CHHETRIS, BRAHMINS AND MARGINALIZED GROUPS CONTINUE STRIKE FOR THIRD DAY Kathmandu, 12 May: Chhetris, Brahmins, Thakuris , Dashnami and other groups sidelined by government in the last four years Saturday extended their original two-day nation-wide bandh blaming government for failure to meet their two demands. The forced closure has brought life to a standstill nation-wide. Friday’s talks between government and strike representatives in the capital was inconclusive. The strike opposing ethnic provinces coincides with failure of ruling and opposition parties to agree on the number of provinces, names, principles on carving out provinces and even their economic viability. Federalism was a Maoist agenda adopted later by other parties including two main opposition NC and UML. Even four years after toppling the royal regime, the opposition parties aren’t clear on a structure to share power between the center and would-be provinces. As a result, Nepalis and Nepal are suffering a;; because the overs and shakers of the country n the last four years didn’t conduct a proper diagnostic process to administer the right medicine and treatment for an ailment. This problem and uncertainty created as a result will continue to plague the nation even if a constitution if adopted in the remaining 15 days. RPP-Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa said Friday a constitution that wasn’t achieved in four years won’t be completed and completed in the remaining 16 days, Meanwhile, Sushil Koirala, President of main opposition NC, Friday called for tolerance and goodwill as demonstrations for and against a federation turned violent. “Social diversity, non-violence goodwill and tolerance are invaluable assets of our ociety. Any activity carried out with hatred and a sense of revenge is absolutely inappropriate,” he said in a statement. ‘…. while raising such voices we must not disturb social harmony,” Koirala added. Bombings and other forms of violence elated to demands for a federation have killed persons and injured dozens ahead of the 27 May promulgation of a A two-day strike Thursday, Friday of Chhetis, Brahmins and other groups opposing ethnic provinces while demanding official recognition as indigenous groups causes Rs. 4.5 billion in losses, said FNCCI Vice-chairman Pashupati Murarka. “Every individual and groups possess right to raise demands in democracy. But we are dead against banda, as it encroaches others’ rights and an hurt public life. “… we fear the general people, industries and country as a whole will suffer a huge blow,” FNCCI said in a statement Friday. nnnn MERGER OF GLOBAL BANK, IME FINANCIAL INSTITUTION, LORD BUDDHA FINANCE APPROVED Kathmandu, 12 May: As expected and approved by Nepal Rashtra Bank, a special general meeting approved the merger Global Bang, IME Financial Institution and Lord Buddha Finance. The merged financial institutions will be named Global IME Bank with a paid-up capital of Rs. 2.23 billion. Chandra Dhakal, chairman of Global Bank, will lead the merged institution. nnnn GOLD PRICE SLIPS Kathmandu, 12 May: Gold price dropped in the local bullion market this week with the fall of its price in the international market. Gold price slipped by Rs, 1,110 per 10 grams this week’ the market opened at Rs.48,010 per10 grams Sunday. Silver price fell Rs.20,50 per 10 grams this week. nnnn