AIRBUS OPTION TO SELL AIRCRAFT TO NEPAL SECURED

TWO LAWMAKERS ARRESED FOR TAMPERING WITH DIPLOLOMATIC PASSPORTS

Kathmandu, 19 April: Lawmaker Bishwanath Prasad Yadav of MJFN and woman legislator Gayatri Sah of Nepal Janata Dal were arrested outside premises of parliament in Naya Baneshwar late Tuesday afternoon for alleged misuse of their red or diplomatic passports by others.
Police said they acted after confirmation of the misuse.
Speaker Subash Nemwang was notified of the arrests when parliament is in session.
The arrests came after long investigation when two persons traveling on their passports destined for Australia were intercepted and sent back from home from Abu Dhabi.
The lawmakers have been detained at the police station in Hanuman Dhoka.
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PM KHANAL ASKED TO FURNISH WRITTEN REPLY ON APPOINTMENT OF CONTROVERSIAL MINISTER

Kathmandu, 19 April: Parliament’s state affairs committee Tuesday asked Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal to submit a written reply to it in one week on the appointment of Finance Sate Minister Lharkyal Lama.
Press reports said Lama holds three passports of different countries, supports a Free Tibet movement opposed by China and helped the flight of Tibetans transiting abroad via Nepal.
Khanal warded off the criticism saying Lama was appointed parliament member during the tenure of his archrival Madhav Kumar Nepal as government chief.
Lama was appointed minister last week.
China is sensitive on support of a Free Tibet movement in Nepal supported by western countries.
Beijing has got a written commitment from Nepal not to support such a movement.
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NA CEO SUGAT RATNA KANSAKAR CLEARED

Kathmandu, 19 April: The attempt of European Airbus manufacturer to sell two aircraft was kept alive Tuesday when a three bench special court cleared Nepal Airlines (NA) CEO Sugatratna Ratna Kansakar for irregularities in forwarding an advancement of $750,000 for the purchase of two aircraft for the state airline.
Six associates were also cleared of irregularities paving the way for thei return.
Airbus returned the advance obviously to secure is future marketing strategy in Nepal when charges were leveled against the NA executives who were arrested.
Wikileaks quoting secret communication between the US embassy in Kathmandu and State Department confirmed the embassy was lobbying on
behalf of Boeing for aircraft sale to NA secured by Airbus.
The special court said there were no irregularities and noted the advance had been returned.
The charges were filed by CIAA.
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PM SACKS WOMENSTTEMINISTER

Kathmandu, 19 April: Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal Tuesday sacked Minister of State for Education Mrs. Radha Geywali who didn’t accept the appointment and refused to take an office and secrecy after appointment.
She rejected the appointment by Khanal saying the UML party chaired by Khanal hadn’t given adequate seats to women in government.
The dismissal has no meaning as Gwywali never joined government.
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PROBABLY FOUR MISSING IN TRISULI RIVER

Kathmandu, 19 April: Probably four persons have gone missing when a car en route to Mugling from the capital plunged into swollen Trisuli river at Jogimara on Prithvi highway in Dhading at 4.30 Tuesday afternoon, an eyewitness said.
Exact number of passengers in the vehicle weren’t known.
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PARLIAMENT SESSION OBSTUCTED

Kathmandu, 19 April: Four lawmakers Tuesday obstructed parliament session which was adjourned until Friday without conducting business.
Lawmakers from small parties and an independent demanded an inconclusive bill in parliament to ensure minority protection especially of
of Dalits, Muslims, underprivileged and minorities.
The four lawmakers have been obstructing meetings of a main constitution drafting committee as well.
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