FLOOD WATER SUBMERGES ASHOKA PILLAR Kathmandu, 3 Sept.: :Of the three historic Ashoka pillars in Kapilvastu, one is at risk of losing its importance. The Ashoka Pillar located at Gotihawa VDC in Kapilvastu is almost submerged in flood water, RSS reports from Kapilvasthu.. The pillar was erected by the then Indian Emperor Ashoka marking the birthplace of Krakuchchanda Buddha. Almost all the portion of the 11-feet high pillar has been submerged in water for the past one month. Only one foot of the pillar is above water. The pillar is at risk of extinction due to the inundation. But, it is not the first time that the pillar is swamped. According to the locals, the pillar is usually inundated during the rainy season. According to archeological officer at the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT), Krishna Bahadur KC the pillar may break into pieces due to frequent submergence. Inscriptions on the pillar have been fading way due to lack of proper conservation, it is learnt. nnnn RS.682.9M AGRO PRODUCE EXPORTED THROUGH BIRGUNJ Kathmandu, 3 Sept.: Agricultural products worth Rs. 682.9 million was exported through Birgunj check point in the last fiscal year 2068-69 BS.It was around 30 per cent more as compared to the previous fiscal year. Agricultural products worth Rs. 526.8 million was exported in the previous fiscal year, RSS reports from Birgunj. According to the Regional Plant Quarantine Office, Birgunj, a total of 7,834 metric tonnes of ginger worth Rs. 250.6 million were exported to India through the check point in the last fiscal year, which is the highest amount. The amount of ginger was three fold more as compared to the previous fiscal year. According to the officer at the Office, Mohan Mahato, a total of 196 metric tonnes of tea worth Rs. 78.3 million was exported to Russia in the last fiscal year. Similarly, Musur pulses worth Rs 79.4 million was exported to India and Dubai and a total of 43 metric tonnes of herbs worth Rs. 6.7 million was exported to India, according to the Office. nnnn OPPOSITION REITERATES DEMAND FOR PM RESIGNATION Kathmandu, 3 Sept.: Leaders of different political parties have stressed that Bhatttarai-led government should pave way for ending political and constitutional crisis in the country, RSS writes. At a face-to-face programme organized by the Reporters' Club here today, Vice-Chairman of the CPN-Maoist CP Gajurel said no consensus would be forged among political parties unless the government paves way for it and stressed that there was no alternative to another people's revolution if there was no consensus among political parties. Stating that the president should take concrete measures to end the stalemate, Gajurel said leaders of the three political parties have lost people's trust. Pointing out the need of forging political consensus through a round-table conference for two alternatives of the current political crisis-- either reinstating the Constituent Assembly (CA) or holding elections, he clarified that his party would not accept the consensus forged by the syndicate of the three political parties. Similarly, Spokesperson of the UCPN-Maoist, Agni Sapkota, said the government should not step down unless consensus was forged on disputed issues among political parties and added that keeping the issue of changing the government in priority without finding a way out of political crisis is the obstacle to consensus. Clarifying that the CA could be reinstated if consensus was forged among political parties on the disputed issues of the constitution, Sapkota said reinstatement and elections of the CA without consensus would increase distance in the country. Likewise, central member of the Nepali Congress Manmohan Bhattarai stressed on the need of taking necessary measures by the President as a patron at the time when the country is trapped into crisis and added that now there was no alternative to moving ahead by winning the people's heart, and not by reinstating the CA. Chief at the Publicity Department of the CPN-UML, Pradeep Gyawali said there was no confidence of forging consensus among political parties due to the stance of leaders of the UCPN-Maoist. Co-Chairman of the Rastriya Janashakti Party, Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani warned that the country would face a great mishap by November 15 if consensus could not be forged among political parties at the earliest and added reinstatement and election of the CA are possible if consensus was forged. nnnn