Former king, queen flying for New Delhi later Wednesday

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 25 Feb: For the first time after being ousted, former King Gyanendra and Queen Komal fly for New Delhi later Wednesday.
The couple is leaving the country for the first time after ouster.
The former king and queen are expected to be away for about two weeks to attend a wedding of a relative, published reports said.
In the Indian capital, the former king is expected to hold discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress I President Sonia Gandhi and main opposition leader Lal Krishna Advani.
Should the meetings take place, they will create political ripples in Nepal.
India helped oust monarchy in Nepal by helping to bring Maoists into the political mainstream.
This was admitted recently by Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee to the annoyance of Maoists.
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Unification of two communist youth groups being announced


Kathmandu, 25 Feb: Unification of Maoist YCL with the People’s Youth Association (PYA) of former CPN (UnityCenter/Mashal) is being announced
at the open air theatre Wednesday.
The new group will retain the Maoist YCL name.
YCL Chief Ganesh Man Pun will lead the organization while Raju Khadka of PYA will be co-coordinator.
The working committee will have 250 members.
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PM requests Koirala’s help to curb Nepal Army

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 25 Feb: Nepal Army is becoming an increasing headache for Prime Minister Prachanda, Janaastha reports.
Army is moving ahead without obeying the prime minister.
He has repeatedly drawn the attention of main opposition leader Girija Prasad Koirala.
Koirala told Congress party workers Sunday,” The army is the biggest headache for him [Prachanda]. Prachanda has complained the army is disobeying the government. He asked me to remind the army chief.
“Prachanda at the country’s honour should be saved. Prachanda argues disobedience has brought problems everywhere.”
Prachanda has told the chief to issue a public statement urging the army will abide by orders.
The prime minister advised a statement should be issued henceforth army will abide by government orders. But the chief is not listening.
On Army Day Monday, the chief said in the presence of the president and prime minister the army is ready to abide by government’s order.
But the statement didn’t meet Prachanda’s requirements that to stop recruitments henceforth.
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Maoists keep watch on ministries run by other parties

Kathmandu, 25 Feb: Unified CPN (Maoist) is now keeping on ministries run by other parties, Annapurna Post reports.
The party’s government mobilization committee meeting Tuesday took the decision.
The committee was formed by the party under chairmanship of Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai after concluding there was no coordination in the six-month Maoist-led government.
Dr Bhattarai will watch activities of the foreign ministry under MJF while Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal will monitor activities of the home ministry under CPN-UML.
Tourism Minister Hishila Yami will watch transport and forest ministries while Peace Minister Janardhan Sharma Prabhakar will look after agriculture and youth ministries.
Communication Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara will monitor activities of water resources and while Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Deb Gurung will watch local development and labour ministries.
Health Minister Girirajmani Pokhrel will be in-charge of education ministry and State Reconstruction Minister Gopal Kirati will monitor environment ministry and Minister for General Administration Pampha Bhusal will oversee the supply ministry.
The Bhattarai committee discussed a possible expansion of government.
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Public holiday declared to celebrate Gyallo Loshar

Kathmandu, 25 Feb: Government for the first time Wednesday declared a public holiday to celebrate Gyallo Lhosar.
The holiday was announced for the first time to celebrate the festival mainly in the hill regions.
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Gurkha veteran museum opened in Pokhara

Kathmandu, 25 Feb: To keep alive the history and legacy of internationally lauded gallantry of Gurkha soldiers, Gurkha Memorial Trust on Tuesday unveiled the museum of Gurkha warriors in Pokhara, Kaski, The Kathmandu Post reports from the resort town.
The Gurkha Memorial Museum was inaugurated by British Commander-in-Chief Land Forces General Sir David Richards.
According to Lal Bahadur Rana of the trust, the museum has a collection of around 10,000 items from World War I and II used by the Gorkha soldiers.
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TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

Govt. intervention to curb food prices

Kathmandu, 25 Feb: Government is intervening from Wednesday to curb increasing prices of food and essential goods.
Government has failed to curb their prices even as they fall in the international market.
Rice will be sold at subsidized price through depots of Nepal Food Corporation and sugar will be sold through Salt Trading Ltd.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Wednesday received a consumer cards for a gas cylinder at Baluwatar from gas dealers.
The cards are also being distributed in Chitwan and Pokhara for the first time.
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Dollar gains in money market

Kathmandu, 25 Feb: The dollar crossed the Rs 80 mark for the first time in recent months.
Nepal Rashtra Bank fixed Wednesday’s selling rate at Rs 80.20 to one dollar.
The price of gold has also soared in the market touching almost Rrs 30,000 per tola.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Protection of political parties rather than the absence of law to control terrorist activities are the problem.”

(IGP Ramesh Chand Thakuri, Annapurna Post, 25 Feb.)
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