UML SUPPORTS THRESHOLD Kathmandu, 9 June: UML standing committee Sunday endorsed a party policy to support a one percent threshold to ;omot small parties in the next constituent assembly. The standing committee also support another policy to oppose tickets for persons with criminal record in the election. The standing committee decided to convene a meeting of the central committee for three days later this mnth. The meeting Sunday was called to discuss elections and party sstrategy. Nnnn EMPLOYEES DISRUPT SC ACTIVITIES Kathmandu, 9 June: Different five government employees' organisations have disrupted Supreme Court (SC) activities for two hours on Sunday to protest the attempt to endorse the ordinance regarding the appointment of District Court justices, RSS reports.. The employees organisations—Nepal Nijamati Karmachari Sangathan, Nepal Nijamati Karmachari Union, Civil Servants Association, Nepal Rastriya Karmachari Sangathan, Rastriya Swatantra Karmachari Milan Kendra and Rastrasebak Karmachari Sangathan— jointly disrupted the SC activities from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. The employees organisations protested after the SC failed to appoint District Court Judges even after the guidelines regarding the appointment of the District Courts and 57-point demands submitted in the past were not implemented; instead, the SC submitted another ordinance for the appointments. The organisations warned of three-hour-long strike at all courts and tribunals in Kathmandu Valley on Monday, and disrupt activities in all Courts and Tribunals across the country, according to the statement issued by them. Nnnn UCPN MAOIST CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEET ADJOURNED FOR THREE DAYS Kathmandu, 9 June: The UCPN Maoist central committee meet that began Sunday was adjourned for three days. Three reports were presented for discussion. RSS adds: The Central Committee meeting of Unified CPN-Maoist kicked off at the party headquarters in Paris Danda here in the Capital on Sunday afternoon. The party has given a full shape to the political agenda to be presented in the central committee meeting. The meeting of the office-bearers and organisation department of the party held at the residence of the party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at Lazimpat, decided to present the political report that was approved by the Seventh General Convention held in Hetauda five months ago to the meeting of the Central Committee, said Spokesperson of the UCPN-Maoist, Agni Prasad Sapkota. Similarly, the meeting has also finalised different issues including formation of standing committee, politburo, central committee and different departments. The meeting also approved the action plan of the Department of Production, Manufacturing and Management, which was approved by Heatunda General Convention. Similarly, final shape was given to party's organisational structure presented by a task force formed under the coordination of Chief of Organisation Department of the party, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, and conflict era cases presented by party leader, Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, and it would be approved by presenting in the central committee meeting, said UCPN-Maoist. Likewise, the meeting also discussed on different issues including election to the Constituent Assembly (CA), it is learnt. nnnn: . 12 FOREIGNERS GET CITIZENSHIP WITH HELP OF LOCAL IN NAWALPARASI Kathmandu, 9 June: A man in Nawalparasi district has assisted to get citizenship certificates to foreigners faking them as his sons with the officials at the District Administration Office (DAO), Nawalparasi, RSS reports from Parasi. Sarfuddin Musalman of Sanai VDC of the district was found assisted 12 persons including some Indian nationals to make citizenship in such an illegal manner in an investigation carried out by a Probe Committee formed by the DAO. Mushalman had signed papers acting as VDC secretary Gokul Giri to prepare such fake documents for the citizenship certificates. Nnnn UPDATE MODI FRONTMAN FOR INDIAN PM Kathmandu, 9 June: Controversial politician Narendra Modi will be the frontman for India´s general elections next year, his party said Sunday, boosting his chances of becoming the nation´s next prime minister, AFP reports from Panaji. Modi, chief minister of the thriving state of Gujarat for more than a decade, was chosen to head the Bharatiya Janata Party´s (BJP) election panel, despite opposition from some of his senior colleagues. The BJP, the main opposition in parliament, selected Modi after a two-day meeting of the national executive called to plan for elections due next May. "I have today appointed the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi the chairman of the election campaign committee," BJP President Rajnath Singh told reporters at the meeting held in the coastal state of Goa. "I believe that the whole country is looking to the Bharatiya Janata Party ... we are confident that the BJP will move ahead in 2014," Singh said to applause and cheers from party members. The post is seen as a stepping stone for Modi in his quest to be named the BJP´s prime ministerial candidate, despite concerns that he would be seen as a divisive figure over his failure to stop deadly anti-Muslim riots in 2002. In his new role Modi, who is attending the meeting, will now have to canvass for votes around India, forge strategies to attack the ruling centre-left Congress party and will also build support for his candidacy as premier. He has painted himself as a pro-business reformist who can revive the fortunes of the world´s largest democracy by defeating the Congress, which faces an uphill battle to win re-election, amid a string of graft scandals and a slump in economic growth. But the ghosts of anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat just over a decade ago could pose a stumbling block to Modi´s ambitions to lead India. As many as 2,000 people -- mainly Muslims -- were killed during the month-long unrest, according to rights groups. One of Modi´s former ministers was jailed for life for instigating the killings but several investigations have cleared the hardline politician of personal responsibility. Some senior members stayed away from the meeting in Goa, including Lal Krishna Advani, the 85-year-old BJP veteran who mentored Modi. Advani, who officials said was too sick to attend the meeting of some 300 party members, is now opposed to Modi´s elevation. Another senior leader, Uma Bharti, is staying away, citing illness. She had earlier expressed reluctance to support Modi as the prime ministerial candidate. Despite the absence of such high-profile figures, local newspapers had forecast his appointment as the BJP´s election frontman, saying the party "mood favours Modi". nnnn