INTENSIVE PARTY TALKS BEFORE WEDNESDAY’S ELECTION FOR PM

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 11 Jan.: Intensive inter and intra-party talks began Tuesday morning began ahead of Wednesday’s 17th round parliamentary elections to elect a successor of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal whose successor hasn’t been elected in more than six months.
Nepal has been publicly opposing a Maoist-led government and criticism from the min opposition.
Maoists and UML Tuesday morning held inconclusive talks on assembling a new coalition after a agreeing one day earlier to ask NC Vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel to withdraw his sole candidacy for premier ahead of Wednesday’s vote.
The two communist parties discussed a new power equation.
‘Discussions centered around a new coalition and how to form it. We also discussed what transpired in talks between the NC and UML yesterday [Monday]. Discussions were good and they’ll continue,” Maoist Chairman Prachanda said after the talks.
“We agreed to continue discussions. We should move ahead with understanding, even with NC and others,” UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal said.
Talks centered on concluding peace and drafting a constitution,
Khanal added.
The ambitions of UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal to become premier with Maoist support opposed by a strong is opposed in UML by a faction of Premier Nepal and KP Sharma Oli, who support a Nepali Congress-led government to stop Maoists from entering Baluwatar and Singha Durbar.
NC is leading a coalition of 14 parties for what has been called a left-democratic alliance.
The UML standing committee Monday evening approved a party central committee decision to vote against Paudel with Maoists even as NC sought UML support.
NC Monday even threatened to recall its ministers from government and snap ties with UML which is leading the government if UML doesn’t lend Paudel support.
UML standing committee is meeting for the second consecutive day Tuesday to continue discussions on the NC request.
An emergency meeting of some UML leaders was held Tuesday morning at
Baluwatar amid a fluid political situation.
Speaker Subash Nemwang said a new process will be adopted if Paudels candidacy if voted down by a majority.
UCPN(Maoist), the largest party, has decided to vote
against Paudel.
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CA MEETS TUESDAY

Kathmandu, 11 Jan.: Constituent assembly (CA) is meeting for the firs ttime Tuesday after six months.
It had no business to conduct as 29 parties were busy
only in a tussle to grab power ignoring drafting a constitution which has be be promulgated by 28 May.
A deadline was extended for one year after the first deadline to
promulgate a constitution on 28 May 2010 couldn’t me met to institutionalize an already declared republic.
The CA is to approve an amendment to rules and procedures to hasten the constitution drafting process.
Twenty-nine parties met ahead of the CA session Tuesday.
The parties Monday agreed to prioritize the drafting process amid
fears the second deadline may not be met
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PRITHVI JAYANTI BEING OBSERVED

Kathmandu, 11 Jan. : The 289th birthday of Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great, unifier, founder of modern Nepal and the first king of the ousted
Shah dynasty, was observed Tuesday.
Tributes were paid at his statute in front of the main gate of Singha
Durbar in front of Singha Durbar which houses the central secretariat.
Calls have been intensified to celebrate his birthday as a day of national unity and renew a public holiday cancelled by the government of Girija Prasad Koirala after declaration of al republic by an unelected and
self-appointed parliament.
RPP-Nepal is holding a public reception at Bhrikuti Mandap to
remember the founder of modern Nepal.
Civil society got together to mark the birthday.
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WOMAN KILLED IN LANDMINE BLAST

Kathmandu, 11 Jan.: A woman was killed in a landmine explosion at
a telephone power repeater station at Kapurkot in Dhanbang VDC in Salyan.
The body of Dalmati was recovered by an army team Monday.
Dalmati Chand went missing since Saturday.
She strayed into the area while collecting fodder.
The mine was placed by the army during the insurgency to protect
the vital installation.
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BOMB DEFUSED IN BANKE

Kathmandu, 11 Jan. A socket bomb was defused Tuesday at a cement factory near Nepaljung.
An armed outfit is believed to have placed the device overnight in front of the factory.
Kirab Singh Ghalan, 70, was shot dead in Churimai in Makwanpur Sunday night.
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INDIA REWARDING, RECOGNIZING ACT OF COURAGE OF NEPALI SOLDIER

Kathmandu, 11 Jan.: The Indian government is honouring the act
of bravery and courage of a retired Nepali soldier with the India Gurkhas after rescuing a girl who was being raped by thugs as he was returning home by train after retirement in September 2010, published reports said Tuesday.
Bishnu Prasad Shrestha, 35, is being escorted from his home in
Pokhara to New Delhi Saturday by two soldiers of the Indian army
to receive honours coinciding with India’s Republic Day 26 January.
The president is honouring Shrestha who is being conferred the
“Sourya Medal”. He’s also being conferred the Jivanrakshya Medal and Indian Army Bravery Award.
The army, from which he retired, has re-hired him for another five
years. Cash donations in hundreds of thousands of rupees are
pouring in.
Shrestha saved the chastity of an Indian medical student on a train as
thugs attempted to rape her on a train in West Bengal.
The Nepali jumped to her rescue after a frantic appeal of help as her
father looked on helplessly.
Shrestha drew out his khukri from the sheathe and stabbed three thugs to death; the robbers fled while injuring Shrestha who
recovered after a month’s treatment in hospital.
Shrestha will receive a cash award of IRs 10 million from the Indian government and special facilities for air and rail travel. Three generations will receive pensions.
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MOVE TO MAKE PADT INDEPENDENT TRUST

Kathmandu, 11 Jan.: A 10-member task force has been formed by
government under convener ship of former justice Kedarnth
Acharya to study legal aspect to convert Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) into an independent body.
The supreme court has directed the government one year ago to form such a body.
A report has to be submitted in six months.
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UNMIN’S LAST MINUTE HOPE FOR AGREEMENT

Kathmandu, 11 Jan.: UNMIN Chief Karin Landgren Monday pushed for what she termed a ”proverbial eleventh hour’ consensus” on’ the most urgent issue that needs resolution’ before departure Saturday.
Landgren said in a departure comment to reporters,: “With the parties unable to make significant progress on the issue of integration and rehabilitation during several extensions of the mission’s mandate, follow-on
monitoring arrangements have become necessary.”
She added,: ‘The arms in the containers belong to he Maoist army and the arms in the containers at Chhauni barracks belong to the Nepal Army. So, it is not for UNMIN to do any handing over.”
Security council will discuss Nepal Friday 14 January one day before UNMIN withdraws.
Top UN official Samuel Tamrat is arriving from New York to oversee the withdrawal three years after UN come to Nepal with its lobbying under then Secretary-General Kofi Annan and at request of parties.
Maoists and UML Monday called for a mechanism for monitoring activities opposed so far by NC.
Maoists and UML agreed Monday a special committee headed can’t conduct monitoring activities after UNMIN withdraws.
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BIG THREE LEADERS BLAMED





Kathmandu, 11 Jan.:- Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Democratic Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar Monday said that political crisis was deepening due to the race of Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, Jhalanath Khanal and Ram Chandra Poudel to grab the prime ministerial berth, The Rising Nepal reports from Nepalgunj.
He said that no consensus was in sight as all three wanted the same chair at the same time.
Addressing a gathering of party cadres, Gachchhadar said that UCPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress, and CPN-UML had no interest in constitution and people, they were only after power.
Rejecting any possibility of consensus among the three major parties, he stressed on the need of a new kind of consensus.
"Only the party and the leader working for the wellbeing of the Madhesi people will be acceptable in the seat of prime minister," he said.
He said that just like

the country’s existence would be impossible in the absence of the Himalayas, the country would be in crisis if Madhes and Madhesis were neglected.
He claimed that only the Madhes movement completed the people’s movement.
He said that Maoists could not be accepted in the government leadership and added Jhalanath could not be accepted as the new prime minister for his role in pulling down the government.
He informed that efforts were underway to bring the Madhesi lawmakers together in Wednesday’s prime ministerial election.
On the occasion, Minister Sarbadev Ojha, State Minister Karima Begum, and party’s senior vice president Rameshwor Raya Yadav also spoke.

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CALL TO REMEMBER PRITHVI NARAYAN SHAH THE GREAT






Kathmandu, 11 Jan.:
Minister for Culture and Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Minedra Rijal Saturday said that Nepal could take maximum benefits from the two neighboring states—China and India—in terms of economic and other development, The Rising Nepal reports.
Minister Rijal made this remark speaking at the 289th birth anniversary of Prithivi Narayan Shah organized by a civil society organization. "Nepal should maintain balanced relationship with the two nations," he said.
It was the time to remember the contributions made by late Prithivi Narayan Shah as he had united the nation which was divided into various principalities, he said.
Coordinator of the civil organizing committee Mod Nath Prasit demanded that the nation should repair the statute of late Prithivi Narayan Shah as some unruly masses had destroyed his statute during the people’s movement 2063.
Prithivi Narayan Shah was a symbol of unity and his birth day ‘Paush 27’ should be declared as public holiday as a respect to the national hero, Prasit said.
‘Our nation will face difficulties and the nationality will be jeopardized if we forget the contribution of such national heroes," he said.
Chancellor of Nepal Academy Biragi Kainla said that all people should be united to save national integrity and sovereignty.
Expert Buddhi Narayan Shrestha expressed views that the land encroachment issues should be settled in line with the national interest at the earliest possible.




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PROFESSIONS BEING DRAWN INTO TAX NET
Kathmandu, 11 Jan.: In its bid to bring professionals in the tax net, the government is making final preparation to take legal action against them. Lawyers, journalists, engineers, doctors, auditors, professors, teachers businesspersons and other service providers are being targeted, The Himalayan Times reports.

“Since they do not pay taxes on time, we are preparing to take legal action against them,” Shishir Kumar Dhungana, Chief, Kathmandu District Tax Office, Babarmahal, said.

“We will give them enough time to submit details of income for fiscal year 2065/66 and 2066/67. If they fail to pay income tax voluntarily they will face legal consequences,” Dhungana added.

Dhungana also added that Financial Act 2010 clearly states they must pay income tax by April 13 or else the Tax Office will initiate legal action. As per Section 22(A) and (B) of the Act, professionals have to submit their income details by April 13 after which they will get tax rebate for the two fiscal years. But if they fail to come clean, they will have to face the music.

“We have begun consultations and discussions with professionals on a personal basis and we will request their umbrella organisations to get the tax clearance,” he added.

Lawyers and some media houses, auditors, doctors and other professionals have not been paying taxes honestly. As per the figure, only 40 to 45 lawyers pay tax regularly. Most other professionals too have been evading tax.

“We are ready to pay the tax along with renewal of licence from Nepal Bar Council, but the government is yet to do the needful,” said Prem Bahadur Khadka, President of Nepal Bar Association. “We do not intend to evade tax, but the government should formulate appropriate mechanism,” he added. Khadka divulged the difficulties faced by lawyers in maintaining records of their service.

Dharmendra Jha, Chairman of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) asked the government to implement the Working Journalists’ Act before including journalists in the tax net. “Unless the government implements the Act and Rules, it will be counter productive to impose tax on journalists as 90 per cent journalists have difficulty making ends meet with media houses not paying salaries on time,” Jha added.

He, however, clarified that journalists were ready to pay tax if the government formulated a process in consultation with FNJ and implemented the Act.

Dr Kedar Narasingh KC, President of Nepal Medical Association, said most doctors have been paying taxes, but not a single authority has consulted them with the new government policy. “We are ready to pay tax, but the government should ensure our security,” Dr KC added.
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NTA WARNS
UTL OF LICENSE SCRAP

Kathmandu, 11 Jan.: Nepal Telecom Authority (NTA) has sent a letter to United Telecom Limited (UTL) -- a private mobile operator -- on Monday, warning it of scrapping operating license for not paying the royalty as per the commitment, Samiksha Koirala writes in Republica.

UTL had committed NTA -- the telecom regulator -- to pay royalty ranging from Rs 20 million in the year of establishment to around Rs 370 million in 2012/2013 on an annual basis.


NTA source told Republica that UTL was paying just four percent of its revenue and that the amount was not sufficient to clear the royalty as per the requirement.

NTA official said UTL has not paid royalty amount since 2006. As per the commitment, UTL was supposed to make a total payment of over one billion rupees.

“After deducting royalty received in the form of four percent of its revenue, the company still has to pay around Rs 900 million to the government to clear its royalty liability,” the official said.

In its letter, the telecom regulator has informed the UTL management of initiating legal procedures to scrap operating license and slap a fine of Rs 500,000 within a week.

The scrapping of license and the penalty of Rs 500,000 is as per Nepal Telecom Regulation Act 1997, according to the letter.

UTL was established in 2002 and during direct rule of king Gyanendra and the royalty worth Rs 190 million for 2006 was written off.

When contacted, UTL General Manager Madan Singh said he was not aware of the letter, as he was out of the office. Instead, he said the government’s decision to halt UTL’s operation during the king’s rule for six months badly affected its goodwill and the company was still suffering because of that.

“We have sued the government for defamation and have asked for compensation,” he said and argued that the royalty claimed by the government was nothing in front of what it has to pay as compensation amount.
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INTERVIEW

MAOISTS CALL FOR ALTERNATIVE BEFORE UNMIN EXIT
Deputy Commander of the Maoist People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Nanda Kishor Pun came under controversy last week when he reportedly boycotted the Central Committee (CC) meeting of the party. After the media gave prominence to his “boycott”, he was asked for clarification by party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Pun, however, denied having boycotted the meeting.

Pun is regarded as close to Chairman Dahal. However, sources claim Pun is not happy with Dahal for not giving him any major role in the party. Pun shared his views on the PLA in an interview to Republica´s Kiran Pun.

Why did you boycott the CC meeting? Why are you dissatisfied with the leadership?

I did not boycott the meeting; it is just a rumor. I told Chairman Dahal that I would not attend the meeting that day because I had to visit a patient who was to undergo a surgery. But media blew up the issue up.

You became the PLA chief after Barsman Pun and Janardan Sharma were elected to the Constituent Assembly (CA) and after Chairman Dahal formally gave up his position as the supreme commander. It is said that you are dissatisfied with the chairman because you were not given the right to exercise power as the PLA chief.

It is also not true. After the chairman became the prime minister, the Standing Committee decided that he had to formally give up his military position and I was made the PLA chief. As its chief, I have the PLA chain of command in my hand. But the chairman is still, in principal, the supreme commander.

But it is rumored that you were not given the right to exercise full power in the PLA, and as a reaction you abruptly left Kathmandu last year.

After the peace process, PLA´s role has changed. PLA comrades are in the cantonments. It is now committed to the peace process. It is wrong to say that I left for Rolpa abruptly after being dissatisfied with the PLA.

It is said that another reason for your dissatisfaction is that the PLA was also divided into three factions. Is this true?

It was natural for the PLA members to discuss the officially registered three separate political documents. But we stated that discussing them in the military is different from discussing them among the party cadres. The military functions in a special way; the PLA is armed, and it functions through the chain of command. So it would be dangerous to hold discussions in the PLA camps. There was much debate on the issue in the party. However, after the Palungtar plenum, the debate is over.

Is it true that you are dissatisfied with the party leadership as you did not get important position in the party after it entered the peace process?

The media should have raised the issues positively. I would have welcomed it. But issues are raised as if I had serious differences with the party leadership.

You met the chairman to furnish clarification about the media reports. What did you say in your clarification?

No, it is not true that I met the chairman to furnish clarification. Rather, we discussed the existing complex political situation in the country. He asked me to remain alert and be careful as the politics has become more complex. He further told me that as the largest political party, we have to be careful and play a responsible role and informed me that the party is holding discussion on the extension of United Nations Mission in Nepal’s (UNMIN’s) term.

How do you see the peace process in Nepal without UNMIN?

Our party has sent a letter to the UN Security Council requesting an extension of the UNMIN’s term till May 28. We need it to conclude the peace proves and institutionalize the political achievements made so far.

In your view, what will be UNMIN’s alternative?

The parties are yet to agree on an alternative to the UNMIN as well as technicalities and procedures. The parties should forge an understanding. The UNMIN should handover the job to such a mechanism before it leaves.

In your opinion, what should be the model of such a mechanism?

We don’t have any particular model. But it should be workable and reliable. It may comprise the PLA and Nepal Army (NA) and even include ex-British Gurkha soldiers. We had such a mechanism during the PLA verification process. The modality will depend on the political understanding, however. For now, what we are saying is that the UNMIN must remain in Nepal till the peace process completes.

What will be future of PLA if the peace process is not completed after the UNMIN leaves?

That’s why we have stated that the political parties should agree on UNMIN’s term extension till the completion of the peace process. The Nepali Congress and other parties are saying that NA should not be monitored. The government is also demanding the handover of our weapons. If we keep one of the parties out of the peace agreement, what will follow next? It means conflict. The government is hell-bent on steering the peace process off track. So a reliable mechanism as an alternative to UNMIN should be developed. The government has stated that the cantonments should be brought under the monitoring of the Special Committee. We are holding discussions to chart a course.

Why are you opposed to the monitoring by the Special Committee?

Articles 146 and 147 of the interim constitution have made provisions for UNMIN and the Agreement on the Management of Arms and Armed Personnel. So, when UNMIN leaves, the peace process is automatically dissolved. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a separate mechanism which can be formed through a political consensus.

Why are you objecting to come under the Special Committee?

First of all, the government has to accept that PLA is also a part of the government force after the peace agreement. What has the government given us, besides nominal salaries? We are still treated as an enemy force. They have underestimated our contribution for the establishment of republic.
So, first of all, the government has to accept us as its own force. Then only we will think that government is our guardian. So it is not only about the Special Committee.

What is your army integration model?

We have already put forward some options. The first option is that we can integrate both armies and downsize them by giving the soldiers lucrative offers for retirement. The second option is that we can form a new force of PLA and mobilize them for industrial, or border security or highway security. The third option is that we can form a separate force by inducting members from NA, PLA, Civil Police and Armed Police Force. This new force can be assigned any task the state deems fit. And yet another option is that we can integrate PLA into other security forces including NA unit-wise till both parties feel comfortable with each other. Such a model will remove suspicions among other political parties that the PLA will be politically active even after the integration.

What types of packages do you demand for the rehabilitation of the combatants?

We are saying that those injured, maimed or disabled who cannot join the forces should be returned home happily. Money alone doesn’t count. The government should honor them as fighters who contributed for the establishment of republic in Nepal. The government may give them certificates or medals, besides cash incentives, in honor of their contribution.

And, the government should offer economic package to those who want to return home and settle. We call it a golden “handshake”. The government should give them cash incentives and pensions. It should also compensate those whose houses were destroyed by the security forces during the insurgency. They need education, health and employment. They have to get such amenities throughout life.

How much do you think the government should give them?

It is still under discussion. But, we think it should be around Rs 2 million to Rs 2.5 million.

What will you do if the government turns down your demand?

It will pose a serious danger to the society. As they are militarily trained, they could be misused by other underground forces. Then the government has to take the responsibility for what transpires.
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MAOISTS READY FOR BOLD STEP: PRACHANDA

Kathmandu, 11 Jan.: CPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said his party is prepared to hand over the command control of cantonments to the prime minister-led Special Committee overseeing the Maoist combatants before UNMIN’s scheduled departure later this week, The Kathmandu Post reports.

In an interview in Fireside on Kantipur Television on Monday, Dahal also said his party is ready to take a ‘bold’ decision before UNMIN’s exit on Jan.15.

He outlined three steps that would ensure a smooth transition before UNMIN wraps up. The steps include organising a special ceremony to formally mark the transfer of the chain of command to the Special Committee, the regrouping of combatants into two different categories (those opting for integration and those opting for rehabilitation), and finalising the norms and modalities for integration. Dahal said he wanted to send a message to the Nepalis and the international community that the Maoists are committed to the peace process.

Dahal further said his party was ready for an alternative mechanism that would take over the arms monitoring responsibilities from UNMIN. He said the party had agreed with the UML to form a taskforce to review the provision in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and Agreement on Monitoring of the Management of Arms and Armies (AMMAA) and give a final shape to the mechanism.

He said a package deal on power-sharing, peace process and constitution would help expedite the process. He accused the government of not being serious in resolving the stalemate. He, however, also warned that a failure to reach agreement on the post-UNMIN regime would take the peace process to a state of ceasefire. “But it doesn’t mean that the country will go back to conflict,” he said.

“I have already informed foreign diplomats and political parties about the steps my party would take,” the Maoist chairman said.

On Maoist-India relations, he said his party does not regard India as its ‘principle enemy.’ But he reiterated his party’s position that relations between Nepal and India need to be redefined. “We cannot accept the status quo in our relations,” he said. “There is a tendency among parties and individuals in Nepal to spend more time and energy in worrying about Indian perception rather than securing Nepal’s national interest.”

In India, there are two schools of thought, he said, adding that a section of the Indian society wants to see an independent sovereign Nepal, while the other section fears that Indian dominance would weaken if the relations were to be reviewed.
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