PRESIDENT, FINANCE MINISTER CONSULTATIONS Kathmanndu, 7 July : President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav held consultations with Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun Saturday one day after the head of state told Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar he can;t approve a complete budget brought by the caretaker without support of all parties. The new fiscal year 2069/70 begins 14 July. Government is Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai says the ceremonial head of state has to approve the budget ordinance in the absence of parliament. Opposition has asked the president to use his conscience, according to law, and refrain from giving assent to the budget. Nnnn PM RFUSES TO MEET DOCTORS’ DELEGATION Kathmandu, 7 July: Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai refused to meet a delegation of doctors of TUTH Saturday at Baluwatar to resolve demands to appoint competent officials to run various departments. The delegation, instead, met the premier’s aide and briefed him of demands of independent doctors to run various departments. A doctor went on a hunger strike for the third day inside hospital Saturday demanding appointment of competent persons, not party supporters, to run departments. Except emergency services, other services were stopped for the third day consecutive day Saturday inconveniencing people and patients. nnnn