FINANCE MINISTER FAILS TO APPEAR BEFORE PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE

NC CC MEETS TO DISCUSS DISSOLVING NSU

Kathmandu, 31 March: NC central committee meets later
Thursday to discuss a proposal to dissolve the central committee
of Nepal Students’ Union (NSU)—the student wing of the main opposition party.
A two-member committee headed by General Secretary
Prakash Man Singh recommended dissolution of the central committee and formation of an ad hoc body to hold a general convention for the election of a new leadership.
The NSU has become dysfunctional—split between supporters
of President Sushil Koirala and three-time former Prime
Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.
The Deuba faction opposes the dissolution.
The committee meets Thursday after the sudden scheduled meeting was cancelled Wednesday though a notification issued by the office secretary.
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CABINET CONDEMNS SERIAL BUS BLASTS IN TERAI

Kathmandu, 31 March: Cabinet Wednesday condemned recent serial
bombings of moving buses in three terai districts killing one passenger and
injuring 43 others.
A decision was taken to reinforce security, Education Minister and
Government Spokesman Gopal Man Tuladhar said,
Compensation will be paid family of victims and medical expenses of
injured will be met.
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FINANCE MINISTER BAHRAT MOHAN ADHIKARI SUMMONED BY PAC THURSDAY; FAILS TO SHOW UP

Kathmandu, 31 March: Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari didn’t appear Thursday before parliament’s public account’s committee
(PAC) which had summoned him to depose on the sudden
walkout from office this week by Finance Secretary Rameshwor
Khanal.
Committee Chairman Ram Krishna Yadav has convened another meeting Friday.
Irate committee members condemned Adhikari, who is also
Deputy prime minister, for his failure to appear before the committee.
The committee had also summoned Chief Secretary Madhav Prasad Ghimere and Revenue Secretary Krishna Hari Banskota.
Main opposition NC charged Khanal, who has been described as an
incorruptible official, was hounded out of office by the new finance minister in collusion with business houses.
Parliament session was adjourned until Friday when NC obstructed house proceedings demanding a statement from Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal on the resignation.
NC has threatened to disrupt proceedings until PM Khanal issues a statement.
NC has charged Khanal was pressurized by Adhikari on promptings of powerful business interests.
The finance secretary was personally directing investigations financial malpractices by businesses causing billions of rupees in losses to government in revenue.
Minister Adhikari Wednesday asked Khanal to resume work immediately.
The resignation has embarrassed the minister and government.
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SUPREME COURT DIRECTS GOVT. TO BOOK FORMER CIAA CHIEF

Kathmandu, 31 March: A single bench of Supreme Court Chief Justice
Ram Prasad Shrestha Wednesday to take action against Acting Former
CIAA Chief Lalit Bahadur Limbu and Commissioner Bed Prasad Siwakoti
for abuse of authority.
The apex court has recently corrected what has been described as
improper court decisions acted on a writ petition seeking correction of the
anti-graft body a decision to transfer public land totaling 2.3 ropanis
of the UN Park along Bagmati river in an individual’s name.
‘The decision is against the Law,” Shrestha said delivering the verdict.
The chief justice has been personally heading supreme court benches thathas revived high profile corruption cases against top leaders and officials.
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9.6% PENSION INCREASE FOR GURKHAS

Kathmandu, 31 March: British Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans Andrew Robathan announced a 9.6 percent pension increase for British Gurkhas Wednesday before concluding his Nepal visit.
“I am pleased to inform that with effect from 1 April, there will be a 9.6 percent ncrease in pensions paid through the Gorkha pension scheme,” he said.
He announced monetary allowance for recipients of gallantry medals will
be significantly increased and payments will be backdated to 2008.
Previously announced meetings between ministers and senior officials weren’t publicly confirmed.
Robathan assured British support for peace building and development.
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US AMBASSADOR VISITING TROUBLED TERAI

Kathmandu, 31 March: UA Ambassador Scott H. DeLisi will begin a
three-day visit of the eastern terai districts of Moang, Sunsari and Jhapa
Thursday, the US embassy said.
He will attend functions marking completion of two US-funded projects
and interact with government officials, business leaders and students.
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MILK PRICE HIKED

Kathmandu, 31 March: Milk price was hiked Thursday Rs. 4 per
liter by Dairy Development Corporation (DDC).
The board decide to hike prices Tuesday amid pressure from farmers.
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LAXMIDAS MANANDHAR SALT TRADING CHAIRMAN

Kathmandu, 31 March: A board of Salt Trading Corporation
Ltd. has appointed Laxmidas Manandhar chairman.
The board also decided to distribute 20 percent bonus shares and
10 percent cash dividend.
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MORE REPORTS OF ELEPHANTIASIS MEDICINE SICKENING
PEOPLE

Kathmandu, 31 March: Many people have fallen sick after consuming
medicines against elephantiasis in various villages of Dang district,
Republica reports from the district.
Peopl have thronged health posts in Tulsipir and Lamahi apart from Ghorahi, the district headquarters of Dang, after falling sick within 24 hours of taking medicine.
On Wednesday, 10people came to Rapti Sub-regional Hospital in Ghorahi alone.
(Note: At least two people have been reported dead in Dharan and Banke.)
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