PM meeting western ambassadors in bid to save government

Kathmandu, 30 March: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Tuesday meets for the first time western diplomats business leaders from the FNCCI as Maoists put on pressure for the ouster of the 10-month government.
Maoists say the Nepal government can’t conclude the peace process and promulgate a constitution within the 28 may deadline.
The leader of the beleaguered government is continuing consultations with political party leaders for the fourth consecutive day Tuesday.
He’s scheduled to meet leaders of RPP, NSP (Devi) and other small parties.
“I’m not an obstacle to the peace process and drafting of a constitution. If I’m an obstacle, I’m ready to lift the hurdle,” the prime minister said in Monday’s meeting with leaders of smaller parties, according to Nepali Congress youth leader Dhanraj Gurung of Nepali Congress.
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Country moving to the right: Maoists

Kathmandu, 30 March; Maoist standing committee meeting continued for the second consecutive day Tuesday.
The meeting Monday decided the county was moving towards the right following the death of Girija Prasad Koirala and concluded a constitutions should be promulgated within the deadline.
.Tuesday’s meeting will prioritize constitution drafting and breaking a prolonged political deadlock.
A meeting of the high-level political mechanism is also scheduled for Tuesday.
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CA meets today

Kathmandu, 30 March: The constitution assembly (CA) meets later Wednesday after a long adjournment.
The assembly has to send with suggestions of articles of nine subject committees to a main constitution drafting preparing a draft of a constitution to be approved by the CA.
The main committee headed by Nilambar Acharya has received only suggestions from two subject committees.
Acharya has asked for consensus of all articles to prepare a draft constitution for promulgation by 28May.
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Two ministers against former King Gyanendra

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 30 March: Culture Minister Dr Minendra Rijal Monday threatened government action if former King Gyanendra continues to advocate a republic.
He issued the threat in Kapilvasthu.
Communication Minister Shanker Pokhrel issued a similar threat in Dang Monday.
“As a citizen, anyone can work within the parameters of law and do politics. If Gyanendra Shah’s movements are as a former king. Government won’t sit idly; action will be taken against him,” Pokhrel warned.
Nepali Congress central committee member Khum Bahadur Khadka said monarchy may stage a comeback in Nepal.
“Monarchy has staged a comeback in may countries. This may happen in Nepal as well. It’s indication is the crowd Gyanendra has been attracting while moving in public these days,” Khadka said in Dang.
Maoist Vice-chairman Narayan Kazi Shrestha leader said after a party standing committee meeting Monday monarchists are active.
“Following the death of Koirala, Congress is moving towards the right , monarchists are becoming active Indian leaders are openly advocating a Hindu state and a front against federalism is being consolidated,” Shrestha said.
Dr Rijal who represents the Nepali Congress spoke against a fundamental right of a citizen even as his party opposed the panchayat constitution which was finally brought down.
The party even shred to pieces the 1990 constitution which it helped draft and promulgate; the 1990 constitution lasted only 18 years.
The country is ruled by an interim constitution and a republic announced by self-appointed and unelected parliament hasn’t even by promulgating a constitution.
All parties in parliament and the constituent assembly didn’t accept the panchayat and 1990 constitution and said the right to speak against a constitution was a fundamental right.
Maoists even took up the gun against the state and toppled the constitution.
Swami Ramdeb at a yoga camp in the capital attended by thousands of people said Tuesday secularism won’t work in Nepal.
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Directive to premier

Kathmandu, 30 March: An investigation team of parliament has written to the prime minister and home minister to make available five armed personnel carriers and six motor vehicles to Nepal Police Mission in Dafur.
Sudan.
The committee gave the suggestion after a week-long on-the-spot study.
The committee was formed by the state management committee which investigated irregularities in purchase of logistics for the police.
The investigation committee concluded lives of policemen on peacekeeping duties were endangered without the equipment.
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Nepal, India water resources talks

Kathmandu, 30 March: After two years, a two-day meeting of the Nepal-India joint water resources committee begins in the capital Tuesday.
The committee normally meets every six months.
Joint Secretary Madhusudan Paudel of irrigation ministry and Ganges River Control Division Chairman Arashi Jha are leading the Nepali and Indian delegations.
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Appa Sherpa climb Everest for 20th time

Kathmandu, 30 March: Appa Sherpa is attempting this spring to break his own record by stepping atop the 8848 meters high Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak, for the 20th time.
Appa, who lives in USA, left for Nepal Sunday.
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18 Tibetans released

Kathmandu, 30 March: Eighteen Tibetans arrested for anti-China demonstrations 10 March in the capital were released by the Kathmandu district administration office Monday.
They were arrested as they demonstrated before the Chinese consular office at Hattishar and Baudha to mark the 51st anniversary of a failed rebellion against China in Tibet.
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Maoists using govt. fund for popular revolt

Kathmandu, 30 March: Maoists who are preparing for a probable popular revolt from 6 April through a third phase movement have even decided to collect funds set aside in the development budget for lawmakers, Rajdhani reports.
A meeting of Maoist Bhojpur-Madesh state committee Monday asked each lawmaker of the region to contribute Rs 100,000 to the party within 10 days, party source said.
This is the first time Maoists decided to use fund from the development budget for popular revolt.
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SPORTS

Dipak Bista suspension lifted

Kathmandu, 30 March: The one-year suspension of four-time star South Asian Games taekwondo gold medalist Dipak Bista from participating in national and international events was lifted by the National Sports Council (NSC) Monday.
NSC said Bista apologized and ‘confessed his mistakes’.
The council acted when Bista participated in Singapore
a meeting of chef de mission for the Youth Olympic Games without approval.
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Gyanendra Malla denied Kuwait visa

Kathmandu, 30 March: Vice-captain Gyanendra Malla of the 16-member Nepali squad of the ACC Trophy Elite Cup has been denied a visa by Kuwait where the cricket tournament begins Wednesday.
This is the second time Malla has been denied a visa by the Gulf state.
Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) Chairman Binaya Raj Pandey said a visa application has been made for the third time.
The denial has been reported to the ACC.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“I was told not to go to Nepal where there are Marxists, Leninists, UML and Maoists. But I ignored the suggestions and have turned UML and Maoists into followers of yoga.”

(Swami Ramdeb, TV reports, 30 March)