MORE DETAILS OF THARU STRIKE

FURTHER DETAILS OF THARUWAT STRIKE

Kahmandu, 1 Sept.: A strike by Tharus in areas where they have sizeable population was enforced Thursday also to protest a further three-month extension of the constituent assembly.
The tenure was extended Thursday by a majority vote in parliament.
Tharus, like RPP-Nepal, demanded fresh assembly election to renew mandate of the assembly pressing eight demands.
nnnn

NEPALI MIGRANT WORKER WHO ACCUSED WIFE OF ISRAEL PREMIER SACKED
Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: : A Nepalese migrant worker who levelled the latest in a string of abuse allegations against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu´s wife Sarah has been fired, Israeli media reported on Wednesday, AFP reports from Jerusalem.

Tara Kumari, who was employed at the premier´s residence to help look after his ailing father-in-law Shmuel Ben Artzi, was sacked for "repeated negligence" in his care, the media said, citing Netanyahu´s office.


In a series of interviews she gave to Israeli media on Wednesday, Kumari said that Sarah Netanyahu had accused her of extorting money from her father, an accusation she categorically denied.

She said that during one blazing row with her employer three weeks ago, she had fallen and injured her finger.

She charged that Sarah Netanyahu was in the habit of "shouting abuse at me and refusing to provide me with the meals or days off to which I was entitled."

"Sarah Netanyahu also threatened to send me back to my country," she added.


In a statement released on Tuesday, the prime minister´ office denied there had been the "slightest physical contact" between Netanyahu´s wife and Kumari.

Sarah Netanyahu has faced repeated accusations in the Israeli press of abusing her domestic staff and leading an extravagant lifestyle at the expense of her husband´s business donors.

Earlier this year, she gave an impassioned interview to Channel Two television, pleading for a halt to the media criticism which she said was really aimed at her husband.

"Again I stand before the public as a target. Again, they hurt the prime minister through me," she said.

"This is evil gossip, which becomes a sort of permanent ritual of hypocrisy and sanctimoniousness. Enough. Enough already. This has to stop."
Nnnn

FEASIBILITY STUDYOF DIRECT CARGO RAILWAY SERVICE BETWEEN NEPAL BANGLADESH

FEASIBILITY STUDY OF DIRECT CARGO RAILWAY SERVICE BETWEEN NEPAL,BANGLADESH STARTS

Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: A feasibility study of a cargo railway between Nepal and Bangladesh though India has started, Kantipur reports.
Officials of Nepal, India and Bangladesh held discussions at SAARC headquarters in Kathmadu.
‘There’s been an agreement to study the feasibility of a cargo railway service from Birgung via Rohanpur, Singhabad in India to Dhaka,” Joint Secretary at the Physical Planning Ministry Kamal Pande said.
nnnn

THARUS PROTEST DRESS CODE

THARUS CLOSE DOWN DISTRICTS WHERE THEY ARE DOMINANT

Kathmadu, 1 Sept.: Tharus Thursday down districts where they are dominant.
The community that calls itself indigenous to Nepal closed down areas for two consecutive days protesting a supreme court explanation of a government decree calling a combination of daura, suruwal and topi as the national dress.
Tharus are dominant in the far-West.
Nnnn

THREE KILLED IN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT

Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: Three persons were killed instantly when two motorcycles collided in Nawalparasi overnight.
Two were seriously injured at Mukundapur in the district.
Nnnn

SHORTGE OF EXPERTS TO ANALYSE CENSUS DETAILS
Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: As the country is eagerly awaiting for results of Census 2011, Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) is reeling from lack of technology and qualified human resource successfully conclude the data analysing phase, Binod Ghmere/Niranjan Sharma write in The Kathmandu Post.
Though the national statistical agency of the government was first to bring computers in Nepal in 1968, it hasn’t upgraded its technology. It is also suffering from lack of experts.
CBS is preparing to invite the private sector, most likely an international consultancy, to process the collected data ignoring risks of the manipulation and leakage of the findings.
According to CBS population unit chief Rudra Suwal, the unit has only 10 core members, a number too low while conducting the national census. More than 50 questions were asked this time which has made data analysis process of Census 2011 complicated than the earlier census. “Though the issues of confidentiality and security are of utmost concerns, we have to call for a bidding in view of lack of expertise to convert this huge data of hard copies into electronic form,” said the officer.
Under the Public Procurement Act-2007, an international bidding is a must while carrying out any work worth more than Rs 30 million. A whopping budget of Rs 250 million has been allocated for the data analysing phase. Given this situation, it is most likely that an international consultancy will grab the opportunity to analyse data.
CBS wants a Nepali consultancy to take up this task to ensure no misuse of the data by foreign agencies. “We can closely inspect the local consultancy. But it is not possible to monitor an international agency,” said Suwal, adding that some of Nepali agencies are willing to handle the data analysing phase. “But the government has to authorised in such a situation.”
He also said data capturing as well as organising and extracting useful information from the raw data is sensitive and crucial stage in the data analysis process, which needs close inspection from CBS.The tender for data processing can be awarded to a Nepali agency if the Cabinet makes a special decision, said CBS officials.
Census expert say this situation wouldn’t have surfaced now had CBS timely upgraded its system. “It is the failure of the statistics bureau that it has not utilised the technical experts available in the country to develop new expertise,” said Bal Gopal KC, a member of the CBS technical committee.
Nnnn

NPL PROVISIOING COME DOWN
Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: Defying all the speculation, commercial banks’ non-performing loan (NPL) and amount for provisioning for possible losses declined in the last fiscal year, The Kathmandu Post reports.
Amid slowdown in the realty sector, minimal economic growth and protracted liquidity crunch, it was expected that the banks’ NPL and provisioning bad loans would rise sharply.
However, last quarter results of all 31 commercial banks show that the banking sector’s NPL, which stood at 2.54 percent in 2009-10, decreased to 2.4 percent in 2010-11. Commercial banks have provisioned a total of Rs 5.73 billion at the end of FY 2010-11 against Rs 5.99 billion in FY 2009-10. It has been found that the amount for banks’ provisioning for 2009-10 differs from the statistics kept by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). As per the NRB statistics, total provisioning in FY 2009-10 was at Rs 5.01 billion, which is less by Rs 980 million than that stated by banks’ last quarter report of 2010-11. This difference, according to an NRB official, is due to the NRB direction to five banks to increase their provisioning.
Although NPL and provisioning have decreased, commercial banks’ lending has increased. Their lending increased to Rs 520 billion in 2010-11 from Rs 462 billion in 2009-10.
At a time when getting loans is difficult due to high interest rate, the increased lending amount might have been used for interest repayment of old loans, suspect NRB officials. “Banks might have done refinancing for customers who were finding it difficult to repay interest,” said the NRB official. “This increases the size of lending, while the NPL level remains constant.”
The official, however, said the trend will not repeat from this fiscal year as the format in which details are submitted has been changed. “This fiscal year onward, clear details will come.”
Nepal Bankers’ Association President Ashoke Rana also expressed doubts over the NPL and provisioning that commercial banks have published. “IMF has been raising questions over the NPL shown by banks,” said Rana. “When looked at the economic condition of the country, the ratio of the NPL cannot be low as shown by the banks.” He added that pressure to CEOs to increase profitability might be the reason.
NRB officials say one of the reasons behind the decline in NPL and provisioning might be the relaxation given to the realty sector.
NRB had given one more year for BFIs to renew realty loans if borrowers pay all outstanding interest. This provision allowed banks to make provisioning of just one percent of the loan amount, eventually reducing their overall provisioning and NPL level.
According to NIC Bank CEO Sashin Joshi, NRB’s provision that extended the interest payment deadline by one more month even after the completion of fiscal year might have helped. “The directive might have played a crucial role in lowering NPL and provisioning,” he said.
NPL level
2009-10 2.54 pc
2010-11 2.4 pc
Provisioning
2009-10 Rs 5.99 billion
2010-11 Rs 5.73 billion
Nnnn

FOOD SECURITY SITUATION STABLE
Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: The overall food security situation has remained stable across the country, The Himalayan Times reports.

“It is mainly attributed to a good harvest of winter crops (April-June) and employment opportunities generated by development aid,” according to Nepal Food Security Bulletin jointly produced by Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and World Food Programme (WFP).

The main winter crops of wheat and barley production increased by 12.2 per cent and 9.6 per cent respectively compared to last year. Wheat production set a national record of 1.75 million metric tonne.

The situation, however, remains a concern for some in some pocket areas where crops were affected by localised natural disasters like insufficient rainfall and hailstorm, the report added.

In Saptari the District Food Security network (DFSN) has identified 28 Village Development Committees (VDCs) in the south-western belt of the district as highly food insecure.

The report has attributed it to a 60 per cent reduction of wheat and spring paddy production due to a dry spell, which was cumulative to the 2010 reduction of 40-60 per cent in the main paddy production.

Parts of the Eastern Hill and Mountain districts are reported as moderately food insecure, it said, adding that it reflected a seasonal deterioration in those areas where winter crops like wheat and barley are cultivated in limited areas and hence do not play a significant role in food security.

Most of the Mid and the Far Western Hill and Mountain districts reported a food secure situation, according to the report. Overall wheat and barley production ranged from normal to a 30 per cent or higher increase compared to last year.

Development programmes supported by various organisations have created good employment opportunities, it said, adding that main summer crops of maize and paddy are growing well across the country and the overall production outlook is good.

Good production of winter crops, wage employment opportunities created by development programmes, remittances, and regular supply of food to the local markets contributed to a stable food security situation across the country, it concluded, adding that a seasonal deterioration is reported in part of the Eastern Hill and Mountain districts where the winter crops of wheat and barley are cultivated in limited areas and do not play a vital role in food security.

The situation in upper Dolpa and some Village Development Committees in the northern and the southernbelt of Baitadi are likely to deteriorate to the highly food insecure phase during the next cycle as there will be no incoming harvest and employment opportunities as well as market supply will be affected by monsoon.

The food security situation in the rest of the country will remain stable expected to improve due to the positive outlook of summer crops.

According to the central bank, High food prices remain a concern. The year-on-year inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index, increased by 8.8 per cent in mid-June 2011 whereas the indices of the cereal subgroup increased by 10.4 per cent.
Nnnn

JAPAN EXPLORING REASONS FOR INEFFECTIVENESS IN HIRING PROCESS
Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: Japan International Training Cooperation Organisation (JITCO) is exploring Nepali job market and related policies to find out causes of ineffectiveness in hiring process, The Himalayan Times reports.

About 80 Nepalis – 40 from Federation of Nepalese chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and 40 from outsourcer – have reached Japan for JITCO job in last 20 months.

The JITCO officials are visiting Nepal in mid-September to get the clear picture on the problems in sending and hiring process, said executive director of Foreign Employment Promotion Board Sthaneshwor Devkota.

“They will meet government officials, outsourcers and FNCCI and discuss possible ways to ease the hiring process,” he said.

Complex process of hiring and lack of marketing knowledge of outsourcer in developed countries are the major causes of ineffectiveness in JITCO hiring. “We don’t have marketing access in Japan,” general secretary of Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies Kumud Khanal, said, adding that major hindrance is lack of marketing in the destination. “Japan government has not been providing visa to the outsourcer to explore Japanese market,” he added.

Likewise, finding manpower prescribed by the JITCO is yet another hardship. JITCO demands workers with specific qualifications that is hard to get in the domestic market because we don’t have sophisticated industries like in Japan, Khanal said.

Service fee is yet another problem in promotion of the job market. “It is not possible to explore Japanese job market and get demand in Rs 50,000,” he said, adding that the association will demand easy visa to outsourcers and increase in service fee in meeting with JITCO officials.

About 185 outsourcing agencies, including FNCCI are associated in JITCO but only two dozen have got demand so far. According to the Department of Foreign Employment, the total JITCO demand in last 20 months stands at 700 industrial trainees.

JITCO hires industrial trainees with two years working experience in Nepali industry, agriculture and other fields. They earn about Rs 36,000 per month and could get upto Rs 1,00,000 working as intern
nnnn

MAOIST GOVT.TEAM LIKELY TO BE COMPLETED THURSDAY

MAOISTS EXPECTED TO COMPLETE GOVT. LIST THURSDAY

Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: Maoists, heading the government for the second time in 38 months, are expected to finalize their government team Thursday.
Top three leaders are holding consultations to finalize a team amid intensive lobbying by factions for placements in government.
Chairman Prachanda has been empowered to set parameters for appointment of ministers,
Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai was finance minister in the first government led by Chairman Prachanda which resigned in nine months following confrontation with President Dr Ram Baran Yadav and Nepal Army.
As in the past while forming coalition governments, differences have surfaced between Maoists and a front of five Madeshbadi parties on control of ‘important and powerful ministries’.
A two-member cabinet hasn’t been expanded five days after installation of a small cabinet.
There are differences in the front of Madeshbadi parties as well.
Two rounds of inconclusive talks were held at the residence of TMLP Chairman Mahanta Thakur until late Wednesday night to resolve the differences.
The five parties have greed in principle only on sharing the number of ministries only.
nnnn

NC FAVOURS 5,000 MAOIST FIGHTER INTEGRATION

Kathmandu, 1 Sept. Main opposition NC has suggested integration of only 5,000 former fighters in state security agencies, including Nepal Army.
NC opposes mass integration.
The party had earlier suggested integration of 4,000 fighters.
This was announced by parliamentary party (PP) leader Ram Chandra Paudel Wednesday.
Maoists have suggested integration of 7,000 former PLA fighters.
A 12-point New Delhi accord between them Maoist rebels and seven parliamentary parties mentions integration ad resettlement in principle without specifying numbers—compounding a dispute on integration.
Parties claim agreement on numbers between Girija Prasad Koirala and Chairman Prachanda; but the number hasn’t been codified.
Nnnn

35 ACCUSED IN SUDAN SCAM SUMMONED BY SPECIAL COURT

Kathmandu, 1 Sept. Thirty-five accused in the Rs.280 million Sudan scam have been summoned by the special court Thursday.
Thirty-four senior Nepal Police (NO) officers, including three IGPs, and a Nepali contractor have been summoned.
The contractor was charged for supplying defective armoured personnel carriers to NP peacekeepers with UN in Sudan.
Another contractor ignored summons to present himself personally at the court.
Some police officers charged by CIAA have been cleared by the court.
The court is expected to fix date for hearings in their presence.
Nnnn

FRANCE HOPES DR BHATTARAI ELECTION WILL HELP END PEACE PROCESS

Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: France hopes election of Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai will help complete the peace process:
”France welcomes the election of Dr. Bhattarai as the prime minister of Nepal.
:With the extension of the mandate of the Constituent Assembly, this election will allow the establishment of a stable and sustainable government action, able to meet the challenges faced by Nepal’s young democracy, the first of those being completing the peace process,’ a French foreign ministry statement said.
Nnnn

SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO MEET THRICE A WEEK

Kathmandu, 1 Sept. Special committee for integration, resettlement of 19,000 plus former Maoist fighters will now meet thrice a week to hasten the process, Maoist military leader Barsha Man Pun, who is also committee member, said.
Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai chaired the first committee under him Wednesday to push the delayed processes.
Maoists are handing over keys of containers with weapons verified by UN to the special committee Thursday
Nnnn

IOC AGREES TO GAS SUPPLY
DECISIONwascommunicated Wednesday.



LIBERAL MARGIN LENDING FAILS TO BOOST INVESTOR CONFIDENCE

Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: Low dividend declaration by highly-rated banks and high interest rates is repelling investors from the stock market, spreading the gloom already running deep in the market, Republica reports.

Currently, daily turnover at Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) stand at less than Rs 20 million, far lower than the daily average of Rs 40 million last year, when the market was not performing well.

Stock analysts had anticipated the market to pick up, particularly after Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) relaxed provision on margin-type lending and allowed banks to decide on margin call. The government had also promised large scale investment from public sector entities.

“Sadly, returning to the days market recorded turnover of as much as Rs 120 million a day seems impossible now,” said Rabindra Bhattarai, a share analyst.

Nepse index has consistently hovered between 300-400 points over the last three months.

Although NRB this week liberalized the margin lending regime further, allowing banks to renew loans issued against the collateral of shares, analysts still rule out the possibility of market regaining confidence.

“What market needs at this juncture is huge investment. Unless the government comes up with the ways to ensure that, we don´t expect the market to revive,” Bhattarai added.

Though investors welcomed the central bank´s latest relaxation of renewal of margin lending, they said the market simply lacked positive outlook to lure new investment. They say dividends announced by leading banks and financial institutions -- major players and milking cow in the stock market -- were lower than the last year.

“Investors feel that the rate of return on share investment has dipped than the past, whereas interest rate on margin lending (investment) has gone up,” said Bhattarai.
Currently, banks are offering interest return of 8 percent to 12 percent on deposits, whereas they are slapping interest rate of up to 16 percent on margin lending. The stock market, on the other hand, is presently plagued by low rate of return compared to other sectors.

Records show even the best performing banks like Nabil Bank have announced only 30 percent dividend, which is far lower from 70 percent announced last year. This disappointed investors, who were expecting attractive dividend after suffering huge loss in share prices over the year.

“Low dividend announcement has dampened investors´ confidence. No wonder the stock market is fast losing new investment,” said Nanda Kishore Mundada, immediate past president of Stock Brokers´ Association Nepal (SBAN).

Talking to Republica, Mundada also viewed the NRB´s latest relaxation of margin lending would not rejuvenate the stock market as big investors - the major players - have already sold out their large number of shares.

“Margin lending relaxation came very late. Major investors have already sold their large share holding amid scarcity of loans,” added Mundada.

Given the situation, Mundada says the government should immediately enact Central Depository Service (CDS) Regulations and facilitate entry of investment of Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) to give new impetus to the market.

Nnnn

EPS quotas
OM ASTHA RAI
KATHMANDU, Sept 1: Nepal has started lobbying for an additional 2,000 employment quotas in South Korea.

If the Ministry of Labor and Transport Management (MoLTM) succeeds in persuading the Human Resource Department (HRD) of South Korea into sanctioning more employment quotas in the agricultural sector, over 17,000 Nepali workers may get jobs under Employment Permit System (EPS) within the next two years.


South Korea has allocated only 15,298 quotas -- 13,298 in production and 2,000 in agriculture sector -- to Nepal for this year. Of the total 50,043 workers who appeared in Korean language test held in July, 17,298 workers, including those in the waiting list, have passed the exams.

“Although South Korea has allocated only 2,000 quotas in agriculture sector, we have published the names of 4,000 Nepali workers, half of them in the waiting list, assuming that all of them would not want to take up agricultural works,” Krishna Hari Pushkar Karna, assistant spokesperson for the MoLTM, said.

“But, as it appears now, almost all of them are willing to work even in the agricultural sector. Therefore, we have asked South Korea to add 2,000 more quotas so that we will be able to send all 17,000 workers, including even those in the waiting list,” Karna added.

This is the third time Nepal has asked South Korea to add employment quotas. Initially, South Korea had sanctioned only 7,100 quotas for Nepal.

Highly impressed by Nepali workers" discipline and dedication, South Korea increased the previously sanctioned quotas to 10,100. As Nepal again asked for more quotas, citing the high number of EPS job aspirants, South Korea allocated 15,298 quotas.

The number of EPS quotas provided to Nepal is higher than that of any other country. South Korea has been hiring workers under EPS from 15 developing countries including Nepal.

“Although we have been corresponding to South Korea for more quotas for quite some time now, our lobbying has not been effective,” Karna said, adding, “We could have lobbied for this more effectively if we had a labor attaché in South Korea.”

Though the Ministry of General Administration had sanctioned the posts of labor attaché for South Korea and Kuwait and the Ministry of Finance has allocated the required budget, the MoLTM has yet not sent labor attachés there due to the delay by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in giving its final nod.

Nepal had signed an agreement with South Korea in 2004 to send workers under EPS. Over 8,000 Nepali workers have already reached South Korea under the EPS. A Nepali worker earns Rs 70,000 on an average in South Korea.

Korean jobs have become hugely popular among Nepali workers largely due to the fairness of the EPS process.
nnnn

GOLD PRICE JUMPS

GOLD PRICE INCREASES
Kathmandu, 31 Aug. Gold traded for Rs. 52,400per tola Wednesday amid price fluctuations.
The yellow metal gained Rs.1,100 per tola compared to the previous day.
Silver was traded at Rs 1,214 per tola Wednesday—an increase of Rs.14 per tola compared to the previous day.
nnnn

MAOISTS TO HANDOVER KEYS OF CONTAINERS WITH THEIR WEAPONS TO SPECIAL COMMITTEE

MAOISTS TO HANDOVER KEYS OF CONTAINERS WITH WEAPONS TO SPECIAL COMMITTEE

Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Maoists agreed Wednesday to handover keys to containers at seven cantonments with Maoist weapons verified by UN to monitoring teams Thursday.
The keys will be handed to monitoring teams at cantonments under the special committee headquartered in the capital at Nepal Army Headquarters.
“Two important decisions have been taken for complete control,” NC member of the special committee Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat said.
Decision was also taken to recruit
members of technical teams that will go to 28 cantonments and satellite camps pursue decisions.
Committee members said an atmosphere for cooperation has been created.
Further meetings wil be held to immediately to pursue meeting futher
The monitoring teams consist of representatives of Nepal Army, other state security agencies and Maoist PLA.
The keys were with Maoists although they were verified and sealed in containers by UNMIN a political arms of UN.
The body withdrew from Nepal 15 January after a failed four-year mission.
NC leader Dr. Ra Sharan Mahat confirmed the handover.
The handover was agreed Wednesday at a meeting of a special committee on integration, resettlement and supervision chaired ex-officio by the prime minister.
PM Dr. Baburam Bhattarai chaired the meeting for the first time Wednesday.
Maoists have pledged completion of integration of 19,000 Maoist former combatants 45 days after installation of the Bhattarai to complete the peace process demanded by other parties.
Major parties are represented in the committee which takes decisions unanimously.
Earlier, a summit of the Big Three was held prior to the special committee meet.
nnnn

PARTY CHIEF EXPELLED

FOREIGN ENVOYS BUSY IN POLITICAL MEETINGS

Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Indian Ambassador Jayant Prasad, who held discussions with Maoist Chairman Prachanda Wednesday, later held discussions with Speaker Subash Nemwang.
They discussed constitution and completion of delayed peace process.
US Ambassador Scott H.DeLisi discussed current issues with NC parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Paudel.
Dr. Baburam Bhattarai defeated
Paudel in parliamentary elections for parliament.
nnnn.

CHAIRMAN OF CPN(ML-Socialist) EXPELLED FROM PARTY

Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: The CPN (ML-Socialist) has expelled Chairman Jagat Bahadur Bogati from all responsibilities of the party, RSS reports.
The central committee meeting of the party held on August 3 took such decision unanimously, said the party leaders in a news conference in the capital on Wednesday. Bishnu Raj Aryal, who was the general secretary earlier, has been appointed the chairman of the party effective from the same day.
Newly appointed party chairman Aryal said lawmakers Yadu Bansa Jha and Tilak Bahadur Thapa Magar will also be relieved of the post.
Nnnn

EFFORTS CONTINUE TO EXPAND TWO-MEMBER GOVT.

MORE DETAILS OF ATTEMPTS TO COMPLETE GOVT. EXPANSION

Kathmandu, 31 Aug. UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, a former prime minister assured Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai Wednesday UML will extend outside support to the Bhattarai government
Khanal gave the assurance at a meeting between Wednesday morning.
Prachanda discussed completion of cabinet expansion by Thursday with Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar, who is chairman of MJFL.
MJFL is one of five constituents of Madeshbadi parties.
Morcha front leaders discussed front government team with Mahanta Thakur Wednesday.
The talks were inconclusive.
Nnnn


DESPITE GOVT CHANGE MAOISTS STILL ON US BLACKLIST
Kathmandu, 31Aug : The United States said that Nepal´s Maoists needed to do more to be removed from a terrorism blacklist, even though it hopes to work with a new prime minister from the left-wing movement, AFP reports out of Washington.
Baburam Bhattarai, a senior leader of the former rebels whose insurgency helped topple the monarchy, was selected Sunday as prime minister in a new bid to end a prolonged political deadlock in the Himalayan nation.
The United States has pledged to work with Bhattarai but, in response to a question, said that the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist would remain on a list of terrorist organizations whose members are barred from US travel.
"While the party has taken some positive steps, we continue to have areas of concern which must be addressed before the party could be de-listed," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.
The Maoists have long sought the removal of the designation. Nuland dismissed suggestions that the listing would complicate US ties, saying: "We are hopeful that we will be able to have a good working relationship."
"There are a number of governments around the world where individual folks, individual parties in a coalition, have been designated, and we continue to work as best we can there," she said.
She did not specify criteria, but US diplomats in the past have urged the Maoists to renounce definitively the use of violence as a political instrument.
Maoist rebels waged a bloody conflict that left 16,000 dead before turning to mainstream politics and winning elections in 2008. The Maoists were blamed for a 2004 attack on the American Center in Kathmandu.
The Maoists are on the US Terrorism Exclusion List but not the tougher Foreign Terrorist Organization List, which would make it a crime to provide financial support to the group.
Nnnn

PM BHATTARAI CONTINUES DRIVE TO COLLECT SUPPORT

PM DR.BHATTARAI CONTINUES EFFORT TO COLLECT SUPPORT UPDATE

Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Continuing his effort to collect support for government, Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai later Wednesday held consultations with former Prime Minister and UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal at the latter’s residence/
Nepal rejected an invitation to UML to join government.
UML has now decided to join the opposition with NC.
Bhattarai earlier sought UML cooperation from Chairman Jhalanath Khanal.
Bhattarai gave Nepal details of a meeting of army integration committee which he heads.
nnnn

PRACAHNDA TO ESTABLISH PARAMETERS FOR SELECTION OF GOVT. TEAM

PRACHANDA TO PREPARA PARAMETERS FOR INCLUSION IN MAOIST GOVT. TEAM

Kathmandu, 31 Aug: Maoist Chairman Prachanda has been empowered to establish parameters for selecting a government team.
Party leaders discussed selecting a government team amid claims by rival groups.
The party leaders are meeting again Thursday to finalize a list.
Nnnn

INDIAN ABASSADOR, PRACHANDA MEET

Kathmandu, 31 Aug. Indian Ambassador Jayant Prasad held his first discussion with Maoist Chairman Prachanda Wednesday.
Prasad assumed office Friday.
nnnn

PM BHATTARAI GIVES DETAILS OF HIS ASSETS

Kathmandu, 31 Aug.:Prime Minister Dr.Bahuram Bhattarai submitted Tuesday details of his assets to the office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Gorkhapatra reports.
He has approximately two ropanis uncultivated land in ancestral property at his birthplace Khoplang-4 in Gorkha.
His daughter Manashi Yami has seven ropanis, 12 annas and one dam farmland at the same
Grandfather of Manashi has set aside 10 ropanis uncultivated land forher in Gorkha.
Bhattarai has a Scorpio vehicle given by the party
The premier has Rs. 400,000 in savings daughter has Rs.10 lakhs in savings at Rashtriya Banijya Bank.
Hishila Yami deposited the money in the daughter’s account and aunts also contributed.
nnnn

KIDNAPPED NEPALI AND HIS ABDUCTOR HAD SINGAPORE CONNECTIONS

Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: A Nepali hotelier in Singapore who was kidnapped for ransom this week in the capital was rescued by police Tuesday.
Govinda Bahadr Karki who hails from Chitwan was a hotelier in the island state, published reports said Wednesday.
Police shot and injured kidnapper Shital Tuladhar in the chin, the shootout took place at Thamel—a tourist hub in the capital.
Reports said Tuladhar was involved in extortion in Singapore as well.
Nnnn

INDIAN SPY AGENCY RAW CHIEF IN TOWN DURING BHATTARAI ELECTION

Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: This time also during elections for prime minister. RAW Chief Alok Joshi was in town, Janaastha reports.
He even came twice by air and land route.
Joshi first arrived 17 August and stayed three nights at Radisson Hotel.
nnnn


MADHAV KUMAR NEPAL GOING TO JAPAN

Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal is proceeding for Japan Saturday to participate in a conference, Budhabar reports.
NC lawmakers Dr.Ram Sharan Mahat and Gagan Thapa are also proceeding to Japan along with Maoist lawmakers Khim Lal Debkota, MJFN Chairman Upendra Yadav ad National Planning Commission Vice-chairman Dr.Dinesh Chandra Debkota.
nnnn
,
MEDIA GOOGLE

“We will ask the government why it was prompting state of impunity. The general amnesty as foreseen by the UCPN-M and UDMF is not possible as a number of criminal cases are pending against individuals.”

(NHRC Chairman Kedarnath Upadhaya, The Himalayan Times, 31 Aug.)
nnnn

BIG THREE MEET WEDNESDAY

BIG THREE MEET PLANNED

Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: A meeting of the Big Three is being held Wednesday.
The meeting coincides with a meeting of a special committee headed by the prime minister for integration and resettlement of 19,000 former Maoist fighters.
Two opposition parties NC and UML and Maoists will meet and discuss Maoist proposals to complete integration/resettlement of former rebel fighters by regrouping them in two groups
nnnn

NC CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEETS SATURDAY

Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Main opposition NC central committee will meet Saturday.
The committee will discuss future strategy after failure to secure leadership of the government in a contest in parliament
with Maoists
Maoist Second Vice-chairman Dr. Baburam Bhattarai defeated thee-time prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Vice-president Ram Chandra in legislative elections.
Nnnn

MEDIA GOOGLE

“The deal that has been struck between the Maoists and Madesh-based parties does not bode well for the country.”

(Sujata Koirala, The Himalayan Times, 31 Aug.)
Nnnn

PLANNED AUCTION OF NRC ASSETS HITS OBSTACLE

Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: The planned auction of the property belonging to Nepal Recreation Centre (NRC) has been delayed with the Finance and Labour ministries locked in stalemate over who should get the money first, The Kathmandu Post writes.

On June 25, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) cancelled the operating license of NRC which owns four casinos in various hotels in Kathmandu for defaulting on royalty payments. The government had moved to auction off its assets to recover outstanding dues. NRC owns around 3.5 ropanis of land and a house in Kalimati.

The Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) under the Finance Ministry, which had issued the auction notice, said that the dues NRC owes to the government should be settled first. However, the Labour Ministry has argued that the staff of Casino Nepal should be paid off first. The DRI had announced an auction of NRC’s properties but there were no takers following reports that they had been frozen by the Department of Land Revenue at the order of the Labour Ministry. “The ministry has blocked the sale of NRC’s properties in the interest of the casino’s workers as they have not received their pay,” said Purna Chandra Bhattarai, spokesperson at the Labour Ministry.

Casino Nepal, which is housed at the Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza, has not paid its staff for the last seven months. It owes over Rs 540 million in unpaid staff salaries and Rs 139 million in royalties to the government. NRC also owes hefty dues to hotels and its suppliers.

The parliamentary Public Accounts Committee and the Finance and Labour Relation Committee have directed the Tourism, Finance and Labour ministries to coordinate among themselves to settle the labour issue.

Following the fresh directives of the two parliamentary committees, Bhattarai said that the issue needed to be discussed with the Finance Ministry.

The DRI is planning to issue another call for offers for NRC’s property. Director general of the DRI Shanta Bahadur Shrestha said that they would seek legal counsel to resolve the issue. “We will be calling for tenders within a few days,” said Shrestha.
Nnnn

GOVT. APATHY ENDANGERS PEOPLES’ LIVES
Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Subcommittee under Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Legislature Parliament has blamed Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) for promoting irregularities in the gas business, The Himalayan Times reports.

Though NOC is the authority to check all aspects of bottling plant — including safety measures — before granting licence to the gas companies, the corporation has not been carrying out its duties sincerely, according to subcommittee coordinator Dhan Raj Gurung.

“The state oil monopoly must inspect technical details of Liquefied Petroleum Gas — popularly known as cooking gas — bottling plants before issuing Product Delivery Order (PDO),” he said, adding that the inspection team has, however, found that PDO is issued by taking commission rather than inspecting the plants thoroughly.

It has found that at least 16 gas bottling plants — of the total 42 — have failed to manage water storage level required by the existing regulation.

Even though LP gas industries have to store at least 450,000 litre water at their premises, 16 gas companies have been clearly flouting the regulation, Gurung said, adding that the government’s monitoring agencies have failed to take action against them. Submitting its report to the PAC, the subcommittee said that LP gas business is running rampantly and urged the government agencies to take action against all the gas companies flouting the regulation. It had — during the inspection — found that most of the gas bottling plants were maintaining only one tenth of the required water storage. They have been maintaining only 50,000 litres of water against the provision of 450,000 litres, he added.

The subcommittee report has also mentioned that officials from monitoring agencies have not carried out pre-licence inspection and test in appropriate manner. “The government agencies have not carried out Initial Environmental Examination (IEE), hydrostatic test and other safety standards thoroughly,” the report said, blaming government agencies for their failure in monitor gas industries.

Gas companies have also failed to follow the regulation of keeping the bottling plants five km away from residential area, according to report.

Entrepreneurs have been involved in irregularities also due to weaknesses of LP Gas Regulation, the report mentioned, adding that the regulation has failed to mention what type of action should be taken against the guilty ones. “The subcommittee directs Ministry of Commerce and Supplies to formulate new and effective LP Gas Regulation and introduce it at the earliest.”

The Public Accounts Committee also approved the report from subcommittee and decided to forward it to the concerned stakeholders for the implementation of its recommendation.

Why store water?

In order to provide fire protection facilities and to protect human lives at the time of any untoward accident, the gas bottling plants should have enough water storage capacity. The water storage capacity should not be for less than four hours aggregate working capacity, according to international norms. The LP gas bottling plants may bring disaster in case it got fire if water storage is not sufficient.
nnnn

PM BHATTARAI SEEKS UML SUPPORT AT MEETING WITH JHALANATH KHANAL

NOBODY INJURED IN ATTACK ON POLICE POST IN BANKE
Kathmandu,31 Aug.: Nobody was injured when a police post at Kohalpur along the Mahendra Highway in Banke was attacked by gunmen Wednesday
Three armed men sped away on a motorcycle after the attack.
nnnn.
PM BHATTARAI SEEKS SUPORT OF UML

Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Prime Minister D, Baburam Bhattarai Wednesday sought support of UML at a Baluwatar meeting with Chairman Jhalanath Khanal
They also discussed the integration of 19,000 plus former Maoist combatants.
Khanal attempted to develop close cooperation with UCPN (Maoist) by forming a majority communist government in February
But the UML/Maoist coalition collapsed with a section led by former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal vehemently opposed to it.
Khanal justified his close ties with Maoists saying other paties were attempting to isolate UCPN(Maoist).
UML has now joined the opposition with NC which rejected a request from Bhattarai Tuesday to join government by forming a national unity government.
Nnnn

500,000 WOMEN EXPECTED TO OFFER PUJA AT PASHPATINATH TEMPLE

Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Altogether 100,000 women have offered teej puja at Pashupatinath temple since Wednesday morning, temple authorities said.
Nearly 500,000 are expected to offer puja at the holiest Hindu temple by the end of the day
Nearly 3,000 security personnel and an additional 2,00o volunteers mainly from Nepal Scout have been deployed.
nnnn

US EMBASSY BHATTARAI AS PARTY’S‘MOST AUTHORITATIVE WORDSMITH IN 2003
(
Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: US officials saw Maoist Vice Chairman Baburam Bhattarai as the party’s “most authoritative wordsmith,” and took serious note of both his aboveground appearance in 2003 and the missive he sent to the US embassy requesting a meeting the same year John Narayan Parajuli writes in The Kathmandu Post.
Bhattarai’s movement and remarks appeared to be closely monitored by the US embassy, especially after his arrival in the Capital on March 28, 2003 for talks with the Sher Bahadur Deuba government. This was the first time Bhattarai emerged in the Capital in full public view, since the beginning of the insurgency in 1996.
“Since his return to the
capital March 28, Maoist ideologue and second-ranking leader Baburam Bhattarai has conducted a media blitz….,” then the US ambassador to Nepal Michael Malinowsky wrote in an unclassified diplomatic cable sent on March 31, 2003-and released by WikiLeaks on August 26, 2011
“In his appearances so far, Bhattarai has castigated the Government for alleged ceasefire violations, emphasized that the Maoists have not given up on their goal of a republic, pressed the demand for a constituent assembly, and criticized the US for “interfering” in Nepal’s internal affairs,” the cable further said.
On March 30, Bhattarai declared his interest to meet with the US, Indian, Chinese, British and EU “missions” representatives in Kathmandu, while at the same time warning foreign countries not interfere in Nepal’s internal matters. The US ambassador Malinowsky noted that the US embassy had not been approached about the meeting.
But five days later, on April 4, Malinowsky dispatched another cabled to the State Department confirming receipt of a letter from Bhattarai requesting a meeting with ambassador’s representative.
“Their willingness to meet with the Ambassador’s ‘representative’ may suggest that they realize
The request is unlikely to be granted at the level desired,” Malinowsky wrote adding that the embassy is “reviewing its response to the (Bhattarai’s) letter…… and in coordination with the British and Indian Embassies, which have received similar overtures.”
In the letter, Bhattarai had listed “five policy commitments” to foster better understanding in relation to the “context of the proposed meeting”-including commitment to the negotiations and ceasefire, to “a multiparty political system and “real democracy, and to a “mutually beneficial relations with all countries, “especially India and China.”
Bhattarai also sought assistance and understanding from the international community in making their demand of a Constituent Assembly a reality-arguing that the idea had an” overwhelming support.” “In his remarks to members of the foreign and domestic press corps on March 30, Bhattarai was quoted as claiming that the Maoists had made a number of significant compromises on their original demands and called on the King to show similar “flexibility.” When pressed to define the extent of such flexibility, Bhattarai reportedly suggested that the King could abdicate his throne,” the March 31cable reported.
The cable also observed that Bhattarai’s appearance in Kathmandu indicated that the Maoists were attaching a great deal of importance to the negotiations.
For dispatches sent at a time when US saw the Maoists through ideological lenses, there is a marked absence of vicious denouncement of the outfit in the official missive. The US State Department formally added them in the Terrorist Exclusion List a year later, on May 1, 2004.
Allegations of cronyism
A November 28, 2008 cable highlights “cronyism” in the Dahal-led government.
Political appointments that the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and its coalition partners have made to offices in the Government of Nepal have frequently been based on party and family connections rather than the expertise of the candidates, the cable observes. “This follows the standard set by every government preceding the Maoists.”
The cable lists the names of family and friends of both Dahal and Bhattarai who were appointed to government jobs. Though the embassy officials appear to credit the Maoists for opening the “doors to inclusiveness in the selection process,” embassy officials seemed concerned that the Maoist party “appears to be settling into the political status quo”-providing weapons to their detractors.
Nnnn

ONE KILLLED,TWO INJURED IN BANKE VIOLENCE
Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: One person was killed and two others were critically injured after an unidentified gang attacked them brutally on yesterday night in Karkado of Nepalgunj, The Himalayan Times reports from Nepalgunj.

The deceased has been identified as district secretary of All Nepal National Free Students’ Union, a student wing of the CPN-UML, Bikram Shahi.

Shahi, who had been rushed to Kathmandu and admitted to Bir Hospital, succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment.

Other two injured are Banke district secretary of All Nepal National Free Students’ Union Nitesh Lamichhane and Bikram Chand, an ANNFSU supporter.

Both Lamichhane and Chand are receiving treatment at Bheri Zonal Hospital, Nepalgunj.

According to injured Lamichhane, a gang of four persons had attacked them with sharp weapons all of sudden yesterday night while they were walking in the Karkado area, on the outskirts of Nepalgunj bazaar.

Police said they had identified the attackers on the basis of information provided by the injured.

“We will arrest them soon,” claimed police.

Chief of Ward Police Station, Nepalgunj, Inspector Mukunda Rijal said police have begun a massive manhunt to nab the perpetrators and claimed that they would be able to get hold of them ‘very soon’ as the perpetrators have been identified. Following the incident, a team of All Nepal National Free Students’ Union Banke had reached the District Police Office demanding arrest of the culprits at the earliest and stern action against them.

One of the members of the team that visited the District Police Office, Khagendra Khanal, warned that they would launch protests if the police failed to bring the culprits to book by tomorrow [Wednesday].
nnnn

SPECIAL COMMITTEE MEET ON MAOIST ARMY INTEGRATION TO PUSH PEACE PROCESS

WOMEN FLOCK PASHUPATINATH FOR TEEJ CELEBRATIONS

Kathmandu, 31 Aug,: Women have been flocking Pashupatinath temple since early morning Wednesday to celebrations underway Haritalika teej
Women fast and avoid drinking water praying for long life of husbands.
Women feasted on daar Tuesday before Wednesday’s fast.
Women flocked Shiba temples nation-wide Wednesday to observe teej.
Government Wednesday declared special public holiday to observe Eid
nnnn

GANGA NARAYAN SHRESTHA PERSONAL SECRETARY OF PM BHATTARAI

Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Ganga Narayan Shrestha has been appointed personal secretary of Prime Minister
Dr.Baburam Bhattarai Tuesday.
Shrestha, 41, is a UCPN (Maoist) central committee member n hails from Sindhuli.
Shrestha was jailed for six years during the Maoist people’s war and is an established writer.
Nnnn

CHINA CONGRATULATES PM BHATTARAI THROUGH FOREIGN MINISRY SPOKESMAN

Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Chinese Foreign Ministry Ma Zhaoxu has congratulated Prime Minister Dr.Baburam Bhattarai on behalf of the Chinese government.
nnnn

NO CONSTITUTION AND COMPLETION OF PEACE PROCESSES

Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: A commitment to complete the peace process and draft of constitution in a five-point tripartite agreement between Maoists, and now main opposition NC and UML parties couldn’t be completed Wednesday 31 Aug..
The tenure of the constituent assembly (CA) was extended three months after 28 May to complete the process incomplete now in three years and three months.
The peace and constitution drafting processes weren’t completed in the extended three months
The tenure has again been extended through a 10thamendment of the interim constitution.
Prime Minister Dr, Baburam Bhattarai said the second extended tenure is inadequate and said he’ll seel another constitution amendment to extend the deadline for at least another six months.
Political party leaders agreed Tuesday agreed to form a new parliamentary committee to monitor progress in completing the two delayed processes.
The parliamentary committee whose tenure ends Wednesday was headed by Speaker Subash Nemwang.
nnnn
a
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON INTEGRATION, RESETTLEMENT TO MEET WEDNESDAY

Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Special committee for integration, resettlement and supervision now headed by Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai has been scheduled to meet for the first time Wednesday morning.
The meeting comes after Maoist standing committee Tuesday decided to dispatch party teams to cantonments to re-group 19,000- plus former fighters either for integration or resettlement/
Maoists have proposed completing in 45 days to complete a delayed peace process.
They have proposed a Rs.700,000 golden handshake for those opting for resettlement.
nnnn.

EAST NEPALL STRIKE WITHDRAWN BY LIMBUWAN RAJYA PARISHAD

Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: A strike by Limbuwan Rajya Parishad covering nine districts east of Arun river was withdrawn Tuesday.
The strike was withdrawn after government, Parishad talks in Jhapa.
The three-day continuous strike was lunched Monday.
Nnnn

FOREIGN SECRETARY MADAN KUMAR BHATTARAI RETIRES

Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Foreign Secretary Dr, Madab Kumar Bhattarai was superannuated Tuesday.
Bhattarai has been nominated ambassador to Japan by the outgoing government; parliament’s hearing committee has scheduled a confirmation hearing.
He served as ambassador to Germany during a long diplomatic career.
A former journalist with The Rising Nepal, Bhattarai has a doctorate on Rana prime ministers.
Nnnn

TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

BAHRAIN AIR TO RESUME FLIGHTS

Kathmandu, 31 Aug>; Bahrain Air is resuming suspended daily flights between Bahrain and Kathmandu 21 September.
‘Arrival and departure times to and from Kathmandu has been set for early morning mainly so that passengers can reach destinations in Nepal on the same day,” the airline said.
Nnnn

DIFFERECES STALL CABINET EXPANSION

Kathmandu, Aug 31: Unable to settle the distribution of ministries among rival factions in the party, and also with coalition partner United Democratic Madhesi Front(UDMF), the UCPN (Maoist) has formed a three-member panel to work out a compromise Republica reports.
A meeting of the party Standing Committee on Tuesday formed the high-level panel comprising Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Senior Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya and Vice-chairman and newly elected Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai.
"We have formed a three-member panel to nominate new ministers," said party Spokesperson Dinanath Sharma.
Though there has been tentative agreement between the UDMF and UCPN (Maoist) regarding the number of ministries to be shared between the two sides, they are yet to finalize the allocation of ministerial portfolios. There also seems to be a difference between the two sides regarding the number of deputy prime ministers in the cabinet.
The leaders of the Front, who wanted to meet the Maoist leadership today and sort out the differences, failed to do so as the Maoists were busy trying to resolve their own internal differences over cabinet formation.
The major bone of contention in the UCPN(Maoist) is who it should nominate as deputy prime minister from the party.
While Baidya has floated the name of party Secretary CP Gajurel as deputy prime minister with the foreign ministry portfolio, General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa and Standing Committee member Netra Bikram Chand have argued that the position should be given to Vice-chairman Narayankaji Shrestha, deputy prime minister and home minister in the last cabinet, which was led by Jhalanath Khanal.
"Thapa and Chand have argued that Shrestha should be made deputy prime minister as he only had a very brief stint in the last cabinet," said a senior party leader. Leaders close to Shrestha have also claimed that there was an understanding at the time of the last reshuffle that those sent into the cabinet then would continue as ministers in the new government also, taking into account that they were likely to have had brief stints.
According to sources however, the party establishment wants to make Posta Babadur Bogati deputy prime minister.
The party has also been undecided over the minister of finance. The party establishment is vehemently opposed to choosing Dev Gurung as minister of finance as proposed by the Baidya group.
"There are three options: first, Gurung can take charge of the ministry; second, Bhattarai himself would directly oversee the ministry along with a capable state minister; and third, Shrestha, as deputy prime minister, can take charge of the ministry," he said.
In case Shrestha doesn´t join the government, his faction is likely to send Ram Kumar Yadav if it gets an ordinary ministry, and either Giriraj Mani Pokharel or Bishwo Bhakta Dulal if it gets a plum ministry.
The Dahal faction has demanded one more portfolio from Bhattarai´s share. "Dahal wants to make Gopal Kirati a minister from Bhattarai´s share of three ministries, something which was agreed earlier," said a leader close to Dahal.
In the previous cabinet, Dahal and Baidya had taken four ministries each and Bhattarai, three. The leader also said that either Janardan Sharma of Barshaman Pun from the Dahal faction is likely to join the cabinet.
According to sources, Top Bahadur Rayamajhi and Hisila Yami, both from the Bhattarai faction and ministers in the previous cabinet, would stay out of the new cabinet. It is highly possible that Bhim Prasad Gautam, also from the Bhattarai faction, will join the government," said a leader close to Bhattarai.
As per the agreement, the United Madhesi Democratic Front (UMDF) has been allocated 11 ministries, and the remaining 15 have are the share of the UCPN (Maoist). The Maoist party plans to give four of these ministries to other small parties, including the MPRF led by Upendra Yadav.
"We will hold talks with the UDMF and expand the cabinet in the next couple of days," said Maoist spokesperson Sharma.
Row over deputy PM
According to senior Maoist leaders, the prime minister might not appoint any other deputy prime minister in addition to Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar, who is currently deputy prime minister and home minister.
There are at least five aspirants for the posts of deputy prime minister and that has put the prime minister in a difficult situation. The UMDF has stated that if the Maoists appoint a deputy prime minister, it would for its part send three more deputy prime ministers including Hridayesh Tripathi, JP Gupta, Mahendra Yadav. "So there is a chance that only Gahchchhadar will be deputy prime minister," said a Maoist leader.
nnnn


DOL TO STUDY , RECORD FOREIGN WORKERS IN NEPAL
Kathmandu, 31 Aug :The Department of Labor (DoL) will soon begin identifying and recording details of foreign nationals working in the country, Ashok Thapa reports in Republica .
It has decided to conduct a study after non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) cold-shouldered its recent initiatives to secure details of foreigners working with NGOs and INGOs so that they can be made to comply with work-permit rules. Only around 500 foreign workers responded to the department´s call.
As a result of massive non-compliance to its order, DoL is left with no definite record of volunteers and professionals working in Nepal. Nonetheless, DoL estimates that more than 20,000 foreign nationals are working with NGOs and INGOs alone.
As of today, only around 7,000 foreigners are currently working in the private sector with work permits from DoI. However, government and private sector organizations estimate the actual number of foreign nationals working in Nepal to be over 50,000.
"We are all set to begin the study to gather information about foreign workers working in various organizations in the country ranging from sports to services and industrial sectors to diplomatic missions - be it embassies or UN mission - in Nepal," said Dr Man Bahadur BK, director general of DoL.
He said the study and monitoring will go simultaneously, which will seriously screen out the workers continuing to work without receiving due permit from the department.
"We have decided to take the initiatives in order to ensure effective implementation of the Labor Act and also to develop database of foreign nationals working in the country," said BK.
He said that Non-Nepali Employee Monitoring Committee (NNEMC) of the department has developed an action plan for monitoring overseas workers in all sectors.
"The committee has prepared a list of multinational companies and organizations employing foreign staff without due work permit," said Krishna Hari Puskar, under-secretary at the Ministry of Labor and Transport Management (MoLTM). "We will check out their employment and compliance records during the study," he added.
DoL officials said the department will take action against the organizations which have been employing foreign workers without work permit and it will also recommend the government to take action against them.
nnnn

BHATTARAI MOVES INTO BALUWATAR

PM BHATTARAI MOVES INTO BALUWATAR
Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai moved into Baluwatar at 7.30 in the evening Tuesday.
He moved into the official residence of the government chief from a rented house in the Valley.
Nnnn

MAOISTS‚ MJF-NEPAL LEADERS MEET
Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: Leaders of the UCPN-Maoist and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, Nepal, held discussion over the issue of government formation, said chairman of MFJ-Nepal, Upendra Yadav, RSS reports.

However, the two sides failed to strike any deal at the meeting, Yadav said talking briefly to the media persons after the meeting held at the central office of the Maoists Koteshwor.

Yadav said his party will decide whether or not to join the government only after final discussion with the Maoist leaders.
(Note: MJF-Nepal was in the UML/Maoist government of Jhalanath Khanal.)
nnnn

WESTERN BLOCK EMBASSIES LEND SUPPORT TO GOVT.

WEST BLOCK EMBASSIES PLEDGE SUPPORT

Kathmandu, 30 Aug. Embassies of the western block in the capital asked the Baburam Bhattarai Tuesday to draft a constitution.
European Union, Norway, Switzerland, Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United States urged all political parties to give high priority to constitution drafting and the peace process in the extended three-month term of the Constituent Assembly.
"With the agreement to extend the term of the Constituent Assembly for a further three months we hope the new government and the opposition parties will now give high priority to issuing a draft of a new constitution, which commits Nepal to democracy and upholding its citizens´ fundamental rights and freedoms in line with Nepal´s international obligations," Embassy of Denmark, local president of the EU, said in a statement on behalf of the embassies.
The embassies said," We also urge the government and the opposition parties to ensure that the integration and rehabilitation of the former Maoist combatants are brought to a successful conclusion."
The embassies reaffirmed continued commitment and full support to the peace process and reiterated readiness to assist Nepal
Nnnn

PUBLIC HOLIDAY WEDNESDAY
Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: Government announced a public Wednesday.
Home ministry announced a special holiday to mark Eid ul-Fitr.
nnnn
NC MEET CONDEMNS FOUR-POINT AGREEMENT BETWEEN MAOISTS AND FOUR MADESHBADI PARTIES

Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: A meeting of NC office bearers Tuesday called a four-point agreement between Maoists and five Madeshbari parties a ‘dhoka’.
President Sushil Koirala earlier ejected a Maoist request to join the Bhattarai government.
A formal decision will be taken by the party central committee, the main opposition said.
Maoist standing committee meet Tuesday endorsed a four-point agreement with Maoists which sealed majority support for Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai in parliament this week.
Nnnn

PREPARATIONS COMPLETED FOR TEEJ WORSHIP AT PASHUPATINATH TEMPLE

BAN KI-MOON CONGRATULATES PM BHATTARAI

Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai on his election.
The UN chief hoped the delayed peace process and constitution would be completed
He called for a consensus government to complete the delayed processes.
Nnnn

PREPARATIONS COMPLETED AT PASHUPATI FOR TEEJ WEDNESDAY

Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: Preparations have been completed at Pashupatinath temple for special teej puja celebrations by women Wednesday.
Women flock to Shiva temples to worship Lord Madhev wishing for the well-being of husbands.
Preparations have been completed for worship at other Shiva temples.
Women fast on teej.
nnnn

MELINA JOSHI CROWNED MISS NEPAL 2011

MELINA JOSHI CROWNED MISS NEPAL 2011

Kathmandu, 30 Aug 30: Malina Joshi, 23, was crowned Miss Nepal 2011 Tuesday.
Joshi is a MBA marketing student
Anupama Gurung was the first runner-up and Sarina Maskey second runner up.Manisha Bista and Neha Poudel were declared third and fourth runner up respectively.
Lux Hidden Treasure Miss Nepal 2011 was the sponsor of the contest.
Joshi was selected from among 19 contestants at the Army Club considered a safe premise for public functions at army headquarters.
Maoist women organizations had been disrupting contests held at hotels.
The contest coincided with teej.
nnnn

GOLD PRICE DIPS ANOTHER Rs.600 PER TOLA

Kathmandu,30 Aug.: Gold price dipped by another Rs 600 per tola in the local market coinciding with a fall in the yellow metal price in the international market Tuesday.
Gold was traded for Rs. 52, 300 per tola Tuesday.
Nnnn

FURTHER DETAILS OF THAMEL SHOOTOUT

HOSTAGE FREED FROM THAMEL HOTEL UPDATE

Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: Chitwan trader Govinda Bahadur Karki held hostage at a Thamel hotel since Monday was freed in police action Tuesday.
Two hostage takers were arrested and one was injured in the chin in a shootout.
nnnn

MAOISTS TO BEGIN REGROUPING OF FIGHTERS TO MEET PROMISES

MAOIST TEAMS GOING TO CANTONMENTS TO REGROUP 19,000 FORMER FIGHTERS FOR RESETTLEMENT, INTEGRATION
Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: A Maoist standing committee meet decided Tuesday to immediately start the process for integration and resettlement of its fighters
The party decided to dispatch teams to cantonments Tuesday.to regroup 19,000 former fighters awaiting either integration or resettlement.
The standing committee meet was chaired by party boss Prachanda and held immediately after installation of Dr.Baburam Bhattarai as prime minister.
The fighters are at 28 cantonments and satellite camps spread throughout the country.
A special committee for integration, rehabilitation and supervision which will now be headed by Premier Bhattarai is scheduled to meet Wednesday.
Spokesman Dinanath Sharma said there-grouping teams will reach cantonments by Wednesday to begin work.
A Maoist proposal commits integration in 45 days.after government formation under its leadership.
nnnn

ONE PERSON INJURED IN THAMEL SHOOTOUT

ONE PERSON INJURED IN THAMEL SHOOTOUT

Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: Shital Tuladhar was injured in a shootout with police at Sorakhutte, Thamel, Tuesday afternoon.
Police said they returned fire injuring Tuladhar,
Tuladhar is being treated under watch at a hospital.
Metropolitan police were in search for hostage takers in a ransom bid.
nnnn

MAOIST FORM PARTY TEAM TO PROBE ATTACK ON LAWMAKER CUM TRADE UNION LEADER

Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: Maoists Tuesday formed a three-member committee to probe this week’s assault on its lawmaker and trade union leader Salikram Jamkattel in the capital.
The party team formed by a standing committee Tuesday is headed Amik Serchan.
The lawmaker suffered head injuries in the assault near Babar Mahal.
nnnn

TRIUMVERATE TO SELECT MAOIST GOVT. TEAM

MAOIST STANDING COMMITTEE MEET UPDATE

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmadu, 30 Aug.: A three-member team of Maoist Chairman Prachanda, Prime Minister and Second Vicc-chairman Dr. Baburam Bhattarai and First Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya has been empowered to select a Maoist government team.
A standing committee meet took the decision Tuesday.
Intra-party dispute developed in selection of the Maoist team in the government of Jhalanath Khanal as.faction leaders pushed inclusion of their henchmen.
Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara was replaced by third Vice-chairman Narayan Kazi Shrestha to quell differences.
Some members didn’t join government charging original team wasn’t inclusive and representative to cover women, ethnic groups and regions.
Maoists are leading the government for the second time in 38 months.
The Maoist-led government of Prachanda resigned following a standoff with President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav and Nepal Army in nine months.
Maoists joined a UM-led government of Jhalanath Khanal and now is leading government again under Dr. Bhattatri.
Main opposition with NC attempted to lead government twice but didn’t have the required strength in parliament to counter communist moves to lead governments.
Communists have led all governments in the last 38 months despite NC attempts to dislodge them.
Communists
will be the main player in national politics for the foreseeable future as well with Madeshbadi parties emerging to influence national politics as they have done most recently by forming a front with 65 decisive parliamentary seats describing themselves as the fourth force.
NC, once the dominant party, has been sidelined
nnnn

THREE KILLED IN BARA BUS HIT

MAN, WOMAN, CHILD KILLED,IN BARA

Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: A man driving a motorcycle was killed when a Birgunj-bound bus from the capital hit a motorcycle at Amlekhjung in Bara Tuesday.
A woman and child died as they were being rushed to hospital for treatment.
Forty persons were injured, 18 seriously, when a bus lost control and overturned at Chandranighapur in Rautahat Tuesday.
nnnn

PM CALLS FOR RELIEF PLAN

PM ASKS OFFICIALS TO PREPARE PLAN FOR RELIEF WITHIN ONE MONTH FUTHER DETAILS

Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: Prime Minister Dr.Baburam Bhattarai Tuesday asked top officials to prepare within one month a plan for relief to people at a meeting in Singha Durbar.
He sought their cooperation in completing a delayed peace process and constitution drafting and promulgation.
Nnnn

DIARRHOEA KILLS ONE, 13 SICK IN ROLPA

Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: A diarrhoea outbreak at Jailbang in Rolpa has claimed the life of a woman.
Thirteen have fallen sick, Radio Nepal reported Tueday.
nnnn



EMBASSIES URGE ACTION ON DISAPPEARANCES

Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: Embassies of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Australia, Canada, Japan and the United States Tuesday called for an independent and impartial l Commission of Inquiry on Disappearances can be established as soon as possible
“We encourage parliamentarians to prioritise amendment of the draft legislation so that it meets Supreme Court rulings and international standards. This will bring hope to the thousands who are still awaiting justice, “a statement issued through the British embassy said.
Nearly 1,300 persons are missing since the Maoist people’s war.
si.

“We call on the Government to meet the commitments it made before the UN Human Rights Council by ensuring the full application of the rule of law to state and non-state personnel involved in disappearances.
“The Government should also ensure that police and court orders are followed through, and that arrest warrants are executed,” the statement said.

They accused first Nepal Army and then UCPN-Maoist for ‘refusal ‘to cooperate in investigations.
nnnn

PM BHATTARAI MEETS ARMY CHIEF, US AMBASSADOR

PM BHATTARAI MEETS ARMY AND POLICE CHIEFS

Kathmandu,30 Aug.: Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai held a collective meeting Tuesday with chiefs of four state security agencies, including Nepal Army Chief Gen. Chatraman Singh Gurung.
The premier, installed Monday, also convened a meeting with government secretaries who were told to provide relief to the people.
US Ambassador Scott H. DeLisi met and congratulated Dr. Bhattarai and pledged continued US assistance to Nepal.
DeLisi is the first foreign envoy to call on Bhattarai at his office.
US still lists Maoists in its terrorist list but maintains relations with UCPN (Maoist).
Meanwhile, two Indian professors who directed Dr. Bhattarai preparing for a doctorate degree at Jawaharlal University in New Delhi revealed the new Nepali premier temporarily lost memory following a motorcycle accident
But Bhattarai recovered and completed his dissertation.
nnnn

BHATTARAI DEVELOPING AIDES TEAM

LAST-MINUTE APPOINTMENTS IN NAC BEFORE MINISTER QUITS

Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: Outgoing Maoist Tourism Minister Khadga Bahadur Bishwakarma appointed two members to the board of Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) before quitting.
Former air traffic controller Shib Shanker Neupane and Binod Chemjung were nominated though a ministerial decision.
Nnnn

BHATTARAI AIDES

Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: Ganga Shrestha,a Maoist leader, was picked the personal secretary to the PM on Monday, The Kathmandu Post reports.
..Devendra Poudel and Hemanta Prakash Oli, both close to Bhattarai, are likely to become the Chief Political Advisors.
Politburo member Ram Karki, Hira Bahadur Thapa, former foreign relations advisor to former PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal, former ambassador Bhek Bahadur Thapa and former ambassador Bishn Hari Nepal are emerging as foreign relations advisors.
Mana Rishi Dhital and Hari Adhikari are likely to become press advisers.
Nnnn

CHINA READY TO INVEST $1.6 BILLION IN WEST SETI

Kathmandu, 30 Aug.; China has agreed to provide loan worth $1.6 billion for the much talked about West Seti Hydropower Project, The Kathmandu Post reports.
The northern neighbour is investing in Nepal’s hydro power sector for the second time after Upper Trishuli 3A.
We could have signed a memorandum of understanding with China Exim Bank for the project had our government stayed a bit longer,” said outgoing Energy Minister Gokarna Bista.
nnnn

PARTIES PREPARE TO EXPAND GOVT. UPDATE

MAOIST STANDING COMMITTEE MEET; OTHER DETAILS
Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: Maoist standing committee meets Tuesday afternoon to draw up a government strategy, approve Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai’s first address to the nation and select a government team.
UCPN (Maoist) will also hold talks with the five-nation front of Madeshbadi parties that have been allotted 11 of 26 ministries.
Only MJFL Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar has been appointed deputy prime minister and home minister; the front has to choose other members of its government team.
Maoists and the front haven’t agreed on sharing of ministries; Maoists agreed to hand over home ministry responsibility to MJFL of Gachedhar.
UCPN (Maoist) demanded and got the home ministry in the outgoing government of Jhalanath Khanal to gain control of security agencies.
Maoists didn’t press for defence ministry in the Khanal government following a standoff with Nepal Army forcing Prime Minister to quit in the first Maoist government in nine months.
There’s an informal agreement to handover five ministries to splinter parties that supported Bhattarai during elections in parliament.
Maoists are holding talks with smaller parties as well Tuesday.
The five-party Madeshbadi parties are also meeting Tuesday to select its government team.
nnnn

BHATTARAI MOVING TO BALUWATAR
Kathmandu, 3- Aug.: Prime Minister Dr.Baburam Bhattarai moves into Baluwatar official residence of the government chief Tuesday from a rented house in Lalitpur.
Jhalanath Khanal vacated government house Monday.
nnnn
QATAR TO ACCEPT ONLY GCC MEDICAL CENTERS’ REPORTS
Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: Qatar — the most preferred destination of Nepali migrant workers — has decided to adopt Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-approved medical centres’ reports while hiring workers from 11 Asian and African countries including Nepal, The Himalayan Times reports.

Qatari decision to adopt GCC approved medical centres will affect the business of 179 domestic medical centres associated with Nepal Health Professional Foundation as the country is the top hiring destination. Qatar is hiring about 30 per cent of Nepali workers in recent months. Last month, the destination had hired around 15,000 Nepalis when the total migrants were 45,164.

The Qatari parliament has approved the proposal of Supreme Council for Health and Interior Ministry last week, the Gulf Times reported. The long pending proposal has approved by the Qatari government, the Gulf Times reported citing medical council source. “It will be implemented soon since the cabinet has endorsed the proposal,” said director of the medical commission Ebrahim Al Shaar.

The decision has angered nearly two hundred domestic medical centres. “We will not accept the decision that only permits medical check up of Qatar bound migrant workers,” said Prabin Tiwari, general secretary of Nepal Health Professional Foundation — that is fighting against GCC-approved medical centres monopoly in Nepal since 2009.

The GCC must accept Nepali law while appointing medical centres in the country but they are violating the law, he said, adding that the federation has challenged GCC in court and waiting for the legal verdict.

If GCC monopoly continues, we will not hesitate to go to street,” according to the federation. “The federation will close all GCC-approved medical centres,” he warned.

Currently, there are 12 GCC-approved medical centres in operation.

GCC is an economic and political union Gulf countries Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

There are more than 200 GCC-approved medical centres in the 11 countries – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Syria and Eritrea– that are authorised to conduct the tests for a fee fixed at $50.
Nnnn

PAC RECOMMENDS LIQUIDATION OF THREE PEs
Kathmandu, 30 Aug.:Public Accounts Committee (PAC) under Legislature Parliament today recommended to liquidate three of the public enterprises (PEs) as they are insolvent; merger of different nine public enterprises and create only four entities; and operate some under Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, The Himalayan Times reports.

Approving the report from Public Enterprises sub-committee, the PAC suggested the liquidation of National Construction Company, Nepal Engineering Consultancy Service Centre and Timber Corporation of Nepal.

“The subcommittee concluded that shutting these enterprises down will save government expenditure,” subcommittee coordinator Deep Kumar Upadhyaya said, adding that absence of these company will not impact service to the public as the private sector is competent enough to provide these services.

The National Construction Company was established in August 1961 with the objectives to promote qualitative civil construction works in the country and to achieve project cost moderator. It has a total of Rs 40 million accumulative loss by the end of fiscal year 2009-10.

Similarly, aiming at providing consultancy services, the government had set up Nepal Engineering Consultancy Service in December 1996. It also has Rs 5.27 million accumulative loss by the end of 2009-10. The government had in November 1960 established the Timber Corporation of Nepal to protect the forest in a systematic way, sale and distribute the timber to the public and other parties in reasonable price. It also has accumulative loss of Rs 215.04 million by the end of fiscal year 2009-10.

In the report, the PAC also suggested the merger of different nine public enterprises with each other and form only four out of the nine.

The report has asked the government to merge Krisi Samagri Company and National Seed Company, Industrial Estate Management Ltd with National Productivity and Economic Development Centre, and Herbs Production and Processing Corporation with Nepal Medicine Ltd and Singhdurbar Baidhyakhana, and Rural Housing Company with Nepal Housing and Finance.

“It is necessary to merge similar types of public entities to consolidate the services and save government expenses, Upadhyaya said, adding that the move will strengthen the PEs too.

The report has further recommended the government for the unification of Janak Education Materials Centre and other printing related entities and formation of independent authority. “National Trading Ltd and Export Promotion centre should also be merged to make one entity,” the report suggested, adding that after merger, the entities should be operated in a PPP model.

Similarly, it has recommended the government to convert Nepal Television and Gorkhapatra Santhan into company to make them more competent.

“Dairy Development Corporation should adopt cooperative model as it is directly related to the farmers,” it said, adding that DDC should adopt cooperative model to enhance farmers’ ownership too.

Political interventions, incompetent human resources, over staffing and corruption are major hindrances for the healthy development of public enterprises, Upadhyay added.
nnnn

ALL KINDS OF PMs AND MINISTERS

VIOLENCE BREAKS OUT AT BIRATNAGAR HOSPITAL

Kathmandu, 30 Aug. Several persons, including policemen and journalists, were injured overnight in a clash at Biratnagar Hospital following the death a patient
Doctors were charged for negligence leading to the death.
Hospital assets and a vehicle were damaged in the violence.
Nnnn

TAXI AND ENERGY MNISTER, EXPENSIVE JAPANESE CAR AT GOVT. COST FOR OUTGOING PREMIER; NEPAL-ASSEMBBLED JEEP FOR PM BHATTARAI; ALL COMMUNISTS

Kathmandu,30 Aug.: Outgoing Energy Minister of the Jhalanath Khanal-led government Gokarna Bista once again hogged the limelight before his departure from his ministry, The Kathmadu Post writes.
While his State Minister departed sporting the flag hoisted on the Ministry given vehicle, Bista left his work place unobtrusively in a taxi.
… ex-Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal moved off from office in a vehicle of Chamelia Hydropower project worth around 15 million, newly appointed PM Baburam Bhattarai’s ride in a Nepal-made Mustang jeep came as a slap on the face of his predecessor.
Nnnn

NINE EAST NEPAL DISTRICTS CLOSED DOWN

NINE EAST NEPAL DISTRICTS CLOSED DOWN

Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: A continued three-day strike Tuesday forcible closed nine districts east of Arun river.
The strike sponsored by Limbuwan autonomous province disrupted normal life and inconvenienced people.
Besides regional autonomy, the group is demanding promulgation of a constitution by Wednesday improved law and order and implementation of promises with government.
Nnnn



KP SHITAULA ELECTED KOREA NRN CHIEF

Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: KP Shitaula was elected Monday chairman of Korea NRN Korea working committee.
The third convention of the NRN elected Shitaula.
Raju Chetri, Lochan Rai and Mani Lama were elected vice-chairmen.
Their election was for a two-year term.
Nnnn



CHINA EMBASSY CONGRATULATES PM BHATTARAI OVER TELEPHONE





Kathmandu, 30 Aug 29: The People’s Republic of China has congratulated newly appointed Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai, The Rising Nepal reports.
Chinese ambassador to Nepal Yang Haulan congratulated Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai through phone call on Sunday.
Nnnn


BIR HOSPITAL DISSMISSES 91 PAID VOLUNTEERS





Kathmandu, 30 Aug : A total of 91 appointments of paid volunteers have been scrapped in Bir Hospital at the direction of the National Vigilance Centre (NVC) and the National Academy of Medical Sciences, The Rising Nepal reports.
Director of the Bir Hospital Dr. Bulanda Thapa scrapped their appointments collectively Sunday.
The decision removed paid volunteers such as gastrologist Dr. Gyanendra Lal Amatya who had been working at the hospital for eight years.
The NVC alleged Director Dr. Bulanda Thapa appointed paid volunteers irregularly and instructed him to remove them on 11 August last year. The National Academy of Medical Sciences instructed the hospital to implement the NVC’s direction a week ago.
Dr. Thapa had appointed a total of 28 paid volunteers (during 16 months), including 11 doctors. Others were working from many years ago.
"Services have been badly affected after their removal," Dr. Thapa said.
Dr. Thapa blamed that the Ministry of Health and Population never planned for development of Bir Hospital and its service improvements.
For 18 years, not a single post of doctors has been created although the flow of patients and needs for service increased by many folds, he said.
On the other hand, 248 posts, 91 of National Academy of Medical Sciences and 137 of Health Ministry have remained vacant for a long time. "Neither the academy nor the Health Ministry is serious about the condition of Bir Hospital."
The hospital provided very nominal salaries to the paid volunteers (incentive workers). A volunteer doctor received Rs. 10,000 while the government appointed doctors received Rs. 24,000. Similarly, nurses and office helpers were also working there for a very nominal fee.
"I have started different additional services in my tenure, that’s why the incentive workers were appointed," Dr. Thapa said.
He said that he had started injury surveillance system, coronary angiography, scientific waste management, gamma camera, kidney transplant and many other services in the hospital.
In the absence of necessary employees, the service would be affected, he said.
nnnn

OUTGOING PM KHANAL IN FIX WHETHER TO ACCEPT GOVT. DOLED EXPESIVE JAPANESE LUXURY CAR

JHALANATH KHANAL VACATES BALUKWATAR UPDATE

Kathmandu, 29 Aug.: Caretaker Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal vacated his official residence at Baluwatar Monday,
It wasn’t known when his successor Dr.Baburam Bhattarai would move into the official residence of the prime minister.
Khanal didn’t return to Baluwatar after attending the installation of Dr. Bhattarai as the new prime minister.
Bhattarai chose to use a locally assembled Mustang jeep even for official use.
Energy Minister Gokarna Bista, who received praises for recovering millions of rupees in power bill dues from government offices, decided to import an expense R,120 million luxury Japanese car for Khanal’s use out of government.
Public are monitoring if Khanal will accept the emery ministry ‘donation’.
The former premier is in a fix and has to move to protect his image.
nnnn

UPDATE CA TENURE EXTENDED UNTIL MID-NOVEMBER

CA TENURE EXENDED UNTIL 30 NOVEMBER
UPDATE
Kathmandu, 29 Aug 29: Parliament Monday night extended by majority vote the tenure of the constituent assembly (CA) by another three months until 30 Mangshir coinciding with 30 November.
A three-month tenure was to end 31 August.
The skeleton government of Maoist leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai got the support of the new opposition NC and UML to extend the tenure barely nine hours after installation.
Parliament earlier approved the 10th amendment to an interim constitution presented by the outgoing government to enable the passage of the CA extension
Parliament also voted down a protest note of RPP-Nepal against the CA term extension—the only party opposing the extension two dys before the expiry of the current tenure.
The party has been demanding dissolution of the assembly and elections for a fresh mandate.
Altogether 537 among 541 legislators voted for extension.
Parliament session was adjourned though notification.
Nnnn

MEDIA GOOGLE

“Home Minister Bhim Rawal is a close embassy contact and an experienced leader well-placed to oversee the police services. After a series of disappointing Home Ministers, including combative Bamdev Guatam in Pushpa Dahal’s government and the feckless Krishna Sitaula in G.P. Koirala’s government, we view Rawal as a welcome change.
Prakash Mahat is also a close Embassy contact. Post knows pro-American Sujata Koirala well but has doubts about her effectiveness.”

(Extracts from Wikileaks cables from US embassy to US State Department in Washington published Monday by The Reporter in Kathmandu The leaks reveal embassy links in government and parties embarrassing individuals and parties The leaks again demonstrate weaknesses of US government in maintaining confidentiality of conversations with US diplomats Too much emphasis is put of ethnic background and ability of persons in contacts of US embassy to pursue its interests.”
Nnnn

PARLIAMENT DISCUSSING CA EXTENSION UPDATE

PARLIAMENT DISCUSSING THREE-MONTH ASSEMBLY EXTENSION UPDATE

Kathmandu, 29 Aug.: Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar Monday tabled a bill in parliament to extend a constituent assembly tenure that ends Wednesday 31 August. The bill aims to amend an interim constitution for the 10th time to complete a draft of a basic law and complete a delayed peace process in another three months after 31 August.
Parliament hopes to approve the amendment by Tuesday through hasty processes to avoid a constitutional crisis.
A meeting of the two-member cabinet after installation decided earlier to extend the assembly tenure by three months.
Parliament session continues late evening Monday.
nnnn

SR. BABURAM BHATTARAI INSTALLED UPDATE

DR. BABURAM BHATTARAI INSTALLED PM UPDATE

Kathmandu, 29 Aug.: Maoist Second Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai installed prime minister Monday
He was administered an oath of office ad secrecy by
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav
Bhattarai was elected Sunday by majority in parliament
Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar, Chairman of Madhesi Peoples´Rights Forum-Democratic (MPRF-D) was installed deputy prime minister and home minister.
Outgoing Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, political party leaders and foreign diplomats were present at the installation ceremony at Shital Niwas.
nnnn

BIJAYA KUMAR GACHEDHAR DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND HOME MINISTER

BUJAYA KUMAR GACHEDHAR DEUTY PRIME MINISTER AND HOME MINISTER UPDATE

Kathmandu, 29 Aug.: MJFL Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachedha will be appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minster in a two-member council of ministers with Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai Monday.
Eleven ministers will be appointed from the five-member front of five Madeshbadi parties.
This was agreed at a meeting Monday between Maoists and the front.
Ministers will be chosen later.
Bhattarai Monday discussed government formation with Chairman Prachanda.
Bhattarai will drive to Kirtipur in his Nepali assembled jeep Mustang and lay a wreath at the statue of Pushpa Lal Pradhan who is founder of Nepal Communist Party.
nnnn

PM ELECT BHATTARAI ORDERS NEPAL ASSEMBLED MUSTANG JEEP FOR OFFICIAL USE

FAREWELL CABINET MEET

Kathmandu, 29 Aug.: Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal in a last meet Monday thanked cabinet colleagues while reviewing its work over seven months, Cabinet Spokesman Ganga Lal Tuladhar said.
The meeting concluded the work performance of the government was satisfactory. Tuladhar said.
Maoists are huddled at the residence Chairman Prachanda to assemble a small government in the next three hours.
Second Vice-chairman Dr. Baburam Bhattarai is being installed at one in the afternoon By President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav.
Kingmakers—a front of five Madeshbadi parties—are also meeting debating the number of seats they should get for ensuring victory of a Maoist candidate in prime ministerial election Sunday.
nnnn

CHEAP NEPALI JEEP FOR OFFICIAL USE OF DR, BHATTARAI

Kathmandu, 29 Aug.: Newly elected Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai will ride a Mustang assembled in Nepal, Kedar Ojha writes in Kantipur.
Dr. Bhattarai said Sunday noon when his election was certain, he would use a Mustang jeep assembled in Nepal.
Home ministry started a search immediately at one in the afternoon.
A search was not completed Sunday.
‘The jeep will come Monnday. It has been found The process for registration with number plate has to be completed,” a home ministry source said.
Nnnn

PLA STILL DEPLOYED FOR PRACHANDA RESIDENCE SECURITY

Kathmandu, 29 Aug.: Maoist security guards are still deployed at the Prachanda residence at Naya Bazzar providing security despite announcement by the chairman himself of end to double security. Tarun reports.
They are armed.
Two women along with Kumar, Sandip, Salan. Kiran are still deployed.
nnnn

NEPLI ASSEMBLED MUSTANG JEEP FOR DR. BHATTARAI OFFICIAL USE

Kathmandu, 29 Aug.: Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal in a last meet Monday thanked cabinet colleagues while reviewing its work over seven months, Cabinet Spokesman Ganga Lal Tuladhar said.
The meeting concluded the work performance of the government was satisfactory. Tuladhar said.
Maoists are huddled at the residence Chairman Prachanda to assemble a small government in the next three hours.
Second Vice-chairman Dr. Baburam Bhattarai is being installed at one in the afternoon By President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav.
Kingmakers—a front of five Madeshbadi parties—are also meeting debating the number of seats they should get for ensuring victory of a Maoist candidate in prime ministerial election Sunday.
nnnn

CHEAP NEPALI JEEP FOR OFFICIAL USE OF DR, BHATTARAI

Kathmandu, 29 Aug.: Newly elected Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai will ride a Mustang assembled in Nepal, Kedar Ojha writes in Kantipur.
Dr. Bhattarai said Sunday noon when his election was certain, he would use a Mustang jeep assembled in Nepal.
Home ministry started a search immediately at one in the afternoon.
A search was not completed Sunday.
‘The jeep will come Monnday. It has been found The process for registration with number plate has to be completed,” a home ministry source said.
nnnn

UML BARDIYA WOMAN LEADER SHOT DEAD

STRIKES PARALYZE LIFE IN FAR-WEST AND EAST

Kathmandu, 29 Aug.: Strikes Monday paralyzed life in nine east districts and the far-West.
A three-day continuous strike disrupted normal life in nine districts east of Arun river.
Sanghiya Limbuwan Rajya Parishad is demanding implementation of past accords with government for regional autonomy and promulgation by a constitution by 31 August a deadline which won’t be met.
A two-day strike by Loktantrik Pradesh closed down districts in the far-West.
Nnnn

UML LEADER SHOT DEAD IN GULARIYA

Kathmandu, 29 Aug.: UML leader Indira Bhusal,40, Bardiya district committee member was shot dead in Gulariya overnight at 10.
A group shot Bhusal dead at her home.
Her body was riddled with two bullets.
Nnnn

BANK DEPOSIT GROWTH RATE SLOWS DOWN
Kathmandu, 29 Aug.: The commercial banks’ deposit mobilisation witnessed sluggish growth in the last fiscal year as the average deposit growth rate slowed down by more than two times compared to a fiscal year ago, Dikshya Singh writes in The Himalayan Times.

According to the unaudited fourth quarter financial reports of the commercial bank for the last fiscal year, the deposits in the commercial banks grew by only 10 per cent in the fiscal year 2010-11, while it had grown by 12.9 per cent in the fiscal year 2009-10, whereas in 2008-09, the deposits with the commercial banks had surged by 32.25 per cent to Rs 557.75 billion. The deposits with the commercial banks reached a little over Rs 688 billion which was around Rs 625 billion a fiscal year ago, according to the central bank.

The deposit growth rate had slowed down since last two fiscal years due to deepening liquidity crisis fuelled by the delayed budget in the successive fiscal years. The deposits held by the commercial banks have grown at the average pace of 1.57 per cent, however, the deposits had expanded at the average rate of 3.66 per cent, according to the data published by the central bank.

The four new commercial banks contributed mere Rs 12 billion in Nepali banking system’s deposit creation substantiating the belief that larger number of banks does not translate as more deposits.

Five commercial banks’ deposits declined in the last fiscal year compared to a previous fiscal year, among the 27 old commercial banks that have completed two whole fiscal years of operation. Deposits with Janata Bank saw surging by 300 per cent in its second year of operation. Rastriya Banijya Bank has the largest deposit base with Rs 74 billion followed by Nepal Investment Bank that has Rs 50 billion deposits.

The growing mistrust in the banking system due to failure of the financial institutions and growing popularity of credit and saving cooperatives diverted the resources from the commercial banks, according to the central bank.

According to the study conducted by Department of Cooperatives, the saving and credit cooperatives were found to be mobilising deposits worth Rs 122 billion. The delay in budget release stalled funds from government coffer to the market reduced funds with the banks in the first six months of last fiscal year. The tight liquidity in the financial sector translated into liquidity crunch leading to credit crunch ultimately pushing lending interest rate up. The higher rate of interest but increased cost of investment that ultimately hurt productive capacity.

NEPAL-BHUTAN CARD PYMENT

The central bank has allo-wed commercial banks and national level development banks issuing debit and credit cards that can also be used in Bhutan to make settlements of transaction in Indian currencies with Bhuta-nese counterparts. The provision does not allow to settle transactions conducted of any other foreign currency besides Nepali and Indian Currency.
nnnn

INDIAN AMBASSADOR JAYANT PRASAD MEETS OUTGOING PM KHANAL

JAYANT PRASAD HOLDS TALKS WITH OUTGOING PM KHANAL


Kathmandu, Aug. 29, Indian Ambassador Jayant Prasad held talks with outgoing Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal at the latter’s official residence at Baluwatar Sunday.
Khanal is preparing to vacate Baluwatar after Sunday’s election of Dr. Baburam Bhattarai as his successor.
Prasad assumed office Friday.
The new Indian ambassador began his Nepal mission at a crucial time of government change by first meeting senior UML leader and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and NC President Sushil KOiralaa.
Nnnn



FURTHER DETAILS OF DR. BABURAM BHATTARAI BIO







Kathmandu, 29 Aug.: Newly elected Prime Minister Dr. Babu Ram Bhatatrai was born in a lower middle class-peasant family on June 18, 1954, in Belbas, Khoplang VDC, Gorkha district, The Rising Nepal writes.
A vice-chairman of UCPM-Maoist, Dr Bhattarai is widely recognised for his political and intellectual activism. Upholding his popular epithet the ‘Always First’, he was elected from the constituency 2 of Gorkha district in the Constituent Assembly elections securing nearly 82 per cent of votes of his constituency that also made him the first in terms of the votes any candidate got in the elections.
Dr Bhattarai also proved his capacity to be the first even when he held Finance Ministry by collecting the highest amount of revenue in 2008.
Formal education of Dr Bhattarai from Amar Jyoti High School in Luitel village, two-hour walking distance from village. Ever since getting enrolled in grade 3, Bhattarai stood out as a bright student, scoring first position throughout his school life. In 1970 he made the headlines for topping the national-level School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examinations, till then unimaginable from a remote village school.
He then pursued his Intermediate in Science from Amrit Science College in Kathmandu where he once again excelled and became the only person till date to top two consecutive national exams. In 1977, under the Colombo Plan, Bhattarai completed his Bachelors Degree in Architecture from Chandigarh, India.
In 1979, he went on to complete his Masters in Town and Country Planning with specialization in Urban and Regional Planning, from the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi. It was here that he met and married Hisila Yami, also a daughter of a prominent scholar-politician Dharma Ratna ‘Yami’ from Kathmandu. In 1986, Yami gave birth to a daughter, Manushi. The same year, Dr Bhattarai obtained his PhD degree in Regional Development Planning, from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. His thesis titled— ‘The Nature of Underdevelopment and Regional Structure of Nepal’ has been published as a book.
According to family genesis, the Bhattarais were traditional priests and astrologers to the Sen Kings of Palpa who were known to have migrated to Liglig area of Gorkha around 15th century AD. Interestingly, one Gajanan Bhattarai, along with Ganesh Pandey and others, was instrumental in installing Drabya Shah as the King of Liglig and Gorkha. One branch of the same Bhattarai lineage remained in Belbas, in the foothills of Liglig kot, as peasants. It was here, in the mid-hills of Nepal, that Baburam Bhattarai was born to Bhoj Prasad Bhattarai and Dharma Kumari Bhattarai. He was the second son in the family.
In an ironical twist of history, 240 years after the establishment of the Shah dynasty in which the Bhattarais played an important role, a member of the same Bhattarai lineage was to become instrumental in abolishing the feudal monarchy.
Politically conscious but not an activist in his early college days, he soon found himself in the midst of anti-monarchy activities of banned political parties after the royal coup of 1960. In 1977, he became the Founder President of the All India Nepalese Students Association.
In India, he came in contact with top political leaders of Nepal like B.P. Koirala, Tulsi Lal Amatya, Mohan Bikram Singh, Rishikesh Shah, and plunged headlong into democratic politics.
In 1980, he got arrested for the first time by the Indian police while demonstrating black flag against King Birendra visiting New Delhi. In 1981, Bhattarai became member of the Communist Party of Nepal through Mohan Bikram Singh. Subsequently, he became active in organizing migrant Nepali workers in India through All India Nepalese Unity Society (1979-1986). Between 1977 and 1986 he became the Editor of Janamanas and Nepali Ekta published from India.
After completion of his formal education, he returned to Nepal in 1986 and became full-time party cadre and political activist. He was arrested twice, in 1986 and 1988, by the royal regime.
From 1986 to 1991, he was the Chief Editor of Jhilko (Monthly). During the anti-Panchayat people’s movement of 1990, Bhattarai was the Central Spokesperson of United National People’s Movement, a coalition of CPN (Masal), CPN (Mashal), Proletarian Labour Organization and other left groups. Post-1990, his political activism only intensified against, in is own words, ‘the weaknesses and limitations of the chronically infirm parliamentary system after 1990’.
Between 1991 and 2001, he was also the President of United People’s Front. During the People’s War, he remained underground from 1996 to 2006, and led the revolution in different fronts. He was the Convener of the United Revolutionary People’s Council, a shadow People’s Government, during the war time. In 2003, he led the Negotiating Team of CPN (Maoist) for peace dialogues.
He has a number of publications in Nepali to his credit. His publications in English include –
1. Nepal: A Marxist View (Jhilko Publications, Kathmandu, 1996)
2. Politico-Economic Rationale of People’s War in Nepal (Utprerak Publications, Kathmandu, 1998)
3. The Nature of Underdevelopment and Regional structure of Nepal: A Marxist Analysis (Adroit Publishers, Delhi, 2003)
4. Monarchy vs. Democracy: The Epic Fight in Nepal (Samakaleen Teesari Duniya, New Delhi, 2005)

nnnn