RAUTAHAT COLD WAVE DEATH TOLL JUMPS TO SIX

RAUTAHAT COLD WAVE DEATH TOLL JUMPS TO SIX

Kathmandu, 17 Dec.:: Two more persons died of cold in Rautahat district following the cold wave and fall on mercury during the last one week. The number of death toll in Rautahat district reached six, RSS reports from Rautahat.

The 70-year-old Indra Mati Devi Singh of Haminiya VDC-5 died of cold last night while Jagdev Mahato of Mudwalaba VDC-9 died of same cause on Saturday morning.

All government schools in the district have been closed until December 23 thanks to chilling cold.

Similarly, all private schools in Gaur and adjoining areas have been closed down until Sunday.

Normal life in the district has been badly affected due to cold wave coupled with thick fog.
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FEDERALISM DEBATE CONTINUES UNABATED

Kathmandu, 17 Dec.: Stakeholders have said that federal states should be delineated based on country’s unique characteristics, RSS reports.

Speaking at an interaction on federalism organised by ABC Television in the capital on Saturday, politicians, experts and activists said that federalism should address the concerns of suppressed class, ethnic communities and dalits.

On the occasion, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Lokendra Bista said, “Federal states should be delineated by incorporating all ethnic communities, languages and regions.”

Minister Bista who is also the Maoist politburo member said that the programs against federalism in the country launched by some people and organisations were worthless.

Bista accused the anti-federalism advocates of conspiring against new constitution. He said the State Restructuring Commission (SRC) would function based on the report of the Constituent Assembly (CA) Committee on State Restructuring.

Also speaking on the occasion, Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare, Dan Bahadur Chaudhary said all parties should be ready to empower the people of the Madhes adding that the Madhesi have not quit the demand for ‘One Madhes, One Province’.

Similarly, Co-chairman of the Sadbhavana Party, Laxman Lal Karna said that north-south delineation of the federal states was not acceptable to his party. “Different provinces can be made in Madhes. But north-south federalism is not accepted for us.”

Sociologist Dr. Krishna Bahadur Bhattachan said that the federal states should be based on ethnic line. “Federalism should guarantee rights to the suppressed castes and ethnic groups.”

Dalit rights activist Padma Lal BK said the suppressed and dalit community should experience the change through federal states.

However, economist Dr. Dilliraj Khanal stressed for economic viability and capacity for state restructuring.

Similarly, general secretary of Nepal Chamber of Commerce and vice-president of the Federation of Nepalis Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Pradip Jung Pandey, focused on socio-economic issues f or federalism.
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TOP UML LEADER RAI FORCONSENSUS GOVT.
Kathmandu, 17 Dec.: Vice-chairman of the CPN-UML Ashok Rai has said that UML was ready to support the national consensus government whoever leads it in the present situation, RSS reports from Gaighat.

Speaking at a news conference organised by Press Chautari Nepal, Udayapur Chapter, here on Saturday, Rai said the UML was ready to support any consensus government abd ruled out any possibility of joining incumbent Bhattarai-led government.

Rai said UML could not join the Bhattarai-led government for its morale as UML had voted against this government. He was of the opinion that the UML was ready to support other Maoist leaders besides Dr. Bhattarai for leading the national consensus government.

Rai said though the current government forwarded some important works to advance the ongoing peace and army integration process, it failed to pay necessary attention against corruption.
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