MJFN GANANTRIKS PLENUM ENDS THRSDAY IN BIRGUNJ Kathmandu, 26 July: MJFN Gamatantrik plenum ends Thursday after a three-day meet. The ruling party is discussing strategies and other issues. The party is in government with other Madesh parties whether to continue in government with Maoistsin government. The party meets amid split in Madeshpa parties and in its own. nnnn PRADHAN-LED NOC SHOULD BE KEPT OUT OF OLYMPICS Kathmandu, 26 July: National Sports Council (NSC) Member Secretary Yuvaraj Lama said on Wednesday that Nepal Olympic Committee recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) should not be allowed to represent Nepal in the London Olympics 2012, Republica reports.. Lama made such remarks after NOC delegation left Kathmandu for London on Wednesday. "The state is unaware about Nepal´s participation in the London Olympics. NOC recognized by IOC has not officially informed the state about their participation," said Lama. "We learnt about their participation through the media," he added. Earlier, the NOC led by Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan had requested Lama to take charge as chef de mission but later appointed its Vice President Ganga Bahadur Thapa. NSC board meeting chaired by Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai on July 8 had recommended the cabinet to dissolve both the NOC bodies in existence. Both the NOCs -- the one led by Pradhan and another by Rukma Samsher Rana -- have been claiming legitimacy while the Supreme Court in November 2010 gave recognition to the one led by Rana. However, International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been reiterating that it recognizes only the NOC led by Pradhan. "We came to know from the media that the Pradhan-led NOC handed over national flag to their chef de mission. How can NOC hand over the national flag without permission from the state," questioned Lama. "They might have the right to hand over Olympics flag but not the national flag," said Lama. Asked about participation of the Pradhan-led NOC officials in the London 2012 despite NSC´s decision to dissolve both the NOCs, Lama said NSC was not in favor of taking a hasty decision. "We have decided to suspend the NOCs in existence and waiting for the cabinet to endorse our decision," said Lama. nnnn ________________________________________ IMPORT HURDLES IN KOLKATA Kathmandu, 26 July: Nepali importers have complained that at least four containers have been stranded for the last four days at Kolkata port due to obstruction by the port officials, The Himlayan Times reports. The containers were ferrying fish, chocolates and other perishable food items from a third country, according to a clearing agent in Kolkata. “The port officials have been asking for sales tax payable to the West Bengal state government for ferrying the goods through the state,” he added. However, the importers do not have to pay any tax on those goods, according to the entrepreneurs, who cited the commerce department’s circular of West Bengal. The concerned entrepreneurs have already approached the Consulate General of Nepal Chandra Ghimire in Kolkata to resolve the issue, the clearing agent from Kolkata said, adding that the Consulate General has promised the entrepreneurs to look into the issue immediately. Nnnn LEGAL PROVISION FOR FDI INVESTMENT IN CASINOS Kathmandu, 26 July: Soaltee Hotel –– which has been housing Casino Nepal, the oldest casino of the country –– said that it has not been able to attract foreign investment to the casino due to lack of legal provisions, The Himalayan Times reports.. Some companies with international expertise in casinos have shown interest to invest in Casino Nepal, but lack of laws has created problems, the hotel said. “The hotel has been unable to accept proposals due to lack of legal provisions.” The hotel management also said that it has been working on to resume the service of Casino Nepal in collaboration with employees’ unions and other staff. A separate Casino Joint Action Committee has been formed to work out on the issue of reopening the casino, the hotel further added. The hotel management and Casino Joint Action Committee have asked the government to clear the way for bringing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), it said, adding that the former operator of the casino –– Nepal Recreation Centre –– had brought Foreign Direct Investment from Hong Kong and the government should adopt the same approach to bring another operator too. The hotel has also received the Letter of Intent to operate the casino through Nepali investors, the hotel said, adding that it has already registered its application at the concerned ministry for approval to bring Nepali operators. The hotel is optimistic that the ministry will give a go-ahead to its proposal. Meanwhile, the hotel also said that its attention has been drawn to news regarding warnings by employees of Casino Nepal to begin operations of the casino unilaterally if Hotel Soaltee fails to operate it this week. The casino employees do not have any legal right to operate the casino and they must take the responsibility if any untoward incident takes place, the hotel said. nnnn