NOMINATIONS BEING FILED FOR PM ELECTION; OTHER DETAILS

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 2 Feb.: Nepali Congress (NC) has to decide by four in the afternoon Wednesday its candidate for Thursday’s election for prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal who continues in office for more than seven months after resigning 30 June 2010.
The party has convened a meeting of the central committee (CC) Wednesday at party headquarters,
Candidates have been allotted five hours 11 in the morning to four in the afternoon to file nominations.
Three-time former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is lobbying for his nomination after parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Paudel failed to get elected in 16 rounds of extended voting in parliament after PM Nepal resigned 30 June 2010..
Maoists and UML have nominated Chairman Prachanda and Chairman Jhalanath Khanal respectively.
Khanal’s name was proposed by KP Sharma Oli an seconded by Nepal.
Oli and Nepal had previously opposed Khanal’s candidacy and supported a coalition headed by NC.
Maoists and UML nominated their candidates even as the parties vowed to push for a consensus candidate until the last hour.
A front of four Madesh parties hasn’t also decided on its position.
Maoists can get elected with the support of the four parties from the south.
The three-phase election is expected to be conclusive this time.
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SCHOOLS SHUT DOWN IN NAWALPARASI

Kathmandu, 2 Feb.: Schools were closed down for one day in
Nawalparasi Wednesday.
Management is protesting the recent physical abuse of teachers in the southwest district.
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SIX BILLS REGISTERED IN PARLIAMENT

Kathmandu, 2 Feb.: Six bills were registered in parliament Tuesday for approval.
Law Minister Prem Bahadur Singh registered the bills at parliament secretariat.
The bills were registered to scrap the Mulki Ain of 1990 promulgated by Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana.
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TWO MORE NAC OFFICIALS FREED ON SURETY

Kathmandu, 2 Feb. Two more officials of Nepal Airlines Corporation Tuesday were freed on surety of Rs 500,000 each by the special court.
Ganesh Thakur and Purush Dhakal have been charged by CIAA for financial irregularities while ordering the purchase of two Airbuses.
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PRESIDENT MEETS MANMOHAN SINGH, SONIA GANDHI WEDNESDAY

Kathmandu, 2 Feb. President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav holds political discussions in New Delhi with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President of ruling Indian National Congress Sonia Gandhi.
The ceremonial president is also scheduled to hold political discussions with main opposition BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, Foreign Minister SM Krishna and Vice-president Hamid Ansari.
President Prathiva Patil will host a banquet at Rashtrapati Bhawan
in the evening.
Dr. Yadav leaves for Chandigadh Friday.
The president held discussions with leader of the BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani, CPI(M) leader SitaramYechuri, AB Vardhan of CPI, Mulayam
Singh Yadav of Samajbadi Party and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao Tuesday.
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DR. ARUN MASKEY RESIGNS

Kathmandu, 2 Feb.: Dr.Arun Maskey, Director of Sahid Gangalal Heart Center has resigned.
Health Minister Umakanta Chaudhary hasn’t approved hospital programmes and regularized the service of employees.
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SUSPECTED BRITISH PEDOPHILE ARRESTED

Kathmandu, 2 Feb.: Police on Monday evening arrested a suspected British pedophile from Sundhara-based guesthouse for sexually abusing street children, The Kathmandu Post reports.
A police team from Metropolitan Police Janasewa arrested Peter James Sexton, 74, from Minar Guesthouse where the latter had given refuge to two street children Anup and Rajan (names changed)- for the last two
months.
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SPORTS

NEPAL PLAYS OMAN

Kathmandu, 2 Feb.: Nepal meets Oman Wednesday in the second
match of Group “B” ACC U-19 Elite Cup in Bangkok.
Nepal beat UAE by nine wickets in its first outing Tuesday.
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MoHP HALTS GRANTS TO BIR HOSPITAL





Kathmandu, 2 Feb. - Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has suspended its grant to Bir Hospital, the largest and oldest state hospital of the nation, owing to a series of financial irregularities, Th e Rising Nepal reports.
The MoHP has halted the grant for the time being as an investigation into corruption was underway, Dr. Pravin Mishra, secretary at the MoHP, said.
A three-member probe panel constituted by the MoHP to investigate the corruption in the hospital and the National Vigilance Centre had found various financial irregularities in the hospital and presented their reports to MoHP a few days ago.
The report stated that instead of calling sealed bid for procuring materials above Rs. 150,000 to Rs.1,000,000, the hospital bought the things directly by paying through checks at once.
Going against the Nepal Medical Council’s rule that no more than 70 interns should be allowed to practice, 10 additional students who failed the exams were allowed to do their internships while 10 who passed the exams were not allowed for the internship, the report said.
According to report, the hospital supplies were of low quality and ignored the public health.
Similarly, the National Vigilance Centre said in its report that while presenting the payment bill the hospital officials always left a space so that they could add extra zeroes while receiving the payment bill.
Both teams reported corruption in several matters in the hospital.
A total of 480 million rupees arrears was noticed in the hospital.
Dr. Bulanda Thapa, director of the hospital, said that around 300 million arrears would be cleared after adding in the account. Various machines were bought in the hospital however they were yet be added in the account. That’s why a large amount of arrears was seen, he said.
As it was the government hospital, corruption is not a new issue in Bir Hospital. "However, in its 120 years history, I have been blamed for all the corruption," Dr. Thapa said.
"It was only three months when I got financial right and the ministry itself should understand about the corruption here," he said.
The vigilance centre had formed a five-member task force to investigate and monitor about the financial activities in Bir Hospital while many news reports raised the issue and some employees filed a complaint in the centre against the hospital.
In the past few days, the Commission of Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has also started looking into the corruption in the hospital.




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ANAMOLIES RIFE IN DDC FUNDS
Kathmandu, 2 Feb.: Following the reports of recklessness in distribution of financial assistance to various organizations from District Development Committee (DDC) funds, the Ministry of Local Development (MoLD) has issued a stern circular to all DDCs not to dole out such assistance any further, Bimal Gautam writes in Republica.

The preliminary investigation carried out by the MoLD shows that nearly 40 DDCs have doled out financial assistances violating the “DDC Grant Mobilization Procedure-2067”, according to a source who, nevertheless, refused to disclose the names of the DDCs. The procedure had come into implementation following cabinet´s endorsement.

The source, who is with the MoLD, revealed that most of the DDCs have distributed financial assistance to sister organizations and other institutions closed to various political parties.

Clause 12 of the procedure explicitly states that DDCs are strictly prohibited from giving financial assistance to political parties, their sister organizations, any individual or institutions from the DDC fund. Similarly, the procedure also forbids divvying up of the DDC fund among political parties.

“As the local development officers (LDOs) find it difficult to resist pressures from the political parties, in many cases they are compelled to dole out assistance violating procedures,” the source informed Republica.

Data obtained from the Kathmandu District Development Committee (KDDC) vindicate the claims of recklessness in the distribution of funds to several organizations under political pressure. The KDDC alone has dole out Rs 665,000 under financial assistance headings to 15 various organizations in violation of the procedure.

In blatant violation of DDC Grant Mobilization procedure, the KDDC have decided to dole out financial assistance to Newa Rastriya Rajnitik Sammelan (1,00,000), Jagaran Abhiyan Nepal (50,000), Jestha Nagarik Samaj, Setidevi (25,000), Drishti Yuba Samaj, Sankhu (30,000).

Similarly, the KDDC has also decided to dole out assistance to Nepal Kyokoshing Karate Do Sangh, Kirtipur-2 (25,000), Motidevi Smriti Kendra, KTM (25,000), Newa Lhamu Pucha, Bhintuna Rally (50,000), Ganeshman Singh Shanti Pratisthan, KTM (1,00,000), Maitri Samaj Nepal (30,000), Kalanki Jestha Nagarik Samaj (25,000), Kishan Bhela, Nepal (60,000), Rastrabayapi Kabita Pratiyogita (35,000), Jagaran Abhiyan (35,000), Rastriya Jyapu Samaroha Samiti (50,000) and Rastriya Bidhyarthi Gosthi (25,000).

According to a MoLD source, the institutions listed above have either received the financial assistance already or will shortly.

“After receiving complaints about some DDCs giving away financial assistance to various undeserving institutions and individuals, we have issued stern instructions to all DDCs not to do so under any pretext in future,” said MoLD Secretary Krishna Gyawali. He said the MoLD will take action against those not abiding by the order.

“We will hold an orientation program to make LDOs aware about the provisions in the DDC Grant Mobilization Procedure,” said MoLD Spokesperson Dinesh Thapaliya, adding, “The MoLD will maintain zero tolerance towards any anomalies and punish those found flouting the procedure.”
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SECURITY FORCES REMOVED FROM BANKALI
Kathmandu, 2 Feb.: Following prime minister’s directive to allow the Kiratis to bury their dead on the Pashupatinath premises until an alternative space is found, Pashupti Area Development Trust (PADT) on Monday removed the security forces deployed to prevent the Kiratis from carrying out burial rites at Bankali, a forest beside the Pashupatinath temple, The Kathmandu Post reports.
The directive followed strong protests and demonstrations by Kiratis in Gaushala area on Monday. The prime minister took the decision after a meeting with the representatives from the Kirat community.
The Kiratis demanded burial rights at Bankali area until an alternative place is allotted for them.
The row erupted on Sunday after the body of Jash Ram Rai, 40, was not allowed to be buried at Bankali.
“There were no obstructions on Tuesday,” said Indra Kulung, who attended the meeting with the prime minister. “We carried out burial rituals of a body today at Bankali.”
“We do not want ethnic riots,” he said, adding that Kiratis were ready to stop burying their dead on the shrine’s premises if an alternative space was provided.
“We are not totally obliged to obey the government directive as we are an autonomous body,” said PADT Treasurer Narottam Vaidya. “However, as the directive has come from the prime minister, we will allow the Kiratis to bury their dead at Bankali for the time being. They should seek another space at the earliest.”
Vaidya said the notice regarding the ban on burial had been given to the respective communities one month ago. “We didn’t impose a ban all of a sudden, therefore it is not our mistake,” he said.

CHRISTIAN PROTEST
Following prime minister’s directive to allow the Kiratis to bury their dead on the Pashupatinath premises until an alternative space is found, Pashupti Area Development Trust (PADT) on Monday removed the security forces deployed to prevent the Kiratis from carrying out burial rites at Bankali, a forest beside the Pashupatinath temple.
The directive followed strong protests and demonstrations by Kiratis in Gaushala area on Monday. The prime minister took the decision after a meeting with the representatives from the Kirat community.
The Kiratis demanded burial rights at Bankali area until an alternative place is allotted for them.
The row erupted on Sunday after the body of Jash Ram Rai, 40, was not allowed to be buried at Bankali.
“There were no obstructions on Tuesday,” said Indra Kulung, who attended the meeting with the prime minister. “We carried out burial rituals of a body today at Bankali.”
“We do not want ethnic riots,” he said, adding that Kiratis were ready to stop burying their dead on the shrine’s premises if an alternative space was provided.
“We are not totally obliged to obey the government directive as we are an autonomous body,” said PADT Treasurer Narottam Vaidya. “However, as the directive has come from the prime minister, we will allow the Kiratis to bury their dead at Bankali for the time being. They should seek another space at the earliest.”
Vaidya said the notice regarding the ban on burial had been given to the respective communities one month ago. “We didn’t impose a ban all of a sudden, therefore it is not our mistake,” he said.
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INTERVIEW

Obviously we are sympathetic to Nepal’s current problem, although we never meddle into Nepal’s internal affairs. As a friend of Nepal we would always be prepared to respond if justifiable approach is made, to facilitate the peace process said Dr.SergeyV. Velichkin, Ambassador of Russia to the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.
Talking to The Rising Nepal Dr. Velichkin at his office recently affirmed that Russia was always ready to contribute to Nepal’s economic development, which beside other things is essential for providing much needed stability in the country.
As an envoy Dr. Velichikin further said that he would remain effortful to contribute to the Visit Nepal - 2011 campaign a success by disseminating Nepal’s information in Russia. Excerpts
TRN- As an ambassador what would be your role to further strengthen the relations between Nepal and Russia in practice?
Well, my main responsibility is to further strengthen over half a century old relations between the two nations, which have similar world outlook and are already bound by strong ties of equal partnership.
We have no conflict of interests and there are no contradictions between the two countries. I’ve got to research the political, economic and cultural situation in Nepal in order to know contemporary realities and the possibilities they offer.
Another priority will be to disseminate information about Russia in Nepal. Russia is an emerging nation in economic front. Therefore, Nepal can benefit from it. Russian investors would be keen to visit Nepal particularly in hydropower and tourism, provided the investment climate is right and they come to know about it.
TRN- It seems that Russia has not accorded priority to Nepal as the then USSR used to do in the past ?
I agree that in the post cold-war international environment the dynamics of world diplomacy has been functioning differently, while challenges as well as opportunities have changed to a large extent. It should be understood that Russia cannot replicate what the then USSR did in the past.
Having graduated into the new era, instead of focusing on ideological facets, Russia wants to be more pragmatic in the present world context. However the principles in which our interaction has been built are as relevant, as before – the primacy of international law and the set of rules affirmed by the UN Charter or, why not to recall those of Panchashila?
The more these values get rooted in international practice the weightier our common contribution to building more just, cooperative and humane multi-polar world order becomes, acquiring what you might call its due priority.
I strongly believe that Nepal is capable to re-invent itself through consolidating its democracy on its own. It seems that you are moving towards a right track now. However, Nepal can benefit if it so chooses by sharing our experiences of the transitional period. For instance, exchange of visits between the Chief Justices of Nepal and Russia has been mutually very beneficial.
TRN- Nepal is passing through a transitional stage for the last couple of years. The new Constitution is yet to be made; peace process has not yet come to the logical end. Lots of complications seem to have appeared so far. Russia had already witnessed such ups and downs in the decade of nineties. Hence, how would you help Nepal to tackle problems?
Well, Russia indeed had varied experiences during its transitional period. There may have been some similarities. As I already said, we are quite open on that and ready to be helpful if we can. However, what we should understand is that somebody’s experience may not be always quite handy. Obviously we are sympathetic to Nepal’s current problem, although we shall never meddle into Nepal’s internal affairs. As a friend of Nepal we would be always prepared to respond if approached, like we took part in the UN Security Council (as one of its Permanent Members) efforts to facilitate the peace process here when addressed by the Nepalese sides.
TRN- How does Russia think in accelerating political and economic development in Nepal? Will your focus be more on economic development?
As a matter of fact, Russia is always ready to contribute to Nepal’s economic development, which beside other things is essential for providing much needed stability in the country. But let me be frank : the impetus for economic acceleration may only come from within Nepal through establishing clear and coherent legal framework and enforcing it convincingly to rally national talent, upgrade infrastructure and provide momentum for the revival of domestic investment, thereby generating the right climate for attracting private interest from abroad.
However, there may be ways to contribute to this for us as well and in this context I am proud to refer to those Nepalese students who studied in Russia, returned home and have greatly contributed to the development of their country. Look at Mitra Kunj- it is a glorious constellation of highly skilled professionals who have dedicated themselves to serving the nation using the education they received back in my country. Many of them are now a part of your elite shaping the destinies of Nepal.
TRN- What is strategic focus of Russia in South Asia?
From the point of view of existing geo-politics, we are neighbors and our primary interest is to keep South Asia from instability and tension, which unfortunately is not an easy task given the background of conflicts and confrontation there.
Russia is as much an Asian as a European power and we have been actively developing relations of constructive cooperation with all the countries of the continent. It is highly significant that our two important strategic partners – India and China, who together with Russia and Brazil form the BRIC (this year turning into BRICSA with the incorporation in it of the South Africa) – an influential forum of emerging most dynamic world economic powers, - have been also principal participants to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, which in our view has a tremendous potential for combining strengths and resources of its member-nations in countering the contemporary challenges, above all those of international terrorism and crime, and advancing their economic development.
To highlight our great interests in facilitating positive trends in South Asia, let me only refer to our President Mr.Dmitriy Medvedev’s visit last month to neighboring India, where scoopful agreements and multibillion contracts were signed bringing more Russian commerce and investment, figuratively speaking, closer to your threshold.
So, in strategic terms, we are present here and we are going to stay and expand our presence – all for the common good of all our friends and partners in the region, of which Nepal is historically one.
TRN- How can Nepal and Russia work together in global forum for the promotion of peace and development?
We have a good record of such interaction because as I have already emphasised there is a great commonality of views and proximity of approaches between our countries on a wide range of international issues, based on identical national interests as far as the fundamental global agenda is concerned. What we probably need is to promote more consultations at the ministerial level as well as contacts between experts and civil society representatives to spread increased mutual awareness of the existing opportunities.
TRN- How would you expect to develop people to people relations between Nepal and Russia?
There could be many ways for developing people to people relationships nowadays. For instance – there are well-established public organizations like the Nepal-Russia Friendship Association, the Nepal-Russia Cultural Association, the Nepal-Russia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Mitra Kunj, which I have already mentioned, who have been engaged in fruitful multifarious activities to that end for years.
We believe that with the situation in the country getting more and more stable cultural exchange may also increase, as well as contacts between researchers and professionals. On top of that there could be many programmes. As an ambassador I will do my best to disseminate information about Nepal in my country, which is bound to result in more Russians wishing to visit Nepal as tourists. This could be a good way too to contribute to your Visit Nepal Campaign.
TRN- Is it true that Russia is according priority to ‘quite diplomacy’ in developing and least developed countries?
I guess that what is implied is not so much the style of diplomacy, though as far as my country is concerned, "Russia is indeed by no means given to high-voltage thundering or pompous lecturing", but rather substance of the course pursued towards the countries you have described as developing.
Essentially this is a policy of understanding and taking into account their needs, trying to find an individual approach to developing relations with each of them proceeding from our realistically assessed possibilities, while keeping in mind overall compulsion for mankind to find solution to their problems in our contemporary globalised and interdependent world.
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