Parliament session again adjourned

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 7 April: Main opposition Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, a coalition partner of Maoists leading government, boycotted parliament Tuesday forcing adjournment until Wednesday.
Proceedings were obstructed for the third time.
Congress has been demanding a statement and details from the prime minister on its demands, including return of seized assets, while CPN-UML has demanded the arrest and follow-up action against a Maoist who allegedly killed a UML activist in Butwal.
The session met briefly two hours behind schedule.
The coalition partner of Maoists in government said the party will continue to obstruct the house session and boycott cabinet meetings until the identified person is arrested.
But CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal said Monday the party won’t quit government even amid demands inside the party for withdrawal from government.
“We aren’t continuing in government for Maoists. CPN-UML
won’t withdraw government when problems are mounting,” Khanal said.
Prime Minister Prachanda held discussions with Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala Monday seeking support to run government and parliament.
“I held very positive talks with Girijababu to end the deadlock. I am sure the session will resume tomorrow,” Prachanda told reporters after the talks.
Seventeen fringe parties also said they will disturb the parliament session of elections aren’t held soon for local bodies.
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Barshaman Pun heads committee to investigate Butwal killing

Kathmandu, 7 April: Maoists Tuesday formed a three-member investigation probe the murder of a CPN-UML student leader in Butwal.
The committee is headed by Barshaman Pun, who heads the PLA.
A party secretariat meeting at Baluwatar before parliament was scheduled to meet asked the committee to prepare a report on the shooting incident that led to the killing of the UML activist.
UML has said it will continue to boycott cabinet and disrupt parliamentary proceedings until an identified Maoist is arrested.
CPN-UML has charged Sunjt BK for the murder.
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Nepal Army withdraws from5th national games

Kathmandu, 7 April: One day after President Dr Ram Baran Yadav launched the 5th national capital Monday, Nepal Army has withdrawn from the competition.
The army withdrew after PLA was included as the ninth team at the last moment.
The games held after 10 years continued Tuesday.
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Maoist division commanders issue asked to prove charge

Kathmandu, 7 April: Maoist division commanders through a statement demanded proof of Nepali Congress and CPN-UML charge cantonments were a shelter for Maoists involved in criminal activities.
Girija Prasad Koirala raised the issue with UNMIN chief at a meeting Monday.
Maoist leaders have been charging opponents of integration of PLA combatants in Nepal Army as ‘criminals and killers’.
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People against integration are criminals and killers

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 7 April: Prime Minister Prachanda Monday charged those who oppose integration of Maoist combatants in Nepal Army as ‘criminals and killers” even as a Maoist minister threatened to storm out of cantonments and start a revolt.
Prachanda made the accusation while addressing a rally to mark the 19th janaandolan day in the capital.
“People should chase those who are disturbing the peace process by opposing army integration.
“Limited thugs, corrupt and killers aren’t creators of history.
“Five percent of people in political parties, Nepal Army, police and administration should be chased away. They are active against the drafting of the constitution to secure rights of workers, farmers and nationalists under Maoist leadership,” Prachanda charged.
He said only ‘ criminals and killers’ oppose integration.
Without mentioning the Girija Prasad Koirala government, he charged dozens of Maoists were killed immediately in peaceful demonstrations immediately after the downfall of the panchayat and the installation of multi-party rule.
Sher Bahadur Deuba was home minister in the government formed after 1990; Deuba also launched a war against Maoists after rebels attacked a military barrack in Ghorai in the middle of the 10-year Maoist people’s war.
But Maoists themselves were involve din half of the 13,000 killings during the war; no action has been taken against a suspected killer of a Kathmandu businessman last year.
The accused has instead been promoted in the party as cemtral committee member.
Law Minister Deb Gurung warned Monday in Banke Maoist combatants in 28 cantonments and satellite camps could storm out of them.
“If Congress, UML and other parties prevent integration of armies, arms can be raised by breaking out of cantonments. The peace agreement could be broken.
“Congress, UML and other parties are stopping integration on the advice of foreign imperialists and expansionists,” he charged.
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Campaigning ends for Friday parliamentary by-elections

Kathmandu, 7 April: Campaigning ends mid-night Tuesday for Friday’s by elections in six parliamentary constituencies.
Six lawmakers, including Prime Minister Prachanda, Sher Bahadur Deuba, Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav and Maoist Minister Deb Gurung, vacated one of two seats from where they were elected in the 10 April 2008 constituent assembly elections.
Elections will be held electronically evening rural constituencies.
Can Maoists repeat their spectacular performance in assembly elections?
This is the question being asked by political analysts.
Girija Prasad Koirala”s nephew Dr Shekhar Koirala is trying to get entry to parliament by contesting a seat from Morang.
Koirala family members were routed in the April 2008 elections.
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Surya Bahadur Thapa accuses Maoists of intervening in judiciary

Kathmandu, 7 April: Former Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa and Chairman of Rashtriya Janasakti Party (RJP) Tuesday charged Maoists for intervening in the judiciary in an effort to influence the court’s decision.
The charge comes immediately after Chief Justice Kedar Prasad Giri went to Baluwatar for a powwow with Prime Minister Prachanda this week.
Giri denied reports he discussed a government request for a court decision ordering government to reinstate eight brigadier generals whose services were terminated even on the recommendation of Nepal Army.
The meeting took place the same day the apex court was scheduled to consider the government request.
The meeting was badly timed.
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Foreign minister Yadav arrives in Beijing

Kathmandu, 7 April: Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav arrived in Beijing Monday for discussions with Chinese government and party leaders.
He is scheduled to hold
Discussions with his counterpart Yang Jeichi and Vice-President Xi Jinping.
Yadav said a proposed new draft of a Sino-Nepal peace and friendship between the two countries won’t be discussed.
China had proposed to sign the new treaty during PM Prachanda’s forthcoming visit in April/May.
Ambassador-designate Suresh Pradhan to Germany has been accused for leaking the document.
The charge against him by Hira Bahadur Thapa, the PM’s foreign advisor, was heard by a parliamentary committee Tuesday for Pradhan’s confirmation.
Pradhav and Thapa were colleagues in the foreign ministry.
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Maoists preparing to amend army act

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 7 April: Maoist-led government is preparing to amend an army act to reign in the Nepal Army, Dhristi reports.
Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal has taken the initiative.
Maoist lawmakers Barsha Man Pun and Indrajit Rai have been given the responsibility; they were also appointed to a technical committee of the special committee on the integration of armies.
Badal reached the conclusion at amendment after a supreme court decision to ask government to reinstate eight brigadier generals.
Badal has threatened to resign after the court decision.
But he was dissuaded by Prime Minister Prachanda.
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TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

Slight fall in inflation, but no relief

Kathmandu, 7 April: Inflation recorded a marginal 0.7 percent fall compared to the previous month without any relief for the people, Nepal Rashtra Bank said.
Overall consumer price index rose 13.1 percent in the eight months of the current fiscal year but was still 5.9 percent more that the same period in the previous year.
Consumer price inflation in the capital was 13.4 percent.
Uncontrolled prices of rice, wheat and maize have hit the poor; prices of food and beverages rose 17.1 percent.
Core inflation is 12.5 percent—6.1 percent higher that last year.
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Agreement to promote, Nepal, China ties

Kathmandu, 7 April: Nepal China Executives Councils (NCEC) and Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote Chinese investments attract tourists to Nepal.
CPAFFC Vice President Feng Zuo Ku and NCEC Vice President signed the MoU.
A joint committee will be formed to promote Nepali exports.
Promotional programmes will be conducted in China to send tourists to Nepal.
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NAC board decides to purchase two aircraft

Kathmandu, 7 April: Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) board Monday decided to purchase two aircraft -a wide-bodied and another narrow body jet from Boeing and Airbus,.
The Corporation will pay a first installment and the remaining payment will be settled in phases.
Government will stand guarantee for the bank loan.
Proposals from manufacturers have been called within the next 45 days.
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China increases visa fees for Tibet

Kathmandu, 7 April: China has increased visa fees for Tibet, Annapurna Post reports.
The Chinese embassy has been issuing three categories of visas: normal, immediate and most immediate.
US tourists will now be charged 148, 164 and 198 dollars respectively for normal, immediate and most immediate visas.
Visas for non-American nationals have been doubled.
They will have to pay 58, 80 and 114 dollars respectively for normal, immediate and most immediate visas.
Most immediate visas will be issued the same day of application.
For the first time, two Tibetans have been appointed to issue visas away from the embassy.
Visa increase could adversely impact the flow of tourists to Tibet from Nepal.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“The imperialist forces are provoking different communities by misusing Unified CPN-Maoist’s principles of right to self-determination, regional autonomy and others.”

(Law Minister Deb Gurung, The Himalayan Times, 7 April)

“The cantonments [watched by UNMIN] have become shelters for criminals. [Girija Prasad Koirala telling UNMIN Chief Karin Landgren, The Kathmandu Post, 7 April)

“Maoists have prefixed everything with naya and jana to hoodwink people.”

(Sushil Koirala, Naya Patrika, 7 April)

“Congress and CPN-UML are preparing a monarchical stew.”

(Communication Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Annapurna Post, 7 April)


“UNL has the expertise in adjusting all political parties in the national coalition government to accomplish important tasks facing the nation.”

(KP Sharma Oli, The Rising Nepal, 7 April)


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