Sitaram Yechuri claims he’s been invited by PM Nepal

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 11 Aug: Controversial Indian communist leader Sitaram Yechuri claimed Monday in New Delhi he’s been invited by Prime Minister Nepal to facilitate the political impasse.
Yechuri said after a meeting with Sujata Koirala in the Indian capital he’ll visit Nepal after the prime minister concludes an India visit beginning 18 August.
The previous Indian government had used Yechuri to help Nepal’s Maoists join the political mainstream.
The CPI-M leader attempted to put Nepal’s Maoists in good light compared to Naxalites banned in India; New Delhi doesn’t negotiate with them as well even as it helped bring Nepalese extreme communists into the mainstream in 2006.
‘There is a fundamental difference between the Maoists of Nepal and India: in Nepal, they’ve joined democratic process whereas the Maoists here still believe in violence,” Yechuri said according to The Himalayan Times.
Chairman told a gathering of Maoists in London Monday a government under Maoists must be formed to complete the peace process and draft a constitution.
Maoists Monday continued their hard-line stance against the president
“Why can’t the trampling of the constitution by the president be discussed in parliament?” Dr Baburam Bhattarai asked in the capital. “For civilian supremacy, this government should be toppled through a movement which will install a national government.”
Ruling parties have, instead, challenged Maoists to impeach Dr Ram Baran Yadav—a move that will be defeated in parliament through vote.
“This is the time for reaping the harvest of the peace process sown by traveling abroad under threat and difficult circumstances and criticism. The need of the hour is for the parties to unite and complete the peace process,” Nepal said in Pokhara Monday.
Nepal frankly admitted negotiating the peace process in a foreign country even while inviting Yechuri charged for meddling in internal Nepali affairs.
Nnnn

Election of main constitution drafting committee 17 Aug.

Kathmandu, 11 Aug: Election for the chairman of the main constitution drafting committee will be held 17 August.
The position was vacated by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal three months ago.
Chairman of constituent assembly Subash Nemwang fixed the date after discussions with chief whips and whips of political parties Monday.
Dr Baburam Bhattarai on behalf of Maoists and Nilambar Acharya on Nepali Congress panel are contesting.
There’s no agreement of abroad draft for a constitution that has to be drafted in nine months.
Nnnn

All schools closed down in Dailekh

Kathmandu, 11 Aug: All schools in the mid-West district of Dailekh have been closed down after an outbreak of diarrhea/cholera continued to claim more lives.
Maoist Spokesman Dinanath Sharma said Tuesday the epidemic has claimed 425 lives in three months although the government puts the death toll at less that 300.
Maoists are discussing the outbreak Tuesday.
Meanwhile, spine flu Tuesday infected three more persons in the capital where the virus has now been detected in 20 persons.
Although the flu hasn’t claimed any lives in Nepal six have succumbed to the disease in India.
Vigilance has been enforced along the border in the north and south.
The disease has been reported both in India and China.
Nnnn

Flaw in appointing acting army chief

Kathmandu, 11 Aug: Accepting the appointment process of the Acting Army Chief Lt Chatraman Gurung was flawed, the government is correcting it, Annapurna Post reports.
The decision to appoint Lt Gen Gurung was taken by the cabinet Sunday.
The president appoints the army chief on the recommendation of the council of ministers under the interim constitution.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal informed President Dr Ram Baran Yadav of the mistake Monday at a meeting in Shital Niwas.
According to a source, the decision of the council of ministers for appointment will be sent to the president.
Because of the flaw, the acting chief hasn’t yet received his appointment letter and Lt Gen Gurung hasn’t yet formally assumed office.
Army headquarters has been told by the defence ministry the flaw will be rectified Tuesday.
nnnn

Accidental firing

Kathmandu, 11 Aug: Tek Bahadur died and his son Jagdish Bista was seriously injured overnight in an accidental firing of a gun overnight in Dandeldhura,
Nephew Khadga Bista committed suicide after the accident.
nnnn





TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

Paddy cultivation only 70 percent complete

Kathmandu, 11 Aug: Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives said only 70 percent paddy plantation has been completed, Kantipur reports.
Plantation has been completed 92 percent in the upper hills, 82 percent in the mid-hills and 64 percent in terai.
Ministry has proposed a Rs 1.6 billion relief package programme for drought hit areas.
The programme has been discussed by the finance ministry and donors.
nnnn


MEDIA GOOGLE

“Notwithstanding the sour relations with the chief justice, I do not have any intention of disregarding the apex court and its dignity.”

(Vice-President Parmananda Jha, The Himalayan Times, 11 Aug.)

“It’s not good. The party is being run undemocratically and unilaterally. It’s difficult to impart training when those who don’t understand democracy have technically won.”

“CPN-UML leader KP Oli after Chairman Jhalanath Khanal faction in party dismissed Oli supporters in Kathmandu district committee, Kantipur, 11 Aug.)

“Our work is a gift from the Nepali people to the Chinese.”

(Director of Tilganga Institute of Opthamology Sanduk Ruit whose team treated 172 cataract patients in Tibet, The Kathmandu Post, 11 Aug.)
Nnnn