PM’s rare meeting with four security chiefs

Kathmandu, 14 March: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Sunday held a rare collective meeting with chiefs of four security agencies and held preliminary discussions in integration and Maoist combatants.
Nepal Army was for the first time included in the collective discussion along with chiefs of Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department.
Previously, Nepal Army was kept out of joint discussions.
The integration process has hit snags with Maoists boycotting a meeting of a special committee headed by the prime minister.
Maoists objected the premier’s remark outside he committee only 3,000m combatants would be integrated.
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PM Nepal asks UN agency to prepare to end mission

Kathmandu, 14 March: Prime Minister Madhab Kumar Nepal Sunday asked a UN agency to prepare to end its mission in Nepal, an aide to the government chief said.
Nepal told this to the chief of the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights Richard Bennet.
The mandate ends in several weeks.
The premier conveyed the message even as representatives have pressed the government to extend the tenure.
Critics say the commission could continue with an office attached to the UNDP.
National Human Rights Organization is unhappy the commission is usurping its responsibilities and not supporting an effort to support national human rights workers.
The commission came into Nepal as amid an international campaign defaming national organizations.
Rights situation hasn’t improved despite the presence of the UN body.
The commission’s tenure, however, could be extended by the government only for several months.
Several UN agencies have established base in Nepal.
Besides regular UN agencies others like UMNIM and the UN High Commission for Refugees have also established base.
The High Commission for Refugees has been in Nepal for more than 15 years as Bhutanese refugees are being diverted to western countries for resettlement instead of being sent home.
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Sher Bahadur Deuba supports Nepal Army chief

Kathmandu, 14 March: Former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress top leader Sher Bahadur Deuba Sunday lent support to Nepal Army (NA) Chief Chatraman Singh Guring’s statement the state army is against mass integration of Maoists in NA.
A contender to succeed ailing NA President Girija Prasad Koirala said Sunday Gurung’s statement wasn’t against the spirit of the comprehensive peace agreement.
He also ruled out the possibility of a government change immediately.
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Chairman Nemwang asks lawmakers not to leave Valley

Kathmandu, 14 March: Parliament and constituent assembly (CA) Chairman Subash Nemwang Sunday asked members of parliament and CA not to leave the capital.
He issued the order as a deadline to promulgate a constitution by the 28 May approaches.
Scheduled deadlines to complete procedures for the basic law’s promulgation haven’t been met leading to fears the full constitution won’t be released within the deadline.
Some politicians are pushing a brief constitution to legitimize a constitution to institutionalize declared by an unelected and self-appointed parliament.
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TRADE, COMMRCE, ECONOMY

Prices of POL products hiked

Kathmandu, 14 March: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) Sunday hiked prices of three POL products justifying it saying price per barrel of crude in the international market had reached $ 82 per barrel and prices in Nepal were cheaper than in India.
Kerosene price was hiked Rs 2.50 per litre while prices of petrol and kerosene were killed Rs 2 per liter each.
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Trade team leaving for USA

Kathmandu, 14 March: A trade team led by Commerce Secretary Purusottam Ojha in leaving for USA 2 April to create an environment to sign a bilateral trade agreement.
He will lead a seven-member team consisting of traders as well.
Discussions will be held over five days.
The visit comes at a time when garment exports to USA has dramatically fanned.
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SPORTS

Nepal meets Singapore in finals

Kathmandu, 14 March: Nepal will play Singapore in the final of the ACC U-16 Elite Cup Tuesday.
Nepal qualified beating Malaysia in a seminal-match Sunday.
Singapore beat Thailand in another group match Sunday to reach the final.
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