NC. UML OPPOSE ALLOWANCE HIKE FOR MAOIST FIGHTERS

TWO MAIN OPPOSITON PARTIES OPPOSE ALLOWANCE HIKE FOR MAOIST FIGHTERS

Kathmandu, 3 Oct.: Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML have expressed concerns over the government decision to hike the allowance of ex-Maoist combatants saying such a decision violates the code of conduct relating to command, control and direction of the ex-combatants, RSS reports.

Nepali Congress top leaders lodged their objection to the government decision during their meeting with Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Tuesday while the CPN-UML expressed its concern by issuing a statement. The government on Sunday hiked the allowance of the ex-Maoist combatants by Rs 1,500 effective from mid-July.

"We raised the issue of the hike in the allowance of the combatants," NC Vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel said, adding, "The decision should have been taken in the Special Committee."

The ex-combatants are under the command and control of the Special Committee headed by the prime minister and represented by major political parties and two Madhesi parties.

Issuing a statement, CPN-UML General Secretary Ishwar Pokharel said the decision "taken without even consulting the Special Committee" has breached the code of conduct on command, control and direction of the ex-Maoist combatants.

Saying that the hike in the allowance of the ex-Maoist combatants was not included in the budget, CPN-UML said the decision indicates that the government is not sincere to the calls to complete the peace process as soon as possible.

In the meantime, Nepali Congress leaders have once again rejected the Maoist leaders´ call to begin categorization of ex-Maoist combatants by finalizing rehabilitation package.

"We told them that such a step cannot be taken without consulting the secretariat [under the Special Committee]," said Paudel.

NC has been rejecting the Maoist request to start categorization immediately, saying all the issues related to the peace process should be settled before starting categorization.

Even the secretariat under the Special Committee has maintained that parties should have an agreement on modality of integration and rehabilitation and rank harmonization before starting categorization.
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UML CHAIRMAN KHANAL SAYS BABURAM GOVT. CAN’T CONCLUDE PEACE PROCESS
Kathmandu, 3 Oct.: CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal has said that it will be difficult for a majority government to conclude peace and constitution, RSS reports from Chitwan.
At a press meet organized today in Bharatpur by the Press Chautari Chitwan Branch, Khanal said this government will not make any achievement in peace process.

He also said a fifth government is needed to finalize it.

On one query, Khanal said not UML or Nepali Congress but the prime minister himself is the hindrance to peace and constitution.

He said the PM’s party has itself started troubles and there is no alternate to a consensus government. He opposed the four point deal signed by UCPN- Maoist and Madhesi Front, and added it has nothing of nationalism.
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• FIRE DESTROYS DURGA TEMPLE IN MOHOTTARI
Kathmandu, 3 Oct.:A temple constructed to perform pooja of Goddess Durga during Navaratra at Mahendra Chowk of Jaleshwor in Mahottari district has been destroyed by a fire on Monday morning, RSS reports from Ghaushala in Mohottari.
District Police Office said that all idols of goddesses were burnt in the fire.

It is said that the temple caught fire due to the electric shock.
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