Indian water resources minister Bansal arriving

Kathmandu, 11 July: Indian Water Resources Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal arrives later Saturday for a two-day visit.
Bansal will inspect repairs of embankments and reconstruction along Kosi River.
The river left behind a trail of damage and destruction in 2008 killing hundreds of persons in Nepal and India.
One of 59 sluice gates on the Kosi barrage collapsed this rainy season after incessant monsoon in the eastern region amid charges of corruption by an Indian contractor repairing the embankment and barrage.
India is responsible for the upkeep of the giant facility.
India annually allocated Rs 150 million for the repair.
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Maoists to boycott debate on govt. programme

Kathmandu 11 July: A two-day debate on the government’s policies and programmes begins in parliament Saturday.
Amendment proposals have been registered by eight fringe parties.
Nepali Congress, coalition partner of CPN-UML leading the government, is unhappy but hasn’t registered any amendment proposals.
“We are part of the government. The prime minister should incorporate our agenda that are missing in the document: Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala said.
Maoists, the largest party in parliament, decided to boycott the debate that will continue for 22 hours Saturday and Sunday.
Maoists will walkout after Dr Baburam Bhattarai speaks on the programme demanding special time.
“There’s no fundamental difference between last year’s and this year’s programme, “ Vice-Chairman of Rashtriya Janasakti Party and former finance minister Dr Prakash Chandra Lohini said.
The programme will be put to vote Sunday after which Finance Minister Surendra Pandey will present the annual budget for fiscal year 2009/10.
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Nepal bowled out for 103 runs in women cricket tournament

Kathmandu, 11 July: Nepal scored 103 runs for the loss of five wickets Saturday in the ACC Twenty20 cricket tournament in Kuala Lumpur.
Nepal is playing China for third place in the tournament.
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Diarrhea outbreak claims more lives

Kathmandu, 11 July: Six more persons died in an outbreak of diarrhea Saturday taking the death toll to 97 in the mid-West district of Jajarkot.
Twenty more persons died Friday in the adjoining districts of Jajarkot, Rukum and Dailekh,
The epidemic broke out two months ago and eight teams have been sent to the districts from the center and region.
Nepal Army airlifted 3,000 kg medicine to affected districts diarrhea Friday and the operation continued Saturday.
Government ordered the army to help in fighting the epidemic outbreak.
Twenty more persons died Friday in the epidemic in Jajarkot, Rukum and Dailekh.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Before drafting a constitution, a national referendum should be held on important issues like a Hindu state, monarchy and federal structure to determine national mood.”

(RPP-Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa, Janasatta, 11 July)

“If the Maoists join the high-level mechanism, that will also mean there is a national consensus government in place. There is no alternative, the Maoists will join.”

(Girija Prasad Koirala, The Kathmandu Post, 11 July)

“The political protection to criminals has created difficulty in maintaining law and order in the country.”

(Home Minister Bhim Rawal, The Rising Nepal, 11 July)

“Ruling parties are engaged in political bargaining in promotion of government secretaries. Eight secretaries each have been allotted to Congress and CPN-UML while three secretaries have been allotted to Forum in an informal arrangement.”

(Report in Naya Patrika, 11 July)
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