CPN-UML demands abrogation of Kosi agreement

Kathmandu, 11 Sept: The second largest ruling pay CPN-UML, which also holds the Water Resources portfolio, has officially demanded a new agreement with India to replace the 54-year-old Kosi agreement, The Kathmandu Post reports.
Terming the agreement ’unequal and benefiting only one side’, the UML has pressed the government to immediately review the agreement.
“A new agreement should be reached on equal footing of the principle of mutual benefit,” the party said in its statement issued as a press meet.
The government of India should pay annual royalty to Nepal government for using the bridge built on Nepali territory, for making use of water from Nepal, and for using Nepali land, the party said.
‘Nepal government should have control over the bridge, barrage and Nepal territory,” the party said.
“Nepal government should take over managerial control of Kosi river barrage—its supervision, repair and maintenance, was well as monitoring work from the office [India] itself,” the statement said.
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Maoist-led government announces annual programme with o revolutionary fervour

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 11 Sept: A Maoist-led and communist majority government Wednesday announced in theca its first annual programme that lacked revolutionary or even ‘progressive’ fervour.
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav drove in state like a king in a republican administration to the assembly hall to deliver the policies and programmes of the government led by Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda.
Maoist-led government adopted parliamentary procedures to announce the 90-point programme.
“Government’s main duty is to help in writing of a federal, republican constitution within the given time as per the people’s desire.
“I hope we will be able to draw up a framework for a prosperous and just federal, democratic Nepal through the constituent assembly,’ Dr Yadav said reading out the priorities of the Prachanda government.
There was no mention on communism or ‘progressive’ policies.
Maoists said their ultimate goal is a people’s republic- an euphuism for a totalitarian state.
Maoists have clearly compromised in announcing a policy of he government led by them—an indication that are in no position to impose their party’s political priorities.
The realization will come as a big blow to hardliners in their party.
Maoists already compromised by abandoning their announced policy to stop recruitment of Gurkhas into the Indian and British armies—so mush so the party has asked Prachanda even not to raise the issue during his India visit next week.
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