Three parties meet later Wednesday

Kathmandu, 18 Nov: Top leaders of three major parties meet later Wednesday to find ways to end a six-month political deadlock.
The meeting will begin after Chairman Prachanda returns from Singapore where he held political discussions with ailing Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala at a hospital.
The two leaders agreed to form a high-level political mechanism to break the impasse.
Parties have so far failed to find a solution to the obstruction of parliament and the parliamentary approval of the annual budget 2009/10.
:”On the Maoist demand of restoring civilian supremacy and correction of the move of the president, Nepali Congress leader asked Prachanda to follow a middle path so that the president would not be drawn into controversy,” Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala said.
‘I didn’t facilitate the meeting,” S.D. Muni told Republica after Nepali media reports said the professor who many believe in an Indian government operative brokered the dialogue.
But Nagarik quoted Muni as saying,” While I was leaving after meeting Koirala, I briefly met Prachanda. I know Koirala and Prachanda are in Singapore.”
Meanwhile, Girija returns from Singapore Sunday.
“The deadlock will end soon. He [Koirala] said the deadlock will be broken by forming a high-level political mechanism,” Prachanda told Nepal Television after the meeting.
Nnnn

Schedule for constitution draft being rescheduled

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 18 Nov: The constituent assembly (CA) meets later Wednesday to propose a new schedule for subject committees to submit proposals for a new constitution.
The schedule is being changed for the seventh time.
Four of 11 subject committees didn’t submit their proposals by the 15 November deadline.
There was no unanimity between major parties on proposals of seven subject committees that submitted their drafts.
Chairman Subash Nemwang said the deadline of 28 May 2010 to promulgate the constitution won’t be changed.
The interim constitution was promulgated by an unelected and self-appointed parliament by declaring a republic.
Nepal will have four constitutions in 20 years if a proposed constitution is drafted within the deadline.
Parties have fundamental differences with Maoists pushing a French-style presidential system of government while other parties are demanding a parliamentary system of government with a strong and elected prime minister.
There are also fundamental differences on a federal structure of state.
Maoists are pushing for a communist republic also opposed by others.
The constitution has to be drafted to institutionalize a republic after toppling the country’s 238-year-old monarchy.
Nepal’s extended transition has lasted four years.
Nnnn

Special committee meets

Kathmandu, 18 Nov: The special committee on supervision, integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants meets later Wednesday.
Maoists boycotted three successive meetings of the committee headed by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal who was also sick but resumed work from Sunday.
Weekly meetings normally are held every Sunday.
The committee is discussing a code of conduct for Maoist combatants and a chain of command for the combatants.
Nnnn

Two arrested for extortion drive

Kathmandu, 18Nov: Two persons have been arrested for attempting to extort Rs 10 million from Prerana Singh, daughter of former King Gyanendra.
Personal Secretary Pratikshya Shah and her friend Rajesh Hamal have been arrested.
nnnn


Corruption up

Kathmandu, 18 Nov: Corruption level increased in Nepal sharply during 2008, according to 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index of the Transparency International, The Kathmandu Post reports.
Nepal ranked 143rd nation out of 185 countries in the index.
Nnnn

Mahendra Golcha dead

Kathmandu, 18 Nov: Industrialist Mahendra Golcha, 53, died Tuesday after a prolonged battle with lung cancer.
He left behind a wife, four daughters and a son.
Nnnn

Lok Bahadur Shrestha dead

Kathmandu, 18 Nov: Former Chief Secretary Lok Bahadur Shrestha died Monday.
He was 74.
He was also royal Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh.
nnnn

BUSINES, COMERCE, ECONOMY

Govt. to tax former King Gyanendra

Kathmandu, 18 Nov: The cabinet meeting scheduled for Wednesday will discuss a proposal on collecting Rs 200 million in tax and dues from ex-king Gyanendra and four members of his family who enjoyed tax exemption until the monarchy was abolished in 2008, Republica reports.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on Tuesda6y approved the proposal prepared by office of Prime Minister and Co8ncil of Ministers to be present at the cabinet meeting.
Nnnn

MEDIA GOOGLE

“Even if the constitution is promulgated, it won’t be written by the constituent assembly. Such a constitution can’t incorporate the rights of all.”

(Former Speaker Damannath Dhungana, Nagarik, 18 Nov.)

“The CDO should have immediately slapped the minister three or four times. Or, an arrest warrant should have immediately been issued in cooperation with the SP.”

(Home Secretary Chandi Prasad Shrestha, Janaastha, 18 Nov.)
nnnn