PARLIAMENT SESSION OBSTRCTED FOR 7TH SESSION

PARLIAMENT OBSTRUCTED PARLIAMENT FOR SEVENTH
SESSION
Kathmandu, 1 Feb.: Seventeen parties, including man opposition n and UML, obstructed parliament for the seventh concessive time
Monday.
Speaker Subash Nemwang asked Prime Minister Baburam Bhattari to held end the impasse Tuesday.
Maoists are sending confusing signals on opposition demands for annulment of a cabinet decision to regularize legalization of seizure of seized assets during the 10-year insurgency.
Opposition is demanding a formal statement from the premier.
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PM, KAMAL THAPA MEET
Kathmandu, 1 Feb. Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai held consultations with RPP-Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa
Wednesday.
Thapa sad he suggested local elections not held for 14 years.
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TOURIST ARRIVALS JUMP MORE THAN 27 PERCENT IN FIRST MONTH
OF 2012
Kathmandu, 1 Feb.:: International tourist arrival to Nepal has increased by 27.7 per cent in January this year as compared to the same period last year, RSS reports.

According to the Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), a total of 42,031 tourists arrived in Nepal via the TIA in January, 2012.

Tourist arrival from the south Asia segment recorded a rise including a rise of 29.2 per cent from India, 34.4 per cent from Bangladesh and 112.5 per cent from Sri Lanka. However, the arrival from Pakistan was decreased by 29.6 per cent.

Likewise, arrivals from China have increased significantly by 107 per cent and from Japan, Singapore, Thailand and South Korea by 6.4, 5.2, 8.4 and 7.9 per cent respectively.

Malaysia, however, registered a negative growth of 13.5 per cent in January 2012 compared to the same month in 2011.

The European market showed an overall positive growth of 22.8 per cent including 4.7, 27.9, 88.1 and 132.4 per cent from UK, Germany, France and Switzerland respectively.

International visitor arrivals to Nepal had witnessed a positive growth since June 2009 and the trend continues this year as well.

In January this year, tourist arrival from Australia, Canada and the USA have also registered growths of 8.6, 27.8 and 7.7 per cent respectively.

According to the Immigration Office at TIA, a total of 52,617 foreign tourists departed from TIA in January 2012.

Similarly, the number of Nepalis arrivals stood at 82,897 while a total of 67,194 Nepalis departed from TIA in the same month this year.
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ADB,SWISS ASSIST
Kathmandu, 1 Feb.:: Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Switzerland have agreed to provide 25 million US dollars (NRs. 2523 million) to Nepal for the Second Phase of Decentralised Rural Infrastructure and Livelihood
Project, RSS reports.



Two separate agreements to this effect were signed between the Government of Nepal and the Government of Switzerland as well as the Government of Nepal and the ADB in the Ministry of Finance, Singh Durbar, on Wednesday.

Of the amount, 18 million US dollars is loan assistance while 7 million US Dollars is grant assistance, the Ministry of Finance stated in a press release.

The overall objectives of the project are to contribute to poverty reduction by enhancing the mobility of isolated rural people and ensuring their easy access in economic and social sector activities.



Rural infrastructure such as rehabilitation, capacity building, decentralized governance, construction of rural road infrastructure including community development and rural livelihood are the activities included in the project.

The project is implemented in 18 different rural districts of Nepal as Baglung, Baitadi, Bajhang, Bajura, Darchula, Dolpa, Gorkha, Humla, Jajarkot, Jumla, Kalikot, Lamjung, Myagdi, Mugu, Okhaldhunga, Ramechhap, Solukhumbu and Taplejung.

The expected outcomes of the project are to have improved access to social services and economic opportunities of the people including disadvantaged groups stakeholders/institutions at all levels through planning to implementation and managing construction and maintenance works in a socially inclusive manner.
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SPLINTER COMMUNIST GROUP SAYS NO CONSTITUTION WITHOUT AGREEMENT OF FARDERALISM

Kathmandu, 1 Feb.:: Vice Chairman of the Rastriya Janamorcha Janakraj Sharma has said that federal Nepal will not be in the interest of Nepal and the Nepalis, RSS reports
from Nepalgunj.

At a press conference organized by the party here today, he said if a constitution with federal states is promulgated; it will lead the country to disintegration.

No constitution will be promulgated unless the issue of federalism is finalized, he said, adding federalism does not match with the geography of Nepal as it was imported from foreign countries.

Asked by journalists, he said the transition in the country had been lengthened as political parties erred in the institutional development of republic.

The Janamorcha has announced a programme of publicity campaign from February 2-12, protest on February 17, and strikes in regional level from February 27- March 9.
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NC FRUSTRATION WITH MAOISTS
Kathmandu, 1 Feb.:: Former prime minister and Nepali Congress (NC) senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba has urged one and all to be involved for the stability of democracy in the country, RSS reports.

Taking part in an interaction programme titled " Martyrs' Dreams and the Present " organised by the Binod Dev Memorial Academy in the context of the Martyrs' Week here today, leader Deuba said doubts over the establishment of peace and drafting of the new constitution have increased due to the non-implementation of the seven-point agreement.

Though martyrs sacrificed their lives for attaining democracy in the country, presently the country's democracy is under threat due to prolonged political confusion, he added.

The NC senior leader further said that he was making efforts at solving the intra-party problems in his party.

Also speaking at the programme, NC central member Arjunnarsingh KC said that seeking an alternative to the incumbent government by bringing all the democratic forces in the same ground was the need of the hour.

Accusing the UCPN (Maoist) of trying to impose totalitarianism in the country in the name of peace and democracy, leader KC stressed the need of materialising the dreams of the martyrs.

Similarly, other party central members Manmohan Bhattarai and Meen Bahadur Bishwakarma accused the incumbent government of pushing democracy under threat and curtailing the people's rights.

Likewise, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Democratic) general secretary Jitendra Dev said the death of Binod caused an irreparable loss not only to the Congress but also to the entire country.
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MAOIST GENERAL SECRETARY ANNOUNCES END IN PARTY DISPUTE

Kathmandu, 1 Feb.: UCPN-Maoist general secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa has claimed the party has already gone to unity with the ending of all disputes within the
Party, RSS reports from Nuwakot.
Speaking at a press meet organised by the Revolutionary Journalists' Association in Trishuli today, Maoist leader Thapa said peace, constitution and formation of the national government would be the main agendas of his party.
Accusing other parties of causing obstructions in concluding the peace and the constitution drafting process, Maoist General Secretary Thapa stressed the need of the national unity government to take these main agendas of the country to a conclusion.
"The UCPN (Maoist) should get an opportunity to lead the national consensus government", he added.
Leader Thapa and other party politburo members were here in course of imparting training to the party cadres.
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DEUBA DEMANDS HONOURING 7-POINT DEAL

Kathmandu, 1 Feb.: Former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress (NC) Senior Leader Sher Bahadur Deuba has urged one and all to be involved for the stability of democracy in the country, RSS reports.

Taking part in an interaction program titled " Martyrs´ Dreams and the Present " organized by the Binod Dev Memorial Academy in the context of the Martyrs´ Week on Wednesday, leader Deuba said doubts over the establishment of peace and drafting of the new constitution have increased due to the non-implementation of the seven-point agreement.

Though martyrs sacrificed their lives for attaining democracy in the country, presently the country´s democracy is under threat due to prolonged political confusion, he added.

The NC senior leader further said that he was making efforts at solving the intra-party problems in his party.

Also speaking at the program, NC central member Arjun Narsingh KC seeking an alternative to the incumbent government by bringing all the democratic forces in the same ground was the need of the hour.

Accusing the UCPN (Maoist) of trying to impose totalitarianism in the country in the name of peace and democracy, leader KC stressed the need of materializing the dreams of the martyrs.

Similarly, other party central members Manmohan Bhattarai and Meen Bahadur Bishwakarma accused the incumbent government of pushing democracy under threat and curtailing the people´s rights.

Likewise, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Democratic) general secretary Jitendra Dev said the death of Binod caused an irreparable loss not only to the Congress but also to the entire country.
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THAI ENVOY’S FAREWELL CALL ON PM
Kathmandu, 1 Feb: Ambassador of Thailand to Nepal, Maris Sangiampongsa paid a farewell call on Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai at the latter's office on Wednesday, RSS reports.

On the occasion, matters relating to Nepal-Thailand relations, mutual cooperation and bilateral interests were discussed.

Talking to RSS after the farewell meeting, Ambassador Sangiampongsa said that on the occasion, he opined that the government-to-government and people-to-people relations existing between the two countries would be consolidated through regular dialogues and contacts.

The Thai government is always committed to extending all possible support for the socio-economic prosperity of Nepal and for the development of Lumbini, he said, adding that the Thai people have provided Rs. 20 million for the conservation of the Mayadevi Temple at Lumbini.

It may be noted that Sangiampongsa is returning home after completing his two-year term in Nepal on coming Friday.

The Thai government has appointed him as the Ambassador to Australia.

"No matter where I will be, I will always encourage the Buddhists to visit Lumbini and dedicate myself for the promotion of religious tourism in Nepal", he said.
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FIRE IN DHANKUTA BAZZAR
Kathmandu, 1 Feb.: Physical property worth Rs 800,000 has been gutted when fire broke out in Dhankuta bazaar Wednesday morning, RSS reports.
The fire broke out from a grocery at the house of Mahendra Bhattarai in Mathlokopche bazaar in Dhankuta municipality-6 at 7 this morning.
According to District Police Office, Dhankuta, the fire destroyed various physical goods including food items, clothes and utensils.
Police and locals took the fire under control one and half hours after the incident.
An electric short circuit was the reason behind the fire outbreak.
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INTERVIEW


PROPERTY RIGHTS UNACCEPTABLE, UNDEMOCRATIC SAYS NC LEADER
Issues of state restructuring in the new federal set up and the forms of governance have become the two hottest topics of discussions of late. The parties are at loggerheads over both issues. Any agreement on these issues will mean a breakthrough in the stalled statute writing process. Nepali Congress (NC) leader Ramesh Lekhak is a law expert who has been breezing the party with its representatives in the State Restructuring Commission. The Commission is seen to be troubled by deep polarization over ideology and structure. Kamal Raj Sigdel spoke with Ramesh Lekhak on the party’s position on state restructuring vis-à-vis the new developments in the SRC. Excerpts:
The parties seem to be in the final stage of discussions on state restructuring, which manifests itself in the ongoing tensions within the State Restructuring Commission. What is NC’s latest position?
Congress has been time and against making its position clear on issues of federalism and state restructuring — we are for restructuring the state based on capability and identity. We mentioned it in our election manifesto just before the Constituent Assembly elections in 2008, in the party’s official policy and programmes endorsed by the 12th General Convention and in recent discussions.
The only issue we disagree with the Maoists, is on the formation of ethnic states.
What do you mean by ethnic states?
The ethnic state that we oppose is the one which speaks of allowing only one dominant ethnic group to rule over others in a certain state. Such a system would create two types of citizens — first class and second class — which is totally undemocratic. In an ethnically diverse country like Nepal, any state with ethnic priority rights is just impossible. The statistics show that no ethnic community in any region of the country has population over 35 percent. If we go for states based on ethnicity and confer the priority right to a dominant ethnic group that has, say for instance, 27 percent share in the state’s total population, we will end up excluding the remaining 73 percent from politics. Such a system will not only weaken democratic norms and values, but also promote injustice.
Congress, however, is ready to discuss and find ways to promote inclusion of the excluded lot in the new federal structure.
Aren’t priority rights, in principle, similar to the policy of inclusion adopted by the government?
No, the issue of priority right is something very different. If we go for priority rights to ensure inclusion of certain ethnic groups, it will, at the same time, exclude the other groups—the bigger population. When it comes to inclusion debate, we tend to invoke the history of exclusion and inequality for the past 240 years. Yes there were instances of exclusion for the last 240 years. But by forming ethnic states do we want to return to the period before 240 years, when there were Baaise-Chaubise states? At that time, in a Malla sate only the Mallas were allowed to rule and in Sen state, only the Sens were allowed. In a way, we are moving in that direction, which is regression.
The advocates of priority rights are talking about reserving certain posts, eg chief minister of a state, for prospective ethnic leaders for only two terms. Isn’t it justifiable?
We should learn from history. Once you grant special political rights for a particular ethnic group to exclusively compete in an election, it remains for ever. You cannot withhold it later.
It’s a matter to be entirely decided by politics, who is going to rule and who is not. If an ethnic group has 35 percent share in the state’s total population, it does not have to be granted priority rights in the election. The dominant group will automatically come out as the state’s ruler if the people desire so.
How have you been observing the discussions in the SRC? It seems the body is facing some trouble.
We have heard that the SRC is moving ahead with an 11-state model on a majority basis. We have also come to know that the majority faction in the SRC is moving ahead unilaterally and are making decisions, deliberately excluding the minority voices. If it is true, this is very serious and highly objectionable.
We would like to wait and see how the commission releases its report. Particularly, we have two important things to say. First, we will see the very process of preparing the report: whether it incorporates the minority voice in the commission, whether the report follows a democratic decision making process etc.
Second, we will also study the contents of the report. We will not accept ethnic
states with priority rights. Besides, we also will not accept the report if it does not clearly mention the role, responsibility and rights of the local governments.
We have heard that the experts are talking about only federal and provincial structures and are silent on the role of local governments. We are not going to accept the report that proposes to form 10 Singhadurbars. Transferring the power of Singhadurbar to provincial capitals does not mean federalism. We are for a federal set up that empowers the local governments.
Given the tensions, the SRC report hangs in balance. What is the meeting point then, if not the report?
The SRC will present its report, which may or may not be a solution. But it is the political parties who will have to discuss and find a meeting point. The solution lies in federating the country based on capability and identity. Nobody is insisting on forming states with their borders running north-south. We also have to consider identity as a basis for mapping the states but this does not mean that the states should secure priority rights for a dominant ethnic group.
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