BUDGET

CABINET MEET TO ENDORSE BUDGET

Kathmandu, 14 July: The cabinet is meeting Sunday morning to approve the budget for fiscal year 2013/14 beginning Tuesday.

President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav will then endorse it before it’s release

late afternoon at four in the afternoon at  four from the hall of

the National Planning Commission.

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CPN MAOIST TO TALK WITH MAJOR PARTIES

Katmandu, 14 July:: The agitating CPN-Maoist has finally shown willingness to sit for talks with major political parties to discuss the modality of the roundtable conference for settling disputed issues, The Himalayan Times reports..

Welcoming the recent CPN-M decision forming a talks-team to discuss

disputed issues, a meeting of the High Level Political Committee (HLPC) today decided to immediately hold talks with the party.

HLPC coordinator Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar telephoned CPN-M Chairman Mohan Baidhya and requested him to arrange time and venue for talks. Baidhya responded positively and said he would inform by 10:00 am tomorrow, according to UCPN-M Vice-chairman Narayankaji Shrestha.

As the HLPC has agreed to the CPN-M demand for roundtable conference

to settle disputed issues of the constitution, the talks will determine the modality of the conference, Shrestha said after the HLPC meeting held at its office in New Baneshwor.

Responding to the HLPC decision accepting the demand for roundtable conference, the CPN-M last week had formed a talks team headed by Chairman Mohan Baidhya to hold talks with the government and political parties. Sources said leaders and ministers are holding informal talks with CPN-M leaders on the nature and modality of the roundtable conference.

“I held a one-on-one meeting with Baidhyajee yesterday and CPN-M General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa and Secretary Netra Bikram Chand today. Talks are heading in positive direction,” said UCPN-M Vice chair Shrestha.

As the CPN-M had rejected formal talks with HLPC, the HLPC did not form the talks team today. Leaders of the four major political forces will hold talks with the CPN-M according to Shrestha.

Today’s meeting decided to urge the government not to take any decision that would have long term impact as it was a temporary government formed to hold CA polls, according to Panta.

“Basically, this decision comes in reference to the government’s recent move to set up immigration check points in Lumbini and Pashupatinagar and reform Tribhuvan International Airport,” said Panta.

The Supreme Court, on July 9, had issued interim order against the government’s decision to allow the Indian government to upgrade the immigration system at Tribhuvan International Airport and set up immigration check points in Lumbini and Pashupatinagar.

“As this is an election government, it cannot take any decision with long term impact. So, leaders from HLPC will call on chairman of Council of Ministers and draw his attention towards this matter,” said Shrestha.

Today’s HLPC also decided urge the government and the Election Commission to intensify preparations for the CA elections slated for November 19, according to Shrestha.

Meanwhile, sources said the leaders also discussed the issue of appointments to fill vacancies in different constitutional bodies and ambassadorial positions. “The meeting agreed to meet on Monday and decide after holding consultation with the government,” Shrestha said.

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FLOODS, LANDSLIDES SHUT MICRO HYDEL PLANTS
Kathmandu, 14 July: Floods and landslips have shut at least 22 micro hydro projects in the far-west region in the last one month and thousands of households have
plunged in darkness, Tekendra Deuba writes in The Himalayan Times from Dipayal..

According to Regional Renewable Energy Service Centre in Dipayal, landslides and floods have damaged 12 projects in Bajhang, four in Bajura, three in Doti, two in Darchula and

one in Achham. Regional coordinator of the centre Tek Bahadur Balayar said most of the 22 projects damaged due to natural disaster had gone dysfunctional and even the remaining hydro projects had halted power generation.

According to Balayar, 80,036 households were benefiting from 1,332 KW generated from micro hydro projects in the far-west. He said that at present, micro projects were generating less than 300 KW. Balayar held that it would cost millions to repair and bring the closed projects into operation again.

Three days after Doti Gadseragadh Second Micro Hydro Project started generating electricity; floods washed away its canal and embankment. Floods also swept away Doti’s largest Sailigadh Micro Hydro Project. According to Doti District Energy Office, Sailigadh project was generating 60 KW. Constructed at a cost of Rs 7 crore, it has become difficult to even locate the project site after floods washed it away.

Gadserigadh Second Hydro Project had the capacity of generating 22 KW. The project was benefiting 200 households.

The 43 KW Brahmadev Micro Hydro Project and Darna Micro Hydro Project in Darchula were swept away.

Most micro hydro projects in the far-west were constructed by Rural Development Service Centre and Regional Renewable Energy Service Centre through Alternative Energy Promotion Centre. Engineer Pashupati Khatri at Energy Department in Bajhang DDC said that villages had turned into dark caves after the floods damaged the projects.

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