LIGHTNING KILLS MAN, INJURES HIS WIFE IN NUWAKOT: Kathmandu, 3 July: A man was killed overnight while asleep at his home in a village in neighbouring Nuwakot. His wife was injured nnnn OPPOSITION MEET HEAD OF NC, UML RULING COALITION MEET Kathmandu, 3 July: Opposition parties, including CPN Maoist, are meeting in UML head office Balkhu Tuesday afternoon after UML said preparations for a morning talks between NC. UML and the ruling coalition were inadequate. Newly launched CPN Maoist has expressed readiness to join anti-government protests with NC and UML after splitting with UCPN Maoist. The opposition parties will discuss current political issues, a budget, national consensus government and ways to resolve a constitutional and political crisis. The NC and UML will hold discussions with the ruling coalition after the opposition party talks. nnnn 18 POWER PLANTS IN KHOTANG Kathmandu, 3 July: About fifteen micro hydro-power projects are being constructed in Khotang, keeping in view the overarching demand for electricity across the Country, RSS reports from Khotang. With a campaign launched by the District Development Committee (DDC) to relieve Khotang district of load-shedding within five years, the hydropower projects are being built on the initiatives of District Energy and Environment Branch. Construction works of four micro hydropower projects are underway in Dambarkhushivalaya, Kahul and Bopung. The hydropower projects which are under construction are Chinnamasta hydropower project (19-kw) at Bopung, Yubakhola hydropower (18-kw) at Dambarkhushivalaya, Chhimuwa hydropower (13-kw) at Kahul and Rumruwa hydropower (11-kw), confirmed Energy Development Officer at District Energy and Environment Branch, Sandeep Shrestha. Other hydropower projects under construction in Khotang are Rawakhola hydropower project with the capacity of 100-kw at Baksila, 70-kw Nawaliding hydropower at Rakhabangdel, Sindhuredhunga Liding hydropower of 70 KW capacity at Bakachaul, Nakham hydropower (60-kw) at Patheka, 69-kw Tapakhola 2 at Khartamchha and Chrkhe Khola hydropower (50-kw) at Sungdel. Likewise, the construction works of Panchami Chhamuwa, Noktitapkhola, Swara Tapkhola, Lumjungkhola and Tawakhola 3 hydropower projects are also on. Though locals have made financial contributions for the project construction, it is learnt that some of the projects have been facing financial crunch. nnnn .