Deadline to suggest a draft constitution ends Friday

Kathmandu, 5 March: Deadline to prepare a draft of a constitution by the main constitution drafting committee headed by Nilambar Acharya ends Friday.
The committee was to suggest a proposed draft of the constitution assembly (CA ) for approval and adoption.
The committee has received only two suggestions for articles to be included in the constitution; the committee has yet to receive suggestions fro nine other subject committees.
The CA Thursday sent a suggestion of the committee of structure of the constitutional bodies without voting in the assembly even as there’s a provision for a compulsory vote when there’s no unanimity.
The CA didn’t abide by its own regulation.
The CA which meets Tuesday is awaiting suggestions from political parties.
The assembly will announce a new schedule for drafting a constitution for the 10th time.
The country will be engulfed in a deep political crisis if a constitution isn’t promulgated by the 28 May deadline.
The two-year tenure of the CA ends in May.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai predicted Thursday the constitution won’t promulgated within the deadline.
‘It is impossible,” Bhattarai told reporters in reply to a question whether a constitution will be drafted in time.
Nepal is now governed by what is called an interim constitution.
When a new constitution is promulgated Nepal four constitutions in 20 years—one constitution every five years on average.
The last three constitutions are being prepared by all the same political players.
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Only five dozen combatants outside camps: Maoist commander Pun

Kathmandu, 5 March: Maoist military commander Nanda Kishore Pun claimed Friday only five dozen combatants are presently out of 28 cantonments and satellite camps.
He said this as government demanded a new headcount of Maoists in the camps amid government claims most of the 19,000 fighters have deserted.
UMNIM verified the fighters three years ago verified.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Thursday demanded details of fighters still in the camps from UNMIN Chief Karin Landgren Thursday.
UNMIN has refused to furnish detaials of what it claims is confidential information.
UNBMIN says the issue can be discussed at a meeting joint committee with representatives of government, Maoists and UN officials.
Government sought a recount to distribute money directly to actual combatants and prevent misuse of government funds by giving it deserters,.
It came to light last month 40 percent of 4,008 disqualified had left camps before their official discharge even as they were under UNMIN watch.
Meanwhile, Maoist Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai Thursday pushed for mass integration of combatants in Nepal Army—a demand rejected by the government.
“There should be mass integration. It’ll be recruitment if they are integrated singly,: Bhattarai said.
The Maoist vice-chairman also denied any verbal agreement between Chairman Prachanda and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala only to integrate between 3,000 to 5,000 combatants in state security agencies.
“There’s no agreement between Girija and Prachanda; I’ve participated in all meetings; they can’t lie to me although they may lie to others,” he said.
“Integration of PLA fighters is an important aspect of the ongoing peace process. So, peace process cannot be completed, nor can statute be drafted unless they are integrated,” Bhattarai also said.
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Girija on oxygen; Sujata cuts short Europe visit

Kathmandu, 5 March: Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala’s health has again deteriorated, Nagarik reports.
Lung problem started from Wednesday morning and is experiencing problem.
He underwent treatment in Singapore four month ago.
He’s been put on oxygen for 24 hours a day.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala on a fortnight’s Europe visit has cut it short because of her father’s deteriorating health.
She is returning Saturday.
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Two more arrested in Jamin Shah murder probe

Kathmandu, 5 March: Two more persons were arrested Thursday in the capital by police for questioning for possible involvement in the murder of media tycoon Janim Shah.
Roshan Kumar Pandey, owner of Everest Communication and Dilip Thapa, owner of Siddhi Workshop were arrested.
Pandey is suspected for providing a mobile SIM to suspected shooters of Shah while Thapa sold a motorcycle to an assassin.
A former DSP suspected for involvement in the murder has fled.
Indian criminal gang penetrated Nepal Police; a sub-inspector who laws liaising security with the US embassy, was aware of plans to kill Shah but inform police of the plans.
Instead, he helped suspected two gunmen to escape.
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Nepal, China border talks in April

Kathmandu, 5 March: The 7th round of Nepal, China border
Talks will be held in the first week of April, Kantipur reports.
The meeting is being held 10 months after a joint team completed a survey.
A dispute has surfaced with pillar no. 57 at Lamahgabagar in Dolakha.
The team pillar no. 18 missing since April 2006.
A dispute broke after China didn’t accept Nepali claim land had been encroached.
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Indian SSB encroaches Nepali territory

Kathmandu, 5 March: Locals of Tribhuvanbasti and Parasana VDCs have accused Shastra Seema Bal (SSB) of crossing into their villages for regular patrol, The Kathmandu Post reports from Kanchanpur.
The SSB personnel, according to locals, claim that the stretch between Tribhuvanbasti and Parasada belongs to India. The locals said the Indian security personnel threatened them not to use the land.
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TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY


Share trading from Biratnagar as well

Kathmandu, 5 March: Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) Thursday started share trading from Biratnagar as well.
For the first time trading in shares outside Kathmandu started this month from Pokhara.
Nepse is the country’s only stock exchange.
Previously, only investors in the capital had access to the share market.
With the network expansion, more investors will have access to the secondary share market.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“I feel the home minister and minister of state for home should study how crime was fought in Bihar because yesterday’s abduction, ransom demand and killings in Bihar is Nepal’s reality today.”

(UML leader Pradip Nepal, Gorkhapatra, 5 March)

“It was both surprising saddening that Yechuri was invited by the president and the prime minister to give impetus to the peace process and statute drafting. If all the stakeholders of the comprehensive peace agreement are sincere and committed towards CPA we would need no Yechuri.”

(Rai Biren Bangdel, The Kathmandu Post, 5 March)

“It was unwise to declare Nepal a secular state. Leaders declared a secular are stupid and criminals; they were not far-sighted. What do you call a state with 85 percent Hindu population? Nepal was a Hindu state, it is a Hindu state and, believe me, it will be a Hindu state. I wrote a Hindu state constitution in 1990. You learn their language from foreigners; you din;t import their religion.”

(Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, Annapurna Post, 5 March)
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