PRACHANDA SUB-COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTION DRAFTNG MEETS FRIDAY MORNING

PRACHANDA-LED SUB-COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTION DRAFTNG MEETS FRIDAY MORNING

Kathmandu, 4 Nov.: A sub-committee led by Maoist Chairman Prachanda to resolve differences on themes themes to be included in a proposed constitution to institutionalize a declared republic meets Friday
morning.
The meeting is being held as only 26 days remain to conclude the delayed peace procwss and constitution drafting by 30 November.
The sub-committee meets after Tuesday night’s agreement between ruling parties and two opposition parties—NC and UML—to conclude twin processes oif peace process and constitution drafting.
The sub-committee with representatives of major parties was dormant until now.
Major differences between major political players on themes to be included in a constitution still prevail.
The man constitution draftng committee chaired by Nilambar Acharya entrusted the sub-committee to resolve differences; the sub-committee reports to the Acharya commission.
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SPURT GAIN IN SHARE PRICE NOT SUSTAINED

Kathmandu, 4 Nov.: A one-day gain couldn’t be
sustained Thursday on the last day of trading as Nepse index fell 3.28 points; the market closed at to 343.54 points.
The market registered a 16.78 gain Wednesday when the market opened one day after Tuesday nights ’s seven-point breakthrough agreement between ruling parties—Maoists and Madeshbadi parties—and two man opposition parties to conclude the delayed peace process and constitution drafting.
The agreement boosted sustained fall in share prices as analysts said Wednesday’s gain wouldn’t be sustained.
Establishment faction of UCPN (Maoist) is efforting to collect support of 19,000 plus fighters in 28 camps and cantonments through commanders who assembled
for a two-day meet that concluded Thursday at the residence of Chairman Prachanda.
But rumblings and dissatisfaction over the
integration of only 6,500 former fighters under a ldirectorate in Nepal Army (NA) have begun to surface.
Fighters said they are being treated like forest
guards and not soldiers of the state army threatening disrupt the integration process to conclude a delayed peace agreement.
Former fighters threatened not to cooperate to implement this week’s seven-point agreement welcomed by major parties in and outside government.
Parties and leaders called for the breakthrough agreement’s implementation.
A UCPN (Maoist)faction led by First Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya and General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa has
threatened street protests if the agreement isn’t scrapped.
A central committee meeting was postponed
until 13 November Thursday after the rebel
faction registered a 10-point dissenting note at the committee opposing Chairman Prachanda’s agenda.
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COMBATANTS, KIN NOT AT PEACE WITH 7-POINT DEAL
Kathmandu, 4 Nov.: The seven-point deal reached among parties on Tuesday has injected excitement into the country’s political atmosphere, but the lot, which is the major component of peace process, has expressed mixed feelings, The Himalayan Times reports from Sindhuli.

While some Maoist People’s Liberation Army fighters, who are billeted at several camps across the country, said they were upbeat about the new development, some others were of the opinion that the deal would lead to their ‘ungraceful integration’. Different opinions from the kin of the PLA fighters also have been filtering in.

Yatanhari Subedi of Sanghutar, Ramechhap, said the deal would secure the future of his 25-year-old son Bipin Subedi who joined the PLA seven years ago. Bipin was taken by the Maoist cadres from school in 2005, but in November of that year the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed and then after he started living in Dudhauli cantonment. Yatanhari said he was glad not because ‘my son would get some money or be integrated into the army’ but because ‘peace process would conclude now’.

But there are other fighters and their relatives who are unhappy that those joining the PLA after the peace deal would be enjoying the same facility the others — who fought for the party for long — would get.

Niru Malla, wife of Bikas Malla, who has been living in Dahaban cantonment of Rolpa, rang Bikas after she heard about the deal and asked her husband to come home. Bikas said he was glad that the peace was finally close at hand, but was quick to add that the deal ‘came as a huge loss for the combatants’ who battled for the country for so long. Bikas, who joined PLA nine years ago, however, told his wife in reply that he would abide by the party’s decision.

Uttam, a fighter at Dudhauli camp, said five years in cantonment had exhausted the combatants. “But they are upbeat that the peace process would reach a logical conclusion,” said Uttam.

But Junpura Pun, wife of assistant commander Himal Pun Magar of Jwar Memorial Brigade, Rolpa, had a different opinion. “The integration is not going to be a respectful one. Comparing the PLA fighters’ sacrifice with money is not a good idea,” she said.
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Kathmandu, 4 Nov.: More than 3,000 Nepalis working illegally in Malaysia are leaving the country under amnesty plan. The second preferred destination to Nepali migrant workers has announced amnesty to sweep up illegal migrants, The Himalayan Times writes.

“Illegal Nepalis are leaving Malaysia, said Lekh-nath Bhattarai, consular at Nepali embassy in Mala-ysia. “About 3,500 Nepalis have got travel document from embassy to leave the country,” he added.

Malaysia has given October 31 deadline to leave the country but migrant in process gets extra time according to their travel documents. They will reach Nepal around mid-November because travel documents are valid for two weeks only, bhattarai added. The destination has started legalisation of over one million migrant workers introducing biometric identification for migrant workers in May. The process has ended in October with amnesty offer.

Malaysian government has recorded 285,000 Nepalis in the destination in July with 33,000 illegal workers. In August, it had urged illegal migrant workers to change their status to legal within two months.

Thousands of illegal Nepalis have changed their status paying fine and joining new job. “Those who get sponsors became legal workers,” general secretary of Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies Kumud Khanal said, adding that only the unfortunate ones are returning. Malaysia was the top hiring destination for last three years before Qatar toppled it four months ago.

According to Department of Foreign Employment, the destination has hired 672,543 Nepalis since the fiscal year 1997-98.

Malaysia has started to lower demand of Nepali workers' hiring gradually in the first three months of current fiscal year. About 9,671 Nepalis had entered Malaysia in Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August) but the number decreased to 5,222 in the third month - Ashwin (mid-September to mid-October). Once the most preferred foreign job destination has hired around 8,610 Nepali migrant workers in Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September).

However, hiring of Nepali women migrant workers has significantly increased in the period.

On an average, more than 300 Nepali migrant women job seekers entered Malaysia in the last three months. About 359 Nepali women workers have joined Malaysian job.

Kuwait, UAE include Nepal

Gulf countries – Kuwait and United Arab emirates – have officially included Nepal in the list of 41 source countries. The list includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India from South Asian countries while African countries dominate the list, Kuwait Times reported on Thursday. Philippines, one of major source country for women workers for years has withdrawn from the list. According to the newspaper, Philippine has asked the host countries to include domestic workers under the protection of labour law.
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