PM Nepal implicitly calls Maoists extremists ruling out resignation

By Bhola B Rana


Kathmandu, 14 April: Obviously and implicitly referring to Maoists as extremists, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal rules out demands for resignation and said in a New Year 2067 message Wednesday he won’t bow down to ‘any form of extremism’.
Maoists have called for the pull down of Nepal’s 10-month government.
“I am determined that peace, democracy and a forward movement ahead may be achieved only by defeating all forms of extremism,” the beleaguered government chief said.
“I urge all parties to maintain firm commitment and consensus on supremacy of constitution, rule of law, establishment of inclusive and just social-political system, federalism, secularism, autonomy of judiciary, pluralism, press freedom and principle of check and balance.
‘I am ready to assimilate any consensual conclusions coming from an open and frank meeting.
‘If we sit on the table with an open mind and heart, we can erase mistrust and reach a new conclusion by agreeing on one another’s points.” Nepal added.
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav said unity and reconciliations were the only solutions for the problem calling for dialogue by presenting all issues before the table.
Former King Gyanendra in his message urged correction of weaknesses
to move ahead.
He said ‘Nepal nation’s nationalism, uniqueness and freedom of the citizen shouldn’t be restricted’ adding they are god points of democracy.
The former king said ‘It’s our religion Nepal state be administered by the person with whom people are willingly happy’.
He said this as the former king earlier said monarchy wasn’t yet dead in Nepal—a statement decried by ruling and opposition parties that opted for a republic that has yet to be institutionalized in a constitution.
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Further details of supreme court’s decision on presidential action

Kathmandu, 14 April: A two-man bench of the supreme court Tuesday couldn’t decide on the legality of President Ram Baran Yadav’s decision to retain Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal who was sacked by Prime Minister Prachanda.
Opinion on two writs challenging the presidential decision was divided after a six-month hearing.
Justice Damodar Prasad Sharma didn’t agree with the opinion of Justice Rajendra Koirala the writ petition. Should be dismissed.
Prime Minister Prachanda resigned May 2009 after the presidential intervention.
A full bench of the supreme court will give its final verdict following the division in the bench.
Maoists said the decision of a ceremonial president was unconstitutional.
The two justices agreed the supreme court could discuss official communications between the president and prime minister.
The justices also agreed the court could discuss the legality of a presidential action.
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Education official sacked

Kathmandu, 14 April: Birendra Kumar Das, general manager of Janak Educational Material Center Limited, has been sacked by its board for irregularities.
He’s been replaced by Ramchandra Silwal.
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TRADE, COMMECE, ECONOMY

Nepal growth rate only 3.5 percent

Kathmandu, 14 April: Asian Development Bank (ADB), Nepal’s largest multilateral donor, forecast Tuesday Nepal’s growth rate in 2010 will be 3.5 percent and will increase to 4.5 percent in 2011.
The bank said this while releasing the Asian Development Outlook 2010.
Nepal’s low growth rate was the result of political instability, declining export, heavy imports and failure to drastically improve agriculture and industrial sectors, the Manila-based bank said.
‘Nepal also needs to scale up capital spending on infrastructure and social sectors to support peace process and growth reducing the rising inequality in economic, social and human development as shown by the 2004 Nepal Living Standard Survey,” ADB Country Director Barry J. Hitchcock said while releasing the report.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Nepali Congress has a clear concept. The tenure of the constituent assembly shouldn’t be extended. We should move ahead with the mandate of the people.”

(NC Acting President Sushil Koirala, Ghatana ra Bichar, 14 April)
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