BALL IN GOVT. COURT

MORE DETAILS OF PM KHANAL,SUSHIL KOIRALA TALKS

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 19 May: Main opposition NC President Sushil Koirala told Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal Thursday the tenure of the constituent assembly (CA) can’t be extended with the status quo continuing.
“The ball is in the government court. The mandate can’t be extended until the peace process is completed,” Koirala told reporters after discussion with Khanal.
Koirala rejected to lend support to Khanal’s request of extend the CA tenure for one more year by the ninth amendment to the interim constitution.
The interim constitution has repeatedly been extended to suit party interests; but parties in the last 10 months have sidelined constitution drafting concentrating instead on retaining power to bringing down the government.
‘The assembly tenure can be extended only by creating an environment through completion of the peace process,” MJFL Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar said after meeting Koirala.
Koirala was asked by Gachedhar not to change party position and support CA extension proposal of the government.
nnnn

8.61 MILLION TONS CEREALS PRODUCED IN 2010/11

Kathmandu, 19 May: Altogether 8.61 million tons of cereals were produced in 2010/11 compared to 7.76 million tons the previous year—an 11 percent increase compared to the previous year, ministry of agriculture said Wednesday.
Altogether 2.06 million tons of maize and 4.46 millions tons of paddy was produced during the year. Paddy followed by maize are the main cereals
Wheat production was 1.74 million tons, barley 30,000 tons,
303,000 tons of millet and 8,841 tons buckwheat.
Produce improved because of favourable monsoon, increased use of improved seed, easy availability of chemical fertilizers and reduced crop damage.
Maize, paddy and wheat production jumped 10.85, 11,45 and 12 percent respectively.
Cereal crop surplus is estimated at 15,000 tons.
Food deficit districts has increased to 10 in terai—the granary, causing concern despite increase in food production.
“We are surprised by such a fast drop in food grain production even in major producing districts in terai due to rapid population growth and growing human settlements on farmland,” Spokesman Dr. Hari Dahal said.
nnnn


MEDIA GOOGLE

“There’s threat to the rise of authoritarianism if the assembly tenure is extended. We elected the assembly members for only two years; parties can’t continue to extend the tenure for their convenience.”

(Former speaker and rights activist Damannath Dhungana, Annapurna Post, 19 May)
nnnn