BIG THREE MEET SATURDAY Kathmandi, 15 Sept.: A meeting of the Big Three is being held Saturday on th initiative of opposition UML The meeting is being held to find an outlet to the prolonged outlet. The parties are currently discussing reinstatement or fresh elections Nnnn INDRA JATRA FESTIVAL Kathmandu, 15 Sept.: The rathyatra of Kumari, the Living Goddess, will be held 29 September. The Panchayan Nirnayak Simiti took the decision Friday. The samiti also announced auspicious times and dates of other activities related to the festival. Nnnn 490 FORMER MAOIST FIGHTERS COLLECT CHEQUES TO RETURN HOME FROM CANTONMENTS Kathmandu, 15 Sept.: A new batch of 490 former Maoist fighters who have opted for voluntary retirement collected cheques at cantonments until Friday evening. They are among 1,656 fighters who have chosen to leave cantonments to return home. Each fighter gets a severance of Rs. 500,000 to Rs.800,000. There are 3,100 plus former PLA fighters also seeking to join Nepal Armyunder a new directorate. Nnnn KAPILVBATHU VEHICULAR ACCCIDENT DEATH TOLL GOES UP TO EIGHT Kathmandu, 15 Sept. Seven policemen of APF and one civilian died in a vehicular accident involving a passenger bus and vehicle of APF at Champapur in Kapilvasthu. Forty others injured are undergoing treatment at hospitals in the region. nnnn BODIES OF FOUR NEPALI LABOURERS PULLED OUT FROM AN INDIAN GODOWN Kathmandu, 15 Sept.: Bodies of four Nepali labourers crushed to death were pulled out by police from from a godown in Rudra Prayag, Uttaranchal state of northwest India. The bodies were retrieved one day after the labourers were buried. While asleep. Nnnn MEDIA GOOGLE “We had proposed that a state of emergency order be issued to extend the CA’s lifeline. But, the UCPN-Maoist snubbed our proposal. “Parties were at odds over the nomenclature and number of the federal provinces.” (UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, The Himalayan Times, 15 Sept.) “Pokharel remarked that the Maoists have signed 32 pacts after singing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement but their compliance rate is less than 90 percent. He (UML General Secretary) remarked that the tendency to disregard the pacts have pushed the nation towards deeper crisis.” (Report in The Kathmandu Post, 15 Sept.). nnnn US OFFICIAL SUMMONED; TOLD TO RESPECT DIPLOMATIC CODE Kathmandu, 15 Sept.: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Friday "called" Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Kathmandu, Patricia A Mahoney, over recent meetings of US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O Blake with Chief of Army Staff General Gaurav SJB Rana and Tibetan representatives in Kathmandu. MoFA said the meetings were held without prior information to the government, Anil Giri writes in The Kathmandu .Post. During his visit to Kathmandu this week, Blake held separate meetings with Gen Rana and Tibetan representatives in Kathmandu on Tuesday. According to standard diplomatic practice, foreign diplomats must inform the host country of their meetings with government office bearers and others and take prior permission. A media advisory issued by the US Embassy in Kathmandu on September 10 said that "during his time in Kathmandu, Blake will meet with Prime Minister Bhattarai, Maoist Chairman Prachanda, Nepal Army Chief Guarav Rana and other Nepali government officials to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues. He will also meet with business leaders, Tibetan community representatives, civil society leaders and human rights activists." However, an itinerary provided by the US Embassy to MoFA did not mention Blake's meeting with General Rana and Tibetan representatives, officials said. The ministry had also sought with the Home Ministry details of Blake's meeting with Tibetan leaders. The Home Ministry responded by saying that no prior approval had been taken from the ministry for such a meeting and that it violates diplomatic norms. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha had instructed MoFA officials to seek an explanation from the US Embassy on why such meetings were not brought to the government's notice and why Blake's full itinerary was not sent to the government. Division Chief, Europe, America, at MoFA, Arjun Bahadur Thapa, "called" DCM Mahoney and urged her to respect the Diplomatic Code of Conduct. "I had a very cordial meeting with DCM Mahoney and we discussed several bilateral issues. She assured me that the embassy will coordinate with the government in the future when it comes to such high-level visits and meetings in Nepal," Thapa, who is also the MoFA spokesperson, said. Thapa told Mahoney that the Nepal Army is also part of the government and that meetings with serving army officers should be brought to the government's notice. Mahoney told Thapa that they were not aware of such rules and that they will strictly follow the diplomatic code in future. nnnn: SEBON ASKED TO SUBMIT DRAFT REPORT ON COMMODITIES, DERIVATIVES Kathmandu, 15 Sept.: The Ministry of Finance has instructed Securities Board of Nepal (Sebon) to submit a draft of regulation on commodities and derivatives market by Sunday, Republica reports . The instruction was given during a meeting of High-level Financial Sector Coordination Committee, chaired by Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun, on Friday. “All the members of the committee should receive a copy of the draft regulation by Sunday morning,” a finance ministry statement says. “Another meeting of the committee scheduled for Wednesday will further discuss the matter.” A recent report made public by the Sebon had stated that the commodities derivative market in the country was operating in an unprofessional and ad-hoc manner without complying with minimum international standards to minimize risks and protect the interest of investors. It had also said many activities of the commodities and derivatives exchanges here went against the principles espoused by International Organization of Securities Commission, the global body of securities regulatory agencies, which is considered international standard setter for securities markets. “To regulate the sector, a directorate should be immediately established under Sebon,” the report said. Although the country is yet to formulate regulations on operation of commodities derivative market, a total of six companies are currently dealing with contracts from base and precious metals to crude oil and agri products such as corn, cotton, soybean and wheat. But due to lack of regulations and regulatory body, most of these companies are operating haphazardly without adequate capital, reserves to ensure timely payment and electronic system to match orders. It is said an investment of around Rs 250 million have gone into these exchanges. These exchanges, that have employed 1,500 youths, generated net profit of Rs 6.4 million in 2010/11 as against net loss of Rs 9.06 million recorded in 2009/10. Nnnn ________________________________________ SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS ASKED TO SNAP TIES WITH PRADHAN-LED NOC Kathmanduu, 15 Sept National Sports Council (NSC) issued a press release on Friday and asked all the national associations, athletes and officials to sever all relations with Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC), which is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Republica reports. "As Verdict Execution Directorate of the Supreme Court has asked NSC to implement the Supreme Court´s verdict of November 4, 2010 and inform the court about the progress in its implementation, we asked all concerned to cut off their relation with the NOC led by Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan and not to participate in any activity of the NOC," states the press release. The NSC´s step came a day after the Pradhan-led NOC organized a press conference and stated that all the national association should be autonomous. "If any one challenges the court´s verdict, we´ll inform the court about the contempt. On the other hand, NSC has the authority to dissolve or suspend those national associations which challenge the law of the land," NSC Member Secretary Yuvaraj Lama told Republica. "If anybody ignores the law of the land claiming international recognition, they can conduct their activities elsewhere, not in Nepal," added Lama. Nepal Basketball Association President and the NOC Deputy General Secretray Lama Tendi Sherpa said that the NOC leadership and NSC should work to solve the problem rather issue such notices. "We are ready to respect Supreme Court verdict but NSC should guarantee international participation of athletes. Issuing such notice without any practical solution is an authoritarian concept," said Lama Tendi. "We agree that there should be one Nepal Olympic Committee in Nepal," he added. Lama Tendi alleged NSC Member Secretary Lama of acting irresponsibly in the recent times. "How can a member secretary say that Nepal would not participate at the international level?" asked Lama Tendi. nnnn GOVT. PLAN TO COLLECT DATA ON POOR DRAWS FLAK Kathmndu, 15 Sept.: The campaign to identify the poor has attracted criticism from the opposition parties, even as the government is all set to begin a study on Monday in 25 districts in the first phase to identify the poor families and issue them identity cards with an aim to provide them with government facilities and social security, Prakash Pandey writes in The Himalayan Times.. The opposition parties say it is a populist stunt and doesn’t hold water, as the government has not set legal or any other framework to accomplish the task. Moreover, the Poverty Alleviation Fund assigned to identify the poor is not a permanent government body but only a government-run programme. “There is a risk of politicisation while identifying the poor, if the government moves ahead in such a superficial way,” said former finance minister and Nepali Congress leader Dr Ram Sharan Mahat. He said Central Bureau of Statistics or some government body should have been assigned the task. Former finance minister and CPN-UML leader Surendra Pandey said, “PAF is not the proper body to conduct census of poor families. Moreover, the government’s plan is populist and nothing but a publicity stunt.” Pandey claims it is not even a novel idea. It was included in the fiscal budget of 2009-10 when he was finance minister and Rs 600 million were allocated for the task. But Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai is upbeat. “The government will identify the poor and issue them identity cards,” the PM said at a function organised at National Planning Commission office today. He said the target was to complete the process within a year in three phases, with each phase covering 25 districts. The drive will be akin to census, as the study teams will cover all households with a set of questionnaire, prepared on the basis of 28 socio-economic parameters, said PAF vice-chairman Janak Raj Joshi. “The census officers will get details from each household before identifying poor households and providing them with the identity cards,” Joshi said. Those who earn less than Rs 54 a day, or Rs 19,261 a year, will be considered below the poverty line. PAF has allocated Rs 250 million to conduct the first phase of study. Each phase will last three months, added the PM. Identity cards will be of three colours — for those who do not have enough to eat for three months, six months and nine months. Third Nepal Living Standard Survey had estimated that 25.16 per cent of Nepal’s population of 26.6 million people live below the poverty line. Nnnn RULING PARTIES TO LOCK HORNS OVER APPOINTMENT OF TOP POLICE OFFICERS Kathmandu, 15 Sept.: As differences among ruling coalition partners on the appointment of the Nepal Police chief were laid to rest after Kuber Singh Rana was appointed to the post, parties in government are set for another showdown. Ruling forces, especially the UCPN-Maoist and Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum- Democratic, are likely to lock horns again over the appointment of five Assistant Inspector Generals. Nepal Police, which has provision of seven AIGs, saw six of them –– Madan Bahadur Khadka, Arjun Jung Shahi, Naresh Gurung, Kalyan Timsina, Prakash Kunwar and Kiran Gautam retire from service today. Similarly, Kuber Singh Rana was also an AIG before being promoted to the top post. The government in coordination with Nepal Police has started doing groundwork to promote five DIGs to the post of AIGs. Now, only two AIGs –– Nawa Raj Dhakal and Bhisma Prasai –– are in Nepal Police and five DIGs are likely to be promoted as soon at the earliest to make the number seven, a source said. DIGs Dinkar Shumsher Rana, Ramesh Bikram Shah, Binod Singh, Ganga Pandey and Pushkar Regmi top the pecking order on the basis of seniority. After being appointed as the country’s top policeman, IG Rana had pledged to make promotions and transfers of police officers transparent as per the rules and regulations. “But other DIGs, who are not on the list, might have been lobbying for promotion. Political high-handedness also makes a difference in promotions and transfers,” another source said. Of the seven AIGs, five are deputed as chiefs departments within the police headquarters, one is appointed as Metropolitan Police Commissioner and another Director of National Police Academy. Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s position is considered the most attractive position among the offices. According to sources, AIGs Dhakal and Prasai are in contention for Metropolitan Police Commissioner post. Prior to his appointment as IG, Rana was Metropolitan Police Commissioner. Although Nepal Police had a provision of seven postings for AIG, at one point it had nine. The two additional posts were created for AIGs Khadka and Shahi, who were accused of corruption but later given a clean chit. Dhakal and Prasai were promoted to replace Khadka and Shahi when they were suspended. The special posts created by the government for Khadka and Shahi have been automatically scraped with their retirement. Nnnn NC SEEKS PACKAGE SOLUTION TO DEADLOCK Kathmandu, 15 Sept.:- Mellowing down its stance on consensus only after prime minister's resignation, Nepali Congress (NC) has said it is ready to seek solutions in a package to the current constitutional and political deadlock. The NC stance seems similar to the position taken by the UCPN (Maoist), Kamal Dev Bhattarai,writes in The The Kathmandu.Post.. The party said that May-15 agreement among parties could be a basis for continuing negotiations instead of holding fresh dialogue on contentious issues of constitution. Earlier, the party had maintained that it would not hold any discussion on contentious issues of constitution, CA revival or fresh elections unless Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai stepped down. “We are ready to seek a package deal on all disputed issues, including the PM's resignation. We have felt an urgent need of consensus among parties,” said NC Spokesperson Dilendra Badu. According to leaders, the party softened its stance to dispel doubts that the NC is hankering after power, putting aside pressing political issues. The party is preparing a concrete roadmap to end the current deadlock, including the party's official position on contentious issues of federalism. NC top leaders have been engaging in intra-party informal talks from Thursday to come up with the party's position for negotiations with major political forces, particularly the UCPN (Maoist). Senior leaders are holding informal discussions postponing the party's Central Working Committee meeting. However, the faction led by senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba has not been invited to the talks. The party is expected to come up with a way out of the political impasse on Saturday. An informal meeting of top leaders on Friday concluded that the party should remain open to both CA revival and fresh elections. The meeting proposed resuming negotiation from where it was stalled before dissolution of the Constituent Assembly (CA) on May 27. NC leaders have suggested holding talks only on unresolved issues of the constitution. The party is preparing to put forth the agreement forged among major parties on May 15 as a basis for further negotiations. On May 15, major political parties had agreed to federate the country into 11 provinces and adopt a mixed system on forms of governance. They had also agreed to adopt a mixed model in the electoral system. A taskforce formed by CPN-UML few days ago had also suggested the leadership take stance on preparing a draft of the constitution based on the same agreement. Maoist and Madhes-based parties have “backtracked” from the agreement stating that the deal could not address aspirations of the Madhesi and Janajati communities. “That was a tentative agreement among parties, and negotiations should focus on settling the nitty-gritty of the same deal,” said NC Spokesperson Badu. The NC is of the view that parties should hold serious talks on resolving contentious issues of constitution and reviving the CA, provided consensus is had just for an interim period to promulgate a constitution. If consensus is not possible within the deadline, according to leaders, parties should engage on dialogue to hold fresh CA elections, clearing constitutional and legal hurdles. nnnn