FIRST FORMAL NC CWC MEEET FRIDAY

Kathmandu, 28 Oct.: The first formal meet of NC central working committee after (CWC) the 12th general convention that elected Sushil Koirala President is being held Thursday.
The convention elected 64 office bearers and CWC members.
The president has appointed only Sher Bahadur Deuba CWC member although he’s empowered to nominate 21 members; Koirala defeated Deuba in the presidential contest.
The meet will discuss current issues, including the prolonged political deadlock over election of successor of Caretaker Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
The committee meet will form a sub-committee to draft party plan and
policy suggested by the convention.
The party says it won’t withdraw the candidature of the sole candidate NC Vice-Chairman Ram Chandra Paudel until Maoists present proposals for drafting a constitution and concluding the peace process.
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PRACHANDA TASK FORCE MEETS BRIEFLY

Kathmandu, 28 Oct. A Prachanda-led task force to speed up the delayed constitution drafting process met briefly THuesdaay and agreed to reconvene Friday.
It discussed a report of a sub-committee assisting it to narrow down or eliminate differences on 230 points to be incorpprated in a proposed constitution.
All seven members of the task force were present present, includidng nC Vice-chairman Ram Chandra Apuidel and uML Chairman JHalanath Khanal.
A summit of three top leaders of the Big Three will be held before Friday’s meet.
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US AMBASSADOR, PRACHANDA MEET

Kathmandu, 28 Oct.: Maoist Chairman Prachanda held discussions Thursday with US Ambassador Scott H. DeLisi.
They discussed the obstructed peace process and completion of integration and resettlement of 19,000 Maoist combatants before UNMIN quits 15 January 2011.
The envoy held discussions with NC President Sushil Koirala Wednesday.
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SOOD PRESSES CASE FOR ACTION WITH SUJATA KOIRALA

Kathmandu, 28 Oct.: Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood Wednesday pressed his case for action against Maoists who hurled shoes at him in Solokhumbu
recently.
Maoists charged the envoy was engaging ion anti-China activities along the sensitive Nepal-Tibet border.
Koirala said India and government have taken the assault seriously.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said in Dang government would take action gainst attackers for violating a Geneva Convntion that protects foreign envoys.
Government is facing relentless pressure from Indian government to act against Maoists.
Sood has been pressing his case in meetings with ministers and government officials.
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SWISS SPEAKER ARRIVES SUNDAY

Kathmandu, 28 Oct.: Pascale Bruderer Wyss, speaker of the Swiss legislature, is arriving Sunday.
Although a neutral country, Switzerland, has been taking active interest in Nepali politics, even funding 19,000 Maoist combatants in 28 camps and cantonments under UNMIN watch.
The European state which isn’t even a member of UB, was previously involved in laudable development activities in the Himalayan state.
Switzerland is funding Maoists through a trust managed by the government; Great Britain and three Scandinavian states, excluding Sweden, are funding Maoists.
A delegation of the European parliament is also arriving one day later Monday.
The are arriving amid obstacles to the peace process and drafting a constitution to formalize a declared republic.
Denmark’s Danida board is arriving 27 October for a five-day visit.
The board will inspect Danish aided projects.
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PM, DEFENCE MINISTER, HOME MINISTER SUMMONED

Kathmandu, 28 Oct.: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari and Home Minister Bhim Rawal have been summoned by parliament’s state affairs committee to grill them on alleged irregularities in Nepal Army (NA) and Nepal Police on alleged irregularities while awarding ration contracts.
The committee took the decision Wednesday.
The prime minister will also be questioned on promotion procedures in NA and the controversial China visit of Maoist military officials and commanders.
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Kathmandu, 28 Oct. Kishore Kumar Magar of Sunsari was arrested Wednesday in Lalitpur by police for allegedly defrauding nearly four dozen people of Rs 170 million.
His house at Engineering Campus in Pulchowk was raided.
He posed as a housing complex developer.
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TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

NEW CEMENT FACTORY

Kathmandu, 28 Oct.: Goenka Group is marketing Goenka Cement from mid-November with an investment of Rs 550 million.
The factory is located in Bhairahawa.
Production capacity is 400tons a day; clinkers will be imported.
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NEPSE SLIPS 2.57 POINTS

Kathmandu, 28 Oct.: Nepse index slipped 2.57 points on the fourth day of five-day weekly trading Wednesday closing at 422.47 points.
Sub-indices of banking sector lost 1.46 points.
Altogether 98,563 shares worth Rs. 29.12 million were traded through 1469 transactions.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“It was not a political visit. Rather we went there for the Shanghai Expo. But given the visit of a senior leader of the largest party of a neighbouring country, meetings and discussions with the political leaders and government officials were unavoidable.”

(Maoist politburo member Agni Sapkota, The Kathmandu Post, 28 Oct.)
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“There’s only one seat and three big parties are trying to snatch it.”

(Commerce Minister Rajendra Mahoto, Kantipur, 28 Oct.)
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CHINA RADIO INTERNATIONAL PENETRATING NEPALI AIRWAVES

Kathmandu 28 Oct.: As a part of its growing engagements in Nepal lately, China is preparing to take programs of China Radio International (CRI) among Nepali listeners across the country through local FM radios, Kosh Raj Koirala reports in Republica.

Officials at Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) said the state-owned CRI has already acquired ´downlink´ permission to rebroadcast its programs across Nepal.
The radio has also established its bureau in Kathmandu and hired correspondents recently to produce local programs.

Joint Secretary Mahendra Guragain, spokesperson at the MoIC, said the CRI recently acquired ´downlink´ permission as provisioned in National Broadcast Regulations 2054 BS. “The radio has been given permission to downlink and rebroadcast its programs through FM radios in Nepali, Chinese and English language in Nepal,” he said.

The CRI is the second international radio station after the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) radio to acquire ´downlink´ permission in Nepal.

The CRI began rebroadcasting its programs through a Kathmandu-based Maitri FM radio (99.4 MHZ) some three years ago.

The FM radio, which the CRI took as its representative in Nepal before the establishment of its bureau in Kathmandu recently, currently airs the CRI programs from 5:45 pm to 11:45 pm everyday. The programs aired include news, political commentary, interview and Chinese language teachings.

country through local FM radios in various parts of the country. “We have learnt that CRI representatives in Kathmandu are currently in negotiations with FM radios in Kathmandu and beyond to reach Nepali listenerss across the country,” said a senior official at the ministry on condition of anonymity.

According to MoIC, altogether 231 FM radios across the country have received broadcast license. Over three dozens FM radios are based in Kathmandu Valley alone.

Officials said the establishment of a separate bureau of its state radio station in Kathmandu to produce programs locally and air them across Nepal reflects growing interests of China in Nepal especially after the fall of monarchy coupled with ´anti-China´ demonstrations launched by Tibetan refugees in Kathmandu streets in March, 2008.

As the China´s international radio station, CRI aims at promoting understanding and friendship between the people of China and people throughout the world with over 30 overseas bureaus. Currently, the radio broadcasts 1,520 hours of programs every day all over the world in 58 different languages.

According to a research report published by Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA) and National Endowment for Democracy (NED) recently, China is using various components of public diplomacy to influence the media in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia lately. “China´s primary purposes appear to be to present China as a reliable friend and partner, as well as to make sure that China´s image in the developing world is positive,” adds the report.
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AFGHAN SECURITY FIRMS EMPLOYING NEPALIS SPARED
Kathmandu, 28 Oct.: Afghan President Hamid Karzai has extended the deadline for private security companies employing thousands of Nepalis to cease their operations in the war-ravaged South Asian nation by at least two months, Republica reports.

Initially in August, the Afghan president had issued a decree to disband the security firms, which provide security to development and reconstruction activities, by December 17 despite opposition from western governments.
According to the online edition of BBC, the Afghan President has given a committee a deadline of November 15 to draw up a timetable for the closure of the firms.

"Once the timetable is approved, companies would have a maximum of 90 days to disband," the British radio reported on its website.

There are more than 50 such companies with thousands of staff registered with the Afghan government, and more unregistered firms are active in Afghanistan, according to BBC.

Nepali officials estimate that some 15,000 to 20,000 Nepalis have been working in these security firms. Such large numbers, government officials believe, reached Afghanistan illegally through manpower agents despite risky working conditions due to attractive salary. Nepalis are paid from US $ 500 to $ 3,500 per month.

According to a statement posted on the website of the office of the Afghan President, Karzai is concerned that the private companies have constituted parallel structures to those of the government in delivering security and protection services, and were the cause for insecurity.

But western countries and Japan want the Afghan government to let the security agencies operate for two more years, according to Karzai´s office.
According to a degree issued by Karzai in August, the security contractors will have to either join the Afghan police force or cease operations by mid-December.

The Afghan president wants to replace foreign security guards with Afghan security forces. Karzai had pledged to limit the operations of security firms when he was sworn in as president last year.

NATO and the US military rely on security firms to protect their convoys and bases. These firms employ Nepalis, including ex-British Gurkhas and retired personnel of Nepali security forces, who risk their lives for attractive salaries.

Following the decree, Afghan immigration offices have stopped renewing visas for foreign security guards, including those for Nepalis.
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FIRST LOT MPRs IN 10 DAYS

Kathmandu, 28 Oct.: After hiccups and ruckus, finally Nepal’s dream to adopt the smart passport is likely to come true, The Kathmandu Post reports.

Under the agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the contractor firm for Machine Readable Passports (MRPs), Oberthur Technologies, is likely to deliver the first consignment of MRPs within ten days.

MoFA and Oberthur had signed an agreement to print and supply of four million MRPs booklets on August 27 and the French firm has to deliver the first consignment within 70 days of the date of agreement.

“We expect the first consignment will reach here latest by Nov. 5,” a MoFA official. After receiving the first consignment, MoFA will have to issue the first batch copy of MRPs within 15 days - Nov. 19.

“Outwardly, the MRP copy will be a ditto of a standard passport. But, internal features like security will be modern,” the official said.

More than two tonnes of material related with the personalisation of MRPs installation is already in the process of customs clearance at Tribhuvan International Airport.

A massive physical revamp is on at the old royal palace building which serves as the Central Passport Office and some changes also will take place in existing passport regulations. The changed passport regulations will be applied only after the adoption of MRPs.

MoFA had already made a request and commitment to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) that it will issue the MRPs no later than Dec. end.
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GOVT. MOVE RAISES HACKLES


Kathmandu, 28 Oct.: At a time when any major decision by the caretaker government is looked askance, the Cabinet move this week scrapping a twin provision in the Civil Service Act, it seems, is sure to ruffle as many as 15,000 government employees’ feathers, Santosh P Pokhrel writes in The Himalayan Times..

The Cabinet on Sunday gave the nod to carry on with the process of amending the Civil Service Act, Section 24 (D-1), which once endorsed, will do away with the guarantee of automatic promotion for civil servants.

As per Section 24 (D-1), a civil servant, upon completion of 12 or 15 years in a particular position is entitled to automatic promotion. Section 24 (D-1) provisions that those holding academic degree necessary for the post get automatic promotion after completing 12 years in office and those not meeting the required qualifications have to serve for 15 years for the same.

“We were not consulted at all when the proposal to scrap the provision of automatic promotion was being drafted. We have received the draft copy and now are coordinating with our district bodies on the steps to take against the government decision,” said Bhola Pokhrel, Chairman of Nepal Nijamati Karmachari Sangh. “The draft works against civil servants.”

According to Pokhrel, some 15,000 government employees waiting for promotion will be affected. He warned of stern protests if the existing provision is scrapped. However, the government is yet to table the proposal in parliament.

But Spokesperson at the Ministry of General Administration, which drafted the amendment proposal, Binod KC, argued that civil servants need not worry saying there would hardly be any substantial change. “Every civil servant (with the new provision in effect) will get a promotion chance on the basis of seniority, how can it be faulty?” he questioned.

A government secretary told this daily that the government took the decision after it found the five-year-old provision was against the spirit of meritocracy and competitive professionalism.

Former Secretary Damodar Gautam also said that the system of automatic promotion did not gel well with the spirit of competitive professionalism. “Introduction of such provision in the past was itself faulty and against the norms of meritocracy and professionalism,” added Gautam. The then chief secretary Bhoj Raj Ghimire had introduced the provision of automatic promotion that has now ultimately drawn a line between Gazetted and non-Gazetted civil servants — the former opposing the amendment and the latter supporting it.

But still, the earlier provision too had a catch. Civil servants getting automatic promotion through Section 24 (D-1) were entitle to a senior post but were not endowed with the responsibility as per the post.

The proposed amendment, however, is aimed at enhancing competitiveness, promoting professionalism and upholding meritocracy by giving full responsibility to promoted servants, added KC.
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BUDGET CHAOS TO AFFECT PROJECTS





Kathmandu, 28 Oct.: The Finance Ministry Wednesday said that all development projects of the current fiscal year would remain pending if the full-budget could not be tabled and passed by mid-Novembe, The Rising Nepal reports..
Confusion prevailed about tabling and endorsing the budget in a void created since the resignation of Madhav Kumar Nepal as prime minister four months ago.
As per the parliamentary practice of Nepal, there should be a discussion about the budget principally, policies and programmes of the government should be prepared on the basis of the budget and it should be presented in the Parliament by the President and concerned ministers should respond to queries in the Parliament.
There should be a discussion at the political level about tabling the budget as there are legal and other difficulties on introducing the budget by the caretaker government.
On Monday, Finance Minister Surendra Pandey verbally drew the attention of Speaker Subash Chandra Nembang and urged him to manage time to introduce the full-fledged budget.
Vice-chairman of National Planning Commission Dr. Jagadish Chandra Pokhrel, Finance Secretary Rameshwor Khanal and Revenue Secretary Krishnahari Baskota were present in the meeting.
Talking to journalists, the Speaker said that there was no alternative to introducing the budget by forging consensus among the political parties.
On Monday, he said that the Finance Ministry would submit its written view on the budget to the Speaker. The Ministry officials have informed the Speaker about the situation that the budget should be presented and endorsed by mid-November.
Finance Minister Pandey said that his Ministry had appealed to the Speaker for providing him time before Tihar to present the budget in the parliament. He said that the government was preparing to present the budget in the first week of November.
Minister Pandey pointed out the need to get the full-fledged budget

endorsed by mid-November saying, "Otherwise all development works will be stopped." He hoped that no party would obstruct the presentation of the budget.
Meanwhile, Speaker Nembang recently held discussion on budget presentation with chief whips of UCPN-Maoist and Nepali Congress Post Bahadur Bogati and Laxman Prasad Ghimire respectively.
Bogati said that the caretaker government could not bring the full-fledged budget and that political crisis was being used as an excuse to bring the budget. Leaders of political parties other than the Maoists have been saying that the Maoists have softened their stance regarding the presentation of the budget so as to avert an economic crisis in the country.
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WEBSITE CLOSURE BEGINS

Kathmandu, 28 Oct.: Internet service providers (ISP) have begun blocking dirty sites,Kantipur reports.
Nepal Telecom wrote to ISP Wednesday telling them to block nearly 60 sites.
A meeting of representatives of home and communication ministers and Nepal Telecom was held Wednesday.
“Late Wednesday Nepal Telecom sent a letter to close down 60 dirty sites.” IPS Association Chairman Binaya Bohara said. “ Many of these sites were blocked Wednesday.”
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SOOD’S DIRECT MEETING WITH HOME SECRETARY PROTESTED

Kathmandu, 28 Oct.: Officials of the home ministry have protested Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood’s meeting with Home Secretary Gobinda Kusum Wednesday without going through the diplomatic channel, Kantipur reports.
An ambassador shouldn’t only seek his dignity while working in another country but should also observe norms of the host country as well, Nepal Civil Service Employee Union Home Ministry Section Chairman Baburaj
Bhattarai said.
“Any complaints should have come through the foreign ministry according to accepted international practice,” he said.”If what appeared in newspapers are correct, the direct meeting of the Indian ambassador with thehome secretary is objectionable.”
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PRESIDENT UNHAPPY

Kathmandu, 28 Oct.: President Dr Ram Baran Yadav has expressed dissatisfaction with the attempt to bring a budget without government’s policy and programme, Nagarik reports.
A senior source told Nagarik the dissatisfaction was expressed to the prime minister at the airport before leaving for China.
He told the prime minister the budget should be presented after the government and policy announced by the president is approved by parliament.
When the president asked whether it was right and proper to bring the budget without the president’s address, the source said Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal had briefed Speaker Subash Nemwang Tuesday.
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