VFORMER KING CROWM PRINCE SKIP KUMARI PUJA

Kathmandu, 21 Sept.: Former King Gyanendra and Crown Prince Paras Tuesday couldn’t attend a function to honour nine former Kumaris of Living Goddesses at Hanuman Dhoka for security reasons, organizers said.
But they sent offerings and money.
Many of the former living goddesses are in their 60’s.
Altogether 504 kumaris are also being feted at a special programme.
Indrajara festival started Monday.
The chariots of Goddess Kumari, Ganesh and Bhairab will be pulled through the capital’s streets Wednesday.
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RAM CHNDRA PAUDEL REFUSES TO WITHDRAW FROM PM CONTEST

Kathmandu, 21: Ram Chandra Paudel, NC Vice-president and leader of the parliamentary party, refused Monday to withdraw from the race for prime minister and predicted 8th round voting for government chief 26 September will also be inconclusive.
“Because it’s difficult for the new central committee [of NC] to meet before 26 September, the election for prime minister won’t be conclusive.
“You raise a slogan for understanding but then raise an obstacle by seeking it on your terms. I ask the Maoists and UML to make an honest effort for understanding,” he said Monday.
UML politburo Monday endorsed Friday’s three-point deal between UML and Maoists not to participate in the fresh vote for prime minister and effort a national unity government.
UML and Maoists Friday asked Paudel to withdraw from the contest to make way for a new process, including amending parliamentary procedures for the PM’s election.
The NC leader refused to withdraw his candidacy.
Speaker Subash Nemwang said Monday a new process can’t star until both prime ministerial candidates withdraw from the race.
‘Without concluding the election process, a special session [of parliament] cannot be called to amend the parliament regulations, as the voting process is being carried out on the basis of existing regulations., Nemwang told Prachanda Monday , according to the Himalayan Times.
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BANKE HOME BOMBED

Kathmandu, 21 Sept.: There was slight damage without human casualties when the house of Parsuram Sukla was bombed Monday by Janatantrik Madesh Terai Mukti Party at Rambagar in Banke.
Sukla is chairman of Banke VDC Secretary Rights Protection Forum.
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TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY


REVENUE MOBILIZATION GROWTH FATE SLOWS DOWN

Kathmandu, 21 Sept.: Though the government has been able to collect Rs 25.07 billion revenue in the second month of the current fiscal year, the growth rate has slowed down, The Himalayan Times reports.
Compared with the second month (August 15 to September 15) of fiscal year 2009/10, the growth rate stood at 11.2 percent or Rs 2.52 billion only.
“However, the collection is ‘satisfactory’ in the absence of full-fledged budget,” said the revenue secretary Krishnahari Banskota.
In the same month in the fiscal year 2009/10, the collection stood at Rs 22.55 billion.
The government had collected Rs 13.16 billion revenue in the first month of the current fiscal year. The collection exceeded by Rs 1.46 billion or 12.1 percent compared to the same period of 2009-10.
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ARMY PREPARATIONS TO IMPORT WEAPONS

Kathmandu. 21 Sept.: Nepal Army is preparing to import essential arms and ammunition, Bishnu Subedi reports in Annapurna Post.
Army headquarters is preparing a proposal for dispatch to defence ministry.
The proposal is being prepared following a ;green signal’ from the government following an agreement between the government and Maoists.
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