OPOSITION STARTS FIRST PHASE OF MONTH-LONG PROTESTS Kathmandu, 17 Nov.: Opposition Saturday begins its threatened month-long anti-government and anti-Maoist protests to bring down the 13-month government of Prime Minister Baburam Bhattaiai. The opposition led by NC and UML brief members of ‘civil society’ in the afternoon. nnnn BUDGET EXPECTED SUNDAY Kathmandu, 17 Nov.: Government is expected a budget for the remaining Eight months of the current fiscal year 12012/13 through ordinance Sunday. Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, Saturday evening accompanied by Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun briefed the head of state on the budget to be recommended by the cabinet. Opposition has been asking Dr, Yadav not to approve the government’s unilateral and expenditure. The budget is being declared through ordinance in the absence of parliament, Pun said after the meeting with the president the budget was coming President still asked the chief of the cash-strapped government to seek a buddget consensus that hasn’t been coming.for the budget Sunday, SATURDAY COLDEST MORNING OF THIS WINTER Kathmandu, 17 Nov.; Saturday morning was the coldest winter of the season. The minimum temperature was 4 degrees Celsius. The mercury is expected to rise to 23 degrees Celsius in the afternoon. nnnn.