CA recesses for dasain; other details

Kathmandu, 30 Sept: The CA session has been recessed until 19 October for the dasain.
Laxmi puja will be observed nine days later 28 October.
Nearly six months after the 10 April assembly election, the CA hasn’t even started preliminary work on drafting a constitution.
An interim constitution is in force after an unelected parliament threw away the 1990 constitution in Nepal’s first constitutional coup by parliament.
The CA is still discussing regulations for a constitution drafting committee which will be empowered to write a constitution.
The only agreement so far is to include all 25 parties in the assembly in the drafting committee.
Small parties oppose a recommendation of major ruling and the main opposition Nepali Congress to impose party recommendations through whips; smaller parties are demanding conscience voting.
There won’t be popular participation in drafting the country’s basic law; CA has to assembly a constitution in another 18 months.
Nepal has had four constitutions in 48 years.
Before the CA was adjourned Monday, Finance Minister Dr Babauram Bhattarai, under pressure and demand of the Tarai Madesh Loktantric Party, withdrew a budgetary provision for entry fees for Indian-registered vehicles for 24 hours.
The party obstructed the assembly session.
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Agreement on Nepal, India water resources talks

Kathmandu, 30 Sept: Top Nepali and India water resources officials have agreed to extend by one year the time to prepare reports on the construction for the Kosi high dam and a diversion for the Sunkosi and Kamala.
Talks began in the capital Monday after a four-year break.
Officials also agreed to prepare detailed feasibility report of the 245 MW Naumure hydro power project to be constructed by India on Rapti river.
Officials of the two countries are inspecting the damage caused by the flooded Kosi river Tuesday.
Talks resume Wednesday.
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Goit rejects talks with govt.

Kathmandu, 30 Sept: Chief of Akhil Tarai Mukti Morcha (ATMM) Jaya Krishna Goit on Monday said all the armed groups operating in the tarai are going to unite under his leadership shortly, The Kathmandu Post reports.
Talking to the Post on Monday, Goit said rumours about 14 armed groups mulling a plan to select a new leader for a ‘united front’ after removing him and another leader, Jwala Singh, were false.
He did not elaborate when the Tarai groups are going to unite.
Goit also ruled out the possibility of his holding talks with the government.
Fourteen armed groups are meeting in Bihar.
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