MPOW

SLIPS

NEPALI RUPEE SLIPS AGAINST US DOLLAR

Kathmandu, 1 Aug.: The Nepali rupee rupee depreciated further against the US dollar. 

Nepal Rashtra Bank fixed Thursday’s selling rate at Rs.97.73 to the

greenback..

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NEPAL BANNED FROM INTERNATIONAL ATHLETICS COMPETITION

Kathmandu, 1 Aug.: Nepal has been banned from participating in international athletics events, Roshan Raut writes in Annapurna Post.

International Athletics Federation (IAF) imposed the ban through formal communication.

Nepal’s Amateur Athletics Federation was suspended from membership.

Nepal can’t participate in international athletics events now.

Yje S

MEET

PRACHANDA, PRESIDENT MEET
Kathmandu, 1 Aug.: Maoist Chairman Prachanda Thursday held discussions with President Dr.Ram Baran Yadav who has been urging parties to bring the opposition into the election fray.
Dr, Yadav has been holding regular consultations with political party leaders.
The chief of UCPN Maoist also heads the HLPM of four parties supporting the government.
MORE
SUPREME COURT DIRECTS GOVT. COURTS TO
PRIORITIZE HEARINGS ON SPECIAL CASES
Kathmandu, 1 Aug.: In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the government and authorities concerned to make special provisions to promptly hear and clear cases of ‘serious nature’ such as rape, hostage taking and human trafficking. The apex court said victims of such cases have not been able to get timely
and ‘effective’ justice, Pranab Kharel writes in The Kathmandu Post..
The court was responding to a petition filed by Uma Tamang of Maiti Nepal, Sunita Danuwar of Shakti Samuha and Sushma Gautam of Forum for Women, Law and Development, in September 2012, demanding an order to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Nepal Police Headquarters to direct District Police Offices to produce the accused in the court during the investigation period itself.
The court on Wednesday ordered its administration, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG)  and the Prime Minister’s Office to ensure “continuous hearing” on all such cases. According to the verdict, a case once opened for hearing cannot be adjourned until a judgement is delivered.
Though there is a legal provision that calls for “continuous hearing” on certain cases, it has not been followed as the court administration and the government attorney’s office interpret it as an “optional” provision.
A division bench of Justices Kalyan Shrestha and Baidya Nath Upadhyay on Wednesday said the “continuous hearing” provision in the District Court Regulation is not optional.
The bench also ordered the apex court registrar to form a mechanism in different courts to help facilitate dialogue among different stakeholders in a case, including attorneys of the plaintiff and government attorneys.
The division bench further directed the Monitoring Division of the Supreme Court to keep track of developments in such cases, while also ordering the Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepal Police Headquarters and the OAG to make necessary arrangements to produce witnesses as required by the courts to ensure continuous hearing.
The petitioners had also sought orders in the name of the OAG to direct its subordinate offices to produce witnesses in the court while filing charge-sheets.
The appellants have also sought orders to the apex court administration to ensure that it prepares case hearing calendars in a way that ensures continuous hearing of the cases.

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BIRD FLU ALERT IN CHITWAN AFTER OUTBREAK IN
CAPITAL
Kathmandu, 1 Aug.:As the news of bird flu outbreak in the capital filtered through, local authorities in Chitwan are exercising much caution, strictly monitoring the movement of poultry products in the district—the biggest producer of chickens in the
Country, Bimal Khatiwada reports from Chitwan in The Kathmandu Post..
The government offices, including Animal Service Office, have started adopting strict measures to prevent transmission of the disease in the area. The office on Saturday destroyed 6,500 chickens being transported from the Nawalparasi district.
“We have asked the officials to report immediately if they find dead fowls,” said Animal Service Office chief Ram Kumar Karki.
According to the office, they are keeping close vigil on areas along the highway to bring the situation under control. “Unlike in the past, bird flu this time round is likely to have severe effect in the sector,” said Chandra Man Shrestha, president of Poultry Entrepreneurs’ Forum.
Hundreds of poultry farms, including 50 large farms are in operation in the district with a total investment estimated at Rs 30-32 billion. Poultry entrepreneurs put the annual turnover in the sector at Rs 60 billion.
The entrepreneurs are remembering the loss they had to incur a few months ago after bird flu appeared in 15 poultry farms here. Not surprisingly, poultry farmers here are hesitant even to sell their chickens at the moment. Majority of chickens produced in the district are transported to Kathmandu for consumption.
Around 200,000 live chickens from the district were destroyed when strains of bird flu were found last time. Entrepreneurs incurred an estimated loss of Rs 250 million as a result. Most of the poultry farms that were sealed by the Animal Service Office at the time have still remained closed.
“Despite the shortage of chicken, farmers are reluctant to supply chickens to the market due to the outbreak,” said Shrestha.
Tilchandra Bhattarai, poultry expert and president of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Chitwan, said the poultry entrepreneurs had incurred the biggest ever loss this year.
“We are evaluating the actual loss of the entrepreneurs,” he said. “We have recommended the entrepreneurs to adopt necessary safety measure, while the consumers have been advised to cook meat properly before eating.”
The government has allocated Rs 50 million for the development of the sector. However, the entrepreneurs have been demanding Rs 500 million from the government.
 Shrestha urged the government to give special preference to the sector and help reopen the closed poultry farms. The entrepreneurs have been demanding the government to introduce provision for bank loan and insurance.

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revive

CABINET TO DISCUSS ELECTION RELATED ISSUES

Kathmandu, 1 Aug.; Cabinet at a regular meeting Thursday in discussing an

integrated security for the November assembly polls and other election

related issues.

An agenda for talks with opposition led by CPN Maoist opposed to the vote in being prepared.

Initial CPN Maoist reaction to the third government Wednesday was

positive.

Relief for flood and landslide victims is also being discussed.

Victims from Darchila in the far-West have arrived in the capital saying

they haven’t received promosed relief.

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DRAW HELD FOR AFC PRESIDENT’S CUP

Kathmandu, 1 Aug.: ‘A’ Division League champions Three Star Club

is in Group ‘A’ along with Balkan FC of Turkmenistan and

Erchim FC of Mongolia in the AFC President’s Cup Finals.

The draw was held in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday.

Dordoi Bishkek of Kyrgyzstan is  in Group ‘B’ with Hilal Al-Quds of

Palestine and Khan Research Laboratories Football Club of Pakistan.

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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Why do we need to form any youth force like the Maoist’s YCL and UML’s Youth Force when we already have student and youth wings to act in times of need. As a democratic party, we can’t resort to violence like the Maoists,

“NC doesn’t support violence and will not attack anyone, but if someone targets us, it won’t spare them.”.

(NC President  Sushil Koirala, The Himalayan Times, 1 Aug.)

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pla

FOUNDING OF CHINA’S PLA CELEBRATED

Kathmandu, 1 Aug. A function was held in the capital Wednesday to mark the 86^th founding anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China and the 58^th anniversary of the establishment of NepaL-China diplomatic relations.

Army Chief Gen. Gaurav SJB Rana who just concluded an official China

visit attended the function.

 “China opposes any form of hegemonism or power politics, will never interfere in the internal matters of other countries and will never seek hegemony or behave in a hegemonic manner, nor will it engage in military expansion,” said Chinese Defence Attache Senior Colonel Cheng Xizhong..
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ELDERLY WOMAN KILLED BY WILD ELEPHANT

Kathmandu, 1 Aug.; A wild tusker killed a woman squatter

at Dhungrekhola-8in Sarlahi Wednesday. according to the police.

The 75-year-old woman died instantly.

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HEARING OF CORRECTNESS OF APPOINTMENTOF GOVT.

CHIEF AGAIN POSTPONED
Kathmandu, 1 Aug.: : The Supreme Court has postponed the much-awaited final hearing on the appointment of Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi as chairman of the interim election government, which was scheduled for tomorrow [Thursday], The Himalayan Times Reports. [.

Citing technical reasons, the court today shelved the hearing meant to test the constitutionality of the Regmi-led bureaucratic government.

“The court is yet to receive written explanations from Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (D) Chairman Bijaya Gachhadar, so it postponed the hearing,” Shreekanta Paudel, spokesman for the SC, told The Himalayan Times. According to Paudel, the apex court will reschedule the date for the final hearing tomorrow.

The 10-member bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Damodar Prasad Sharma, Justices Ram Kumar Prasad Shah, Kalyan Shrestha, Girish Chandra Lal, Sushila Karki, Prakash Osti, Baidhyanath Upadhayay, Tarka Raj Bhatta, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki and Bharat Bahadur Karki/ had scheduled the hearing for tomorrow after a daylong hearing on July 4 on whether it is appropriate or not for ad hoc judges to conduct the hearing.

Of the 24 cases filed against the Regmi government, the bench has chosen seven cases for hearing.

Another reason for the postponement is the absence of seniormost Justice Shah, who is currently undergoing treatment in Bangkok.

Koirala and Gachhadar are also defendants in a writ petition that advocate Subas Acharya had filed challenging the presidential order of March 13.

According to the apex court, it has chosen seven cases — Chandra Kanta Gyawali v the Government of Nepal, Kanchankrishna Neupane v GoN, Gopal Siwakoti Chintan v GoN, Subash Acharya v GoN, Kishori Mahato v GoN, Amar KC v GoN and Bharat Jangum v GoN — to test the legality of the present government and the presidential order.

After the SC’s announcement to postpone the hearing, lawyers questioned the motive behind frequent postponement of crucial cases.

“This shows that the court has been intentionally delaying cases against the government,” Gyawali, an advocate and one of the petitioners, who has challenged the constitutionality of the Chief Justice-led election government, alleged.

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CONS[PIRACY TO REVIVE MONARCHY CLAIMS FORMER PM BHATTARAI

Kathmandu, 1 Aug.: Unified CPN-Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai Wednesday accused some domestic and foreign forces of conspiring to revive monarchy in the

Country, tHe Rising Nepal reports from Gorkha..

Inaugurating his party’s election campaign in Gorkha, Bhattarai alleged that national and foreign forces were hatching a plot to reinstate monarchy in the country. The former Prime Minister Bhattarai called on the signatories of the 12-point understanding to foil conspiracies aimed at the revival of monarchy.

On poll disruption threats of ultra-left and ultra-right parties, Bhattarai cautioned people and parties to not ignore their strength to disrupt polls and ulterior motive of reinstating monarchy and the constitution of 1990.

Coming down heavily on the CPN-Maoist’s recent remarks that they were open to unity with the ex-king for the sake of nationalism, Bhattarai said the ex-king and defunct monarchy had never been supporters of nation and nationalism.

“This is not the time to look for opportunities to reconcile with the ex-monarch, but it is high time the Congress and Communists worked together for the betterment of the nation,” Bhattarai said.

He alleged that ex-king Gyanendra Shah was weaving a conspiracy to foil the CA polls in the name of religious activity.

He held that Shah had increased his hobnobbing with foreign forces to augment his clout. On a different note, Bhattarai said his party will contest the upcoming CA polls focusing on agendas of nationalism, federalism, economic development and prosperity. “The issue of

nationalism should not be the agenda of a single party. Since Nepal lies between India and China, the country has to formulate a common foreign policy to strengthen nationalism”, Bhattarai said.

Bhattarai remarked that nationalism was actually the sense of empowerment felt by the people and an economically prosperous country.

He urged major political parties to forge consensus on a federal set-up that guarantees the marginalised people their rights and gives them a scope to assert their identity.

In yet another context, Bhattarai called on the parties to formulate a common national economic policy for the country’s speedy development. “No matter which party is voted to power, their focus should be development,” Bhattarai argued.

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CPN MAOIST TO CONSULT ALLIES BEFORE RESPNDING TO

THIRD GOVT. INVITE

Kathmandu, 1 Aug.: The CPN-Maoist today responded positively to the government’s second call for talks, but said that it would decide on whether to sit for talks only after consulting with the 33-party alliance, The Himalayan Times reports..

“We had rejected the government’s first call as it had mentioned November polls as precondition. Then, we said we would sit for talks only when the government was ready for talks without any condition. As the second letter from the government has not mentioned any condition, we are positive,” said CPN-M Secretary Dev Gurung.

Gurung, however, said the meeting of the alliance, likely to be held on Friday, would decide whether to sit for talks.

The letter sent today by government talks team coordinator and Home Minister Madhav Prasad Ghimire to CPN-Maoist chairman Mohan Baidhya said, “I again call on the CPN-M and its allies to come for talks as the government is confident that all problems can be solved through talks and consultations.” A government official today handed over the letter at the CPN-M headquarters in Buddhanagar.

The government, on July 19, had written to the CPN-M and its allies for talks. Responding to the call, CPN-M General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa, on July 26, had demanded unconditional talks.

Demanding that the March 13 agreement and 25-point presidential decree be scrapped and solutions be sought through an all party conference, the CPN-M and its alliance has refused to participate in the election process. It has also rejected calls for talks thrice, made by the High Level Political Committee.

Taskforce sets riders

The taskforce of the 33-party alliance, on wednesday sent a letter to the HLPC saying it wouldn’t sit for talks until HLPC was ready for unconditional talks. “As the HLPC’s formal call had set talks for the November 19 poll as a condition we responded that we were not ready for conditional talks. We have said in our response today that we also have a precondition — postpone the November 19 poll,” said taskforce member and leader of Social Democratic Party Pasang Sherpa. The alliance also objected to the language of the letter sent by HLPC last week as the letter did not properly address the 33-party alliance, he said.

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LOSE

UCPN MAOIST CLOSE DOWN CHITWAN

Kathmandu, 1 Aug.:  UCPN Maoist closed down Chitwan Thursday.

The forcible closure has shit down schools, businesses while movement of vehicles has come oto a halt.

The party’s YCL threatened closure in six cadres arrested and charged for

collecting donations for elections were nt released overnight.

Parties have complained of forcible donation extortion.

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ARMY TO PLAY NEPAL POLICE IN WOMEN NATIONAL WOMEN’S FOOTBA;

Kathmandu, 1 Aug.: National Women´s League Champion Nepal Police Club (NPC) will play Tribhuvan Club of Nepal Army Friday in the final of the First Chief of Army Staff National Women’s Tournament. Nepal Police Club defeated f Nepal APF Club, 3-1 Wednesday. Nepal Army thrashed Far-western Region 5-1 in the first semifinal. nnnn .

MACHINDRA FC DEFEATED BY LOCAL TEAM IN BHUTAN Kathmandu, 1 Aug.:  Local club Yeedzin FC beat Machindra FC  2-1 In the King’s Cup in Thimpu Bhutan Wednesday. Three Nepali clubs are playing in the Bhutan tournament. Nnnn

THURSDAY MORNING TEMPERATURE IN CAPITAL 21 DEGREES CELSIUS

Kathmandu, 1 Aug. Thursday morning’s temperature in the capital was 21 degrees Celsius.

It is expected to rise to 28 degrees Celsius in the afternoon.

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CPN MAOISTS POSITIVE FOR TALKS

Kathmandu, 1Aug 1: The government on Wednesday yet again sent a formal letter to the CPN-Maoist led alliance calling for talks, and the CPN-Maoist responded later in the day, describing it as a positive development, Republica reports..

This is the third letter sent by the government requesting the group of dissident political parties to come for talks. The dissident group has announced it will obstruct the polls to be conducted by the incumbent chief justice-led government.

"As the government firmly believes that any problem in the country can be solved through talks, dialogue and discussions, I hereby on behalf of the government invite the CPN-Maoist and other political parties concerned as mentioned in the letter," reads the invitation letter undersigned by Home Minister Madhav Prasad Ghimire, who is also coordinator of the three-member government talks team.

Ghimire has addressed the letter to Mohan Baidya, chairman of the CPN-Maoist, which heads the 33-party alliance.

In response, CPN-Maoist Spokesperson Pampha Bhusal, described the letter as a positive development. "We are positive about the government´s invitation for talks without any preconditions," said a press note issued by Bhusal, adding, "We will hold a discussion with the agitating alliance parties in this connection and take a decision soon."

The development cames a day after the Baidya-led party and alliance decided not to sit for talks with the High Level Political Committee (HLPC), which had repeatedly invited the alliance for negotiations.

A meeting of the alliance on Tuesday had turned down the HLPC´s call for talks, saying that the leaders of the four parties were not serious about addressing their concerns.

The Baidya-led alliance insisted that they would sit for dialogue only if there were no pre-conditions.

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WORRY OVER FATE OF NATIONAL PRIDE PROJECTS

Kathmandu, `Aug : As the deadline for submission of Request for Proposal (RFP) document for the Kathmandu-Tarai Madhesh Fast Track approaches, officials have expressed worries over the fate of the national pride project.“, Republica reports.

"The RFP submission deadline has already been extended twice on different pretexts. However, the work progress of the shortlisted infrastructure developers on RFP is not satisfacto”y," said Ananta Acharya, project manager of Kathmandu-Tarai Madhesh Fast Track.

The 76-km expressway links Kathmandu with Nijgadh of Bara.
Upon request of the two shortlisted developers -- L&T Infrastructure and Development Projects Limited and IL&FS Transportation Network Limited, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) had extended deadline by three months on June 21.
The deadline expires on September 21.

The government had shortlisted three Indian developers after evaluating their Expression of Interest in January. However, Reliance Transport Limited did not turn up at the project office even for term extension before May 21. The other two developers, however, sought additional three-month time in June, saying that they wanted to carry out further study after the government issued a license to a Nepali company to develop tunnel highway that goes parallel to the expressway“

"They asked the government to share the risk and make guarantee for the traffic thresho”d," said Acharya.

According to him, the government assured them to address their concern and suggested them to include their demands in the RFP document.“
"We have promised them to extend the lease period under BOOT model and are open to listen to any proposa”s," said Tulasi Prasad Sitaula, secretary at MoPIT, told Republica. He, however, said the Indian developers might not be interested to invest in Nepal. He attributed low rate of return and unfavorable investment climate for their hesitation to put their money in Nepal“

"If they fail to submit RFP document within September 21, the government will invest on it as it is national pride proje”t," he added.
The estimated cost of project is Rs 76 billion

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army

contract

HUSBAND MURDERED BY CONTRACT KILLERS

Kathmandu, 31 July: Cloth trader Guru Sharan Saha of Mirchaiya VDC-2 in Ramnagar of Siraha was murdered, allegedly in a plan executed by his second wife using contract killers, according to the police, RSS reports fromLahan..

The District Police Office Siraha confirmed that Saha's second wife Chandardevi hired the killers of her husband. She was made public by the police at a press meet here on Wednesday.

Satadev Yadav (47) of Madar VDC-2 with whom Chandardevi had reportedly an extra-marital affair masterminded the killing of Guru Sharan (50). He is currently at large and believed to be out of the country.

Satadev and Chandardevi decided to kill Guru sharan after he objected to his wife's illicit relationship. Guru sharan and Satadev were business partners.

Chandardevi had hired the killers for Rs. 200,000. The killers have already been identified, Superintendent of Police Purnachandra Joshi said.

Guru Sharan was hacked to death at his home in the night of July 17.

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ban

WEEK’S BAN ON MOVEMENT OF CHICKEN AND PRODUCTS

Kathmandu, 31 July: Government Wednesday banned for one week the m

movement of chicken and chicken products in the Valley to contain the spread of bird flu that surfaces in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur.

The move comes after chicken was being transported from these districts to adjoining areas.

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place

AWARENESS

CPN MAOIST LAUNCHES AWARENESS CAMPAIGN AGAINST ELECTIONS

Kathmandu, 31 July: CPN Maoist Wednesday launched a ‘people’s

awareness campaign’ in all 75 districts opposing what was called a ;

'syndicate of four parties’.

The party asked people to boycott the November polls.

Materials opposing elections were seized.

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UNFORTUNATE

UCPN MAOIST LEADER SHRESTHA SAYS RIVAL MAOIST REJECTION OF TALKS WILL BE UNFORTUNATE

Kathmandu, 31 July: UCPN-Maoist leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha has said if the agitating CPN-Maoist rebuffs the offer for talks, it will be unfortunate, RSS reports..

At an interaction organised by the Reporters' Club in the capital city on Wednesday, leader Shrestha said that the High Level Political Committee was liberal enough to hold talks with the dissenting political parties and try to address their demands.

"Last ditch efforts would be made to forge consensus by holding talks with the dissenting parties without budging from the target of November 19 Constituent Assembly elections," he said.

He further claimed that his party was wholeheartedly devoted to making the CA election successful.

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INTERVIEW

FAR-LEFT, FAR-RIGHT DON’T WANT CONSTITUTION

THROUGH CA

The Constituency Delimitation Commission, led by former Supreme Court Justice Tahir Ali Ansari, was formed on June 19 to redraw constituencies for the second Constituent Assembly (CA), scheduled for November 19. Alongside the commission, a taskforce consisting of eight members, two each from the four major political forces in the High-Level Political Committee (HLPC), was also formed to assist the commission. Jeetendra Dev, General Secretary of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik, is part of the taskforce and acts as an interlocutor between the commission and the HLPC. The Post’s Pranab Kharel and Pranaya SJB Rana spoke to Dev about issues in constituency delimitation, current political contentions and the possibility of elections in November.
What are the challenges to constituency delimitation?
There are three main provisions for delimitation—one, 205 constituencies cannot be changed; two, seats need to be increased according to the increase in population in the Madhes and Pahad; and three, seats need to be increased in the Madhes in line with the percentage increase in population. However, the commission is of the view that these provisions cannot be satisfied by retaining the existing number of 240 total constituencies. There are constitutional contradictions in Article 63. So they have asked for a political solution. I want to quote Chairman Ansari, “According to the existing provisions in Article 63 (A), we cannot do justice to the percentage nor can we do justice to the increase.” In other words, seats cannot be increased in the Madhes and Pahad according to the increase in population and seats cannot be increased in the Madhes according to percentage increase in population. So the only way out is a political decision from the HLPC in the form of a presidential order to remove constitutional hurdles.
How can this be done?
There are two ways. First, is to make provisions so that all 240 constituencies can be changed, not just the 35 that is mandated now. All constituencies can then be changed according to the population increase and the percentage increase. But if this is to be done, at least one and a half months will be required. This will be a tight squeeze. We need to hold elections in November, make new provisions effective and address dissenting demands through political means. Taking these three issues into account, it might be better to adopt another constitutional, democratic way that takes less time. And this is to increase the total number of seats.
And what could be the basis for increasing the seats?
The last time I spoke to the commission regarding this increase in seats, the chairman gave me three figures—nine, 14 and 15. A minimum of nine and a maximum of 15 seats. A new idea that has been put forward is to take the 11 seats that are up for nomination by the government and add them to the first-past-the-post (FPTP) category. Then, we will have 251 seats and we could divide this number according to 51 percent in the Madhes and 49 percent in the Pahad and Himal. This will be tight but could be considered a way out. I have proposed another solution. The number of FPTP seats can be increased by 15, bringing the total to 255. Currently, the Tarai has a population of 50.27 percent and has 116 seats. We can add 12 seats there from the 15 and the remaining three seats to some districts in the Pahad, which is currently at 124. This will bring us to 128 seats in the Madhes and 127 in the Pahad, which is in the ratio of 51:49. The total number of seats will then be 510, which is an increase of 19 seats from the current 491 but a substantial decrease from 601. This will address the claims of the NC and UML that 601 was too large a number and also provide a solution to the current problem.
But this will still not address existing protests against the PR ratio.
Upendra Yadav and Ashok Rai have demanded that the old ratio of 58 percent PR and 42 percent FPTP be continued with. We have no problems with this, only the NC and UML need to come on board. But if this cannot be done, how about a compromise of 55 and 45? This will address the concern of the NC-UML, which, however, is not a genuine concern; it is a negative concern. If we take 55 percent from my earlier proposal of 255 seats in FPTP, we will arrive at 567 total seats, which is still a reduction of 34 seats from 601. This will address some outstanding concerns.
What are the political contentions behind these issues?
These two issues-constituency delimitation and the PR-are not technical issues; they are vital political, constitutional and inclusive issues. The PR was introduced to make the executive, legislative and judiciary more inclusive. It was a major product of the second Janaandolan  and the Madhes Andolan. How can the PR, hard-earned through revolutions, be taken away so easily? Many are questioning how the four members of the HLPC can simply reduce the ratio to 50:50 without broader consultation. It is also a constitutional issue as this provision has been enshrined in the constitution. The contention is that constitutional decisions were taken in a one-sided manner.
The constitution also says that the next elections will need to take into account the results of the new 2011 census. There is a message being disseminated in the media by some forces that Madhesi forces only want delimitation on the basis of population while disregarding geography. But look at six districts from Manang to Mugu, where the population is around 55,500, which is less than the threshold of 97,000. We agreed to give them one seat each. But in the end, it is not the soil or the geography that is going to come to Parliament, it is the people from that area. Wherever the population is dense, more representatives will come to Parliament; where the population is sparse, less people will come.
In recent times, some Madhesi forces have been saying that there will be another revolution if the PR and constituency delimitation issues remain unsolved. Do you see any possibility of this happening?
There is a definite possibility of a revolution. If the HLPC does not resolve these issues properly, there will be a revolution. And if there is a revolution, the NC and UML will  need to bow down. I have consistently raised this issue in the HLPC. Sometime ago, I told senior leaders that if we look at history, it was always because of their myopia and their failure to understand the root causes of revolutions that in the end, they were forced to give much more than they needed to at the beginning. I told them that PR was going to become a major issue and that this 50:50 provision will not stand. There will be a revolution but there will also be elections.
Given all these outstanding issues, what are the possibilities of elections in November?
Elections will definitely happen in November if the two outstanding issues of PR and constituencies are resolved. The forces raising these issues are democratic and want to come to elections. They are not violent. Therefore, Ashok Rai and Upendra Yadav need to be brought on board the election process. However, there are other factors, like the recent hobnobbing between the far-left forces led by Mohan Baidya and the far-right forces led by Kamal Thapa. It seems that the Baidya party is increasingly discarding the idea of writing a constitution through a CA. They believe that the agenda of a CA has fallen into the hands of agents. That’s why they want a roundtable and want to write a constitution through the roundtable. The increasing affinity with the ultra-right means that they want to sabotage the election process. We democratic forces need to face up to them but all of Baidya’s demands cannot be addressed. This government cannot be dissolved. To accept that would be to stop the elections from happening. They need to give us an assurance in writing that once an all-party meeting is held to resolve outstanding issues, then they will agree to take part in elections under this government. Even then, we can only entertain the idea of postponing elections by a month or so.
There is talk that the HLPC has reached a decision to go to elections by bringing Ashok Rai and Upendra Yadav on board, bypassing Baidya.
The HLPC has not reached this decision yet but it is heading in that direction. Baidya’s recent activities are only furthering our suspicions that they will not go to elections in any way. We hope that if we go to elections by bringing election-friendly parties on board, there will be more pressure on the Baidya party. They could then be forced to go to elections and even if they don’t, a large section within that party will bifurcate and come into the election process. But in order to do this, we need to head stridently towards elections. We cannot be afraid.
On a final note,POossibility of a Madhesi electoral alliance?
The major possibilities for an alliance are party unification, frontal alliance or an electoral alliance. If we look at the parties in our Morcha and at Upendra Yadav, there are no basic differences between us. There should definitely be unification. But the only problem is that one cannot accept the other as the dominant leader. Instead of differences in ideology or politics, there is difference when it comes to leadership. I don’t see an immediate solution to this unless leaders discard their feudal mentality. There is possibility of unification for seats, between us and Mahanta Thakur and Upendra Yadav. There are also possibilities of a seat alliance with the NC, UML and the UCPN (Maoist). It looks like we share the most in common with the Prachanda Maoists. We can have an alliance with anyone who supports identity-based federalism, from Ashok Rai to Prachanda.


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bank

WORLD BANK LOAN

Kathmandu, 31 July: The International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank (WB) has agreed to provide Rs 2.90 billion credit assistance to the Government of Nepal, RSS reports..

At a programme organised at the Ministry of Finance, Singha Durbar, today, Secretary at the Finance Ministry, Shanta Raj Subedi and World Bank Country Manager for Nepal, Tahseen Sayed, signed the agreement.

The main objective of the loan assistance is to avail budgetary support to the Government of Nepal to help carry out already initiated reform activities for financial sector development.

The Government of Nepal has already embarked on the broader reform programme to address financial sector vulnerabilities during the mid 2011. In this course, Nepal Rastra Bank has initiated financial inclusion and financial literacy programme in consultation and cooperation with stakeholders.

On the occasion, Tahseen appraised the initiatives taken by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to reform financial sector. He also lauded the role played by the Government of Nepal to maintain financial discipline as well as establishment of Department of Money Laundering.

Similarly, Finance Secretary, Subedi appreciated the World Bank for its

support on economic development and added that the government is committed to end financial irregularities.

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SUSPECTED INDIAN PILGRIM FOUND DEAD
Kathmandu, 31 July: A body of an Indian national was found at the premises of a famous temple, Chhangchhangdi Chhanya Chhetra, at Chhangchhangdi-3 in Syangja district on Wednesday morning, RSS reports from Syangjha.

According to Hari Krishna KC, Police Inspector at the Ward Police Office, Waling, the deceased appeared to be in his 60s.

Locals informed police after they saw the body at the resting place of the temple premises.

Investigation into the case is underway as the identity of the Indian national has not been ascertained yet. The body has been kept at the mortuary of Waling Primary Health Centre, said police.

Police suspect that the deceased might be a pilgrim, who came to visit the temple.

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OMVOTE

ANOTHER GOVT. INVITE TO OPPOSITION TO JOIN TALKS
Kathmandu, 31 July: One day after 33 parties rejected talks with government and HLPM to discuss election related, government Wednesday sent another letter to CPN Maoist and opposition to join talks.
Government talks coordinator and Home Minister Madhav Prasad
Ghimire sent an invitation letter to CPN-Maoist.
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LIMBUWAN MUKTI MORCHA AND SADBHAVANA UNITE
Kathmandu, 31 July:- Limbuwan Mukti Morcha of
Rambhakta Kurumwang Limbu merged with Sadbhvapa Party led by
Rajendra Mahato..
Mahato and Limbu signed a-unification letter in the capital Wednesday.
Morcha is based mainly in the eastern hills.
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bogati

GOLD GAINS RS.1,300 PER TOLA

Kathmandu, 31 July:: Price of gold has increased by Rs. 1,300 per tola Wednesday and reached Rs. 53,900, RSS reports..

According to Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers´ Association (NEGOSIDA), the gold price was Rs. 52,600 per tola on Tuesday.

The gold price was increased due to impact of international market, said NEGOSIDA.Gold was traded at Rs. 52,300 in Nepali market on Friday and it was stable until Monday. It was slightly up by Rs. 300 per tola on Tuesday.

The NEGOSIDA has fixed the price of worked gold as Rs. 53,650 per tola today while it was Rs. 52,350 on Tuesday.Similarly, price of silver has been fixed at Rs. 840 per tola today.

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UDMF TO JOIN POLLS

Kathmandu, 31 July: The United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) has decided to move ahead with determination to hold election to the Constituent Assembly (CA) on the stipulated date of November 19, RSS reports.. A meeting of the UDMF held at the office of the Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) at Bijuli Bazaar in the capital Wednesday morning made a conclusion that the new constitution should be promulgated through CA at any cost. The meeting also decided that provision of the representation of 58 per cent seats on proportional and 42 per cent on direct voting seats of the previous CA be kept intact. Similarly, it decided to make provision of number of seats for the representation in CA from Madhes on the basis of percentage of population as per the constitutional provision as per the latest census. The meeting also decided to request the Election Commission to extend the date for one month for updating voters´ names as many people have been still left out from registering their names in the bio-metric voters list. After the meeting, Chairman of the UDMF, Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar, said that serious discussion was held being focused on the issue of making the CA election a success by holding it on the stipulated date with participation of all parties. General Secretary of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Democratic), Jitendra Dev said that five-point decision has been made by holding discussion on different issues including role to be played from the UDMF to hold CA election with the participation of most of the parties in the election. Today´s meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chairman of the TMDP, Mahantha Thakur. The next meeting of UDMF has been scheduled for August 11, he added. The Tarai Madhes Democratic Party, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Democratic), Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Republic), Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party-Nepal and Sadbhawana Party are associated with the UDMF.

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UCPN MAOIST LEADER BOGATI ASKS OPPOSITION TO JOIN

POLLS

Kathmandu, 31 July: Leader of the Unified CPN (Maoist), Posta Bahadur Bogati, urged the poll opposing political parties not to push the nation towards indecision by talking about the boycotting of the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections, RSS

reports from Nuwakot..

He said there was no alternative to the CA election and that it would not be disrupted just because any political force opposes it. He added that the CA election would be held on November 19 even if the poll-opposing political parties including the CPN-Maoist did not participate in it.

Speaking at a press conference organized by Revolutionary Journalists´ Association here today, leader Bogati said the sister organization of the Unified CPN (Maoist) would be mobilized to conclude the election process in view of how the poll opposing Baidya-led CPN-Maoist moves ahead.

The CPN-Maoist has decided to boycott the current election process showing various reservations including on the formation of current government and the ´four-party syndicate´ in Nepali politics.

During the press meeting, leader Bogati said the political parties have a compulsion to hold the CA election in November as per the public spirit and that none could disrupt the election.

Bogati further said that some poll opposing parties including the CPN-Maoist have talked of dialogue while at the same time forwarded the programmes of protest and anti-election campaigns thereby creating problems.

Responding to queries on a different context, former Minister for Energy, Bogati, stated that the UCPN (Maoist) has no policy to disrupt construction of any hydropower projects. He stressed on the need of forwarding the construction works of Upper Trishuli ´A´, immediately

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SHARES

UPDATE HEAVY TRADING IN SHARES

Kathmandu, 31 July: Trading in shares was heavy Wednesday.

Altogether 547,683 shares were traded for Rs. 201.642 million in 2123 transactions.

Nepse gained 1.64 points and closed at 542.61 points.

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can

one

23

GAIN

NEPSE GAIN CONTINUES

Kathmandu, 31 July: Nepse gained 1.02 points as soon as the market opened for share trading Wednesday.

Hydro power company shares gained 7.95 points.

MORE

SADBHAVANA PRESENTING MEMORANDUM TO CHAIRMAN

REGMI

Kathmandu, 31 July: Sarita Giri, chairperson of Sadbhavana Party (Devi) is submitting a memorandum to Chairman Khil Raj regmi Wednesday.

The party with some other parties is demanding election security

While pressing other demands for a November

vote.

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FORMER CROWN PRINCESS HIMANI SAYS PURPOSE OF

FAR-WEST VISIT FULFILLED

Kathmandu, 31 July: Former Crown Princess and

Chairperson of Hjmani Trust said Tuesday at a news conference the

purpose of her far-West visit was attained, Annapurna Post reports from

Dangadi

’The purpose for which we came to the far-West has been fulfilled..

This has helped a little in providing relief,” she said referring to distribution by the Trust to victims of floods and  landslides in the region.

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president

CHAIRMAN REGMI BRIEFS PRESIDENT

Kathmandu, 31 July: Chairman Khil Raj Regmi Wednesday morning

briefed President Dr, Ram Baran Yadav on the November election ,

preparations and related issues.

They reviewed the current political situation.

President showed concern on the security situation and was briefed on

Its review this week by top security agencies.

President sought interest on talks with political parties for creating an election environment.

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UCPN MAOIST CLOSE DOWN CHITWAN

Kathmandu, 31 July: UCPN Maoist closed down Chitwan Wednesday.

The party was protesting arrest of three YCL cadre Tuesday in the

central strategic district through which vehicles on national radio network passes.

Maoists charged their supporters were arrested without reason.

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MOVEMENT OF TRAFFIC WITH TIBET RESUMES

Kathmandu, 31 July: Traffic movement resumes on the Arniko Highway Wednesday

following an agreement between container transporters and local

authorities overnight,.

Movement of vehicles and goods across the Nepal-Tibet border at tatopani came to a grinding halt for three days following arrest of a cotaner driver for alleed smuggling on elephant tausks across the border-- a charge denied by the driver..

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CHAINPUR BANDH

Kathmandu, 31 July: Locals of Chainpur have called for continuing a market shutdown for the second day on Wednesday in protest against the statement by the Local Development Officer, Lila Adhikari, RSS reports from Sankhuwasabha.. The Struggle Committee, Chainpur has been enforcing a Chainpur shutdown since Tuesday in protest against what it called an ´objectionable´ statement made by the LDO Adhikari. Adhikari is accused of making a statement that the proposed Chainpur Municipality was not viable. The banda [shutdown] organizers halted vehicular movement in Chainpur Bazaar on Tuesday as part of their protest and have called for a complete shutdown of market and transport services in Baneshwar, Siddhakali, Siddhapokhari and Chainpur VDC areas Wednesday.

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ycl

ELECTION UPDATE; SIX YCL ACTIVISTS HELD
Kathmandu, 31 July:: Police have arrested six cadres of the Young Communist League (YCL) on the charge of collecting donation against the election code of conduct. They were arrested from Narayangadh on Tuesday evening, RSS reports from
Ratnanagar in Chitwan..

The YCL is affiliated to the Unified CPN-Maoist. They were held while taking money from a businessman at Putali Bazaar area in Narayangadh.

They were arrested based on the information that they were collecting money in the name of donation flouting the election code of conduct, said Chief of the Chitwan District Police Office, Pradyumna Karki. He said they have been kept in detention at the police office.

Those arrested in that connection are Modraj Neupane, Uttam Gurung, Bishal Marahaththa, Manoj Sherpa, Rabi Parajuli and Bharat Magar.

The YCL Chitwan District Committee held a news conference immediately after their arrest and warned that it would launch a strong agitation if those arrested YCL cadres were not released until 10 a.m. today. It has threatened to call a Chitwan district shutdown.
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BIRD FLU SITUATION GETTING OUT OF CONTROL
Kathmandu, 31 July: As the Capital on Tuesday witnessed the 15th bird flu outbreak in the last two weeks, health experts warned that the spread of the H5N1 virus has gone out of control and called for an immediate and more coordinated intervention from the government. While they say a government decision is being delayed due to strong lobbying from people in the poultry sector, the Nepal Chicken Sellers Business Association refuted
such a claim.Manish gautam writes in The Kathmandu Post..
Since the first outbreak in a poultry farm in Matatirtha and Chabahil on July 16, the virus has claimed over 25,000 chickens in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur districts.  Animal health authorities on Tuesday confirmed the flu in two more poultry farms in Bhaktapur. Tests on chicken samples were conducted by the Central Veterinary Laboratory at Tripureshwor in Kathmandu.
According to the experts, farmers selling the potentially infected chickens in the market in the absence of effective monitoring has worsened the situation. “There is total impunity; the authorities know who is at fault, but still they have failed to take immediate action,” said Dr Shital Kaji Shrestha, General Secretary of the Nepal Veterinary Association.
While some farmers have dumped dead birds openly in public places, others have buried them secretly without following the standard procedures. Such practices have increased the chances of the epidemic spreading, experts said. The police on Monday seized 426 chickens that were being transported to Birgunj for sale from a flu-affected farm in Bhaktapur.
Government officials concede that the existing measures fall way too short of what is required to combat the ‘epidemic’ and that this fact has led to the situation going out of hand.
“The trend in the past two weeks shows that the epidemic is showing no signs of receding,” Dr Bol Raj Acharya, Chief of the District Veterinary Office, Kathman-du, said. “We have realised that it needs bigger intervention, which means expanding the current volume of human resource, which is too small to control this epidemic, and a complete ban and quarantine of poultry products nationwide.”
The Kathmandu District Administration Office was supposed to take a decision on Tuesday on banning export and import of chickens in the Valley. However, according to sources, the DAO failed to even discuss the issue following ‘pressure’ from poultry traders. The sources added that a Cabinet decision will be taken soon.
“There is a strong lobby from the poultry sector and it is very unlikely that the government could take a decision without taking them into confidence,” the sources said.
President of the Nepal Chicken Sellers Business Association, Junga Bahadur BC, however said, “We are in favour of public health and have already asked our members to comply with any decision taken by the government.” In the past, the government has taken measures like declaring emergency in certain outbreak areas, closing down of schools and launching culling operations.
According to the Animal Health Directorate, the country has witnessed 105 bird flu outbreaks in the past five years. Last year, 35 outbreaks were reported, while this year, already 80 bird flu cases have been reported with a majority of them inside Kathmandu Valley.
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SLMM RELUCTANT FOR ALLIANCE WITH FDRA
Kathmandu, 31 July: The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM), an alliance of five Madhes-based parties, has expressed reluctance to forge an election alliance with allies of the Federal Democratic Republican Alliance (FDRA), a loose alliance of 20 parties led by the UCPN (Maoist). The FDRA, of which the SLMM is also a key member, was formed last year, The Kathmandu Post reports..
On Tuesday, SLMM leaders skipped a meeting called by UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is also the coordinator of the FDRA. SLMM leaders said they first need to have a common position in their bloc on any alliance for the Constituent Assembly polls scheduled for November 19.
There are fringe parties in the FDRA that are ‘desperate’ for an alliance with the UCPN (Maoist) to secure their position in the elections.
According to SLMM leaders, alliance s with the FDRA allies, as desired by UCPN (Maoist), is not possible due to “some ideological differences.” They, however, said they could continue being part of the FDRA if its chief purpose is to exert pressure to hold the elections in November.
FDRA Spokesperson Prem Bahadur Singh, however, expressed optimism that the Madhes-based parties will join hands with them for the elections. “They have vowed to join a meeting on Thursday after they have a common position
(on the alliance ) on Wednesday,” Singh said.
Cross-party Madhesi leaders say an election tie-up with the FDRA parties is not possible also due to differences in the types of federalism advocated by the Maoist party and Madhes-based parties.
The SLMM members include the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Democratic led by Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, Sadbhawana Party led by Rajendra Mahato, Tarai Madhesi Loktantrik Party and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Democratic.
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BHUTAN

NC PRESIDENT IN HIS CONSTITUENCY
Kathmandu, 31 July: NC President Sushil Koirala arrived in his electoral constituency Nepalgunj No..3 Monday.
He interacted with voters.
Koirala was defeated in the first assembly elections from the constituency.
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THREE STAR IN BHUTAN SEMIFINAL
Kathmandu, 31 July: League Champion Three Star Tuesday defeated
BJMC of Bangladesh 1-0 in the King;s Cup in Thimpu Bhutan and qualified for the semifinal.
Pukar Gahatraj scored the solitary goal.
Thee Nepali clubs are participating in the tournament.
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ATTEMPT TO REARRANGE ALL 240 ELECTORAL COSTITUENCIES
Kathmandu, 31 July:: Madhu Nidhi Tiwari, who quit CDC yesterday, said today he had to resign as CDC member because other members wanted to rearrange all 240 first-past-the-post election constituencies which he thought could spoil the
electoral environment, The Himalayan Times reports..

Tiwari said he had tendered his resignation five days ago. His resignation was accepted and made public yesterday only and the government appointed Chudaraj Upreti in his place yesterday itself. Tiwari said CDC members wanted to take a final decision on rearranging even the 205 constituencies on the basis of population. “If I had stayed in CDC, I would have to write a note of dissent,” he said.

“First the CDC members were trying to rearrange 35 constituencies that were added in 2008. They had not figured out how they could add constituencies in Kathmandu and yet they decided to rearrange other additional 205 constituencies, therefore I decided to quit,” he clarified. He said the CDC members favouring delineation of all constituencies wanted to take population into account for the rearrangement but they were ignoring Article 154 (7) of the Interim Constitution that says population, geography, boundaries of administrative districts, density of population, transport facilities and cultural compactness should be taken into account. “If we work on all these criteria for constituency delineation, it might take a year to demarcate constituencies. We do not have information on other criteria,” Tiwari said.

“Candidates have already made calculations about their constituencies as to which villages would be in their constituencies, and if the CDC makes changes in all the constituencies that would virtually result in gerrymandering,” Tiwari added. A CDC source, however, said Tiwari’s claim that the CDC wanted to delineate all constituencies was wrong. “He quit for personal reasons,” the source added.
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COMMISSION ON CONSTITUENCIES CONFUSED
Kathmandu, 31 July:: The Constituency Delimitation Commission has just four more days to submit its report, but it is still undecided as to which approach it should
adopt, Ram Kumar Kamat reports..

CDC Spokesperson Tek Prasad Dhungana said they were discussing several options but were yet to reach anywhere.

In the existing situation, the CDC can add or reduce only 35 first-past-the-post election constituencies that were added in 2008 Constituent Assembly elections, but it will have to strike a delicate balance between Madhes and hill regions.

Article 154 (8) of the Constitution prohibits reduction of 205 constituencies that existed in 1999, but Article 63 (3) says Madhes will have constituencies in proportion to its percentage of population.

“We have the option to keep the existing constituencies unaltered or make minimum changes in the 35 constituencies,” said Dhungana.

Another option for the CDC is it can adjust population in all or part of 240 constituencies. Minimum addition or reduction of seats might or might not occur in this situation. “The CDC cannot increase 240 seats under the existing situation, but nothing stops it from adjusting population,” Dhungana said.

CDC report cannot be challenged in a court, but any move of it does run the risk of antagonising political parties if it fails to strike a delicate balance.

CDC member Netra Dhital said they were mulling over the option of rearranging constituencies where necessary. “Population variation in all six constituencies of Rauthat is not more than 3,000. We might not need to make any changes in districts like Rautahat,” Dhital added. He said the CDC might not need to arrange more than 20 constituencies.

There are 14 hill and Himalayan districts that have one constituency each where rearrangement will not occur under existing situation.
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MEDIA GOOGLE
“This is not the time to look for opportunities to reconcile with the ex-monarch, but it is high time the Congress and Communists worked together for the
betterment of the nation,”

(Baburam Bhattarai, The Himalayan Times, 31 July)
‘When the former king visits temples the ground shakes. When he visits
district headquarters to distribute relief,. It sinks.)
(RPP Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapaa, Nagarik, 31 July)
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STATEHOOD APPROVED FOR TELANGANA
Kathmandu, 31 July:: India’s ruling Congress party approved today the creation of a new southern state, a move that has revived deep political divisions and raised fears of violence in the area, home to global firms including Google, Reuters reports from New Delhi..

The decision to break up Andhra Pradesh state and establish Telangana comes ahead of elections next year and critics say the ruling party is seeking to shore up its political fortunes after dragging its feet over the explosive issue for four decades. Supporters, however, say Telangana’s economic development has been neglected in favour of the richer and more powerful Andhra region, and that a new state is the only solution. “It was not an easy decision, we appeal to people to cooperate,” said Ajay Maken, a spokesman of the Congress after the party’s highest decision-making body adopted a resolution calling for the establishment of a new state, igniting celebrations in parts of Andhra.

Additional federal troops were deployed ahead of the decision in the coastal parts of Andhra Pradesh where people are bitterly opposed to the breakup of the state.

The booming state capital Hyderabad, where Google, Microsoft and Dell have major sites, will remain the common capital for two states for a period of 10 years, Maken said. Hyderabad, India’s sixth largest city, was a bone of contention because it fell in the proposed new state carved out of the western part of Andhra Pradesh. A government official said there was still a long way to go before the new state, which will have an estimated population of 40 million, became a reality. The measure has to be approved by the Andhra assembly and then the federal parliament where the Congress does not have a clear majority.

“We’re swallowing the poison for our party. The decision is very unfortunate but since our leader has taken the decision we’ll abide by it. We know the consequences, the problems that will follow,” said Rudraraju Padma Raju, the chief whip of the Congress in the state.

One immediate consequence is likely to be renewed demands from other parts of India for separate states, including in the Darjeeling hills and a further breakup of the most populous Uttar Pradesh state. Since independence in 1947, successive governments have dealt carefully with demands for new states — creating three in 2000 — while ensuring demands did not spiral enough to threaten the integrity of a nation that now has 1.2 billion people with hundreds of languages, ethnicities and castes. India currently has 28 states while the United States with a population of 300 million has 50.

The chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said he feared the establishment of Telangana would set off more unrest. “Telangana is a state that will be created on the basis of agitation. It’s not created on the basis of any recommendation of a state reorganising commission or something like that,” said Omar Abdullah. “I believe this is a dangerous trend because all we are doing is sending across a message that if you agitate enough, and if you agitate long enough, you will create a state.”

Another fear is that leftist guerrillas who operate in parts of the proposed Telangana state will become further emboldened and take advantage as the new state comes into being.
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PARTICIPATE

DEUBA ASKS ALL TO PARTICIPATE IN VOTE
Kathmandu, 31 July: Senior leader of the Nepali Congress, Sher Bahadur Deuba, has called on all political parties to participate in the election to the Constituent Assembly (CA) by creating election environment soon, RSS reports..
At a programme organised by the Human Rights Organisation of Nepal (HURON) here today, Deuba stressed that democratic society and system should be guaranteed through the election.
Stating that country's present priority is the election, he said no one should try to grab people's right of forming government and changing it through the election as it is backbone of the democracy.
The former Prime Minister reiterated on the need of implementing the commitment made with International communities not to allow to occur incidents of violation of human rights from state in days ahead.
He also mentioned that it was necessary all to know that individual freedom of people is the supreme human rights.
Similarly, leader of the UCPN (Maoist), Narayankaji Shrestha, argued that incidents of violation of human rights should not be look in different angles at a time when world-wide debate is on as how to promote and strengthen human rights.
Shrestha also pointed out the need of raising issues of human rights continuously and effectively until democratic system does not established as a culture.
Likewise, Inspector General of Nepal Police, Kuber Singh Rana, said that there was no meaning of providing other rights until the guarantee of human rights of people.
Former Chief of Army Staff, Rukmsangat Katawal, said that issue of human rights would be limited in discussion unless there is equal law for everyone in the country.
Similarly, Former Chairman of the Nepal Bar Association, Sindhunath Pyakurel, said that a lot of works have been done in the sector of human rights although they were not fully satisfactory.
Dr Birendra Mishra, former president of Nepal Bar Association Prem Bahadur Khadka, president of Nepal University Teachers' Assopciation Rameshwar Upadhyaya, Mohan Gyanwali of Nepal Teachers' Association, former ambassador Rajeshwar Acharya, former president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Binod Bahadur Shrestha and professor Amuda Shrestha spoke of the need of bringing about changes in our mindset and behaviour.
Former presidents of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Harihar Birahi and Taranath Dahal, litterateur Dr Ram Dayal Rakesh, former Inspector General of the Armed Police Force Shailendra Shrestha, advocate Sher Bahadur K.C., and chairman of Human Rights and Peace Society Homkanta Chaulagain, among others, said that it is a matter of shame that the issue of taking action against the human rights offenders is being discussed in the country in the 21^st century.
The speakers said that incidents of human rights infringements are promoted due to growing impunity, the political parties' activities themselves weakening the different State apparatuses and the failure of the citizenry at large to synchronize rights with duty.
The speakers also  called on the State to become a party to the International Convention on Immigrants and Refugees in the context of nearly four million Nepalis working abroad and refugees from different 11 countries in the country facing various difficulties.
All the participants signed on a Commitment Charter pledging their support to the campaign of Human Rights for All at All Times and Human Rights at Every Home. RSS

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KULEKANI III COST TO GO UP
Kathmandu, July 30: The costs of one of the expensive projects, 14MW Kulekhani III Hydropower Project, will go up by twofold owing to various obstacles faced by the project, The Rising Nepal reports..
The project would have to bear more than Rs. 2 billion additional costs than its previously estimated amount. The project's initial cost estimate was Rs. 2.43 billion. The new estimate is about Rs. 4.29 billion.
Chief of the Project Madhusudan Pratap Malla stated that the project would face additional cost of around Rs. 1.86 billion as it had to change the direction of audit tunnel of the project and repair the weak geological structure in the project site besides other problems.
"The change of tunnel, weak geology, renegotiation costs, variation costs, cost of price escalation, dispute review board, tax burden and additional administration costs added to the cost of the project," Malla said.
However, he said that the project would complete on time if the current pace of construction works continues.
Earlier, the construction works of the project had halted for some time owing to the problematic relations of the contractor with local people and the workers.
"The project will complete on time if its civil contractor Sinohydro Corporation can work on present pace without external hurdles," he said.
The contractor had claimed additional Rs. 660 million from Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) blaming delayed works on bore pile foundation and drawing of powerhouse.
Besides this, the contractor has claimed addition Rs. 1.86 billion on variation costs.
The contractor has blamed the Indian consultant company for not supporting it, which led to additional burden on the project.
Nearly 20 per cent electromechanical, 90 per cent headwork and 38 per cent of the powerhouse has been completed so far.
According to latest agreement with the contractor, the project will come into operation from July 2014.
The project will produce 40.85 GhW/h power. It will use water of Khanikhola, besides the water form Kulekhani Reservoir.

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HYRDO POWER MEET IN OFFING

Kathmandu, 31 July: The international hydropower investment meeting being held in Kathmandu from August 28-29 will discuss foreign and domestic investments in already identified potential hydropower projects in the country, The Rising Nepal reports..

The meeting is organized by Hydroelectricity Investment and Development Company Limited (HIDCL).

The meet will provide participants an opportunity to discuss the potential projects in detail with concerned stakeholders giving their inputs, said Deepak Rauniar, chief executive office of HIDCL.

Speaking at the press meet here today, Rauniar said that the meeting will provide an opportunity for the investors and financiers to focus on specific projects which can materialize within the next few years.

The meeting is expected to be very important in bringing investments in hydropower sectors at this juncture as the government has identified hydropower development as priority development agenda in its plan and policies, he said.

“We will discuss the identified reservoir based hydropower projects along with other run-of-river projects in the meeting,” he said.

Responding to journalists’ queries, Rauniar said, “We will not stay idle on the pretext that business climate is poor. The business climate will improve gradually. We must call foreign investors to investment in hydropower sector as foreigners are keen to invest in Nepal.”

“
The country’s economy will not develop if we stay silent by waiting the good business climate to attract foreign investment,” he said.

Key international and domestic hydropower developers, investment companies, sovereign wealth funds and utility companies will take part in the meeting, he informed.

He said that the HIDCL was planning to invest in some projects which were proposed by the banks for investments.

Wijayatunga Priyantha, head of Portfolio Management Unit of the Nepal Resident Mission of Asian Development Bank,  hoped  that the meeting will be more fruitful to develop hydropower in Nepal as the international investors will be participating in the meeting.

Stating that the development of energy sector was essential for overall economic development of the country, he said that ADB will provide continued support to Nepal for the development of energy sector.

The meeting is supported by the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Finance and the office of the Nepal Investment Board and Asian Development Bank (ADB).