PM. PRACHANDA DIALOGUE

Kathmandu, 13 Feb.: Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal and Maoist Chairman Jhalanath Khanal at a meeting Sunday agreed to pass a finance ordinance bill.
Parliament meets Monday to discuss the ordinance and related bills presented Saturday by Deputy Prime Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari who was also appointed finance minister.
The ordinance brought by the previous government has to be approved by Tuesday; the new government was previously contemplating a budget for the remaining five months of the current fiscal year2067/68.
He’s the only minister who has been allocated a ministry; two other ministers also from UML are still ministers without portfolios; Khanal has not set aside any ministry for him following Maoist refusal to join a government it helped to propel to power by supporting Khanal, who is also party chairman.
But the two leaders couldn’t agree of assembling a government and agreed to meet again after intra-party talks to expand it and complete government formation.
Khanal was elected by majority vote in parliament 10 days ago.
Maoists Friday gave Khanal a seven-day ultimatum to official clarify its position on a controversial seven-point agreement bit Prachanda said Saturday his party would join the government soon.
‘Our support to the government continues. Maoists will join the government in a day or two. The government expansion will be completed,” the Maoist chief told a public meeting in Kavre Saturday.
The Khanal/ Prachanda meet comes after Saturday’s statement.
“The government formed with our efforts won’t collapse so soon.We haven’t worked for party interest; we respected the people’s wishes,” Prachanda said.
Both Khanal and Maoists have said the government was formed entirely with Nepali genius.
“This government will be expanded soon on the basis of the seven-point agreement. Understand Nepalis don’t stay with their arms tied during difficulties. Nepalis are adept in overcoming difficulties,” Khanal also said Saturday..
Indian unhappiness with the new government was demonstrated when Ambassador Rakesh Sood boycotted Khanal’s swearing-in ceremony last week; other Kathmandu based ambassadors were present at the official presidential residence.
The boycott is also demonstrates an Indian attempt to interfere in Nepal’s internal affairs—a charge leveled by Maoists who conducted the people’s war by making India a base.
Khanal told reporters Sunday dialogue with other parties continue to expand and complete government formation.
nnnn

MAOISTS OBSERVE 16TH ANNIVERSARY ON PEOPLE’S WAR LAUNCH

Kathmandu, 13 Feb.: Maoists Sunday observed the 16th anniversary of the launch of their peoples’ war by holding a tea reception in the capital.
The communist party will illuminate the city in the beginning.
Maoists captured state power ad toppled monarchy not by defeating the Royal Nepal Army but by negotiating a deal with seven parliamentary parties by negotiating 12-point agreement in New Delhi.
NC leader Chakra Prasad Bastola, a nephew of Girija Prasad Koirala said ‘he’s a witness’ to the 12-point agreement delivered by India to nepali leaders ’written on paper with a pencil’.
Chairman Prachanda was scheduled to address a public meeting at
Liwang in Rolpa where the war was launched.
More than 15,000 persons were killed on both ides of the conflict during the civil war.
The state army was deployed by Sher Bahadur Deuba to fight a
war against its own brothers and sisters.
Nnnn

BIRGUNJ CLOSED DOWN

Kathmandu, 13 Feb.: Students closed down educational institutions
in Birgunj Sunday protesting the murder of a colleague Pradip Singh, 18, by rival gang Friday.
The town was closed as rival students clashed.
Students are demanding arrest of the guilty.
Two suspects have been arrested.
Nnnn

ATTORNEY GENERAL APPOINTED

Kathmandu, 13 Feb.: Prof. Dr. Khagendra Shaguraula was appointed Sunday attorney general—the government’s chief legal advisor—by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister.
The political appointment is Khanal’s first on the recommendation
of the party state affairs committee.
nnnn

CC DISCUSSES COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING


Kathmndu, 13 Feb.: The main constitution drafting committee Sunday discussed a Maoist for proposal for compulsory military training for
18-year olds,
The proposal wasn’t accepted in a discussion at a thematic committee.
The drafting committee headed by Nilambar Acharya also discussed whether or not to incorporate resettlement, integration of and supervision of former Maoists in a basic law that has to be
promulgated by 28 May.
Differences persist remain between major political players on major topics to be incorporated in the proposed constitution.
Many fear the second deadline to complete a constitution may not
be met as well.
nnnn