45 percent reservation announced

Kathmandu, 28 Jan: Cabinet Wednesday announced 45 reservation for Dalits, women, Madeshis and backward classes.
Reservation has only been increased.
The announcement was made after this week’s national address to the nation by PM Prachanda.
Critics charge the government of only dealing with superficial issues.
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Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav opposes defence minister

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 28 Jan: Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav Wednesday opposed Maoist Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal’s previous day’s order to Nepal Army to stop recruitment into Nepal Army to fill nearly 2,8000 vacancies.
Yadav said this as the foreign ministry moved into Narayanhiti.
Yadav occupied the bulletproof office of ousted King Gyanendra at Narayanhiti.
Yadav’s defense of Nepal Army comes as
Thapa charged unidentified foreign embassies were trying to bring a rift between army and defence ministry on the issue of recruitment to fill in vacancies.
Nepali Congress Acting President Sushil Koirala Wednesday charged Badal for attempting to invite a civil war.
“Calling Thapa’s statement ‘irresponsible’, Koirala asked “What will happen if the army reacts? They [Maoists] are raising new issues.”
Koirala said army had twice filled vacancies after a peace accord was signed in 2006.
Main opposition Nepali Congress Vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel also charged Wednesday Maoists were trying to demoralize Nepal Army.
CPN-UML, a ruling coalition in Maoist-led government, has also backed Nepal Army in its direct confrontation with Maoists.
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Home Minister Bamdeb Gautam leaves for Bangkok

Kathmandu, 28 Jan: Deputy Prime Minister Bamdeb Gautam flew for Bangkok Wednesday for treatment of sinus thrombosis.
He was discharged from Neuro Hospital, Bansabari, Wednesday.
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Maoist victims present demands to president

Kathmandu, 28 Jan: Victims of Maoists Wednesday presented a 15-point demand to President Dr Ram Baran Yadav.
Dr Yadav he will raise the concerns of the victims with concerned authorities.
Victims are demanding return of seized assets and a creation of an atmosphere to return home.
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