Date and process for PM’s election to be announced Tuesday

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 13 July: The date and process for the election of a prime minister to succeed caretaker Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal will be announced in parliament Tuesday, Speaker Subash Nemwang said.
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav wrote to Nemwang Monday to proceed and elect a majority in the 601-member parliament where Maoists are the largest party after 25 parties, particularly Maoists, NC and UML, couldn’t assembly in an extended 12-day effort.
Business affairs committee of the legislature will meet at one in the afternoon to fix the process.
Leaders of the three biggest parties said a ‘national unity government’ could still be sought while going for an elected prime minister.
The country is without a government after Prime Minister Nepal, who’s now only a caretaker government, resigned under Maoist pressure.
“It’s unfortunate parties haven’t come to an agreement even after my resignation,’ the premier said mockingly in parliament.
These parties’ attention has only been centered around either holding on to power or getting into Singha Durbar by toppling the government.
After the 28 May to extend the elected two-year tenure of the constitution by one-year to complete drafting a republican constitution by 28 May 2011,no work has been done by parties to complete the process of constitution drafting.
More than six weeks after the 28 May tripartite agreement, time has been wasted either in attempting to topple government or to hold on to power.
There’s no government to tackle major issues the country faces as the law and order situation deteriorates and the national economy takes a timble.
nnnn


Industrialist, businessman Ganga Bahadur Khatri dead

Kathmandu, 13 July: Industrialist and businessman Ganga Bahadur Khatri die in London, family announced.
He was 84.
He was director of Nepal Insurance Company and Soaltee Hotel Ltd.
He has a long association with Biratnagar Jute Mills and Nepal Bank Ltd, Nepal’s oldest commercial bank.
Nnnn

Ref flag hoisted on Kosi river barrage

Kathmandu, 13 July: Twenty-five of 56 sluice gates of Kosi barrage have been opened by India which controls the barrage built by New Delhi on the Indo-Nepal border.
Red flag has been hoisted on it signaling danger after water level rose in the river which spreads havoc and devastation every year during monsoon in east Nepal and the Indian state of Bihar.
nnnn

SPORTS

CRICKET
Nepal faces USA in US Division 4 match in Italy

Kathmandu, 13 July: Nepal will play USA in the opener of the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division in Italy from 4 to 11 August.
ICC published the tie-sheet Monday for Division 4 matches.
Nepal was promoted from Division 4 match in Italy defeating USA in February at Kirtipur in league matches.
Nepal and USA qualified as runners-up in Group 5.
Nepal meets Italy 15 August and Tanzania two days later 17 August;
Nepal and Argentina meet 18 August and Cauman Island 20 August whilel the final is on 21 August.
Matches will be hosted by towns in Bologna province.
Nnnn

• HOME
• NATION
• OPED
• EDITORIAL
• METRO
• BUSINESS Maoist commander on wanted list on police for robbing Chinese traders
• LETTERS
KATHMANDU, July:12:-
Police have claimed that UCPN (Maoist) People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Division Commander Kali Bahadur Kham “Bibidh” and some cadres are involved in illegal trade of the medicinal herb yarchagumba (cordyceps sinensis), The Kathmandu Post reports.

Eight persons were arrested over last Friday’s robbery in the Capital, and investigation indicates Bibidh is the mastermind of the robbery and of illegal trade in herbs. A police team on Sunday evening raided Bibidh’s Gangabu-based rented accommodation and confiscated Rs. 500,000 that had been robbed from Chinese traders, 7. 871 kg of yarchagumba, a Santro Car (which was found to be a stolen one) a Pulsar motorbike, a satellite phone, 10 rounds of ammunition for various arms, fake district forest office stamp papers, Bibidh’s passport, identity cards, cheque books of various banks and sharp weapons.

Bibidh managed to evade arrest. Police had launched a massive manhunt after a gang on Friday evening robbed three Chinese traders of over Rs. 2.6 million at Mitranagar guesthouse. The raiding team said Bibidh was into a lavish lifestyle. “The four-room flat was like that of a millionaire,” said an investigator. “Bibidh will be brought to book soon,” said Superintendent of Police Ramesh Kharel. Sources said Bibidh is still in the Capital and in contact with senior Maoist leaders.
Nnnn

UN under fire, NC reiterates UNMIN tenure won’t be extended after Sept.

Kathmandu, 13 July: The government has officially objected to UNMIN’s preparing of an integration and rehabilitation plan for Maoist combatants saying such work does not fall under the jurisdiction of the UN political mission, Republica reports.
Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction on the instruction of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal sent an objection letter to UNMIN on Monday.
‘You are also aware that this matter (preparing the integration and rehabilitation plan) solely falls under the jurisdiction of the special committee,” read the letter addressed to UNMIN Chief Karin Landgren.
‘We are deeply concerned following publication of such news reports linking UNMIN in a matter which is under consideration in the special committee,” the letter further reads.
… the government has also drawn the attention of UNMIN to article of the interim constitution. The article on transitional provision for combatants says that there shall be a special committee, for supervision, adjustment and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants.
“…. Publication of such news(related to the plan) by UNMIN is objectionable,” the government said in the letter. Meanwhile, NC Acting President Sushil Koirala said Monday in his Nepalgunj UNMIN’s tenure won’t be extended when it comes up for extension at the end of September whoever is in government.
“A representative of the UN can’t speak off- the-cuff. I want to give a message to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, don’t even conveive of extending the UNMIN tenure whoever is in government,” he reporters.
He added: “The statement is a move to continue stay in Nepal with a roadmap to complete a constitution in 60 months when the government has a 12-month schedule.”
Nnnn

MEDIA GOOGLE

“The octopus should know who’s the likely Nepali prime minister. Paul is without work after the world Cup. Why shouldn’t the job for finding Nepal’s prime minister be given to the octopus.?”

(Ramesh Neupane, Nagarik, 13 July)
nnnn