SEARCH FOR MISSING ON SWOLLEN BAGMATI RESUMES Kathmandu, 26 Aug.. Search teams Sunday on all three security agencies resumed operations to find missing persons when a biad capsized on swollen river on GaBagmati river Saturday afternoon. Three bodies have been recovered so far. The overloaded boat was carrying more than 55 persons, locals said. Nnnn PM BHATTARAI CALLS MEETING WIH PARTIES Kathmandu, 26 Aug.: Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has convened a meeting with parties Sunday amid hardening of positions to resolving national issues. Opposition has said the Bhattarai resignation is a pre-condition for talks to resolve constitutional and political issues. Delayed integration of Maoist fighters in Nepal Army (NA) is on the talks agenda. Talks are being held for understanding before government sends nine ordinances to the president for promulgation. The cabinet is meeting Sunday to approve the ordinances. MORE RELAY HUNGER SIT-IN STRIKE AT POKHARA CONTINUES Kathmandu, 26 Aug. A relay strike by locals in Pokhhara continued for the fifth day Sunday demanding construction of an international airport to service the resort town. An indefinite closure of the airport has been threatened without firm assurance for the airport construction Protestors rejected talks with a government Team headed by a joint secretary demanding dialogue at ministerial level. Nnnn ANOTHER GANESHMAN SINGH STATUTE BEING ERECTED AN UNSPECIFIED PARK Kathmandu, 26Aug.: The third general assembly of the Ganeshman Singh Memorial Park and Statue Construction and Preservation Committee concluded on Saturday, RSS reports. The annual general meeting held at the Committee's office at Subarneswor area in Katunje VDC, Bhaktapur has decided to erect full-size statue of the late Ganeshman Singh in the park site, a view tower and a museum, a fun park with all facilities, an old-age home and a children's home. On the occasion, Nepali Congress (NC) general secretary Prakash Man Singh said all the democrats should stand together for finding an outlet to the political and constitutional crises facing the country. Recalling that the People's Movement-1 spearheaded by Supreme Commander Singh gained success in 2046 BS on the wider involvement of pro-democracy forces, he said his conception of economic revolution and inclusion of those marginalized from state affairs has not been practiced in the country. General Secretary Singh said the outlet to political and constitutional crises is an exit of the incumbent government and formation of national consensus government. On the occasion, Committee Chairperson Rameswor Prasad Dhungel said technical plans have been already prepared for the set-up of statue and construction work will start soon. The general assembly has extended the tenure of Dhungel-led working committee for four years. Nnnn NEPAL, TURKEY AGREEMENT Kathamandu, 26 Aug.: The Nepal Turkey Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NTCCI) and Istanbul Chamber of Commerce have signed a Protocol of Cooperation at a meeting of the two bodies on Saturday in the capital, RSS reports.. The two parties have agreed to foster opportunities to improve economic and commercial ties between Nepal and Turkey. The agreement was signed on behalf of NTCCI by its president, Akhil Kumar Chapagain and on behalf of Istanbul Chamber of Commerce by its president Murat Yalcintas who is in Nepal as part of a trade delegation from Turkey. On the occasion, consular of Turkey in Nepal C.P. Khetan, member of NTCCI as well as former minister Minendra Rijal was also present. The parties have resolved to regularly exchange information about market conditions as well as economic and regulatory developments in both countries with each other with the aim of increasing the exchange of trade and improving economic and industrial cooperation between the two countries. The two bodies have also agreed to regularly organise joint meetings of their representatives in Nepal and Turkey as well as assist visits of commercial and economic delegations between the two countries. Nnnn LOCALS ALLOTTED 10 PERCENT SHARE IN MODIKHOLA Kathmandu, 26Aug.: The under-construction lower Modikhola Hydropower Project in Parbat district has announced to issue 10 per cent shares for the locals. The project has a capacity of generating 20 megawatt of electricity, RSS reports from Phalebas.. The project has decided to issue 10 per cent shares for the people of five villages affected by the project and give them an investment opportunity, said Project Executive Director Gyanedra Lal Pradhan. The Manang Trade Link, a private company, has got the contract of constructing the project. The project has planned to issue the shares after two months, said Pradhan and added that the percentage of shares could be increased to 15 per cent. The project took this decision thinking to make the locals feel their ownership on the project and narrow down a gap between the two sides, according to Pradhan. An agreement to this end has already been signed with the locals and an approval from the bank which has made investment in the project is awaited, it is learnt. Executive Director Pradhan said that the people of Chuwa, Bajung, Durlung, Tilhar and Deupur VDCs, the most affected villages, are the first claimants for shares. Besides, the project has been thinking to provide soft bank loan to the locals for making investment in the project, he added. The project is expected to be completed by 2072 BS. The construction cost of the project is estimated to stand at Rs. 3.60 billion. Kumud Dugar of KL Dugar Group, Pashupati Murarka of Murarka Organisation, Nanda Kishor Mundara and Gyanedra Lal Pradhan of Hydro Solution have made an investment in the project. Similarly, different 11 banks including the Nepal Investment Bank have committed to invest in the project. The project has already signed a Power Purchase Agreement with the Nepal Electricity Authority. nnnn