Govt. invites protesting civil servants for talks

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 15 July: Government Wednesday afternoon invited protecting and unidentified ‘authorized’ organizations for talks Thursday to discuss demands for increased pay hike to meet annual 13 percent inflation.
A least three unions affiliated with main opposition Maoists and ruling parties CPN-UML and Nepali Congress continued protests at Singha Durbar defying prohibitory orders obstructing work throughout office hours.
Government officials threatened to continue their strike until demands are met.
A government invite for talks reminded officials government had announced 10 to 12 percent hike in allowances.
Nnnn

Suspended NRB governor cleared of corruption charge

Kathmandu, 15 July: Suspended Governor of Nepal Rashtra Bank (NRB) Bijayanath Bhattarai and department chief Surendra Man Pradhan were cleared Wednesday of corruption charges by a supreme court bench.
Bhattarai was fined $51,000 plus for alleged corrupting while releasing money for a contract funded by World Bank.
Six months of Bhattarai’s tenure remain.
Nnnn

PM Nepal addresses NAM summit

Kathmandu, 15 July: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal addressed the 15th summit of non-aligned nations in Egypt Wednesday.
The address was unexceptional and routine.
Nepal returns home Saturday after his first foreign tour.
The address attempted to present a rosy picture during the transition to a republic since 2006 without mentioning diffuculties faced in implementing the peace process and drafting a new constitution.
nnnn