Nepal challenges US terror report

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 14 Aug.: Belatedly, Nepal through the home ministry, has finally challenged a US Country Report of Terrorism-2009 prepared by the Office of the Coordinator for Couterterrorism of the US government.
“There are no indications that Nepal was a safe haven for international terrorists. Given Nepal’s continues instability, however, there is possibility that members of extremist groups could transit Nepal, especially from India.
“The government of Nepal won’t tolerate any illegal activities in Nepal territory,’ the written statement said.
‘The large ungoverned space along the Nepal-India border exacerbates this vulnerability, as do security shortfalls at Tribhuvan International Airport. In June, Lakshkar-e Tayyiba member Muhammad Oman Madni traveled through Nepal en route to New Delhi, the US report said.
But the US report didn’t mention authorities at the international airport in the Indian capital also failed to pin him down.
‘ICAO carries out auditing of security arrangements at TIA on yearly basis and it is convinced about security standard maintained by Nepal,” the home ministry statement said.
The US report said: “..unrest in the terai plains bordering Indian remained high with the proliferation of numerous armed criminal groups and an inadequate police presence.”
The region across the open 1,700km Indo-Nepal border is s safe haven for Nepali political and criminal elements as Indian authorities even tolerate their presence.
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Rashtriya Banijya Bank Ltd earns Rs 2010.6 million profit

Kathmandu, 14 Aug.: Rashriya Banijya Bank Ltd. earned a met profit of Rs 2010.6 million in the fiscal year 2-009/10 ending 16 July, the bank said.
The commercial bank is Nepal’s largest and is wholly owned by the government.
The bank warned a Rs 1923.6 million profit the previous fiscal year.
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Electricity price hike proposed

Kathmandu, 14 Aug.: Electricity Tariff Fixation Commission has proposed a Rs 2 hike in price of electricity per unit.
The hike from Rs 7 to 9 will cover a massive loss of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) while attracting investment in the hydropower sector.
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