controversial deployment of PLA for PM’s inner ring security

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 19 Aug: After CPN (Maoist) decided to deploy PLA for the security of Prime Minister Pushka Kamal Dahal Prachanda, inner ring security for the PM Monday was provided by former combatants during the swearing-in at Shital Niwas Monday.
Maoist spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara said Armed Police Force will outer security ring and Nepal Army reinforcement will be called in, if required.
Nepal Army upgraded security for the prime minister deploying a 150-man force under a Lt Col.
The PLA was deployed at the Office of the Prime Minister as well.
.“Since the previous decision has not been changed, the PLA will continue providing security to the chairman until further decision,” Deb Gurung said in The Kathmandu Post.
“The cabinet will make a final decision,” another Maoist leader Mohan Baidya “Kiran” said.
CPN-UML leader Shankar Pokhrel objected the deployment sand told The Himalayan Times,” It is for the government to decide on the PM’s security arrangement, not a party.”
It seems that Prachanda still has the psychology of a rebel leader,” said Congress leader Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat.
Nepali Congress, the main opposition in the CA, expressed concern and said the deployment of PLA for the prime minister’s security is a violation of a recent seven-point agreement.
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Mohan Baidya ‘Kiran’ to be acting chairman of CPN (Maoist)

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 19 Aug: Senior leader Mohan Baidya ‘Kiran’ will be the acting Chairman of CPN (Maoist) after a party decision that Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda will lead the government, Janmadev Jaisi reports in Rajdhani.
An informal party meeting was held Monday to on the leadership of the party and CA.
“After the chairman is going to lead the government, it’s not possible for him to look after party affairs,” Maoist central leader Khadga Bahadur Bishwakarma said.
Preparations are being made for Prachanda to lead the government, Kiran the party and Dinanath Sharma or Deb Gurung the CA, sources said.
Maoists shave also decided the composition of their government team.
Besides Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’, Krishna Bahadur Mahara and Top Bahadur Rayamajhi have been included in the government team.
Likewise, a meeting Monday decided on the names of Deb Gurung, Marika Prasad Yadav, Hitman Sakya, Khadga Bahadur Bishwakarma, Pampha Bhusal, Gopal Khumbu, Jayapuri Gharti Magar and Amrita Thapa.
Maoists have been allocated nine ministries.
Maoists will appoint state and assistant ministers as well on which a final decision will be taken.
Maoists plan to appoint Mahara minister of peace and reconstruction, Gurung local development, Sakya physical planning and Bishwakarma water resources.
Ganesh Shah will go into government from CPN (United).
[Note: A common minimum programme wasn’t signed by CPN (Maoist), CPN-UML and MJF Monday before the installation of PM Prachanda. CPN-UML is also claiming local development ministry. Maoist leader CP Gajurel charged Monday MJF was a hurdle in government with its demand for ministerial berths.]
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Army chief didn’t congratulate Prachanda

Kathmandu, 19 Aug: Army Chief Rukmangud Katawal didn’t congratulate Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Monday, Rajdhani reports in its Tuesday editions.
He remained seated through the swearing-in ceremony at a place allotted for Nepal Army.
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Nepal Airlines suspends Osaka flights indefinitely

Kathmandu, 19 Aug: Embattled Nepal Airlines has suspended its flights to Osaka via Shanghai indefinitely to cut costs, Nepal Samacharpatra reports.
The airlines its operating its international flights with two Boeing 757s.
But the airline will begin Doha, Qatar, flights from 16 September.
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Norwegian environment minister in town

Kathmandu, 18 Aug: Norwegian environment minister Eric Solhem again flew into the town hours before the swearing-in of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda Monday.
The far-away Scandinavian country that funds the communist and Christian movements in Nepal has kept an unusually high profile interest in Nepal, its politics and internal developments.
It invests heavily in the country’s ‘civil society’ movement destabilizing society.
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Details of Prachanda installation

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 18 Aug.: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda swore allegiance to the interim constitution in the name of the people not in the name God.
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav read a prepared text asking the prime minister to take his oath of office in the name of God.
Prachanda wore a suit and a tie with a Bhadgaon cap-- a dress code approved by the party, party sources said.
The CPN (Maoist) made a fuss when Vice-President earlier took his oath of office in Hidi and dressed in dhoti.
US Ambassador Nancy J. Powell shook Prachanda’s hand after his installation at Shital Niwas although it wasn’t known what she told him.
The US embassy congratulated the ‘people of Nepal’ and the CA on the election of the prime minister without congratulating the head of government on his election.
Outgoing Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala absented himself from the Shital Niwas function.
CPN (Maoist), CPN-UML and MJF didn’t sign a common minimum programme of the new government as announce because of differences on power sharing.
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20,000 people displaced in Sunsari

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 18 Aug: Nearly 20,000 people of four VDCs have been displaced in Sunsari when their homes were inundated when India closed the sluice gates of the Kosi barrage which collapsed partially.
People have taken shelter in Sunsari district headquarters Inaruwa.
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Prachanda installed prime minister (Breaking News)

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 18 Aug: Pushpa kamal Dahal Prachanda was installed prime minister Monday.
He took his oath of office from President Dr Ram Baran Yadav.
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Thousands displaced as Kosi barrage collapses (Breaking News)

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 18 Aug: Thousands of people from three Nepali villages were displaced Monday as three villages along Kosi river in Nepal were inundated when India didn’t open sluice gates of the Kosi barrage blocking the natural flow of the river.
Part of the barrage on the Indo-Nepal border collapsed because of water pressure of the rising river.
The displaced Nepali villagers have moved to the nearest neighbouring town of Inaruwa, television footage showed.
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Names of two Maoist ministers announced (Breaking News)

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 18 Aug: Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Ram Bahadur Thapa “Badal” from the CPN (Maoist) will be finance and defence ministers in a government headed by Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal who is being installed later Monday.
A party meeting took the decision Monday.
Nepal Army will be directed by Dahal and Badal who fought against the state army which never defeated on the battlefield.
Names of other Maoist ministers weren’t announced.
Maoists have been allocated nine seats in the Dahal government.
There was no signature on a common minimum programme with CPN-UML and MJF as expected.
Guests shave begun arriving at Shital Niwas for 3 PM swearing-in of Dahal, delayed by 20 minutes already.
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Prachanda leaves for Beijing Saturday

Kathmandu, 18 Aug: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal will fly for Beijing Saturday to participate in the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
The foreign trip will be his first after election Friday.
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