ENVOY OF UN SECRETARY-GENERAL ARRIVING AS PEACE PROCESS HITS SNAG

PM BRIEFS PRESIDENT ON LATEST POLITICAL SITUATION

Kathmandu, 20 Aug.: Caretaker Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal
Saturday morning briefed President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav on the latest political situation.
The president’s call on parties to assemble a consensus government expires
NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba Second Maoist Vice-chairman Dr. Baburam Bhattarai and the only claimants to succeed Caretaker Prime Minister Khanal who resigned one week ago.
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ENVOY OF UN SECRETARY-GENERAL COMING

Kathmandu, 20 Aug.: Envoy of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is arriving later Saturday as another attempt to complete a peace process and promulgate a constitution fails.
The process have to be completed by 31 August—a deadline that will be missed.
A meeting between Samuel Tamrat and Caretaker Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal has been scheduled at four in the afternoon Saturday.
UNMIN-political arm of UN—withdrew from Nepal 15 January after a failed mission; but the UN still monitors developments in Nepal after withdrawal.
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GOVT., TERAI REBEL GROUP TALKS IN LUMBINI

Kathmandu, 20 Aug.: First round of talks between government and Azad group of Samyukta Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha was held overnight in Lumbini, Radio Nepal reports.
Peace Minister Pampha Bhusal led the government team; she is still in Lumbini Saturday after the overnight talks, state radio said.
Details weren’t released.
The seven-member rebel team was led by Udya Kant Jha.
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UML DISCIPLINARY ACTS BELATEDLY

Kathmandu, 20 Aug.: A central disciplinary commission of UML leading the majority communist government said it was saddened by statements of UML youth leaders, including Youth Organization Chairman
It called the party central committee to initiate an impartial inquiry into Basnet’s threatening statements against journalists, police and the attack of Biratnagar journalist Khilnath Dhakal.while saying it stood for the rule of law.
Th commission headed by Amrit Kumar Bohara asked people not to be confused on the position on the issue of rule of law.
The commission in delayed reaction asked for action if charges against Basnet are positive.
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KUMAR TAMANG—A FUGITIVE IN ROSI MAHARJAN MURDER CASE--ARRESTED

Kathmandu, 20 Aug,: Kumar Tamang,24,was arrested by a squad of Metropolitan Police from Paurahi-5 in Rautahat Friday.
Tamang was wanted in the murder of Kathmandu college girl Rosi Maharjan, a Kupandole, Lalitpur.
Three persons, including her former boyfriend Suvash Uprety have been arrested.
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VALLEY CDOs MOAN HOLES IN ANTI-SMOKING LAWS
Kathmanndu, 20 Aug.:More than a week after the law prohibiting smoking in public places came into effect, district administrators in the Valley said lack of clear procedures is preventing authorities to book those flouting the law, The Himalayan Times reports.
“Although the Act says violators are to be fined Rs 100, it is mum on procedure to be employed to book violators,” said Kathmandu Chief District Officer Laxmi Prasad Dhakal.

As everyone who violates the rule can not be brought to the district office and fined, police or other monitoring officials must be assigned to take action against those smoking in public places, added Dhakal.

Lalitpur CDO Ratna Raj Pandeya said that filing a lawsuit against smokers to make them pay Rs 100 costs Rs 1,000. “A clear procedure to collect fines is needed,” he remarked. Bhaktapur CDO Keshav Raj Acharya echoed his Lalitpur counterpart demanding that monitoring officials be assigned.

The Health Ministry said it understands the problems faced by administrators and is working on making procedures practical.

“We are working on appointing monitoring officials and supporting staff in each district,” said Kamal Prasad Acharya, under secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population.

The Tobacco Control Act-2010, which came into effect on August 7, bars smoking in public places — Government offices, corporations, educational institutions, libraries, airports, public vehicles, orphanages, childcare centres, cinema halls, homes for the elderly, cultural centres, children’s park, hotels, restaurants, resorts, girls’ and boys’ hostels, department stores, religious sites and industries.
Act says violators are to be fined Rs 100, it is mum on procedure to be employed to book violators,” said Kathmandu Chief District Officer Laxmi Prasad Dhakal.

As everyone who violates the rule can not be brought to the district office and fined, police or other monitoring officials must be assigned to take action against those smoking in public places, added Dhakal.

Lalitpur CDO Ratna Raj Pandeya said that filing a lawsuit against smokers to make them pay Rs 100 costs Rs 1,000. “A clear procedure to collect fines is needed,” he remarked. Bhaktapur CDO Keshav Raj Acharya echoed his Lalitpur counterpart demanding that monitoring officials be assigned.

The Health Ministry said it understands the problems faced by administrators and is working on making procedures practical.

“We are working on appointing monitoring officials and supporting staff in each district,” said Kamal Prasad Acharya, under secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population.

The Tobacco Control Act-2010, which came into effect on August 7, bars smoking in public places — Government offices, corporations, educational institutions, libraries, airports, public vehicles, orphanages, childcare centres, cinema halls, homes for the elderly, cultural centres, children’s park, hotels, restaurants, resorts, girls’ and boys’ hostels, department stores, religious sites and industries.
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