NEA RAISING ELECTRICITY FEE FROM MID-JULY Kathmandu, 29 June: Electricity fare will be raised 20 percent by Nepal Electricity Corporation (NEC) from mid-July. Tariff is being raised for the first time September 2001 and the hike rill raise Rs.4.5 billion. nnnn SWISS AMBASSADOR INVOLVED IN POLITICAL DISCUSSIONS WITHPARTY LEADERS DURING DEADLOCK Kathmandu, 29 June: Thomas Gass, ambassador from, Switzerland, and hasn’t taken membership of United Nations voluntarily because of its neutral policy, held separate discussions Thursday with NC President Sushil Koirala, UML Chairman Jhalanatha Khanal, UCPN Maoist leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara and Chairman of CPN Maoist Mohan Baidhaya, the embassy said. The ambassador held discussions with two factions of Maoists after a split. The envoy urged political consensus between parties. The ambassador held separate meeting with Peace Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi. Switzerland has been deeply involved in NepaLi politics although it played a commendable role in Nepal’s development since early1960’s. Nnnn MEDIA GOOGLE "Nepal´s economy is still heavily dependent on foreign aid and we have failed to bring about infrastructural development needed for one central parliament, a single government and the institution of head of state. "How can our economy bear the weight of expenses needed for several chief ministers, governors, parliaments and governments in such numbers? "Because it has already deeply divided society along ethnic lines even before its implementation. So federalism is definitely going to be a failure in our case." (UML Leader Pradip Nepal, Republica, 29 June) nnnn.