Nepal Today: July 2009

PM Nepal, Khanal, Girija meet

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 31 July: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala held discussions Friday to form a high-level political mechanism to break a political impasse.
The mechanism proposed by Girija has been supported in principle by Chairman Prachanda.
The impasse is delaying the running of government, integration of 19,000 Maoist combatants and drafting the constitution within the May 2010 deadline.
A Maoist central committee is also meeting Friday to endorse an amended political report of Prachanda that Thursday was approved by a joint meeting of the party’s central and advisory committees.
The Prachanda report calls for a movement to establish a people’s republic with civilian supremacy while safeguarding national sovereignty.
The report pushed a ‘national joint government’ led by Maoists to draft a constitution and complete the peace process.
A seven-member headquarter or secretariat team
Headed by Chairman Prachanda will be formed with Mohan Baidya Kiran as vice-chairman; Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Narayankazi Shrestha will be first and second vice-chairman respectively.
Prachanda will retain a veto right.
“The meeting amended the party statute for a chairman with executive powers,” Spokesman Dinanath Sharma said after the meeting.
Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal will be general secretary while CP Gajurel and Post Bahadur Bogati will be secretaries.
The central committee will divide party responsibilities Friday.
The present central secretariat will be converted into the standing committee.
The central committee will also discuss dates for the general convention probably in January/February 2010.
Nnnn

Schools reopen nation-wide after three-day closure

Kathmandu, 31 July: Secondary and higher secondary schools reopened Friday after a three-day closure nation-wide.
The strike by an umbrella organization of teachers affected more than six million students.
The organization withdrew a strike after an agreement overnight with government.
Government and the organization will consider the demands Friday.
nnnn

Garbage lifted from capital streets

Kathmandu, 31 July: Municipal authorities Friday started lifting tons of garbage piled along streets in the capital after an overnight with residents of
Sisdol in neighbouring Nuwakot.
A landfill site for the capital’s garbage is at Sisdol.
Twenty-four containers started lifting 4,000 tons of rubbish after one week.
Government reached a six-point agreement with Sisdol residents to develop the area and environmentally manage the landfill site.
nnnn

Four terai groups unite

Kathmandu, 31 July: Madesh Mukti Tigers, Madeshi Virus Killers, Terai Smyukta Janatantrik Party and Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha announced an alliance in Rajbiraj Thusday as government unveiled a new security plan.
Government of Madhav Kumar Nepal has rejected talks with what is calls criminal groups saying it will negotiate with only political groups.
The alliance called for an end to police action in the south.
Nnnn

Prakash Tibrewala arrested

Kathmandu, 31 July: Prakash Tibrewala was arrested Thursday in Kavre and handed over to Metropolitan Police range for further investigation.
Tibrewala was slapped a Rs 121.3 million fine by the Kathmandu district court for financial irregularities three years ago.
nnnn

Bishnu Prasad Lamsal appointed NSC member-secretary

Kathmandu, 31 July: Bishnu Prasad Lamsal, joint secretary at sports ministry, was Thursday appointed acting member-secretary of National Sports Council (NSC) until another arrangement through a ministry decision.
Jiban Ram Shrestha, a CPN-UML appointee, resigned after a government change.
Nnnn

Nine persons killed in landslides

Kathmandu, 31 July: Four members of a family went missing and are feared dead overnight in Syangjha after a landslide hit a village in the western district.
Landslides also killed five others in neighbouring Dailekh and Tanahu districts.
Half a dozen other villages have been threatened by the landslide triggered by continuous rain in Syanjkha.
Thirty families have been displaced in Baglung as well.
Swollen Kosi river overnight started spurs along the river in Saptari as well.
Swollen Rapti river in Chitwan has swept away and flooded restaurants even as hotels are closed in the district.
Continuous monsoon has flooded rivers in other parts of the country.
Nnnn

Maoists, Congress and CPN-UML meeting to form political mechanism

Kathmandu, 31 July: Top leaders of Maoists, Nepali Congress and
CPN-UML are meeting Saturday to form a political mechanism to tackle issues, Nepali Congress Vice-President Ram Chandra Paudel said.
Paudel said this after a meeting Friday between Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal and Nepali Congress Girija Prsasad Koirala.
Leaders of thee two ruling parties are again meeting Saturday to discuss the mechanism in which other parties will be invited later, Paudel said.
Nnnn

TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

FNCCI, Australia accord

Kathmandu, 31 July: FNCCI and Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) have signed an accord during the Nepali business organization’s first Australia visit to strengthen economic and trade ties, an announcement said.
FNCCI delegation is by President Kush Kumar Joshi.
The two parties will also exchange information on commerce, industry and economy.
The agreement was signed in Brisbane.
nnnn

MEDIA GOOGLE

“Whosever responsibility it is to administer the oath of office and secrecy should take the initiative. Then, I will take the oath.”

(Vice-president Parmananda Jha, Annapurna Post, 31 July)

“Maoists shouldn’t be given entry into Nepal Army. They shouldn’t be integrated in Nepal Army but be given other responsibilities like in other security agencies.”

(Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar, Annapurna Post, 31 July)

“What gives OHCHR the right to poke their highly-paid noses into Nepal’s internal affairs and then proselytize their opinions to the Nepali people? Are they under illusion that their meddling is welcome or indeed useful? If so they are sorely mistaken.”

(Sylvia Wineglass, The Kathmandu Post, 31 July)

“None should doubt the government’s commitment to the peace process. There will be no arms deal [with India].”

(PM Nepal, The Kathmandu Post, 31 July)

“This [proposal to appoint Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal ambassador to France] makes clear the present government
doesn’t have the intent to politics of understanding and consensus. This is highly objectionable work.”

(Maoist leader CP Gajurel, Rajdhani, 31 July)
nnnn

PM Nepal, Khanal, Girija meet

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 31 July: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala held discussions Friday to form a high-level political mechanism to break a political impasse.
The mechanism proposed by Girija has been supported in principle by Chairman Prachanda.
The impasse is delaying the running of government, integration of 19,000 Maoist combatants and drafting the constitution within the May 2010 deadline.
A Maoist central committee is also meeting Friday to endorse an amended political report of Prachanda that Thursday was approved by a joint meeting of the party’s central and advisory committees.
The Prachanda report calls for a movement to establish a people’s republic with civilian supremacy while safeguarding national sovereignty.
The report pushed a ‘national joint government’ led by Maoists to draft a constitution and complete the peace process.
A seven-member headquarter or secretariat team
Headed by Chairman Prachanda will be formed with Mohan Baidya Kiran as vice-chairman; Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Narayankazi Shrestha will be first and second vice-chairman respectively.
Prachanda will retain a veto right.
“The meeting amended the party statute for a chairman with executive powers,” Spokesman Dinanath Sharma said after the meeting.
Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal will be general secretary while CP Gajurel and Post Bahadur Bogati will be secretaries.
The central committee will divide party responsibilities Friday.
The present central secretariat will be converted into the standing committee.
The central committee will also discuss dates for the general convention probably in January/February 2010.
Nnnn

Schools reopen nation-wide after three-day closure

Kathmandu, 31 July: Secondary and higher secondary schools reopened Friday after a three-day closure nation-wide.
The strike by an umbrella organization of teachers affected more than six million students.
The organization withdrew a strike after an agreement overnight with government.
Government and the organization will consider the demands Friday.
nnnn

Garbage lifted from capital streets

Kathmandu, 31 July: Municipal authorities Friday started lifting tons of garbage piled along streets in the capital after an overnight with residents of
Sisdol in neighbouring Nuwakot.
A landfill site for the capital’s garbage is at Sisdol.
Twenty-four containers started lifting 4,000 tons of rubbish after one week.
Government reached a six-point agreement with Sisdol residents to develop the area and environmentally manage the landfill site.
nnnn

Four terai groups unite

Kathmandu, 31 July: Madesh Mukti Tigers, Madeshi Virus Killers, Terai Smyukta Janatantrik Party and Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha announced an alliance in Rajbiraj Thusday as government unveiled a new security plan.
Government of Madhav Kumar Nepal has rejected talks with what is calls criminal groups saying it will negotiate with only political groups.
The alliance called for an end to police action in the south.
Nnnn

Prakash Tibrewala arrested

Kathmandu, 31 July: Prakash Tibrewala was arrested Thursday in Kavre and handed over to Metropolitan Police range for further investigation.
Tibrewala was slapped a Rs 121.3 million fine by the Kathmandu district court for financial irregularities three years ago.
nnnn

Bishnu Prasad Lamsal appointed NSC member-secretary

Kathmandu, 31 July: Bishnu Prasad Lamsal, joint secretary at sports ministry, was Thursday appointed acting member-secretary of National Sports Council (NSC) until another arrangement through a ministry decision.
Jiban Ram Shrestha, a CPN-UML appointee, resigned after a government change.
Nnnn

Four members of family missing in Syangjha

Kathmandu, 31 July: Four members of a family went missing overnight in Syangjha after a landslide hit a village in the western district.
Half a dozen other villages have been threatened by the landslide triggered by continuous rain.
Thirty families have been displaced in Baglung as well.
Swollen Kosi river overnight started spurs along the river in Saptari as well.
nnnn

MEDIA GOOGLE

“Whosever responsibility it is to administer the oath of office and secrecy should take the initiative. Then, I will take the oath.”

(Vice-president Parmananda Jha, Annapurna Post, 31 July)

“Maoists shouldn’t be given entry into Nepal Army. They shouldn’t be integrated in Nepal Army but be given other responsibilities like in other security agencies.”

(Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar, Annapurna Post, 31 July)

“What gives OHCHR the right to poke their highly-paid noses into Nepal’s internal affairs and then proselytize their opinions to the Nepali people? Are they under illusion that their meddling is welcome or indeed useful? If so they are sorely mistaken.”

(Sylvia Wineglass, The Kathmandu Post, 31 July)

“None should doubt the government’s commitment to the peace process. There will be no arms deal [with India].”

(PM Nepal, The Kathmandu Post, 31 July)
nnnn

Schools reopen nation-wide after three-day closure

Kathmandu, 31 July: Secondary and higher secondary schools reopened Friday after a three-day closure nation-wide.
The strike by an umbrella organization of teachers affected more than six million students.
The organization withdrew a strike after an agreement overnight with government.
Government and the organization will consider the demands Friday.
nnnn

Garbage lifted from capital streets

Kathmandu, 31 July: Municipal authorities Friday started lifting tons of garbage piled along streets in the capital after an overnight with residents of
Sisdol in neighbouring Nuwakot.
A landfill site for the capital’s garbage is at Sisdol.
Twenty-four containers started lifting 4,000 tons of rubbish after one week.
Government reached a six-point agreement with Sisdol residents to develop the area and environmentally manage the landfill site.
nnnn

Four terai groups unite

Kathmandu, 31 July: Madesh Mukti Tigers, Madeshi Virus Killers, Terai Smyukta Janatantrik Party and Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha announced an alliance in Rajbiraj Thusday as government unveiled a new security plan.
Government of Madhav Kumar Nepal has rejected talks with what is calls criminal groups saying it will negotiate with only political groups.
The alliance called for an end to police action in the south.
Nnnn

Prakash Tibrewala arrested

Kathmandu, 31 July: Prakash Tibrewala was arrested Thursday in Kavre and handed over to Metropolitan Police range for further investigation.
Tibrewala was slapped a Rs 121.3 million fine by the Kathmandu district court for financial irregularities three years ago.
nnnn

Bishnu Prasad Lamsal appointed NSC member-secretary

Kathmandu, 31 July: Bishnu Prasad Lamsal, joint secretary at sports ministry, was Thursday appointed acting member-secretary of National Sports Council (NSC) until another arrangement through a ministry decision.
Jiban Ram Shrestha, a CPN-UML appointee, resigned after a government change.
Nnnn

MEDIA GOOGLE

“Whosever responsibility it is to administer the oath of office and secrecy should take the initiative. Then, I will take the oath.”

(Vice-president Parmananda Jha, Annapurna Post, 31 July)

“Maoists shouldn’t be given entry into Nepal Army. They shouldn’t be integrated in Nepal Army but be given other responsibilities like in other security agencies.”

(Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar, Annapurna Post, 31 July)

“What gives OHCHR the right to poke their highly-paid noses into Nepal’s internal affairs and then proselytize their opinions to the Nepali people? Are they under illusion that their meddling is welcome or indeed useful? If so they are sorely mistaken.”

(Sylvia Wineglass, The Kathmandu Post, 31 July)

“None should doubt the government’s commitment to the peace process. There will be no arms deal [with India].”

(PM Nepal, The Kathmandu Post, 31 July)

New terai party launched

Kathmandu, 30 July: Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar Wednesday launched Madesh Janaadhikar Fourm Nepal Loktantrik (MJFNL) as a new party of which he is chairman.
The new party, terai’s largest, was launched after the MJF split on the issue of continuing in a nine-month Maoist led government of Prachanda which was dethrone din the vote in parliament.
Election also gave official recognition to the MJF led by Upendra Yadav which promoted ties with Maoists.
Rameshwor Raya and Nasiruddin Siddiqui and vice-chairman which Sarad Singh Bhandari is general secretary.
Nnnn

Madhav Kumar Nepal govt. expanded

Kathmandu, 30 July: Thakur Sharma of CPN (United) was Wednesday appointed environment minister in an expanded the-month government of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Nepal administered the oath of office immediately.
Nnnn

MEDIA GOOGLE

“Abuses of human rights by non-state actors, in particular by the UCPN (Maoist)’s non-cooperation with accountability mechanisms is contributing to the prevailing culture of impunity in Nepal.”

(ONCHR Representative Richard Bennet, The Kathmandu Post, 30 July)

Four dead, 39 injured in bus accident

Kathmandu, 27 July: Four persons died and 39 others were injured when a bus skidded off a highway into a river in Myagi Monday in heavy rain.
Monsoon rain broke after a prolonged dry spell bringing happiness to farmers.
nnnn

Parliament session again adjourned

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 27 July: Resumed parliament session was adjourned until Tuesday for the second successive day Monday.
Maoists resumed interruption Sunday after allowing the presentation of the annual budget of 2009/10.
An all-party meeting has been called to discuss the resumed disruption.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal was scheduled to address parliament Monday on import of weapons from India opposed by India.
UNMIN says the resumption would violate a 12-point peace agreement between Maoists and seven political parties.
But government sources said the import of non-legal weapons is regular and not illegal.
Nepal denied government is importing arms after a three-year interruption even after New Delhi said it was ready to resume supplies during a India visit of Defence Ministe Bidya Bhandari.
Nnnn

Landslides kill six in Sankuwasabha

Kathmandu, 27 July” Monsoon rain after a long dry triggered a landslide killing six of 13 missing persons in Sankuwasabha overnight.
Two family members were also killed in Darchula.
Landslides along highways also disrupted the movement of vehicles.
Rainfall was recorded nationwide overnight and Monday bringing happiness to farmers who planted paddy even with the onset of autumn with Nagpanchami,
Nnnn

Girija, Prachanda hold discussions

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 27 July: Girija Prasad Koirala and Chairman Prachanda held political discussions Monday amid a continuing political impasse.
Prachanda called on Koirala at the latter’s residence.
Congress and MJF Monday boycotted an all-party discussion convened by Maoists to discuss the impasse., including the appointment of a special secretary at the president’s office.
Maoists oppose the creation of the post to empower a ceremonial president.
The meeting discussed a proposed import of non-lethal weapons opposed by Maoists whose secretariat meeting is being held for the second consecutive day Monday.
nnnn

Govt. adopts five-point special security strategy

Kathmandu, 27 July: The political committee of the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Sunday adopted a five-point security strategy to improve the law and security situation.
Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and the National Investigation Department will be involved.
A cabinet meeting will endorse the strategy for 21 districts.
Altogether 109 rebel groups in the terai and east have been categorized as political and criminal groups.
One billion rupees has been set aside to implement the strategy, Kantipur reports.
Altogether 16,000 personnel, including 10,000 personnel by Nepal Police, will be additionally recruited by the security agencies.
Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur have been pcategorized as highly sensitive security districts.
The plan prioritizes opening of highways for movement of passengers and vehicles.
nnnn

Maoists to form military commission

Kathmandu, 27 July: Maoists will form a military commission for the development of its combatants, Rajdhani reports.
The issue will be taken to the central committee.
The commission was discussed Sunday at a secretariat meeting held at the residence of Prachanda.
The commission is being formed, according to the office of the chairman, to manage the combatants in the coming days; the commission will also look after their role and responsibilities.
During the insurgency, the commission planned action.
The commission will be launched to define the role of combatants for a people’s republic.
nnnn

Dr Niranjanman Singh Basnet appointed director at SAARC

Kathmandu, 27 July: Dr Niranjanman Singh Basnet has been appointed director at SAARC secretariat.
He is joint secretary at the foreign ministry.
Each member state appoints a director.
SAARC has seven members.
Nnnn

Nothing is impossible: Former King Gyanendra

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 27 July: Former King Gyanendra hinted ousted monarchy
Can stage a comeback if the people desire.
He said this at a meeting with Nirodraj Pandey, editor of Jana Bhawana, at Nirmal Niwas Sunday.
“I left the palace at the people’s call. The future of monarchy depends on the people’s wishes. Ultimately, whatever the people desire will happen.
“I left the palace laughing as people didn’t want me respecting the people’s wishes.
“The role of monarchy and form will be decided by the people. Nothing is impossible, if the people desire,” the former king said in reply to a question whether monarchy will stage a comeback.
“Who thought monarchy would go the way it did?” he asked.
He said the extended transition in its fourth year will create problems.
“Problems will crop with the extended transition. It will be good if it is shortened.
“Nepal’s future development is adequate with a little help of two developing neighbouring countries,” he said.
nnnn

MEDIA GOOGLE

“If the oath isn’t taken constitutionally, then Jha can’t work as vice-president.”

(Attorney General Dr Bharat Bahadur Karki, Kantipur, 27 July)

“Don’t let Norway or the countries like that to meddle in your internal affairs.”

(Advice of Sri Lankan President Mahindra Rajapaksa to PM Nepal during recent non-aligned summit, newsfront, 27 July)
nnnn

Swine flu detected in Japanese

Kathmandu, 26 July: Swine flu has been detected in three more persons, including a Japanese, the health ministry said Sunday without identifying them.
Traces of the disease were also found in two Nepalese arriving from Canada and Qatar.
Altogether 17 cases of the disease have now been detected in Nepal.
Nnnn

Maoists resume disruption of parliament

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26 July: Maoists resumed the disruption of parliament session after a month-long break Sunday following a party decision.
The main opposition has permitted normal proceedings to allow government to present the annual budget of 2009/10.
Maoists said they will again continue to obstruct legislative session until Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal gives a ‘satisfactory’ on New Delhi’s decision during India visit of Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari to resume delivery on military supplied suspended three years ago during the royal regime.
Nepal told the committee there was ‘no problem’ in the import of non-lethal weapons.
Nepal told state affairs committee Sunday a 12-poin peace agreement between Maoists and seven parliament parties doesn’t bar the import of non0lethal weapons.
Maoists also demanded immediate relief for cholera-affected mid-West region where 187 persons have been killed in a cholera epidemic; 18,000 persons have been treated for the disease.
Nnnn

MJF (Nepal) Yadav faction receives official recognition

Kathmandu, 26 July: MJF (Nepal) faction led by Chairman Upendra Yadav Sunday received official recognition from the election commission.
The commission said a splinter group led by Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar with the support of 17 central committee members can apply for recognition for another party.
Gachedhar faction is in government after splitting the biggest terai political party.
Nnnn

Two pilgrims swept away in Dhanusha

Kathmandu, 26 July: Two Hindu Bol Bam pilgrims were swept away by swollen Kamala river in Dhanusha Sunday.
Three others are missing.
Nnnn

Bijayanath Bhattarai takes over as NRB governor

Kathmandu, 26 July: Bijayanath Bhattarai Sunday assumed office as governor of Nepal Rashtra Bank (NRB) after 25 months.
Supreme court dismissed charges of irregularities by CIAA against Bhattarai.
nnnn

Girija, Prachanda hold discussions

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 27 July: Girija Prasad Koirala and Chairman Prachanda held political discussions Monday amid a continuing political impasse.
Prachanda called on Koirala at the latter’s residence.
Congress and MJF Monday boycotted an all-party discussion convened by Maoists to discuss the impasse., including the appointment of a special secretary at the president’s office.
Maoists oppose the creation of the post to empower a ceremonial president.
The meeting discussed a proposed import of non-lethal weapons opposed by Maoists whose secretariat meeting is being held for the second consecutive day Monday.
nnnn

Govt. adopts five-point special security strategy

Kathmandu, 27 July: The political committee of the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Sunday adopted a five-point security strategy to improve the law and security situation.
Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and the National Investigation Department will be involved.
A cabinet meeting will endorse the strategy for 21 districts.
Altogether 109 rebel groups in the terai and east have been categorized as political and criminal groups.
One billion rupees has been set aside to implement the strategy, Kantipur reports.
Altogether 16,000 personnel, including 10,000 personnel by Nepal Police, will be additionally recruited by the security agencies.
Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur have been pcategorized as highly sensitive security districts.
The plan prioritizes opening of highways for movement of passengers and vehicles.
nnnn

MEDIA GOOGLE

“If the oath isn’t taken constitutionally, then Jha can’t work as vice-president.”

(Attorney General Dr Bharat Bahadur Karki, Kantipur, 27 July)
nnnn

Swine flu detected in Japanese

Kathmandu, 26 July: Swine flu has been detected in three more persons, including a Japanese, the health ministry said Sunday without identifying them.
Traces of the disease were also found in two Nepalese arriving from Canada and Qatar.
Altogether 17 cases of the disease have now been detected in Nepal.
Nnnn

Maoists resume disruption of parliament

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26 July: Maoists resumed the disruption of parliament session after a month-long break Sunday following a party decision.
The main opposition has permitted normal proceedings to allow government to present the annual budget of 2009/10.
Maoists said they will again continue to obstruct legislative session until Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal gives a ‘satisfactory’ on New Delhi’s decision during India visit of Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari to resume delivery on military supplied suspended three years ago during the royal regime.
Nepal told the committee there was ‘no problem’ in the import of non-lethal weapons.
Nepal told state affairs committee Sunday a 12-poin peace agreement between Maoists and seven parliament parties doesn’t bar the import of non0lethal weapons.
Maoists also demanded immediate relief for cholera-affected mid-West region where 187 persons have been killed in a cholera epidemic; 18,000 persons have been treated for the disease.
Nnnn

MJF (Nepal) Yadav faction receives official recognition

Kathmandu, 26 July: MJF (Nepal) faction led by Chairman Upendra Yadav Sunday received official recognition from the election commission.
The commission said a splinter group led by Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar with the support of 17 central committee members can apply for recognition for another party.
Gachedhar faction is in government after splitting the biggest terai political party.
Nnnn

Two pilgrims swept away in Dhanusha

Kathmandu, 26 July: Two Hindu Bol Bam pilgrims were swept away by swollen Kamala river in Dhanusha Sunday.
Three others are missing.
Nnnn

Bijayanath Bhattarai takes over as NRB governor

Kathmandu, 26 July: Bijayanath Bhattarai Sunday assumed office as governor of Nepal Rashtra Bank (NRB) after 25 months.
Supreme court dismissed charges of irregularities by CIAA against Bhattarai.
nnnn

Swine flu detected in Japanese

Kathmandu, 26 July: Swine flu has been detected in three more persons, including a Japanese, the health ministry said Sunday without identifying them.
Traces of the disease were also found in two Nepalese arriving from Canada and Qatar.
Altogether 17 cases of the disease have now been detected in Nepal.
Nnnn

Maoists resume disruption of parliament

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26 July: Maoists resumed the disruption of parliament session after a month-long break Sunday following a party decision.
The main opposition has permitted normal proceedings to allow government to present the annual budget of 2009/10.
Maoists said they will again continue to obstruct legislative session until Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal gives a ‘satisfactory’ on New Delhi’s decision during India visit of Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari to resume delivery on military supplied suspended three years ago during the royal regime.
Nepal told the committee there was ‘no problem’ in the import of non-lethal weapons.
Nepal told state affairs committee Sunday a 12-poin peace agreement between Maoists and seven parliament parties doesn’t bar the import of non0lethal weapons.
Maoists also demanded immediate relief for cholera-affected mid-West region where 187 persons have been killed in a cholera epidemic; 18,000 persons have been treated for the disease.
Nnnn

MJF (Nepal) Yadav faction receives official recognition

Kathmandu, 26 July: MJF (Nepal) faction led by Chairman Upendra Yadav Sunday received official recognition from the election commission.
The commission said a splinter group led by Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar with the support of 17 central committee members can apply for recognition for another party.
Gachedhar faction is in government after splitting the biggest terai political party.
Nnnn

Two pilgrims swept away in Dhanusha

Kathmandu, 26 July: Two Hindu Bol Bam pilgrims were swept away by swollen Kamala river in Dhanusha Sunday.
Three others are missing.
nnnn

Swine flu detected in Japanese

Kathmandu, 26 July: Swine flu has been detected in three more persons, including a Japanese, the health ministry said Sunday without identifying them.
Traces of the disease were founding two Nepalese arriving from Canada and Qatar.
Altogether 17 cases of the disease have now been detected in Nepal.
Nnnn

Maoists resume disruption of parliament

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26 July: Maoists resumed the disruption of parliament session after a month-long break Sunday following a party decision.
The main opposition has permitted normal proceedings to allow government to present the annual budget of 2009/10.
Maoists said they will again continue to obstruct legislative session until Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal gives a ‘satisfactory’ on New Delhi’s decision during India visit of Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari to resume delivery on military supplied suspended three years ago during the royal regime.
Nepal told the committee there was ‘no problem’ in the import of non-lethal weapons.
Nepal told state affairs committee Sunday a 12-poin peace agreement between Maoists and seven parliament parties doesn’t bar the import of non0lethal weapons.
Maoists also demanded immediate relief for cholera-affected mid-West region where 187 persons have been killed in a cholera epidemic; 18,000 persons have been treated for the disease.
Nnnn

MJF (Nepal) Yadav faction receives official recognition

Kathmandu, 26 July: MJF (Nepal) faction led by Chairman Upendra Yadav Sunday received official recognition from the election commission.
The commission said a splinter group led by Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar with the support of 17 central committee members can apply for recognition for another party.
Gachedhar faction is in government after splitting the biggest terai political party.
Nnnn

Two pilgrims swept away in Dhanusha

Kathmandu, 26 July: Two Bol Bam pilgrims were swept away by swollen Kamala river in Dhanisha Sunday.
Three others are missing.
nnnn

Swine flu detected in Japanese

Kathmandu, 26 July: Swine flu has been detected in three more persons, including a Japanese, the health ministry said Sunday without identifying them.
Traces of the disease ere founding two Nepalese arriving from Canada and Qatar.
Altogether 17 cases of the disease have now been detected in Nepal.
Nnnn

Maoists resume disruption of parliament

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26 July: Maoists resumed the disruption of parliament session after a month-long break Sunday following a party decision.
The main opposition has permitted normal proceedings to allow government to present the annual budget of 2009/10.
Maoists said they will again continue to obstruct legislative session until Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal gives a ‘satisfactory’ on New Delhi’s decision during India visit of Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari to resume delivery on military supplied suspended three years ago during the royal regime.
Nepal told the committee there was ‘no problem’ in the import of non-lethal weapons.
Nepal told state affairs committee Sunday a 12-poin peace agreement between Maoists and seven parliament parties doesn’t bar the import of non0lethal weapons.
Maoists also demanded immediate relief for cholera-affected mid-West region where 187 persons have been killed in a cholera epidemic; 18,000 persons have been treated for the disease.
Nnnn

MJF (Nepal) Yadav faction receives official recognition

Kathmandu, 26 July: MJF (Nepal) faction led by Chairman Upendra Yadav Sunday received official recognition from the election commission.
The commission said a splinter group led by Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar with the support of 17 central committee members can apply for recognition for another party.
Gachedhar faction is in government after splitting the biggest terai political party.
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Two pilgrims swept away in Dhanusha

Kathmandu, 26 July: Two Bol Bam pilgrims were swept away by swollen Kamala river in Dhanisha Sunday.
Three others are missing.
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Army Chief Gen. Katawal lobbying to be president’s security advisor

Kathmandu, 26 July: Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal is lobbying to become the president’s security advisor after an attempt a term extension didn’t materialize, Annapurna Post reports.
During his recent meetings with President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, he expressed concern of his future after retirement.
His term expires 10 September.
Katawal sought a one-year term extension.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal is unhappy with the army chief.
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Multiple positions proposed in Unified CPN (Maoist)

Kathmandu, 26 July: There are differences in the Unified CPN (Maoist) on Chairman Prachanda’s proposal for creating multiple positions in the party, Annapurna Post reports.
Prachanda is in difficulty because of competition between Secretariat Secretary Nrayan Kazi Shrestha Prakash and Amik Serchan for party positions.
Prachanda has proposed Mohan Baidya Koran as senior vice-chairman while Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Prachanda second and third second vice-chairmen respectively.
Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal will be general secretary, CP Gajurel secretary and Amik Serchan treasurer.
Sherchan has raised objections to Prachanda’s plans to award third position to Shrestha in the party demanding a position of vice-chairman as well.
Nnnn
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Death toll in mid-West cholera, diarrhea epidemic increases to 187

Kathmandu, 26 July: Death toll in a cholera and diarrhea outbreak in themed-West has risen to 187, Prime Minister MAdhav Kumar Nepal told the state affairs committee of parliament Sunday.
He was summoned by the committee.
Nepal discussed the epidemic with donors as well Saturday.
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Govt., Tamsaling talks

Kathmandu, 26 July: Government and Tamshaling struggle committee started talks Sunday at Singha Durbar to discuss a 10-point ethnic demand.
A special programme for Tamangs and proportional representation in government agencies were demanded.
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Nagpanchami observed

Kathmandu, 26July: Nagpanchami was observed Sunday.
The day marks the onset of autumn.
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Transport strike called off

Kathmandu, 26 July: A three-day Bagmati anchal transport strike was called off by transporters after government agreed to compensate owners of two vehicles Rs 400,000 in damage Sunday.
One minibus was damaged before Tri-Chandra Campus.
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Maoists discuss creating multiple posts in the party

Kathmandu, 26 July: Maoist headquarter meeting Sunday creating multiple positions in the centralized party system.
Central leader CP Gajurel revealed this after a meeting.
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Central terai districts affected by Maoist strike

Kathmandu, 26 July: Central terai districts were adversely affected by an indefinite called by Maoists Sunday to protest the gunning down of Maoist leader Laxman Yadav in Rautahat Saturday.
Yadav was central member of YCL.
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British actress Joanna Lumley coming

Kathmandu, 26 July: British actress Joanna Lumley and supporter of equal treatment of Gurkhas in the British army is arriving in the capital Sunday for a week-long visit.
She will be feted by Gurkhas and their families after the Nepali soldiers serving in the British army recently won a battle to reside in United Kingdom after retirement.
She will meet government and political party leaders, including Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Liberal Democratic Party leader Peter carol is also coming with his family.
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Baban Singh joins TMLP

Kathmandu, 26 July: Independent and controversial terai legislator Baban Singh joined TMLP Saturday.
He was elected from Rautahat.
Singh was charged for setting off deadly bomb blasts in the capital.
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Secretary Janak Raj Joshi to resign

Kathmandu, 26 July: Secretary in the National Planning Commission Janak Raj Joshi announced his decision to resign Friday after a junior was promoted.
The government Friday appointed Madhab Ghimere was appointed chief secretary.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“We have heard about a big confrontation in the country in a month and a half. Those who are against democracy and constitution are hatching conspiracy to derail the peace process.”

(Chairman Prachanda, The Kathmandu Post, 26 July)

“I’ve heard rumours of empowering the president’s office to introduce an emergency in the country.”
(CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, Annapurna Post, 26 July)

“There’s no question of the army in barracks straying there just doing Ramdeb’s yoga.”

(Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari, Rajdhani, 26 July)
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Maoist district leader shot dead

Kathmandu, 25 July: Maoist terai leader Laxman Yadav was shot dead in Rautahat Saturday by a suspected regional group.
Yadav is central member of YCL.
He was shot dead by a group as he was driving home on a motorcycle from Chandranighapur at noon.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“It’s strange that no prime minister who enters the Baluwatar residence has been able to complete his full tenure of five years. I believe it is because the house is not properly built.”

(Girija Prasad Koirala, The Kathmandu Post, 25 July)
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Jha doesn’t know Nepali

Kathmandu, 25 July: Vice-President Parmananda Jha Friday asked how he can take an oath of office in a language he doesn’t know.
He made the comment after a two-man bench of the supreme court Friday ruled his oath-taking in Hindi one year ago was unconstitutional.
Jha is a retired justice of the supreme court whose proceedings are conducted in Nepali.
Jha took an oath in Hindi even as President Dr Ram Baran Yadav administered it in Nepali.
The vice-president took the oath wearing a dhoti as the president was dressed in national attire.
“The decision isn’t constitutional. I don’t know Nepali. How can I take an oath in Nepali? What will a deaf do? ” Jha asked.
Government business is conducted in Nepali.
“I may resign. Let the justices who have the verdict resign,” Jha said.
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Sharat Singh Bhandari says Jha must abide by court verdict

Kathmandu, 25 July: Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari said in Pokhara Saturday Vice-President Parmananda Jha must obey a supreme court verdict.
Jha was supported by the Forum during his election.
But Bhandari admitted the party can’t impose a party decision on the vice-president.
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Council asks Nepal to consider ways to end UNMIN mandate

Kathmandu, 25 July: UN security council has asked Nepal to consider measures to end the extended UNMIN mandate by 23 January 2010.
A UN security resolution said the,” current monitoring arrangements are conceived as temporary measures, rather than long-term solutions, and cannot be maintained indefinitely.’
The council asked Nepal to consider measures to ‘end the present monitoring mechanism’.
The council asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to report by 30 October on the progress of implementing the delayed peace process to end UNMIN’s fourth extended mandate by 23 January 2010.
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Seniority dispute in Maoists

Kathmandu, 25 July: Deep controversy has surfaced on seniority in the Unified CPN (Maoist), Rajdhani reports.
There’s no dispute in appointing Mohan Baidya Kiran senior vice-chairman.
But a controversy has surfaced on whether Dr Babaurai Bhattarai or Narayankazi Shrestha should be the senior vice-chairman.
Chairman Prachanda favours appointing Shrestha after the integration of Maoists with Mashal. But Bhattarai has expressed dissatisfaction.
Bhattarai says a general convention should take the decision and most members in the party are behind Bhattarai.
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TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

Aim to restrict inflation at seven percent

Kathmandu, 25 July: Nepal Rashtra Bank will aim to restrict inflation from 13 to seven percent in 2009/10.
Commercial banks, development banks and finance companies
have to compulsorily invest 6.0 percent, 2.0 percent and 1.0 percent respectively of total domestic mobilization in government securities by second quarter of fiscal year 20/10.
The investment will be raised to 8.0, 3.0 and 2.0 percent respectively by the end of the fiscal year mid-July 2010 in a reintroduced statutory liquidity ratio scheme.
Nepal Rashtra Banak announced its monetary policy Friday.
The spiraling 13 percent inflation will be brought down to seven percent in 2009/10.
Cash reserve has been maintained at 5.5 percent while bank rate is unchanged at 6.5 percent.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Because of intense heat in New Delhi, a meeting with the Dalai Lama in Dharmashala was arranged through trickery [by Lumbini Development Foundation] saying the meeting would be held in Simla.” But no political discussions were held with Dalai Lama.”

(Lawmaker Rukmini Chaudhari, Annapurna Post, 25 July)

“Recruiting or buying weapons or upgradation of any kind by either the Nepal Army or the Maoists without the issue being discussed by the high-level monitoring committee is a violation of the pact [12-point New Delhi agreement]. The possible resumption of Indian military assistance has not been discussed in the monitoring committee.”

(UNMIN Spokesman Kosmos Bishwakarma, The Himalayan Times, 25 July)

“The constitution could not be drafted until the rehabilitation of Maoist combatants and management of their arms.”

(PM Nepal, The Rising Nepal, 25 July)
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Jha doesn’t know Nepali

Kathmandu, 25 July: Vice-President Parmananda Jha Friday asked how he can take an oath of office in a language he doesn’t know.
He made the comment after a two-man bench of the supreme court Friday ruled his oath-taking in Hindi one year ago was unconstitutional.
Jha is a retired justice of the supreme court whose proceedings are conducted in Nepali.
Jha took an oath in Hindi even as President Dr Ram Baran Yadav administered it in Nepali.
The vice-president took the oath wearing a dhoti as the president was dressed in national attire.
“The decision isn’t constitutional. I don’t know Nepali. How can I take an oath in Nepali? What will a deaf do? ” Jha asked.
Government business is conducted in Nepali.
“I may resign. Let the justices who have the verdict resign,” Jha said.
Nnnn

Council asks Nepal to consider ways to end UNMIN mandate

Kathmandu, 25 July: UN security council has asked Nepal to consider measures to end the extended UNMIN mandate by 23 January 2010.
A UN security resolution said the ,” current monitoring arrangements are conceived as temporary measures, rather than long-term solutions, and cannot be maintained indefinitely.’
The council asked Nepal to consider measures to ‘end the present monitoring mechanism’.
The council asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to report by 30 October on the progress of implementing the delayed peace process to end UNMIN’s fourth extended mandate by 23 January 2010.

Seniority dispute in Maoists

Kathmandu, 25 July: Deep controversy has surfaced on seniority in the Unified CPN (Maoist), Rajdhani reports.
There’s no dispute in appointing Mohan Baidya Kiran senior vice-chairman.
But a controversy has surfaced on whether Dr Babaurai Bhattarai or Narayankazi Shrestha should be the senior vice-chairman.
Chairman Prachanda favours appointing Shrestha after the integration of Maoists with Mashal. But Bhattarai has expressed dissatisfaction.
Bhattarai says a general convention should take the decision and most members in the party are behind Bhattarai.
Nnnn

MEDIA GOOGLE

“Because of intense heat in New Delhi, a meeting with the Dalai Lama in Dharmashala was arranged through trickery [by Lumbini Development Foundation] saying the meeting would be held in Simla.” But no political discussions were held with Dalai Lama.”

(Lawmaker Rukmini Chaudhari, Annapurna Post, 25 July)

“Recruiting or buying weapons or upgradation of any kind by either the Nepal Army or the Maoists without the issue being discussed by the high-level monitoring committee is a violation of the pact [12-point New Delhi agreement]. The possible resumption of Indian military assistance has not been discussed in the monitoring committee.”

(UNMIN Spokesman Kosmos Bishwakarma, The Himalayan Times, 25 July)

“The constitution could not be drafted until the rehabilitation of Maoist combatants and management of their arms.”

(PM Nepal, The Rising Nepal, 25 July)
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Madav Prasad Ghimere appointed chief secretary

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 25 July: Government Friday made sweeping appointments in Singha Durbar.
The cabinet Friday appointed Madhav Prasad Ghimere chief secretary to replace Bhojraj Ghimere who retires.
Bhojraj has been appointed Nepal’s first residential ambassador in Canada.
Madhav Prasad Ghimere is secretary at the Ministry of peace and reconstruction.
Following a request from the president, Umesh Prasad Mainali has been appointed principal secretary at the president’s office.
Government promoted 22 joint secretaries to secretary.
Joint secretary at the foreign ministry Dr Madan Bhattarai was also promoted.
Others promoted are: Dinesh Hari Adhikari, Yubraj Bhusal, Deep Basnet, Sriram Pant, Keshab Prasad Bhattarai, Pratap Kumar Pathak, Niranjan Baral, Sushil Ghimere, Binod Geywali, Krishna Geywali, Rudra Kumar Shrestha, Dr Ganeshraj Joshi, Modraj Dotel, Krishna Hari Banskota, Yagya Prasad Gautam, Dhruba Sharma, Nathu Prasad Chaudhari , Ram Shrup Sinha, Kishore Thapa, Nagendra Prasad Ghimere and Nabin Prasad Ghimere.
Sushil Chandra Amatya from CPN-UML has been nominated ambassador to Sri Lanka.
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Youth pressure to draft constitution within deadline

Kathmandu, 25 July: Youth took out processions in the capital and 14 districts Saturday to put pressure and meet a deadline to draft a constitution by May 2010.
The procession in the capital turned into a public meeting at open air theatre.
Fears have been expressed the constitution may not be completed by the deadline with deep political differences between major players.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has convened a meeting of top leaders of CPN-UML, Nepali Congress and Maoists to discuss the delay and difficulties.
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Sri Lanka foreign secretary arrives Sunday

Kathmandu, 25 July: Sri Lankan foreign secretary Palitha T.B.Konona arrives for a three-day consultation visit.
He will hold discussions with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala.
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Founding member of communist party dead

Kathmandu, 25 July: Hikmat Singh Bhandari, 83, founding member of Communist Party of Nepal, died 22 July, party and friends said.
Bhandari founded the party with Pushpa Lal Shrestha.
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TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

Bijayanath Bhattarai reappointed NRB governor

Kathmandu, 25 July: Bijayanath Bhatarai, cleared by the supreme court for irregularities charged by CIAA, was re-appointed government Nepal Rashtra Bank governor the his remaining term.
Bhattarai replaces Maoist-nominee acting governor Dipendra Bahadur Kshetry.
Yubaraj Khatiwada, vice-chairman of National Planning Commission, was appointed coordinator of a special committee by government Friday to control inflation and black marketing.
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Radesh Pant appointed Kumari Bank CEO

Kathmandu, 25 July: Former managing director of Bank of Kathmandu (BoK) Radesh Pant has been appointed CEO of Kumari Bank, a bank announcement said.
Pant as sacked four months ago.
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Business team in China

Kathmandu, 25 July: The 10th Nepal-China Non-governmental Forum is meeting in Chengdu from Saturday until 2 August
The Forum was formed in 1969 by FNCCI and All China Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry to expand bilateral economic and business ties.
Meetings are held alternately in China and Nepal.
A 23-member delegation led by Former FNCCI president Chandraraj Dhakal is participating in the meeting.
Meanwhile, a 12-member FNCCI delegation led by President Kush Kumar Joshi is leaving for the first Australia and New Zealand visits Saturday.
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Vice-president’s oath of office in Hindi unconstitutional (BREAKING NEWS)

Kathmandu, 23 July: The oath take by Vice-President Parmananda Jha in Hindi has been declared unconstitutional by a two-man bench of the supreme court Friday.
Jha will have to take the oath in Nepali.
The supreme court acted on a complaint lodged advocate Bal Krishna Neupane.
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Nabin Ghimere appointed home secretary

Kathmandu, 23 July: Home ministry spokesman Nabin Ghimere has been recommended to the vacant post of home secretary by the administrative committee of the cabinet Friday.
The appointment will be confirmed by the cabinet at a meeting later Friday.
The committee promoted 22 joint secretaries to secretary.
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182 dead in mid-West diarrhea epidemic

Kathmandu, 23 July: The death toll in a cholera and diarrhea epidemic in mid-West has now risen to 182, health officials said.
Four persons died in Doti Friday.
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Vice-president’s oath of office in Hindi unconstitutional (BREAKING NEWS)

Kathmandu, 23 July: The oath take by Vice-President Parmananda Jha in Hindi has been declared unconstitutional by a two-man bench of the supreme court Friday.
Jha will have to take the oath in Nepali.
The supreme court acted on a complaint lodged advocate Bal Krishna Neupane.
Nnnn

Nabin Ghimere appointed home secretary

Kathmandu, 23 July: Home ministry spokesman Nabin Ghimere has been recommended to the vacant post of home secretary by the administrative committee of the cabinet Friday.
The appointment will be confirmed by the cabinet at a meeting later Friday.
The committee promoted 22 joint secretaries to secretary.
Nnnn

182 dead in mid-West diarrhea epidemic

Kathmandu, 23 July: The death toll in a cholera and diarrhea epidemic in mid-West has now risen to 182, health officials said.
Four persons died in Doti Friday.
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Vice-president’s oath of office in Hindi unconstitutional (BREAKING NEWS)

Kathmandu, 23 July: The oath take by Vice-President Parmananda Jha in Hindi has been declared unconstitutional by a two-man bench of the supreme court Friday.
Jha will have to take the oath in Nepali.
The supreme court acted on a complaint lodged advocate Bal Krishna Neupane.
Nnnn

Nabin Ghimere appointed home secretary

Kathmandu, 23 July: Home ministry spokesman Nabin Ghimere has been recommended to the vacant post of home secretary by the administrative committee of the cabinet Friday.
The appointment will be confirmed by the cabinet at a meeting later Friday.
The committee promoted 22 joint secretaries to secretary.
Nnnn

182 dead in mid-West diarrhea epidemic

Kathmandu, 23 July: The death toll in a cholera and diarrhea epidemic in mid-West has now risen to 182, health officials said.
Four persons died in Doti Friday.
nnnn
Vice-president’s oath of office in Hindi unconstitutional (BREAKING NEWS)

Kathmandu, 23 July: The oath take by Vice-President Parmananda Jha in Hindi has been declared unconstitutional by a two-man bench of the supreme court Friday.
Jha will have to take the oath in Nepali.
The supreme court acted on a complaint lodged advocate Bal Krishna Neupane.
Nnnn

Nabin Ghimere appointed home secretary

Kathmandu, 23 July: Home ministry spokesman Nabin Ghimere has been recommended to the vacant post of home secretary by the administrative committee of the cabinet Friday.
The appointment will be confirmed by the cabinet at a meeting later Friday.
The committee promoted 22 joint secretaries to secretary.
Nnnn

182 dead in mid-West diarrhea epidemic

Kathmandu, 23 July: The death toll in a cholera and diarrhea epidemic in mid-West has now risen to 182, health officials said.
Four persons died in Doti Friday.
nnnn

Vice-president’s oath of office in Hindi unconstitutional (BREAKING NEWS)

Kathmandu, 23 July: The oath take by Vice-President Parmananda Jha in Hindi has been declared unconstitutional by a two-man bench of the supreme court Friday.
Jha will have to take the oath in Nepali.
The supreme court acted on a complaint lodged advocate Bal Krishna Neupane.
Nnnn

Nabin Ghimere appointed home secretary

Kathmandu, 23 July: Home ministry spokesman Nabin Ghimere has been recommended to the vacant post of home secretary by the administrative committee of the cabinet Friday.
The appointment will be confirmed by the cabinet at a meeting later Friday.
The committee promoted 22 joint secretaries to secretary.
Nnnn

182 dead in mid-West diarrhea epidemic

Kathmandu, 23 July: The death toll in a cholera and diarrhea epidemic in mid-West has now risen to 182, health officials said.
Four persons died in Doti Friday.
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Three Indians killed in accident

Kathmandu, 24 July: Three Indians, including a woman, were killed in a head-on collision between two buses at Gaidakot, Nawalparasi, Thursday, police said.
Sixteen Indians and four Nepalis were also injured.
Nnnn

Matrika Yadav elected coordinator

Kathmandu, 24 July: Matrika Yadav was Friday elected coordinator of a 21-member central committee of CPN (Maoist) after a three-day national convention in Janakpur.
Yadav launched the party after defecting from Unified CPN (Maoist).
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TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

Nepali commercial banks can now open foreign branches

Kathmandu, 24 July: Nepali banks and financial institutions will be permitted to open foreign branches, Naya Patrika reports.
This is being announced in a monetary policy being made public by Nepal Rashtra Bank (NRB) Friday.
Nabil Bank has applied for permission with NRB for technical service with a foreign bank while Himalayan Bank has applied for permission to expand in Bhutan.
The central bank, to regularize Indian currency, will control its purchase and sale only through licensed institutions.
The police was approved by the bank’s board Thursday.
Central bank decided banks will compulsorily have to invest in treasury bills, according to Kantipur.
Banks will have to invest 6 to 8 percent of total deposit in such bonds.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Legitimately, as the largest party, we have the right to claim the post [chairmanship of constitution drafting committee vacated by PM Nepal]. The Maoists should get the chairman’s post for power balance.”

(Chairman Prachanda, The Rising Nepal, 24 July)
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India to resume military assistance

Kathmandu, 24 July: India had agreed to resume supply of lethal and non-lethal weapons at concessional rates, Rajdhani reports.
India has reached a decision to lift the embargo announced about three years ago.
According to The Telegraph published from Kolkata, the defence ministry has begun the process.
Military assistance was stopped during the direct rule of King Gyanendra.
Quoting defence ministry sources, The Telegraph preparations are afoot for joint training programmes of Nepali and Indian armies.
India will also continue recruitment of Gurkhas.
India agreed to resume military supplies during a meeting between Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari and her Indian counterpart AK Anthony.
Chairman Chairman Prachanda warned during a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Wednesday weapons import will invite bloodshed.
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Diarrhea death toll up in Jajarkot, Rukum

Kathmandu, 24 July: Diarrhea death toll has jumped in the worst affected mid-West districts of Jajarkot and Rukum, health officials said.
The toll jumped to 132 in Jajarkot and 35 in neighbouring Rukum.
More than 12,000 patients have been treated there.
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Switzerland opening embassy

Kathmandu, 24 July; Switzerland is opening an embassy in Nepal from
17 August, the foreign ministry said.
Thomas Gras has been appointed the first residential ambassador.
Switzerland only had a consular and a development office.
Nnnn

Garbage lifting again disrupted

Kathmandu, 24 July: Daily lifting of 350 tons of the capital’s garbage was again disrupted Thursday.
Locals of Okharpauwa prevented the dumping at the dumpsite on the Dhading, Nuwakor border Thursday.
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Nepali Congress student leader killed

Kathmandu, 24 July; The dead body of Nepali Congress student leader
Subash Barnawal, 35, was found at Ramnagar, Banke, Thursday.
He was hacked to death by an unknown group Wednesday while returning home on a motorcycle.
Nnnn

Two killed in Nawalparasi bus accident

Kathmandu, 24 July; Two persons were killed and 20 others were injured when an Indian passenger bus veered off a road at Gaidakot in Nawalparasi Friday morning,
An Indian woman died while undergoing treatment for injuries.
The bus was returning home from the capital.
nnnn.

Jiban Ram Shrestha resigns from NSC

Kathmandu, 24 July: National Sports Council (NSC) member secretary Jiban Ram Shrestha, a CPN-UML appointed, resigned Thursday.
Shrestha submitted his resignation to Sports Minister Ganesh Nepal of TMLP.
Nnnn

TRADE, COMERCE, ECONOMY

Narendra Basnet appointed BoK chairman

Kathmandu, 24 July: Narendra Basnet was Thursday appointed chairman of Bank of Kathmandu (BoK).
Nepal Rashtra Bank Thursday handed over bank management to a new elected board.
Nnnn

Dragonair to increase flights

Kathmandu, 24 July: Dragonair will increase flights between Hong and Kathmandu from three to five a week from 1 October, the airline announced.
The flights will be operated by A330.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

‘Constituent assembly meeting has been adjourned because there’s no report to discuss.”

(Chairman Subash Nemwang, Kantipur, 24 July)

Three biggest parties discuss impasse in constitution drafting; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 23 July: Main opposition Unified CPN (Maoist) and ruling parties Nepali Congress and CPN-UML Thursday discussed ways of breaking an impasse and delay in drafting a constitution.
UN has predicted it may not be drafted within the May 2010 deadline while inaccurately and incompletely analyzing why the process, including implementing a 12-point peace agreement negotiated by India and promoted by foreigners have been delayed.
UN and foreign capitals are wrongly saying the processes were entirely Nepali.
A report of Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to the security council makes no mention of the mistrust between major political players after Maoists won constituent assembly elections in April 2008 and attempts by other parties to prevent Maoists from immediately forming an elected government.
Elections were held without proper environment.
Nepali Congress is especially unhappy with the result renewing pre-conditions like return of seized assets by Maoists and dissolution of YCl—preconditions abandoned by Girija Prasad Koirala before going for the historic elections the result of which can’t be undone.
Assembly elections, Nepali Congress, aren’t parliamentary elections.
One –time assembly elections won’t be held until Nepali Congress gets a majority in the body after dismissing the assembly.
The secretary general’s report only mentions consensus politics broke down only this year after when the Maoist-led Prachanda government was ousted through majority vote for which there is a provision only in an amended constitution.
The report mentioned distrust between Maoists and Nepal Army which was already there before the Maoist attempt to dismiss Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal.
What has in effect happened in a presidential and military coup by creating a parallel power center in the presidency even after the king as ousted.
No mention of this is mentioned in the Ban report.
The reason for the non-mention of breakdown of consensus politics after Maoist electoral victory is understandable..
UN has certified the election and can’t oppose the election or its result.
Maoist Chairman Prachanda proposed a summit of three parties to lend the deadlock.
The meeting was also attended by Congress Vice-Chairman Ram Chandra Paudel and CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal.
Nnnn

Sukhand Ratna Kasnsakar appointed CEO of Nepal Airlines Corporation

Kathmandu , 23 July: Sukhan Ratna Kansakar was appointed CEO of Nepal Airlines Corporation.
The cabinet made the decision.
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Committee formed to investigate Saptari firing

Kathmandu, 23 July: A three-member committee headed by home ministry senior official Shanker Prasad Koirala has been formed Thursday to investigate a police firing killing one person and injuring four others.
The committee has been asked to report in 10 days.
Nnnn

Jiban Ram Shrestha resigns

Kathmandu, 23 July: National Sports Council member-secretary Jiban Ram Shrestha resigned Thursday.
The CPN-UML appointee resigned after the sports ministry came under the TMLP leadership.
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Nepal Investment Bank Ltd earns Rs 914m profit

Kathmandu, 23 July: Nepal Investment Bank Ltd earned a Rs 914.5 million profit in Q4 on the fiscal year 2008.09, the bank said.
The bank earned a Rs 696.7 million profit in the corresponding quarter the previous year.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Far too many players have arrived in Nepal since April 2006 to spoil the game, but New Delhi retains the ability to come up with creative ways to nudge the process forward. Should all that fail, the possibility of reversing gear persists, revival of the 1990 constitution—and all that entails—has certainly not entered the realm of the impossibility.”

(Maila Baje, People’s Review, 23 July)
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Security council extends UNMIN mandate

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 23 July: UN security council Tuesday extended for the fourth time the UNMIN mandate until 23 January 2010.
The mandate ends Thursday 23 July.
A formal announcement is being made Thursday.
The mandate was extended unanimously by the 15 member council even as Secretary General Ban Ki-moon predicted a constitution my not be drafted within the May 2010 deadline.
“There is near unanimity that it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to meet the prescribed timeframe of May 2010 for the promulgation of a new constitution,” Ban reported to the council.
Failure to meet a the deadline will create a constitutional and political crisis.
The transition has entered its fourth year after a 238-year monarchy was toppled and a republic installed.
Maoists, elected the largest political party in the April 2008 constituent assembly elections, are attempting to impose a communist system opposed by other major parties.
Other political parties, stunned by the election result, delayed the installation of an elected government; a Maoist-led government was installed only after an interim constitution was amended abandoning consensus politics.
A provision was introduced to install a government through majority and topple it through a vote in parliament.
The Maoist-led Prachanda government was toppled in nine months.
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Maoists oppose govt. attempt to import arms from India

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 23 July: Maoist Chairman Prachanda opposed government initiative to import arms from India as the peace process has faltered.
Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari, currently visiting India, requested suspended military supplies be resumed.
Officials of Nepal and India are meeting later this year to discuss the formal request.
“If Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari makes a deal with India to resume arms supplies while the peace process is still on, it will effectively imply that the peace process has come to an end.
“This could lead to bloodshed in the country and the current government will be responsible for untoward incidents that could follow,” The Kathmandu Post reports.
A Congress minister revealed government may soon import weapons.
“Arms and weapons can be imported considering the need of the country, and of course, the security situation,” Energy Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat said.
Nnnn

TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

Kathmandu, 23 July: A special general meeting of Bank of Kathmandu (BoK) Wednesday elected a new board of directors.
Govinda Regmi, Bishni Banjade, Narendra Basnet and Dr Hem Subedi were elected from public shareholders while Rameshnath Dhungfel, Bijaya Krishna Shrestha and Satya Narayan Manandhar were unanimously elected from promoters.
Nepal Rashtra bank which had intervened 19 May following a dispute between promoters is handing over management of the bank to the new board Thursday.
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Congress central committee adjourned until Monday

Kathmandu, 23 July: Congress central committee met briefly Thursday and adjourned until Monday.
The meeting discussed a federal state structure, amendment to party statute and date for a general convention to elect a president.
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“Democracy will be weakened with the entrenchment of extreme leftists.”

(PM Nepal, Annapurna Post, 23 July)
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Indian Maoists threaten to assassinate Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh

Kathmandu, 22 July: India’s Maoist guerrillas Tuesday threatened to kill the country’s prime minister and ruling party leader in what analysts said was the most aggressive threat from an increasingly lethal and widespread insurgency, agencies report out of the Ranchi.
The warning comes a month after the government listed the Communist Party of India (Maoist) as a terrorist group, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared them India’s largest internal security threat.
The Maoists targeted Singh and Congress party president Sonia Gandhi, and invoked the memory of the 1991 assassination of her husband, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, in a suicide blast blamed on Sri Lanka’s now defeated Tamil Tiger rebels.
“Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh have dared to ban the Maoists, little realizing that they would meet the fate of Rajiv Gandhi, who was killed by LTTE ,” a statement released in Hindi says.
The statement, issued in the eastern state of Jharkhand, also gave local Congress leaders a week to resign or ‘be taught a lesson’,.

(Note: The threat is noted in Nepal because India refuses to also talk with its Maoists while bringing Maoists into the Nepali mainstream politics through the 12-point New Delhi peace in 2006. Apparently, what is good for others isn’t good for India, according to official Indian thinking.)
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Congress relations with PM Nepal chilling

Kathmandu, 22 July: Relations between Nepali Congress and head of the coalition government Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal have been cooling of late, Ghatana ra Bichar reports.
Congress President Girija Prakad Koirala expressed his dissatisfaction at a meeting with Nepal Monday and advised the prime minister not to go out of the way to develop relations with Maoists.
Prime Minister Nepal has prioritized dialogue and understanding with Maoists; Koirala opposes it.
Koirala is dissatisfied with the dialogue and secret understanding at Godavari.
Koirala is also unhappy with Nepal’s decision to reject a suggestion not retire police personnel who completed 30 years of service.
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President too wants a chief secretary

Kathmandu, 22 July: The race to pick a new Chief Secretary of Nepal Government is creating much debate in political and bureaucratic circles, The Kathmandu Post reports.
The President’s Office has forwarded a proposal to create an additional post, that of a Chief Secretary for the Presidents Office too.
The President’s Office on Tuesday sent a formal request to the Prime Minister’s Office and Council of Ministers to decide on the matter at the next cabinet meeting.
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Kathmandu, 22 July: The first total solar eclipse in 111 years was seen over parts of Nepal; the next will occur in 2181.
Total solar eclipse happens once in 360 years.
Government announced a public holiday to mark the total solar eclipse from 5.47 to 7.48 in the morning.
Hindus who fasted from Tuesday evening took a holy dip along rivers after the eclipse and broke their fast.
The eclipse was seen for the longest time from Biratnagar for 3.26 minutes.
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Terai leader shot dead in Janakpur

Kathmandu, 22 July: Terai rebel leader Akash was shot dead in a police encounter in Janakpur at 4.30 in the morning.
He headed the Madesh Rashtra Mukti Sena.
Three others escaped the shootout.
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Nepal asks India to resume military supplies

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 22 July: Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari is scheduled to hold discussions with main opposition and BJP leader L.K.Advani in New Delhi Wednesday—the third day of her visit-- after asking India to resume suspended military assistance one day earlier.
She asked her counterpart A.K. Anthony to resume the assistance suspended after the royal takeover in 2005.
“If we have not been able to get any military assistance from India post peace deal, it is largely because of our own fault. It is up to us to take the initiative first. Once we do that, India is ready to do all it can to provide military assistance to us.
“It is up to the government of Nepal to seek both lethal and non-lethal weapons to meet its requirements, The peace deal doesn’t bar the supply of any kind of weapon when the country needs them,” The Himalayan Times quoted Bhandari as saying after the meeting.
A bilateral defence mechanism known as Nepal-India Defence Cooperation committee will hold a meeting within a month to identify Nepal’s defence requirement and accordingly appraise the government of India, the newspaper said.
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Security council begins Nepal debate

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 22 July: UN security council Monday began considering Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s request to extend UNMIN’s mandate for another six months.
The third mandate ends Thursday.
The request was made to complete the delayed peace process and the integration of 19,000 Maoist combatants in society and Nepal Army.
The peace process is encountering rough weather after Girija Prasad Koirala ,who brokered the 12-point New Delhi peace agreement with Indian mediation, claimed the agreement never envisioned integration Maoist combatants in the state army.
Maoists are insisting integration in the army.
Before the Koirala speak, Maoist Chairman Prachanda said candidly in a video tape recording his party was seeking integration to begin a rebellion in the army.
The address to party cadre embarrassed Maoists.
Ban himself was apologetic while seeking the mandate extension.
“No peace process proceeds a straight linear path, and the process in Nepal has is share of complexities and peculiarities; however, this should not be a cause for complacency.” Ban said while claiming the peace process was entirely Nepali.
Then Secretary General Kofi Annan and major world capitals pushed for a UN role in the delayed peace process.
The Nepal transition has now lasted for more than three years after toppling monarchy without signs of an early breakthrough.
Ban said only ‘modest progress’ had been made in completing the peace process.
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“I, in fact, brought them [Maoists] into the peace process. How can I speak against Prachanda?”

(Girija Prasad Koirala, Kantipur, 22 July)

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Hundreds of vehicles stranded by Tamsaling strike

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 21 July: Hundreds of vehicles have been stranded on Tuesday Arniko and BP Highways in central hill districts as a struggle committee demanded implementation of 19 ignored demands.
Demands related to autonomy.
The highways link the capital with Tibet and central districts.
Home Minister Bhim Rawal, briefing ambassadors and representatives of donors said Monday 580 strikes and 465 road obstructions were recorded in three month from February 2009 and crimes, mostly related to abductions, increased 10.77 percent in 11 months.
Rawal said a special five-point action plan was being launched by the government to open highways and maintain security.
Foreign diplomats demanded security of their vehicles, assets and diplomatic missions.
A gun-battle broke out Tuesday morning at a village in Bara during theft of four houses; casualty figures weren’t immediately available.
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Complaint in UML Muslim leader Indian agent

Kathmandu, 21 July: A complaint has been lodged in CPN-UML central member Mahammud Alam in an Indian agent, Naya Patrika reports.
Complaint was lodged not by rival parties but by Taj Mahammud who is general secretary of Muslim Ittedaha Organization of which Alam is chairman.
A complaint has been sent to the organization department with a copy to the party chairman.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“You’ll soon be able to write about the fall of government engineered by Koirala; the government will fall after as storm because a planted seed has already taken roots.”

(Forum Chairman Upendra Yadav, Naya Patrika, 22 July)
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Defence minister Bidya Bhandari begins defence talks in India

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 21 July: Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari Tuesday morning was scheduled to hold talks with her Indian counterpart A.K.Anthony on resumption of military supplies suspended after the royal takeover.
Bhandari is in the Indian capital where US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is discussing a strategic partnership with India.
The request for resumption of military supplies is being made at a time when the peace talks between Maoists, political parties and government have been stalled in Nepal.
Maoists, haven’t made any comments so far, but will certainly oppose the government request of Nepal’s biggest military supplier.
The request is also being made at a time when Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala came out publicly opposed the proposed integration of Maoists in Nepal Army (NA) after signing a 12-point peace agreement in New Delhi with Maoists.
Koirala claimed the agreement doesn’t propose integration of Maoists in the state army.
The peace process and the drafting of a new republican constitution has run into rough weather with the Koirala statement.
Bhandari was also scheduled to have talks with Foreign Secretary Shib Shanker Menon and Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna Tuesday.
Bhandari is having substantive talks in the Indian capital on the second day of her visit.
Nepal’s first woman defence minister is in India ahead of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal’s visit.
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Monetary relief for families of dead in mid-West and Qatar

Kathmandu, 21 July: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal announced relief of Rs 10,000 families of every persons killed by a cholera epidemic in the mid-West in the last three months.
Nepal paid an inspection visit of the region Monday.
More than 150 persons have died in the epidemic in eight districts.
Seven more persons died in the epidemic in Rukum, Kanchanpur, Jumla and Darchula Monday as the prime minister was on an inspection visit.
Thirty-three persons have died so far in Rukum.
Government Monday also announced relief of Rs 100,000 for each family of 12 persons killed in a boating accident in the Gulf.
Government assured the bodies of remaining three bodies will be flown back soon.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“UML Chairman is here; I’m also Maoist chairman. The difference is one party has surrendered to imperialists. I have proposed civilian supremacy but the other party has crushed it with boots.”

(Chairman Prachanda, Annapurna Post, 21 July)

“Man Bahadur: ‘Sir, I need medicine.’ PM Nepal: ‘I have brought the medicines. The doctors will provide it to you later.’ Man Bahadur: “I may not live to wait; I need the medicines immediately, sir.” PM: ‘I can’t provide you the medicine. I am not a doctor.’

(Conversation between PM Nepal and a patient of diarrhea in mid-West Monday, The Himalayan Times, 21 July)
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Prisoner shot dead

Kathmandu, 20 July: A prisoner being transferred in a vehicle from the capital to Siraha was shot head along Kamala river Monday morning as he attempted to flee.
The prisoner was identified as terai rebel leader Parsuram Yadav.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“’But some statements [of Maoists], like that on the video tape and in party meetings, call into question that commitment [to multiparty democracy].”

(Outgoing US Ambassador Nancy J. Powell, the Kathmandu Post, 20 July)
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PM Nepal flies to Jajarkot

Kathmandu, 20 July: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal flew to Jajarkot and five other mid-West hill districts where a cholera outbreak has killed more than 150prsons in three months.
Hundreds have fallen sick.
The epidemic continues.
Nepal heads a 11-member team.
Demands have been made to declare a regional emergency to fight the epidemic.
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Cabinet hikes govt. employee salary

Kathmandu, 20 July: A graded salary hike of four to six percent for protesting government employees was announced by the cabinet Sunday evening with Rs 1,200 dearness allowance.
A peon will now collect Rs 8,146 and a secretary Rs 25,432 every months.
Government as forced to cave in to demands of employees as government liability increased by Rs 12.3 billion..
The ratio of salary difference between the lowest and highest paid employee was also reduced.
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Defence minister Bidya Bhandari visiting India

Kathmandu, 20 July: Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari begins a four-day India visit Wednesday ahead of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal’s visit to the southern neighbour.
Bhandari is accompanied by foreign and defence ministry officials.
The visit is important as Bhandari is to discuss resumption of the supply of non-lethal weapons partially resumed before constituent assembly elections in April 2008.
A request for the resumption of weapons supplies is being made when the peace process with Maoists has been stalled.
India is Nepal’s major supplier of weapons to army and police.
Weapons supplies were suspended after the royal takeover.
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Four Nepalis killed in Afghan chopper crash

Kathmandu, 20 July: Four Nepali workers were killed and two others jumped to safety when a Russian MI-8 helicopter crashed over Kandhar Sunday, a Nepali worker said.
Sixteen persons were killed n the crash.
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Terai rebel shot dead

Kathmandu, 20 July: Ramnarayan Mahoto was shot dead by police in an encounter in Siraha Sunday.
Mahoto was chairman of Madesh Rashtra Janatantrik Party.
Police recovered and bullets from Mahoto.
Another person sped away on a motorcycle.
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Diplomats and donors being briefed

Kathmandu, 20 July: Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala and Home Minister Bhim Rawal will brief diplomats and representatives of donors Monday on the political and security situation.
They have been summoned to the National Planning Commission hall for the meeting.
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Remarkable Koirala turnaround

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 20 July: In a remarkable turnaround, Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala Sunday called Maoists murders who can’t be integrated in Nepal Army whom he now consistently praises.
Koirala signed a seven-point agreement with Maoists in 2006 even as they were declared terrorists; New Delhi, which has banned Naxalites [Indian Maoists] and rejected talks with the extreme communists brokered the peace agreement between seven parliamentary parties and Maoists in New Delhi.
Koirala now consistently praises the Nepal Army which he, other Nepali leaders, political parties and world capitals condemned before and after the royal takeover.
The latest Koirala outburst will enrage Maoists and jeopardize the peace process and drafting of the constitution.
Koirala himself negotiated to bring the Maoists into the peace process even as they were declared terrorists; more than 14,000 persons die in the 10-year people’s war.
Koirala is only to blame for signing a vague peace agreement subject to different interpretations and brokered by foreigners.
He has also called for the ‘democratization’ of Nepal in the peace agreement—whatever the word means.
“Nowhere has it been mentioned in the agreement Maoist combatants will be adjusted in Nepal Army What has been said they will be adjusted in society by improving their behaviour.
“The reputation of Nepal Army can’t be diluted by integrating combatants who haven’t been accepted by the people.
“An environment should be created for their integration in society as Maoist combatants are still called murders by society,” Koirala told reporters in Biratnagar.
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“It’s pointless to hold dialogue with the outfits that are committing crimes in the name of political struggle.”

(Peace Minister Rakan Chemjung, The Kathmandu Post, 20 July)
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PM Nepal visiting Jajarkot Monday

Kathmandu, 19 July: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Monday is visiting the mid-West districts where cholera epidemic outbreak has claimed more that 150 lives and hundreds have fallen sick.
Demands have been made to declare emergency in the region to fight the epidemic.
Sher Bahadur Deuba also appealed Sunday to declare a regional emergency.
A Nepal Army helicopter ferrying medicine made an emergency landing Sunday in the area after developing a fault.
The crew is safe.
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Maoists propose Dr Babruram Bhattarai to head constitution drafting committee

Kathmandu, 19 July: Maoists at a party meeting proposed Dr Baburam Bhattarai to head the main constitution drafting committee.
Dr Bhattarai drafted the proposed Maoist draft.
The chairmanship of the committee is vacant after the appointment of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
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Maoists reject invite to join government

Kathmandu, 19 July: Maoist Chairman Prachanda Sunday rejected an invite by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal to join the CPN-UML-led government.
Prachanda instead suggested the government correct presidential decision to retain sacked Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal.
Prachanda also threatened to resume obstruction of parliament session after the passage of the annual budget 2009/10.
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Govt. won’t fall: Girija

By Bhola B Rana
Kathmandu, 19 July: Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala said Sunday the Madhav Kumar Nepal government formed with cooperation and understanding won’t fall until the peace process is completed.
Koirala said this as Maoists are predicting an imminent fall of the two-month government to be replaced by another ‘national government’ headed by Maoists.
Koirala made the remark to journalists before returning to the capital from Biratnagar.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in a report to the security council said there’s a ‘decline in consensual politics and the rise in competition and rivalry among the parties’.
He noted the constitution may not be drafted within the May 2010 deadline.
Consensual politics was abandoned after Maoists won the April 2008 constituent assembly elections by amending the interim constitution to incorporate a majority government after which only a Maoist government was installed replacing the government of consensus under Girija Prasad Koirala
Koirala family and his party were trounced in elections.
Even as a powerful prime minister was conceived overthrowing King Gyanendra after royal rule, parties other that Maoists attempted to create a parallel power center in the president to curb Maoists influence in government.
Maoist government led by Prachanda fell when President Dr Ram Baran Yadav and retained ousted Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal.
Maoists called the presidential move a presidential and military coup supported by foreign powers.
Maoists are now demanding the powers of the president and prime minister be clearly defined.
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Saptari closed down

Kathmandu, 19 July: Protesters opposed to the police firing of one person in Itahari, Saptari, last week closed down all government offices Sunday.
They demanded action against police who injured four others inn the firing as well.
Protestors demanded compensation for victims.
They delivered a memorandum to the prime minister through the CDO.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“’In reality, Maoists quit government. No Maoists have only two options to form a government; either is has to form a government through rebellion; if that’s not possible, it has to come to parliament.”

( Dr Prakash Chandra Lohani, Deshantar, 19 July)
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