President, Prachanda hold discussions

Kathmandu, 17 March: A ceremonial President Dr Ram Baran Yadav Wednesday continued discussions with political leaders by holding talks with Maoist Chairman Prachanda expressing ‘deep concern and interest’ at obstructions on the peace process and procedural delays in drafting a constitution.
He pledged help to all concerned asking them to cooperate and move ahead, the president’s Press Advisor Rajendra Dahal said.
UCPN (Maoist) have been conducting a prolonged anti-government an anti-president campaign accusing the head of state for interfering in government affairs by reinstating sacked Army Chief Gen. Rukmangud Katawal.
The president earlier held separate discussions with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Speaker Subash Nemwang and chairman of the main constitution drafting committee Nilambar Acharya.
Yadav also held discussions with Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala before he was hospitalized.
The president expressed concern, at the meetings, with procedural delays in drafting a constitution by 28 May and stagnation in the peace process.
Prachanda later said he’ll help the pace process and drafting of the constitution while holding discussions with other political parties.
“I will again try a new approach to take them to a new height,” the
Maoist chairman said after the meeting.
Meanwhile, CA Chairman Subash Nemwang Wednesday held discussions with three main political parties to push the peace process and draft a constitution within the deadline.
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Evening cabinet meeting postponed

Kathmandu, 17March: The second round of a cabinet meeting to discuss the appoint of the Nepal Rashtra Bank scheduled for Wednesday evening wasn’t held Wednesday.
UML and Nepali Congress are pushing their candidates for the chief of the central bank for two months at a time when the national economy is facing a severe crisis.
Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala is also refusing to call a tender to print machine readable passports unilaterally awarding he deal to an Indian government security press against accepted and established procedures.
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Bombs defused at national meeting of Rashtriya Janamorcha

Kathmandu, 17 March: Two bombs were defused at a building where a one-day national meet of Rashtriya Janamorcha was being held in the capital.
The communist splinter party supporting the government from the opposition bench opposes federalism.
Chairman Chitra Bahadur KC charged pro-federalists for planting the bombs.
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Four-member committee formed

Kathmandu, 17March: The cabinet Wednesday decided to distribute monthly allowances and perks to Maoists in cantonments and camps on-the –spot.
The decision comes after UMNIN refused to directly give government the exact headcount of the 19,000 plus combatants there three years later.
Only an estimated 11,000 fighterss are in the camps, according to the government.
A committee was formed four-member ministerial committee under the chairmanship of Peace Minister Rakam Chemgunj to manage Maoist combatants and integration.
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Bardiya firing, probe committee formed

Kathmandu, 17 March: The cabinet formed a three member committee headed by Joint Attorney General Saraj Kumar Gautam to investigate a Bardiya National Park firing by Nepal Army patrol that killed three persons, including two women.
Army claim they were poached has been denied by family and others,inclu
The committee consists of representatives of the Nepal Army and the attorney general’s office.
Meanwhile, government Wednesday announced a Rs 25,000 relief for the families of the killed to meet funeral expenses.
victims of the Nepal Army firing in Bardiya National Park in which three members of a family were killed—all women.
Krishna Bahadur BK was released.
His wife, daughter and daughter-in-law were killed in the firing.
Family members accepted the bodies which were later cremated Wednesday.
Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari appearing before parliament’s women and children committee Wednesday said,” I’ve taken the matter seriously.”
She assured she will pursue investigations.
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DIG Parshuram Khatri suspended

Kathmandu, 17 March: DIG Parshuram Khatri was suspended Wednesday for three months for ‘unprofessional conduct’ an a dohori restaurant in Thamel.
An internal police investigation has pinned blame on him.
The police officer received stitches after a brawl with a bouncer this week.
A three-member inquiry team was formed by the government Wednesday.
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UML forms central advisory committee

Kathmandu, 17March: Ruling UML standing committee formed a 47-member central advisory committee Wednesday.
Thirty-three percent will be women.
Members will be announced by the party general secretary, an announcement said.
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Maoist oppose govt. plan to disburse allowances in presence of parties, civil rights workers

Kathmandu, 17 March: Maoists opposed a government plan to disburse monthly salary and perks in cantonments in the presence of reprsnetatives of political parties and vocal society.
The government formed the plan after UNMIN refused to furnish details of the exact headcount of remaining 19,000 combatants three years afyer they were verified.
Government claims only 11, 000 combatants remain in 28 cantonments and camps.
“Government is inviting conflict instead of creating an proper atmosphere for understanding,” Maoist leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara told Kantipur.
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Britain assures Rs 550 million for peace process

Kathmandu, 17 March: United Kingdom Wednesday announced a Rs 550 million contribution to the peace fund to help the peace process.
Britain pledged assistance at a crucial period in Nepal’s history.
The peace process has run into trouble along with the drafting of the constitution.
Maoists are the main beneficiary from the peace fund.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“The concise statute [constitution] is ready. And a complete statute can be promulgated within a year.”

(UML leader Bamdeb Gautam, The Himalayan Times, 17 March)
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