UCPN MAOIST 1ST GENERAL CONVENTION LIKELY FEBRUARY 2013 Kathmandu, 10 July: The general convention of the UCPN (Maoist) is likely to hold in February 2013. The party has not organized its general convention for 24 years. Party politburo member Devendra Paudel said that the general convention was proposed to keep the party organizations active. The Maoist party was holding national conferences and extended meetings to resolve the intraparty rifts and take decisions on crucial issues. In his political proposal tabled at the party's politburo meeting on Monday, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has proposed for conducting general convention in coming February. Party leaders said that the general convention has been proposed for party unity after party Vice-chairman, General Secretary and some other leaders formed a separate party announcing breakaway from the UCPN (Maoist). Party spokesperson Dinanath Sharma said that proposal of general convention was floated as per the wish of the party cadres to take the party ahead with great vigor. The seventh extended meeting of the party scheduled from July 16 would fix the date for the general convention. nnnn “ANTI-MADESHSH ’PARTIES BLOCKED COSTITUTION SAYS UPENDRA YADAV Kathmandu, 10 July: Chairman of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) Nepal, Upendra Yadav, has claimed that constitution drafting process was obstructed due to the 'anti-Madhes' parties, RSS reports. Inaugurating two-day training on ' Awareness Madhesi Campaign' organized by the party here today, leader Yadav said, "The so- called major parties are against federalism in the country". Office-bearers of the MJF Nepal district committees in Sunsari, Morang and Jhapa are attending training . nnnn UML LEADER GAIRE ACCUSES PM FOR OBSTRUCTION Kathmanndu, 10 July: CPN (UML) Central Member Thakur Gaire has accused Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai of causing obstructions in resolving the political crisis in the country, RSS reports. Talking to journalists in Bharatpur today, the UML youth leader claimed that political problems in the country could not be solved due to the prime minister's ambition for state power. The Prime Minister should realize the demand of political situation in the country and pave way for the political consensus, he said. "Discussions in the name of consensus would hold no meaning until and unless the Prime Minister himself opens door for consensus", he added. Admitting that the UML is suffering anarchy in the name of single ethnic indentify-based federalism, he said that there was no alternative to taking disciplinary action against those party leaders moving ahead against the party policy and statute. RSS Nnnn CHECK-UP FEE FOR FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT SEEKERS INCREASED Kathmandu, 10 July:: Nepal Health Professional Federation (NHPF) has hiked the fees for medical checkup for the people going abroad for employment. The new provision shall come into effect from July 16, RSS reports. According to the Federation, Rs.2,940 has been fixed for a male while 3,100 for a female. The government has granted permission to 205 health institutions to carry out health checkup for the people going for overseas jobs. The medical checkup has to be conducted in a certain standard determined by the Ministry of Health and Population. Prior to this, medical checkup fees for a male was Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 2,100 for a female. According to Federation Chairman Praveen Tiwari, guidelines on foreign employment checkup-2069 BS, has also been issued. nnnn