MORE DETAILS ON DEFERRED 4TH ROUND BIG THREE SUMMIT; MAOISTS CONVENE STANDING COMMTTEE MEET

By Bhola B Rana


Kathmandu, 18 Nov.: The fifth round of the summit of the Big Three will be held only after the plenum of the Maoists in Gorkha beginning Sunday.
The fourth round summit of leaders of Maoists, NC and UML was conducted at the Peace Ministry in Singha Durbar Thursday.
The first round talks to end a prolonged political debate was held before tihar in Chovar while the second and third round talks were held in Gokarna.
The meeting Thursday ended without going into the agenda because of time constraints to discuss broad issues, including power sharing, the peace process and constitution drafting.
Maoists were busy preparing for the plenum.
It’s learnt NC drew the attention of Maoists to the participation of Maoists combatants in 18 camps under UNMIN watch in the Gorkha plenum.
NC has objected to the participation of the former Maoists in the plenum being held to discuss future strategy of the main opposition amid a political deadlock.
Maoists said 90 percent of work for the plenum has been completed; more than 6,000 plus delegates are participating.
Thatched huts have been prepared for participants around the convention venue; many delegated will live with families in houses around the meet venue.
Chairman Prachanda is preparing a political report to be presented at the plenum for approval.
Two Vice-chairmen Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Mohan Baidya
have presented separate proposals at the central committee for support. .
He has absented himself from meetings as he prepares the report.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala said Thursday ‘its meaningless’ for Maoists to be kept in camps if they are to participate in the Gorkha plenum.
She said reports of their participation should be investigated.
“If they are out and engage in politics what’s the meaning?” of putting them in camps with state funding, she asked.
Meanwhile, Maoists have hurriedly convened a meet of the
powerful 16-member standing committee Friday, two days before the plenum begins.
Supporters of the three leaders have been canvassing for support for their leaders.
Military leader Barsha Man Pun has been visiting camps seeking
support on behalf of the chairman.
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GOVT. TO PRESENT RS 335 BILLION BUDGET

Kathmandu, 18 Nov. L Finance Minister Surendra Pandey told
the finance committee of parliament Thursday he’ll present a
delayed annual budget of approximately Rs 335 billion in the
legislature Friday.
Gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the fiscal year 2010/11
is expected to be 4.5 percent, he said.
The caretaker government will prioritize implementing big infrastructure projects launched in the past.
Pandey was briefing the committee of the highlights of the budget.
UML issued a whip Thursday making it compulsory for its lawmakers to be present in the legislature when the budget is being presented.
Meanwhile, parliament’s business advisory committee is meeting again Friday to discuss the budget and the17th round vote for prime mnister scheduled for the same day.
The meeting Thursday to discuss the 17th round election for the prime minister laws inconclusive Thursday.
“There are still some differences on the budget and he election,” Speaker Subash Nemwang said.
The committee is meeting at 12.30 in the afternoon.
Government plans to promulgate the budget through an ordinance.
The 17th round couldn’t be held amid different perceptions between parties on a supreme court division bench ruling asking Speaker Subash Nemwang to adopt new procedures for the inconclusive vote for a government chief.
NA has demanded Ram Chandra Paudelbe declared elected unopposed.
Maoists, UML and eight fringe parties have demanded amendment in parliament procedures to adopt a new voting procedure.
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PM NEPAL ASBENTS HIMSELF FROM PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE MEET

Kathmandu, 18 Nov.: For the second consecutive time, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Thursday didn’t attend parliament’s public accounts committee meeting.
The committee summoned the government chief to investigate alleged
flaws for purchase of an aircraft by Nepal Airlines Corporation to
operate international flights.
PM Nepal has been supporting the flag-carrier’s push to purchase
an aircraft.
He informed the committee through a written communication he was busy.
Finance Secretary Rameshwor Khanal also absented himself.
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PROTESTS AGAINST ELECTION COMMISSION

Kathmandu, 18 Nov.: Rashtriya Janamorcha Thursday held a public demonstration in the capital protesting a changed election commission (EC) decision to issue voter’s identification without presenting citizenship certificates.
Chairman Chitra Bahadur KC charged primarily Madeshbadi parties.
Maoists. NC and UML forces the EC to change its original stance.
The move will benefit non-nationals. he said.
The splinter communist group will held protests in the terai Monday
to force the EC to adopt its original stance.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“I’ve come to stay for sometime at the house of my parents in
Bansbari for a short time because of cold problems.
Even now, I visit the house [husband’s] every now and then. I’ve
come to my parents’ home as Samrat is also away in Turkey for
project management as well.”

(Manisha Koirala, Nagarik, 18 Nov.)