INCREASED SALARYOF PRIME MINISTER, MINISTERS AND OTHER POLITICIANS

SALARY HIKE OF PRESIDENT,PRIME MINISTER,MINISTERS

Kathmandu, 18 Aug.: Increased salary from Shrawan of president, prime ministers, ministers and others as published by Kanipur Thursday.
OLD…. NEW

President Rs.72,800 Rs.92.720
Prime Minister Rs.36,920 Rs.47,620
Ministers Rs.28,920 Rs.37,560
State Ministers Rs.27,360 Rs.35,600
Main oppose chief Rs.28.920 Rs.37,560
Speaker Rs.32,040 Rs.41,489
Lawmaker Rs.26,110 Rs.34,030
Chief Justice Rs.35,400 Rs.45,400
CHIEFS OF
CONSTITUTIONAL
BODIES Rs.27,360 Rs.35,600.
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KHANAL MAGIC POTION FOR PEACE, UNITY GOVT.

Kathmandu, 18 Aug.: For months, the parties have been reporting progress in the peace process but most of the “near-agreements” are limited to verbal understanding. However, the government of departing Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal had documented the understandings on the numbers, modality, ranking and rehabilitation package that are yet to be formalized, Phanindra Dahal/Bhadra Sharma write in The Kathmandu Post.

The Post has access to the document which was formally distributed during the meeting of the Big Three parties and the Madhesi Morcha on Sunday morning, the same day that PM Khanal resigned. Khanal had hoped that agreement on the proposal would form the basis of completing the peace process and formation of a national unity government.

Khanal’s proposal, prepared after rounds of closed-door discussions with Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Khanal, went unheeded as the parties began clamouring for his resignation. Leaders of the main opposition Nepali Congress and a section of the UML led by KP Oli and Madhav Kumar Nepal said they had reservations against the proposal.

On numbers, the document recommended that 7,000 combatants be integrated by forming a directorate in Nepal Army, with a strength of maximum 13,000 personnel. The Directorate General of National Development and Security, the document proposed, would be governed by the Military Act and include personnel from Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Maoist combatants.

Khanal proposed two compositions — first, 55 percent personnel from Nepal Army and 45 percent from combatants, and second, 35 percent from Nepal Army, 35 percent from combatants and the remaining 30 percent through inclusive recruitment (Madhesi, women and other groups) or from other security forces. The directorate led by a Major General of the Nepal Army would be responsible for national level development, forests and national parks’ security, industrial security and rescue and relief operations.

Opposed to the Maoists’ demand of bulk integration, the entry of combatants was proposed on an individual basis.

However, they would have been required to stay collectively during the bridging training, a course to be provided to each combatant for service in Nepal Army. Flexibility would be demonstrated on issues of age and recruitment date of combatants, their marital status and educational qualifications. The combatants were required to meet certain physical criteria—5 feet 3 inches height and 32-34 cm chest girth—to be selected for integration. On a one-time basis, consideration was to be made to allow those having passed Grade Five in the lower ranks and SLC in the officer ranks.

Khanal had also proposed increasing the 23 years age limit for recruitment set by NA to 25-33 years for those willing to join the directorate. Each combatant could participate in free competition for promotion from the rank conferred with during integration. Khanal said rank determination was the most ‘sensitive issue’. Hence, combatants with leverage during integration could ensure their growth through free competition in later stages. The rank of Colonel and two or three positions of Lieutenant Colonel could be offered to combatants through political decision while a joint technical team would make a detailed rank determination plan. The Maoists agreed to the concept of the team but NC and a section of UML feared the Maoists might dilly-dally on a compromise if a new committee was set up to determine ranking. Officially, the Maoists are still demanding leadership of the directorate. However, they have told Khanal and NC and UML leaders that they may compromise on the position of Brigadier General. They want commitment from non-Maoist parties that the Brig Gen from their quota will head the directorate after doing the bridging course.

In a proposal submitted last year, Nepal Army had urged the government not to accord ranks above Major to combatants. Army generals say distribution of senior ranks to combatants would hurt NA’s rank and file who wait for 12 years to be a Major, 16 years for Lt Col, seven years for Captain and three years for Lieutenant.

Khanal had proposed a golden handshake and rehabilitation package between Rs 500,000 and 800,000 for the combatants. A combatant with no commanding responsibilities would be provided Rs 500,000; a company commander Rs 600,000, battalion commander Rs 700,000 and division commander Rs 800,000. The rehabilitation and golden handshake package was to be provided in cash and bonds.

Weapons at the seven main cantonment sites were to be brought under the government through the PM-led Special Committee after regrouping. A month-long regrouping process was envisaged to categorise combatants into groups opting for integration, rehabilitation and voluntary retirement. “We were near consensus with Maoist leaders on the proposal. But, the discussion took a U-turn after NC and Madhesi leaders declined to reach consensus on issues other than PM’s resignation,” said Minister for PMO Affairs Ghanashyam Bhusal. Negotiators from UCPN (Maoist)—Barsha Man Pun and Janardan Sharma—were unavailable, despite several attempts, for comments. NC’s Special Committee member Ram Sharan Mahat said the proposal did not hold water. “If he [Khanal] was serious, he would have brought it through the Special Committee,” Mahat said. PM’s Press Advisor Surya Thapa said the nation would have returned on the path of national consensus had major parties reached an agreement, based on Khanal’s proposal, on contentious issues of the peace process.
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