WB help for peace process by reallocating funds

Kathmandu, 16 July: World Bank (WB) said it will help the peace process by reallocating funds after Finance Minister Surendra Pandey revealed the Bank had stopped disbursing funds to 19,000 plus combatants under UN supervision in 28 camps.
WB earlier announced it stopped funding after Chairman Prachanda in a video tape claimed part of the payments to combatants would be used for arms purchase to continue a revolution.
There are also 4,000 child soldiers in the camps.
“Together with the Government and other stakeholders, the Bank is exploring how the reallocation of funds from the emergency peace support project can most effectively complement these ongoing efforts,” The Bank said in a statement.
“Implementing peace accords is not always easy, but World Bank stands by its commitment to supporting Nepal in the implementation of the comprehensive peace.
“As part of our new assistance strategy, we will support projects that aim to contribute to the maintenance of peace and minimize the potential for future conflict.”
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Emergency meeting to discuss pay hike for govt. employees

Kathmandu, 16 July: An emergency meeting of the cabinet chaired by Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar began Thursday morning to discuss civil servant demand for a pay hike in the absence of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal who is in Egypt attending a summit of non-aligned countries..
Government has invited three unions affiliated with ruling Nepali Congress and CON-UML and main opposition for talks Thursday to discuss demands for salary hike to cover 13 percent inflation.
Government didn’t announce a pay hike in the annual budget 2009/10.
Government employees continued their protects for the third consecutive day Thursday amid warning by the home ministry not to conduct protests by defying prohibitory orders in and around Singha Durbar.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“The ambassadors appointed by the Maoist-led government to India [Chandra Kant Paudel], the US [Sukhdev Sah] and France [Ram Karki] are not likely to get their postings. The three-month deadline for arrival of agreemo from the concerned countries has now passed, which in diplomatic terms, means that the respective countries have effectively rejected the appointments.”

(The Kathmandu Post report, 16 July)

“The tradition to welcome VIPS by pancha kanyas has been revived. Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal revived the tradition discontinued by the Maoist-led government one year ago.”

(Annapurna Post report, 16 July)
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