ANOHER INQUIRY TEAM TO PROVE DARFUR SCAM

Kathmandu, 5 Jan.: A cabinet meeting Wednesday night formed a six-member inquiry team to investigate irregularities in purchase of logistics support for Nepal Police keepers with the UN in Darfur, Sudan.
The team is headed by a government official.
An estimated Rs 300 million was misappropriated in the purchase.
The cabinet also decided to send logistics support to beleaguered peacekeepers within 10 days.
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MAJORITY APPROVES PRACHANDA REPORT

Kathmandu, 5 Dec.: A unified five-point political report of Maoist Chairman Prachanda was approved Wednesday by majority after three-day discussion in the central committee where Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai formally registered a differing perception of party strategy and policy.
The chairman pressed for disciplinary action against Bhattarai for publicly expressing views against party policy.
But the central committee approved discussion of Bhattarai’s dissenting
opinion at lower party units.
Spokesman Dinanath Sharma claimed tradition of open discussions had been initiated in the main opposition.
The central committee issued a gag order not to air views against approved party policy publicly.
UCPN (Maoist) will conduct a political training camp from 17 to 21 January after adopting the Prachanda line that threatens a revolutionary popular revolt if a peace process and constitution isn’t promulgated by 28 May.
Bhattarai in a dissenting opinion prioritized constitution drafting and completing the peace process.
Bhattarai is supported by India.
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DR. BABURAM BHATTARAI CONFERS WITH INDIAN
LEADERS

Kathmandu, 5 Jan. Maoist Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai held discussions Wednesday in New Delhi with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee who is also the Indian government’s point-man on Nepal as the peace process, constitution drafting and government formation have hit a roadblock.
Bhattarai also held separate discussions with Foreign Secretary
Nirupana Rao and National Security Council Chief Shiba Shaker Menon immediately after landing in the Indian capital.
He flew to New Delhi to attend a Nepal seminar beginning
Wednesday.
Barsha Man Pan, a Maoist military leader close to Chairman Prachanda,
is accompanying Bhattarai.
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INJURED BOXER DEAD

Kathmandu, 5 Jan.: Boxer Raju Bada Magar who was injured in a
match Tuesday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital Wednesday.
He died of while being treated for a head injury.
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TENUURE OF TEMPORARY JUSTICS EXTENDED
Kathmandu, 5 Jan.: The judicial council Wednesday recommended the extension of the tenure of supreme court temporary justices Prakash Chandra Sharma Wasti and Bharatraj Upreti for next two years.
Their names will be set to parliament for approval.
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CONSTRUTION OF OVERHEAD BRIDGES HALTED
Kathmandu, 5 Jan.: Public Account Committee (PAC) of the Legislature-Parliament has directed to halt construction of sky bridges in 12 places of Kathmandu Valley which was approved by the Minister of Physical Planning and Works (MoPPW) "in violation of the Public Procurement Act", RSS reports.

A meeting of PAC today issued this fiat saying the construction process of the sky bridges could be embroiled in irregularity. Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has already prepared maps of 12 sky bridges.

Lawmakers, in the meeting, said that the plan to put 145 shutters in the proposed sky bridge at New Baneshwor raises doubt that the bridge is being constructed for commercial purpose. They expressed concern over the rumour that Rs. 500,000 has already been collected in advance payment at the rate of Rs. 25,000 per shutter per month.

The lawmakers also flayed KMC for awarded the contract to a company by extending deadline and without any competition.

Officials of MoPPW, Ministry of Local Development and KMC were also present in the meeting.
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HOME MINISTER DEFENDS POLICE PROMOTIONS

Kathmandu, 5 Jan.: Home Minister Bhim Bahadur Rawal Wednesday defended a controversial promotion of 25 DSPs to SP rank.
He issued the rare denial in a statement.
"The ministry and I are in favour of taking action against the guilty involved in the corruption in purchasing the logistics sent for Nepal Police personnel deputed in the UN peace keeping mission in Darfur, Sudan by the previous government.

"It is biased and baseless to accuse the ministry that it does not punish the guilty since there is a commission for taking action against the guilty in the corruption charge according to law", the statement said.

"I am in favour of sending new logistics for Nepal Police personnel in Sudan as soon as possible completing the process."
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COLD WAVE KILLS TWO MORE PERSONS

Kathmandu, 5 Jan.: A continuing cold wave killed two more persons Wednesday.
An Indian national died in Saptari Wednesday where the death toll has increased to four.
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