Ten parties boycott premier’s all-party meet

Kathmandu, 16 March: Only 15 of invited 25 parties invited by Prime Minster Madhav Kumar Nepal Tuesday to discuss the peace process, drafting of the constitution, integration of Maoist combatants and other issues were present at an all-party meeting.
The other parties boycotted the meeting as Maoists prepare to bring a no-confidence motion against the 10-month government.
The government has only a narrow majority in the 602-member parliament.
Nepal charged at the meeting Maoists are obstructing the peace process and the integration and rehabilitation of 19,000 combatants amid claims 40 percent of the combatants had deserted cantonments and satellite camps before official discharge in the last three years.
The prime minister said monthly allowances stopped for two months will now be disbursed before representatives of civil society and political parties.
UMNIN has refused to directly give ahead count of remaining fighters under its watch even after 40 percent of 4,008 disqualified combatants deserted the camps.
UNMIN has remained silent on the desertions saying policing camps wasn’t its responsibility and mandate.
With crimes, including murder and protection of criminals in the camps, and their uncontrolled movement in and outside camps, Maoists are as good as in the jungle.
Essentially, UNMIN now is only keeping watch over 3,000 plus surrendered Maoist weapons in containers whose keys are with Maoists.
Maoists and MJF boycotted the all-party meet.
Maoists said this government can’t promulgate the constitution and the governments heading towards a crisis, according to Maoist leader CP Gajurel.
“We gave three parties our good wishes when they reported progress in meetings as they ate samosas as their meetings,” said TKLP leader Hridesh Tripathi sarcastically after the meeting.
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Girija’s condition improves

Kathmandu, 16 March: Girija Prasad Koirala’s health condition continues to improve at a heart hospital with his hemoglobin count rising, Dr Arun Maskey said Tuesday.
He has started talking and eating.
But doctors asked Koirala to continue treatment at the hospital where facilities not available at home are available.
Koirala is suffering obstructive pulmonary edema.
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Two children injured, property works million damages in Banke

Kathmandu, 16 March: Two inured children injured in a village fire across the Rapti river in Banke Tuesday have been rushed to Lucknow for treatment as property worth millions of rupees was gutted in the inferno.
Strong wind spread the fire.
Initial reports said 105 of 115 houses in the village were destroyed.
The Narainpur village near the Indian border is 45 km away from Nepalgung.
The fire which started in the afternoon was controlled by late afternoon.
The fire started when a was cooking lunch alone at home.
Police brought the fire under control in the afternoon as firefighters from India rushed in to help.
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Bodies of Chandra Maya, two children found

Kathmandu, 16 March: The bodies of Chandra Maya and her to children were found Tuesday at a jungle in Banke.
Ropes and poison was recovered from the site where bodies were found.
One person has been arrested for questioning.
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Nepali Congress calls for formation of state reorganization commission

Kathmandu, 16March: A meeting of the Nepali Congress parliamentary party Tuesday called for the formation of a state restructuring commission to facilitate the promulgation of a constitution by the 28 May deadline.
The party said a constitution can be announced by the deadline if the commission is formed immediately.
Without a consensus between major parties, a constitution can’t be promulgated, parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Paudel said.
Present ruling parties boycotted a meeting formed by the nine-moth government of Prachanda.
Maoists have announced 14 provinces in a federal structure without delineating boundaries—a move opposed by other parties.
Maoists have suggested voting on subjects on which there is no unanimity to declare a basic law by 28 May.
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Hiranya Prasad Shrestha new CJ

Kathmandu, 16 March: Hiranya Prasad Shrestha has been recommended as the chief justice of the supreme court to succeed Anup Raj Sharma who is being superannuated.
Dharma retires 25 March.
A meeting of the constitutional council headed by the prime minister suggested the name of Shrestha who is the top judge of the apex court. Sharma has only a short tenure of months only.
The council couldn’t fill in vacancies in other constitutional bodies.
Main opposition has been boycotting council meetings and ruling parties are pressing their own candidates for chiefs of the election commission, CIAA and other constitutional bodies.
Chairman Prachanda wasn’t present but consented to the nomination.
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Deb Gurung replaces CP Gagurel

Kathmandu, 16March: Maoist Deb Gurung has replaced CP Gajurel in the parliament’s and CA’s business advisory committee.
The main opposition party made the announcement Tuesday.
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PM Nepal establishes record in unnecessary govt. expenditure

Kathmandu, 16 March: The incumbent government has created a record in unnecessary government expenditure since 2046, Kantipur reports.
The expenditure not only surpasses the money spent by the governments under Girija Prasad Koirala and Prachanda but also the Deuba government expenditure.
Deuba spent the money to retain his government in power.
After 1990, Deuba formed a jumbo government of 48 ministers but the Nepal government has disbursed more money than the Deuba government.
To keep leaders of all parties happy and retain power, Nepal has disbursed facilities to leaders by ignoring rules and regulations.
The money has been on the travels and other expenses of the prime minister, ministers and their advisors and for their private secretariat.
Last year Rs 20.7 million set aside for such expenditure wasn’t all spent.
A source said Rs 20.9 million set aside for expenditure in the budge in the same heading has been spent and will increase two-fold.
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SPORTS

Singapore lifts ACC U-16 Elite Cup defeating Nepal

Kathmandu, 16 March: Nepal lost to Singapore by 68 runs in the ACC U-16 Elite Cup Tuesday.
Chasing a target of 143 runs Nepal was all out for 78 runs in 22 overs.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Against the mandate of the election and to continue in power and for convenience Maoists brought defeated Madhav Kumar Nepal into the constituent assembly. He was given chief of the constituent assembly committee to draft the constitution and then because prime minister. Nepal had no role after losing elections.”

(Krishna Khanal, Nagarik, 16 March)

“Leaders have degraded themselves by talking lightly. They have disgraced themselves by exchanging charges. To set an example, the strong should resign to maintain discipline. The weak [Bhim Bahadur Rawal and company] continue in power to hide their shortcomings by pushing the weak.”

(RPP Leader Bishwabandhu Thapa, Annapurna Post, 16 March)

“When we (NEA) were in favour of public sector investment, the donors insisted to move to the private sector but now when almost all rivers are licensed to private sector the donors want to channelise the investment [in hydro power] to public sector.”

(NEA Director Sher Singh Bhat, The Himalayan Times, 16 March)]
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