MORE DETAILS OF OPPOSITION TO 4-POINT DEAL IN MAOISTS

ANTI-GRAFT BODIES IN GOVT.

Kathmandu, 23 Sept.: In a bid to ensure transparency, austerity and effective service delivery, the government has decided to set up anti-corruption units at the Prime Minister´s Office (PMO), ministries and commissions soon, Bimal Gautam writes in Republica.

According to PMO Joint Secretary Sharad Chandra Paudel, the Prime Minister´s Office has drafted a working procedure defining the role, responsibilities and jurisdiction of such units.

“Joint secretaries will command anti-corruption units,” said Paudel, adding, “Each unit will have three members, including joint secretary, under-secretary and a section officer.”

These units will be authorized to take up complaints, form probe panels and investigate into alleged irregularities and malpractices within the ministries concerned and furnish reports at the PMO for necessary action.

“The PMO can ask secretaries concerned to take departmental action against officials if anti-corruption units so recommend,” Paudel explained.

According to him, the PMO can send recommendations floated by the units to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) if high-ranking government officials, including under secretaries, joint secretaries, secretaries and ministers are found involved in corruption.

“PMO cannot take action against ministers and top bureaucrats,” Paudel said, adding, “The PMO will send reports to CIAA depending on the recommendations of the units. The units will be mandated to expedite and implement government´s anti-corruption strategy and plans.”

The draft working procedures of the anti-graft units has made it mandatory for unit officials to probe complaints, prepare reports and submit them to the PMO. The procedure states that the government would take action against officials for not fulfilling their duties sincerely.
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MORE DETAILS OF OPPOSITION TO 4-POINT DEAL IN UCPN (MAOIST)

Kathmandu, 23 Sept. Stating that the four-point deal between the UCPN (Maoist) and United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) is against the national interest and contravenes the party´ ideology, Maoist Secretary CP Gajurel came down heavily on the party leadership and the prime minister for signing “the erroneous deal”, Repbulica reports.

A key leader of the hard-line faction of the UCPN (Maoist) Gajurel said some of the crucial points in the deal can´t be implemented.

He also questioned the points on settling the proposed and pending issues with neighboring countries. “What are those proposed issues yet to be resolved?” Gajurel said while addressing the parliament meeting on Thursday. “Nepal and India are yet to sign the treaties on extradition and on allowing Indian air marshals.

The status of Nepal will not even be on par with Bhutan once these two treaties are signed.”

He objected to the wordings “inclusive democratic republic” used in the deal. “It is not in line with our party´s policy which advocates people´s federal republic. Therefore it is not acceptable to us,” he said.

Gajurel said the provision on right to property was also unacceptable. The provision states there will be no infringement, in any form, on the property legally owned by any individual. “Such a provision is unacceptable even to the Nepali Congress, let alone to a communist party like ours,” he explained.

He also criticized the provision on recruiting 10,000 youths from Madhesi communities in the Nepal Army. “If so, what about the youths from Limbu, Tharu or other communities?”

On the return of property seized by the Maoists, Gajurel said the properties can be returned only after the government provides an alternative to those who are using it.
Gajurel also criticized the government decision to hand over the keys of the arms containers to the Special Committee without first settling thorny issues of integration.

Demand for 33 pc women in cabinet

Lawmakers from the ruling as well as opposition parties fiercely criticized the PM for not appointing at least 33 percent women ministers.

Lawmakers Gajurel and Damakumari Sharma from the prime minister´s party came down heavily on the party leaders for not abiding by the constitutional provision to this effect.

Also, lawmakers from NC, CPN UML, among others, criticized the leaders for failing to give an inclusive form to the government.

While the Interim Constitution has made it mandatory for the political parties to be inclusive, the reinstated parliament, prior to the CA election in 2008, had endorsed a stricture making it mandatory to ensure 33 percent representation of women in all the government bodies.

Speaker draws govt attention

Following the lawmakers´ objection, Speaker Subas Nembang drew the government´s attention toward the issue. “It is our commitment to ensure 33 percent of women representation in the government. Therefore, I draw the government´s attention toward the issue,” said the speaker.

He also drew the government´s attention toward lawmakers´ concern over government´s apathy in providing compensation to quake victims. “I direct the government to submit all the details in the next House meeting,” the speaker said.

The next House meeting is scheduled for October 13.
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