PRESIDENT CALLS PARLIAMENT INTO SESSION

Kathmandu, 13 Dec.: President Dr, Ram Baran Yadav Monday called parliament into special session 19December as demanded by six parties, including Maoists, the largest party in the legislature.
He called the legislature into session after the submitted a petition to him Sunday demanding a special session to hold elections for prime minister and amend parliamentary rules to begin a new process for election of a government chief.
The president acted immediately even as ruling party influential members said a session should be called only through consensus.
A normal session is called by the prime minister in consultations with the speaker.
A constitutional provision says the president has to convene a parliament special session if demanded by 25 percent of lawmakers in the 599 –member parliament.
Maoists and five other parties fulfilled that requirement.
Madhav Kumar Nepal continues as a caretaker government chief even after resignation 30 June on Maoist pressure.
He held consultations with parties, lawyers and others on the Maoist demand.
Parties in consultation with the prime minister earlier advised Nepal to convene a normal session.
Nepal accused Maoists of breaking politics of consensus.
He claimed Maoists first sought understanding and demanded a special session.
Politics of consensus ended with the result of the constituent assembly election in April 2008 and Nepal still harps on it.
Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar said in Biratnagar Monday government is ready to face a special session.
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HOME MINISTRY PROBE COMMITTEE FORMED

Kathmandu, 13 Dec.: The home ministry Monday formed a three-member police inquiry team into what it called a firing by former Crown Prince
Paras in Chitwan Saturday.
NC demanded action, in a statement.
President Sushil Koirala said an ’investigation hasn’t been started’
even after Paras admitted firing and added ‘such actions should not be repeated in the future’.
Koirala’s demand comes as his party encouraged Maoists to lo on a criminal nation-wide rampage and ignored their excesses four years earlier to attempt to institutionalize the overthrow of monarchy.
Party activists in government and opposition involved in criminal activities roam around freely without fear.
Even before the tem began inquiry, the home ministry said Paras fired,.
Paras said in a statement Monday morning he fired in the air after he, the institution he represents and the country were insulted during a dinner meeting by two foreign nationals from Bangladesh and India.
He said this in a statement addressed to Nepali brothers and sisters.
The Bangladeshi was the son-in-law of Sujata Koirala, according to published reports.
Paras arrived in Pokhara Monday.
Leaders of political parties and their lackeys are Nepal’s new rulers who are above the law –like kings in the past.
Nepal Police said it has started a separate investigation.
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GOBINDA BAHADUR MALLA GOTHALE DEAD

Kathmandu, 13 Dec.: Literature Gobinda Bahadur Malla Gohtale died Monday.
He was 88.
Malla died while undergoing treatment at a Kathmandu hospital.
He’s survived by a son/
Malla was cremated Monday.
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PRESIDENT INAUGURATES MEET OF LAWMAKERS

Kathmandu, 13 Dec.: President Dr.. Ram Baran Yadav Monday launched the first assembly of former members of parliament.
Eighteen 75-year-olds were honoured.
Altogether 533 former legislator attended to push the peace process.
Lawmakers of the panchauyat weren’t invited to the two-day meet.
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27-PARTY MEET INCONCLUSIVE
Kathmandu, 13 Dec.: Most of the political parties participating in a meeting of the 27 political parties on Monday suggested that the term of the high-level taskforce headed by UCPN-Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' should be extended.

The taskforce formed two months ago by the 27 parties to settle contentious issues regarding constitution-writing had its term expired two days back.

However, Maoist chairman Prachanda failed to turn up in the meeting presided over by the chairman of the Constituent Assembly, Subas Nemwang. So, the leaders suggested that it would be appropriate to take decision on extending the taskforce term in the presence of the coordinator.

Talking briefly to the media persons following the meeting, CA chairman Nemwang said the meeting discussed seriously on the report of the taskforce and whether to extend taskforce term.

He informed the media that the parties in the meeting said it was judicious to take decision only after holding discussion with the taskforce coordinator Prachanda.

"The taskforce has done well. If it continues works at this pace, basis of constitution making is prepared, the parties said," added chairman Nemwang.

Similarly, Minister for Law and Justice, Prem Bahadur Singh although most of the leaders suggested for extending the taskforce term, it was better to take decision after taking coordinator's views on it. So, the next meeting was scheduled for December 16, he added.

Maoist leader Dev Gurung said his party was of the opinion that it was better to reinvigorate the formal mechanisms formed to make constitution rather than extending taskforce term as the CA chairman was holding informal talks with the parties, RSS reports
The body will meet again 16 December.
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SUPREME COURT INTERVENES ON BEHALF OF MAOIST LAWMAKER

Kathmandu, 13 Dec.: The supreme court one-judge special bench of Awadesh Kumar Yadav Monday ordered police not to arrest UCPN-Maoist Constituent Assembly member Keshav Rai.

Okhaldhunga district court had issued an arrest warrant against Rai for the allegedly murderimg Padma Bahadur Tamang in Okhaldhunga and ordered the police to arrest him and produce him before the court within 70 days on August 3.
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