Former king meets Manmohan Singh


Kathmandu, 23 March: Former King Gayendra and Queen Komal are returning home from India Wednesday, Jana Bhawana reports.
The couple was previously scheduled to return last Friday.
The visit was extended for five days was for the medical check-up of the former queen; she has shrapnel in her lungs after being injured in the Narayanhiti royal palace massacre
The former king held discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday.
He is scheduled to meet BJP President Rajnath Singh today [Monday].
The former king is likely to meet Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee Tuesday.
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Monarchy can return: Lokendra Bahadur Chand

Kathmandu, 23 March: RPP leader Lokendra Bahadur Chand said former King Gayendra’s India visit is not a subject for discussion by political parties, Annapurna Post reports from Mahendranagar.
The visit shouldn’t be made an issue, he said.
‘Accusations will only be accusations; they won’t
s have any effect,” he said charging an attempt was being to distract attention.
In the game of the possible, anything can happen, he said, on comments about a baby king.
“There are possibilities in politics; what will happen in the future can’t be predicted; that applies for the revival of monarchy.
“I won’t comment on monarchy; did anyone believe Maoists would come to power so soon? That is the same with baby king,” he said.
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‘Their stories [victims of human rights abuses] were similar and painfully reminiscent of the dozens that I heard during my eight years working with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.”

(Visiting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, The Rising Nepal, 23 March)
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PM Prachanda visiting Norway, Finland

Kathmandu, 24 March: Prime Minister Prachanda leaves 28 March for official visits of Norway and Finland, foreign ministry said.
The prime minister leaves for the Scandinavian countries one day before parliament meets for its winter session.
Prachanda begins his Norway visit 29 March.
A bilateral aid agreement is being signed in Norway during the visit.
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The Finland visit starts 1 April.
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Supreme court asks govt. not to implement constitutional council rules

Kathmandu, 24 March: Supreme court Monday through a stay order asked government no to execute rules prepared by the constitutional council.
The move will stop government appointments to constitutional bodies.
A writ has been filed at the court claiming the legislature should first have framed laws for such appointments; the writ claimed government attempted to bypass parliament by framing its own rules for appointments.
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Eight brigadier generals move the supreme court

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 24 March; Eight brigadier generals whose term was not extended by the fence ministry for another three years Monday challenged the decision at the supreme court.
Hearing starts Tuesday
The group alleged the move was illegal asking for a stay order.
They asked the apex court to direct the government to reinstate them.
Chief of Army Staff Gen Rukmangud Katawal had recommended extension of tenure after completing a four-year term.
Main parties in government and main opposition Nepali Congress supported the brigadiers.
Published reports quoting Chief Secretary Bhojraj Ghimere said Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal first signed a cabinet proposal to extend their term; the file was then taken to Prime Minister Prachanda’s office where it has gone missing.
US Ambassador Nancy J. Powell Monday discussed the controversial retirement of generals with PM Prachanda.
“She asked whether army recruitment and the controversy over the tenure of army officers will affect the peace process,” Foreign Advisor Hira Bahadur Thapa said after the meeting.
Meanwhile a meeting of the special committee of integration of armies chaired by PM Prachanda Monday couldn’t form a eight-member technical committee for the delayed integration of PLA combatants in Nepal Army.
The committee is meeting again Friday,
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One killed in Nepalgunj bomb blast

Kathmandu, 24 March: A suspected Muslim died in a bomb blast at a transport office in Nepalgunj as violence continues in the terai.
The pressure cooker bob blast destroyed the store room and a parked motorcycle.
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Advisor of foreign minister under CIAA watch


Kathmandu, 24 March: Shyamananda Suman and advisor of foreign minister Upendra Yadav, is under watch of CIAA.
Suman is a former ambassador to Qatar.
The anti-corruption watchdog Monday sought explanation from Suman on alleged financial irregularities.
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Only half forms filled on suggestions for new constitution

Kathmandu, 24 March: Only half the forms have been filled by people on subjects to be included in the new constitution, Narendra Saud reports in Annapurna Post.
The suggestions are with the secretariat of the constituent assembly.
Most of the parliamentary teams that returned from the districts Monday have returned with only 30 to 35 percent forms filled.
Many of the returned forms don’t have any suggestions.
Altogether 3.7 million were distributed to people on 11 subjects.
“Many asked how can replies be furnished immediately on such difficult questions,” Joint Secretary Himlal Subedi deputed to Makwanpur said.
“Most questionnaires have been returned without comments saying the questions were too difficult,” Joint Secretary Som Bahadur Thapa deputed to Nawalparasi said.
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Child abducted from capital found near Raxaul

Kathmandu, 24 March: The body of seven-year-old child Sonili Kumari Singh abducted from Ghattekulo in the capital has been found on a filed near Raxaul, Kantipur reports
The body found Thursday was identified by relatives Monday, according to Parsa SP Subodh Ghimere.
She was abducted 16 March from near her home.
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TRADE, ECONOMY, BUSINESS

Jim Edwards dead

Kathmandu, 24 March: A.V. Jim Edwards died Monday after a short illness, an announcement said.
He founded Tiger Mountain Group that ran Tiger Tops in Chitwan.
The adventurer, conservationist was born in Jersey, Channel Islands 24 November 1935.
He took over Tiger Tops in 1972 and Mountain Travel in 1975.
He founded World Elephant Polo Association and International Trust for Nature Conservation.
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Sabin Raj Shrestha appointed CEO of Bank of Kathmandu

Kathmandu, 24 March: Sabin Raj Shrestha has been appointed CEO of Bank of Kathmandu.
He was promoted from chief business officer.
Radhesh Pant has been recalled as managing director.
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Sundar Bahadur Shrestha resigns from Nepal Development Bank

Kathmandu, 24 March: Sundar Bahadur Shrestha has resigned as CEO of troubled Nepal Development Bank along with director Dipak Narsingh KC.
Nepal Rashtra Bank declared the development troubled one year ago.
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India offers to sell 500MG electricity

Kathmandu, 24 March: Power Trading Corporation Ltd (PTC) of India has proposed to supply additional 500MW to Nepal, The Kathmandu Post reports.
Shanker Prasad Koirala, secretary at Ministry of Water Resources, said PTC had stated in a letter to the ministry it could provide 500MW in 18 months if Nepal government agreed to its proposal.
PTC could maintain the supply for next 20 to 25 years with a single unit costing IRs 3 (NRs 4.80).
The proposal states PTC is ready to ‘re-import’ power from Nepal if the latter manages to generate enough power to meet the domestic demand.
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“He’s [former Kin Gyanendra] finally independent. Where he goes has no relevance.”

(Girija Prasad Koirala, Annapurna Post, 24 March]

“Congress won’t join government to sign its own death certificate; He won’t go there to stand witness to Maoist excesses and abuses.”

(Spokesman Arjun Narsingh KC, Naya Patrika, 24 March)

“Congress can join government to fulfill its responsibility to draft the constitution if Maoists implement past understanding and agreements. The ball is now in the Maoist court.”

(Sujata Koirala, Naya Patrika, 24 March)

‘We will consider the issue of joining the government if the conditions are fulfilled. We cannot join the government amid the status quo.”

(Girija Prasad Koirala, The Himalayan Times, 24 March)