PRINTING OF PLASTIC CURRENCY NOTES IN AUSTRALIA WITH BRIBES BEING INVESTIGATED

UML, SMALL PARTIES’ MEET UPDATE ON PM ELECTION

Kathmandu, 24 Aug.: UML and Rashriya Rajnaitik Manch, a group of small parties in parliament, held discussions ahead of a presidential deadline Wednesday to nominate a consensus candidate for prime minister to succeed Caretaker Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal.
They are discussing whether to support Sher Bahadur Deuba of NC or Maoist candidate Dr.Baburam Bhattarai.
UMLwill take up the issue at the meeting of its parliamentary party later Wednesday.
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PRINTING OF PLASTIC CURRENCY NOTES IN AUSTRALIA BEING PORED IN NEPAL PARLIAMENT

Kathmandu, 24 Aug.: A parliamentary committee asked the finance ministry and Nepal Rashtra Bank to submit all papers regarding order to print plastic currency notes at an Australian government printing press nine years ago.
An Australian newspaper broke a news this month hefty bribes were paid through a Nepali agent to secure the order which is being investigated for illegal financial activities by the Ausralian government.
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SAMJHANA FINANCE BEING LIQUIDATED

Kathmandu, 24 Aug.: Jagadish Bhattarai has been appointed investigation officer by commercial bench of Patan appellate court to liquidate Samjhana Finance.
The fiancé faces liquidation after liquidation of Nepal Development Bank.
The finance company is based in Kavre.
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FORMER ARMY CHIEF RUKMANGUD KATAWAL IN CHINA

Kathmandu, 24 Aug.: Former Army Chief. Gen.Rukmangud Katawal left for a week-long China visit Tuesday, Ghatana ra Bichar reports.
He started his visit from Tibet and will terminate it there.
Katawal has been invited by the China Institute of International Strategic Studies, a think tank of the Chinese foreign ministry.
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CONTRACT WORKERS AT TIA END STRIKE

Kathmandu, 24 Aug.: Contract workers at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) ended their strike Tuesday after staying away only for one day.
Workers at different departments demanded increased facilities.
The strike was called off after assurances to consider demands.
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ELECRICITY DEPT. BEING RESTRUCTURED
Kathmandu, 24 Aug.: After deciding to provide to projects with over 10 MW capacity on competitive basis, the ministry is preparing a new structure to ensure greater efficiency. “We need to work more effectively as the bidding system has been established. So the present structure will be changed within a few days,” said Balananda Paudel, secretary, ministry of energy, The Himalayan Times reports.

A separate department to work out the bidding process will be established, according to the ministry. “The ministry will also start work on river basin approach where offices will be established to develop strategies to promote on major river basins— Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali and Mahakali," said Gokarna Bista, energy minister.

The ministry also said that works to manage present projects and assure planned development processes for future has started. “Till date, we were working haphazardly so this is the point to start for planned development of this sector,” added minister.

As per the ministry’s proposal, the Cabinet recently consented to establishment of a separate entity to look after transmission line development.The energy secretary said it is not possible to recruit new manpower at present, so restructuring will help to run works more smoothly. There are about 80 staffers at present.
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