PM, President meet; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu 16 June: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Tuesday evening briefed President Dr Ram Baran Yadav in the latest political developments, annual budget and government’s preparations to present its plans and programmes in parliament at an still unspecified date.
The annual budget set to begin last week session has been delayed.
The premier held consultations on the budget with leaders of 20 political parties Tuesday before the meeting with the president.
Main opposition Maoists and MJF boycotted the meet.
Government Spokesman and Communication Minister Shanker Pokhrel Tuesday said the government with a majority won’t resign until formation of a national unity government.
“There should be a government with consensus. Government is ready to help. But if a government of consensus isn’t formed before the session, the government with majority will continue.
“There was an agreement to resign for a government of national understanding’ but that readiness wasn’t for eternity,” Pokhrel said.
After a meeting with the president, the cabinet began meeting Wednesday to discuss policies and programmes being presented in parliament which is likely to be convened 24 June on the recommendation of parties supporting the government.
Maoists are likely to disrupt parliament proceedings for the second consecutive year after being ousted from government May 2009.


Discussion on Prachanda report begins

Kathmandu, 16 June: Forty-six Maoist politburo members Wednesday began debate on a verbal political report prepared by Chairman Prachanda and presented for discussion Tuesday as the party demanded a national unity government.
The report reviews the current political situation, formation of a national unity government, the 28 May three-point agreement that extended the constituent assembly (CA) tenure by one year until 28 May 2011 which the.
party claims wasn’t implemented by NA and UML.
The report also proposes future struggle proposals.
Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya Kiran said the report also deals with peace process, constitution drafting and the party outlook towards government,
The party standing committee empowered the politburo to adopt modalities for the integration and resettlement of 19,000 plus Maoist
combatants and the completing the delayed peace process.
The politburo meets as ruling parties say the government of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal won’t resign until there’s a package agreement on a common minimum programme
“The international situation doesn’t favour Maoists and the NC and UML in parliament don’t want its leadership,” MJF Chairman Upendra Yadav told Nagarik Wednesday.
The party had backed Maoists.
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Lifting of capital’s garbage begins

Kathmandu, 16 June: Municipal authorities Wednesday began clearing 1,200 tons of garbage that littered the capital’s streets for the last five days.
Altogether 21 trucks lifted the garbage for disposal at Sisodole dumping site.
Locals of Sisodole in Ratamate village and Solid and Waste Management and Resource Mobilization Center (SWMRMC) reached a fresh five-point agreement Tuesday.
Lifting of garbage laws disrupted from Friday.
The dispute between locals at the dumping site and SWMRMC is a regular phenomenon disrupting the lifting of the capital’s garbage creating health hazards especially during the summer.
Locals demanded implementation of past agreements.
In the fresh agreement, government has agreed to compensate landowners whose land was acquired for the site.
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Former king to visit Bara Wednesday

Kathmandu, 16 June: Former King Gyanendra is flying to Lipanimal in Bara Wednesday to inaugurate and offer puja at the newly constructed temple of
Asthabhuja Baishnabi Devi Durga temple in the Radha Krishna Mandir complex Wednesday.
The former king is offering the first puja at the multi-million rupee temple.
Gyanendra earlier offered prayers and pura and temples in Janakpur an Nepalgunj.
He flew to Simara from the capital Wednesday morning en route to Lipanimal by a regular flight of Buddha Air.
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Policeman dies while training

Kathmandu, 16 June: APF policeman Punra Prasad collapsed and died of heat while training near Barbibas in Mohottari Tuesday.
Ten other policemen fell sick,
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Polish national arrested for drugs trafficking

Kathmandu, 16 June: A male Polish national was arrested Tuesday from TIA as he attempted to smuggle out 10 kg hashish.
He was arrested before boarding a Thai Airways flight for Bangkok.
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Nepal retains Tier2 status in US report

Kathmandu, 16 June: Nepal maintained its Tier2 country status in the 10th Annual Trafficking in Persons report released by the US State Department Monday.
“Trafficking-related complicity by government officials remained a serious problem in Nepal with traffickers using politicians, businesspersons, state officials, police and customs officials to facilitate trafficking.
“Despite these serious concerns, there were no investigations, prosecutions, or convictions of government officials in trafficking,” the report says.
The report recommends Nepal government increase law enforcement efforts against all types of trafficking.
It also urges action against officials complicit in trafficking.
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Nepali students affected by Kyrgyz riots

Kathmandu, 16 June: Nepali students in Osh in south Kyrgyzstan have been affected by the ethnic conflict, Nepal Samacharpatra reports.
Twenty students have asked for their repatriation home,
Nepali and other foreigners have been affected by the ethnic conflict.
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NBA concept of judicial system

Kathmandu, 16 June: Nepal Bar Association (NBA) submitted its position paper entitled ‘The Judicial System Under Nepal’s New Constitution’ to the Chair of the constituent assembly (CA), Subash Nemwang, this afternoon [Tuesday] in CA secretariat, Singha Durbar The Rising Nepal reports.
This position paper responds to the concept paper submitted by the CA committee on the judicial system and it based upon research by constitutional experts commissioned by the NBA as well as input from approximately 7,700 citizens of Nepal over the last two and half years, including input from 1,008 lawyers and 3993 members of the public who participated in the consultations conducted by the NBA’s local Bar units in 71 of the country’s 75 districts between June 2009 and January 2010.
The NBA position paper identifies the challenges facing the judiciary, the constitutional issues needing to be addressed an sets out the legal profession’s position on each of these issued-some of which are in agreement with the recommendations made by the CA concept paper on the judicial system and some of which urge Nepal’s lawmakers to consider alternative recommendations.
The challenges addressed in the paper include problems regarding access to justice, judicial corruption and irregularities, lack of transparency in appointment of process, lack of inconclusiveness, the backlog pf pending cases as well as the implementation of verdicts.
With respect to constitutional issues, the choice of an integrated or dual court structure, the number of levels within the court structure, the jurisdiction of courts, the selection, appointment and re-appointment of judges, interpretation of the constitution an accountability of judges have all been identified and addressed in the paper, according to a press statement issued by the NBA.
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Congress discussing Tarun Dasta Wednesday

Kathmandu, 16 June: Deep differences have surfaced in Nepali Congress on launching the paramilitary Tarun Dasta by converting the youth wing Tarun Dal, Rajdhani reports.
Most leaders are against the idea of central leader Khum Bahadur Khadka who presented the idea to the central committee which is discussing the issue Wednesday.
Some leaders say the issue should be left open as Maoists and UML have their own youth forces.
Central leaders Dr Ram Sharan Mahat and Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat have backed Khadka’s proposal.
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TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

Makalu Air begins operations from Wednesday

Kathmandu, 16 June: Makalu Air begins cargo and charter flights from its base in Nepalgunj Wednesday,
“The company plans to expand its flights in the coming days, though currently it will focus on the mid-west region,” a statement said.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“The political leaders here are over 60 years of age, They are not the youths.”

(US Ambassador Scott H. DeLisi, The Kathmandu Post, 16 June)

“You say leaders have ruined the country, and then you again elect them. Why do you repeatedly elect them if they are wrong? I don’t know who is running Nepal. Neither China, UN, nor India can’t say.”

(US Ambassador Scott H.DeLisi, Nagarik, 16 June)
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