http://myrepublica.com/portal/news_rss.php MYREPUBLICA RSS en-us Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:54:09 NPT Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:54:09 NPT http://myrepublica.com INFO@MYREPUBLICA.COM nilesh_man@hotmail.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14962 KATHMANDU, Feb 9: Noted women activist-lawyer and Constituent Assembly Member Sapana Pradhan Malla is contesting as a candidate for the Expert Committee on monitoring elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW). Pradhan is the first Nepali lady to contest for the post on behalf of Nepal government. [break] There will be 12 vacancies in the committee, which altogether has 23 seats, due to conclusion of terms of the members in December 2010. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR-N) has already urged all the stakeholders to support Malla. The cabinet meeting few weeks ago approved Malla´s name and forwarded her candidacy for elections to the CEDAW committee. “It is a sincere effort on part of the government to participate in international treaty monitoring bodies and also an assurance that Nepal will adhere, uphold, respect and promote women´s rights in all processes of establishment and stabilization of democratic governance,” reads the OHCHR announcement paper. “I need encouraging lobbying from the government,” Pradhan, said. There are a total of 186 state parties to the convention on CEDAW. A quorum for any meeting of these state parties is constituted of 2/3 of the total number states. Election of members of the committee on the CEDAW is held by secret ballot. Nominees who obtain the largest number of votes and an absolute majority are elected to the committee. Malla has long been advocating for justice, equity and opportunities for women in the country. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14936 ROLPA, Feb 8: Most of the disqualified Maoist combatants say they don´t oppose the move to evict them from the cantonments, but oppose the tag of “disqualified” on them. “I fought in Myagdi, I fought in Khara. I even lost many of my colleagues who collapsed in the battlefields. Now I have been termed disqualified,” says Ramesh Karki of the fifth division at Dahaban cantonment in Rolpa. [break] Karki is one the 268 combatants who packed up and left the cantonment on Monday. Most of the combatants deplored the fact that they were disqualified despite their involvement in fierce battles with the security forces during the insurgency. “Suddenly we were given the list of disqualified personnel and I was one of them,” says Karki. UNMIN had disqualified the combatants who joined the Maoist People Liberation Army (PLA) after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement or were below 18 years during the time of verification. Many of them claim they were genuine combatants. “I fought for six years,” says Rupa Chaudhary of Dang. “My husband who also fought for seven years was also disqualified,” she says. Some combatants also threatened that the move to evict them would cost the country dear. “The hands that are accustomed to playing with weapons will not plough, rear pigs or work in poultry farms,” says Tek Bahadur Budathoki. He argues that the government and the UNMIN would be responsible for the possible consequences. Immediately after they shook hands with Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the disappointed combatants left the podium and threw away the garlands put on them by PLA chief Nanda Kishore Pun and Deputy Commander Chandra Prakash Khanal. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14925 KATHMANDU, Feb 8: Chief of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) Karin Landgren on Monday said recent developments toward building trust among parties have rekindled hopes that a good end to the peace process is within reach. "The constructive discussions and the efforts to rebuild trust over the last several weeks have introduced fresh hopes and optimism that a good end to the peace process is within reach," Landgren said while addressing a ceremony to mark the discharge of the last lot of disqualified combatants in Rolpa. [break] With the release of 268 disqualified combatants from the Rolpa, the month-long process of discharging the disqualified combatants concluded. The government, Maoists and the UNMIN have termed the conclusion of the discharge process as a step toward creating move positive environment for the peace process. "The successful conclusion of the discharge process will also prove a milestone toward the [proposed] integration and rehabilitation of the [verified] Maoist combatants," said Peace Minister Rakam Chemjong at a press conference in Kathmandu. According to Chemjong, altogether 2,394 disqualified -- minors and late recruits -- out of 4,008 took part in the formal discharge process while 1,614 such combatants had voluntarily left the cantonments before the process began on January 7. "It was a part of the peace process," Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said addressing the ceremony in Rolpa, asking the discharged combatants to support his party´s responsibility to complete the peace process and draft new constitution. Landgren said, "Today, the conclusion of the discharge process marks one step towards strengthening a more positive environment for the peace process, and to meeting the commitment of all parties to permanent peace in Nepal." In the meantime, representatives of the member states of the UN Security Council in Kathmandu also witnessed the discharge of the final group of disqualified combatants in Rolpa. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14924 KATHMANDU, Feb 8: Nepali Congress (NC) has objected to the Maoist decision to facilitate management of Maoist combatants only after the promulgation of a new constitution. A parliamentary party meeting of the NC on Monday concluded that the Maoist parliamentary party´s recent decision was against the past agreements. [break] Talking to media persons after the meeting, NC parliamentary party spokesperson Nabindra Raj Joshi said there was agreement to settle the issue of Maoist combatants within six months and promulgate new constitution within two years after the Maoists formally joined mainstream politics. “The [Maoist] decision has drawn our attention. We have concluded that the decision is against the already made agreement,” he said. The meeting maintained that the management of the combatants and their arms needs to be accomplished before the promulgation of new constitution. “Promulgation of new constitution should mean the end of all forms of violence in the country,” he added. The meeting dwelt on performance of NC ministers in the government. Majority PP members vented anger against the party´s ministers for failing to live up to the expectations of both the party and people. “We have asked our ministers to work effectively in the government,” Joshi said. The meeting also expressed concerns about prolonged load-shedding and urged Energy Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat not to hike electricity tariffs. Madhesi members in the parliamentary party criticized the party leadership for failing to make political appointments inclusive for the Madhesis. The meeting also criticized home minister for setting a bad precedent of taking security chiefs during his foreign visits. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14919 KATHMANDU, Feb 7: An emergency meeting of the cabinet on Monday constituted a five-member investigation committee to probe on Jamim Shah’s murder and gave green signal for the President to sign a couple of agreements with India during his visit. The cabinet also decided to conclude the budget session of the legislature parliament on Monday.[break] According to government spokesperson Shankar Pokharel, former justice Govinda Parajuli will led the investigation committee that will also have senior officials from Nepal Police, National Investigation Department and Office of Attorney General along with an expert. “The cabinet meeting also decided that President Dr Ram Baran Yadav will sign an agreement with India on construction of a polytechnic institute in Hetaula,” Pokharel, also minister of information and communication, said. Similarly, the government also decided to allow India to develop railways links in five border points – namely Jainagar-Bijulapur, Bijalapur-Bardibas, Jogbani-Biratnagar, Nautanhua-Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj Road-Nepalgunj. “The government decided to end the budget session of the legislature parliament on Monday,” Finance Minister Surendra Pandey said after the meeting. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14902 KATHMANDU, Feb 7: The last lot of the disqualified Maoist combatants is to be discharged from the cantonments in Rolpa on Monday, marking the conclusion of the month-long discharge process. Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Kathmandu-based ambassadors of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, Japanese envoy and UNMIN chief Karin Landgren are visiting Rolpa to attend the discharge function. [break] Sources said Dahal will fly to Rolpa by a chartered helicopter on Monday while the ambassadors will visit the district by an UNMIN helicopter. There are altogether 451 disqualified combatants in the Rolpa cantonments. Sources said around 275 are being discharged Monday while the remaining disqualified combatants have already left the cantonments voluntarily. The discharge of the disqualified, which is a part of the three-year old peace process, had begun on January 7 after two attempts to release them failed following non-cooperation by the Maoists. But a December 16 tripartite agreement between the government, Maoists and the UN Country Team brought the process onto the track. UNMIN, during its verification in December 2007, had declared 4,008 combatants -- minors and late recruits -- ineligible for integration with security forces. They were supposed to leave the cantonments immediately after the verification. Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction Bishnu Nepal said that around 40 percent of the disqualified did not attend the formal discharge process as they had already left the cantonments. "The combatants have expressed their dissatisfaction. There is a possibility that their dissatisfaction may manifest in any form. It is a big challenge," said Nepal, who is involved in the discharge process. The overall discharge process passed smoothly, except in the Surkhet cantonments where the disqualified combatants angry over the rehabilitation package offered broke chairs. The package includes formal education, vocational training and small business training among other things. As per the plan, the discharged will contact UN career counselors for the rehabilitation package. At the initial stage, the UN will have 12 such counselors, including 10 outside Kathmandu. The UN has established toll free phones for the convenience of the discharged combatants. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14899 ILAM, Feb 7: Constituent Assembly (CA) Chairman Subas Nembang and three ministers attended a wedding ceremony here at Banjho in Ilam district at government expenses. Nembang, Tourism Minister Sarat Singh Bhandari, Minister for Culture Dr Minendra Rijal and Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Rakam Chemjong landed at the eastern hill district in a Mountain Air helicopter to attend the wedding ceremony of one Laxminanda Lingden. [break] The helicopter was chartered for the purpose by an official of Civil Aviation Authority Nepal. Also other top officials and high-profile personalities from various quarters of society joined the wedding ceremony of Laxminanda, son of Kirant communities´ religious Guru Atmananda Seing. Wedding organizers said they had invited the ministers but not paid for the helicopter tariff. Mountain Air´s Ang Tendi Sherpa said a CAAN official guaranteed payment for the chartered flight. The cost for chartering helicopter to such a trip costs around Rs 350,000, according to officials. ­After staying for two hours in the function, they left for Maipokhari to have an air view of the touristy area. According to SSP Ravi Shrestha, who is also the Police Chief in Mechi Zone, a large number of security personnel were deployed for the security of the VIPs. Meanwhile, Nembang inaugurated a Kirant religious school. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14885 ITAHARI, Feb 7: Brigade vice commander at the first division of the Maoists´ People´s Liberation Army (PLA) Ramesh Khadka has defected to the Revolutionary Left Wing (RLW), a splinter group of the UCPN (Maoist), led by Mani Thapa. He declared his defection at a press meet in Itahari Sunday. Khadka will work for “the National Red Guard”, a youth wing of the RLW. At the press meet, Khadka claimed that many combatants of the first division at Chulachuli of Ilam are frustrated with the UCPN (Maoist) as the party leaders have “deviated from the revolutionary ideology and indulged in new found luxuries”. [break] Of the 600 disqualified combatants in the first division, 476 were discharged on January 25. Khadka said others had already left the cantonment, most of them opting for abroad employment. There are 1931 combatants in the first division. The combatants started defecting to the splinter groups especially after the discharge of disqualified combatants. RLW leaders claim that some 500 combatants, including the disqualified ones, have joined their party. RLW Eastern Division in-charge Anabarat claimed that an increasing number of Maoist combatants are defecting to his party. Some combatants have also joined the Maoist splinter group led by Matrika Yadav. “The combatants are currently joining our party. The party is collecting the data on their number,” said Yadav. However, PLA commander at Chulachuli Yam Prasad Adhikary refuted the news that the combatants, including the disqualified ones, are joining the splinter groups. “It is just a rumor. They have not joined any group,” he said. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14883 BHAKTAPUR, Feb 7: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala on Sunday claimed that the real number of Maoist combatants dies not exceed 5,000. Inaugurating the first annual general assembly of Nepal Printing and Press Trade Union Workers’ Union affiliated with Trade Union Congress (Independent), she said that the statements if Maoist leaders themselves were testimony that the PLA’s strength is in between 3,000 to 5,000. [break] She said Maoists managed to inflate their army due to different reasons and that only the real combatants will be integrated into different security organs and the rest will be given skill training. Saying that the UN has taken responsibility of discharging disqualified combatants and the task has been completed in all seven cantonments. Koirala said the constitution cannot be written and fresh elections cannot be held until before managing the Maoist combatants. She said the high-level political mechanism was formed to give a way out to the political deadlock and that the Maoists should cooperate with the mechanism. The deputy prime minister said the constitution cannot be written with old mentality and that the political leaders should mend their ways. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14882 KATHMANDU, Feb 7: Ending over five-month long controversy, Paramananda Jha re-took oath of the office of vice-president in Maithili and Nepali languages on Sunday. This has reactivated the post of vice president that was inactive since August 30, 2009. As President Dr Ram Baran Yadav administered oath of office and secrecy in Nepali amidst a special function held at Sheetal Niwas, Jha, who had donned national dress -- Daura, Surawal and black cap -- for the occasion repeated the oath simultaneously in both Nepali and his mother tongue Maithili. Officials said the Office of the Vice President had registered a letter at the President´s office on Saturday with a copy of the oath´s translation in Maithili. Jha signed both Nepali and Maithili copies of the oath after the swearing-in ceremony. Jha´s vice presidency had remained inactive after he refused to take fresh oath in Nepali as directed by the Supreme Court on July 24, 2009, by nullifying his earlier oath in Hindi on July 23, 2008, that had sparked a furor. The apex court had ordered Jha to take fresh oath in Nepali within seven days if he wanted to remain in the post. He, however, refused to heed the order after which the post of vice president had remained inactive. The oath controversy came to an uneasy end after the top parties agreed to amend the Interim Constitution for the seventh time to add a provision of oath-taking in mother-tongue. Legislature-Parliament endorsed the amendment on January 28. Jha will take charge as the acting head of the state when President Dr Yadav leaves for an official visit to India. President Yadav is scheduled to leave on a four-day official visit to India starting February 15 at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Pratibha Patil. Oath row: Timeline July 23, 2008: Paramananda Jha took oath in Hindi. July 24, 2009: The Supreme Court nullified the oath terming it unconstitutional. It ordered him to take fresh oath in Nepali language. August 30: Vice President Paramananda Jha did not attend the fresh oath-taking ceremony at the president´s office. September 4: The government stripped Jha of all state privileges. January 28, 2010: Legislature-Parliament endorsed the seventh amendment to the interim constitution, paving way for president and vice president to take oath of office in the mother tongue of their choice. February 7, 2010: Paramananda Jha re-takes oath in Maithili and Nepali languages. koshraj@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14858 KATHMANDU, Feb 7: The government violated constitutional provisions and clauses of the Treaty Act while acquiring membership of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it has been disclosed after nearly two years. The government not only failed to obtain parliamentary consent in this regard, it also refrained from taking mandatory suggestions from the Ministry of Law and Justice. [break] The government obtained IAEA membership in July 8, 2008. According to the Law and Justice Ministry, the government failed to meet mandatory legal procedures before acquiring the membership. The Ministry has already objected to the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) over the matter. The Interim Constitution and the Treaty Act 1990 contain provisions relating to acquiring of such membership. “The government has to take prior consent from parliament before getting membership from any international agency,” reads the constitutional provision. Clause 4 of the Treaty Act 1990 also says that the government is required to take prior consent from parliament. Additionally, the government also failed to publish a notice in the Nepal Gazette after acquiring the membership. “The government did not follow any of the provisions," a high-ranking official of the Law and Justice Ministry told myrepublica.com. He added, “This is a blatant violation of constitutional and legal provisions.” The Ministry has already warned OPMCM and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) about the ramifications. “It is a matter of serious concern how such a blunder happened. I have already talked to senior officials at MoFA,” a senior official at the Law and Justice Ministry said on condition of anonymity. The source said the Law Ministry will soon send a letter of objection over the decision. “Then Chief Secretary Bhoj Raj Ghimire is the prime culprit and he must be made answerable,” a source at OPMCM said. The then Girija Prasad Koirala-led government, under a proposal of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), applied for membership without following correct procedures. “Though I came late to this ministry, I am surprised to hear about this," said Science and Technology Secretary Ram Hari Aryal, adding, “I will immediately initiate necessary steps over the matter.” Secretary Aryal also informed that he has consulted legal officers at the Ministry to check whether the government met procedural requirements or not. The legal officers have replied to him that the government had indeed failed to abide by constitutional and legal provisions while acquiring IAEA membership. They also told Aryal the government did not publish a notice in the gazette and so they could not obtain any such notice. Law Ministry officials said that they came to know about the IAEA membership acquisition after they received a document concerning a project proposed by IAEA. IAEA has already conducted fact-finding research in Nepal and is preparing to launch atomic and cancer-related projects here. MoST, after consulting with IAEA, has already started work on the draft of a nuclear law. Interestingly, the government has already paid the required membership fee to IAEA. According to MoST, the government paid altogether 11,000 euros in 2008 and 2009 as membership charges. When asked about the consequences of fee payment and project activities by IAEA, Secretary Aryal said he is not in a position to comment immediately. “It is true that we have to take consent from parliament and follow constitutional and legal provisions to take membership of IAEA,” he admitted. He said, “I will immediately consult other stakeholders and decide soon.” IAEA was set up in 1957 within the United Nations framework. The Agency works with member states and multiple partners worldwide to promote safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technology. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14857 KATHMANDU, Feb 6: The ruling CPN-UML has formed an 11-member taskforce to formulate the party´s principles for incorporation in the new constitution. A party politburo meeting on Friday formed the taskforce with a view to resolve intra- and inter-party differences and to bring about uniformity in the party´s proposals on the statute-writing process. [break] The panel will also propose a federal model and number of provinces and suggest ways to resolve differences that have surfaced among the political parties while preparing the preliminary draft reports. Senior party leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari, who served as a member of constitution drafting committee in 1990, heads the taskforce. UML Vice-Chairmen Bamdev Gautam and Ashok Rai, General Secretary Ishwar Pokharel and Secretaries Bishnu Poudel and Shankar Pokharel are members of the body. Other members are Ram Chandra Jha, Prithvi Subba Gurung, Rajendra Pandey, Urmila Aryal and Prakash Jwala. The party has failed to project its official stance at the CA over a couple of issues. UML members in some of the thematic committees in the Constituent Assembly (CA) had stood divided. Five of the eight UML members in the CA Committee on System of Governance demanded cancellation of the vote they cast in favor of a parliament-elected executive prime minister. Likewise, party leaders spoke against the 14-province model passed by the CA Committee on State Restructuring and Distribution of State Powers even though all eight UML members in the 43-member committee, including party secretary Pokharel, had voted in favor of it. The UML members were divided on the provision for ensuring a preferential political right to the largest community in a given province. During deliberations in the full CA, UML members expressed views for and against the 14-province model. Likewise, they were divided in their views between directly-elected executive prime minister and parliament-elected prime minister. The taskforce will submit its report to the party´s forthcoming central committee meeting. After concluding deliberations on all 11 preliminary draft reports prepared by the thematic committees, the constitution writing process has entered the second stage. The Constitution Committee started work Friday to prepare a single draft report compiling all 11 preliminary drafts. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14855 BIRATNAGAR, Feb 6: Nepali Congress (NC) Vice President Prakash Man Singh on Saturday said there is growing dissatisfaction within the party at the current government. Addressing a function organized by Nepal Press Union, Morang, in Biratnagar, Singh said NC cadres to leaders in the center are not satisfied with the government as CPN-UML is unilaterally making key decisions including political appointments. [break] Singh, however, said the NC is not in favor of changing the guards at Singha Durbar at the moment despite dissatisfactions with the UML-led government. “Youth parliamentarians have raised the demand for a Nepali Congress-led government during parliamentary party meeting,” said Singh, who is deputy parliamentary leader of the NC. “However, changing the government now is not the priority of the Nepali Congress.” Singh complained that the government utterly failed to live up to the expectations of the people. “There is upper hand of UML in all appointments and nominations,” he said, adding: “Youth parliamentarians have been piling up pressure to change the government saying that ministers representing the party have failed to perform satisfactorily.” He, however, said that the NC is in favor of giving continuity to the current government as the party is focused on taking the ongoing peace process to a logical end, draft new constitution within the stipulated date and accomplish the management of the Maoist combatants. Singh also said the NC is currently busy in settling differences seen in various district committees to help conduct the party´s upcoming general convention smoothly. He said the differences seen in 26 district committees have been brought down to nine district committees now. He claimed that the party´s Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting to be held on Tuesday will resolve all the differences surfaced in the remaining districts. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14852 NEPALGUNJ, Feb 6: Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai said on Saturday that the new constitution would not be drafted without the Maoists joining the government. "Domestic and international reactionary forces are thinking that the new constitution would be drafted keeping the party having 40 percent votes in the parliament outside government. But the constitution would not be drafted at any cost that way," said Bhattarai while speaking at a press meet in Nepalgunj. [break] He also claimed that the peace process would not reach its logical conclusion if the Maoist party stayed outside the government. The Maoist vice chairman claimed that the country would slide into anarchy if the largest political party was isolated in the constitution making process.“The constitution formulated by those defeated in the election and indulged in corruption would not be acceptable to people," he said. The behavior exhibited by the ruling parties have slimmed the chances of constitution making.“They are instead arguing that the Maoists are hindering the constitution making process,” he argued. He warned that the Maoists would not keep silent under such circumstances. Dr Bhattarai also argued that the ruling parties are hatching a conspiracy not to promulgate the new constitution on May 28 and impose a military rule instead. He also said the Maoists are for taking the constitution writing and integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants side by side. He also pointed out the need for giving military training to all Nepalis. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14846 DANG, Feb 6: Nepali Congress central committee member Khum Bahadur Khadka on Saturday said he would file his nomination to the post of party president in the general convention. He said he undertook the current countrywide tour in order to understand views of party cadres. [break] Speaking to reporters in Dang, Khadka said, claimed that the party cadres have urged him to be the party president. “I haven´t declared whether I want to be the president or general secretary, but everybody wants to reach the top and I too want that.” Khadka opined that in case the Maoists don´t abide by the spirit of the 12-point agreement, his party should form ´youth squads´. He added that a proposal in this regard would be taken to the party´s central meeting. “YCL and Youth Force beat up our cadres. How can we keep quiet?” Khadka questioned. He said that such a squad is needed to “save” the party. In another context, Khadka said the federal model drawn along ethnic lines would disintegrate the country. “That is why we proposed federalism on basis of geography and distribution of natural resources." He added that some NC leaders themselves were against the party proposal and took to Maoist federal model. “Some friends supported Maoists, but the party never wanted to invite ethnic war,” Khadka emphasized. Stating that there is no alternative to the present government, Khadka said that the party would not withdraw its support to the present government just because one person wants so. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14840 KATHMANDU, Feb 6: Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) have announced their unification amidst a special function held in the capital, Saturday. The new party will be known as Rastriya Shakti Prajatantra Party. The two fringe parties in the Constituent Assembly (CA) have argued that their unification was guided by the need to safeguard ´national dignity´ and maintain ´political balance´ and ´stability´ in the country. The two parties with Panchayat backgrounds have maintained that nationality can be safeguarded only through broader unity between nationalist and democratic forces. [break] In their 11-point reason given for the unification, the two parties said dilly-dallying in the constitution-drafting process, growing interference in the independent judiciary and rule of law, the worsening economic crisis in the country and threats posed to an independent press had also necessitated their unification. While the RPP has a total of eight members in the 601-member CA, RJP has three members. The new party becomes the eighth largest party in the CA. Addressing a press conference organized in the capital, RJP Chairman Surya Bahadur Thapa and RPP Chairman Pashupati SJB Rana said the two parties decided to unite as they held similar ideology, principles and objectives. RJP Chairman Thapa said they agreed to unite as splits in political parties had led the country´s politics astray. "Our unity is not directed against anyone but is meant for strengthening the republic," he further said. The RJP splintered from the mother party RPP on March 13, 2005 when Thapa himself was prime minister. Later, a new party called Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal led by Kamal Thapa was born of a splinter from the RJP. The two leaders said negotiations are on to forge unity with RPP-Nepal also. The party leaders have agreed to form a Parties Unity Committee under Bishwa Bandhu Thapa to facilitate merger of the two parties at village level. The unification of the two parties will be effected through joint conventions at village level and then at regional, district and central levels. The two parties have also announced they will form a Joint Work Performance Committee at the central level to facilitate the day to day business of the party including in the CA until a joint national convention is held. The committee will comprise all top leaders of both parties. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14829 KATHMANDU, Feb 6: Breaking with the long-standing centralized bureaucratic structure, the Administration Restructuring Commission (ARC) has developed a concept paper proposing federal and provincial administrative structures for the country. According to an ARC report which is near completion, there will be branch offices of the Public Service Commission (PSC) in each provincial state to appoint government employees required for that state. [break] The government formed ARC two years ago under the chairmanship of the minister for general administration. “We are proposing to federalize the bureaucratic and administrative structure into a federal and provincial structure from a centralized system," said Mahendra Thapa, Member-Secretary of ARC, adding, “The concept paper was developed on the basis of ideas floated by the Constituent Assembly´s thematic committee on system of governance, and administrative experts including former chief secretaries and secretaries.” Public Service Commission branch offices to be set up in the provinces will be authorized to announce vacancies, take written tests and interviews and appoint civil servants for the respective provincial states. Separate PSC branches in provincial states One provincial state to have 8-10 ministries Central govt not to have more than 18 ministries “If a separate PSC branch office in each provincial state is inappropriate, two provinces can set up a single PSC branch as per their needs and interests,” Thapa added. The ARC concept report also proposes a separate cabinet system, the number of civil servants, number of government employees in the judiciary, numbers of officials in the Nepal Police and Armed Police Force and numbers of civil servants for local bodies in each province. Thapa, however, declined to divulge the exact numbers of government employees recommended for the above-mentioned government agencies. He also said that each provincial state would have a separate cabinet system. “We are preparing to propose 8-10 ministers for each provincial state," Thapa informed myrepublica.com, adding, “However, the exact number of ministers can be decided based on the size and need of the province following the delineation of all provinces.” According to him, each province will have no more than 8-10 ministries. “The total number of ministries at the central level government won´t exceed 17-18,” he divulged. Thapa said that they proposed the total number of ministries in the central government on the basis of the recommendations of various commissions in the past. The concept report also says that there will be a General Administration Ministry branch office in each provincial government. The office will have responsibility for managerial tasks like transfers, promotions and keeping records on all government officials. Thapa said that detail provisions for the administrative federal structure will be finalized shortly. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14824 KATHMANDU, Feb 5: After concluding deliberations on all the 11 preliminary draft reports prepared by thematic committees, the Constitutional Committee (CC) in the CA has begun preparing the first draft of the constitution. This marks the second phase of constitution making process. A meeting of the CC on Friday discussed the preliminary draft report and concept paper prepared by the CA Committee on Natural Resources, Financial Rights and Public revenue sharing (NRFRRS). [break] The CA full House had passed the preliminary draft report and forwarded it along with feedbacks and directives to the CC on Thursday. Apart from preparing the preliminary draft report, the 63-member CC is also entrusted with preparing an integrated draft compiling all the 11 preliminary draft reports. “We held our first meeting in connection with preparing the integrated report today [Friday]. In the meeting, we first distributed copies to the members and discussed the way forward,” CC Chairman Nilambar Acharya told myrepublica.com. The CA opted to forward the preliminary draft report prepared by the Committee on NRFRRS to the CC as there were very few provisions that the political parties found contentious. The CA is yet to forward other 10 preliminary draft reports to the CC. The CA has allocated one-month to prepare the first draft. UCPN (Maoist) Vice-Chairmen Dr Baburam Bhattarai, Narayankaji Shrestha, Nepali Congress (NC) Vice-President Prakashman Singh and General Secretary Bimalendra Nidhi were among the senior leaders present in the meeting. NC President Girija Prasad Koirala, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, among other top leaders, are members of the committee. Acharya earlier urged all top leaders for their regular presence in the committee meeting. A member present at Friday´s meeting preferring anonymity said that it seemed that the work of making the integrated draft wouldn´t gather momentum until all the reports are collected. After preparing the first draft, it will be forwarded to the CA full House for further deliberations. Besides holding several rounds of discussions in and outside the House, the CA members will also visit their districts and constituencies to get feedbacks on the draft. The report will also incorporate public feedback and would again be discussed in the House. Finally all the provisions shall be ratified by two-thirds majority of the 601-member House. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14815 KATHMANDU, Feb 5: The government has decided to hold public debates in various parts of the country on whether to adopt the recommendation of the Festival Reforms National Task Force (FRNTF) to shorten the Nepali Bikram Calendar by a month. 2066 BS to have 11 months only Ministry of Culture has arrived at the decision in view of protests from various quarters against the government´s preparation last year to make 2066 BS an 11-month year. [break] The FRNTF formed by the erstwhile Maoist-led government last year had recommended the change in the calendar arguing that precession of the equinoxes had moved the seasons 24 days backwards. Astrologers maintain that at least one day goes backward in every 70 years in terms of tithis i.e. religious dates. Since the current Bikram Sambat that was started by Indian Emperor Vikramaditya who lived 102 BC to 15 AD has not been adjusted so far, the dates (tithis) of religious festivals have been pushed back by 24 days. Bikram Sambat is 56.7 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar. Its first month is Baisakh (mid-April). Secretary at the Ministry of Culture Moda Raj Dotel said since the ministry has found the recommendation logical , it has decided to initiate public debates in that regard in various parts of the country. “We have decided to hold public discussions to make people aware about the rationale behind the recommendation,” he said. Secretary Dotel said they plan to hold such discussions in over 25 places across the country after the start of the new Nepali year in April, 2010. Hari Narayan Malla, who headed the FRNTF, argued that the discrepancy in the longest and shortest day according to Gregorian and Bikram Calendar has necessitated reform in our calendar. While 21st December and 22nd June is considered the shortest and longest day, respectively, in Gregorian Calendar Bikram calendar takes Shrawan Sankranti (normally July 16) as the longest day and Makar Sankranti (normally January 15) as the shortest day. “We suggested that a year be shortened by a month as current date is one month ahead in terms of tithis i.e. religious dates,” Malla said, adding, “The reform in Bikram calendar is a must as religious festivals that fall on the exact date according to our astrological science could bear positive result on us.” Officials at the culture ministry said timely reform in the calendar is a must. The government of India had also reformed its calendar in 1957. The government´s decision to implement the recommendation of FRNTF has also been lauded by Asian Astrologers´ Congress in Dhaka, saying that this would open the door for other Asian countries to correct oriental calendar to suit the appropriate seasonal changes. koshraj@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14796 KATHMANDU, Feb 5: A high-level government team including two ministers and attorney general on Thursday apprised President Ram Baran Yadav of preparations for the oath of Paramananda Jha, whose vice presidency has remained inactive after he refused to take oath in Nepali as directed by the Supreme Court (SC). “We informed President Yadav about the constitutional and legal grounds for administering the oath to suspended Vice President Jha," Minister for Law and Justice Prem Bahadur Singh said, adding, “We also requested the President to make necessary preparations at his end to administer the oath to Jha as per the government´s decision.” [break] A source said the government is sending a letter on Friday in Jha´s name to attend the oath taking ceremony. The Office of Prime Minister remained busy the whole day on Thursday to fix a date for the oath taking ceremony. Prime Minister Madhav Nepal´s aide indicated that preparations are underway to administer the oath to Jha on Sunday. Jha has already been informed about the letter. “He will decide everything only after getting a formal letter from the cabinet,” Jha´s eldest son Krishna Jha told myrepublica.com. Senior Jha, however, denied comments. The SC had nullified Jha´s oath in Hindi on July 23, 2009, terming it unconstitutional and later directed him to take oath in Nepalui if he wanted to continue in the post. According to a source, the PM´s office is also sending a letter to President Yadav regarding the date for the oath taking ceremony. After that, the President´s Office will initiate necessary steps for the ceremony likely to be held on Sunday. “Do everything without dragging our institution into controversy,” President Yadav had told the team that met him Thursday. Jha´s lawyer Mithilesh Kumar Singh told myrepublica.com that Jha would take the oath in Maithili. “He will never take the oath in Nepali," he added. “But he will sign the text of the oath in Nepali.” Minister Singh said they were also instructed by the President to arrange the oath taking ceremony in coordination with the Office of teh Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and the President´ Office. Singh, Minister for CA Affairs Minendra Rijal, Attorney General Bharat Bahadur Karki and Secretaries Trilochan Uprety and Madhav Paudel had reached the President´s Office. The government recently amended the Interim Constitution for the seventh time to allow even the President and Vice President to take oath in their mother tongues. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14792 KATHMANDU, Feb 4: The ruling Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) has for the second time withdrawn its official proposal for state restructuring that it earlier had registered in the Constituent Assembly (CA). UML Secretary Bishnu Poudel, a senior party leader in the CA, said the party hasn´t registered any state restructuring model in the CA. [break] “I want to inform this meeting that the CPN-UML hasn´t officially registered any concept of the party in this CA committee regarding state restructuring,” Poudel said while addressing deliberations on the preliminary draft report and concept paper prepared by the CA State Restructuring Committee on Thursday. The committee has forwarded a 14-province model for state restructuring to the CA full House for deliberations. Poudel took exception to the idea of delineating the country into 14 provinces saying that the number was too many and not viable. He also objected to the idea of naming states along ethnic lines. Poudel instead proposed formation of a commission of experts for delineation of states. The party had submitted a concept paper and model of federal system to the CA committee in November. It proposed the committee to delineate the country into 15 provinces. Also in a parliamentary party meeting on Saturday, the UML Chairman had instructed the party´s CA members to speak in favor of forming a high-level commission on state restructuring. But all the seven members representing UML in the restructuring committee had voted in favor of the 14-province model. Kirati´s remarks objectionable: Ghimire Nepali Congress (NC) Chief Whip Laxman Ghimire took strong exception to Maoist leader Gopal Kiranti´s statement during deliberations in CA on Monday. Former Minister Kiranti had warned that the party would not only take action against those opposing the 14- province model on any pretext, but would also “reduce them to pulp”. Ghimire said such a statement was objectionable. He also reiterated the NC´s stance for forming a state restructuring commission. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14791 KATHMANDU, Feb 4: Former US President Jimmy Carter has urged political parties and Constituent Assembly members to redouble their efforts to produce a democratic, inclusive and broadly acceptable constitution by May 28. In a open letter to the people of Nepal on Thursday, the former US president said he was encouraged by recent efforts to promote dialogue among political leaders, including the High-level Political Mechanism. [break] "The May 28 deadline for the new constitution is rapidly approaching. I am glad to hear that the Constituent Assembly (CA) has made considerable progress and encourage Nepal´s political leaders and all CA members to redouble their efforts to produce a democratic, inclusive, and broadly acceptable constitution by the deadline," Carter said in the letter disseminated by Carter Center in Kathmandu. He also hoped that the political parties would soon reach a political resolution on the issue of integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants while complimenting the government for the plan of action on integration. Carter was in Nepal to monitor Constituent Assembly elections in April 2008. He further said that all sides should refrain from provocative comments and actions and should return to the principles of peace and democracy, justice, human rights, rule of law, and press freedom encapsulated in the guiding documents of Nepal´s historic peace process. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14768 KATHMANDU, Feb 4: Maoists have decided to launch a people´s revolt only if the constitution writing and peace process fall prey to conspiracy. The Maoist party reached a decision to this effect during the eight-day long standing committee meeting that ended Wednesday. “There is no dispute in the party that the people hold the right to revolt if conspiracy against the promulgation of a people´s constitution prevailed,” said Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, while briefing the media on the standing committee´s decisions. [break] The meeting decided to continue pushing for national independence, civilian supremacy, peace, new constitution and national unity government as the party´s working policy. Dahal said that there are no intra-party differences over the party´s strategic move, and the media reports that hardliners want preparation for an immediate revolt and moderates are for peace and constitution are totally false and part of the planned conspiracy against the Maoist party. “We have given continuity to the same old working policy and the party is unanimous on this,” he said. Dahal argued that the deadline for the promulgation of the new constitution could be extended if the political parties reach an agreement to this effect. “It is not that the sky will fall or the earth will collapse if the new constitution could not be promulgated on May 28. We can look for options,” he said. The Maoist chairman pinned hopes on the newly set up high level political mechanism to end the political deadlock and move ahead with consensus on completion of the peace process and constitution writing. He said the mechanism should address the Maoist demand concerning civilian supremacy, and a Maoist-led government could be formed to drive the peace process to its logical conclusion. He also refuted the reports that he has proposed the Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala for primiership. He argued that the party postponed the scheduled plenum for lack of internal preparedness. The plenum, scheduled for mid-February, was to decide on intra-party disputes over the main contradiction. While the current main contradiction has been set as internal, some party leaders in the last central committee meeting argued that foreign forces, mainly India, should be identified as the party´s main enemy in the changed political context. Maoists have also decided to push for the constitution writing and integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants side by side. The party has condemned the views that the new constitution should be promulgated only after the integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants. “The party has decided to draw the attention of all toward the fact that it would be more appropriate to proceed with the integration process only after the security and state restructuring polices are made clear in the new constitution,” said Maoist General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa. The party has also decided to launch nationwide mass mobilization campaigns from February 13 till April 6 to defeat “conspiracy against peace process and constitution writing”. The party will hold interactions, rallies and door-to-door campaigns to press for the promulgation of a pro-people constitution. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14752 KATHMANDU, Feb 4: US ambassador-nominee to Nepal Scott H DeLisi has said that he views Nepal´s Maoists as a mixed bag as they have changed their conduct since the insurgency time but have not renounced violence. "So we have got a mixed bag with the Maoists. We have to engage them, we have to talk to them as a key actor in the peace process," said the ambassador-nominee when Senator Jim Webb, during a confirmation hearing on Tuesday, asked him how he viewed the Maoists. [break] Replying to Senator Webb, who chaired the confirmation hearing before the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, the ambassador-nominee lauded the Maoists for changing their conduct since the insurgency time. A video of the confirmation hearing posted on the committee´s website showed DeLisi appreciating the Maoists for their engagement in the peace process and constitution drafting, their taking part in the High-Level Political Mechanism, calling off the obstruction of parliament and discharging disqualified combatants. But he was concerned over the Maoists for not renouncing violence and not fulfilling the conditions that the US has put forward for removing them from the State Department´s list of designated terrorists. "Nonetheless, some of the fundamental things we have asked them to remove them from the list have to be addressed. One of the fundamental things we have asked is fundamentally renounce the use of violence and terrorism as a political instrument. It seems a simple step but they have yet to do that," the recorded video showed DeLisi saying in reply to Senator Webb during the question and answer session of the hearing. US President Barack Obama nominated DeLisi as ambassador to Nepal in mid-November. The post has remained vacant since August when Nancy J. Powell returned to Washington to work as director-general at the Human Resources Department. DeLisi told the Senate Committee that he was concerned over what he decribed as the criminal activities of the Young Communist League (YCL). "We are also concerned because the Young Communist League, the youth wing [of the UCPN-M] continues to engage in acts of violence and criminal activities to support their political agenda. They have to renounce …," he said. At the outset of the hearing, he read out his testimony before the committee, outlining his priorities in Nepal if he were to be confirmed as envoy. He said he would encourage the political parties to successfully complete the peace process. He was particularly concerned over the culture of impunity in Nepal and said that he would work vigorously with Nepal´s political leaders to end the prevailing culture of impunity regarding human rights abuses. "If confirmed, I will press all of them [political parties, including Maoists, the army and police] to cooperate in a thorough and transparent investigation of human rights cases and will urge them to hold accountable those who committed abuses so that the nation can move forward on the path of reconciliation," he said. On US, India and China Senator Webb also asked the ambassador-nominee about how the US can use the strategic location of Nepal between China and India to serve the US interest. In response, the career diplomat termed Nepal´s geographical position between two big countries - India and China - as interesting. He then said, "… Nepal is a platform to engage China and India on some issues of regional concern. With India there are many cross-border issues. We would talk on them and look at these issues regionally. Certainly, when we look at China, there is the issue of Tibetan refugees. Those refugees are in Nepal and there is engagement as well." DeLisi is very familiar with South Asian affairs. In his career in the US Foreign Service, DeLisi has already worked in Mumbai, Islamabad and Colombo, besides having worked as Nepal desk officer in Washington. "So, if confirmed, working in South Asia will be something of a homecoming for Leija [his wife] and me," he said during the hearing attended by family members and parents. kiran@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14744 KATHMANDU, Feb 3: The UCPN(M) has decided to indefinitely postpone the party plenum slated for mid-February, and hold a national training session for party leaders instead. The ongoing Maoist Standing Committee has also decided to take completion of the peace process and constitution writing as the party´s current working policy. "The party has decided to focus on completion of the peace process and constitution writing as the main working policy," said Maoist Vice-Chairman Narayankaji Shrestha. [break] The Maoist party had called a party plenum to resolve a dispute over the party´s main enemy after party hardliners argued at the last central committee meeting that foreign forces, mainly India, should be identified as the main enemy. But the moderates had maintained that the party´s main contradiction is internal, not external, which is also the party´s current line. According to Shrestha, the dispute over the party´s main contradiction would be resolved later as this issue has taken a back seat in the present context. The party has decided to move ahead in unity with its working policy, and resolve other disputes through debate and discussion. The objective of the training session is to disseminate the decisions of the Standing Committee, said Maoist spokesperson Dinanath Sharma. "Struggle for peace and the constitution has come to the fore in the current political situation," he said, justifying the party decision to postpone the plenum. The national training session will begin from February 17. Representatives from the state committees, the party´s various fronts and central committee members will participate in the program. The Maoist party has also decided to launch protests from February 13 till April 6. The program is largely "publicity-oriented". The party will launch interaction programs, marches and a door-to-door campaign to mobilize the masses and defeat conspiracy against the peace process and constitution writing. The party has also taken the formation of the High-Level Political Mechanism as a positive development and decided to seek solutions through it. The hardliners had also pushed for a "people´s federal democratic constitution" and preparations for an immediate uprising, if need be, to achieve the party´s goal, but the party decided to opt for completion of the peace process and constitution writing. The Standing Committee has also changed the responsibilities of the party leaders. Party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal will brief media about the decisions on Thursday. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14743 KATHMANDU, Feb 3: The differences that surfaced over the party´s statute and political paper in the CPN-UML since the last eleven months has come to an end on Wednesday. The party´s statute was passed in the party´s politburo meeting after the establishment faction of the party gave in to the demand of the party´s standing committee member KP Sharma Oli to incorporate provision to allow the party chairman to nominate only five percent members in the central committee. [break] The meeting also approved the political paper presented by the party Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal. The relationship between the party chairman Khanal and standing committee member Oli had gone sour after the latter was defeated in the election to the post of party chairman held in the eighth general convention in Butwal. Differences between two senior leaders had widened after Chairman Khanal dissolved the party´s Kathmandu District Committee. Subsequently, the two leaders had formed parallel party committees in various districts across the country. Oli had filed a 19-page “purification proposal” in the party headquarters, arguing that the provision made by the Chairman Khanal to nominate at least 10 percent members on his discretion in the central committee was against the mandate of the party´s general convention held in Butwal. The party had earlier formed a committee under General Secretary Ishwar Pokharel to resolve the difference. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14734 KATHMANDU, Feb 3: Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai on Wednesday said that the proposed State Restructuring Commission has no relevance in the present context as the Constituent Assembly (CA) committee on state restructuring has already passed a map of 14 provinces. “The proposed commission cannot be above the CA committee. We don´t have any objection to setting up such a commission, but it doesn´t have any relevance, either,” said Dr Bhattarai at a function in the capital. The High Level Political Mechanism is mulling formation of such a commission. [break] Maoist Vice-Chairman Bhattarai claimed that supporters of a unitary state are making various excuses against turning the country into a federal one, and the proposal for a state restructuring commission is one of them. “We had also formed a state restructuring commission, but they did not let it take a full shape,” he said. The Maoist vice-chairman argued that such a commission would have advisory roles only and cannot overturn the decision of the CA committee. The Maoist vice-chairman also said that the basis of federalism in Nepal will be the liberation of ethnic and regional liberation. He argued that the Maoists proposed the federal model on the basis of “nationality”, not ethnicity. He, however, did not elaborate it further. Jointly pushed by Maoist and UML lawmakers, the CA committee on state restructuring has passed a federal map of 14 provinces, most of which are based on ethnicity. Other political parties, including the Nepali Congress, have opposed the ethnicity-based federalism. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14730 BIRATNAGAR, Feb 3: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Planning and Works Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar on Wednesday demanded dissolution of the High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM), alleging that the newly formed political body was conspiring to topple the current government. Talking to media persons after a tree plantation program in Biratnagar Bus Park, Gachchhadar, who is also the chairman of the Madhesi people´s Rights Forum (Democratic), alleged that the mechanism was nothing but a forum to conspire against the Madhav Kumar Nepal-led government. [break]  “The mechanism has been conspiring to topple the current government,” he said. “This should be dissolved right away.” Gachchhadar, who remained busy in various political and government functions in Morang and Sunsari districts in the past three days, made a flat allegation that the HLPM was formed to dissolve the government. “The Maoist web of toppling the government has already entered into the mechanism. This has no meaning. It should be immediately dissolved,” he further said. Stating that the Maoists were trying to dislodge the government through the mechanism, Gachchhadar said such an attempt of the Maoists would never succeed. He said that if the mechanism genuinely wanted to resolve the problems facing the country it should include prime minister and Madhes-based parties in it. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14711 WASHINGTON DC, Feb 3: The Obama Administration has proposed that no military aid be made available to Nepal unless the Secretary of State certifies that the Nepalese Army is co-operating fully with investigations related to violation of human rights by its officials. According to the Obama Administration´s budgetary proposals to the US Congress, funds appropriated under the ´Foreign Military Financing Program´ should be made available for Nepal if the US Secretary of State certifies that the Nepalese Army is cooperating fully with investigations of violations of internationally recognized human rights. [break] In order to give any military aid to Nepal, the Secretary of State will have to certify that Nepal Army is working constructively to redefine its mission and adjust its size accordingly. The Secretary of State also needs to certify that Nepalese Army is implementing reforms including strengthening the capacity of the civilian ministry of defense to improve budget transparency and accountability, and facilitating the integration of former rebel combatants into the security forces, consistent with the goals of reconciliation, peace and stability. However, these conditions would not be applicable to assistance to support the deployment of the army involved in humanitarian relief and reconstruction operations in Nepal, the budgetary proposals says. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14706 KATHMANDU, Feb 3: Bachchu Ram KC, a foreign ministry staff, has disclosed that he supplied fake passports to at least 30 foreigners, including five Afghan nationals, within a year. KC, a Nayab Subba (non-gazetted staff) at the ministry, who was arrested on January 21 for allegedly procuring fake Nepali passports to foreigners is learnt to have confessed his involvement in the passport racket. KC had joined the ministry in January, 2009. Two other cases of Nepali passports held by foreign nationals have surfaced within two weeks. [break] KC disclosed that he himself completed the entire process of counterfeiting Nepali passports for foreigners, taking advantage of his position as the record keeper at the passport section at the ministry. Kishor Shrestha, who is considered the “local man” for international Nepali passport racket, allegedly abetted KC in the racket. The 40-year-old from Taudaha in Kathmandu has stated in his latest statement to the District Attorney that he forged the signature of a section officer Surendra Thapa on all fake passports. An investigative team from Metropolitan Police Range Kathmandu studied the issuance log on Tuesday and started verifying the facts disclosed by KC. According to an investigative official, KC mentioned in his statement that Shrestha, who had been running ´Kishor & Kishor Consultancy´ for three years in front of Sheetal Niwas which housed the ministry till last year, could have colluded with other staff at the ministry before he joined. Shrestha, a resident of Syangja, is at large. KC said in his statement that he received Rs 15,000 for each passport. According to the police, ministry officials claimed that KC had cheated on them and also accepted that it was their mistake to fully trust him, sources said. Police said the real story would unravel after arresting Shrestha, who might have worked for one Bikram in New Delhi, India, from whom five Afghans as told to Malaysian prosecutors bought Nepali passports for 5000 US dollars each. The Afghan nationals were deported from Jakarta, Indonesia, on January 15 after they were found to be carrying Nepali passports. They have been held by Malaysian Immigration since. They had boarded a flight from Chennai in India on January 3 to Kuala Lumpur and then to Jakarta. Meanwhile, the police have started interrogating two Bangladeshi nationals -- Imam Ali and Kamron Ismal -- who were arrested on January 31 by the immigration at Tribhuvan International Airport with Nepali passports. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14704 KATHMANDU, Feb 3: The Special Committee on Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of Maoist combatants has narrowed down differences over basic policies relating to management of the ex-rebels´ army but it is still struggling to reach a consensus on some key issues. Members of the special committee say the top leadership of the parties will have to take up these issues to reach a final agreement on integration and rehabilitation of 19,602 combatants verified by UNMIN (United Nations Mission in Nepal). [break] There are three key issues that need to be settled for beginning the much-awaited process of integration and rehabilitation. These include: a) number of combatants to be integrated in the national security forces, b) standards required to be met by combatants aspiring to be integrated, and c) the ranks at which the combatants are to be absorbed in the security forces. How quickly top leaders of the main political parties address these issues will determine whether the peace process is completed by May 15. First, the policies on integration that the committee is supposed to finalize on Wednesday will not be in place for implementation until the number of to-be-integrated combatants is determined. Though the High-Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) is supposed to determine the number of combatants to be absorbed in a particular national security agency, the mechanism is yet to take up the issue, according to minister and committee member Dr Minendra Rijal. Sources said that the Maoists have been pressing the prime minister that the number of to-be-integrated combatants should be determined before starting the process of integration and rehabilitation. But the prime minister has maintained that the process should commence even if the number is not fixed before hand, given the limited time left for completing the peace process [by May 15]. "The number should be determined first," Barsha Man Pun, Maoist representative on the committee, told myrepublica.com. If the Maoists continue to stick to this demand, the special committee will have to wait till the HLPM takes a decision on the number of combatants for integration to begin the integration process, even after finalizing the policies on integration. Secondly, the Maoist party and non-Maoist parties are sharply divided over the issue of setting integration standards for the combatants. The provision in the Agreement on Monitoring of the Management of Arms and Armies (AMMAA) in regard to standard norms to be met by would-be-integrated combatants is subject to interpretation and both sides have tried to define it in their own respective favor. Non-Maoist party representatives on the committee said that the standard norms mentioned in AMMAA refer to set criteria to be met to join a particular security agency. "Those who want to be integrated in the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force should meet the standard norms of the respective security agency," said Rijal. But Pun said that his party wants the issue of standard norms settled by the HLPM, something other members have rejected. Lastly, there is also a difference in regard to the ranks at which the combatants are to be integrated. Sources said the Maoists have demanded that the ranks at which the combatants are to be integrated should be determined before starting the process of managing the ex-rebel army. The Maoists have argued at the meeting that the number of combatants to be integrated at a particular rank in a particular security agency should be determined before the process begins. They also want the HLPM, not the special committee, to take a decision in this regard. But the non-Maoist members told myrepublica.com that the ranks should not be determined before the process begins. They fear that the combatants may not meet the criteria for integration in higher positions in the national security agencies and the Maoists may want to see their combatants integrated at the determined ranks even if they do not meet required standards. "It is urgent that the political leaders reach a consensus on these issues as early as possible to see the peace process completed by May 15," said Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Rakam Chemjong. kiran@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14707 KATHMANDU, Feb 2: Maoist Vice-Chairman Dr. Baburam Bhattarai and other Maoist Constituent Assembly (CA) members have defended the 14-province federal model proposed in the CA while members from the Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and other parties criticized it. The Maoists claimed that the model that was prepared largely on the basis of the identity of various ethnic communities was appropriate for addressing the age-old discriminatory system in the country. [break] But CA members from other parties argued that the number of provinces was too many and carving out provinces along ethnic lines would invite ethnic conflict and mistrust among different linguistic, cultural, ethnic and geographical groups. Bhattarai said despite various faults, the basic concept adopted while preparing the 14-province model is objective and is the proper way. Responding to those who were saying that the Maoist party was deviating from the communist path as it advocated an ethnic-based federal model, Bhattarai argued that states based on various nationalities was essential because exploitation in Nepal was both class-based as well as ethnic. "Our objective is to eliminate all sorts of discrimination and exploitation. For that we need to simultaneously engage in a class-based struggle and create states based on various nationalities," he said while speaking at the CA deliberations on preliminary drafts prepared by the State Restructuring Committee. Bhattarai said that there were many technical matters in the proposed model that needed correction. "Some matters including the borders of the states need to be corrected. We may go for a referendum if need be to settle any disputes," he said. He said there was a misconception that the Maoists were promoting ethnicity while adopting federalism. "We are for taking as the basis of identity not just ethnicity but nationalities also. Nationality is a common identity formed of communities with a common language, geography, economy and mindset," he said. He said ´nation-states´ are needed even for promoting a market-based economy as happened in Europe. He suggested giving priority to the economic and geographic prosperity of particular nationalities rather than being preoccupied with cultural aspects like costumes and other ethnic activities. He said 14 provinces can be sustainable once the people living there own the transformation. Bhattarai termed the division of the Tarai region into two provinces as a right decision. He also backed the provision ensuring political preferential rights to the largest community in a given province. Bimalendra Nidhi and Ramesh Lekhak of NC and Lal Babu Pundit and Yam Lal Kandel of CPN-UML, however, suggested reducing the number of states. They also said that there was no possibility of creating a single province in the entire Tarai region. They said two provinces in the Tarai region were appropriate. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14688 KATHMANDU, Jan 31: After six days of heated debates, the UCPN (Maoist) has decided to take completion of peace process and constitution writing as the party´s main strategic move -- not an immediate revolt to seize state power as pushed by the party hardliners. “We have decided to go for the completion of peace process and constitution writing. It is a historic decision. The leadership will move ahead in unity to achieve these goals,” said a Standing Committee member after the meeting on Sunday. [break] Responding to the issues raised by the Standing Committee members, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday stressed the need for completion of the peace process and constitution writing and move ahead accordingly. Expressing concerns over the leaking of information about party´s internal conflicts in the media, Dahal also called for intra-party unity. “From today´s meeting, the party leadership will move ahead in unity,” Maoist spokesperson Dinanath Sharma told media-persons after the meeting. Top party officials will meet again on Monday to take decisions on a range of other issues, and Dahal will brief the media about them on Tuesday. Sharp differences had surfaced in the party over the party´s next strategic move and direction. The party´s hardliners led by senior vice-Chairman Mohan Baidya pitched for declaring India the main enemy and going for an immediate revolt. Baidya also called for delay in the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants to help start preparations for a revolt. Another vice-chairman, Dr Baburam Bhattarai, backed by some of the party´s influential leaders, had, however, staunchly pushed for writing the constitution and completion of the peace process. Bhattarai was of the opinion that if foreign forces and political parties conspired against the peace process and constitution writing, it would justify a people´s revolt and the party would gain mass support for that. Maoist plenum slated for mid-February will identify the party´s main enemy. Maoists have so far maintained that the party´s main contradiction is internal -- that is with domestic feudal and anti-revolutionary elements. But the party hardliners, including Chairman Dahal, argued in the last central committee meeting that foreign forces, particularly India, should be declared the main enemy in the changed political situations. However other leaders, including Dr Bhattarai, have argued against it saying such a move would undermine the party´s programs and policies at home. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14682 KATHMANDU, Jan 31: Nepali Congress has strongly criticized the 14 states model proposed by the CA Committee on State Restructuring and Distribution of State Powers. Senior NC leaders have termed the Maoist-backed 14 states model as unacceptable. [break] NC Parliamentary Party leader Ram Chandra Poudel claimed that the model was based on very weak foundation and is philosophically wrong. "From the way the federal model has been proposed in the name of majority of the committee, it is clear that there is the intention to impose dictatorship. It is a rape of the democratic system. It is a conspiracy against federalism," Poudel said during deliberations on the 14 states model at the CA on Sunday. The 14 states model was passed by a simple majority of the 43-member committee that was entrusted with delineating, naming and fixing the number of provinces. All the NC members in the committee had stood against the model. They were for forwarding a six states model along with the 14 states to the CA plenum. From the way the federal model has been proposed in the name of majority of the committee, it is clear that there is the intention to impose dictatorship. It is a rape of the democratic system... -- Ram Chandra Poudel Poudel claimed that majority of the people in the country would not accept the model as that does not intend to uplift the real downtrodden dalit communities and minorities. He said the model is the outcome of the "wrong propaganda and commitment made by the UCPN (Maoist) in the past". He said states should be created incorporating mixed identity of various castes, communities and religious as well as linguistic groups. "We need to create multilingual, multicultural and multi-religious provinces while ensuring that all the states would be economically sustainable," he said. Poudel, who strongly advocated for forming a state restructuring commission, also criticized the proposed provision of giving political preferential rights to the largest community in the provinces. Most of the NC and CPN-UML members participating in the deliberations supported the idea of forming a commission for the purpose. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14671 KATHMANDU, Jan 31: The Special Committee on Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of Maoist combatants on Sunday finalized a nine-member mechanism to bring the ex-rebel party´s army under its control. The mechanism, once it becomes functional, will cut the link of 19,602 combatants with the Maoist party through its command, control and direction. These combatants are currently under the command and control of the UCPN-Maoist. [break] "The committee will take a decision on establishing a secretariat on Wednesday. The nine-member mechanism will be in place once the secretariat is set up," Peace Minister Rakam Chemjong, who is an invitee member of the committee, told myrepublica.com. Bringing the combatants under the special committee´s control through the mechanism will mark a significant step toward beginning the Herculean task of integrating and rehabilitating the Maoist combatants to conclude the peace process by May 15. The overdue management of the combatants is at the center of the peace process that began on November 21, 2006. The task has been regarded as the thorniest task of the process. According a source, the committee will carry out the proposed integration and rehabilitation of the combatants will be carried out through this mechanism. The technical committee headed by former Lieutenant General Bala Nanda Sharma will provide needed policy input to the mechanism, which will be authorized to mobilize as many teams as needed in cantonments to complete the proposed integration and rehabilitation. Mechanism to carry out integration, rehabilitation tasks Army, police, armed police and PLA to represent it Differences persist over coordinator of the mechanism "The same mechanism will enforce the code of conduct prepared for the combatants and oversee their implementation in cantonments," another committee member added. The codes finalized by the special committee prohibit political activities by the combatants, use of picture of communist leaders and singing of communist songs, among others. Maoist representative in the committee Barsha Man Pun said the mechanism will comprise representatives each from Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and the People´s Liberation Army, besides having four experts and a coordinator. Sources said the committee could not name the coordinator of the mechanism due to differences between the Maoist representatives and non-Maoist representatives. Maoist representatives wanted PLA commander Nanda Kishor Pun as its coordinator, sources said. But the non-Maoist representatives were of the opinion that either a former defense secretary or an independent defense expert should lead the mechanism. Committee´s spokesperson and Chief Secretary Madhav Prasad Ghimire said next meeting of the committee scheduled for Wednesday will discuss on the name of the person to lead the mechanism. Nepali Congress representative in the committee Dr Ram Sharan Mahat said the Wednesday meeting will give final touches to the plan of action on integration and rehabilitation of the combatants. kiran@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14660 KATHMANDU, Jan 31: Emerging facts suggest that 250 blank Nepali passports that were stolen from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2007 are being used by international passport and visa racketeers. One of the stolen passports has been found with a German visa sticker that was stolen from the immigration office at Karlsruhe, Germany in August 2008, suggesting that the same international racket might have a hand in stealing blank passports in Nepal and visa stickers in Germany. [break] "This is becoming evident following two recent incidents in Nepal and India," police sources said. Last Thursday, police arrested one Hari Ram Pokharel in Kathmandu while he was returning from the German embassy at Gyaneshwar, where he had gone to get his German visa translated. "He was carrying a stolen Nepali passport with a stolen German visa," said the source. The passport is in the name of Suman Niroula but the photo in it has an Indian-looking face, according to the source. According to details about the arrest, Pokharel visited the German embassy seeking help in translating the content of the German visa. Experience Travel Agency at Thamel, Kathmandu had asked for a translation of the German visa in English before issuing any air ticket. "Embassy officials were perplexed to discover that the passport carried a German visa sticker stolen from the immigration office in Germany," said the police source. The German embassy informed police, leading to Pokharel´s arrest. Pokharel told German embassy officials that the passport belongs to a friend of his brother. The racketeers seem to have used stolen Nepali passports and fake German visa stickers in India also. Indian immigration last week stopped two individuals from flying to Europe after they were found carrying stolen passports with German visa stickers. "The passport holders were Indian citizens and were not arrested," said a knowledgeable source at the Department of Immigration on condition of anonymity. The German embassy in Kathmandu has notified Interpol, German Border Security, Nepal police and the Department of Immigration about the possible use of stolen German visa stickers. "Yes, we have received a note from the German embassy in this regard" said DSP Sushil Bhandari, who works at the Nepal police Interpol section. In a mysterious incident, 250 blank passports were stolen from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in June 2007, with the door and lock of the safe room in which passports were stored left intact. Though the ministry launched an investigation into the lost passports there was no concrete finding. The passports were, however, declared null and void. After the incident, foreign embassies in Kathmandu were promptly informed and given the numbers of the lost passports. kiran@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14659 KATHMANDU, Jan 31: Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal will address the issues raised by party leaders during the Standing Committee meeting on Sunday. The party will also decide the nature of protest to be launched in the days ahead. “The process of putting forward views by the leaders is over on Saturday. We will reach some conclusion after the chairman´s speech on Sunday,” said Maoist spokesperson Dinanath Sharma. [break] Sharp differences surfaced during the meeting over the party´s strategic move and direction. The so-called hardliners led by senior vice-chairman Mohan Baidya have argued that the party should declare India as the main enemy and launch an immediate revolt. Baidya said that the integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants should also be delayed as the party would need them for such a revolt. But another vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai, backed by some influential leaders, argued that the party should focus on constitution writing and peace process. According to sources, Dr Bhattarai was of the opinion that the party should launch a revolt only if the constitution writing and peace process were thwarted. “Then we will have mass support for a revolt and we will succeed,” Dr Bhattarai had told the committee on Tuesday. He has also declared India as the party´s main enemy. Dahal´s position is still unclear. According to sources, Baidya has been mainly backed by Dev Gurung and CP Gajurel. Similarly, Bhattarai has been mainly backed by Barsha Man Pun, Dinanath Sharma and Lila Mani Pokharel. Party general secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa and few others have taken a neutral position. According to sources, party leader Netra Bikram Chand, known as an outspoken hardliner, also spoke in favor of constitution writing and peace process. All the unresolved issues will be taken to the Maoist plenum slated for mid-February. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14658 KATHMANDU, Jan 31: In a bid to improve service delivery, the government is mulling over plan to install Close Circuit Television (CCTV) and Video Conferencing technology in the offices of government secretaries. Govt to install CCTV in offices According to officials, the Ministry of Home Affairs under the request of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) is currently chalking out such a plan. [break] “Yes there have been discussions in this regard,” said Spokesperson for the OPMCM Sharada Prasad Trital. “However, we are in the initial phase and are still studying the long-term impact of the use of such technology.” The CCTV would help monitor regular activities of all the secretaries. The CCTV and video conferencing would be a step ahead in making senior officials more accountable to the public, an official said, adding “This would also mean that no service seeker would have to waste unnecessary time, effort and money to get works done.” OPMCM officials said that the video conferencing will help reduce time that is often wasted while holding meetings between chief secretary and other secretaries. “That will also help take quick decision on any matter,” said the official. OPMCM and National Vigilance Center (NVC) have already begun joint efforts to install CCTV in government offices, including Land Revenue, District Administration, Survey, Transport Management and Land Reforms, among others. “The CCTV will help curb irregularities in government offices,” said another source. However, some administrative experts have raised the issue of the right to privacy of officials. “Wouldn´t CCTV infringe on the right to privacy of officials?” a retired government secretary questioned. “The OPMCM should also think over the issue from that perspective before expediting the plan.” http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14656 KATHMANDU, Jan 31: Top leaders of the major political parties have given strong indication that the new constitution might be promulgated even prior to finalizing issues of federalism. Just four months away from the deadline to promulgate the new constitution, the big three -UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML -- have initiated discussions about forming a State Restructuring Commission to suggest a federal model, carving out provinces, and fixing the number and names of the federal units. This suggests that the parties are inclined to defer the task of delineating and demarcating the federal units till after promulgation of the new constitution. [break] "As state restructuring is a task of a very important and grave nature, we are for resolving this issue by forming a state restructuring commission," UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal told reporters while emerging from the UML parliamentary party meeting. Moreover, he is for giving sufficient time for the restructuring work even after forming a commission. "The commission will resolve the issues that it can resolve. If it fails to settle any of the contentious issues, we can still promulgate the constitution on time by putting in a provision that would allow the newly-elected government to accomplish the unresolved work of state restructuring by formulating necessary laws," he further clarified. He said there is no way the issue can be dealt with in haste. The NC is the party that pressed the other political parties for formation of the sate restructuring commission. The largest party UCPN (Maoist) has not spoken against the idea so far. The heads of the three major parties held discussions on this issue at a meeting of the High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) Friday. Leaders in the HLPM also agreed to take the final decision at the next meeting of the mechanism scheduled for Monday. After the Friday meeting, Maoist Vice-Chairman Narayankaji Shrestha said further discussions were needed before taking any decision over the matter. According to sources, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal also had indicated a similar way out during a meeting with foreign diplomats. "In case of the deadline being missed, one alternative may be to go ahead and promulgate a partial constitution that mentions a specific deadline for settling the contentious issues," the source quoted Dahal as saying at the meeting in Kathmandu with envoys of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. UML members against special right Meanwhile, UML Constituent Assembly (CA) members have raised a strong voice against the decision of the CA Committee on State Restructuring and Distribution of State Powers to ensure a political preferential right to members of the community with the largest population in comparison to other communities in a given province. The provision suggested by the committee means that members of the largest community in the province will be given special preference for important posts like chief minister of the province, for two terms. The other communities will be deprived of this right and will not be allowed into such posts even through free competition. Most CA members at the UML parliamentary party meeting stood against this provision. "This is against democratic principles and even against the theory of natural justice," said CA member Ravindra Adhikari. The UML is also for debating not only the 14-province model but other models as well. The CA committee on state restructuring in its preliminary draft report recently suggested a 14-province model for deliberation by the CA full house. The model was passed by a simple majority of the 43-member committee while another model prepared by the same committee was defeated in the voting. "We need to hold further discussions on the 14-province and six-province models and even other models. And finally we have to come up with a model suitable to the ground reality of our country," Khanal said. According to a member, most UML members at the parliamentary party meeting were against any federal model based on ethnicity and against giving preferential rights to a particular ethnic group. All the seven UML members in the CA committee had voted in favor of the 14-province model while they were divided on the issue of ensuring political preferential right. thira@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14652 KATHMANDU, Jan 30: UCPN (Maoist) spokesperson Dinanath Sharma has said his party has "no policy" against any ongoing mega hydropower project in the country. India takes up GMR with Maoist brass Referring to the dispute at the Upper Karnali Hydropower Project, Sharma said, "The problems have arisen from local level and it is natural for the people to seek their rights.” He added, "We are now in the process of writing a new constitution, which will guarantee the people´s rights over natural resources." [break] The Maoists some five days back threatened the GMR-ITD Consortium, which is currently preparing a detailed project report (DPR) of the Upper Karnali, to stop work immediately. Maoist politburo member Khadka Bahadur Bishwakarma had given January 30 deadline for halting all work. Also speaking with myrepublica.com on Saturday, senior Maoist leader CP Gajurel said the ongoing standing committee meeting of his party has "not raised" the Upper Karnali issue. "No discussion has taken place over the matter," he said. Indian ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood had on Friday said the Maoist leaders had assured him that the standing committee will take a decision on the matter. The Indian government and GMR have taken the issue with the government and the Maoist top brass. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14645 KATHMANDU, Jan 30: Madhesi parties have said that the constitutional grounds and terms of reference (ToR) of the High-Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) should be made clear before their induction into the body. The Madhesi parties also urged UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML to ensure their representation in the HLPM at the earliest if the big three parties are genuinely working to resolve problems facing the country. [break] “Madhes has been bypassed while forming the High-level Political Mechanism,” Madhesi People´s Rights Forum Chairman Upendra Yadav told myrepublica.com. “How can the body resolve the problems facing the country by neglecting the entire Madhes?” Yadav, whose party is currently into street agitations after forging working alliance with Tharuhat Joint Struggle Committee for one Madhes state in the entire Tarai strip, said they are not against the idea of joining the HLPM. “The big three parties, however, first need to make clear the terms of reference, jurisdiction, code of conduct and the constitutional grounds of the mechanism,” he said. Yadav further said it should also be made clear whether the government will be obliged to implement the decisions taken by the HLPM. The HLPM was formed on January 8 with Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala as coordinator with three broad objectives -- taking the ongoing peace process to a logical end, drafting new constitution on time and ending political deadlock. Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal are members of the mechanism while Prime Minister Madhav Nepal is an invitee member. Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) Joint General Secretary Jitendra Sonar said a mechanism like HLPM formed to deal with country´s problems should have representation of maximum number of political parties. Sonar said Madhesi parties also need to be given fair share in the mechanism if the body aims at bailing the country out of the current impasse. Chairman of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (Democratic) Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar also has reservations over an HLPM without Madhesi parties. Addressing his party function in Birgunj on Saturday, Gachchhadar, who is also a deputy prime minister and minister for physical planning and works, said there must be the representation of Madhesi parties if the objective of the mechanism is to taken the peace process to logical end and write a new constitution on time. “The mechanism is meaningless without the representation of Madhesi parties,” he said. The big three parties have announced they would include other political parties but they have not made any decision to this effect. According to NC General Secretary Bimalendra Nidhi, who has been participating in the HLPM meeting, the decision to expand HLPM was delayed as the Maoists have insisted that the discussion for ending the current political deadlock should be held first. The Maoists had withdrawn their planned "indefinite" general strikes starting January 10 after the NC and UML agreed to discuss the impasse with top priority at the HLPM. "The next meeting of the HLPM scheduled for Monday is likely to take decision on expanding the mechanism," he said. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14642 DHANGADHI, Jan 30: Altogether 336 disqualified PLA combatants were discharged from PLA seventh division cantonments in Kailali Saturday. PLA Deputy Commander Chandra Prakash Khanal bid them farewell by garlanding and putting red tika on them in the presence of representatives of UNMIN, government and Maoist leaders. [break] While some combatants became emotional while leaving the camp, others were agitated and were seen to snatch off their garlands in the bus. “For six years I fought for the party and the country. I fought many battles. Now I have been sent packing. My future has been spoilt because I followed the party. It is uncertain what I will do at home,” said Nisha Rana of Laxmipur, Kanchanpur. She added, “We have been told that there will be peace after we leave the cantonments. But if that doesn´t happen, we will revolt from our homes.” The disqualified combatants were given Rs 22,000 each that included Rs 10,000 from UNMIN and another Rs 12,000 from Maoist side. Among the 336 are 225 male and 111 female combatants. It is said that they will be given educational opportunities and also training in small-scale vocational skill and health services. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14632 KATHMANDU, Jan 30: On the final day of the Martyrs’ Week and the Martyrs Day on Saturday, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal paid sentimental tribute to all the known and unknown martyrs at Nepal Martyrs Memorial Park, Lainchaur. At the program organized by the Kathmandu Metropolis, Nepal Army contingent offered guard of honor to pay tribute. [break] Present at the program were ministers, CA members, secretaries, security body officials, among others. The metropolis had organized a martyrs´ week from January 24 (Magh 10). Such programs to pay tribute were also organized in Teku where Shukra Raj Shastri got martyrdom on Magh 10, at Sifal where Dharma Bhakta Mathema got martyrdom on Magh 13, and Gangalal and Dasarath Chand on Magh 15 at Shovabhagawati, and Saturday in Lainchaur to pay tribute to all known and unknown martyrs. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14627 KATHMANDU, Jan 30: Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has stressed the need for a unity government to complete the peace process, during a secret meeting with the Kathmandu-based ambassadors of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (P5), the Japanese envoy and the UNMIN chief. According to Maoist sources, Dahal held a secret meeting with the ambassadors and the UNMIN chief for nearly 45 minutes Thursday morning at Radisson Hotel. Krishna Bahadur Mahara, chief of foreign department of the Maoist party, was present during the meeting. [break] "The ambassadors met Dahal to learn about the present state of the peace process and the work of the High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM)," an informed Maoist source told myrepublica.com. In response to queries by the envoys, Dahal said that his party´s current priorities were a unity government to complete the peace process, integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants and constitution drafting. Meanwhile, diplomatic sources said that the P5 envoys, the Japanese ambassador and the UNMIN chief are jointly meeting Girija Prasad Koirala, who heads the HLPM, and HLPM member and CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal in the coming days to discuss the peace process and the work of the HLPM. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14625 KATHMANDU, Jan 30: In a bid to curb irregularities and improve service delivery, the government is preparing to install Close Circuit Television (CCTV) in offices, including Land Revenue, District Administration, Survey, Transport Management and Land Reforms, among others. The Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) and National Vigilance Center (NVC) have begun joint efforts to set up CCTV in such offices. [break] “Installing CCTV in government offices has been agreed upon,” said Tana Gautam, Chief of NVC. Gautam said that the CCTV would keep a tab on government official´s conduct, which has often been found unhelpful, with service seekers. “The technology will also help minimize irregularities, corruption and other undesirable activities,” Gautam told myrepublica.com. According to government officials, at least five CCTVs will be installed in various vantage points inside the offices. The most sensitive places, sections, chambers and rooms will be chosen while installing CCTVs. “The fundamental objective of installing such TV is to curb corruption,” reads the government decision. Several service seekers have lodged complaints at the NVC and OPMCM saying they have been forced to pay bribes to avail them of government service. CCTV is being set up to control corruption rather than from the security perspective, said an official. The name and address of the offending official would be forwarded to security agencies for necessary actions, he added. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14622 KATHMANDU, Jan 30: The Indian government has taken up the issue of Maoist threats again the GMR-ITD Consortium, which is developing the 300-MW Upper Karnali Hydroelectric Project in Nepal, with the government and the central Maoist leadership. The Unified CPN (Maoist) some four days back threatened the Consortium, which is currently carrying out a Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Upper Karnali, to stop work immediately. Organizing a press conference in Surkhet on Sunday, Maoist politburo member Khadka Bahadur Bishwakarma said that his party will not let the Upper Karnali work continue at any cost and gave a January 30 deadline for halting all project-related work. The Maoists are opposing the project as part of their phase four protests, in support of ´national independence´. [break] The Indian ambassador to Nepal, Rakesh Sood, told myrepublica.com Friday that the Indian embassy has taken up the matter with top Maoist leaders. "The Maoist leaders have said that the trouble was created at the local initiative and the party would take a decision in this matter in the ongoing Standing Committee meeting." Biswhwakarma had, however, clarified Sunday that the move was undertaken as per party policy. Envoy Sood also said, "GMR took up the matter with the Government of Nepal and the Indian embassy as well." The Indian side is hoping that the ongoing meeting of top Maoist leaders would come up with a positive decision to let GMR continue the work. As per the terms of the agreement, agreed by the then coalition government that included the Maoists, the GMR consortium will provide 12 percent free power to the government of Nepal and 27 percent free equity to Nepal. During the visit here of Indian Minister for External Affairs SM Krishna recently, he pointed to concerns about the business environment in Nepal affecting Indian investment and joint ventures. A joint statement issued on the occasion said, "He (Krishna) requested that these issued be addressed urgently and effectively." The statement also reiterated the Nepal side´s commitment "to take necessary measures for the promotion of an investor-friendly business environment to encourage Indian public and private sector investments in Nepal." India working to deliver MRPs by April deadline The Indian government is working to supply four million Machine Readable Passports (MRPs) to Nepal within the April 1 deadline set by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization). Asked to comment, envoy Sood said, "After the cancellation of the MRP bidding process, the government of Nepal approached us during the visit of the External Affairs Minister to Kathmandu for assistance in addressing the requirement of MRPs for Nepal," adding, "The Minister assured that in keeping with our close ties we would extend all possible assistance in this regard." According to sources, the cost price of MRPs manufactured by Indian Security Printers, which is under the Indian Ministry of Finance and Revenue, is Indian rupees 200 per booklet. The Indian side has offered to supply the booklets at US $ 4 per piece. Ministry of Foreign Affairs sources have, however, said the proposal from the Indian side has been on the table for the last 10 months. akanshya@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14618 KATHMANDU, Jan 29: Crusher entrepreneurs have demanded that the government withdraw its decision to ban the export of rocks, sand and grits to India, saying that such an ´unwise´ step had put the multi-billion rupee investment in the sector at risk. The entrepreneurs have urged the government to take a decision in this regard only after conducting a proper study. [break] The government took its decision after the parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Means directed the government earlier this month to halt the export of rocks and sand to India. "The government needs to have an in-depth study done by an expert team on the possible repercussions of such a decision," Krishna Prasad Sharma, coordinator of the Federation of Nepal Crusher Entrepreneurs, said at a press meet on Friday. He also argued that such a decision would not only put the multi-billion rupee investment by crusher operators at risk but also create a serious problem for the entire national economy. Sharma said the government can take action against particular operators if they are found causing an adverse impact on natural resources. "But imposing a blanket ban on the entire sector, terming it an illegal trade, is unjustified," he said. Crusher operators export about 500,000 truckloads a year (over 1,000 truckloads every day) of rocks, boulders and sand extracted from rivers spread across the Tarai belt. The parliamentary committee directed the government to ban the export, saying it had a serious environmental and ecological impact, primarily on Nepal´s rivers, forests and the Chure hill range. The committee issued the directive after parliamentarians in the committee raised serious concern that export of sand, rocks and boulders on such a massive scale was affecting Nepal´s highways, bridges, ecology and environment. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14607 KATHMANDU, Jan 29: The three major political parties -- UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML--- on Friday initiated discussions about formation of a State Restructuring Commission to carve out a federal model, but failed to arrive at any consensus. The three parties have decided to talk to the Constituent Assembly Chairman and political parties before taking any decision in this connection during the next meeting of the High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) scheduled for Monday. [break] According to NC General Secretary Bimalendra Nidhi, the NC proposed the formation of the Commission to help prepare an impartial report on a federal model with expert inputs, during the HLPM meeting Friday. The NC proposal comes in view of differing opinions about the federal model coming from various political parties. Nidhi said the Maoists and the UML both supported the idea, concluding that inputs from such a Commission were a must even to resolve differences that surfaced over the federal model proposed by the CA Committee on State Restructuring. The three parties have agreed in principle to provide Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Commission that are compatible with the CA calendar. The CA Committee on State Restructuring has already submitting its draft report to the CA, proposing a total of 14 federal states. Delineation of the federal model has drawn flak from various quarters including from Madhes-based parties. The Interim Constitution (Article 138) has a provision for a Commission comprising experts from fields concerned to offer suggestions for a new federal model. Though the erstwhile government led by the Maoists appointed Ganesh Man Gurung as its chairman, the Commission has failed to take full shape so far largely due to differences among parties whether such a commission is needed at all. Talking to media after the HLPM meeting, Maoist Vice-Chair Narayan Kaji Shrestha said they have initiated discussions on formation of the Commission. He said there is a need to consult the CA Chairman and also observe the spirit of the Interim Constitution before taking any decision. UML General Secretary Ishwor Pokharel, who participated in the HLPM meeting, said they have decided to hold further discussions about forming the HLPM during Monday´s meeting. Friday´s HLPM meeting dwelled mostly on the issue of clashes between cadres of the Maoists, UML and NC in various parts of the country. Shrestha said the HLPM meeting decided to form a committee comprising representatives of all three parties to investigate clashes between rival party cadres in different parts of the country and take action against the guilty as per the findings of the committee. The meeting formed a separate committee comprising Hom Raj Dahal of NC, Bisham Lal Adhikari of UML and Basanta Majhi of the Maoists to investigate the attack against UML leaders in Jhangajholi area in Sindhuli district on Friday afternoon. The Committee is to submit its report within seven days after conducting a field study. The HLPM meeting also decided to hold the HLPM meeting every Thursday morning starting next week. koshraj@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14582 KATHMANDU, Jan 29: Sharp differences have surfaced in the UCPN (Maoist) over the party´s next strategic move and direction. The party´s hardliners led by Senior Vice-Chairman Mohan Baidya have pitched for declaring India the main enemy and going for an immediate revolt. Baidya has also called for delay in the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants to help start preparations for a revolt. Another vice-chairman, Dr Baburam Bhattarai, backed by some of the party´s influential leaders, has, however, staunchly pushed for writing the constitution and completion of the peace process.[break] The shimmering intra-party differences have come to the fore at the ongoing Standing Committee meeting that began on Tuesday. Responding to Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dhala´s analysis of the current political situation and the party´s future strategy, Mohan Baidya argued that the party should identify foreign forces, particularly India, as its main enemy and launch an immediate revolt to achieve the party´s ultimate goal -- dictatorship of the proletariat. “Our main contradiction is with India, and it should be termed the party´s chief enemy…. We should also immediately go for a revolt to achieve the party´s goals,” a party leader quoted Baidya as saying at the Standing Committee meeting Tuesday. He argued for delay in the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants since the party would need them for the revolt. But Dr Bhattarai argued that the party should focus on constitution writing and concluding the peace process as the party currently lacks popular support for such a revolt, and it would be counter-productive. “If foreign forces and political parties conspire against the peace process and constitution writing, that would give justification for a people´s revolt and we will gain mass support for it,” a standing committee member quoted Dr Bhattarai as saying. The Maoist vice-chairman also argued that indentifying outsiders as the arch enemy would undermine the party´s struggle to end feudalism at home. “You cannot break the wall with your elbow, it needs a sledgehammer,” the party leader quoted Dr Bhattarai as saying. According to the party leader, Dahal´s political proposal lacks clarity, though he seems to have favored the hard-line camp. “But it will not be unusual for him to switch to the stronger camp,” he said. It has also been learned that Dr Bhattarai is likely to challenge the party chairman´s strategy and present a separate political paper at the Maoist plenum slated for mid-February, if he fails to push through his strategy. Bhattarai´s position has become stronger after the release of the party chairman´s indoor speech tagging him as India´s choice for the next prime minister. “He has received wide support and sympathy, especially from the second generation of influential leaders,” said the party leader. Leaders like Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, Dinanath Sharma, Barsaman Pun and Lilamani Pokharel have already backed the line for peace and constitution writing. “The most worrisome factor for the chairman is that top PLA officials loyal to him are switching sides too,” he said. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14581 KATHMANDU, Jan 28: Legislature-Parliament on Thursday endorsed the seventh amendment to the interim constitution, paving way for president, vice president and prime minister to take oaths in any mother tongue of their choice. The amendment to article 36 (F and I) of the constitution has made the deck clear to activate the post of vice president that has remained defunct after Paramananda Jha refused to take fresh oath in Nepali as directed by the Supreme Court in August last, nullifying his earlier oath in Hindi.[break] The amendment proposal presented for decision in the parliament by Speaker Subas Nembang was endorsed by a total 499 votes. In a division of votes made through voice voting, four lawmakers present in the meeting voted against the amendment. Nembang announced that the amendment was endorsed through two-thirds majority of the parliament. Earlier, Chief Whips of Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and UCPN (Maoist) had filed a joint resolution motion to ensure that the amendment will revive the post of Vice President Jha. Maoists´ Chief Whip Post Bahadur Bogati had read out the joint resolution motion at the beginning of Thursday´s meeting, begging support from all political parties to the resolution motion. Sunil Prajapati and Nawa Raj Koirala of Nepal Workers and Peasant Party, Sarita Giri of Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandidevi), Biswendra Pasawan of Dalit Janajati Party and Independent lawmaker Sadarul Haq Miya had filed separate amendment proposals against the joint resolution. An overwhelming majority of lawmakers passed the joint resolution motion, while rejecting all three amendment proposals. Prajapati, Giri, Paswan, Atmaram Prasad Shah of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum, and Dol Bahadur Karki of CPN-UML had also filed separate amendment proposals against the seventh amendment to the Interim Constitution. All but Prajapati had later withdrawn their proposals. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14574 KATHMANDU, Jan 28: Chairman of Constituent Assembly (CA), Subas Nembang, on Thursday consulted with top leaders of major political parties and chief whips of the parties on finding ways of expediting the constitution writing process, reported our correspondent Kosh Raj Koirala from CA House at New Baneshwar. Nembang stepped up dialogues with the political parties mainly on preparing an integrated draft report compiling preliminary draft reports prepared by all the 11 thematic committees. [break] "I talked to the leaders on settling the differences that surfaced while preparing the preliminary drafts. I have intensified talks with the parties for the last couple of days as we are running out of time," Nembang said. Nembang said he has urged the leaders to concentrate themselves in the constitution writing process. He said he is encouraged by the leaders´ "positive response" toward his call for parties´ attention on the matter. CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, Vice Chairman of UCPN (Maoist) Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Vice President of Nepali Congress (NC) Ram Chandra Poudel, among other leaders from various political parties represented in the CA, participated in the meeting convened by Nembang. "He briefed us about the situation in the CA and we acknowledged about the issues that are yet to be resolved. We have taken his initiatives positively and are ready to support him," Khanal told reporters while emerging from the meeting. Though all the 11 CA committees prepared preliminary draft reports and concept papers on their thematic sectors, dozens of provisions are yet to be finalized due to differences surfaced among the parties. The CA is yet to finalize whether to adopt bicameral or unicameral parliament, presidential or prime ministerial system and directly-elected or parliament-elect prime minister, among other several important issues. Parties have differences also about the state restructuring model, number of states and distribution of state powers. The Constitutional Committee is entrusted with preparing an integrated draft report compiling all the thematic reports as per the directives and feedbacks given by the 601-member CA. After holding several rounds of discussions, the CA has to endorse the new constitution by two-thirds majority of the full House. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14557 KATHMANDU, Jan 28: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) recently scrapped a tender that the Nepal Food Corporation had awarded to Jaleshwar Housing Pvt Ltd some seven months ago to sell nearly 20 ropanies (10,174.4 square meters) of government land in Jhapa, saying that the land deal could have led to an embezzlement of Rs 390 million. Following initial investigations, CIAA has directed NFC to totally halt the land selling process. It also instructed NFC to sell the land only at the prevailing market price and not to reopen the bidding process without first assessing the market price. [break] The NFC had decided to sell the government land at Birtamod of Jhapa district at a rate ten times less than the prevailing market price. According to CIAA, the total price of the land at the prevailing rate comes to be around Rs 44 million. But NFC awarded the tender to the housing company to sell the land at a meager Rs 4 million, causing losses worth Rs 390 million to the government. Though the seller and buyers were found to have followed a due legal procedure, the CIAA objected to the decision citing under-evaluation of the land. “No one is allowed to embezzle state property even by meeting legal procedures,” reads the CIAA´s decision paper. It said the evaluation process was completely wrong and it could cost the government dear. It said the NFC decided to sell the land based on a six-year-old evaluation. Nepal Food Corporation halts process to sell 20 ropanis of government land in Birtamod of Jhapa at a price 10 times less than the prevailing market price “We scrapped the tender as the land was evaluated at a price 10 times less than the prevailing rate,” said Ishwari Paudyal, spokesperson for the CIAA, adding, “Our timely action has prevented a possible embezzlement of a huge amount.” Paudyal said the CIAA decision was based on a report prepared by a Jhapa CDO-led committee which concluded that the land was evaluated at a price 10 times less than the current price. “The NFC cannot sell the land at a price less than the current price just because it followed the legal process while awarding the tender,” Paudyal, added, “The intention behind the transaction was corruption." CIAA had initiated in-depth investigation into the matter after seizing all related documents. According to CIAA, the housing company, while giving clarifications to the commission, had expressed commitment to purchase the land as per commission´s decision. NFC General Manager Hari Narayan Shah said the rate of the land was increased during the time of evaluation. “That incident occurred before I came to the NFC. “However, I found CIAA´s decision appropriate and I have directed officials under my office to act as per the commission´s decision.” Shah said that the entire process to sell the land has been scrapped. The CIAA had also scrapped the purchase of 70 ropanies (35,616 square meters) of land by Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) on suspicion of embezzlement of Rs 350 million in the transaction some six months ago. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14549 KATHMANDU, Jan 27: Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has stated that the recently formed High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) could pave the way for the solutions of the protracted political crisis as the deadline for the constitution making and peace process is nearing by the day. Dahal put forward such views while presenting an analytical report on the current political situation and the party´s future strategy, during the party´s Standing Committee meeting that began on Wednesday. [break] “The deadline for the constitution making and the peace process is tightening by the day. Now the country faces the risk of counter-revolution. Against this backdrop, the HLPM could be the means to bring all the stakeholders together and complete the peace process,” a Maoist Standing Committee member quoted Dahal as saying. If passed, Dahal´s proposal will be adopted as the party´s strategy. The HLPM was formed on January 8 comprising Maoist Chairman Dahal, Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala and UML chairman Jhalanath Khanal to seek political consensus and drive the fragile peace process to its logical conclusion. While the formation of the high level political mechanism has given a flicker of hope, the leaders of the rival factions in each of the political parties have publicly questioned the mechanism´s capability and mandate to achieve its goals. During the meeting Dahal also stated that there are nationalists in the current government and the party should appeal them to quit the government and join hands with the Maoists. The Maoist chairman opined that the HLPM could be the means to defeat “the counter revolution plan being hatched by the national anti-revolutionaries backed by the foreigners, especially India”. The Maoist chairman also stated that the party´s campaign against “Indian interference” would continue, but the party would decide the nature and intensity of the protests after intra-party deliberations. The Maoist chairman also claimed that the party´s ongoing anti-India campaign has been able to bring diverse forces together. According to Maoist spokesman Dinanath Sharma, the Maoist chief also opined that the Constituent Assembly (CA) should form national security police, set the numerical strength of the Nepal Army and the number of the Maoist combatants before the integration process. Maoist vice chairmen Mohan Baidya, Baburam Bhattarai and Narayankaji Shrestha and Secretary Posta Bahadur Bogati had commented on Dahal´s paper. There are differences between Dahal and Bhattarai on the party´s strategy on the current political crisis. While Dahal has taken the “national anti-revolutionary elements backed by foreigners” as the arch-enemy of the party and wants to fight them to achieve the party´s revolutionary goals, Bhattari has argued that the party needs to write the new constitution and complete the peace process first. The differences between Dr Bhattarai and Dahal have grown wider after the release of Dahal´s recorded speech in which the Maoist chairman blames the former of being India´s choice. According to sources, Dr Bhattarai and Dahal held talks for three hours on Tuesday to iron out differences. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14544 KATHMANDU, Jan 27: Coordinator of the High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala on Wednesday told UNMIN chief Karin Landgren that integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants remains the top agenda of the mechanism. Chiranjibi Nepal, who briefed the media on Koirala´s meeting with Landgren, said that Koirala asked Landgren to complete UNMIN´s responsibility within its extended mandate and be ready to pack bags by May 15. [break] Landgren called on Koirala to brief him on the recent meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC) that extended the UNMIN´s term till May 15 upon the request of Nepal government. Landgren also congratulated Koirala for leading the mechanism, a forum of top leaders of three major parties to discuss contentious political issues, according to Nepal, who is also an advisor to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs. Maoists deny reports In the meantime, UCPN-M has denied news report that claimed Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal proposing Koirala for premiership. "The news reports are not correct and they are misleading," UCPN-M Spokesperson Dinanath Sharma said. Sharma said that Dahal also refuted the news report during the party´s standing committee meeting held on Wednesday. A section of media outlet on Wednesday reported that Dahal proposed Koirala to be the prime minister during his meeting with Koirala on Tuesday. Minister Minendra Rijal also said that though Dahal had proposed Koirala for the top post after the fall of the Dahal-led government in May, Dahal has not made the same proposal of late. "Had Dahal proposed Koirala for premiership, Koirala as our party president would have shared it with us," Rijal told myrepublica.com. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14543 KATHMANDU, Jan 27: Referring to the recent Maoist threats to close down the 300 MW Upper Karnali hydropower project, Minister for Energy Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat on Wednesday said it will be against the country´s interest to chase away foreign investors over minor party interests. Speaking at the 35th annual day function of Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS), Mahat said, “How the center, state or locals will benefit and who will get what share of the hydro projects will be guaranteed by the constitution,” adding, “It is against the interest of the country to chase away investors to fulfill petty party interests.” [break] Stating that “people want development,” Mahat said, “There is no reason why development in water resource sector must be halted as it is the only sector which can raise the financial status of the people in general and the country at large.” The UCPN (Maoist) was in the then coalition government when the Upper Karnali contract was granted to Indian company GMR on January 25, 2008. Mahat also stressed the need to solve all existing political problems through ´dialogue and consensus´. “We need to believe in ourselves and not be afraid of foreign investors. We must stop doubting that the investors would rob us,” the minister added. He also stressed that alternative sources of energy like solar and wind power should be tapped in besides the water resources to tackle the prevalent problem of load-shedding. Minister for Irrigation, Bal Krishna Khand expressed his ministry´s support to WECS´s activities and stated that it should work as a full-time think tank. Other speakers in the program included State Minister for Energy Chandra Singh Bhattarai, NC chief whip Laxman Ghimire and former minister Mohan Bahadur Karki, among others. Kishor Thapa, the secretary of WECS, laid emphasis on the need for a separate water accounting system, which would help to economize water. WECS, which was established in 1975 with the objective of developing water and energy resources in an “integrated and accelerated manner, has now demanded an independent status. “WECS needs independence as it is currently squashed between the energy and irrigation ministries,” a WECS official told myrepublica.com after the event. WECS authorities have also demanded the government to shift the commission´s office from Singha Durbar to somewhere else. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14536 KATHMANDU, January 27: The government on Wednesday authorized State Minister for Local Development Ganesh Bahadur Khadka to hold negotiation with the agitating local body employees. Talking to media persons after a cabinet meeting held at Singha Durbar on Wednesday, Minister for Information Communication Shankar Pokharel said the government delegated authority to State Minister Khadka to hold dialogues with the agitating employees. The prolonged strike has left Kathmandu streets littered with garbage for about a week now. [break] The agitating employees resumed their strike on January. They have demanded that the government implement a three-point deal reached with Ministry of Local Development (MoLD) in the past. The employees launched their protests after the government refused to grant them permanent status. The cabinet meeting also decided to provide one million rupees as compensation to the family of slain journalist JP Joshi in Kailali. Minister Pokharel said the cabinet meeting also decided to send the draft bill of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), a transitional justice mechanism, to the cabinet´s bill committee for a final approval. The bill aims at probing human rights violations during the conflict.   The meeting extended the term of National Landmine Technical Committee by a year and endorsed UN Convention against Corruption. The Convention is subject to ratification by House. Likewise, the cabinet also gave a nod to the air service agreement between Nepal and Turkey. Pokharel said the meeting decided to promote Nepal Army Brigadier Generals Nara Bahadur Kandel and Narendra Bahadur Rawal to the post of Major Generals. Among others, the cabinet meeting also decided to appoint Brajesh Kumar Gupta (Kapilvastu), Mohammad Okil Musalman (Rupandehi) and Shashank Koirala (Nawalparasi) as members of Lumbini Development Trust. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14527 KATHMANDU, Jan 27: Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) and Tharuhat Joint Struggle Committee (TJSC) have announced joint protests against the federal model presented by Constituent Assembly (CA) Committee on State Restructuring and Distribution of State Powers. The announcement of the protests comes after the MPRF and ethnic Tharu body inked a five-point deal. [break] According to a joint press statement, the five-point deal envisages proportional inclusive representation of all groups in all organs of the concerned state, fully proportional election system, guarantee of the rights of indigenous nationalities as per the provision of ILO 169 and mention of Tharuhat Movement and Madhes movement in the preamble of the new constitution. The MPRF and TJSC have vowed to continue their struggle until there was a guarantee of single province stretching from Jhapa in the east to Kanchapur in the west with rights to self determination. The CA Committee had proposed a total 14 federal states including two --Tharuhat and Madhes -- in the southern plains. The MPRF and TJSC have also decided to submit a memorandum to the prime minister and CA chairman, hold interactions and take out rallies in various parts of the Tarai as a part of their first phase of protest programs. Addressing a joint press conference organized in the capital, MPRF Co-Chairman Jaya Prakash Gupta said they have decided to fight jointly against the conspiracy to divide parts of Madhesh and Tharuhat territory in a way that it would render federalism meaningless. “We have decided to fight jointly to ensure our values and identity in the new federal structure of the country,” he said. The MPRF and TJSC have said that Triyuga area of Udayapur, Kamala Khoch area of Sindhuli, Deukhuri and Ghorahi Tulasipur areas of Dang, Kankre Bihar and Latikoili of Surkhet and Chitwan and Nawalparasi districts should be included in their province. TJSC Coordinator Laxman Tharu said, “We will be forced to launch stringent protests if the government does not pay heed to our demands,” he said. “We will not accept the federal states proposed by the CA committee in southern plains.” The MPRF Chairman Upendra Yadav said the alliance of the MPRF and TJSC was forged to ensure provincial autonomy and provide equal rights to all people living in the region. He claimed that the proposal made by the CA committee was a conspiracy to perpetuate exploitation against people living in the Tarai. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14501 KATHMANDU, Jan 26: Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai on Tuesday said the country should develop a mechanism for direct monitoring of public administration by the people to ensure good governance. “The current public administration is not directly linked with the people. We should develop some procedures through which people will directly monitor public administration,” said Dr Bhattarai speaking at the Constituent Assembly (CA). [break] Defending his party´s proposal on the direct election of the executive president, he said the federation will need a strong center in its initial phase and the directly elected president would cater to that need. “Otherwise the country will face the danger of instability and disintegration.” The executive president will be the representative of all the sections of the people and diversity in the country, he said, adding that it would also ensure separation of power and checks and balances. He also argued that the new constitution should develop some devices to limit the president´s power. The constitution should also have some provisions through which the executive president can be removed from office, he said. Responding to accusations that the Maoists have envisioned parliament without an opposition, he argued that parliament would itself play the role. The Maoists have proposed consensus system through which the president would form a cabinet. Meanwhile, UML leader Ram Nath Dhakal argued that his party floated their proposal on the system of governance incorporating the best in the Westminster and presidential system. He argued that the direct election of prime minister would ensure political stability as well as prevent the regime from turning totalitarian. Stating that the Maoist proposal of picking the cabinet ministers by the directly elected president doesn´t exist anywhere in the world, Dhakal claimed that the Maoist proposal to let parliament control the judiciary violates the principle of checks and balances. The UML leader also said that the election system proposed by the Maoists will lead to ethnicity-based conflict. The Maoists have proposed multi-member constituency based on proportional representation. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14485 BIRATNAGAR/ BANKE, Jan 26: Indians in Jogbani, the border town, staged a protest against the Unified CPN (Maoist) on Tuesday for using the Indian flag in Maoist posters in a derogatory manner. Security has been beefed up on both sides of the border following the protest. In the posters that the Maoists prepared for their fourth-round protest against the government, the Indian flag is shown underneath a shoe. Chief of the Eastern Region Police Office DIG Bhishma Prasai said that they have informed the Home Ministry about the protest. [break] The protesters carried placards against the Maoists and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal. However, the Maoists have refuted the Indian nationals´ allegations against them. “The flag does not denigrate India and Indian nationals,” said Shiva Kumar Mandal, Morang in-charge of the Maoist party. The protestors submitted a memorandum to Chief District Officer of Morang Sashishekhar Shrestha, Tuesday. They have demanded a stop to anti-Indian activities. They have also demanded that Maoist Chairman Dahal apologize for what he said and did against India. The Indian protest has affected work at Biratnagar customs. Customs chief Mitralal Regmi said revenue collection was almost closed due to the protest. The customs has been collecting Rs 2.5 million revenue daily. Meanwhile, Nepalis residing along the border areas of Banke district have been suffering various problems following the Maoist anti-Indian movement against land encroachment. Maoist senior leaders inspected encroached Nepali land and chanted slogans against India some three weeks ago. Since then the Seema Suraksha Bal (Indian border security force) started tight security operations at the border, causing additional problems for Nepalis. According to locals, Indian border security officials started harassing Nepalis during security checks after Maoist Vice-Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha delivered an ´anti-Indian´ speech at the border. “Security officials have also obstruct us from bringing commodities from India,” said local man Sawal Prasad Shrivastav. Maoist leader Shrestha, in his speech, said Nepalis should fight India to stop its encroachment of Nepali land. According to Kalaphata VDC Vice-Chairman Mohammad Ali Sekh, Indian security started restricting Nepalis from bringing various goods from India from the second day of Shrestha´s speech. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14471 KATHMANDU, Jan 26: The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers has revoked a newly introduced provision to clip the prime minister´s discretionary power to dole out financial assistance to individuals and organizations from the state coffers, within less than three weeks after it inserted the provision in the Financial Assistance Directive. A highly placed cabinet source said the provision was withdrawn following Prime Minister Madhav Nepal´s strong objection to it. [break] According to the source, the provision in the directive that was amended three weeks ago was revoked after the prime minister complained that it was issued without informing him. “We have revoked the provision to clip the prime minister´s power," the source said, adding that the prime minister can now provide financial assistance to anybody in his discretion as in the past. The cabinet had curtailed the PM´s power to distribute the assistance through the Finance Section of his office, citing alleged irregularities in the distribution. Now the PM will be allowed again to distribute assistance to poor people and those suffering from critical diseases. The directive is, however, silent on the definition of poor and people suffering from critical diseases. Earlier, the three-week-old directive had authorized the Ministry of Home Affairs to distribute financial assistance to those recommended by the prime minister after assessing the status, living standards and genuine needs of the assistance seekers. The prime minister had objected to this provision, saying that the amendment was made to ´defame his reputation´. “We are about to send the fresh directive to Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction and Ministry of Health asking them to act as per the fresh provisions and not to act as per the directive issued three weeks ago,” another high ranking official told myrepublica.com on condition of anonymity. Only a few months back, the Ministry of Finance had declined to release additional money for financial assistance sought by Prime Minister Nepal, citing budgetary limitations and misuse of such assistance. Prime Minister Nepal has already spent Rs 30.05 million in financial assistance although the budget allocated for the purpose this year is only Rs 3 million. Meanwhile, other provisions included in the directive three weeks ago have been kept intact. Through the directive, the government has fixed a ceiling on the amounts that can be released as financial assistance to former presidents, vice presidents, former prime ministers, ministers, bureaucrats, litterateurs and national figures. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14470 KATHMANDU, Jan 26: India has offered to supply four million Machine Readable Passports (MRPs) to Nepal at four US dollars per piece. The MRPs will be manufactured by India´s state-owned Indian Security Printers (ISP). Although a formal agreement is yet to be signed, the proposal was “discussed” during the meeting between Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala during Krishna´s Nepal visit earlier this month, a Foreign Ministry official told myrepublica.com. [break] It is learnt that the Indian proposal has been on the table for the last 10 months and negotiations with India were going on when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) started the bidding process for procuring the MRPs. As per ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) requirements, Nepal has to go for MRPs by 2010. Earlier, the Indian side had offered to supply the passport booklets at Indian rupees 400 per piece. The Public Procurement Act 2063 allows such a bilateral mechanism. However, if the government decides to procure the passports from India as per the Act, a committee formed under the chief secretary would have to recommend the purchase, and it would then have to be endorsed by the cabinet. The cabinet thereafter would delegate authority to MoFA to go through with the process. The ISP is under the Indian government´s Ministry of Finance and Revenue and the manufacturing plant is in Nasik in Maharashtra state. India has been using MRPs for the last seven-eight years and is now set to go for e-passports. MoFA on January 15 scrapped the $72 million project citing “technical reasons.” The Ministry took the decision to this effect a day before the final date for submission of bids by four firms -- Oberthur Technologies (France), Gemalto (Finland), Sagem Security Printers (France) and 3M Technology (Singapore) - that were short-listed for the project. The cancellation also meant that Nepal would miss the April 1 deadline set by ICAO. Chief of Protocol at MoFA, Mohan K Shrestha, declined to comment when contacted. Shrestha only said that no formal instruction has been given in this regard. akanshya@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14462 SURKHET, Jan 25: As part of their fourth phase of protest against "Indian interferences in Nepal", Maoists have asked the Indian GMR Energy Limited, which is working on the construction of the 300 MW Upper Karnali, to pack up and leave the country. Maoists on Monday reached the hydropower construction site at Tunibagar in Dailekh where they held a rally and asked the Indian power construction firm to halt the work and leave. The leaders said the decision to shut down the construction was taken by the party´s central committee. Maoist politburo members Dharmendra Bastola, Hari Bhakta Kandel and Khadga Bahadur BK addressed the rally. [break] After the rally, the Maoists held a press conference at Mahendranagar to inform about the party´s decision. "We have urged the concerned party (GMR group) to stop work from Sunday," said BK. He warned of dire consequences if the work is not halted immediately. BK admitted that Maoists were also in the coalition government that awarded the Indian power production firm with Upper Karnali hydropower project, but argued that the government took the decision by hoodwinking his party. "We had objected to the involvement of GMR in the project from the very beginning. Now the issue is linked with the party´s national independence campaign," he said. The Maoist leader said the closure of the hydropower construction may hamper the development process, but the party took the decision for protecting "national interest". "We are not the opponents of development process. But we don´t tolerate Indian interference in the name of development," BK thundered. However, the GMR group has not halted its work. The Indian company officials said they have not yet received formal directive to halt the work. "I have also heard the buzz, but nobody has formally asked us to stop the work," said Pradip Nepal, assistant manager at GMR´s Surkhet office. He said the company´s field office at Paletada has been continuing the work. GMR Energy Limited of India was awarded the project in January 2008. As part of the deal, GMR will provide about 12 percent free electricity, and 27 percent free equity of the project to Nepal. According to an estimate by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the construct cost of the project is around US$468.6 million. The company is currently conducting a survey and Environmental Impact Assessment of the project. The company plans to complete the project in seven years. Previously, the local people had obstructed the work twice. GMR has stated that the hampering of the work is likely to delay the construction and will cost the company Rs 10 million per day. The company has also stated that the latest Maoist threat has worsened the situation. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14457 KATHMANDU, Jan 25: Nilamber Acharya, the chairman of the Constitutional Committee (CC) of the Constituent Assembly (CA), has consulted leaders from all 24 political parties represented in the CA on preparing an integrated draft report by combining all reports prepared by the 11 thematic committees. The UCPN (Maoist), the largest party in the CA, however, didn´t attend the meeting. "They were absent. May be it is because of their busy schedule," Acharya told myrepublica.com. [break] Ram Chandra Poudel, Prakash Man Singh and Kul Bahadur Gurung from the Nepali Congress and Jhala Nath Khanal, Bhim Rawal and Agni Kharel from the CPN-UML attended the meeting on Monday. Acharya held discussions with the leaders dividing the 24 parties in four groups. He consulted leaders of a few small parties on Sunday, a few others on Monday morning and top leaders of major political parties in on Monday evening. Khanal, who was on India visit, went to the meeting directly from the Tribhuvan International Airport. The leaders of the fringe parties had suggested Acharya to drawing attention of top leaders of the major political parties toward the need of a good understanding among the major parties for writing the constitution on time, according to Acharya. "The major parties suggested holding more informal discussions to build trustworthy relations among the parties," Acharya said. A proposal to form a workable panel or a subcommittee was put forth, thinking that the 63-member committee might be too big to expedite the work, he said, adding that further discussions will continue in the days to come. The CA is planning to forward the preliminary drafts of the thematic committees to the CC to prepare an integrated draft report soon. Apart from its thematic role to prepare a preliminary draft report and concept paper, the CC is also entrusted with preparing a single integrated draft report compiling all the 11 thematic reports. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14456 BUTWAL, Jan 25: Constituent Assembly (CA) member Om Prakash Yadav Gulzari has manhandled a police head constable for not saluting him. Yadav, who won the CA elections from Rupandehi Constituency No 2 on Madhesi People´s Rights Forum ticket, had kicked head constable of Maryadpur Police Post Prakash Gupta on Wednesday. Yadav had beaten Gupta in the village that borders India after returning from the former´s relative´s place in India. [break] Yadav had sent a man to fetch Gupta, who was having tea at a local shop after collecting data of temples and mosques at Tilakpur, and thrashed the man in uniform using obscene language, according to Maryadpur Police Post. "He kicked me saying ´don´t you recognize me, haven´t you seen my coat and logo´," head constable Gupta told myrepublica.com. "I asked him why was he beating me but he continued to take hold of my collars and thrashed me. I didn´t salute him because I didn´t recognize him," Gupta said. Gupta said he didn´t retaliate out of respect for the Nepal Police and took the blows meekly. CA member Yadav, on the other hand, himself phoned District Police Office to lodge a complaint against Gupta for misbehaving with him after beating up Gupta. Superintendent of Police Chhabi Lal Joshi was surprised when he learnt about the incident from assistant sub inspector at the Maryadpur Police Post Nokh Bahadur Thapa after calling him to inquire about Yadav´s complaint. Yadav, a resident of Gonaha VDC, Rupandehi, again visited District Police Office two days later to put pressure on SP Joshi to transfer head constable Gupta and take action against him. SP Joshi caved in to Yadav´s demand and transferred Gupta but was later forced to withdraw the decision following pressure from locals who demanded action against the CA member instead for beating up a policeman in uniform. CA member Yadav, however, claimed that he hadn´t beaten up head constable Gupta and he had gone to the village to settle a dispute between locals and Gupta. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14443 KATHMANDU, Jan 25: Anti-poverty programs run by the state are suffering from huge leakages and manipulations, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said on Monday, and added that both politicians and officials are responsible for such a situation. Addressing a function, PM Nepal stressed the need to integrate all poverty reduction programs run by the state so that they could be monitored effectively, preventing leakage and generating better results. The PM singled out "lack of a uniform definition of poverty" as one major hurdle facing the country´s anti-poverty drive. [break] “Because of this, the government is pursuing diverse models for implementing targeted programs, resulting in duplication of programs and poor utilization of resources and rendering monitoring work difficult,” he said. He even instructed the National Planning Commission (NPC) to define poverty and identify mechanisms to target poverty. PM Nepal hailed the direct-funding mechanism of the Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF) and lauded the impact this has had on poor communities. Referring to a report which stated that PAF intervention raised income and per capita consumption of poor villages by 43 percent and 9 percent respectively compared to communities where such intervention is absent, Nepal even labeled PAF as Nepal´s national mechanism for fighting poverty. “We are focusing to expand its reach to all 75 districts from the present 25 districts,” said Nepal, and instructed the PAF and government ministries, local bodies and other public institutions to work in close collaboration. On the same note, NPC Vice-Chairman Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada asked local bodies, the livestock expansion program and district technical offices to collaborate with the PAF to provide technical know-how to the poor. He also asked the PAF to inform DDCs of its indicative budget so that duplication of programs could be avoided. PAF board member Shree Krishna Upadhyay, referring to a finding, said that poor communities are cost effective in executing local infrastructure projects. “Our records show that communities have constructed a kilometer of gravel road at a cost of Rs 931,758, whereas the Department of Local Infrastructure Development and Agricultural Roads spends Rs 1.7 million for the same,” he said. PAF Executive Director Raj Babu Shrestha, meanwhile, informed that the PAF has already started to submit its yearly budget for districts to the District Development Committees and is also working with non-government as well as government agencies like Alternate Energy Promotion Center, Department of Irrigation, Department of Livestock Services, Department of Agriculture and Nepal Electricity Authority, among others. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14423 KATHMANDU, Jan 24: The deepening intra-party division in in CPN-UML over the party´s stance on system for electing the prime minister in the new constitution was reflected in the Constituent Assembly (CA) on the report of the CA Committee on System of Governance on Sunday. Taking part in the deliberations in the CA, UML members advocated two opposite models on electing the prime minister. [break] Those close to party chairman Jhala Nath Khanal advocated direct election of executive prime minister while other members close to Khanal´s archrival KP Oli lobbied for the Westminster model of electing prime minister from the parliament. Party secretary Bishnu Poudel, who is senior most UML member in the CA committee, claimed that the party officially stands for election of executive prime minister by the parliament. He said the UML CA members had also voted for the same in the CA committee. However, another UML member Ratna Gurung said five of the eight UML members in the committee were for directly-elected executive prime minister. She also expressed objection to the committee´s decision not to register their differing views in the committee report. In the voting held in the committee on December 1, all the eight UML members in the 43-member committee had cast votes in favor electing prime minister by the parliament. But later five of them demanded that they be allowed to withdraw their votes. In deliberations on Sunday, Poudel and Pradip Gyawali said they had to sacrifice the party´s stated earlier stance for directly elected prime minister during the voting in the CA committee for the sake of reaching consensus on writing constitution. "We can´t write constitution if all the political parties stand by their policies. Writing constitution is not a task of compilation of the political parties´ manifestos," Gyawali said. Giriraj Mani Pokharel of UCPN (Maoist) advocated popularly elected executive presidential system. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14420 KATHMANDU, Jan 24: A meeting of the Special Committee on Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of Maoist Combatants on Sunday decided to form a secretariat to control the chain of command of the cantoned Maoist fighters. The representatives of the political parties in the special committee, however, failed to arrive at consensus over the number of members in the secretariat at Sunday´s meeting. The next meeting of the Committee to be held Tuesday will take a decision to this effect, according to Jitendra Dev of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF). [break] Dev, who is a member of the special committee, said the parties have agreed to induct some experts from the concerned field in the secretariat. The combatants will be under the command of the secretariat once the body takes shape. It is likely that the secretariat will include nine members including experts from among those serving in security agencies. Emerging from the meeting at the Prime Minister´s Office in Singha Durbar, NC leader Ram Sharan Mahat said discussions are moving in a positive direction. "We have made an agreement to induct persons with experience in security forces," he said. "All the combatants will be under the coordination of the secretariat." Special Committee Spokesperson Madhav Ghimire said Sunday´s meeting made some amendment to the draft relating to the chain of command proposed by the technical committee. He, however, did not give details. The committee´s meeting held on January 19 had finalized the code of conduct for the Maoists combatants that bars them from involving in political activities of their mother party UCPN (Maoist). http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14401 KATHMANDU, Jan 24: The Supreme Court on Sunday vacated its order of staying Major General Toran Jung Bahadur Singh´s promotion to the post of lieutenant general and ordered for a final hearing on February 21. Singh has been accused of human rights violations during the conflict. SC stays Toran´s promotion for a week SC order fails to affect Toran Toran promotion stayed till next Sunday Toran´s promotion challenged in SC Though Singh will continue to hold the post of lieutenant general, the court will give its final verdict in February. His promotion was dragged into controversy as he was promoted despite calls from human rights community to clear him of the charge through credible investigation before he assumed office. [break] The National Human Rights Commission and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights-Nepal (OHCHR-N) have separately accused Singh for disappearances in the Bhairabnath Battalion from 2003 to 2004. Justices Ram Prasad Shrestha and Tap Bahadur Magar decided to lift the stay order issued by Chief Justice Anup Raj Sharma on January 3 on two grounds. First, the court said that it could not continue the stay order effective till Sunday because the decision on Singh´s promotion was implemented before the controversy. He was promoted on December 24 and he assumed office two days later. But the controversy over his promotion was brought before the court on December 27. Second, the court, while vacating the stay-order, said that Singh was not charged with human rights violations before he was promoted. The court invoked a precedent passed by a full bench that a stay order cannot be issued in cases when a defendant has already received an appointment letter. It their order, Justice Ram Prasad Shrestha and Tap Bahadur Magar were silent on the reports of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nepal (OHCHR-N), accusing Singh of human rights violations in 2003. Maoist leaders Krishna KC, Bina Magar and Himal Sharma had filed a writ petition against Singh´s promotion at the Supreme Court, asking the court to nullify the government decision. kiran@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14398 BIRATNAGAR, Jan 24: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sujata Koirala on Sunday claimed membership in the High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) headed by her father and Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala. Speaking to journalists at her residence in Biratnagar, he claimed that she is required in the mechanism for the proper understanding with the other countries.[break] "As a foreign minister I talk daily with UN, UNMIN, European Union and neighbor countries. If I am not informed well about mechanism there will be misunderstanding,” she said. “That’s why I must be a member of the mechanism.” She said that the mechanism should include her as an invitee member. She also claimed that her father conceptualized the mechanism and Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal agreed on it. “I am a supporter of the mechanism since the beginning, but it should only have maximum of seven members, otherwise it would be a fish market,” she added. Koirala returned Kathmandu on Sunday after three-day political and family trip to Morang and Sunsari. On Saturday, she announced that she would donate her land to the proposed Krishna Prasad Koirala Museum. The HLPM currently have four members – Girija Prasad Koirala, Dahal, CPN-UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal and Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14364 KATHMANDU, Jan 23: The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) is deeply divided over adopting a system for electing the executive prime minister under the new constitution. UML CA members divided over system of governance Party Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal has said the UML will stand by the party´s stated policy of electing the executive prime minister directly through popular vote. [break] "Our party will be lobbying consistently in the Constituent Assembly (CA) in favor of the model [directly-elected executive prime minister] until the end," Khanal told reporters after the UML parliamentary party meeting at Singha Durbar, Saturday. However, party Secretary Bishnu Poudel ruled out any possibility of supporting the model as all eight UML members in the CA Committee on System of Governance (CSG) had earlier voted in favor of the proposal to elect the executive prime minister from parliament. He said they can´t withdraw their votes now. "All the UML members in the CA committee have voted for a parliament-elected executive prime ministerial system as per the mandate from the party´s politburo meeting. That is our official stance. Expression of views by individual leaders make no sense," Poudel said. Contrary to the chairman´s statement, Poudel claimed that UML CA members would speak in favor of the parliament-elected executive prime ministerial system as the party can´t change its stance time and again. The CA is scheduled to hold deliberations from Sunday on the preliminary draft report prepared by the CSG. The CA committee on December 1 held a vote on system of governance. The NC and UML formed an alliance to counter the Maoist proposal, combining the NC´s proposal for electing the executive prime minister through parliament and UML´s proposal on electoral system. But the NC-UML alliance failed to defeat the Maoist proposal. We stand by directly-elected PM: Chairman Our official stance is election by parliament: Secretary Later, the UML parliamentary party in a meeting decided to stand by the party´s original policy. After that, five of the eight UML members in the committee-- Ratna Gurung, Sonam Chhejung Lama, Hasina Miya, Pradyumna Chauhan and Govind Nepali-- demanded that they be allowed to withdraw their votes. Only three senior party leaders -- Poudel, Prithivi Subba Gurung and Krishna Prasad Sapkota, who are believed to be close to Khanal´s arch rival KP Sharma Oli, remained in favor of the model they voted for. Saturday´s parliamentary party meeting turned into a heated debate, with lawmakers belonging to the two factions engaged in arguments and counter-arguments. At one point the meeting turned chaotic. Lawmakers close to Khanal and the party establishment fiercely criticized Poudel, who was actively involved in forging the alliance with the NC for the committee voting, and other leaders, for giving up the party´s popular agenda. Other members close to Oli in reply termed the five members´ decision to withdraw their votes as against the party´s policy. Sapkota termed the recent decisions and steps taken by the party over the issue a farce. "Despite the fact that I am a long-time advocate of the directly-elected prime ministerial model, I stand by the vote I cast. I am ready to face party action for that," said Sapkota, who has authored a book on the importance of a directly-elected executive prime minister for the country. On the other hand, Ratna Gurung, who was actively involved in demanding to be allowed to withdraw their vote in the committee, challenged the leadership to take disciplinary action against her if in doing so they find her violating party policy. Lama argued that there was no need for UML cadres to hold communist flags if the party always takes decisions as per the NC´s direction. Nepali informed the meeting that he wanted to withdraw his vote. Party Secretary Shankar Pokharel said the party´s politburo decision [not parliamentary party decision] should be the main guiding policy in taking such a crucial decision. While Poudel argued that they had to make compromises with the NC as the constitution cannot be written if all the political parties stand by their own manifestos, UML Chief Whip Bhim Acharya compared the deal with the NC to the exchange of a precious item for something worthless. thira@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14359 KATHMANDU, Jan 23: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on Saturday suggested that all the major political parties represented in the Constituent Assembly should be given berths in the newly formed High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM). Prime Minister Nepal made this suggestion during his meeting with Nepali Congress President and HLPM Chairman Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter´s residence at Maharajgunj. UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal was also present in the meeting. [break] Koirala and Khanal apprised the prime minister of the decision made by the HLPM to finalize its terms of reference. Earlier, the HLPM meeting had decided to include prime minister as an invitee member. According to prime minister´s press advisor Bishnu Rijal, the former has always been positive about the formation of such a mechanism aimed at taking the peace process to a logical end. “It will be easier to forge consensus if we include all major parties in the Constituent Assembly in the mechanism,” Rijal quoted the prime minister as saying. “This will make it easy to develop uniform idea on main issues of national importance.” The prime minister also said the failure to include all major parties will create an environment of distrust among other parties. During the meeting, the NC and UML had also agreed to further strengthen their unity. The two parties agreed to form a task force to develop uniform idea on various contentious issues. Among others, the two parties agreed to bridge the trust deficit between the parties, expedite the process to fill vacant positions in the constitutional bodies, protest the excesses made by Maoists in various parts of the country and garner public support to various works done by the government. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14360 POKHARA, Jan 23: Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai has demanded that the government take action Defense Minister Bidya Bhandari if it disowns her views on integration of the Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army. Bhandari had stirred a hornet´s nest by stating that the combatants should not be integrated into the national army. Speaking at a function in Pokhara on Saturday, Bhattarai said that defense minister´s controversial remarks must not be condoned terming it as her personal view. “If it is her personal view, the government should take action againt her,” he said. [break] Stating that the Maoists would not accept such an excuse, Bhattarai argued that the peace process would not reach its logical conclusion if the recently constituted High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) fails to form a Maoist-led government. “The mechanism will have no significance if it fails to address our demands,” said Bhattarai. He also warned that his party would launch strident protests if their demands are not met. Bhattarai argued that the Maoists have a 50 percent share in the peace process and stressed on the need for power-sharing to lead the peace process to a logical end. Without the Maoists leading the government, the peace process will not succeed, he said. He also warned of a crisis if “extra efforts” were made to isolate the Maoists. Stating that the formation of HLPM is a positive development, the Maoist vice chairman said the his party withdrew protests in the hope that their demands would be addressed. Dr Bhattarai said that the peace process will not succeed unless the Maoist combatants are integrated into the Nepal army. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14351 KATHMANDU, Jan 23: The Peace Ministry has finalized a draft bill on Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) that will probe into cases of human rights violations during the conflict, and recommend prosecution of perpetrators and reparation for victims. Peace Secretary Punya Prasad Neupane said the ministry gave final touches to the draft on Thursday and sent it to the cabinet for approval. Once the cabinet approves it, the government will table it in the parliament for enactment. [break] The TRC is a transitional justice mechanism envisioned in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed on November 21, 2006, to create environment of reconciliation in the society by investigating gross violation of human rights and crimes against humanity committed during the decade-long Maoist conflict. The mechanism is expected to work to heal the wounds of the conflict in the society. The proposed bill says the TRC will have power to recommend the government to pardon perpetrators of certain crimes. But it will have to obtain permission from the victims before making such a recommendation, besides supplying convincing grounds for the pardon. "But it cannot recommend the government to pardon perpetrators involved in custodial killing, murder of an unarmed individual, torture, rape, disappearance and abduction," reads the draft bill. The commission can recommend the pardon only if the perpetrator requests in writing for the pardon and regrets for the crime. Besides, the human rights violators are required to reveal the truth of the crime before the commission while making a request for pardon and provide compensation to the victims. According to the draft, the TRC can either request people to file complaints of human rights violations or it can take up any human rights violation case for investigation on its own. It will have the power of a court to interrogate any accused and enjoy unhindered access to any place to collect evidences. Any obstacle to investigation of the TRC will be considered a contempt case subject to a fine of Rs 15,000 at a time. The commission can also hold public hearings to find out the truth of a particular human rights violation case. The TRC will also carry out a number of reconciliation programs to heal the wounds of the conflict including monument construction, publication of poems and essay and art completions that will spread the message of reconciliation in the society. "But such programs will not be carried out without obtaining prior permission from victims or their families," the draft bill says. The commission will also recommend the government to provide reparation to the victims or their families. Such reparations will include free education and treatment, skill training, interest-free loans, resettlement, employment and other facilities that the commission will deem suitable, among others. Neupane told myrepublica.com that the draft was prepared after broad consultations at the cluster level involving victims, regional level, technical level and the thematic level. Before sending it to the cabinet, it was discussed among lawyers and representatives of national and international human rights organizations. Peace Minister Rakam Chemjong said the next cabinet meeting would discuss the draft bill and send it to the Bill Committee of the cabinet for a final approval. kiran@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14349 KATHMANDU, Jan 23: Even after his appointment as a member of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Keshav Baral will not assume his office as there is no one to administer him the oath of office and secrecy. As per existing legal provisions, the chief commissioner of the CIAA should administer oath of office to members appointed to the constitutional anti-graft body. But the body is now without a chief following the retirement of Acting Chief Commissioner Lalit Bahadur Limbu two weeks ago. [break] "It is a blunder on the government´s part to appoint a member without first appointing the chief of the commission in accordance with legal provisions," said a senior official at the CIAA, adding, “This is an example of the government´s ignorance about legal provisions.” Parliament amended the act relating to constitutional body officials through the Bill on Implementation of Republic last week. The Bill was endorsed by parliament last week. Article 24 of the amended act relating to constitutional bodies has a provision that says the chiefs of all constitutional bodies should take their oath of office and secrecy from the chief justice and the members or commissioners of such constitutional bodies should take oath from their respective chiefs. “The government´s unwise and improper decision has created a problem," the source said, adding, “This is probably the first case of a constitutional body member staying at home even after his appointment.” Baral will have to wait till the appointment of the CIAA chief. The existing legal provisions prohibit him from assuming office without taking the oath of office and secrecy. But unfortunately the appointment of chiefs and other vacant positions in the CIAA and other constitutional bodies remains uncertain as the main opposition Maoist party has been boycotting the meetings of the Constitutional Council (CC) on a regular basis. Baral was officially appointed by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav on Thursday after the completion of a parliamentary hearings process. A source at the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers said that such a problem is the result of political parties quarreling over the sharing of positions in constitutional bodies. The CC recommended the name of former Additional Inspector General of Police Baral as a CIAA commissioner two weeks ago. Although the CIAA has positions for five commissioners, only two commissioners had been working there for the last three years. And it has been without any commissioner at all for the last two weeks. Baral joined the police service in 2035 BS and retired as AIG a few months ago. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14337 KATHMANDU, Jan 22: Four Madhes-based political parties have taken strong exception to the decision of Constituent Assembly (CA) Committee on State Restructuring and Distribution of State Powers to give preferential rights to members of the largest community in the provinces in the new constitution. CA committee for special right to largest community in province The committee on Wednesday had proposed that members of a community or ethnic group which has the largest population in a given province be given political preference.This would mean that only members of the largest community would be eligible for important posts like chief minister of the province, for two terms. [break] “Giving special right to a particular community is totally against basic democratic principles. We have been against it from the very beginning,” said co-chairman of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) Jaya Prakash Gupta at a press meet jointly organized by MPRF, MPRF (Democratic), Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) and Sadbhawana Party (SP) at Singha Durbar on Friday. The four parties have termed the decision to define autonomous states and land policy by the CA committee as against the main spirit of federalism. “Defining the autonomous regions and land policy falls under the jurisdiction of future provinces. Also, several other rights that fall under the jurisdiction of the provinces have been given to the committee. We have concluded that this is encroachment on the jurisdiction of provinces and against the main spirit of federalism,” read a press statement jointly issued by Mahantha Thakur of TMDP, Gupta of MPRF, Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar of MPRF (D) and Rajendra Mahato of SP. The four political parties have also taken exception to the committee´s decision to exclude several areas, including Nawalpur of Nawalparasi, southern part of Chitwan, Kankrebihar of Surkhet, Kamala Khoch of Sindhuli, Gaighat of Udayapur from Madhes. They also objected to names given to the proposed provinces. They have reiterated their demand for ´a single Madhes province´. The committee decided to carve two provinces in the Tarai and a separate Narayani province comprising Chitwan and adjoining areas. Divided on protest priority While Gupta of MPRF, which is in the opposition, said that the parties would aggressively go for protests against the proposed federal model, delineation and other provisions, other leaders -- Thakur, Gachchhadar and Mahato -- said they would keep on raising the issues in the CA till the last. MPRF-D, TMDP and SP are in the ruling coalition. "We will keep on struggling to incorporate our agenda through the CA. That is our priority,” said Deputy Prime Minister Gachchhadar, adding that going to the people could always be an option for a political party. Stating that there is no coordination among the four Madhes-based parties, Thakur said that the TMDP is for raising the issues in the CA itself. “We will continue to insist to get our agenda passed in the CA," he said. Chitwan for national capital recommended The four Madhes-based parties also recommended that shifting the national capital to Chitwan could be a justified step. However, they didn´t elucidate the rationale behind the recommendation. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14329 KATHMANDU, January 22: Chief of the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) Karin Landgren has urged political parties to act quickly to complete the peace process by May 15 when the new mandate of her office expires. "The fact is there is a very tight deadline and parties will have to begin implementation [of the agreements relating to the peace process] quite rapidly to be able to meet the challenging task," Landgren told journalists on Friday. [break] Her remarks come a day after the UN Security Council (UNSC) extended the mandate of her office till May 15 as requested by the Nepal government. The government has planned to complete the peace process by the deadline and complete the constitution drafting process by May 28 and had requested the UNSC to extend UNMIN´s mandate only till May 15. In its resolution, the UNSC urged political parties to take full advantage of the expertise and UNMIN´s readiness to facilitate the completion of outstanding aspects of UNMIN´s mandate within the set deadline. Addressing the press conference organized by UNMIN, Landgren also stressed that parties should live up to their commitment to the peace process by addressing the key issues related to the three-year old peace process. Integration and rehabilitation of former Maoist army personnel has remained the thorniest issue of the peace process. The parties are yet to decide how many combatants should be integrated in national security forces. Besides, the proposed plan of action on integration and rehabilitation is yet to be finalized. The plan aims at completing the management of 19,602 verified combatants within maximum 112 days since it is enforced. Any delay in determining the number and the action plan is likely to lead to missing of the deadline. "We have seen in the discharge process, for example, implementation was able to begin very quickly once political agreement reached. We certainly hope that the parties will be able to meet their commitment to undertake this really large task in the span of next four months," she further said replying to questions of journalists. Landgren, who returned from New York early this week after briefing the UNSC on Nepal´s peace process, further said that the UNSC was encouraged by the formation of the High-Level Political Mechanism and the proposed plan of action on integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants. 40 per cent disqualified already left Landgren said that an estimated 40 percent of the disqualified Maoist combatants have already left the cantonments without going through the formal discharge process. She added that the voluntary leaving of the cantonments of the disqualified would not affect the removal of the Maoist party from the UN Secretary General´s list of the parties using children in the armed conflict. When asked about the reason behind the voluntary leaving of the cantonments by the disqualified, she said that the Maoist army leadership told her that they left the cantonments because they were not qualified during UNMIN verification in 2007 and partly because of frustration. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14328 KATHMANDU, Jan 22: The High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) on Friday finalized its Terms of Reference (ToR) and decided to include more parties in the body. A meeting of top leaders of the UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML held at the residence of NC President Girija Prasad Koirala also set out the HLPM´s objectives and a code of conduct for individual political parties included in the mechanism. [break] The big three parties have charted out the objectives of the HLPM in the wake of leaders of various political parties raising questions about the mechanism´s mandate and objectives. Top leaders of the respective parties can include other members in the HLPM. While the prime minister will be an invitee member of the body, top leaders of other political parties in the Constituent Assembly will also be included in due course, according to party leaders. Talking to media persons after the meeting, UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal termed the decision to finalize the ToR ´historic´. “This has brought to an end differences that surfaced among the political parties,” he said. The ToR signed by NC President Koirala, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and UML Chairman Khanal entrusts the HLPM with seven different tasks including forging consensus among political parties to end the protracted political deadlock, forming separate sub-committees on various issues related to peace and constitution-drafting to facilitate the work of bodies concerned and reviewing and implementing past agreements between the government and the Maoists. Formation of various commissions as provisioned in the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) and the Interim Constitution, making public the whereabouts of those disappeared during the conflict time, and returning property seized by the Maoists in various parts of the country are also among tasks entrusted to the body. As per the ToR, the HLPM meeting set to be held every week will take all its decisions through consensus among all political parties in the mechanism. The HLPM can amend its ToR as and when deemed necessary. As per the code of conduct prepared Friday, political parties are now to refrain from attacking rival party cadres and also stop levelling accuations at rival parties in speech and writing. The parties are also to immediately resolve at the levels concerned any differences that surface among them and give emphasis to resolving problems based on consensus. NC, UML and the Maoists on January 8 formed a three-member HLPM under the chairmanship of NC President Koirala to help resolve the widening differences that have emerged among the major political parties in the aftermath of the Constituent Assembly election of April, 2008. The main objective of the HLPM is to help take the ongoing peace process to a logical end and accomplish the task of drafting a new constitution within the stipulated deadline. Maoists withdraw indefinite banda The UCPN (Maoist) on Friday withdrew its indefinite general strike scheduled to begin January 24. A meeting of Maoist office bearers held on Friday afternoon took a decision to this effect, saying they expected a consensus through the HLPM anytime soon to end the protracted deadlock. The HLPM meeting held on Friday has placed ending the protracted political deadlock in top priority under the ToR. A press statement issued by Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said their nationwide protest program aimed at ensuring civil supremacy and national independence will, however, remain unchanged. Dahal said they expect the HLPM to arrive at a consensus soon to end the protracted political deadlock, bring the peace process to a logical conclusion and complete the constitution drafting. Earlier, during the HLPM meeting, the NC and UML had asked the Maoists to withdraw their protests. The Maoist leadership had assured them that they would withdraw the protests after holding discussions within the party. koshraj@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14327 KATHMANDU, Jan 22: The Unified CPN (Maoist) has withdrawn its indefinite strike, party spokesperson Dinanath Sharma told myrepublica.com on Friday afternoon. The party took the decision during a meeting held at 3 p.m. Earlier, after a meeting held at the residence of the High Level Political Mechanism Coordinator and Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala, the party’s vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha had said, “We have taken it (the request to withdraw the protest) positively. We will discuss it in our party and decide.”[break] The Maoists had announced an indefinite strike beginning Sunday. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14315 KATHMANDU, Jan 22: Though it is not much and it´s getting late, the Constituent Assembly (CA) has made headway, taking the constitution writing process to a new stage. With the CA Committee on State Restructuring and Distribution of State Powers (SRDSP) making its preliminary draft report and concept paper ready, the CA has concluded the task of preparing the preliminary draft reports. Out of the total 11 thematic committees, 10 had already prepared their reports and submitted them to the full CA for discussion.[break] Chairman of the CA committee on SRSDP, Lokendra Bista Magar, handed in the report to CA Chairman Subas Nembang amid a function at Singha Durbar Thursday afternoon. The committee late Wednesday night completed the task of delimiting the proposed provinces, providing them names and defining the jurisdiction of the three tiers of government -- central, provincial and local -- under the new constitution, among other things. The Committee on System of Governance (SG) tabled its preliminary draft report at the CA on Thursday evening while deliberations on the report prepared by the CA Constitutional Committee (CC) concluded in the afternoon. SG Chairman Shambhu Hajara Dusadh tabled his committee´s report after CC Chairman Nilambar Acharya responded to queries on the report raised by CA members. Deliberations on eight other thematic committees have already concluded in the CA. Nembang termed the accomplished work an important achievement. "Today, we have completed an important task. In fact it´s a historic achievement because a people´s representative body has created a strong and absolute ground in the constitution writing process for the first time in the country´s history," Nembang said while receiving the state restructuring report. He said that with this latest progress at the thematic committees, the CA has succeeded in creating a strong foundation for expediting the constitution writing process. With a view to expedite the constitution writing process, the CA has also decided to amend a provision in its regulations on forwarding preliminary draft reports to the CC, to create a single integrated report compiling all 11 reports. According to the regulations, the CA can forward all 11 thematic committee reports to the CC simultaneously only after the full CA concludes deliberations on all the reports. "But we wanted to forward to the CC reports which have already been discussed in the House before the CA concludes deliberations on the remaining reports so that we can take up both the tasks -- deliberations in the full House and compilation in the CC-- simultaneously," Nembang said, adding, "Therefore, we decided to expedite the process by amending the regulations." According to him, the CA will forward the amendment proposal to the House within a couple of days. The integrated draft report will be discussed in the House. Feedback and suggestions on the integrated report will be taken from the people. CA members will visit the districts and their constituencies to get feedback from the people. The report will then be amended again as per the feedback and tabled for discussions in the House. Along with several other rounds of discussions, the aforementioned tasks need to be completed by May 28, the final deadline for promulgating the constitution. Failing to meet deadlines, the CA has already made adjustments to its calendar of events for the eighth time without, however, extending the final deadline. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14314 KATHMANDU, Jan 21: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday ordered the National Human Rights Commission to scrap its move to make its temporary staff permanent, saying that it violated the constitutional provision on right to equality. The apex court also declared null and void a provision in the regulations concerning terms and conditions of service of NHRC staff as the regulations were amended without meeting legal requirements.[break] NHRC in legal row over hiring A special bench of Justices Ram Prasad Shrestha, Tahir Ali Ansari and Mohan Prakash Sitaula issued the order to this effect in response to public interest litigation filed by advocate Meena Khadka. “Implementation of such a provision will prevent people [other than temporary NHRC staff] from competing for posts at the NHRC," the justices said in their ruling. The constitutional human rights watchdog headed by former chief justice Kedar Nath Upadhyaya last July initiated the process of making 80 temporary staff permanent through unilateral amendment of its regulations despite objections from the Public Service Commission (PSC), another constitutional body, and the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM). But advocate Khadka went to court in September against the NHRC move. Khadka argued in the petition that the temporary staff in question were initially hired at NHRC for specific donor-funded projects but once the projects were phased out they were appointed at the national human rights watchdog to official positions on contract basis without meeting the existing standards.   “This is the first step toward democratizing the NHRC," said advocate Madhav Basnet, who pleaded at the SC against NHRC´s bid. Article 126 (3) (a) and (b) of the constitution says that any public body, including the NHRC, is required to consult the PSC over issues concerning laws and regulations related to staff and appointment of new employees. But NHRC had not consulted the PSC while introducing the amendment to the regulations. The amendment opened the door to making all temporary staff permanent. The decision to make temporary staff permanent was not unanimous even within the NHRC. NHRC member Dr Leela Pathak had written a note of dissent in the minutes of the decision, saying that such a move was unconstitutional and would encroach upon the constitutional jurisdiction of the PSC. She had also maintained that the decision violated the general public´s right to take part in free competition. The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority, the constitutional anti-graft body, had written to OPMCM five years ago, drawning attention to irregularities over hiring temporary staff at the NHRC. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14312 DANG, Jan 21: All offices of Village Development Committees (VDCs) in Dang have started shifting to the district headquarters on the pretext of providing quick services to people. As many as 10 VDCs have set up their offices in the headquarters so far. And more are likely to do so soon. All the VDC offices which have been shifted to the headquarters are from far-flung villages. In the absence of VDC offices in the villages, the villagers are forced to reach the headquarters to avail the VDCs´ services. [break] The VDCs which have their own buildings in the villages have been spending thousands of rupees on paying rent for offices in the headquarters. “We shifted to the headquarters after getting permission from all parties,” Agni Neupane, secretary of VDC Secretaries´ Rights Protection Committee, said. “Local people have not opposed to it either; they are rather upbeat as they can get all services from the headquarters.” However, District Development Committee (DDC) asserts that all VDC offices shifted to the headquarters must return to the villages. “Until and unless there are security threats, VDC secretaries can not stay in the headquarters,” Krishna KC, information officer at the DDC, says. He admits that DDC has not taken any initiative to send the offices back to the villages so far. “We expect them to return to the villages on moral grounds,” KC says. A majority of VDC secretaries, who were displaced from the villages during the Maoist conflict, had returned to villages. However, the subsequent turmoil caused by Tharuhat Struggle Committee´s agitation displaced some VDC secretaries once again. Many secretaries fled villages after TSC cadres set a dozen of VDC offices ablaze. They have not returned back to the villages even after TSC promised not to attack VDC offices any more. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14310 KATHMANDU, Jan 21: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal asked the Unified CPN (Maoist) not to form any opinion based on media reports. The request of the prime minister comes in the wake of controversy surrounding the remarks of Defense Minister Bidya Bhandari who said that the Maoist combatants could not be integrated into the national army.[break] Minister Bhandari had also questioned the Special Committee on Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation saying the committee fails to ensure representation of main stakeholders - Defense Ministry and Nepal Army. Addressing Legislature Parliament meeting on Thursday evening, the prime minister said the Committee formed to look after supervision, integration and the rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants was formed as per constitution. He also said the remarks of Defense Minister hold no meaning as the Committee formed as per the constitution provisional is currently working to accomplish the tasks. The prime minister also said that the government did not import arms from India as claimed by the Maoists. He told the House that vehicles and other logistics for army were imported from India, but not arms. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14309 BABIYACHAUR, Jan 21: Vice-Chairman of the Unified CPN (Maoist) Dr Baburam Bhattarai asserted that the present government had no legitimacy and morality to promulgate new constitution. Addressing a mass gathering at Beni as per party´s campaign on national awareness and exposure, Dr Bhattarai said that no party could frame constitution without the leadership of the Maoist.[break] ´´The constitution will be promulgated and peace process concluded if the national government under the leadership of the Maoists party is formed´´, he said. ´´The puppet government guided by the foreign powers does not have any basis to establish durable peace formulating new constitution in the country." He boasted of his party´s knack of brining two extremes in a common platform. Bhattarai also blamed the Defense Minister that her views against prime minister´s decision were prone to foiling peace process. Until Nepal Army and Maoist fighters were integrated as per the comprehensive peace accord and Interim Constitution, peace could not prevail in the country, he stressed. He made it clear that his party´s campaign for national sovereignty was not to provoke India but to solve the genuine problems of the country. Also speaking on the occasion, party Spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma expressed his concern over Defense Minister´s views against army integration. “Nepal´s sovereignty was put in jeopardy due to the persons brought up under Indian influence,” he added. Meanwhile in Udayapur, secretary CP Gajurel said though his party was of taking army integration and constitution drafting side by side, recent views of Defense Minister was creating hostile condition for this. Addressing a joint mass meeting of Kirat, Limbuwan and Sherpa federal states of his party at Gaighat, Gajurel accused the government of inviting confrontation. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14305 CHITWAN, Jan 21: Chitwan District Court on Thursday issued orders banning the sale of property belonging to Maoist People´s Liberation Army (PLA) Division Commandar Kali Bahadur Kham, the main accused in the murder of businessman Ram Hari Shrestha. The court issued the verdict as Kham failed to produce himself before the court. The court also issued orders to ban the sale of property belonging to other three Maoist cadres - Brigade Commander Keshav Adhikari, vice commander Ganga Ram Thapa and diver Arjun Karki - accused of involvement in the murder.[break] Shrestha, a businessman from Koteshwor, Kathmandu, was murdered in the Maoists Third Division Cantonment in Shaktikhor, Chitwan. A murder case against the four Maoist cadres is sub judice at the Chitwan District Court. Kham is the Maoist Third Division Commander and a central member of the UCPN (Maoist). None of the accused except Maoist Brigade Commander Gobinda Bahadur Batala has been arrested in connection with the murder so far. The Maoists have admitted that Adhikari and Thapa had beaten Shrestha to death inside the cantonment last year. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14296 KATHMANDU, Jan 21: Defense Minister Bidya Devi Bhandari said Thursday that she stands by her Tuesday’s statement that bulk integration of PLA combatants will not be acceptable even if the Special Committee for Army Integration headed by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal so recommends. Bhandari´s remarks meaningless, have faith in us: PM to Maoists Bhandari’s latest assertion comes even after her statement was disowned by the Cabinet on Wednesday, and after prime minister Nepal told the special committee on Thursday that no one could challenge the decision of the committee. [break] The prime minister had also told Maoist members in the special committee that the defense minister´s remarks were "meaningless". Talking to journalists after meeting Indian Army Chief Gen. Deepak Kapoor at her office in Singh Durbar, Bhandari added that Kapoor made a commitment to resume Indian government’s assistance to Nepal Army. She added that there was a discussion to regulate border security. However, integration did not feature as a topic for discussion in her meeting with Gen Kapoor, Bhandari said. Gen Kapoor, who separately met with premier Nepal at the latter’s office, did not give his comments to the media. He is scheduled to address the media after being conferred the post of honorary army chief of Nepal by President Ram Baran Yadav at 4 p.m. Thursday. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14293 (Updated with details, chief secretary´s quotes) KATHMANDU, Jan 21: In an attempt to placate the UCPN (Maoist) in the wake of defense minister’s controversial remarks on integration of Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army, the prime minister asked the party have faith in the government. Code for PLA bars flag, Dahal pix, political activity Cabinet Disowns Bhandari´s Views Special committee can´t decide integration: Bhandari Plan to manage combatants in 112 days floated During a meeting of Special Committee on Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation held at his office on Thursday, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said that no one could challenge the decision of the committee which had constitutional mandate and hence binding on all, our correspondent Kiran Chapagain reported. The PM termed his defense minister´s remarks meaningless. [break] "Therefore, its decisions are binding on all and no one can challenge them," Rakam Chemjong, minister for Peace and Reconstruction, quoted the PM while briefing mediapersons. The two Maoist members in the committee – Barsa Man Pun and Janardan Sharma – objected to Defense Minister Bidya Bhandari’s remarks ruling out bulk integration of Maoist combatants into the national army even if the special committee decides so. The meeting could not take up its agenda in the light of the Maoists members walking after registering their protest over Bhandari’s remarks. The meeting was supposed to prepare mechanisms so as to implement a previous decision of bringing the Maoist army under the control of the special committee which is headed by the prime minister. The committee was also going to discuss the 112-day action plan on the integration and rehabilitation package for the 19602 verified Maoist combatants announced by PM Nepal on January 6. The plan, in the initial phase, offers the combatants to choose among politics, integration and rehabilitation. They will have to choose one among the choices at the grab. At the special committee meeting on Thursday, Pun demanded that the Cabinet has to categorically state its official position on integration of Maoist combatants in the light the defense minister’s comments. "While we take it positively that her remarks have been termed personal, we won’t attend the meeting until the cabinet expresses its views on Bhandari’s remarks." Chief Secretary Madhav Prasad Ghimire said the special committee was working as per Article 146 of the Interim Constitution which warrants integration and rehabilitation of the Maoists combatants. The cabinet has already disowned Bhandari’s remarks. “Her views do not in any way represent the government’s official position on the issues,” Law and Justice Minister, Prem Bahadur Singh said on Wednesday that after the cabinet meeting. Bhandari, in a press conference on Tuesday had ruled out "bulk integration" of Maoist army personnel into Nepal Army. She had also said that the special committee’s decision on integration would not be acceptable as there was no representation of "concerned stakeholders" (Nepal Army) in the committee. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14286 KATHMANDU, Jan 21: The Constituent Assembly (CA) Committee on State Restructuring and Distribution of State Powers has suggested that members of a community or ethnic group which has the largest population in comparison to other communities in a given province should be given political preference under the new constitution. This provision means that only members of the largest community in the province will be given special preference for important posts like chief minister of the province, for two terms. The other communities will be deprived of this right and they will not be allowed to get such posts even by free competition. [break] "In the case of provinces created on the basis of ethnic identity, it will be appropriate if the political parties during elections and formation of governments give preference to members of the largest community in the top leadership," said the Maoist-proposed provision that was passed by a majority in voting in the committee on Wednesday. Twenty-one members of the 43-member committee voted in favor of the provision. Nepali Congress (NC) and other lawmakers objected to the decision saying that 21 votes were not sufficient to constitute a majority of the committee as 42 members -- other than Narayan Man Bijukchhe of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP) -- were present at the meeting. But committee Chairman Lokendra Bista Magar claimed the number was a majority as Pratibha Rana of Rastriya Prajatantra Party left the meeting just before the voting on the issue. According to CA regulations, provisions need to be endorsed by a two-thirds majority of CA members present during voting. NC, RPP, others for forwarding both models to CA Approves 14-state model with changes UML divided over political preference CA members from Madhes-based parties against model Members from NC and other non-Maoist parties strongly objected to the provision saying that it was completely against the basic norms of democracy. UML members in the committee, however, were divided over the provision. While Shankar Pokharel, Sita Kumari Poudel and Ram Chandra Jha of CPN-UML stood against the special preferential right, Dr Mangal Siddhi Manandhar and Lucky Sherpa of the same party voted in favor. The UML party was also divided in another CA committee -- system of governance committee -- last week. Narahari Acharya, Nabindra Raj Joshi, Arjoo Deuba and Mohammad Aftab Alam of NC and members from other parties Sunil Prajapati, Chandra Dev Joshi, Nilam KC and Santa Bahadur Nepali objected to the preferential right provision. The committee also passed a 14-province map for state restructuring under the federal model. Altogether 24 from UCPN (Maoist) and UML, among others, voted in favor of the model while 15 members from NC, RPP and fringe parties voted in favor of forwarding both models prepared by the subcommittee to the full House of the 601-member CA for discussion. Earlier, the five-member subcommittee formed by the committee prepared and put forth the two models-- one with 14 provinces and the other with six provinces -- before the committee. Earlier proposed models. New model. The committee, however, made some changes in the 14-province model. In the new model, it has created two separate Himalayan provinces -- Jadan in the west and Sherpa in the east -- while earlier there was no separate province in the entire Himalayan range. The new provinces are Limbu, Kirat, Madhes, Sunkoshi, Sherpa, Newa, Tamsaling, Narayani, Tamuwan, Magarat, Tharuhat, Jadan, Karnali and Khaptad. Of the 14 provinces, 10 were created on the basis of identity of community. While creating two Madhes provinces -- Tharuhat in the west and Madhes in the east -- in the entire Tarai region, the committee has omitted two provinces -- Birat and West Madhes-- that were proposed by the subcommittee earlier. Chitwan and other adjoining districts have been included in Narayani province. Madhesi CA members expressed their objection to dividing Madhes into two provinces and to not including Chitwan and adjoining areas in one of the Madhes provinces. thira@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14276 KATHMANDU, Jan 20: A cabinet decision to promote Major General Pawan Jung Thapa to lieutenant general has cleared the way for Gaurav Shumsher Rana to become, in all likelihood, the next Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) of the Nepal Army (NA). The cabinet meeting of Wednesday promoted Thapa to lieutenant general. Thapa will be returning from Sudan in the second week of April. He is currently stationed in Khartoum as Force Commander of UNMIS (United Nations Mission in Sudan). As per seniority, Thapa should be appointed the new CoS (Chief of Staff) upon his return. [break] The cabinet, meanwhile, also gave a two-year term extension to Major General Gaurav Shumsher Rana, who was retiring on March 16. After Pawan Jung Thapa´s retirement (he retires in 20 months after taking office as CoS in April), the decks will be clear for Rana to become the next CoS as he will be in office when incumbent Army chief Chhatra Man Singh Gurung retires in 2013. This whole scenario, however, may change if the Supreme Court annuls Chief of General Staff (CoGS) Toran Jung Bahadur Singh´s promotion to lieutenant general. Singh, who is second in command of the NA at present, is retiring in another 18 months. The cabinet has also given a two-year term extension to Major General Anil Jung Thapa. The cabinet likewise approved three-year term extensions for Brigadier Generals Deepak Bikram Pandey and Ram Krishna Adhikari. The cabinet has given transfers to 26 colonels. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14264 KATHMANDU, Jan 20: The cabinet on Wednesday took serious exception to Defense Minister Bidya Devi Bhandari´s statement over the issue of integration of Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army and the role of special committee on army integration. The cabinet said her statement does not reflect the constitutional provision on integration of the combatants. “The cabinet has refuted the defense minister´s views as official,” Law and Justice Minister, Prem Bahadur Singh, told myrepublica.com after the meeting. “Her views do not in any way represent the government´s official position on the issue.” [break] Stating that everyone should follow the spirit of the constitution, Singh said that the decision taken by the special committee chaired by the prime minister will be the final on integration, rehabilitation and management of the combatants as per the provision of the Interim Constitution. “The government must abide by the constitution and it cannot take any decision against it,” Singh maintained. Bhandari, however, was absent from the cabinet meeting. She was instead attending a thanksgiving function at a hotel in the capital organized by the Madan Bhandari Sports Academy of which she is the chairperson. Bhandari on Tuesday had said that bulk integration of the PLA combatants will not be acceptable even if the Special Committee headed by the prime minister so recommended. Meanwhile, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal linked Bhandari´s statement with that of Indian army chief Deepak Kapoor, whose alleged statement against the integration of the Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army infuriated the Maoists. Kapoor is currently in Nepal. Speaking at a function in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Dahal also called on the Nepal Army not to form its views on the basis of what Bhandari said. Maoist vice-chairman Mohan Baidya said the defense minister doesn´t have the right to remain in the government after making such statements. "What is the significance of the special committee if the government minister doesn´t abide by its decision?" Meanwhile, issuing a statement, Maoists has asked why the government hasn´t sacked the defense minister who makes such controversial statements time and again. Maoists not to attend Special Committee meeting Special committee member from the UCPN (Maoist) Janardan Sharma said his party would boycott the committee meeting unless Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal clarifies the remarks made by the defense minister on management of Maoist combatants. “We will not attend Thursday´s meeting,” Sharma said, adding, “What she said was against the interim constitution and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.” http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14262 KATHMANDU, Jan 20: US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Patrick Moon said on Wednesday that the human rights issue is an important aspect of US foreign policy on Nepal. "…It (human rights) remains the US top agenda. That was the main theme of my meetings [with political leaders and officials]," Moon said during an interaction with a group of journalists at the US embassy on Wednesday. [break] Moon arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday for a four-day official visit and left for Washington Wednesday. He had met political leaders, officials and the army chief to take stock of the ongoing peace process and the political situation, and discussed human rights issues. In all his meetings, Moon said, he conveyed US concerns over human rights issues and urged political parties to act to address impunity. "We want to see the government of Nepal and the Maoists seriously address these human rights issues. I think Nepali people need that and we hope that the process [of addressing] can move forward," Moon said, replying to queries by journalists. He stressed that conflict-related impunity should be addressed because it is partly related to the peace process and partly to the healing process for Nepal. "How it should be done is up to the people of Nepal." When asked about how the promotion of Major General Toran Jung Bahadur Singh and the army´s refusal to hand over Major Niranjan Basnet would affect US relations and assistance to the Nepal Army, he said, "We do want to see full investigation and hearing of the charges of human rights abuses, including the cases you mentioned. And that would be important to the US government, to its policy toward Nepal." The government had promoted Singh in December, ignoring calls from the national and international human rights community not to elevate him until charges against him were investigated in a credible way. Similarly, the army has continued its refusal to hand over Major Basnet to police for investigation in a conflict-related murder case since his repatriation from the UN peacekeeping mission in Chad. When asked about his assessment of the peace process, Moon said he was impressed by the commitment of political party leaders whom he met to the peace process and to completing the constitution-drafting process within the set timeframe. He hoped that the recently-formed High Level Political Mechanism could be a very useful tool to bring all of the parties together and reach an agreement on some of the difficult issues that must be decided. "There is a very serious attitude among all the government officials and party leaders in making progress…" he said, adding, "I am impressed by the seriousness in making progress." Earlier, giving his statement before the interaction, he said that he talked about the steps that the Maoists should take to see them taken off the US terrorist list. "We would like to see Maoists take the steps, including renouncing of the use of violence and terrorism, holding accountable those who committed gross human rights violations, working actively with other parties to support the peace process. We want to see the Young Communist League, like other youth organizations, abandon violence and criminal activities. We hope to continue the dialogue," Moon said about his meeting with Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal. He further said that Dahal indicated his intention to engage seriously in the peace process. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14241 KATHMANDU, Jan 20: Following gross misappropriation on bills claiming reimbursement for travel expenses, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) has issued a 12-point directive to all ministers, making it mandatory for them to get prior consent from prime minister to make such trips. [break] The OPMCM had dispatched a directive to all ministers to that effect on December 10. Sources at OPMCM said ministers under Madhav Kumar Nepal-led cabinet are found to have spent Rs 10 million for domestic trips within six months starting July, 2009. According to OPMCM officials, the bills submitted by ministers to the Finance Section of OPMCM were not transparent and often tampered. The main objective of the directive is to curb reckless spending on domestic trips by the ministers, reads the directive. “The office has received bills produced without following due procedure,” reads a decision paper (dispatched number-313). “The objective of this instruction is to bring all the ministers to follow due process.” The OPMCM has also warned the ministers not to produce bills tampered with correction fluid to inflate the actual amount. As per the instruction, ministers, including state and assistant ministers, will have to specify the numbers of visitors, purpose and the place they intend to visit to the prime minister prior to their departure. The ministers will also have to produce the bills of expenses to the prime minister for his approval. The date of departure should match the date mentioned in plane tickets. The OPMCM will not accept bills of vehicular fares if the ministers´ trips are via air. There is a growing tendency among ministers to produce both vehicular and airfare expenses. As per the instructions, other members accompanying the ministers are required to submit separate bills at the Finance Section of OPMCM. The ministers have also been directed to produce the bills within 15 days of their trip. “Ministers are also required to inform the Ministry of Home Affairs two days before their departure about the duration and place of visit,” reads the directive. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14242 KATHMANDU, Jan 20: Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has requested the visiting US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Patrick Moon, to remove his party from the US list of international terrorist organizations. Moon, who is on a four-day Nepal visit that started Sunday, met Dahal at the latter´s residence on Tuesday morning and discussed issues related to the peace process. During the meeting, Dahal requested Moon to remove the Maoist party from the US terrorist watch list and establish normal relations. [break] According to Maoist foreign department chief Krishna Bahadur Mahara, the US official told the Maoist leadership that the US would "soon change its policy on the UCPN (Maoist) and treat it like any other political party in Nepal." However, the US doesn´t seem to have changed its official view of the Maoists. Responding to myrepublica.com, Patrick Moon said US officials have had a number of discussions with the Maoists, including his own meeting with Dahal on Tuesday, about the factors the US would take into consideration regarding any decision to remove the party from its terrorist list. US conditions Renounce violence Demonstrate commitment to peace process End violence by YCL and reform it Provide facts about killing of two US mission staffers and American Center bombing "One of the steps is that the Maoists renounce the use of violence and terrorism. Another would be that the Young Communist League abandon violence and criminal activities. The Maoists should also hold accountable those who committed gross human rights abuses and actively participate in, and work together with the other parties, to support the peace process," he said, adding, "I urged Chairman Dahal to take timely action, and we look forward to continuing the dialogue on this issue." He stated that the US would like to expand its engagement with the Maoists. This is not the first time that the Maoists have asked the US to strike their party off the US terrorist list. In their meetings with US officials in the past, the Maoist party raised this issue as one of its major agenda items. Last June, Dahal had approached US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O Blake during his visit to Nepal, and Blake had responded that any US move would depend on Maoist activities in the days ahead. However, getting their party off the US terror list looks to be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the Maoists as the US has taken a tough stance over the former rebels. Responding to the Maoist request in June, the US recently set out four broad conditions, requiring the Maoists to address a number of issues ranging from handing over to civilian authorities the guilty in the Madi massacre of 2005 and owning up to the murder of two US Mission staffers in Kathmandu in 2001 and 2002 to handing over the guilty in the killing of Kathmandu-based businessman Ramhari Shrestha. According to sources, the conditions are A) renounce violence and terrorism, B) demonstrate commitment to the peace process, C) make the Maoist-aligned Young Communist League (YCL) renounce violence and orient it towards reform, and D) bring out the truth about the killing of two US Mission staffers in Kathmandu. Under category A, the Maoists will have to renounce violence not just in words, but also in their actions. Under category B, there are four items the Maoists will have to address: 1) The Maoists should actively participate in parliament and the constitution-making process. 2) They should hand over the murderers of Ramhari Shrestha to civilian authorities for legal action. Kathmandu-based businessman Shrestha was allegedly kidnapped and subsequently murdered by Maoist combatants at Shaktikhor cantonment in 2008. The prime accused in the case, Kali Babadur Kham, is currently a Maoist central committee member. 3) They should trace the guilty behind the Madi massacre and hand them over to the civilian authorities. 4) They should make public the status of 14 enforced disappearance cases committed by the Maoists between November 2002 and October 2004 in Bardiya district. As per this condition the Maoists will have to help the government in the criminal investigation of these cases and in taking legal action against the guilty so as to address the report of the OHCHR. Under category C, the party should make the YCL renounce violence and orient it towards reform. The US does not merely want the Maoists to do this in words, but also in actual practice. The YCL chief will have to publicly vow that the YCL is a purely political organization, and doesn´t adopt violent tactics. Even this will not be enough. The ICRC, the UN and independent political observers will verify if the YCL has really renounced violence and is reform-oriented. Under the fourth category, the US wants the Maoists to provide facts about the murder of two US Mission employees in Kathmandu as well as the bombing of the American Center in Kathmandu in 2004. Not only that, the US has demanded that the Maoists formally tell the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) that the party was behind those incidents of violence, and compensate the kin of the victims. post@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14237 KATHMANDU, Jan 19: CoAS Chhatra Mansingh Gurung held a 40-minute long dialogue with the visiting chief of Indian Army General Deepak Kapoor at Nepal Army (NA) headquarters on Tuesday. According to a high-level NA source, they discussed “security situations” and other “problems facing both the countries.” [break] During the meeting, which was also attended by the PSOs (Principal Staff Officers) of the NA, General Kapoor is also said to have discussed “Maoists problem” in India. “For India, using the Indian Army against the Maoists is a last option,” Kapoor was quoted as saying. The Directorate of Public Relations (DPR) of Nepal Army has said in a press release that the two chiefs held talks on “various contemporary issues” facing the two neighbors. Kapoor´s visit has come at a time when the UCPN (M) has objected to the General´s comment on the issue of PLA integration into the NA. Kapoor, as reported in some sections of the Indian media, had stated that bulk integration would not be a viable option. Kapoor arrived in the capital on Tuesday with a six-member delegation for a four-day visit on the official invitation of CoAS Chhatra Mansingh Gurung. Kapoor was welcomed by Lieutenant General Toran Jung Bahadur Singh at Tribhuvan International Airport. The two armies have exchanged such goodwill visit since 1950 when the then chief of Indian Army, General Kodandera Madappa Cariappa had visited Nepal. YCL show black flags Upon arrival, the Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League waved black flags at Kapoor at Sinamangal and Baneshwar on Tuesday. They also organized a corner meeting in front of the Indian Embassy at Lainchaur, which was attended by the central committee members like Post Bahadur Bogati, Giriraj Mani Pokharel, Ram Bahadur Thapa (Badal). Speaking at the meeting, vice-chairman of the party Narayan Kaji Shrestha said that the 1950 Treaty must be “scrapped” as it is unequal. However, the proposed Maoist plan to picket Singha Durbar was put off. akanshya@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14227 KATHMANDU, Jan 19: Defense Minister Bidya Devi Bhandari has said that bulk integration of Maoist combatants will not be acceptable even if the special committee headed by the prime minister recommended. "There cannot be bulk integration even if the special committee recommended," she said at a press conference at the Ministry of Defense Tuesday. [break] She further said that the special committee´s job is only "supervision and management" of Maoist combatants and it "cannot decide" about integration. Bhandari said that the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) does not speak about integration. "Where is it written that PLA will be integrated with the Army?" she asked, adding, "The special committee has been formed for supervision and management and not for integration. There are many options for the Maoist combatants." She added that there is no representation of her ministry or the Army in the special committee. "On the issue of integration, the special committee must take approval from the concerned security organs of the state," Bhandari said. Clause 4.4 of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) states that "the interim cabinet shall form a special committee to carry out monitoring, integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants". She also added that the process of recruitment drive in the NA "will go ahead as per the need". Directing her wrath against the UCPN (Maoist) allegations, Bhandari said that the question of fully equipping and training the Nepal Army has nothing to do with conflict and nobody need feel misled over this. Referring to Maoist allegations that the government recently imported arms against the spirit of the CPA, Bhandari said, "The Agreement (CPA) in no way has restricted Army´s activities and to fulfill its requirements." She said some 100 vehicles, including army trucks, Maruti Gypsy jeeps, water tanker, ambulance, and punch tapes were imported from India. She clarified that the vehicles were brought as per the decision of the 7th meeting of the Bilateral Consultative Group held from December 4-6. She also said that the vehicles had reached the border on January 13, but as the legal process took time, the vehicles were brought only on January 15. She added that the supply of both lethal and non-lethal logistics, halted by the Indian government after the then King Gyanendra´s takeover, "would resume". This, she said, is in accordance with an understanding reached with the Indian side during her India visit last year. "The supplies are very essential for the Army and we have fulfilled all provisions to bring the vehicles," Bhandari said. She said that both lethal and non-lethal weapons are needed for the NA, which is now "just enough" for training and other purposes. "As per the government budget and with support from few donors, the process of bringing arms will move ahead," she said, adding, "We must equip the Army for national security and in case of emergency situations." She also said, "The Army does not have to compromise to please any power center." Bhandari organized the press meet a day after the Maoists boycotted the parliament over the issue of alleged arms import and Indian Army Chief Deepak Kapoor´s remarks on PLA integration. According to news reports that appeared in the Indian media, Kapoor had said that "bulk integration" of the Maoists combatants into NA is not possible. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14223 KATHMANDU, Jan 19: The first meeting of the High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) held on Tuesday ended on a positive note with top leaders of the three major parties agreeing to form a six-member taskforce for preparing Terms of Reference (ToR) for the mechanism. The taskforce comprising two leaders each from the UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML is tasked with submitting a draft ToR and working procedures at the next meeting of the HLPM scheduled for Friday. [break] The ToR will pave the way for inclusion in the HLPM of other members including the prime minister and leaders of the Madhesi parties. Maoist Chairman Dahal and UML Chairman Khanal are currently members of the mechanism formed under the chairmanship of NC President Girija Prasad Koirala last Friday. The taskforce formed Tuesday includes Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai and Narayan Kaji Shrestha from the Maoists, Arjun Narsingh KC and Krishna Prasad Sitaula from NC and Bharat Mohan Adhikari and Yuvraj Gyawali from UML. Party leaders are confident that the HLPM will eventually resolve the protracted political deadlock in the country and also help promulgate the new constitution by the stipulated deadline of May 28, 2010. “There is no reason to be happy if we look at past experience [of forming taskforces],” UML leader Adhikari said after the meeting. “But this time there is enough ground to feel assured that the HLPM will ultimately help resolve the deadlock.” The taskforce is set to begin necessary discussions on preparing the ToR and on issues related to inclusion of other political party leaders in the mechanism. Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal and Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal were present at the HLPM meeting held at Koirala´s residence at Maharajgunj, Tuesday morning. NC leaders Sher Bahadur Deuba, Bimalendra Nidhi, Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Arjun Narsingh KC, UML leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari and Maoist leaders Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Narayankaji Shrestha were also among those present at the meeting that lasted over three hours. The prime minister, however, attended the meeting only briefly as he had other engagements elsewhere. The HLPM meeting, scheduled earlier on Monday, was put off to Tuesday as the UML chairman failed to return home on time from a pilgrimage in India. Speaking to media after the meeting, NC General Secretary Bimalendra Nidhi said the NC and UML formally asked the Maoist leadership to withdraw all their protest programs including their already-announced program of indefinite strikes starting January 24. The Maoists are currently staging various protests, mostly on the anti-India theme, as part of their fourth phase protest program. However, the Maoist leadership has said they will take a decision after holding discussions within the party. “They have made a request [to withdraw our protest programs],” said Maoist Chairman Dahal. “We said we will consider the request positively if our demands are also taken positively.” Dahal hinted that they are likely to take a decision after the HLPM meeting scheduled for Friday. According to NC leader Sitaula, NC President Koirala said at the start of the meeting that the mechanism should focus solely on peace, stability and drafting of a new constitution and asked all parties not to let the mechanism deviate from these objectives. Koirala also asked the Maoists not to entangle themselves in petty issues and to withdraw all their protest programs to help take the ongoing peace process to a logical end and draft the new constitution by the stipulated date. “The withdrawal of the protest programs will help develop an environment of confidence among political parties,” Sitaula quoted Koirala as saying. koshraj@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14214 KATHMANDU, Jan 19: The Special Committee on Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of Maoist Combatants on Monday finalized a code of conduct that bars the People´s Liberation Army (PLA) from involvement in political activities of the UCPN-M. The code had been gathering dust at the Special Committee since September after the UCPN-M expressed reservations over it. The UCPN-M had even removed Dr Indrajit Rai, its member in the technical committee that prepared the code of conduct on September 24, 2009, for agreeing to the code. [break] "We have finalized the code of conduct for the PLA," a member of the Special Committee told myrepublica.com on condition of anonymity as the Committee´s own code does not allow him to speak to media. Emerging out of the meeting Monday evening, Spokesperson of the Special Committee Madhav Ghimire told journalists that discussions on the code of conduct prepared by the technical committee have concluded. The agreement on the much-awaited code has moved forward the slow pace of work on integrating and rehabilitating 19,602 Maoist combatants verified by the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) in December 2007. The combatants are currently living in cantonments monitored by UNMIN, the special political mission of the UN supporting the peace process. The integration and rehabilitation of former Maoist army personnel is at the center of the three-year-old peace process that the government wants to complete by May 15. The agreed code of conduct prohibits members of the PLA from attending political programs of the UCPN-M and Maoist leaders will not be allowed to make political speeches inside PLA cantonments, said another member of the Special Committee. Under the code, combatants will have to stop singing the international communist song in the cantonments as they have been doing every day. It also requires the PLA to remove the pictures of national and international communist leaders including Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Marx and Lenin, and their communist flags. It also requires combatants to erase communist slogans, including that of Dahal, painted inside the cantonments. They will have to stop saluting their leaders in the communist style once the code comes into effect, said the members. Monday´s meeting also gave the final touch to a mechanism for supervision, control and direction of the PLA, according to another member of the Special Committee. As per the agreement, a secretariat will be established under the Special Committee to oversee tasks relating to supervision, control and direction of the PLA. "The modalities of the mechanism would be discussed at the next meeting of the Special Committee," said Maoist representative in the Special Committee Barsha Man Pun. The next meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, said Pun. Pun further said that the chain of command of the PLA would be under that mechanism. The delay in finalizing the code of conduct and the mechanism for supervision, control and direction have affected the Special Committee´s work on giving final shape to the plan of action on integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants, said another member in the Special Committee. The plan aims at completing the integration and rehabilitation process within 112 days. But Pun said that discussions on the plan were at the final stage. "It will be finalized at the political level," he said. However, a knowledgeable source said the Maoists are of the stance that the exact number of the PLA to be integrated in the security forces, including the army, should be determined before taking any decision on enforcing the code of conduct and the mechanism for supervision, control and direction of the PLA. But the prime minister and Nepali Congress representatives in the Special Committee want the Maoists to agree to the code and the mechanism prior to a decision on the number of PLA troops to be considered for integration. Meanwhile, the High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM), which is meeting on Tuesday morning, is likely to take up the issue of number of PLA to be consider for integrated in the security forces, said the source. The source further told myrepublica.com that the prime minister has already asked Girija Prasad Koirala, who heads the HLPM, to take a decision on the number as early as possible. "The earlier the number is decided, the earlier we will be able to finalize the code of conduct, the mechanism for supervision, control and direction, and the plan of action on integration," said a member close to a Madhesi party. He also warned that progress in the work of the Special Committee would largely depend on how many PLA combatants would be considered for integration. "If the HLPM decides to integrate a reasonable number of combatants, the work of the Special Committee will move smoothly," the member said. kiran@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14205 KATHMANDU, Jan 18: The first meeting of the newly-formed High-Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) scheduled for Monday could not take place as CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal failed to arrive home from India pilgrimage on time. Khanal, a member of the HLPM, was scheduled to arrive home from Haridwar, India on Sunday. Accordingly, the top leaders of the three parties -- Nepali Congress, UCPN (Maoist) and the UML -- had earlier agreed to meet on Monday. [break] According to NC leader Krishna Sitaula, the HLPM meeting will take place Tuesday as Khanal arrived home on Monday afternoon. The time of the meeting has been set for 9 a.m. The meeting will discuss in detail about including other party leaders in HLPM in the wake of Madhesi parties demanding their representation in the mechanism. NC President Girija Prasad Koirala and the Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal have already agreed to include prime minister as invitee member in the mechanism. The Maoists had initially opposed the idea of including the prime minister in the body, alleging that the prime minister is solely responsible for the political deadlock in the country. The top leaders of the big three parties on January 8 had formed the HLPM with NC President Koirala as chairman. Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and UML Chairman Khanal are members of the body. The mechanism is entrusted with taking the ongoing peace process to a logical conclusion, helping draft the new constitution within the stipulated date and ending the political deadlock by resolving differences among parties. Various fringe parties in the government have cast doubts over the functioning of the HLPM, saying it could act to infringe upon the jurisdiction of the government. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14202 SALYAN, Jan 18: Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Monday alleged Nepal´s bureaucracy and security agencies including the Nepal Army have bowed down before India and were dancing at the Indian tunes. "Now, each Nepal Army soldier and officer should decide whether he wants to fight for the country or against the country and its people," said Dahal, while addressing a rally in Salyan. He called on the Nepal Army and Nepal police personnel to fight for nationalism. [break] Dahal claimed that conspiracies were being hatched against the peace process and constitution writing as "the ruling political parties and Nepal Army have knelt down before India". He argued that his party may launch another "people´s war" to defeat such conspiracies. He also argued that the Maoists wanted a new trilateral agreement between Nepal, China and India for the development of the country. Dahal argued that the Sugauli Treaty was signed with Britain, not with India, and the treaty has lost its significance after the British left India. He argued that Nepali people will claim the land expanding from Tista in the east to Kangada in the west if a new treaty is not signed. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14189 KATHMANDU, Jan 18: The parliament meeting has been adjourned till Thursday after boycott by Maoist lawmakers Monday. The Maoists boycotted the meeting alleging that Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal did not give reply in the House over the issues raised by UCPN (Maoist) deputy parliamentary party leader Narayankaji Shrestha on Sunday. Speaker Subas Nembang had on Sunday instructed the prime minister to furnish reply in the parliament Monday. [break] Shrestha had sought the prime minister´s clarification in the house over the latter´s warning to relegate the Maoists to the status of LTTE and the government´s official position on the reported remarks made by Indian army chief Deepak Kapoor that group integration of the Maoist combatants in the national army should not be allowed. The Maoists also alleged that the government recently imported a large amount of arms and ammunition from India. "We had demanded that the prime minister clarify to the House about his statement to relegate the Maoists to the status of LTTE (of Sri Lanka) and the government´s stance on the Indian Army chief´s remarks against the integration of the Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army," said Maoist lawmaker Dev Gurung, addressing the House meeting. "We are boycotting the meeting as the prime minister is not speaking today." Prime Minister Nepal had reached the parliament and spoken to Maoists. But he left the House without addressing the meeting. Sources said the prime minister chose not to speak in the House as the Maoists demanded he inform them beforehand about the content of his address. Soon after the Maoist lawmakers announced to boycott the meeting, Speaker Subas Nembang announced that the House will be adjourned till 4:30 p.m. Thursday. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14186 KATHMANDU, Jan 18: Visiting US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Patrick Moon on Sunday said the US wants to see progress in the peace process and urges political parties to work in that direction. “We want to see progress, including in the peace process, and work with the parties to do that,” Moon told journalists when asked about whether he discussed Nepal´s political stalemate during his meeting with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Monday morning. [break] Moon is currently in Nepal on a four-day visit to Nepal starting Sunday. He also urged the political parties to show flexibility and compromise for the peace process. He also asked the parties to be constructive and positive toward the peace process. “It [peace process] is complicated negotiations and requires flexibility and compromise by all the parties involved in the negotiations. And we expect that they are committed to that,” Moon further said. Meanwhile, Moon called on Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala on Monday morning. He is scheduled to meet Defense Minister Bidya Bhandari later today. He is also meeting Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Tuesday morning. He will also meet Army Chief Chhatraman Singh Gurung. Prime Minister´s Foreign Affairs Advisor Rajan Bhattarai said the issue of impunity also featured during the meeting between Nepal and Moon. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14185 KATHMANDU, Jan 18: The Constituent Assembly (CA) Committee on System of Governance submitted its preliminary draft report and concept paper to CA Chairman Subas Nembang on Monday. Chairman of the 43-member committee Shambhu Hajara Dusadh handed over the report to Nembang amid a function. [break] The committee prepared the report on various issues ranging from forms and nature of government, electoral system, structures of executive bodies at different levels, allocation and distribution of executive powers at different levels, interrelationship between central, provincial and local governments, formation and operation of public services and setting criteria for good governance. As none of the model of the system of governance -- presidential or prime ministerial -- could garner majority in the committee, it has included the Maoist-backed directly-elected executive president, NC and UML-backed executive prime minister elected through the parliament and ceremonial president and the model backed by TMDP with executive president elected by the federal parliaments as alternative concepts in the report. The 601-member CA will begin deliberations on the report from January 24. The committee is the 10th among the 11 thematic committees of the CA to submit its report. Now, only the committee on state restructuring and state power sharing is yet to submit its report. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14173 KATHMANDU, Jan 18: After 14 years, the government has finalized a national plan for creation of the 550 sq. km Banke National Park (BNP) as per its commitment to expand the protected areas in the country, especially for tiger conservation. The BNP along with Bardiya National Park (968 sq km) will now have the longest tiger habitat stretch in Asia. "The stretch will be longest tiger habitat in Asia," Shiva Raj Bhatta, spokesperson for the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) told myrepublica.com. He added that DNPWC first formed a task force in 2052 BS to establish BNP. [break] The BNP Buffer Zone will fall in Banke (7 VDCs), Bardiya (1 VDC), Dang (3 VDCs) and Salyan (3 VDCs) districts with total 344 sq. km and over 43,000 beneficiaries. It has Babai river in the North and Rapti in the South. The plan has come into being after an extended home-work. In 2053 BS Bardiya National Park Buffer Zone was declared following which a five-year operational plan was prepared by a task force of regional forest directorate. In 2057 BS, the Finance Ministry and Ministry of General Administration agreed to transfer 44 staff to Banke. In 2058 BS, Nepal Army had requested Rs 270 million for creation of one battalion in Banke. The area also forms one of the three bottlenecks identified in the Tarai-Arc Landscape Project (TAL). It is also an extended habitat and important biological corridor of the Asiatic wild elephants. It contains mostly fragile Churiya whose representation in protection area system is low. Moreover, it is home to 32 species of mammals, 300 birds, 22 reptiles, 7 amphibians and 55 fish. It includes 8 eco-systems, 124 plant species and 6 types of forest. "The eco-tourism potential of this region is vast. The people of this region who have long been denied the benefit from the natural resources can now benefit immensely from the project," Dr Santa Raj Jnawali, Director Tarai/Environment, National Trust for Nature Conservation, said. The Department of Forest has said that the conservation challenge of this area include illegal collection of timber and other forest products, poaching, over-grazing, depredation, forest fire and encroachment, which the department expects to drastically reduce once Banke is brought under protected system. "This has trans-boundary linkage and the corridor can be joined with India as a long-term plan," Gopal Prasad Upadhyay, Director General of DNPWC said. He added, "Also, 30-40% revenue benefit will go back to the communities." As per the plan, the headquarters will be located at Mahadevpuri and two sector office at Kusum and Chepang. There will be six range posts and 12 guard posts. akanshya@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14171 KATHMANDU, Jan 17: India has formally expressed its disappointment with the Maoist leadership over the latter´s ongoing nationwide campaign for “national independence” accusing India of interfering in Nepal´s internal affairs. Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna conveyed his country´s displeasure to the Maoist leadership during his stay in Nepal as the campaign is aimed at India. [break] “I did convey to him [Pushpa Kamal Dahal], based on reports and the Maoist statements in the last ten to twelve days. So I registered that India would like to continue good relations with all political parties, including Maoists,” Krishna told journalists at the Tribhuvan International Airport before flying to Delhi after his three-day official visit to Nepal, Sunday. During his visit, Krishna held talks with Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at Dwarika´s Hotel. He also met Maoist leaders Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Narayankaji Shrestha at the India House Lainchaur, Kathmandu. India´s discontent with the Maoists comes at a time when the Maoists have been launching a nationwide awareness campaign for "national independence" under their fourth round of protests. On December 22, in his uncharacteristic public outburst against the southern neighbor, Dahal had accused India of being masters and announced to hold talks only with Delhi to end the political stalemate. He had also announced to lunch a nationwide awareness campaign for "national independence" then. In line with Dahal´s announcement, Maoist leaders had last week visited different sites along the Nepal-India border allegedly encroached upon by India. India said that the Maoist allegations on India are baseless. Indian External Affairs Ministry quoting a government spokesperson in New Delhi, said Saturday that such allegations “vitiate the age-old and time-tested friendly relations” between the two countries. The spokesperson further said that Krishna told Dahal that “such baseless propaganda has a negative impact on Indian public opinion”, according to the spokesperson. When asked about India´s relation with the Maoists, Krishna said India treats UCPN (Maoist) just like the other Nepali political parties. “We have conveyed to the Maoist leadership that we would like to deal with them just like we deal with other political parties in Nepal with sense of respect and equality. We hope that they [Maoists] would realize the good intention of my visit,” Krishna further said. Replying to a question whether India has preconditions for supporting any Maoist-led government in future, Krishna did not give any direct answer but reiterated that his country would continue to deal with the Maoists just like other political parties. Meanwhile, UCPN (Maoist) Vice Chairman Shrestha reiterated that India should stop playing negative role in Nepal´s peace and constitution-writing processes. "Whatever is happening in Nepali politics at present is part of Indian design," he told myrepublica.com when asked whether the UCPN (Maoist) will change its stance on India following Krishna´s visit. "Problems can´t be solved through diplomacy alone by holding meetings away from public eye," he said adding his party´s movement for "national independence" will continue. "But we are open for dialogue." Nepal, India to fight terrorism jointly In the meantime, Nepal and India have agreed to cooperate closely in the fight against terrorism and extremism which they said are threat to both countries. According to a joint statement issued Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sujata Koirala and her Indian counterpart Krishna discussed security concerns the two countries. They also discussed ways to enhance bilateral security cooperation to control cross border crimes such as smuggling of fake Indian currency, human trafficking and arms smuggling. “Both the sides agreed to take all necessary actions to preserve law and order and maintain peace and tranquility along the India-Nepal border,” said the joint statement. Koirala and Krishna also discussed reviewing the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, and directed the foreign secretaries of both the countries to review the treaty with a view to further strengthen bilateral relations. Several Nepali political parties have been demanding that the treat should be reviewed, arguing that the document is not in Nepal´s favor. In the meantime, India has expressed its concerns over business environment in Nepal affecting Indian investment and joint ventures. Krishna, during the meeting with Koirala, asked Nepal to address the problem “urgently and effectively”. Krishna was the highest ranking Indian leader to visit Nepal after the Madhav Nepal´s government came to power in May last year. Krishna said that his visit to Nepal was very “fruitful”. “It was satisfactory. I am delighted. I go back a happy man,” he said before entering the VVIP lounge of the airport. kiran@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14168 KATHMANDU, Jan 17: Constituent Assembly (CA) members in the Committee on State Restructuring and Distribution of State Powers have registered their mixed reactions over the two models for state restructuring prepared by the subcommittee formed under the 43-member committee. The five-member subcommittee has proposed two alternative federal models. One model proposes 14 provinces -- Khaptad, Karnali, Tharuhat, West Madhes (Lumbini), Magarat, Tamuwan, Tamsaling, Newa, Sunkoshi, Kirat, Limbuwan, Madhes and Birat -- while the other six provinces. The states proposed in the second model are Karnali, Gandaki, Sagarmatha, Srijanga, Lumbini (Bhawar) and Simraungadh (Janakpur). [break] At a committee meeting on Sunday, most of the members of the UCPN (Maoist) and CPN-UML supported the 14-province model. Stating that the six-province model wouldn´t address the concerns raised by several ethnic, indigenous as well as other groups, they maintained that despite some faults the six-province model was relatively better and inclusive. NC Vice President Gopal Man Shrestha argued that the 14-province model may invite further conflict and chaos in the country. He said the six-province model can be finalized after reviewing and making some improvements. Shrestha suggested that State Restructuring Commission as stated in the constitution be formed and entrust the body with the task of state demarcation. While replying to members´ queries, Coordinator of the subcommittee, Hit Man Shakya, said there was no chance of backtracking from the idea of entrusting the commission with the task of delineating states. Madhes-based parties for two provinces Many members from Madhes-based political parties criticized both the models blaming the major political parties of trying to divide Madhes into several provinces. The six-province model has divided the southern part of the country into two parts while the 14-province model has divided it into four provinces. Madhes-based parties have been demanding one autonomous state. However, Ram Kumar Sharma of UCPN-Maoist and Ram Chandra Jha of CPN-UML suggested that the whole Madhes range be divided into two provinces: one west of Chitwan or Nawalparasi district and another east of the same point. “The idea of making two provinces covering the whole the Tarai region is much scientific and addresses the spirit of Madhes movement as well,” Jha said. Sharma claimed that leaders from other Madhes-based parties would also support the idea. Lucky Sherpa of CPN-UML demanded that a separate state be carved out to represent Himalayan communities. But Pratibha Rana of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), who is also a member of the subcommittee, claimed that such a move could encourage other communities to raise similar demands. Shakya and Narahari Acharya of NC, another member of the subcommittee, said the two models were representative of the 22 models presented by the political parties. There were clearly two trends: almost half of the maps were in line with carving out up to eight states while other proposals were in favor of at least more than 11 provinces, Acharya said. Though the NC didn´t submit any proposal, Acharya presented two alternative models -- one with 13 and other with 6 provinces -- in the capacity of the committee´s member. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14146 CHITWAN, Jan 17: More than 250 disqualified Maoist combatants, including 91 women, were released from the Shaktikhor Cantonment, Chitwan on Sunday. Commander Baldev of the Maoist´s People Liberation Army bade farewell to 258 combatants who returned home with Rs 22,000 cash. Of this, they received Rs 10,000 from United Nation Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) and remaining from the PLA. [break] Although, 587 combatants in the cantonment were disqualified, others were absent and would be released from another cantonment, according to the assistant commander Udaya Bahadur Chalaune. Joint Secretary at the Peace Ministry Bishnu Nepal, OHCHR-Nepal chief Richard Bennett and Maoists commanders were present during the release. Bennett appealed to the disqualified combatants who avoided the farewell to facilitate the peace process by contacting the cantonment. Meanwhile, some disqualified combatants expressed dissatisfaction over the release. “If Nepal Army can recruit a 16-year-old, how can I be disqualified for being 17?” Roshan Karki of Dolakha questioned. “UNMIN is not fair.” He warned: “Bomb and gun is in our brain; if the peace process is not concluded, no one can stop us from launching a revolt.” Sindhupalchowk´s Pratima Acharya claimed she was a qualified combatant. “If we were not qualified, how did we fight the war?” she asked, adding that they would watch UNMIN closely. “Our body is out of the cantonment but not our soul,” Ashika Khati of Dhading added. Similarly, the release of disqualified combatants also meant tragedy for some of the couples. Bimala Nepali of Chitwan was released -- something that her husband Avinash swallowed hard. “We spent seven years together,” he said. “It´s hard to be separated.” Bimala, who is among 15 per cent woman combatants leaving the cantonment with children, left with a son. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14141 (Update II with SM Krishna´s quotes at 1515 NST, 0930 GMT) KATHMANDU, Jan 17: Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna on Friday said that he conveyed India’s disappointment to Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on their ongoing anti-India movement. “I did convey to him (Dahal) based on reports and Maoist statements in last 10 to 12 days,” he told journalists at the Tribhuvan International Airport when asked if India was disappointed with the movement launched by the Unified CPN (Maoist).[break] He further said that he told Dahal that India would deal all political parties equally. “We have conveyed to the Maoist leadership that we would like to deal with them just like we deal with other political parties in Nepal with sense of respect and equality.” Krishna said. “We hope that they would realize the good intention of my visit.” When asked about if India would support a Maoist-led government, Krishna added: “I register that India would like to continue good relations with all political parties including Maoist in Nepal.” Krishna returned India on Sunday afternoon after completing his three-day official visit to Nepal. Nepal, India to co-operate to end menace of terrorism, extremism Earlier, issuing a joint statement, Krishna and Foreign Affairs Minister Sujata Koirala said that Nepal and India agreed to co-operate closely to end the menace of terrorism and extremism. The two foreign ministers said that they have directed secretaries and discuss and review the 1950 Treaty of peace and friendship with a view to further strengthen bilateral relations. “The two ministers discussed security concerns of the respective countries and agreed terrorism and extremism were of threat to both countries,” the 20-point joint statement read. “They agreed to co-operate to end this menace.” The ministers also discussed ways to enhance bilateral security co-operation to control cross-border crime; agreed to take all necessary action to preserve law and order and maintain peace and tranquility along India-Nepal border and agreed to expedite the finalization of MoU for the construction of the Nepal Police Academy. The joint statement also added that Krishna conveyed to Nepal the assurance that India was willing to provide all possible assistance to Nepali security agencies as per the Nepal Government’s request. Krishna also remained concerned about the business environment in Nepal affecting Indian investment and joint venues and requested Nepal to address the issue urgently and effectively. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Koirala assured India that Nepal would not allow its territory to be used for any activity against India. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14130 KATHMANDU, Jan 16: CPN (Unified Marxist-Leninist) members in the Constituent Assembly (CA) Committee on System of Governance are divided over the issue of choosing the system of governance. Four of the eight UML members in the 43-member CA committee demanded that they be allowed to withdraw their votes that they earlier cast in favor of the system of electing executive prime minister by parliament. [break] The CA committee on December 1 had held a vote on systems of governance and elections from among proposals put forth by the UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC), UML and the Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP). Of the 38 votes cast during the poll, the Maoists received 18 votes, NC and UML together 16 and TMDP 3, while four members were absent. The NC and UML had formed an alliance to counter the Maoist proposal, combining the NC´s system of governance and UML´s electoral system. At the committee meeting on Saturday, Ratna Gurung, Sonam Chhejung Lama, Hasina Miya and Pradyumna Chauhan demanded that they be allowed to register their votes in favor of direct election of the executive prime minister, which the UML had proposed in its manifesto and later endorsed it in its general convention. Ratna, Lama, Miya and Chauhan held the common view that they cannot quit an agenda that they had advocated during the election campaign. They had on Thursday written to the committee chairman to withdraw their votes. But the committee Chairman Shambhu Hajara Dusadh said that they won´t be allowed to do so as “everything on the issue” was concluded the same day following a due process. As Dusadh put forth the proposal to allow him to forward the preliminary draft report to the 601-member CA house, the four UML members took serious exception. The proposal to forward the draft was passed by majority amidst their protests. "Chairman you deprived us of our individual rights," the members protested. Another UML member Bishnu Poudel, who is also the party secretary, remained silent throughout the meeting. As the senior-most leader among the UML members in the committee, he had played a key role in forging alliance with the NC in the voting. Poudel, Prithivi Subba Gurung, Krishna Prasad Sapkota and Govinda Nepali are other UML members in the committee. According to Ratna, Nepali also wants to withdraw his vote. “He wants to withdraw the vote but couldn´t come here today [Saturday] as he is out of the capital,” she told myrepublica.com. “As our leader in the committee I had informed Poudel about our decision to withdraw the votes. He said it would be better if I didn´t withdraw the vote,” Ratna said. She also informed the UML Chief Whip Bhim Acharya about the matter. He told her that she was free to take the decision she thinks appropriate. Reflection of the intra-party rift The UML is clearly divided over the issue. The leaders who were active in forging alliance with the NC said they did so as per the mandate of the party´s politburo meeting. But a parliamentary party meeting on January 11 decided to stick to pledges made by the party in its CA election manifesto on system of governance. It clearly reflected the intra-party rift -- one led by party Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal and the other led by his arch-rival KP Sharma Oli. The parliamentary party is believed to be Khanal´s stronghold while Oli commands majority in the party´s central and politburo committees. Though the leaders close to Oli have claimed that the decision was taken as per the mandate of the politburo, others who are insisting to stick to the party policy have argued that the politburo can´t take such an important decision. According to them, only the central committee and general convention can make the changes in the party´s stated policy. As per the CA regulations, political parties can´t impose whip on their CA members. thira@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14126 BIRATNAGAR/KATHMANDU, Jan 16: The government has formed a team under the chair of Peace and Reconstruction Minister Rakam Chemjong to hold talks with Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF). The decision comes in the wake of the MPRF´s announcement to begin fresh protests starting January 17. The MPRF has accused the government of failing to implement past agreements. “The forum [MPRF] is preparing to launch fresh protests. A team has been formed under my chair to hold talks with them,” Chemjong told reporters in Biratnagar on Saturday evening. [break] The talks team comprises Minister for Culture and Constituent Assembly and Federal Affairs Dr Minendra Rijal and Law Minister Prem Bahadur Singh. “The talks team was formed day before yesterday [Thursday],” Chemjong said. “We are holding consultation with friends of forum [MPRF]. We will soon hold talks with them.” Stating that no one would benefit by launching protests at the time of drafting the new constitution,” he said, “I therefore urged them to come forward for negotiations.” Minister Chemjong said the government also gave full shape to the team formed to hold talks with armed groups in the Tarai. The team under Chemjong´s chairmanship comprises Constituent Assembly and Federal Affairs Dr Minendra Rijal and Minister for Industry Mahendra Roy. “We will soon start holding talks with them again,” he said. “The armed groups should also fully abide by the agreements reached with the government.” MPRF warns of protests The Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) on Saturday took strong exception to the federal model proposed by Constituent Assembly (CA) Sub-Committee formed under the State Restructuring Committee. The party has also warned of protests against the model. The party, which has been advocating single autonomous Madhes state, said that the model proposed by the sub committee would disintegrate Madhes. Organizing a press conference at the party´s parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar, party Chairman Upendra Yadav accused the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and the UCPN (Maoists) of preparing the preliminary draft of the federal model by neglecting agreements reached with them in the past. “The parties have tried to render the Constituent Assembly meaningless,” he said. Yadav said that the model is against the spirit and demand of the Madhesi people. “There has been an indirect effort to establish unitary system of governance in the country,” he said. “There is no alternative to protests now.” Yadav said that his party would launch fresh protests after holding talks with Madhes-based and other political parties. MPRF Co-Chairman J P Gupta accused the political parties of trying to internally colonize Madhes yet again. “The government and other political parties want to retain their lost influence by dividing Madhes,” he claimed. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14123 KATHMANDU, Jan 16: UN Secretary-General´s Special Representative Karin Landgren has told the Security Council that the recent urgency shown by the political parties in focusing on peace-related issues gives some grounds for hope in Nepal´s peace process. “Although the hour is late, the recent actions by the Government and the parties, if followed through with vigor, have the potential to usher in constructive actions for the next stage of Nepal´s democratic transition,” Landgren said Friday at a meeting of the UNSC. [break] She cited the lifting three weeks ago by the UCPN (M) of its blockade of Parliament, the establishment last week by the three major parties -- Nepali Congress, UML and UCPN (M) -- of a high-level mechanism to resolve outstanding issues, notably the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist troops, and the long-awaited discharge of 4,000 mainly under-age Maoist soldiers. In addition, she informed the special committee set up to address the supervision, integration and rehabilitation of over 19,000 Maoist soldiers has resumed meetings and is considering a timetable for the proper integration of an agreed number into the security forces and the re-absorption of the others into society. Other issues to resolve include the scope of presidential authority that replaced the monarchy. She recommended that the Council agree to the Government´s request to extend the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) for another three months and three weeks, after the expiration of its current mandate on January 23. In a report released earlier this week, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned that Nepal´s peace process remained largely stalled and the major disagreements “remain unresolved, increasing the risk of its collapse.” http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14112 KATHMANDU, Jan 16: In his meeting with Indian Minister for External Affairs SM Krishna on Saturday, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said the present government doesn´t have people´s mandate. Dahal told this to media persons after his meeting with Krishna when journalists asked if he raised the question of government change with the Indian minister. "We told that this government is not [formed] as per the mandate of the people." [break] When journalists asked whether discussing government change issue with a visiting minister of a foreign country was not against our sovereignty, Dahal said, "I didn´t talk about the government change." He didn´t clarify further nor did the journalists field any more questions on the topic. The talks between Dahal and Krishna lasted for over an hour at Hotel Dwarika. Dahal was accompanied by Maoist leader and party´s foreign department chief Krishna Bahadur Mahara. Dahal said he told Krishna that there were attempts from various circles to isolate the Maoist party in Nepal. According to Dahal, Krishna also expressed concern that the ongoing Maoist political programs for "national independence" might harm the bilateral relations. "It is the beginning of new relationship with India." -- Dahal. But the Maoist chairman told the Indian minister that his party doesn´t want to strain the bilateral relations, and argued that a new relationship should be forged on the basis of political change in Nepal and as per the aspirations of the people. "They expressed concern that it might hurt the bilateral relations. We told them that people here want to develop a new relationship with India on the basis of new change." Dahal said he also took up a host of bilateral issues including border "encroachment", "unequal treaties", developing new economic relationship, peace process and constitution writing in the meeting. Dahal said the Indian team assured him that India was ready to solve all the problems through political and diplomatic channels. "It is the beginning of new relationship with India," said Dahal. First political level meeting The meeting holds significance as this is the first meeting between the Maoist leadership and Indian political leaders since Dahal stepped down as prime minister last May. Despite repeated attempts from Dahal to establish contacts and hold talks with the Indian political leadership, Delhi had ignored his requests and maintained contacts with Maoists only through diplomatic and intelligence channels. At the diplomatic level, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood and South Block officials held talks with Dahal. Since quitting the government, Dahal has twice met AB Mathur, deputy chief of Indian intelligence agency Research & Analysis Wing(RAW) first in London and then in Singapore. In private meetings, Dahal has often complained that the Indian political leadership has deliberately ignored him, and the diplomats and intelligence officials have maintained tough posture. It was more than clear in this visit that India did not want to further alienate the Maoists and at the same time it also was not in a mood to compromise with the Maoists. Besides Dahal´s meeting with Krishna, Indian Embassy in Kathmandu had also invited Maoist leaders Babu Ram Bhattarai, Narayankaji Shrestha and Krishna Bahadur Mahara at a reception hosted at India House in Lainchaur on Saturday evening. Bhattarai and Shrestha attended the reception along with many senior leaders from other parties. Talking to myrepublica.com after the reception Dr Bhattarai said, "Indian leaders are also concerned that the relationship with us [Maoists] has strained in the last few months and have said that this is not what they intended." Bhattarai said that he told the Indian leaders that Maoists also wanted to maintain a good relationship with India. At one point, Krishna is learnt to have told Maoist leaders that India never publicly chastised the Maoists during the last several months nor did it have any intention to do so now. "I will not speak anything in the press conference tomorrow that will jeopardize our relationship with your party," a source present at the reception quoted Krishna as telling the Maoist leaders. At one point at the reception, sources said, ambassador Sood asked the Maoist leaders what kind of relationship they wanted with India. "Relationship between Nepal and India can not be static just based on history but it should take into account the changing realities of time and evolved into a dynamic one," the source quoted Bhattarai as responding. The Indian team also held an hour-long meeting with Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter´s residence in Maharajgunj Saturday evening. However it is not known what transpired between them as the India team shied away from the media and no other Nepali leader was present during the meeting.   Krishna, who arrived in Nepal for a three-day official visit on Friday, met with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala, and discussed bilateral issues. post@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14109 KATHMANDU, Jan 16: Gyan Chandra Acharya, the Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations, on Friday briefed the Security Council meeting on UNMIN´s work and the ongoing peace process. A press release issued by the Office of the Permanent Representative on Saturday said that Acharya informed the Council that a large majority of the thematic committees of the Constituent Assembly (CA) have already deliberated on issues under their purview and submitted inputs to the respective bodies of the CA. [break] He also informed that all the parties have “committed themselves to writing the constitution in time by May 2010,” and about the formation of the High-Level Political Consultative Mechanism “with a view to narrowing down the political differences among the major political parties on key national issues.” Apprising the Council of the recent developments in peace process, Acharya said that the release of the disqualified minors living in the cantonments has begun in earnest on the basis of the Action Plan signed on 16 December 2009. And it is expected to be completed by the middle of the next month. He further mentioned that a draft bill on the establishment of the Commission on Disappearances has already been submitted to parliament following its approval by the cabinet. Efforts are underway to finalize a bill for the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the release added. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14086 KATHMANDU, Jan 15: Nepal and India on Friday reached an understanding to resolve border disputes and the controversy over alleged encroachment of Nepali soil by the southern neighbor through mutual understanding at the political level. The understanding was reached during official bilateral talks between Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala and Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, who arrived in Kathmandu on a three-day official visit starting Friday. [break] “The deputy prime minister and foreign minister [Koirala] raised the encroachment of Nepali soil [by India], including in Susta and Kalapani,” Dr Chiranjibi Nepal, Koirala´s advisor who attended the meeting, told myrepublica.com about the talks between the two foreign ministers. Nepal has voiced its concern over border issues and encroachment of Nepali territory at a time when the main opposition party UCPN-M has been launching protests against alleged Indian encroachment. Maoist leaders, including Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, visited the encroached territories and organized protests Monday. Meanwhile, Krishna raised the issue of security and terrorism with priority during his one-hour meeting with Prime Minister Madhav Kurmar Nepal at the latter´s official residence at Baluwatar. “We discussed security issues of our neighborhood. We wanted, especially, to reference with terror and instrumentalities of terror. These terrorists find safe haven outside. So all these issues did come up,” Krishna said about his discussion with the prime minister. He further said the prime minister assured that Nepal would not allow its soil to be used against its neighbors, including India. “We are satisfied [with the prime minister´s assurance],” Krishna, who is the highest ranking Indian leader to visit Nepal after the incumbent government came to power last May, told journalists after his talks with the prime minister. Similarly, Foreign Minister Koirala and Krishna also discussed reviewing the 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty between the two neighbors. “Times have changed since the treaty was signed. The treaty is not relevant now. So it should be reviewed,” Koirala said. “India is positive towards our proposal to review the treaty,” Koirala told journalists after her meeting with her Indian counterpart at Dwarika Hotel. “We have directed the foreign secretaries to move toward making preparations for reviewing the treaty.” Some political parties have been demanding that the treaty must be updated, arguing it was unequal. But there is no consensus among political parties within Nepal on how it should be reviewed. Koirala said that cross-border crime, arms smuggling, human trafficking, smuggling of narcotic drugs and money laundering featured during the bilateral talks. Meanwhile, upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Krishna said he has come to Nepal because Indian foreign policy gives topmost priority to India´s relations with Nepal. He further said his visit will further the existing bilateral relations. India to give additional 30 MW electricity During Krishna´s meeting with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, India expressed its readiness to give 30 MW of electricity to mitigate the power crisis in Nepal, said Rajan Bhattarai, foreign affairs advisor to the prime minister. “India is positive to give 30 MW electricity but we have requested 30 MW more. India is positive to our request for additional power supply,” said Bhattarai. Four MoUs signed Nepal and India signed four memorandums of understanding on an Indian grant for strengthening road infrastructure in the Tarai area, establishing a Nepal Bharat Maitri Science Learning Center, electrification of five village development committees and upgrading the Nepal Stock Exchange Limited. Krishna meeting Prez, Koirala, Dahal Meanwhile, the visiting Indian Foreign Minister is calling on President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala on Saturday. kiran@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14084 KATHMANDU, Jan 15: After months-long discussions, the subcommittee, formed under the Constituent Assembly (CA) Committee on State Restructuring and Distribution of State Powers to fix the number of provinces and delineate them, finally submitted its report on Friday. The five-member subcommittee has proposed two alternative models for the federal system. [break] One model has 14 provinces -- Khaptad, Karnali, Tharuhat, West Madhes (Lumbini), Magarat, Tamuwan, Tamsaling, Newa, Sunkoshi, Kirat, Limbuwan, Madhes and Birat -- while the other model has six provinces. The states proposed in the second model are Karnali, Gandaki, Sagarmatha, Srijanga, Lumbini (Bhawar) and Simraungadh (Janakpur). Apart from fixing the number of provinces and delineating them, the subcommittee has also recommended their capitals. The capitals recommended for the 14 provinces are: Dipayal-Silgadhi for Khaptad, Birendranagar for Karnali, Tansen for Magarat, Pokhara for Tamuwan, Bharatpur for Narayani, Kathmandu for Newa, Chautara for Tamsaling, Kamalamai for Sunkoshi, Triyuga for Kirant, Ilam for Limbuwan, Damak for Birat, Janakpur for Madhes, Siddharthanagar for West Madhes (Lumbini), and Gulariya for Tharuhat. The capitals proposed for the six provinces under the second model are: Surkhet for Karnali, Pokhara for Gandaki, Kathmandu for Sagarmatha, Dharan for Srijanga, Janakpur for Simraungadh (Janakpur) and Tribhuwannagar-Ghorahi for Lumbini (Bhawar). Capitals of provinces fixed Central govt to select national capital Draft to be ready by Jan 20 Hit Man Shakya, coordinator of the subcommittee, handed over the report to chairman of the full committee Lokendra Bista Magar Friday. The subcommittee included Shakya of UCPN (Maoist), Narahari Acharya of Nepali Congress (NC), Dr Mangal Siddhi Manandhar of CPN(UML), JP Gupta of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum and Pratibha Rana of Rastriya Prajatantra Party. The full committee will finalize the draft after holding further discussions on the models proposed by the subcommittee. "We will conclude all the issues by January 20," Magar said. According to him, the committee will prepare its preliminary draft report and concept paper by the same date. The two models were prepared on the basis of maps submitted to the committee by 15 political parties and by individuals. Political parties and some members of the committee submitted 22 maps to the committee. The Maoist party proposed 13 provinces, CPN-UML suggested 15 and the NC didn´t come up with any delineation, saying the task should be carried out by a restructuring commission. Acharya of NC, as a member of the committee, proposed two alternatives: one with six provisions and the other with 13. Likewise, CPN (ML) and CPN (United), among other parties, proposed six and eight provinces respectively. The model with 14 provinces has similarities with proposals put forth by the Maoists and the CPN-UML while the second model was prepared incorporating features of the other maps. "When we studied all the 22 maps, we generally found two groups: one with less than eight provinces and the second group with more than 10 provinces," Thakur Baral, secretary of the committee, told myrepublica.com. Before creating the provinces, the CA committee first identified several clusters across the country on the basis of ethnicity/community, language, cultural-geographic-regional continuity, economic interdependence, status and prospects of infrastructural development, availability of natural resources and means and administrative accessibility. All the ethnic groups that occupy more than one percent of the total population and languages spoken by more than one percent of the total population are included while creating the clusters. The committee used data and maps prepared by the Central Bureau of Statistics. Pushpa Sharma of Tribhuvan University, Nava Raj Subedi of the Survey Department and freelance geographer Madhav Adhikari worked for nearly a month to delineate the states, using a Geographic Information System (GIS) on the basis of information and directions given by the committee. Before delimiting the provinces, the committee also received inputs from experts and bureaucrats including Dr Pitambar Sharma, Kashi Raj Dahal, Dr Om Gurung, Mohan Banjade, Krishna Khanal, Lok Raj Baral, Sunil Pokharel, Yuvraj Sangraula and Dinesh Tripathi, among others. Options open for national capital While the subcommittee has already named the capitals of the proposed provinces, it has suggested giving final authority to the central government to decide the national capital. Though some members proposed Chitwan and some adjoining areas for development as the national capital, the subcommittee later decided to give the authority to choose to the federal government. Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) leader JP Gupta however registered differing views on both the models. He has accused the subcommittee of using discriminatory principles while delimiting the provinces in the hills and Madhes. Once the full committee incorporates one of the models or both, it needs to be endorsed by a two-thirds majority of the 601-member CA. thira@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14081 KATHMANDU, Jan 15: Nepali Congress (NC) President Girija Prasad Koirala on Friday said that the report of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the peace process in Nepal fails to reflect ground reality. Koirala´s remark comes a day after Ban presented his report to the UN Security Council, saying that the peace process in Nepal was on the verge of collapse due to growing mistrust between the government, the Maoists and the army. [break] In a meeting with five envoys of European Union countries on Friday, Koirala said the situation reflected in the report is far from reality. Envoys from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Denmark and Finland were present during the meeting. During the 50-minute meeting, the envoys had expressed concern about the ongoing peace process and constitution-drafting, referring to the UN Secretary-General´s report. According to Koirala´s foreign affairs advisor Suresh Chalise, who was present during the meeting, Koirala said the peace process was moving in the right direction, especially after the agreement reached among the three major parties to form a High-Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) to drive the process forward. On the occasion, the envoys congratulated Koirala on forming the HLPM under his chairmanship. They said they were encouraged to learn of the HLPM coming into being and also expressed assurances of their support. Koirala thanked the envoys for their support. He also said that he had been able to persuade Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal to include the prime minister in the HLPM. Koirala said they plan to form similar mechanisms at the village level as well. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14079 BANEPA, Jan 15: Agitating Maoist cadres greeted President Dr Ram Baran Yadav with black flags while the latter reached at Panauti in Kavre to inaugurate a Makar Sankranti festival on Friday morning. The festival is organized in Panauti every 12 years. The agitating Maoist cadres not only threw black flags after forcing the president´s vehicle to stop on the way but also threw verbal abuse at the president. They shouted strong slogans against President Yadav. [break] Interestingly, President Dr Yadav had reached there at the invitation of the coordinator of Makar Sankranti Festival Main Organizing Committee Akkal Bahadur Thing, a Maoist lawmaker. Dr Yadav inaugurated the fair by sprinkling holy water of Trivenighat near Bramhayani Temple. After the inauguration, Thing expressed gratitude to the president by presenting him with a token of gift. Yadav, who was accompanied by his family members, also offered puja at a Bhagawat Mahapuran organized to raise funds for the construction of an elderly home. The Mahapuran was organized by local Indreshwar Campus. Over 1,000 Nepal Police and Armed Police Force and plainclothes security personnel were mobilized in Panauti keeping in view of security sensitiveness of Dr Yadav´s visit. There is a popular belief that taking bath in Trivenighat does away with all kinds of illnesses. According to fair organizers, over 100,000 pilgrims visited Trivenighat on Friday. Organizers said they expect over 10 million people to attend the month-long fair. Meanwhile, over 70,000 pilgrims thronged Ridi area in between Palpa and Gulmi districts to observe Makar Sankranti on Friday, the Makar Sankranti Fair Management Committee said. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14078 BUTWAL, Jan 15: Maoists have claimed that the government has imported large amount of arms and ammunition for the Nepal Army in violation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The Maoists have said that the weapons were brought from Rupandehi-Sunauli border and taken to 22 No. Brigade in Ramnagar in Butwal Thursday night at 1 am. [break] "We got the news from a Nepal Army Source," UCPN (Maoist) central committee member and deputy in-charge of Awadh-Madhes Rajya Samiti, Bamdev Chhetri, said. He alleged that the government violated the CPA, especially article 4, which prohibits both the government and the Maoists from importing weapons. Chhetri claimed that 30 vehicles carrying rifles, 50 army green vehicles without number plates, 8 army green jeeps, 4 white Mahindra jeeps, 2 ambulances, 1 crane and 1 fire engine have been brought. The Nepal Army, on the other hand, has denied having imported any arms and ammunition. It has said that only vehicles for daily use have been brought. "No weapons or ammunition has been imported. There are just some vehicles for daily use, including a water tanker, ambulance, jeeps, and a recovery truck," Brigadier General Ramindra Chhetri, the spokesperson of NA told myrepublica.com. Even the brigade had earlier claimed the same. Brigade Commander Vijay Bikram Khadka said that the NA would not violate the CPA. He informed that some vehicles have been sent to Kathmandu while others are in the process of being sent to NA headquarters. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14058 (Update II with completion of bilateral talks, 1515 NST, 0930 GMT) KATHMANDU, Jan 15: Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has taken Nepal’s proposal to review 1950 Treaty positively during the bilateral talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sujata Koirala on Friday. “We proposed the review because the treaty is old and time has changed since it was inked,” Koirala said after the talks. “India is positive.”[break] She also added that the foreign secretaries were directed to work in this regard. During the bilateral talks, two countries also agreed for immediate discussion on extradition treaty. The neighboring nations also agreed to stop cross-border crimes. The ministers also held discussions about cross-border arms smuggling, money laundering, human trafficking and narcotic smuggling during the meeting. Koirala also added that India will submit the project detail for the Bagmati Civilization Project within two days. ´Nepal relation topmost priority´ Earlier, Krishna who arrived in Kathmandu on Friday afternoon for a three-day official visit said that Indian foreign policy´s topmost priority is the relations with Nepal. "(I am here) to further our cordial relations," Krishna said after his arrival. "India and Nepal have civilization link, traditional relationships, we are good neighbors and we have learnt from each other."[break] The visit, upon the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala, is aimed at strengthening bilateral relationships. Krishna is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Madav Kumar Nepal on Friday. According to Indian newspapers, Krishna will take on the issues of Indian compensation for Gandak flood victims and extension of two new cross-border rail links, delay in construction of the Indian-assisted Naumure Hydro Project (240mw), the early implementation of the Bagmati Civilisation Project and Indian assurance on importing LPG from the Haldia port during his talks with Koirala. On Saturday, he will meet President Dr Ram Baran Yadav. During his visit, he will also meet Subash Chandra Nemwang, the chairman of the Constituent Assembly, Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala and other top leaders. Krishna who was appointed minister last May is the highest ranked Indian official to visit Nepal since the present government was formed. During the visit, he is likely to ink five MoUs with Nepa in areas including the establishment of Nepal Police Academy, the upgradation of Nepal Stock Exchange, construction of fast track roads in Tarai areas, rural electrification and establishment of a Scientific and Technical Research Centre. Krishna is accompanied by foreign secretary Nirupama Rao. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14055 KATHMANDU, Jan 15: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday cancelled the controversial bidding process for the multi-million dollar Machine Readable Passport (MRP) Project, citing technical reasons. This means Nepal is going to miss the April 1, 2010 deadline set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for introducing machine readable passports. Officials at the ministry said that the ministry would soon begin a fresh bidding process for the 72-million US dollar project.[break] "The bidding process has been cancelled due to technical reasons," Durga Prasad Bhattarai, spokesperson of the ministry, told Republica on Thursday, without elaborating the reasons. The ministry took the decision to this effect a day before the final date for submission of applications by four firms shortlisted for the bidding expired. The bidding process was called into question after a committee headed by Chief of Protocol Mohan Krishna Shrestha shortlisted four international firms - Oberthur Technologies (France), Gemalto (Finland), Sagon Security Printers (France) and 3M Techno–ogy (Singapore) – in an allegedly non-transparent manner. Three of these companies did not even meet the criteria set in the Pre-Qualification Document, a source said. The ministry had even denied information in this connection to Republica despite an application under the Right to Information Act. "The short-listed companies raised some technical issues on which they did not agree during a pre-bidding meeting," said Foreign Secretary Dr Madan Bhattarai, elaborating on the reason for aborting the bidding process. Some of the firms questioned the provision in the bid document that required use of patented polycarbonate in the machine readable passports, said a source. Chief of Protocol Shrestha had told Republica on Wednesday that the provision for using polycarbonate in machine readable passports had stalled the bidding process. "It is mandatory to introduce machine readable passports. A new process [of bidding] will begin. But we are yet to decide the time and modality for such a process," said Spokesperson Bhattarai. The ministry had planned to replace around four million already-issued conventional passports with machine readable passports under the first phase of the project. Though Nepal knew of the ICAO deadline well in advance, the bidding process for introducing machine readable passports was initiated only in September last year. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, ICAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations whose mandate is to ensure the safe, efficient and orderly evolution of international civil aviation. The need for machine readable passports was felt in a bid to control the misuse of passports with fake photographs and hand-written particulars. Will it affect foreign travel? Nepalis who already have passports will not have any problem traveling abroad even after April 1. But those who get their passports issued after March 31 will face problems in travel abroad. "The already-issued passports and those to be issued by March 31 will be valid till November 24, 2015," said Foreign Secretary Bhattarai, "There is no need to panic." But those who get new passports of the conventional type after March 31 may have problems while travelling abroad, officials said. Bhattarai said that the ministry has a good stock of conventional passports, suggesting that people make out their passports before April 1. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14054 KATHMANDU, Jan 14: Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) have finally agreed to merge the two parties and give it a new name -- Rastriya Shakti Prajatantra Party. The unification of the two parties that was delayed over differences over naming the new party gained momentum after RJP Chairman Surya Bahadur Thapa and RPP Chairman Pashupati SJB Rana reached an agreement on name Wednesday evening.[break] "We have now reached an agreement to merge the two parties," said RJP Co-Chair Prakash Chandra Lohani. Official announcement of the party unification will be made later this week. According to RJP central member Kiran Giri, the two parties have made an understanding to dissolve all village-level party committees effective from the day of the unification announcement. However, district committees of both the parties will be kept intact until a unification convention, which will be held within a year. There has been an agreement to keep the central committees of both the parties intact till the convention. However, the CCs will no longer remain active. "A high-level mechanism comprising leaders of both the parties will look after the party´s affairs till the convention," said Giri. The two parties have also formed a committee under Bishwa Bandhu Thapa to facilitate the merger of the two parties at village level. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14053 KATHMANDU, Jan 14: The sub-committee formed under the State Restructuring and Distribution of State Powers Committee of the Constituent Assembly (CA) to propose provinces to be delineated under the federal model has prepared two alternative maps with the help of experts. One model has 14 provinces -- Khaptad, Karnali, Tharuhat, West Madhesh (Lumbini), Magrat, Tamuwan, Tamsaling, Newa, Sunkoshi, Kirat, Limbuwan, Madhesh and Birat -- while the other model has six provinces. The states proposed in the second model are Bhawar, Janakpur, Karnali, Gandaki, Sagarmatha and Shrijangha.[break] The sub-committee comprising Hit Man Shakya of UCPN (Maoist), Narahari Acharya of Nepali Congress (NC), Dr. Mangal Siddhi Manandhar of CPN(UML), JP Gupta of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum and Pratibha Rana of Rastriya Prajatantra Party, however, couldn´t finalize the maps on Thursday as planned. The 43-member full committee is scheduled to meet Friday afternoon and discuss the maps. After failing to finalize the maps in hours-long discussions Thursday, the members decided to hold further rounds of discussions in the sub-committee Friday before a full committee meeting. The sub-committee meeting was extended after some members demanded further discussions and Gupta filed  dissenting views on the delineation of provisions. "The delineation of 14 provinces is against past understanding stated in the concept paper of the committee. Therefore, I have registered my serious objection," Gupta said. The two models were prepared on the basis of maps submitted to the committee by political parties. Political parties and some individuals submitted 22 maps to the committee. The Maoist party has proposed 13 provinces, CPN-UML has suggested 15 and the NC didn´t come up with any delineation, saying that the task should be done by a restructuring commission. The decision to form 10 clusters in the hill regions and four in Madhes on ethnic, linguistic, regional and community basis is not based on the theory of equality, Gupta said. According to him, a proposal to shift the central capital of the country to Chitwan district has been put forth in the sub-committee. But it is yet to be endorsed. After the full committee incorporates the sub-committee´s proposal, it needs to be endorsed by a two-thirds majority of the 601-member CA. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14052 KATHMANDU, Jan 14: Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) has said that federal states need to be delineated keeping in view the geographical, ecological, linguistic and cultural similarities. A central working committee (CWC) meeting of the party in Kathmandu concluded that only empowered federal states and strong center can help shore up a federal democratic republican set up in the country.[break] The meeting also alleged that political parties were trying to impose defunct model of federal structure by proposing small federal states running north-south. The TMDP criticized the UCPN (Maoist) for unilaterally declaring autonomous states against the spirit of the interim constitution and the mandate of an elected Constituent Assembly. The TMDP also alleged that the main parties were focusing on power-sharing rather than honestly working toward drafting new constitution. The party said the high-level political mechanism should be formed by the Constituent Assembly or Constitutional Committee based on consensus rather than through unilateral decision of the three big parties. The party also urged the government to honestly hold dialogue with the agitating armed groups in the Tarai to address their genuine political demands. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14042 KATHMANDU, Jan 14: Prem Bahadur Khadka of the democratic panel has been elected President of Nepal Bar Association (NBA). The democratic panel also won all 17 positions in the central working committee of the umbrella organization of the lawyers from across the country, setting a new record in NBA´s history. “This is the first time in NBA history that a democratic panel has swept NBA polls,” said Madhav Baskota, the former general secretary of NBA.[break] According to the NBA Election Committee, Khadka secured 2,566 votes while his closest rival Hari Krishna Karki of the progressive panel received 2,145 votes. Ram Prasad Mainali of the republican faction close to the Maoists secured 952 votes. “This is a victory of all lawyers," said Khadka after the results were declared. He added, “The new central working committee of NBA believes that the new constitution should be promulgated within the stipulated time and we will pressure the Constituent Assembly for the same.” Bijaya Mishra of the democratic panel was elected general secretary, securing 2,695 votes against his closest rival Hari Phuyal (2,156 votes) of the progressive faction. The election for the 22nd central working committee of the NBA was held on Saturday. Sitaram Rai (2,626 votes) has been elected vice president from eastern region, Surendra Kumar Mahato (2,466 votes) from central region, Gopal Prasad Pandey ´Alchhi´ (2,700 votes) for western region, Gokarna Dangi (2,573 votes) from mid-western region and Johari Lal Chaudhary (2,694 votes) from the far-western region. Yubaraj Kumar Bhandari has been elected treasurer with 2,601 votes. Similarly, Thakur Prasad Neupane (2,572 votes), Gopal Krishna Ghimire (2,528 votes), Yogendra Bahadur Adhikari (2,765 votes), Anita Joshi Manandhar (2,730 votes), Bibekraj Dhungel (2,397 votes), Shanta Sedhai Sapkota (2,654 votes), Satish Kumar Jha (2,569 votes), Uddav Chandra Ghimire (2,211 votes) and Manohar Shah (2,262 votes) have been elected members. The NBA president serves as the vice chairman of Nepal Bar Council, which is authorized to take examinations for the license of lawyers. The central committee is also the final body to recommend a member of the Judicial Council (JC), representing the lawyers. The JC is authorized to take up complaints against judges, investigate into allegations and take necessary actions against those found guilty in any scam. Newly elected NBA General Secretary Bijaya Prasad Mishra said the new committee will work towards establishing rule of law in the country and give priority to protecting the lawyers´ professional rights. “Our struggle will be for the independence of the judiciary and free, fair, timely and effective justice delivery system.” NBA has played a crucial role in the fight for democracy, independence of judiciary, human rights and constitutionalism in the country. The new committee will replace the existing committee led by Bishowakanta Mainali after one-and-a-half month. List of elected NBA Central Committee office-bearers President Prem Bahadur Khadka (President) - 2,566 votes Vice-presidents 1. Sitaram Rai (eastern region) - 2,626 votes 2. Surendra Kumar Mahato (central region) - 2,466 votes 3. Gopal Prasad Pandey Alchhi (western region) - 2,700 votes 4. Gokarna Dangi (mid-western region) - 2,573 votes 5. Johari Lal Chaudhary (far-western region) - 2,694 votes General Secretary Bijay Prasad Mishra - 2,695 votes Treasurer Yubaraj Kumar Bhandari - 2,601 votes Members Thakur Prasad Neupane - 2,572 votes Gopal Krishna Ghimire - 2,528 votes Yogendra Bahadur Adhikari - 2,765 votes Anita Joshi Manandhar - 2,730 votes Bibekraj Dhungel - 2,397 votes Shanta Sedhai Sapkota - 2,654 votes Satish Kumar Jha - 2,568 votes Uddav Chandra Ghimire - 2,211 votes Manohar Shah - 2,262 votes http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14024 KATHMANDU Jan 14: Of the last three successive prime ministers, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been found to have “misused” the state coffers the most. According to a recent report prepared by the Office of the Prime Minister (PMO), which was submitted to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, former PM Dahal had “misused” about Rs 60 million under several headings like financial assistance, medical treatment, grants and compensations from the Relief Fund for the Conflict Victims. [break] The report, which covers the period between 2005-2009, was prepared under PM Nepal´s instructions. The PMO two weeks ago had issued Directives on Financial Assistance Control Mechanism, which has stripped the prime minister of the right to provide such assistance from the state fund. “Our study has shown that Dahal doled out Rs 58.9 million through his direct orders and cabinet decisions in the name of financial assistance, medical treatment and others,” a cabinet source told myrepublica.com, adding, “Most of the amount was released in the name of his close aides and organizations.” The amount is double the money doled out by the other two PMs -- Girija Prasad Koirala and Nepal. Koirala, as per the report, spent Rs 32.2 million in 2005 and Rs 28 million in 2006, while Nepal has so far doled out Rs 35 million (from the month of May 23). The amount of Rs 32.2 million (in 2005-2006) was spent jointly by the government of then PM Koirala and former King Gyanendra. Gyanendra headed the government following his power seizure from Feb 2005-April 2006. Dahal doled out Rs 60m in nine months The chief executives doled out Rs 154 million in 5 yrs GP Koirala and ex-king jointly spent Rs 32.2 million GPK alone spent Rs 28 million Madhav Nepal spent Rs 35 million, has sought additional Rs 2.5 million Koirala was the prime minister from April 2006 to 2008 August while Dahal was prime minister from August 2008 to May 2009. Prime Minister Nepal has been in the post for the last seven months. “The amount spent by the three prime ministers is the example of misuse of state coffers,” the source said, adding, “Our report concludes that the spirit of Financial Assistance Directive was to provide financial assistance to the genuinely poor people but the PMs distributed the amount mostly to already well off people.” Prime Minister Nepal´s expenditure is likely to increase as he has already sought additional Rs 2.5 million from the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to be spent under various heads, including financial assistance, medical treatment and grants, among others. “The PM had ordered us to prepare a report on money doled out by former PMs under direct instructions saying that the current government has spent very less,” the source added. According to the report, the PMs had recommended to the Finance Section, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction to provide financial assistance under various heads especially to people and organizations close to their party. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14020 KATHMANDU, Jan 13: Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon has said that the Nepal Army should immediately suspend Major Niranjan Basnet, who was repatriated by the UN from peacekeeping mission in Chad in December on charge of human rights violations. He has further said that the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) has failed to take any action against its cadres for their alleged involvement in serious crimes, both during and after the conflict, including the murder of businessman Ram Hari Shrestha. [break] “As recommended in my previous report, the Nepal Army should comply urgently with the court order,” said Ban in his latest report on Nepal´s peace process to the Security Council submitted on January 7. By court order, Ban referred to the 2009 Kavre District Court order to the army to suspend Basnet for his alleged role in the murder of 15-year-old Maina Sunar in February 2004. But the court order remains unimplemented. The army has declined to hand over Basnet to police despite a formal request from the Nepal Police, public calls by human rights community and the members of the international community. He remains in army custody since his repatriation by the UN on December 12, 2009. A court of inquiry of the army is investigating the circumstances of his repatriation. This is the first time the head of the global body has made his comment public in Basnet´s case. On human rights violations committed by the Maoists during the conflict and after the peace process began, Ban said, “UCPN-M has failed to take any actions to address the alleged involvement of party members in serious crimes, both during and since the conflict, including the killings of businessman Ram Hari Shrestha, journalist Birendra Shah and Arjun Lama …” In the meantime, Chief of the United Nations Mission in Nepal Karin Landgren told myrepublica.com from New York that she is briefing the Security Council on Nepal´s peace process on Friday. kiran@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14017 NEW DELHI, Jan 13: In the wake of a raging controversy over the action against Neetu Singh, a Nepal student, the Maharashtra government has suspended the deportation order against her, paving the way for her return to Pune. Neetu, a student of Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, has been allowed to return to India under a set of conditions that will help her complete her studies, highly placed sources said here. [break] The conditions includes a complete ban on talking to media, stay within the campus and bar on approaching any local court. She can go out only with permission from authorities and asked not to engage in anti-national activities, the sources said adding the FTII Director will be held responsible personally for violation of any of these conditions. Neetu was deported by Pune police on December 5. Pune police deported Singh to Nepal in early December on the grounds that intelligence agencies had noticed her involvement in activities that were not in India´s interest. However, central agencies subsequently refused to back this claim. The Ministry for Home Affairs (MHA) consented to Singh´s return after the institute wrote to the government requesting that the 30-year-old be allowed to complete her course, Pune Mirror reported. Singh is in the final year of her five-year editing course at FTII and needs to complete only one more month of the curriculum. A source elaborated, “She will have to return to Nepal as soon as her course gets over; she will have to abstain from interacting with media during her stay in Pune and she will have to sign a bond of good behavior.” State chief of the All India Democratic Women´s Association (AIDWA), Kiran Moghe, said, “We want the government to solve the issue as quickly as possible.” The AIDWA had taken up her cause saying Singh´s husband Amresh had used his connections in Delhi to have her deported. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=14005 KATHMANDU, Jan 13: The government has formed a committee to pick a new governor for Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). A cabinet meeting on Wednesday formed the committee under Minister for Finance Surendra Pandey. However, the meeting failed to agree on other members for the committee. [break] Similarly, the cabinet has entrusted NRB with monitoring the Employee´s Provident Fund and the Citizens´ Investment Trust. According to Minister for Information and Communications Shankar Pokharel, the cabinet also decided to hold talks with other political parties to garner a consensus on the seventh amendment bill allowing the president and vice-president to take their oath of office and secrecy in any mother tongue spoken in Nepal. The bill will allow Vice President-elect Paramananda Jha to take a fresh oath in any mother tongue spoken in Nepal. His original oath-taking in Hindi was nullified by the Supreme Court. In yet another decision, the government has directed the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation to implement the recommendations of the parliamentary committee on natural resources and means to stop the export of sand and rock to India, something that is imperiling the Chure Hills range in Nepal. The government has also directed the ministry to coordinate with the parliamentary committee to formulate appropriate policies in this regard. The government has approved Rs 556 million from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the generation of solar power. Likewise, the government has accepted Rs 1.65 billion for domestic solar power production. The government also approved Rs 85 million for the third phase of the urban development plan. The cabinet meeting likewise decided to release an extra Rs 60 million for the 11th South Asian games to be held in Bangladesh. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13997 KATHMANDU, Jan 13: Nepali Congress (NC) President Girija Prasad Koirala and CPN (Unified Marxist-Leninist) Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal have decided to include Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal in the recently-formed High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) as a permanent invitee-member. High-level political mechanism formed under Girija; Khanal, Dahal members Will the mechanism work? The mechanism, announced Friday after months of negotiations, is headed by Koirala, with UCPN(Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Khanal as members. [break] The heads of the two major parties took the decision to this effect at a meeting Wednesday morning at Koirala´s residence, but Dahal is strongly against including the prime minister. "I think the prime minister should not be a member of this mechanism. He will be included in the body as a permanent invitee-member," Khanal told reporters after the meeting. While addressing a mass meeting in Dhangadhi, Dahal had said clearly that the prime minister´s presence in the HLPM was irrelevant. "It is wrong to say that the prime minister should be in the political mechanism. It is the issue of government formation that has caused the political deadlock. So, why should he be there when his party chairman is already included?" Dahal said in Dhangadhi. The mechanism, which was expected to be instrumental in resolving party disputes that frequently surface among and within the political parties, unfortunately came into controversy immediately after its formation. Prime Minister Nepal was unsatisfied as the body was formed without including him while Maoist Vice-Chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai and CPN-UML leader KP Sharma Oli, among others, have termed it irrelevant. Prime Minister Nepal´s Chief Advisor Raghuji Pant said the mechanism remains incomplete and it can´t function properly unless the prime minister is included. When asked if the prime minister would join the mechanism as a permanent invitee-member, Pant said, "It is not clear as I haven´t talked to the prime minister so far [Wednesday evening] on the matter". "What I can say at this time is that he [Nepal] is the one who took the initiative to form the body. Moreover, it will be meaningless to form the mechanism if he is not included as a member because the prime minister is the one to implement its decisions," Pant said. The PM´s Press Advisor, Bishnu Rijal, said, "Most likely he would join the mechanism because the body remains incomplete without his presence." Other political parties have also expressed dissatisfaction at being excluded from the body. The HLPM is expected to bring in more members to represent political parties including the Madhesh-based parties after holding a meeting later on. The meeting will be held once Khanal, who left for India Tuesday, returns on February 15. He has gone there on a family visit, said Khanal´s aide, Nirmal Bhattarai. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13992 KATHMANDU, Jan 13: A Nepal Army officer serving in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) has been injured in the earthquake that hit the capital city of Por-au-Prince late Tuesday night. A press release issued by the Directorate of Public Relations (DPR) of NA Wednesday said the other peacekeepers are “safe and sound.” [break] There are around 1,100 Nepali officials in Haiti, which includes the Chandan Nath battalion and Shree Sher battalion. The DPR has, however, not revealed the name of the injured soldier. The DPR has said that the family members of the injured are yet to be notified. All communication channels in Haiti headquarters are said to be “unreachable” due to the destruction. The MINUSTAH headquarters is said to be completely damaged. The last communication took place at 10 am Wednesday and we have had no contacts since then,” a NA officer told myrepublica.com. Meanwhile, a police officer told our correspondent Sundar Khanal that there are 27* senior Nepal Police officers stationed in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. Similarly, and 125 policemen are stationed in Kape Haikian, some 260-km north of the capital. "The troop at Kape Haikian sent a message about their well-being and half of the senior police officer in the capital have been contacted and are safe,” Apil Bohara, a police inspector at UN Desk of Nepal Police said. “We are trying to get information about others," Bohara added. Similarly, all 11 Armed Police Force (APF) officials in Haiti are safe, according to APF. * Corrected. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13983 KATHMANDU, Jan 13: Perhaps never in history have Nepal´s major political parties remained so divided internally. The latest party to show internal rifts is the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), with Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal sabotaging Dr Baburam Bhattarai´s political career, but the other parties have suffered internal bleedings for long. [break] The NC is in transition-related pain as its overbearing president, Girija Prasad Koirala, is at the fag-end of his political career and perhaps in the last few years of his life. UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal is fighting an uphill task to maintain his grip on the party as UML strongman Khadga Prasad Oli mounts a sustained challenge. The ever-quarreling Madhes-based parties are in permanent trouble. Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) has already split in two and hardly any Madhesi leader feels assured about his party or his own leadership. “This is an ominous sign for the country,” says Prof Dr Lok Raj Baral. The internal wranglings in the parties have distracted and weakened the leadership, disappointed the masses, disillusioned the cadres and raised doubt that the parties will be able to deliver as the country stands at this critical juncture. So, what is wrong with our parties? Prof Krishna Khanal speaks of lack of party mechanisms to address differences, if not outright grievances. “The main reason behind intra-party conflicts is the desire [ego] of individual leaders to assume the top party posts as the structure of all the parties is hierarchical in nature,” he says. Khanal argues that things get worse when other leaders get no say in the party. UML leader Pradip Gyawali also attributes the malaise to lack of democratic practices in the parties. “Intra-party rifts are often the results of party leaders´ tendency to take decisions on major issues single-handedly." Gyawali, however, argued that dissenting voices in parties also reflect growing pressure within the parties for democratization. "Cadres have begun to question the leaders and their competence." Political analysts say the intra-party rifts will further frustrate people and weaken the leaders´ ability to draft a new constitution and conclude the ongoing peace process. “Things get difficult when the top leader of a party cannot take any decision,” argues Dr Baral. “Even if a leader takes a decision he is found unable to implement it.” Gyawali argues that it will have an adverse effect on the long-term progress and democratic stability of the country. The effect of intra-party divisions has also been seen in the responses of various leaders to the recently constituted High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM). “This not only reflects lack of adequate homework on the part of leaders before taking any decision, but also shows the dysfunctional anarchy prevailing within the parties,” adds Dr Baral. Baral fears that intra-party differences could further fuel political instability in the country. koshraj@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13972 KATHMANDU, Jan 12: Lawmakers on Tuesday drew the attention of the government over the deteriorating law and order situation in the country. Speaking during special hour at parliament, lawmakers said the recent incident of an armed group shooting at an assistant chief district officer in Parsa and leaving his bodyguard dead was testimony to the poor state of law and order. [break] NC lawmaker Ajaya Kumar Dwibedi said law and order in the Tarai has worsened as the government did not hold serious talks with agitating armed groups operating in the region. Stating that the people in the Tarai were forced to live in constant fear, he said a large number of people are fleeing to safer places. Dwibedi said that criminal outfits sheltering across the border were unleashing violence in Parsa and surrounding districts. He asked the government to bolster security and help curb such criminal activities. Dwibedi also drew the attention of the government to the prolonged power outage in the country. He said the situation has worsened as the government shut down a coal-fired plant. Speaking on the occasion, Laxmi Raj Nepal of Rastriya Jana Morcha said the state of impunity has given rise to criminal activity. He criticized the remark of Maoist lawmaker Hisila Yami that those speaking against federalism should be treated like the terrorist organization ´Al Qaeda´. Yami had suggested disbanding parties advocating against federalism. Co-Chairman of Rastriya Janashakti Party Dr Prakash Chandra Lohani said it is nothing but totalitarian thinking on the part of Yami to suggest equating anti-federal parties with ´Al Qaeda´. He said everyone should be able to put his views freely in a democratic system. A bill relating to ethnic discrimination and untouchability (charge and punishment), the Investment Board Bill 2065 BS and the Nepal Electricity Regulation Commission Bill 2065 BS were tabled in the House Tuesday. HLPM anti-democratic body: NWPP Nepal Workers Peasants Party (NWPP) leader Sunil Prajapati termed the newly-formed High Level Political Mechanism an ´anti-democratic´ body. Speaking during special hour in parliament Tuesday, Prajapati said it is not clear whether the mechanism is of the ruling or opposition parties. "We will not accept the mechanism if it is formed just to take the opposition party into power," he said. "The mechanism appears to be an anti-democratic body." Prajapati said if the mechanism is meant for taking the Maoists to power it is akin to the NC and UML surrendering to the Maoists. He also criticized the big parties for not consulting smaller parties while constituting the HLPM. "Earlier there was a tyranny of two parties," he said. "Now the three big parties are trying to impose a tyranny on other parties." http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13970 KATHMANDU, Jan 12: Nearly one-and-a- half month deadlock in the Constituent Assembly Committee on System of Governance ended on Tuesday after Nepali Congress CA member Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat told its members in a meeting that he did not intend to dishonor the position of committee chairman. Following the development, the committee is now set to hold a meeting on January 16 and submit its draft report to CA chairman on January 18. [break] Dr Mahat had snatched a document when the committee´s Chairman Sambhu Hajara Dusadh was about to make an announcement on the Maoist proposal on December 1 though none of the proposals tabled had garnered majority votes. The Maoist lawmakers had been demanding apology from Dr Mahat for his misconduct. Of the 38 votes cast during the poll held to determine the electoral and governance system, the Maoists had garnered18 votes, while NC and UML together had received 16 and TMDP 3 votes. Other four members -- three from Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (Democratic) and one from Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) -- were absent. While the Maoists are for direct election of executive president, cabinet formation based on consensus, multi-member constituencies, and unicameral legislature, the NC and UML have proposed indirect election of the executive prime minister and ceremonial president, bicameral legislature and mixed-member proportional electoral system. TMDP has proposed indirect election of executive president and mixed-member proportional electoral system. As per the existing CA regulations, the proposal that gains majority votes would be written as the official decision of the committee, while the other views will also be recorded as dissenting opinions. On Tuesday´s meeting, Dr Mahat said he did not intend to disgrace the committee chairman, but only wanted to stop him from announcing the Maoist proposal as the official one against the existing CA regulations. As the Maoist lawmakers continued insisting Dr Mahat to “self criticize” his act, several members in the committee had asked the former not to make it an issue. Chairman Dusadh has asked all members not to hinder the constitution drafting process by grappling over petty issues. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13964 KATHMANDU, Jan 12: The meeting of the Special Committee on Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants was put off Tuesday after none of the two Maoist representatives was present at the meeting. “We waited for them (Maoist representatives) till now [for an hour] but they did not come,” said Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Rakam Chemjong. [break] When asked why they did not attend the meeting, Chemjong said, “We don´t know.” Chemjong said at least one representative each from Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF), MPRF (D) and Tarai Madhes Democratic Party were present for the meeting. Maoist representatives -- Barshaman Pun and Janardan Sharma -- were not available for comments. Chief Secretary Madhav Ghimire said the committee will meet Thursday. The meeting was supposed to take decision on bringing the 19,602 Maoist combatants under the command of the special committee headed by the prime minister besides discussing the plan of action on integration and rehabilitation of the combatants. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13955 DHANGADHI, Jan 12: Chairman of UCPN (Maoist), Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has said that it is wrong to say the prime minister should be included in the High-Level Political Mechanism (HLPM). Speaking to journalists in Dhangadhi on Tuesday, Dahal said the government has been terrorized by the formation of the HLPM. [break] Dahal said, "It is wrong to say that the PM should be in the political mechanism. It is the issue of government formation that has caused the political deadlock. So, why should he (PM) be there when his party chairman is already included?" He also said, "Why is the government terrorized? This mechanism is not to change the government but has been formed with a clear aim of ending the current deadlock, writing the constitution and concluding the peace process." Stating that once the HLPM is fully active the current problems will be resolved, he said the European Union and the United Nations have already expressed support for the mechanism. He added that he feels assured India too will extend support. Dahal said that the Maoists will not budge unless the issue of national independence raised by their party is addressed. Dahal said that after visiting the Brahmadev border area he is convinced there has been encroachment. "When I stepped out there (Brahmadev), looked around and spoke to people, I found that India has encroached on our land," Dahal said, adding, "But this is not an issue of the border alone; it is a matter of territorial integrity, sovereignty, self-respect and independence." Dahal, who visited the Kanchanpur border area Monday, held an interaction with businessmen and industrialists Tuesday. He also gave an orientation to party cadres. A participant told myrepublica.com that Dahal said the issues of national independence and civilian supremacy must go in parallel. During the interaction with industrialists, President of Kailali Chamber of Commerce Dinesh Bhandari requested Dahal not to call bandas and strikes. Bhandari said that the Far-Western Region has to incur a loss of up to Rs 200 million a day during a banda and some 30,000 laborers go without their next meal. In response, Dahal told the industrialists that calling bandas was a compulsion. He committed himself to stopping the bandas once the political problems are resolved, a participant told myrepublica.com. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13951 KATHMANDU, Jan 12: President Dr Ram Baran Yadav has objected to claims by UCPN (Maoist) Chairman and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal that the former did not attend the 2008 Beijing Olympics under "Indian pressure". Speaking to Nagarik daily on Monday, Dr Yadav said he was keen to attend either the opening or the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games. [break] "I cannot decide on my trip; it is the government which does so," the president said. "I was surprised to know from news reports that the then prime minister (Dahal) had decided to go to Beijing even while I was awaiting government´s nod." Dahal had highlighted -- and has still been raising in public rallies -- the incident about the president´s inability to attend the Olympics under "Indian pressure". The Maoist chairman has tried to portray his image as someone who "defied" Indian pressure to visit India first, a gesture maintained by all Nepali prime ministers. However, upon his return from the Olympic Games, Dahal said his "first political visit" would be only to India. The president further said that he had been invited by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) before the opening ceremony. His office, he added, was consulting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs whether to accept the IOC invitation or whether the Chinese government would also send an invite. The president had been informed by the Nepali Embassy in Beijing that the Chinese government was keen to invite the first president of Nepal to the Olympics. "I was very eager to attend the Games but I was surprised to get a call from Prime Minister Dahal from the airport telling me that he was going to Beijing." The Office of the President wanted to set a tradition whereby the prime minister needed to pay a courtesy call to the president to "brief" him about his foreign visit. This was not to be as Dahal telephoned the president from the airport. "I am going to China to attend the Olympics, and I could not get time to meet you since I was busy in visiting the areas affected by Koshi flood," the president recalled his conversation with the former prime minister. During his controversial speech at New Baneshwar on December 20 last year, Dahal had claimed the president buckled under Indian pressure and so he decided to go to China instead. The following day, one of Dr Yadav´s advisors challenged Dahal´s claim, saying it was not true. This is the first time the president has broken his silence on Dahal´s claim. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13945 KATHMANDU, Jan 12: Nepal will soon issue identity cards to thousands of non-resident Nepalis (NRN) from January-end enabling them to own a limited amount of property in Nepal and enter their former motherland without any visa. A senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) told myrepublica.com that the ministry is working on a war footing to complete the preparations so that the identity cards will be available to NRNs by the end of this month. [break] “We have already ordered the printing of the identity cards to meet the deadline [January-end],” said the official on condition of anonymity. "If things go as planned, the ID cards will be issued starting from the stipulated date," the official said. MoFA officials said that the identity cards are being prepared as per the Non-Resident Nepali Act and Regulations. Preparations for issuing the IDs to Nepalis residing abroad come at a time when NRNs have been demanding dual citizenship. The Non-Resident Nepali Association early this month submitted a memorandum to the Constituent Assembly (CA) demanding incorporation of a provision on dual citizenship in the new constitution. The draft of the directive principles of the state prepared by the CA committee, however, denies NRNs dual citizenship. Officials said the ID cards will be available both at the ministry and at Nepali missions abroad. According to the NRN Regulations, NRNs will have to apply for the identity cards and the ministry and the missions will act on the applications within seven days. Such cards will be valid for 10 years in the case of non-resident foreigners of Nepali descent and for two years for non-resident Nepalis. Upon getting the identity cards, Nepalis residing abroad will be able to own a maximum of two ropanis of land in Kathmandu Valley, eight katthas in municipalities in the Tarai districts, four ropanis in municipalities in other districts, one bigha in the villages of the Tarai and a maximum of 10 ropanis in other places in the country. Similarly, NRNs will be allowed to take back profits from their investments in Nepal once they get their identity cards, according to the Regulations. “We hope the move [issuance of identity cards] will bolster our policy of economic diplomacy,” said another MoFA official. kiran@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13933 KATHMANDU, Jan 11: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has strongly objected to UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal´s remarks regarding the death of former CPN-UML General Secretary Madan Bhandari. Issuing a statement Monday, the prime minister´s press advisor, Bishnu Rijal, said Nepal was seriously concerned by propaganda launched with the intention of using popular leader Bhandari´s “murder” for Dahal´s political interest. [break] "Dahal´s statement quoting Prime Minister Nepal as saying Bhandari met his fate due to his outright rejection of a proposal to meet representatives of India and the United States is very objectionable, hateful and irresponsible," the statement said. The Maoist chairman had claimed at a function Saturday that soon after Bhandari´s death Nepal had made remarks relating it to the UML general secretary´s “defiance” of India and the US. Dahal also said his party colleagues Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Narayan Kaji Shrestha were present at the meeting where Nepal made such remarks. The three Maoist leaders were then in the CPN(Unity Center), Dahal further said. Such a baseless, fictitious and misleading statement by a former prime minister disparages Dahal´s own political image and credibility, the prime minister´s rejoinder pointed out. "One would not expect such fictitious utterances from any leader who has a minimum of political culture and dignity," the statement added. Dahal´s India angle Dahal, who has said that his party would henceforth fight for “national independence” alongside their ongoing campaign for “civilian supremacy”, has trained his guns on India for “interfering” in Nepal´s internal affairs. He has also branded leaders of the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML as “puppets” of India. Even as he has upped his anti-India tirade, especially after he resigned as prime minister, Dahal has been meeting Indian intelligence on the sly outside Nepal. He acknowledged the meetings only after a section of Nepali media exposed them. He reached London on August 8, 2009 on a five-day visit reportedly to apprise party workers and supporters of party decisions and strategies. He also went to Singapore in mid-November last year, ostensibly to meet hospitalized NC President Girija Prasad Koirala. It turned out that he met Indian intelligence officials. What transpired at the meetings has not been revealed so far, neither by Dahal nor by the Indians. In 2007, Dahal and Dr Bhattarai were spotted slipping out of the gates of the Indian Embassy. When Nepali mediapersons asked them about the “clandestine meeting with the Indian ambassador”, Dahal laughed it off, saying the media had ambushed him only on that occasion “whereas we have already visited the embassy six-seven times in the past”. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13930 KANCHANPUR, Jan 11: Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Monday said that President Dr Ram Baran Yadav´s move to reinstate sacked army chief Rookmangud Katawal was reached as per an “aakashbani” (or message from the heavens) and not under any design of the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML. Addressing a function Tuesday morning after inspecting Nepali territory at Brahmadev in Kanchanpur district allegedly encroached by India, Dahal claimed that the warfare waged by Prithvi Narayan Shah and the Maoist war lasting 10 years were similar. [break] Dahal said his plan to hold a whole night of discussions with then CPN-UML General Secretary Madan Bhandari failed to materialize due to anti-nationalist forces. “The late Bhandari and I were at the time mulling to merge the two parties. But that day didn´t come,” Dahal said. He said clouds are hovering in the Nepali sky and anti-nationalist forces have been trying to split the Nepalis. “Immediately after I became prime minister I received an ´aakashbani´ not to go to China. But I ignored that message and went to China,” he added. He accused President Yadav of canceling his planned visit to China after receiving a similar ´aakashbani´ not to go there. Dahal said the ´aaskashbani´ was behind the erstwhile army chief disobeying the government´s instruction. Citing Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal´s remark that the Maoists´ fate could be like that of the LITTE in Sri Lanka, Dahal warned the prime minister not underestimate the Maoists as their guerrillas are ready to fight anti-nationalist forces from the Mechi to the Mahakali. He said the Nepali people have been facing various problems due to tyrannical rule in the past and betrayal by political leaders. He added that the Maoists will lead the movement for nationality. He further said his party has moved ahead to guard national sovereignty but not to fight outsiders. As per their fourth-phase protest, the Maoists are holding an ´awareness campaign ´ at four different places along the Nepal-India border. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13922 KATHMANDU, Jan 11: Welcoming the formation of the High-Level Political Mechanism (HLPM), the heads of mission of the European Union, Switzerland and Norway on Monday urged the political parties to make use of this mechanism to rebuild trust in the peace process and rediscover the spirit of compromise. “They [the ambassadors] believe that the priorities of the High Level Political Mechanism should be the sincere implementation of the CPA [Comprehensive Peace Agreement] and the completion of its key commitments, especially the drafting of a new constitution,” said a statement issued by the French Embassy, which holds the current EU Presidency representing Spain, in Nepal. [break] The EU envoys also welcomed the start of the discharge of the disqualified Maoist combatants, while extending their strong support for rapid completion of this process. They have also urged political parties to finalize the future of 19,602 verified Maoist combatants as soon as possible. “They urge the political leaders to agree the numbers and modalities so that the process can begin in the near future. The Nepali people have waited long enough for this essential part of the peace deal to be implemented,” the statement quoted the ambassadors as saying. They have also reiterated that they stand ready to support the [peace] process based on the need identified by the political parties. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13920 SUSTA, Nawalparasi, Jan 11: UCPN (Maoist) Vice Chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai on Monday said the Maoists will take to the streets if any conspiracy is hatched to dissolve the Constituent Assembly (CA). Addressing a rally after inspecting the Susta area, which is allegedly encroached upon by India, Dr Bhattarai said there are just two alternatives with the Maoists -- to resolve the current political deadlock in consensus or to go to fresh movement. [break] He said there are slim chances of reaching a consensus to resolve deadlock as the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML are opposed to the genuine demands of the Maoists. Dr Bhattarai´s remarks came a day after President Dr Ram Baran Yadav publicly said that the term of the CA can not be extended once its term expires on May 28, 2010. Dr Bhattarai said all the treaties and agreements that Nepal and India have inked so far should be based on equality and those unequal treaties and agreements need to be abrogated right away. He alleged that the Indian side has encroached upon 1,400 hectares of land in Susta. “We will continue both political and diplomatic efforts to return the encroached land,” he said. As a part of the fourth phase of their protests, the Maoists organized rallies at several disputed border areas on Sunday. The party´s senior leaders addressed the rallies. Dr Bhattarai said they do not want ´hollow nationalism´ and that they want to develop people-to-people relations between Nepal and India. On the occasion, he asked the government to build a bridge over Narayani River in Susta to facilitate the movement of local villagers and provide citizenship certificates to them. post@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13919 UDAYAPUR, Jan 11: Tempo and jeep entrepreneurs called jeep and tempo strike when the locals banned the movement of jeep and tempo since January 7 in the municipal area by locals in Triyuga Municipality of Udayapur district citing the vehicles collected more money than the normal fare rate. Sagarmatha and Triyuga jeep and tempo entrepreneurs association decided to stop their services citing security problem. [break] A gathering of local people at Motigada of the municipality banned the movement of the vehicles issuing a press release on 6th January as to protest the monopoly on fare rate. The locals said though they informed writing the local administration about the problem the administration was remained deaf over their application that they have to go on strike. Locals grumble that the vehicles´ strike hits the normal life in the municipal area. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13918 KATHMANDU, Jan 11: The CPN-UML parliamentary party meeting has taken exception to remarks by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav regarding the term of the Constituent Assembly (CA), its business and amendment of the constitution. The party has said that the President has gone beyond his limitations, jurisdiction and the dignity of the office of president in making such remarks. [break] "This meeting urges the honorable president to maintain the dignity of his office and not cross his limitation and jurisdiction," said a statement issued after the parliamentary party meeting. UML Chief Whip Bhim Acharya said the party objected to Yadav´s remarks as it was not the President´s concern what the House can or cannot do. "The president is supposed to simply endorse the decisions of the House," Acharya said. Speaking exclusively to Republica´s sister publication Nagarik last Tuesday, President Yadav had warned of serious political consequences if the parties failed to write the new constitution within the stipulated timeframe. "If the constitution is not written within the time stipulated by the Interim Constitution, it will lead to serious political complications. I am worried about that situation," the President said in the interview. Meanwhile, UML lawmaker Yamlal Kandel raised serious objections at the parliamentary meeting on Monday to the President´s remarks. He said that going through his interview Yadav didn´t seem like a president but like a leader of a particular political party. "The head of state shouldn´t present himself as a political leader in an interview with media," Kandel said. He also accused the President of dictating to parliament on what to do and what not to do. "Parliament is sovereign when it comes to whether to amend the constitution or not," he said. The UML leader also objected to opinions published by the President´s legal advisor, Surya Dhungel, which are similar to that of the President. "....Hence from May 28, 2010 onwards, the CA would be automatically dissolved and CA members will be jobless. It is simply due to incompetency of the key political leaders and the 25 political parties represented in the CA to prepare the constitutional draft, that the country will have to look for an extra-constitutional device in order to fill in the constitutional vacuum created after May 28, 2010," Dhungel wrote in Republica. Back to directly-elected PM Among other things, the PP meeting also decided to stand by pledges made by the party in its CA election manifesto on system of governance. The party has advocated a prime minister directly elected through popular vote and mixed-member proportional representative elections for other posts. Last month, in voting at the CA committee on system of governance, the UML had voted in favor of the model proposed by the Nepali Congress under which the prime minister would be elected from the House, and in return the NC had backed the mixed member proportional representative electoral system proposed by UML. Kandel said the decision was taken as the party can´t easily change policy mentioned in the election manifesto and endorsed by the party general convention. However, Prithivi Subba Gurung, who represents the party on the CA committee, said that they had decided to vote in favor of the NC-proposed model as per the party´s decision taken at its politburo meeting. Parliamentary party backs HLPM The PP meeting also supported the formation of a High Level Political Mechanism, in which parliamentary party leader and Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal represents the UML. The decision comes at a time when Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leader KP Sharma Oli have openly expressed reservations over the HLPM. Acharya said the meeting decided to wholeheartedly support the formation of the HLPM as it would facilitate constitution-drafting and the peace process. "The objective of this body is good," he said. thira@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13917 ILAM, Jan 11: Food and medicines scarcity in Taplejung district in eastern Nepal has deepened with a banda (general strike) enforced by the Unified CPN (Maoist) entered 15th day. “The food in market has already been consumed,” Rabindra Mani Kafle, the secretary of Chamber of Industry and Commerce said. “If additional food does not arrive within a couple of days, we have to remain hungry.” [break] Due to strike, no consignment has reached the district headquarters. The Unified CPN (Maoist) called the indefinite strike demanding the release of cadres who were arrested while vandalizing District Administration Office and Land Revenue Office during a previous strike. They were booked under Public Offense Act. They have also demanded to declare of three cadres killed in Bara district by an unidentified gang on January 6 as martyrs and compensation to their families. The market and transportation remained closed since the first day of strike while the educational institutions were also asked to close down last week. “Even common medicines have become scare,” Kafle told Republica over phone. “Although the strike has invited crisis, the concerned bodies are not worried.” The Maoists have not sat for talks with the administration. They had put the release of arrested cadre as a pre-condition for talks. “The administration is not serious on our demands,” Maoist district in-charge Suman Patangwa said. “Unless the administration addresses our demands in a package deal, we will neither end the strike nor sit for talks.” Most of the government offices have remained closed after Maoist cadres threatened the employees. Chief District Officer Iswor Raj Regmi accused the Maoists of employing non-political methods to continue the strike. He also added that he is serious about Maoist demands and that he is talking with the Home Ministry. “I am in contact with the ministry about their demands,” Regmi said. “I have also repeatedly asked Maoists to sit for talks, but they are not flexible.” Regmi further said that the arrested Maoist cadres attacked the DAO and that they would not be released. “They wanted to destroy the office,” he said. The party has also extended the strike to Panchthar district from Saturday. Three Maoist cadres – Lagam Limbu, Laxmi Banem and Rajendra Limbu -- were killed last year in various incidents. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13888 DADELDHURA, Jan 10: Senior leader of the Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba on Sunday said the management of Maoist combatants can be accomplished within 15 days if the Maoists genuinely want their management. Addressing a press conference organized by Nepal Press Union in Dadeldhura, Deuba alleged that the Maoists were not interested in the management of Maoist combatants as they are adopting a strategy to seize state power by threatening and intimidating the people at gunpoint. [break] He also alleged that the Maoists are bent on pushing the country into a fresh conflict. He said the new constitution cannot be promulgated unless the Maoist combatants are managed. "But the Maoists are neither prepared for the management of their combatants nor are they prepared for drafting new constitution," Deuba added. Deuba said the Maoists are against the constitution and federalism as they unilaterally declared autonomous states disregarding the jurisdiction of the Constituent Assembly. Stating that the country would plunge into a critical situation if the constitution is not drafted on time, Deuba said, “There is no possibility of promulgating the new constitution without first managing the Maoist combatants.” http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13886 DHANGADHI, Jan 10: UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday refuted news reports saying that his life was under threat. Talking to media persons upon his arrival at Dhangadhi Airport, he blamed media for sensationalizing his statements. [break] "In my speech on Saturday, I didn´t raise the issue of security threat. It was exaggerated by the media. Hope the mofussil journalists won´t distort my statements," Dahal said. Arguing that there is always security threat to a patriot and revolutionary, he said that there was no point to say the obvious matter. "Security threat to me was more serious in the past," he added. He said what he meant is the reason behind the assassination of former King Birendra and UML leader Madan Bhandari might be their stance in favor of national sovereignty and national interests. He claimed that all the leaders who have stood against the recently-formed High Level Political Mechanism have been speaking the voice of foreigners. "It shows that foreigners´ stooges have a strong presence in all the political parties," he said. He said that the mechanism would include other political parties including Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) and Tarai Madhes Democratic Party in the mechanism. Clarifying its objectives, Dahal said the body would focus on taking the peace process to a logical conclusion, forging consensus on constitution writing and ending the ongoing political deadlock. According to him, the first meeting of the mechanism would discuss issues of army integration and rehabilitation, political deadlock and president´s move. In another context, he criticized Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal´s recent remarks on Maoists. "The world is laughing at Prime Minister Madhav Nepal after he announced to make Maoists like LTTE [of Sri Lanka]. This is a ridiculous, shameful and hateful statement." The Maoist chief also claimed that he didn´t speak against India due to the southern neighbor´s obstruction in his bid for prime ministership. He refuted media reports about intra-party dispute in the Maoist party. "Baburam and me were together in a function in Biratnagar yesterday [Saturday] only. We have no differences on the issues of national sovereignty and civilian supremacy," Dahal said. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13887 KATHMANDU, Jan 10: The Supreme Court on Sunday decided to continue its January 3 order staying the promotion of Major General Toran Jung Bahadur Singh till next Sunday when the court is likely to take a decision on whether to retain the order till it passes a final verdict on the case. Justice Ram Prasad Shrestha announced the decision after a discussion on the stay order with lawyers of the plaintiffs and the defendants did not conclude Sunday. A division bench comprising Shrestha and Tap Bahadur Singh conducted the discussion as per an order passed by Chief Justice Anup Raj Sharma. [break] On January 3, the chief justice had ordered the government and the Nepal Army Headquarters not to implement the decision to elevate Singh to the post of lieutenant general till January 10. Lawyers representing petitioners Krishna KC, Himal Sharma and Bina Magar pleaded before the bench, requesting the court to continue the January 3 stay order till the court reaches a final verdict on the case. The lawyers argued that the government violated the constitution by promoting Singh though the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) had recommended the government to take action against Singh for his alleged role in disappearances in the Bhairabhnath Battalion of Nepal Army in 2003. The lawyers further argued that the political parties have expressed commitment in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement to address impunity but the government breached the commitment by promoting Singh without investigating the charge against him. National and international human rights organizations have accused Singh of chain of command responsibility over disappearance of at least 49 detainees from the battalion. They have been demanding a credible investigation into the human rights violations before promoting any army officer accused in the incident. The plaintiffs´ lawyers questioned the Ram Chandra Man Singh-committee formed by the cabinet to investigate the charge against Singh. The committee was undecided on the charge. "Only a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to be formed under Article 33 of the constitution can investigate the charge Singh faces," argued Advocate Mukti Pradhan. But the government lawyers defended the promotion, saying the elevation was constitutional. Government lawyer Kiran Pokharel said that the December 24 promotion of Singh was the second since the incident in the battalion occurred. "This shows that the government thinks that Singh was not involved in the case," argued Pokharel. Other government lawyers and the lawyers of Singh will continue their pleading next Sunday. SC stays scrapping of Yadavs´ CA membership Meanwhile, another bench of the court stayed the implementation of the decision of the Constituent Assembly (CA) terminating the CA membership of Matrika Prasad Yadav and Jagat Yadav, till January 14. Chief Justice Anup Raj Sharma issued the order after a brief hearing on the writ petition filed by Yadav duo. Their membership were terminated after they quit the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). The court also order the CA to send its lawyers to take part in a discussion scheduled for January 14 on whether the stay order should be continued till a final verdict is passed. The court also issued a show cause notice to the CA to furnish a written reply why the Yadav duo was stripped of their membership. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13885 PARVAT, Jan 10: CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal on Sunday urged political leaders not to debate on the issue of newly formed High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM). “The mechanism has been formed to take the ongoing peace process to a logical end,” said Khanal. “Some leaders have criticized the mechanism. There is no point in criticizing against the mechanism.” [break] Addressing a press conference here, Khanal said the current time is not to invite bitterness among political parties but to forge unity and consensus among them. “There is no need to harbor any suspicion over the mechanism,” he said. Khanal´s remarks come at a time when leaders of several political parties including his own UML have criticized the formation of HLPM. Senior UML leader K P Sharma Oli has termed the mechanism ´meaningless´ as there is no clarity about the terms of reference of the HLPM. Likewise, NC Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel has also expressed dissatisfaction over the formation of the mechanism sans prime minister. Talking to media persons at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu before leaving for a 10-day visit to UK on Sunday, Poudel said the mechanism could be effective if it also included the prime minister. Three major parties -- UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML -- on Friday formed the mechanism under the coordination of NC President Girija Prasad Koirala. Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and UML Chairman Khanal are the members of the mechanism. Khanal said the mechanism is entrusted to take the peace process to a logical end, facilitate drafting the new constitution and end the protracted political deadlock. Stating that the activities of extreme rightist and extreme leftist forces pose threat to drafting new constitution on time, Khanal said, “Parties must be ready incur all costs to ensure the drafting of new constitution on time.” Khanal also urged all not to unnecessarily engage in debate on federalism. “The government has already decided to take the country to federal system,” he said. “No one can stop the country from embracing federalism now.” Khanal added that the issue as to what type of federal model to adopt in new state restructuring could be a matter of debate, however. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13863 KATHMANDU, Jan 10: Rastriya Jana Morcha (RJM) on Sunday enforced a general shut down in Kathmandu Valley protesting the government´s decision to adopt the federal state model. The shut down called to exert pressure on the political parties to not adopt the model threw normal life in the capital out of gear. [break] While academic institutions, businesses and marketplaces remained closed, vehicles remained off the roads for fear of vandalism. Only a few private two-wheelers could be seen plying on the streets. The RJM lifted its traffic obstruction at 3 pm-one hour before the party concluded its shut down by organizing a corner meeting at Ratnapark. RJM Chairman Chitra Bahadur KC addressed the corner meeting. The RJM cadres had obstructed vehicular movement in the capital since early Sunday morning and also vandalized at least six vehicles for defying the strike. Local authorities had deployed a large number of police personnel in all major points of the valley to avoid any untoward incident. The police rounded up a total 27 RJM cadres for obstructing and vandalizing vehicles. All of them were released later in the evening. The agitating RJM cadres torched a bus (Ba 1 Ka 4650) at Bafal, Tahachal. Likewise, they vandalized two taxis at Balaju and another at Dillibazar. A truck was vandalized at Kumaripati, Lalitpur. Though the Interim Constitution stipulates that the state adopt federal model, the RJM is the only party among 24 others in the Constituent Assembly that is against the idea. The RJM has argued that federalism would lead the country towards disintegration as it weakens national unity. The party maintains that devolution of powers to local bodies can do away with the ills in the current unitary governance system. Retaliatory motorcycle rally against RJM shut down Newa Swayatta Rajya Manka Sangharsha Samiti (NSRMSS), an umbrella body of Newari ethnic fronts, staged an anti-strike bike rally from Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu at 10 a.m. on Sunday. The rally began an hour behind schedule. The NSRMSS activists shouted slogans like “anti-federalists beware!” and “long live Newa Swayatta Rajya (autonomous state)”. The bike rally attended by the leaders of NSRMSS which recently declared autonomous Newa State concluded at Basantapur Durbar Square after driving past major thoroughfares of the city. Protestor´s nose chopped off A group of protestors supporting federalism and Newa Autonomous State chopped off RJM protestor Surya Bahadur Nepali´s nose near Maitidevi on Sunday. According to RJM cadre Dilip Poudel, a group of about 25 pro-federalism supporters followed them from the stretch between Maitidevi and Dillibazar and started attacking them. Nepali, who received deep injuries on his nose, went a nose surgery at Bir Hospital. The group also attacked two RJM cadres with iron rods. They have returned home after receiving treatment at Kathmandu Model Hospital. RJM alleged that a group incited by the Maoists was behind the incident. “The group involved in attacking our cadres are those incited by the Maoists,” said RJM central member Bharat Bhandari. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13851 KATHMANDU, Jan 9: Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has claimed that he has been receiving death threats, especially after the Maoist party decided to fight for “national independence”. On Dec 22, when Dahal publicly declared that he would directly hold talks with New Delhi to resolve the political crisis at home, he also met Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and expressed concern over such threats. [break] On Saturday, Dahal publicly stated that he was receiving death threats. Though Dahal did not categorically say who may be hatching such a plot, he claimed that foreign imperialist and expansionist forces were behind it. He said that former CPN-UML General secretary Madan Kumar Bhandari and late King Birendra were murdered because they did not bow before foreigners and he may as well share the same fate for the reason. “Madan Bhandari [former CPN-UML General Secretary] had publicly challenged monarchy and the imperialists. And he was murdered,” said Dahal while addressing an interaction program entitled “National Independence and civilian supremacy” organized as part of the party´s fourth phase of protests. Dahal said late king Birendra was a nationalist and the Maoist party had initiated dialogues with him through his brother just a month before the royal place massacre in June 2001 took place. “We were going to hold direct talks with him. We were going to ask him to be the first president of republic Nepal and abdicate his throne. But Birendra was killed against the backdrop,” said Dahal. Dahal was of the opinion that if any leader advocates national independence to redeem the country from the clutches of imperialists and expansionists, he would be murdered. “But they should not assume that they could stop the new battle for national independence the way they did in the past -- by killing Birendra or Bhandari,” he said. “There will be an army of 30 million Nepalis to fight for national independence. No one will be able to defeat them,” he said. Maoist chairman is concerned over “increased security threats” in recent days. “Yes, he told the prime minister that he was receiving death threats after he addressed a rally in Baneshwar on Dec 22, but the government has not so far received any information about such threats,” said Prime Minister Nepal´s press advisor Bishnu Rijal. “It could just have been his feeling.” However, Rijal added that the home ministry had warned Dahal against participating in the rally at Singha Durbar on November 1. “There are Maoist splinter groups, and there was a threat on Dahal from them. So he was asked to be cautious,” Rijal said. Home ministry officials say the government has beefed up security for the Maoist chairman. “The security for the Maoist chairman has been beefed up since the past couple of weeks,” said an official requesting anonymity. According to him, the ministry has directed the security agencies to adopt all measures to ensure his security. “It is possible that something bad might happen to him, and the ministry is cautious about it,” said the official. Leaders close to Dahal claim that there is credible information about threats to his life. “We cannot reveal the sources and the nature of threats. Just understand that there is a serious threat to his life,” said an aide to Dahal, adding measures have been taken to ensure his security. post@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13849 KATHMANDU, Jan 9: Chairman of the Constitutional Committee (CC) of the Constituent Assembly (CA) Nilambar Acharya on Saturday tabled the preliminary draft report and concept paper prepared by the committee in the CA meeting. Deliberations on the report will start on Tuesday. The CC is the ninth of the eleven thematic committees to submit draft reports in the full house of the CA. Other two committees -- committee on system of governance and the committee on state restructuring and sharing of state power -- are yet to prepare their preliminary draft reports. [break] The CC, which is most important committee in terms of its dual responsibility of preparing the thematic report as well as of preparing an integrated report by incorporating reports of all the eleven thematic committees, has unfortunately remained the most controversial. After failing to take decisions on the provisions to be incorporated in the report, the committee had to decide by vote on 98 clauses that remained contentious among the political parties. In the voting on December 26, a majority of the agenda items supported by the largest party UCPN (Maoist) were defeated by the alliance of the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML and other political parties. A proposal by the Maoists and others to change national flag failed to garner majority support while the provision to remove all the national emblems was passed by majority in the 64-member committee. The Maoist proposal to put the words “people´s war” in the preamble was in the minority while the proposal to incorporate the words “Madhes movement” received a majority of votes. The committee voted press freedom and pluralism as non-amendable provisions. Heads of the three largest parties -- Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, NC President Girija Prasad Koirala and CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal -- agreed to abstain from voting. However, the function organized to hand over the report to CA Chairman Subas Nembang remained more controversial as the NC and UML decided not to attend the function raising question over Acharya´s decision to allow Maoist to register differing views in the draft even after the given deadline had expired. The committee held 79 meetings for 205 hours before finalizing the report. “Still we are open to incorporate any suggestions from the CA members during the deliberations in the House,” Acharya said. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13844 BIRATNAGAR, Jan 9: Maoist Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai on Saturday said the attempt to split the party by spreading false news of his relation with the party chairman would not succeed. He said that those jealous of the party´s popularity and mass base were spreading such rumors. Stating that rumors about his souring relationship with party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal was the product of mere imagination, Dr Bhattarai claimed there is was no truth in such rumors. “We are still one,” he said, adding, “I spoke to the chairman this morning. The attempts to spark differences between us will not be successful.” He also accused the newspapers of misquoting Dahal. [break] Speaking at a program organized by Kochila state-level National University Teachers´ Association, Bhattarai said, “The only way to end the political deadlock is for the parliamentary parties to drop the old model.” Also speaking on the occasion, secretary CP Gajurel said that the Maoist party is dedicated to establishing a people´s constitution. Pokharel targets Nagarik Meanwhile, Standing Committee Member of the UCPN (Maoist) Lilamani Pokharel accused Nepali media of attempting to split the party at India´s behest. Speaking at an interaction program in Dhangadhi on Saturday, Pokharel accused Nagarik daily of distorting the Maoist chairman Dahal´s remarks. “India is trying to create a divide in the party. It sometime proposes Bhattarai as the PM through SD Muni, and at other times says that Dahal should continue party leadership,” Pokharel said, adding, “Nagarik has distorted this very opinion of our chairman.” Calls media a traitor Accusing Nepali media of promoting yellow journalism, Pokharel said the media houses are attempting to split the Maoist party at a time when the party is raising issues of national sovereignty. Blaming the media for attacking the party, he said that Nepali media never write against Indian expansionism. He termed media as traitors. He also demanded that the 1950 Nepal-India Friendship Treaty be annulled. He added that India is trying to take the place of UNMIN in Nepal by removing the world body from the country. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13843 BIRATNAGAR/LAHAN, Jan 9: Local administrations in Tarai have finally imposed a ban on the export of sand and stones to India under instruction from the Committee on Natural Resources and Means of the legislative parliament. Despite the ban, transport entrepreneurs attempted to export sand and stones to India on Saturday through various border points. Customs officials, however, sent back all trucks laden with sand and stones acting on DAOs´ orders. [break] "We immediately circulated the CA committee´s letter to not allow trucks to cross the border," said Shashi Shekhar Shreshtha, Chief District Officer (CDO), Morang. Following the ban, transport entrepreneurs on Saturday blocked the East-West Highway demanding that the local administrations to lift the ban. But, the police cleared the highway by removing protesters from the streets. "We used force to open the highway," Sudan Singh Basnet, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Saptari, told myrepublica.com. It is learnt that HP Singh, manager of BSCC and CJV (Pvt) Ltd, an Indian crusher plant based in Kadmaha of Saptari, has been requesting chiefs of police and local administration to lift the ban. In Morang, four crusher plants set up in Chisang and Gachhiya Rivers have stopped their works following the ban. Billions of rupees have been spent on setting up crusher plants by different companies across the Tarai. For the last four years, hundreds of thousands of tons of sand and stones have been exported to India for the construction of a national highway connecting Indian capital Delhi to Guwahati. Environment exports had been expressing concerns over the damage caused by quarrying stones and sands. The CA committee had instructed the government to ban the export of natural resources to India following pressure from all sectors. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13838 KATHMANDU, Jan 9: Two former Maoist CA members -- Matrika Yadav and Jagat Yadav -- have formally lost their CA membership Saturday. The cancellation of their membership came into effect after Constituent Assembly (CA) Chairman Subas Nembang read out a notice to this effect during a CA meeting on Saturday. [break] Earlier, the Parliamentary Business Advisory Committee had decided to cancel their membership as they were continuing their activity in the CPN (Maoist) party while the former Maoist party had already registered its new name -- UCPN (Maoist) -- in the Election Commission. The two were elected CA members under the proportional representative seats by the Maoist party. They have already filed a case against the CA´s decision to cancel their membership in the Supreme Court. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13835 BIRATNAGAR, Jan 9: CPN (Unified Marxist-Leninist) leader KP Sharma Oli on Saturday demanded that the objective and constitutional ground of the High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) be made clear. The HLPM was formed on Friday. “I am not against the mechanism. But the objective and constitutional ground of the body needs to be made clear,” Oli said at a press meet in Biratnagar. He also claimed that there was no discussion in the party regarding the matter. [break] “The chairman [Jhala Nath Khanal] didn´t mention about the issue of mechanism in the party´s politburo meeting that concluded on Thursday,” he said. Oli opined that it would have been better had there been discussions prior to forming the mechanism. Meanwhile, UCPN (Maoist) Vice Chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai on Saturday said the HLPM will bear no meaning unless consensus and cooperation is forged among major political parties. Addressing party cadres in Dhankuta, Dr Bhattarai also instructed them to be prepared for next round of movement as Nepal´s independence was at stake due to growing interference of foreign powers. Dr Bhattarai said that the Maoists are ready to resolve the ongoing political deadlock through cooperation and consensus. He said they were compelled to launch fresh movement due to unconstitutional moves of the ruling parties. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13817 KATHMANDU, Jan 9: At long last the top leaders of the three major parties have constituted the high-level political mechanism, pulling peace-process politics back from the brink or at least stalling it from progressively worsening. "It has brought new hope," says Krishna Prasad Sitaula, leader of the Nepali Congress. Perhaps it has. After long, people saw their political leaders working together instead of fighting, blaming and threatening each other. [break] The mechanism has created a space for the two major protagonists of the peace process-- Girija Prasad Koirala and Pushpa Kamal Dahal-- to come together and talk about what kind of legacy they want to leave behind. This is especially poignant for Koirala -- 86 and ailing, this is his last chance to salvage his legacy. His recommendation for the Nobel Peace Prize may also inspire him to do his bit. But Koirala is a small factor in this stalemate, if at all, and he will have only a nominal role in breaking the gridlock. Actually, he will just provide the guardianship, without much influence on the process or in the end-result. Pushpa Kamal Dahal is unmistakably the man who can make or break the peace process. But no one knows how he sees this mechanism or what purpose he wants to use it for. One thing became clear when the three leaders met this morning --he wasn´t interested in just writing the constitution and concluding the peace process as proposed by Koirala. "To do so," Dahal argued, "the present deadlock should be broken." At his insistence the statement signed by the three top leaders included wording that the mechanism will also discuss ways to resolve the political impasse. Dahal´s eyes are clearly set on Baluwatar. And UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal might be game with that. But Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal is not. When he met Koirala on Wednesday, just a few minutes after Khanal and Dahal also met him, Nepal argued that the mechanism cannot and should not discuss the life of the current government. Minister for Information and Communications and Prime Minister Nepal´s confidant, Shankar Pokharel, downplayed the government´s worries over the mechanism. "Our only concern is that the mechanism should not evolve into a body to control the government because that is not permissible constitutionally and legally." UML strongman Khadga Prasad Oli, for his part, has directly criticized the formation of the mechanism. Amidst such suspicion in the party that leads the government, what the mechanism will achieve remains a big question. But this mechanism offers a glimmer of hope for an entirely different reason also: It provides Maoist Chairman Dahal a face-saving opportunity to make a U-turn from an exceedingly extremist political course he seems inclined to take. There are worrying indications that Dahal wants to stir up an ultra-nationalist (read anti-Indian) fervor to rally his frustrated cadres and so-called "nationalist" forces. But make no mistake, Dahal has in him elements of both shrewd pragmatism and brute opportunism. If he realizes that ultra-nationalism is going to boomerang on him and that the high-level mechanism may provide him an opportunity, however small, to get back into power, he may start to play his cards accordingly. Dahal himself has come back to the negotiating table. The high-level mechanism can engage him constructively over the six-fold agenda that a taskforce has prepared for negotiations and offer him real chances of power-sharing if he works sincerely to conclude the peace process and write the constitution. The mechanism´s success will depend upon whether it can make Dahal realize that he has no chance of getting back into power before the constitution is agreed (though not necessarily promulgated) and the peace process is concluded, but he will have a legitimate claim after. ameetdhakal@gmail.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13813 BIRATNAGAR, Jan 8: UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Friday warned that the country could see a fresh rebellion if the new constitution is not drafted in the stipulated time. [break] “People are in favor of rebellion in one way or other. Rebellion is inevitable if the constitution is not drafted by the stipulated date,” said Dahal. He was addressing an interaction organized by the Informal Sector Service Center (Insec) in Biratnagar. Senior leaders of all the major parties also participated. Chairman Dahal vented anger against the remark of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal that the Maoists would face the fate of the LTTE if they again resorted to violence. “What does it mean to say that the Maoists will turn out to be like the LTTE? Does this not tend to invite face-to-face war? Is it proper for a person in the post of prime minister to make such remarks?” he asked. Dahal said he took the remarks of the prime minister seriously as, he claimed, he had heard then army chief Rookmangud Katawal making similar remarks when the Maoists were in power. He said that they have doubts over the timely drafting of the constitution as New Delhi has started speaking openly against army integration and on issues related to constitution-drafting. Also speaking on the occasion, Nepali Congress Vice-President Ram Chandra Poudel said it is necessary to conclude the peace process before drafting the new constitution. CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal said the newly-formed High-Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) will help complete the peace process and draft the new constitution within the stipulated time. He lauded the formation of the HLPM as a first step towards forging consensus among the political parties. On the occasion, Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) Chairman Upendra Yadav said the HLPM will not help forge national consensus. “This is not an effort to forge national consensus, but an effort to ensure power-sharing,” he said. Yadav said that all parties should be included in the government on the basis of the vote they garnered in the Constituent Assembly election. He also claimed that the peace process cannot move ahead while sidelining forces like his party that emerged from the popular movement. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13808 KATHMANDU, Jan 8: Concluding their two-day conference on Friday, judges of the Supreme Court (SC) and appellate courts have demanded that the government and Constituent Assembly (CA) guarantee independence of the judiciary in the new constitution. [break] The 17- point statement issued by the judges after the conference stresses on the need to keep the provisions relating to judiciary and human rights intact in the new constitution. “This is a momentous achievement of the conference,” said Chief Justice Anup Raj Sharma delivering his closing remarks. Judges have also urged the government to bring the ongoing peace process to its logical end by resolving the conflict and ensuring reliable security arrangements across the country. Judges have also demanded that special security plan be implemented to ensure security in district courts. “The government should set up separate police wing for judiciary and judges´ residence,” the statement reads. Chief Justice Sharma said that judiciary had become the target of attacks due to which judges have not been able to work in a free an independent manner. The judges also urged the government to bring the culture of bandas to an end. Expressing commitment to implement and abide by the judges code of conduct, the conference also decided to form a study team to recommend whether judges and court officials should wear official dress in the bench. The conference also concluded that there is lack of transparency in the judiciary, which has eroded people´s faith in it. Law and Justice Minister Prem Bahadur Singh termed the conference successful for being able to come up with relevant issues. “The conference has been able to rightly address contemporary issues,” Minister Singh said. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13801 HONG KONG, Jan 8: Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Thursday held over two-hour long secret talks with top Chinese officials in Hong Kong. Dahal who suddenly arrived in Hong Kong along with the party´s foreign relations department chief Krishna Bahadur Mahara held secret talks with Chinese Communist Party´s standing committee member and top Chinese government officials, according to a local Maoist activist. [break] The talks were focused on current political situation in Nepal. Though the names of Chinese leaders, and venue and agenda of the talks were kept secret, local Maoist activists claimed that the talks were held in Hong Kong itself. Mahara accompanied Dahal during the talks. Dahal and Mahara had gone to an unknown location on a hired taxi soon after a function organized by the party´s Nepali Janasarokar Samaj in Hong Kong was over at 11 am Thursday. The duo headed to Hong Kong Airport on a vehicle provided by Consulate General of Nepal in Hong Kong after spending two and half hours at the unknown location. Dahal meets senior Chinese officials in HK Names of Chinese leaders, venue, agenda kept secret Says he is holding direct, indirect talks with Indian leadership Defends remarks on Dr Baburam Bhattarai Says revolt only option if presidential rule imposed In an exclusive interview with myrepublica.com at the airport, Dahal admitted that he had talked to Indian intelligence officials in London and Singapore a few months ago. “In fact, there had been talks [with them] while in London. But there were other things as well while [I was] in Singapore. Girijababu was there. We had other internal works, too. I have straightly said about the meeting in London,” he said. He, however, declined to divulge the details of his meetings in London. Dahal said he is currently holding both direct and indirect talks with the political leadership in India. According to him, the ball is on India´s court. "Things can move ahead positively if India takes them [issues raised by Maoists] positively," he said. Justifying his demand for talks with India, Dahal said there is a need to develop equal relationship between Nepal and India in the changed context. Dahal has been publicly demanding abrogation of 1950´s ´unequal´ treaty between Nepal and India. Asked to comment on the newly publicized controversial audio tape in which Dahal labeled Dr Baburam Bhattarai as India´s man, Dahal said the audio was a part of efforts from various quarters to bring about maneuverings and factionalism within the party. He claimed that such elements have been more active after his party came into peace process. Dahal claimed that the issue of India proposing Dr Bhattarai for prime ministership was discussed at the party´s politburo meeting and that the confusions surrounding the issue had already been cleared through a central committee meeting held recently. He argued that some officials of Indian establishment proposed Dr Bhattarai for prime ministership after his (Dahal´s) earlier announcement not to become the prime minister again. Referring to his appeal to party cadres to prepare for ´rebellion´ in the audio tape, Dahal said the Maoists will have no alternative other than to ask people to go for a rebellion if presidential rule is imposed in the country by derailing the ongoing peace process. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13798 KATHMANDU, Jan 8: After months of negotiations, the three major parties -- Nepali Congress, UCPN (Maoist) and CPN-UML-- announced on Friday the formation of a High-Level Political Mechanism (HLPM). [break] A two-hour meeting of the top leaders held at NC President Girija Prasad Koirala´s residence at Maharajgunj on Friday morning formed the HLPC under Koirala´s chairmanship. Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal are members of the much-hyped HLPM. Talking to media persons after the meeting, Maoist Chairman Dahal said the mechanism is entrusted with taking the ongoing peace process to a logical conclusion, helping draft the new constitution within the stipulated date and ending the protracted political deadlock. The mechanism will not, however, concern itself with affairs of government. Dahal lauded the formation of the HLPM as an ´important decision´ towards drafting the new constitution and successfully concluding the ongoing peace process. According to NC leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula, the meeting agreed to include other parties in the mechanism in the coming days as per consensus among the three major parties. The mechanism will function just as a similar mechanism of the then Seven-Party Alliance (SPA) did during the Janaandolan II period in 2006. UML Chairman Khanal said the mechanism will prove greatly helpful in resolving differences that have surfaced among the political parties and removing the mistrust felt among them. NC President Koirala had proposed such a mechanism to help resolve the widening differences that have surfaced among the major political parties in the aftermath of the Constituent Assembly election held in April, 2008. Besides Koirala, Dahal and Khanal, NC leaders Ram Chandra Poudel and Krishna Prasad Sitaula were among those present at the meeting. Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal failed to attend the meeting as he was in Chitwan Thursday night. Party insiders say the prime minister has expressed reservations over the HLPM, fearing that it may develop into a body parallel to the government. It is learnt that the prime minister, during his meeting with NC President Koirala a few days ago, had sought terms of references (ToR) for the HLPM. Allaying such concerns, NC leader Poudel said the mechanism has nothing to do with government. "The mechanism will neither develop as a parallel body to the government, nor will it interfere in affairs of government," he said. Maoists might withdraw protests Maoist Chairman Dahal hinted that his party might withdraw its protest programs following the formation of the HLPM. Talking to media upon arrival at Biratnagar Airport, Dahal said they could reconsider their protest programs if the meeting of the HLPM arrives at any understanding. "The issue of our movement is still intact. But we will discuss our protest programs during the meeting of the mechanism scheduled within the next few days to facilitate drafting of the new constitution by the stipulated date and bring about sustainable peace in the country," said Dahal. "We have made a big achievement by forming the mechanism. We can reconsider our protest programs if any understanding is reached," he added. UML leader Oli unhappy Senior UML leader KP Sharma Oli alleged that the HLPM was formed just for the sake of the prestige of top party leaders. "The mechanism has been formed for nothing but the prestige of party leaders," he told media at Biratnagar airport before leaving for Jhapa, Friday morning. "I fail to understand what they are up to as the mechanism includes both the parties trying to the save the government and those trying to topple it." UNMIN welcomes HLPM The United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) has welcomed the formation of the High-Level Political Mechanism. Issuing a press statement, UNMIN lauded the HLPM as a forum dedicated to multi-party dialogue on peace process-related issues. "UNMIN is hopeful that this forum will bring fresh momentum to the peace process, and remains ready to assist the parties in achieving their objective," the statement said. Establishment of the HLPM comes at a time when consensus among the parties is vital for securing adherence to clear timelines for the finalization of Nepal´s new constitution, and for the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist army personnel. koshraj@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13794 KATHMANDU, Jan 8: As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) is making final preparations to award the multimillion-dollar contract for Machine Readable Passports (MRPs), Republica has learnt from impeccable sources that three of the four international firms bidding were pre-qualified without meeting the criteria mentioned in the Pre-Qualification Document.   MOFA pre-qualified Oberthur Technologies (France), Gemalto (Finland), Sagon Security Printers (France) and 3M Technology (Singapore) for the 72-million US dollar project last October. But the firms, other than Oberthur Technologies, were selected out of 14 firms even though they did not meet the pre-qualification criteria prepared by the ministry. [break] First, the Pre-Qualification Document says that an interested security printer/firm must have already issued MRPs in four different countries, including under turnkey projects, in the last 10 years, and issued at least 8,000,000 Machine Readable Passports in the last five years. But the three firms do not have the experience of issuing MRPs as required to qualify under the Pre-Qualification Document, said impeccable sources at the ministry and in the diplomatic community. Asked about the countries where the pre-qualified companies met the experience required, Mohan Krishna Shrestha, Chief of Protocol and coordinator of a committee formed to oversee the bidding, declined to give details. In response to a right-to-information application, the ministry said that information about the firms cannot be shared with media as the Public Procurement Act does not allow them to impart such information while the bidding process is in progress. Asked why his committee pre-qualified firms not meeting criteria set out in the Pre-Qualification Document, Shrestha said, "We selected them on the basis of available documents."  He, however, declined to divulge details about the selection process. The ministry has called for applications from the four pre-qualified firms in a bid to change manual passports into MRP. Nepal has decided to issue MRPs by April 1, 2010 as per a commitment to the International Civil Aviation Organization. Around four million manual passports have already been issued and Nepal plans to replace them with MRPs.  http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13781 KATHMANDU, Jan 7: The UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) has said that it repatriated Nepal Army Major Niranjan Basnet last month without consulting Nepal´s Mission due to mounting pressure for his repatriation from the international human rights groups. In a meeting with Deputy Permanent Representative of Nepal at UN Headquarters in New York on December 18, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Edmond Mulet said that they could not consult Nepal´s Mission before sending back Basnet to Nepal from the peacekeeping mission in Chad. [break] A letter sent by the mission in New York said Mulet also called for proper observance by NA of established norms and procedures including those related to human rights while selecting officers for peacekeeping operations. "This will help maintain Nepal´s image as a longstanding contributor of peacekeepers," the letter quoted Muller as saying. The DPKO had expelled Basnet on December 10 over his alleged involvement in the murder of 15-year-old Maina Sunar during Maoist insurgency in February 2004. Expressing serious reservation over the act, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) on December 16 had asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to write an objection letter to the DPKO to Basnet´s expulsion. The MoD argued that the DPKO should have consulted the government before taking a decision to send Basnet back from Chad mission. During the meeting, Nepal called for prior consultation with troops contributing country in taking decision on issues of this nature. It also asked for procedural clarity on such issues. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13776 KATHMANDU, Jan 7: Two parallel district committees of the ruling CPN (Unified Marxist-Leninist) in Kathmandu have decided to hold separate district conventions to elect the committee´s leadership. The Kathmandu District Organization Committee headed by Govind Krishna Adhikari has decided to hold its district convention on January 29, 30 while another district committee headed by Rameshwar Phuyal has scheduled its two-day convention starting February 5. [break] The Adhikari-headed committee is formed by Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal and the party establishment while another committee is backed by Khanal´s arch-rival KP Sharma Oli and his faction. “We have formed several committees to make arrangements for the convention in which party chairman Khanal will attend as the chief guest,” Adhikari said in a press meet held at the party head office on Thursday. Adhikari blamed another faction of spreading misleading information to the public. Phuyal said his committee was working as per its decision to hold the convention on February 5 and 6. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13775 BIRATNAGAR, Jan 7: Cadres of Madheshi People´ Rights Forum (MPRF) Thursday seized over a dozen of trucks in Biratnagar loaded with sand and boulder being exported to India through Jogbani border. MPRF cadres reached Jogbani border early Thursday morning and started blocking trucks. There had been a heated debate as some drivers defied MPRF cadres´ diktat to handover all keys.[break] “Though we were ready to stop our trucks, MPRF cadres snatched away our keys,” Amaresh Giri, driver of Na. 3 Kha 4150 truck, said. Umesh Yadav, Morang chapter president of MPRF, however, maintained that they resorted to snatching keys just because police tried to help them pass the border. MPRF cadres stopped trucks from exporting boulder, stone and sand into India after their president Upendra Yadav asked the government to preserve natural resources at a press meet. After blocking trucks in Biratnagar, MPRF has mobilized its cadres in other border areas of Morang. “We have already sent our cadres to Taregana, Chauparaha and Doriya areas,” MPRF´s Morang secretary Mrityunjaya Jha told Republica. According to Jha, MPRF will soon spearhead its campaign to other Tarai districts, too. “This campaign is necessary because the destruction of Chure region will have an adverse impact on our environmenta,” Jha said, adding, “we will mull over rolling back our campaign only after confirming as to whether crusher plants being operated in Chure region are legal.” More than 35 trucks of sand and boulder are exported to Farbisgunj of India every day from Morang district alone. Shivashankar Paribahan Sewa, an Itahari-based transportation company, owns a majority of trucks used to export boulder and sand. Each truck carries about 22 tons of boulder and sand. It is learned that Nepali boulder and sand are used to build a four-lane Indian National highway connecting Guwahati to Delhi. A number of police personnel have been deployed on the road leading to Jogbani border, where sand and boulder loaded trucks have been halted. “We are trying to return keys grabbed by MPRF cadres to truck drivers,” Superintendent of Police Rabibikram Thapa told Republica. “We can not stop export of sand and boulder unless the government formally instructs District Development Committees (DDCs) to do so.” http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13772 KATHMANDU, Jan 7: Lawmakers of the UCPN (Maoist) boycotted Thursday´s meeting of the parliament, protesting the killing of three Maoist cadres by an unidentified gang in Bara Wednesday night.[break] Speaker Subas Nembang put off the parliament meeting till January 11 after, Maoist leader Amik Sherchan announced the House boycott. Assailants had shot dead three Maoist cadres and injured two at Ganjabhawanipur of Bara. Those killed are Ambika Mahato, Dara Mahato and Maoist´s Bhojpura autonomous state member Ram Prakash Yadav. A little-known armed outfit, Tarai Mukti Morcha, claimed responsibility for the killing. A man who named himself Agni, the military commander of the Morcha for Bara, Parsa and Rauthat, called journalists over the phone and owned up to the killing. The assailants who came on motorbikes fired at the Maoist cadres while they were returning from a party at Ganjabhawanipur at 9:45 p.m. Addressing the House meeting, Sherchan alleged that the government had failed to become serious over the killing of Maoist cadres in various parts of the country. Sherchan asked the government to book the guilty involved in the killing of Maoist cadres in Bara, Taplejung and Dhading and declare teh slain cadres martyrs. He also demanded compensation to their families. He claimed that the government´s failure to take killing and attacks on Maoists cadres had shown that the government is bent on derailing the peace process. He claimed that Maoist cadres have been killed more than any other parties´ cadres after the Maoist joined the mainstream politics. Sherchan also criticized the government decision to promote DSP Dilip Chaudhary, who received serious injuries during a clash between Maoists and police at New Baneshwar a few days ago. He alleged that Chaudhary was behind the attack that left one of his hands fractured during a Maoist protest. Killing ´pre-planned´ Meanwhile, the UCPN (Maoist) issued a press statement on Thursday claiming that the killing was masterminded by some big power centers and enacted by a militarily trained group, as the party cadres were attacked by some 30-35 people armed with sophisticated weapons including SMGs. The party has demanded formation of an all-party probe committee to take action against the guilty, declare the deceased martyrs, provide free treatment and relief to the injured and compensation to the families of the deceased. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13768 KATHMANDU, Jan 7: The Special Committee on Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of Maoist Army Personnel on Thursday morning decided to complete the management of the Maoist combatants in maximum 112 (by April 30) since the proposed plan of action becomes effective. [break] “Though there is an agreement to complete the management process in maximum 112 days but the allocated days can be reduced,” said Madhav Ghimire, spokesperson of the committee and chief secretary, after the meeting of the Special Committee Thursday morning. A Maoist representative in the committee, Janardan Sharma told myrepublica that his party has also agreed to complete the management of the combatants by April 30. Ghimire said that the plan of action that was floated by the prime minister on Tuesday aiming at completing the management of the Maoist army by April 30 was discussed during the meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister inside Singha Durbar. “The discussions were positive,” said Ghimire, “Further discussions will be held in next meetings.” The date of the next meeting is yet to be determined. But Dr Ram Sharan Mahat, a member in the committee representing Nepali Congress Party, said that there were disagreements in some technical issues mentioned in the action plan among members of the committee. He, however, refused to give details of the issues. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13766 ´Finish the constitution in time´ ´Serious consequences likely if deadline missed´ ´Extension of CA unconstitutional´ ´Bring on impeachment motion against me´ KATHMANDU, Jan 7: President Dr Ram Baran Yadav has urged political parties to expedite constitution-drafting process so as to avoid "serious political complications". "As guardian of the constitution I am in favor the Constituent Assembly writing the constitution in time," he said, speaking exclusively to Republica´s sister newspaper Nagarik on Tuesday. "If the constitution is not written within the time stipulated by the Interim Constitution, it will lead to serious political complications. I am worried about that situation." [break] He declined to spell out what those "serious political complications" are. He urged the parties to take the peace process to its logical end and prevent any untoward political situation. The president´s caution about political complications comes at a time when drafting of the constitution has been hit hard by the quarreling political parties. While different committees of the Constituent Assembly -- mandated to write the constitution by May 28, 2010 -- have been working to thrash out various issues, the pace has been slow, leading to the fear that the constitution may not be written in time. Dr Yadav expressed his worry over the "lack of seriousness" demonstrated by the parties vis-a-vis fulfilling their historic responsibility -- the drafting of the new constitution by an elected assembly. "Previously, I was an atheist but now I pray to god every time so that the constitution will be written in time and the peace process ends in logical fashion," he further said. The head of the state is not in favor of imposing a state of emergency to secure further six to complete the drafting process "as that would be against the (interim) constitution", one of the president´s advisor told Nagarik.The unnamed advisor further said that Yadav has already told Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal about his unwillingness to extend the term of the Constitution Assembly. "First (the parties) do not show interest in writing the constitution in time; therefore the emergency cannot be imposed to prepare grounds for extending the term of the CA," the advisor quoted the president´s remarks to the prime minister. "I have heard of amending clauses in the constitution to impose the state of emergency so as to extend the assembly´s term," Yadav said. "But I don´t consider it constitutional and legitimate." Yadav is of the view that the CA cannot make the constitution unless the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants and peace process are completed first. One of the president´s advisor, Surya Dhungel, has argued, in a recent article published in Republica and Nagarik, that the Interim Constitution does not provide for any extension of the CA; so the constitution has to be written by May 28, 2010. He has also argued that the CA would cease to exist after that date and so will the cabinet. He has further interpreted that only the Interim Constitution and the president would be the remaining active institutions. Some of the political parties, including the main opposition, Unified CPN (Maoist), have challenged this interpretation, saying it was precursor to imposing the president´s rule. Some constitutional experts have argued that even the president´s office would cease to exist after May 28. ´Bring impeachment motion against me´ The president, referring to the Maoist party but without naming it, has said no one can hold the country hostage in the name of establishing "civilian supremacy". The party has been staging protests on multiple fronts, against the president´s move to block the Maoist government´s dismissal of the last army chief in May last year. "Instead of campaign for civilian supremacy, I would suggest bringing impeachment motion against me," Yadav said, adding that that would be an appropriate way. "I am ready to accept any decision of the parliament." As per the Interim Constitution, an impeachment motion against the president can be brought if at least one fourth of the 601 members in the parliament decide to register it. If the motion is passed by at least two thirds of the members present during voting in the parliament, the president will stand impeached and he will be removed from office. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13744 KATHMANDU, Jan 7: Ethnic, dalit, Madhesi and women Maoist combatants will get top priority for integration into the national security forces, myrepublica.com has learnt. The Special Committee on Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation will take a special political decision in this regard, says a confidential proposed plan of action on integration and rehabilitation. [break] “The idea behind giving priority to combatants with marginalized backgrounds is to make the national security forces more inclusive while carrying out the integration,” said a highly-placed source Wednesday on condition of anonymity. The six-page document floated by the prime minister on Tuesday says that integration will be carried out into the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police and National Investigation Department (national intelligence). The specific number of combatants to be integrated into a particular national security force will be determined at the highest political level. “Other security forces - industrial, border, others - will be formed if need be to accommodate combatants aspiring to join the national security forces,” reads the plan of action obtained by myrepublica.com from a Nepali Congress leader. It further says that all the combatants, 19,602 in total, will be divided into three broad categories -- politics, integration and rehabilitation, as per the combatants´ preferences, at the very outset of the process of management of Maoist army personnel. The combatants will have to choose one of the categories. The plan proposes to complete this process in 60 days, provided the technical team takes 10 minutes to interview one combatant. Combatants who prefer to join politics will not be allowed to enjoy any rehabilitation package or financial incentive to be offered to those choosing rehabilitation in society. But combatants who want rehabilitation in society will have to choose rehabilitation packages that include formal education, vocational training, skill-based training, employment (both at home and abroad) and small income generating businesses. The plan will be under implementation soon after the Special Committee endorses it. Then the Maoists and the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) will have to ensure that all the combatants are present in their respective cantonments. The plan proposes to complete the whole process of integration and rehabilitation in seven phases in 112 days (by April 30). The process will start with the dissemination of information to combatants, who will be provided counseling about their future. The plan has been designed to match the next tenure of UNMIN, which will be till April 30, said the source. The plan also says that all weapons of the combatants will be assembled in containers on the 77th day from the plan coming into force, under UNMIN supervision, and will be destroyed the same day by mine action teams of the security forces. Combatants who prefer to be integrated into national security forces will be screened in four stages and will have to pass each stage of screening. The screening will be carried out to see if they are fit to join the security force of their choice. The security agencies concerned will then conduct training for the combatants and recruit them as per their existing practice and standards. The overdue process of management of Maoist combatants, which is at the center of the ongoing peace process, will be complete when the combatants selected for integration will be sent for training at the respective national security agency on the 112th day from the start of implementation of the plan. Meanwhile, the Special Committee on Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation is meeting Thursday morning to finalize the plan of action on integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants. Discharge of disqualified begins Thursday The overdue process of discharge of disqualified Maoist combatants is ultimately beginning from the Sindhuli-based Dudhauli cantonments on Thursday. The Maoists´ People´s Liberation Army is organizing a special ceremony at the cantonments on Thursday to mark the beginning of the discharge of 4,008 disqualified combatants who comprise minors and late recruits. The United Nations in Nepal has readied all preparations for the process. According to Robert Piper, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nepal, all the disqualified have already been provided with civilian dress and new identity cards. There are 371 disqualified in the Dudhauli cantonments, according to a record of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN). But government sources said that no more than 240 disqualified will be available for the discharge as the rest have already returned to their homes either long time before or in recent weeks. "They [the disqualified] will parade in civil dress before they are discharged on Thursday," Piper, who was on the way to Sindhuli on Wednesday, told myrepublica.com over the phone. As per the process of the discharge, the UN will drop the disqualified to the nearest bus stops. "Each combatant will be provided a transitional allowance amounting Rs 10, 000," said Piper. As per the plan, the discharged will contact UN career counselors for rehabilitation packages that involve formal education up to Grade XII, vocational training, small business training and health sector packages. At the initial stage, the UN will have 12 such counselors, including 10 to be deployed outside Kathmandu. The UN has established toll free phones so that the discharged can easily contact the counselors. "The discharge planned for Thursday marks a significant step in the peace process and has also opened the door for rehabilitation and integration of the qualified combatants," said Peace Minister Rakam Chemjong. Maoist leader Chandra Prakash Khanal is representing the Maoist side in the discharge ceremony while Joint Secretary at Bishnu Nepal represents the government to witness the process. Piper will represent the UN at the program. kiran@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13739 KATHMANDU, Jan 6: As per the commitment expressed in the annual budget speech in July, the cabinet on Wednesday endorsed a plan to introduce Smart Cards (National Identity Cards) and new electoral roll with voters´ photographs, fingerprints and digital signatures. [break] According to the cabinet decision, the electronic Smart Cards will include photographs and bio-metric data of the card holders. “The government will start introducing the Smart Cards after the completion of work on the new electoral roll to be developed electronically with photo and fingerprints of eligible voters,” government spokesperson and Minister Minister for Information and Communications Shankar Pokharel said. According to government plan, the Smart Cards can be used as an alternative to the existing citizenship card. Those 16 years old or above will be eligible for such cards. “The details and documents needed for electoral roll and Smart Cards are similar. Therefore, the government has decided to introduce the cards in coordination with the ministries concerned and the EC,” reads the cabinet decision. The card, which will gradually replace the traditional citizenship cards, will be machine-readable, similar to an ATM card. Details collected by the Election Commission will be used by the government officials while developing Smart Cards. “Data and other particulars collected for the electoral roll will be helpful in developing the Smart Cards," said Neel Kantha Uprety, Officiating Chief Election Commissioner. According to Uprety, the new electoral roll is expected to be helpful in minimizing bogus voting. The EC has made necessary preparations to launch a pilot project for the new electoral roll. The present electoral roll has only the voters´ names and addresses. If implemented, Nepal will be the third country in South Asia to introduce electoral roll with voters´ pictures, fingerprints and digital signatures. India and Bangladesh have already introduced such electoral rolls. “An electronically-processed electoral roll will be more reliable, authentic and credible," said Uprety. Budget for House committee The cabinet decided to provide budgetary support to a sub-committee formed to probe into the scam related to procurement of Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) by Nepal Police for its personnel deployed in UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan. Constituent Assembly Member Pradip Gyawali will led the probe committee. NA honor for Kapoor The cabinet meeting also decided to confer the title of honorary general of the Nepal Army on Indian Army Chief Deepak Kapoor during his upcoming visit. Nod to Industrial Policy The Cabinet also approved Industrial Policy-2066 and forwarded it to the Committee on Finance and Infrastructure of the cabinet and decided to forward a bill on Administrative Court to the bill committee of the cabinet. The cabinet also decided to constitute a Foreign Employment Tribunal. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13730 KATHMANDU, Jan 6: Top leaders of the three major political parties -- Unified CPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML -- on Wednesday finally agreed to give the long-awaited high-level political mechanism a shape. [break] A meeting of the top leaders -- NC President Girija Prasad Koirala, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal -- at Koirala´s residence in Maharajgunj agreed to finalize the matter by Friday. “We will meet again on Friday morning and take the decision on the high-level mechanism,” Dahal told reporters after the meeting. NC Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel, who was also present in the meeting, said that Dahal and Khanal wanted to consult with their parties before finalizing the matter. “We decided to form the mechanism in the next meeting as both Dahal and Khanal wanted to hold further discussions and come with the parties´ mandate,” Poudel said. Prime Minister Madhav Nepal, who was scheduled to be in the meeting, reached Koirala´s residence a few minutes after Dahal and Khanal left after holding about half-an-hour long meeting with the NC president. Nepal said the meeting focused on preparing a tentative structure of the proposed mechanism. He said the talks were moving ahead in positive direction. “Had we formed the body earlier, we wouldn´t have faced problems that we did,” NC leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula quoted Koirala as saying. The octogenarian leader also informed other leaders that if his health condition didn´t allow him to attend regular meetings, any other leader from the NC would represent him. The issue of resolving the presidential move also surfaced during the meeting, but Koirala urged other leaders to look forward to the future and move ahead with new perspectives instead of complicating things by evoking past incidents. The leaders had agreed to form the mechanism a couple of times earlier. In August last year, Koirala and Dahal had decided to form the mechanism to give momentum to the constitution writing and peace process. The three parties had also formed a task force comprising two members from each of the parties earlier to finalize the Terms of Reference (TOR) after agreeing in principle to form the mechanism to steer the ongoing peace process. Sitaula said that the leaders seemed to have acknowledged the need to form such a mechanism. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13709 KATHMANDU, Jan 6: Chairman of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) Pushpa Kamal Dahal has once again hogged the media limelight. For all the wrong reasons. After the infamous Shaktikhor tapes of January 2, 2008 in which Dahal revealed how he had fooled everyone about the real strength of the Maoist army, how state funds for the PLA were being misused and what the real intention behind integration of Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army was, he has done it again on Monday. [break] While addressing colleagues from his party’s sister wing, All Nepal People’s Cultural Federation, at Khanna Garments compound in the capital, he made some startling remarks. He has tried to paint his party colleague, Dr Baburam Bhattarai, as an Indian stooge, and not for the first time, but has ended up reinforcing his own image as a manipulator. By tying up his party colleague with India, he has tried to up the ante for nationalist (read anti-India) sentiments. His running feud with Bhattarai could be taken as the internal matter of a political party. But not so the party’s real goals, as Dahal has repeated in his 26-minute address. Phrases like “main issue”, party’s “real line” and “people’s revolt” are part of the one central theme that the party chairman has tried to emphasize yet gain: to employ all means, including causing more deaths, to realize a “nirnayak kranti” (decisive revolution). Forming a government, writing the constitution, getting a two-thirds majority in the elections and only then launching a revolt is not a party line as is being suggested by some comrades, Dahal says at one point. “That is not the party’s line, not at all, and it cannot be the party line now.” Equally ominous is the assertion that whether in the government or outside, “people’s revolt” is the only and unwavering goal. The real and only line, Dahal clarifies, is employing the fronts of the street (protests), parliament and the government to move ahead for a decisive revolution. If the past is any indicator, his remarks to his party colleagues would be explained away and defended. “Out of context” and “trying to pep up the morale of the Maoist PLA” (as in the case of the Shaktikhor tapes) or “satire”, the explanation for his New Baneshwar harangue on December 22. It might be a touch difficult to gauge his real intentions. One thing is certain, though. Dahal is lying. He is lying either to his party cadres or to the rest of the people in the country. If he is committed to multi-party competitive democracy with accountability, rule of law, freedom of speech and expression and periodic elections as its hallmarks, then Dahal is lying to Maoist cadres and supporters. Is it another morale-booster? Or is this Dahal the appeasing manipulator? If the real intention is to launch a revolt after controlling the reins of the government so as to establish an independent communist republic, then he is taking the rest of the country for a ride. He does not have courage to speak about his real intentions. He may think himself a brilliant strategist but all he manages to convey through such startling remarks is that he is an outright liar. So who is he trying to fool? Dahal owes an explanation to the nation. The Dahal remarks pose a serious challenge as well. They have called into question the rationale for the ongoing peace process of which an integral part is the writing of the constitution. The same goes for the election and its results. And that should worry those who believe in democracy. Two-thirds majority for any party would be a dream come true since it means a powerful tool to implement its agenda (however far-reaching they are) unhindered. A party commanding a two-thirds majority in a legislature can do a lot. It can appoint its own men and women to all the powerful posts. It can amend any clause in the constitution and it can impeach the justices of the supreme court who might be obstacles to any drastic amendments. The threat will be felt by everyone. However, for Dahal, this seems not to be enough. Decisive revolution, no less, is the goal. Be clear about it, he insists and tries to reassure his party colleagues. How about making things clear to the rest of the people? How about reassuring them? damakant@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13707 KATHMANDU, Jan 6: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on Tuesday floated an action plan for management of Maoist combatants, detailing time-bound strategies to complete the overdue process by April 30 (in 112 days). [break] He handed over the proposed action plan to the NC and Maoist leaders at the three-party meeting held at Annapurna Hotel Tuesday afternoon. Nepal, who is chairman of the Special Committee on Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of Maoist Army Personnel, also presented the plan during a meeting of the committee held at the Prime Minister´s Office after a long interval. The Committee meeting, which has been called for Thursday morning, is expected to finalize the plan. A source told myrepublica.com that the plan, in the initial phase, offers the combatants to choose among politics, integration and rehabilitation. They will have to choose one among the choices at the grab. For this, all the combatants will be interviewed by designated teams in their respective cantonments to know their preferences. The plan has proposed to mobilize as many teams as possible to complete the process by April 30. A source told myrepublica.com that the plan, in the initial phase, offers the combatants to choose among politics, integration and rehabilitation. They will have to choose one among the choices at the grab. Maoist sources said that they expect a significant number of the 19,602 eligible combatants living in the UN-monitored cantonments to join politics. As per the action plan, those combatants who want to be rehabilitated in society will be offered skilled-based training, formal and informal education, said the source. The plan is silent about providing economic incentive to such combatants though the Agreement on the Monitoring of the Arms and Armies (AMMAA) says the combatants can be offered economic rehabilitation packages. The AMMAA provision says, “The verified combatants of the Maoist will be offered a choice between economic and various other alternatives for rehabilitation.” The plan, first of its kind, has been floated at a time when the government is set to complete the three-year-old peace process before May 28, 2010, the deadline to complete the constitution drafting process. The integration and rehabilitation of the combatants is at the centre of the peace process. Before starting the combatants´ management process, top political leaders -- Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala and Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal -- will fix the number of the combatants to be integrated into the security forces. Another member of the committee told myrepublica.com that the leaders have already agreed informally to integrate 3,000 to 5000 combatants into national security forces. “This informal agreement will be formalized under the plan very soon,” said the member on condition of anonymity. According to the source, those willing to join national security forces will have to meet standard norms, including education. Such standards will be decided in accordance with the spirit of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, AMMAA (signed on December 8, 2006) and the agreement between the political parties signed on June 25, 2008. “The ranks of such combatants will be decided on the basis of their education after they meet existing standards for joining security forces,” the source said. Meanwhile, a meeting of the top leaders of UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML on Sunday decided to fix the number and criteria of the Maoists combatants to be integrated into the security forces during the talks scheduled to be held in presence of NC President Girija Prasad Koirala on Wednesday. A three-party meeting attended by various top leaders including Dahal, UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal and the NC Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel made a decision to this effect on Tuesday. Janardan Sharma, a Maoist representative in the Special Committee, said that his party will comment on the action plan only after a discussion in his party. “We just got the action plan and are not in a position to comment for the time being,” Sharma told journalists while emerging from the meeting on Tuesday afternoon. kiran@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13708 KATHMANDU, Jan 6: Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai has taken strong exception to Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal´s remark that the former was repeatedly proposed by India as the next prime minister of Nepal. [break] Speaking to reporters after the party´s central committee meeting where he lodged a strong protest against Dahal´s remark, Bhattarai said,"It is an attempt to assassinate my character." He added that he was saddened also because media gave importance to it. Bhattarai, however, didn´t specify who was involved in the character assassination bid. But a Maoist leader and party central committee member close to Bhattarai said that Bhattarai´s remarks were "obviously directed against the chairman of the party." He also said that Dr Bhattarai strongly protested against Dahal´s remarks at the party central committee meeting. "It´s unfortunate that we have inherited the wrong international culture of communist parties where leaders resort to character assassination when there are ideological differences," the central committee member quoted Dr Bhattarai as saying. According to the Maoist leader, Bhattarai also asked Dahal why he was feeling unnecessarily insecure with him when he always accepted him as his leader. "I have never claimed the party leadership and have always assisted you.Why are you dragging me into contest and controversy?" Bhattarai pointedly asked Dahal. Bhattarai is also learnt to have demanded that if he was proposed by some Indian leaders as the next prime minister there were other Indian leaders who have said that Dahal should again lead the government. "Why don´t you tell that part as well to our party leaders and cadres? Why are you talking just about me?" The central committee member claimed that it was only after Bhattarai´s protest that Dahal was compelled to tell the press conference that sometimes India also proposed that he lead the government. Addressing the press conference after the central committee meeting Dahal said, "They [Indians] sometimes propose me as the prime minister and sometimes they propose Bhattarai". But he defended his statement, saying that he was just informing party cadres on Sunday about how foreigners were playing games in his party after he announced at the CC meeting in June that he would not head the next Maoist-led government. Party decides Dahal to lead next govt Meanwhile, Chairman Dahal himself proposed at today´s central committee meeting that he should be made the prime minister in the next government if the party got a chance to lead the government. "No one had the guts to speak against the chairman´s proposal so it was passed unopposed," said the central committee member. "Our decision is that a Maoist-led government should be formed. And such a government should be led by me," Dahal told the press meet held at party headquarters at Paris Danda after wrapping up the Central Committee (CC) meeting on Tuesday. The CC also unanimously passed Dahal´s paper, "A Critical Proposal on the Current Political Situation", in which the party chairman has set out the issue of "national independence" as the top agenda of the party. "The meeting passed the proposal unanimously after necessary amendment," said Dahal. Now the demand for "civilian supremacy" has fallen behind the issue of national independence. The party, however, failed to identify the arch-enemy due to intra-party differences. "The main contradiction is internal. But we feel that external factors are mixed with it. So the party´s plenum to begin from Mid-February will identify the nature of the contradiction," said Dahal. During the meeting, some party members had argued that the party is having its main contradiction with India. The Maoist party also made public its month-long protest program from Dec 25 to push its agenda including national independence. Top Maoist leaders will visit places across the country to participate in interaction programs and rallies. The party leaders will also visit places where India has "encroached" upon Nepali land and hold rallies there. As per the program, Dahal will visit Mahakali, Mohan Baidya will go to Pashupatinagar, Dr Baburam Bhattarai to Susta, Narayankaji Shrestha to Laxmanpur barrage and Ram Bahadur Thapa to Khurdlotan barrage. On January 19, the party will demonstrate in front of the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and at Singha Durbar to push its demand concerning national independence. post@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13720 KATHMANDU, Jan 5: The bill committee of the cabinet on Tuesday refused to exempt relatives of deposed king Gyanendra from taxes. According to a committee decision, the ex-king’s relatives have to pay tax and telephone and electricity tariffs as per a declaration by the reinstated parliament on May 18, 2006. The reinstated parliament had decided to bring the ex-king’s relatives within the tax net. [break] The meeting decided to collect tax and also phone and electricity bills from the ex-king and members of his family after the country was declared a republic on May 29, 2008. The meeting decided to collect tariff for 50 phone lines used by relatives of the ex-king in his name. The relatives had sought a tariff exemption until the country was declared a republic. “The bill committee decided to collect tax and tariff from the ex-king, family members and relatives as per the parliamentary declaration and existing provisions,” Law and Justice Minister Prem Bahadur Singh told myrepublica.com. District courts also to take up habeas corpus writs Bill on Mediation okayed Labor courts outside capital also The cabinet meeting had delegated authority to the bill committee to work out details concerning collection of nearly Rs 200 million in tax and dues from ex-king Gyanendra, four members of his family and relatives. They had enjoyed tax exemption until the monarchy was abolished in 2008. "Telephone, electricity and water bills and property tax should be collected from ex-king Gyanendra, four of his family members and relatives as per the existing provisions," states the bill committee decision. The committee meeting has also approved a ‘Bill to amend some Nepal Acts’. The decision aims to empower all district courts to take up habeas corpus petitions. In a bid to decentralize power in the judiciary and enhance access to justice by the rural populace, the Law and Justice Ministry had forwarded a bill to the cabinet a couple of weeks ago to empower the district courts in this fashion. “The decision to empower the district courts is aimed at facilitating timely justice, especially for people from rural areas,” Minister Singh said. Currently, only the Supreme Court (SC) and the 16 Appellate Courts are authorized to take up habeas corpus writs. People especially in the rural areas are compelled to travel long distances to file habeas corpus petitions. The bill committee meeting also approved a Bill on Mediation. The bill aims to expedite pending court cases and provide timely justice through mutual understanding between parties. The Law and Justice Ministry had forwarded the Bill on Mediation -2009 to the bill committee some three weeks back. “Settlement of disputes through mediation will help reduce workload at courts and save time and costs for justice- seekers,” said Minister Singh. The bill committee also decided to expand the labor courts across the country as per need. According to the decision, labor courts can be set up in areas as demanded by locals to settle disputes over labor just as is done by the Kathmandu-based labor court. The labor court has been authorized to take up disputes related to labor issues and various problems concerning foreign employment. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13719 KATHMANDU, Jan 5: Parliamentarians from the ruling parties Tuesday demanded resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala for her remark against federalism. [break] Speaking during the special hour, parliamentarians from ruling CPN-UML, Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (Democratic), Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party, Sadbhavana Party (Anandidevi) and the main opposition UCPN (Maoist) objected to her remark made last week. Koirala, who also holds the portfolio of foreign minister had said last week that a referendum should be held to decide whether to adopt a federal system. "It seems that the foreign minister is totally against federalism just like former king Gyanendra was against it," Lal Babu Pandit of UML said at the parliament, adding, "She should be sacked from the deputy prime ministerial post and should be sent to Germany to study the success story of federalism there." Maoist lawmaker Ram Kumar Sharma said that Sujata echoed the voice of her father and former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. However, Chitra Bahadur KC of National People´s Front and Chandra Bahadur Gurung of Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal supported Sujata. Bill on CC passed The parliament meeting passed a bill on the Constitutional Council (CC) that was tabled in the House on December 28. The government prepared the CC bill to bring in law regarding the operation of the council. At present, the CC is run as per some regulations. Likewise, the meeting decided to forward a bill on Public Service Commission that was tabled on the same day to the parliament´s statute committee. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13689 KATHMANDU, Jan 5: A meeting of the top leaders of the main three political parties concluded on Tuesday evening with an agreement that they would meet Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala on Wednesday. "We will be meeting with Koirala and instructing the tri-party taskforce to reach agreement accordingly," NC leader Arjun Narsingh KC said. [break] The meeting at Hotel Annapurna was attended by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and leaders of Unified CPN (Maoist), CPN-UML and Nepali Congress is said to be held to discuss on ending the political impasse and reaching a consensus. The meeting is also discussing on the six agenda the parties set on January 3. Those participating in the meeting include chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, vice-chairs Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Narayan Kaji Shrestha, leaders Dev Gurung and Post Bahadur Bogati from the Maoists; chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, home minister Bhim Rawal, chief whip Bhim Acharya and leader Yubaraj Gyawali from UML and parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Poudel, Krishna Sitaula, Arjun Narsingh KC and Ram Sharan Mahat from NC. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13688 KATHMANDU, Jan 5: The Central Committee meeting of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) on Tuesday decided that party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal will lead the government if they are to join the government. Dahal himself told the reporters outside the Maoist central office in Parisdanda about the decisions of the meeting. He also added that the news about his speech on India putting pressure to make Dr Baburam Bhattarai the Prime Minister was wrongly interpreted.[break] The meeting also finalized the fortnight long program for the fourth phase of their agitation that includes mass meetings, interaction programs and visit to border areas where India had reportedly encroached. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13687 KATHMANDU, Jan 5: Chairman of the Unified CPN (Maoist) Pushpa Kamal Dahal has accused India of playing in the internal matters by proposing Dr Baburam Bhattarai as the next Prime Minister, according to a newspaper report on Tuesday. In a front page news titled ‘India put pressure to make Bhattarai PM: Dahal’, Nagarik national daily reported Dahal ‘revealed it’ the central members of Maoist’s sister organization – the All Nepal People’s Cultural Federation.[break] “India has repeatedly sent proposal saying that appointing Baburam Bhattarai as PM would solve problems,” the Nepali-language newspaper quoted Dahal as saying. “Not because I have conflict with Baburam-ji,” he added. “India is playing on the internal difference on the next man to lead the government.” Bhattarai was not present in the program. In a scandalous video tape of Dahal released by Nepal Army, Dahal had said that India had pressured the party to withdraw the action taken on Bhattarai couple some five years back. During the program, Dahal also said that after the end of the monarchy, the next fight should be against the Indian imperialism and broker bourgeois beliefs. He also accused India and other parties of jointly trying to exercise ‘parliamentary Bihari republic’. “The Indian imperialists and broker bourgeois have united,” he reportedly said in the program. “Yesterday, Narayanhiti commanded as the power center, now it’s centered in Delhi.” Click here to listen to the speech released by Nagarik [Nepali]. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13670 KATHMANDU, Jan 5: The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), the only anti-graft body of the country, has been left without any members after two of its commissioners retired on Monday. Though power has been delegated to Bhagwati Kafle, Secretary at the Commission, pending the appointment of new commissioners as per Article 120 (7) of the Interim Constitution, the CIAA will not be able to take any concrete decision in the absence of its members. [break] “I can take decisions on my own judgment,” Kafle said, adding, “However, decisions reached by a majority of CIAA members are considered more transparent and credible than individual judgments.” The CIAA from Monday onwards will run without its chiefs, an acting chief or commissioners. Although a significant number of other constitutional bodies are also running without members and commissioners as many such posts remain vacant, they do have acting chiefs. The CIAA will now have to run without an acting chief for at least two weeks starting Tuesday. The meeting of the Constitutional Council (CC) held Monday decided to recommend Keshab Baral, a former additional inspector general of police, as commissioner at the CIAA. He will assume his responsibilities only after his name is endorsed by the Parliamentary Hearings Special Committee. According to existing provisions, the committee will complete the hearings process within 15 days. Four commissioner´s posts at the CIAA have remained vacant for the last three years. Acting CIAA chief Lalit Bahadur Limbu and commissioner Bed Prakash Shivakoti retired on Monday. “I completed my tenure successfully,” Limbu said, recalling his contributions. He added, “We met Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal early Monday and said that we are ready to continue if the government so desires.” Filling of posts at constitutional bodies that have remained vacant for long has become uncertain as the main opposition party Unified CPN (Maoist) boycotted the meeting of the Constitutional Council (CC) Monday. Opposition party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal is a member of the CC and he boycotted the meeting held at the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. Several rounds of CC meetings have already been postponed because of the absence of the opposition leader. Other constitutional bodies like the Election Commission, the Public Service Commission and the Office of the Auditor General have no chiefs and other key members at present. Dispute among the main political parties over the sharing of positions in constitutional bodies is another reason for the vacuum. The Maoists have been arguing that the current government has no legal basis for appointing anyone to the constitutional bodies. Starting Monday, nine senior posts have become vacant at the constitutional bodies. Four constitutional bodies have vacancies for heads and other key members. “The vacant posts have affected regular work at the offices. We drew the attention of the Prime Minister over this issue,” Limbu said. The CIAA has been running for almost three years now without a chief and other commissioners. The Election Commission has two vacant posts, including that of chief commissioner. Neel Kantha Uprety has been working as Officiating Chief Commissioner since then Chief Commissioner Bhoj Raj Pokharel resigned from his post a couple of months ago. Similarly, the Office of the Auditor General has been without a chief for the last two years. The CC comprises the prime minister, the chief justice, the speaker of parliament, the opposition leader and two ministers nominated by the PM. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13671 KATHMANDU, Jan 4: After rejecting the relief package offered by the donors for return home of disqualified Maoist combatants, the Maoists have decided to provide travel expenses to the combatants on their own, said PLA spokesperson Chandra Prakash Khanal. [break] Speaking at a program on Monday, he said, “The PLA has unilaterally decided, upon the recommendation of the party, to provide Rs 10,000 to each disqualified combatants and send them home.” According to him, the process of discharge will begin Thursday from the PLA third division in Sindhuli. The discharge process will be monitored by UNMIN. “The UNMIN has also pledged to give some bucks to them, but we don´t know how much,” Khanal said. There are 4,008 disqualified combatants languishing in seven cantonments and 21 satellite camps monitored by the UNMIN. “They say they will buy them notebooks and pay fees for a four-month training. But there is no guarantee that the training will ensure their employment,” said Khanal, justifying why the relief package was rejected. Khanal also objected the statements made from ruling party leaders against the integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants. “Some Nepal Army leadership, defense minister and party leaders are making statements against the integration. They are saying that the Maoists are criminals and so they should not be integrated into the army,” he said. He argued that even Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala were involved in armed struggle and going by their argument, Nepal and Koirala cannot also be spared. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13644 KATHMANDU, Jan 4: The UCPN (Maoist) on Monday agreed to assist the passage of the seventh amendment to the interim constitution only if it is ensured that new amendment legalizes the oath-taking in Hindi by Paramananda Jha as vice president. [break] At a meeting between the main opposition party and the Madhes-based parties in the government Monday morning, the Maoists stated that the amendment doesn´t end the oath controversy, and said they doubt the government´s intention as it was brought without consulting the Maoist party. "We expressed doubts over the government´s intention in bringing the amendment proposal as it was tabled without taking us into confidence," said Maoist Vice Chairman Narayankaji Shrestha, who participated in the meeting. Then, the Maoists proposed that they would assist passage of the bill if a resolution is passed by the parliament stating that the amendment also legalizes Jha´s oath. "They agreed with our proposal and said they would consult with the government on this," said Shrestha. The amendment proposal in its current form doesn´t legalize Jha´s oath in Hindi and requires Jha to take a fresh oath in any of the mother tongues spoken in Nepal. Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Vice Chairs Shrestha and Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai, Madhesi People´s Rights MPRF-D Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar, Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party Chairman Mahantha Thakur and Sadbhavana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato were present at the meeting. The Supreme Court has nullified Jha´s the oath and asked him to take fresh oath in Nepali language. The post remained vacant after he refused to take oath in Nepali. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13641 KATHMANDU, Jan 4: The parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Means on Monday directed the government to halt export of stones and sand to India with immediate effect. [break] The committee said it took the decision in view of the adverse ecological and environmental impact caused in several districts in the southern belt of the country as thousands of tons of stones and sand are being exported to India in an uncontrolled manner for the last couple of years. The committee has directed its sub-committee on forests and soil conservation to prepare a report on the export after field visits to the affected districts and consult the concerned authorities at the earliest possible. The committee has issued directives to seven ministries -- Forests and Soil Conservation, Industry, Local Development, Commerce, Finance, Environment and Home Affairs -- in this regard. 500,000 truckloads of sand and stones exported to India per year Govt collected Rs 435.86 million as revenue this fiscal year Abhishek Pratap Sah of MPRF writes note of dissent Chure range, highways, bridges vulnerable due to extraction "The export will be stopped immediately and will not resume until the sub-committee comes up with a conclusion on the matter. After the subcommittee´s recommendations, a full committee meeting will take final decision on future policy on the matter," Ram Sharan Ghimire, secretary of the committee, told myrepublica.com. Parliamentarian Abhishek Pratap Sah, who represents Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) from Kapilvastu district, wrote a note of dissent over the decision saying that it was a conclusion drawn in haste. Minister for Forests and Soil Conservation Deepak Bohara, said a volume of 500,000 truckloads of sand and stones is extracted from Nepali rivers to export to India a year. Many trucks used to transport such materials carry up to 27 tons each. In India, the materials are used to build roads, railroads and other constructions. The decision was taken after all the parliamentarians in the 58-member committee raised serious concerns toward adverse impact on the rivers, Chure range, forests, highways, bridges and in other constructions in several districts due to extraction of sand and boulders from the rivers. The lawmakers urged the authorities to immediately stop extraction and save important structures including Prithvi Highway and the East-West Highway, which are lifeline of the country. Parliamentarians said the highways and many bridges on the roads in several districts are in vulnerable condition due to the extraction of the materials. "Nepal government has restricted trucks carrying more than 10 tons. But in practice, the trucks used to transport sands, grits and stones carry up to 27 tons," Bohara said. The highways have been badly damaged due to the trucks carrying loads beyond the capacity of the roads, said Nepali Congress leader Laxman Ghimire. According to the ministry of local development, so far in the current fiscal year, the government collected Rs 435.86 million in revenue from such contractors operating in the country. Government collected the amount from the contractors operating in Jhapa, Morang, Rupandehi, Bara, Udayapur, Kailali, Bardiya, Banke, Dang, Siraha, Makawanpur, Sindhuli, Kapilvastu, Parsa, Nawalparasi, Sunsari, Rautahat, Sarlahi, and Chitwan districts. Parliamentarians said the amount collected by the government is insignificant in comparison to the environmental loss, damage to the highways, bridges and other losses incurred by the country. "Billions of rupees will be needed only to repair the infrastructure," Ghimire said. The committee headed by Shanta Chaudhary also decided to extend the terms of its five subcommittees -- forests and soil conservation, land reforms and management, agriculture and co-operatives, and energy and irrigation -- by three months. thira@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13630 KATHMANDU, Jan 4: His happiness knew no bounds the day former King Gyanendra left the Narayanhiti Palace on June 11, 2008. This day, he claimed, was the most memorable in his life. But his initial euphoria fizzled out soon and Bishnu Lal Maharjan eventually died a frustrated man on Saturday. Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal declared Maharjan a martyr-- a rare occasion when the honor was fittingly bestowed, for a change -- and draped the national flag over his body at the open air theater on Sunday morning while paying last tributes to the departed soul. [break] But just a few meters across the open air theater at Tundikhel, Nepal Army was busy rehearsing for the Mahashivaratri celebrations creating an unwanted spectacle. It was a small, yet a glaring glitch on the part of the government which, otherwise, has done pretty well in recognizing the contribution of the iconic Janaandolan II victim, who had sustained serious spinal injury during a police crackdown on demonstrators trying to breach the curfew inside Ring Road from Kalanki on April 20, 2006. Maharjan was appreciative of the efforts put by the government in his treatment but was never impressed with the political developments in the country. "He had a great interest in the political developments in the country even after his injury and used to follow everything through television and newspapers," Jaya Ram Shrestha, Maharjan´s neighbor and friend, revealed. But sadly, he had very few occasions to savor after the evacuation of palace by Gyanendra. He was frustrated with government changes and felt no one will do anything good for the country. Shrestha revealed Maharjan´s 68-year-old father Krishna was also not pleased with the politicians. "The poor will always stay poor and the rich, rich," Shrestha quoted Krishna´s favorite sentence. Shrestha said even wife Laxmi had been disillusioned and could only be consoled by the recent display of concern by the prime minister. Shrestha disclosed that PM Nepal provided Rs 50,000 for Maharjan´s funeral expenses on Sunday and also promised to look his children. Public perspective Maharjan´s death brought together all type of persons, from his long separated friends to complete strangers. A couple from Banepa hurriedly got off a public bus at around noon and hurried toward the theater not willing to miss the occasion to pay respect to the "living martyr", as he was lovingly called. Then there was a woman-- an old classmate of Maharjan at Naikap Vidya Mandir, who also runs a grocery store at Koteshwar- who came to pay respect to her long-lost friend after recognizing him through the newspapers. There were heated discussions among people gathered there about the achievements following Janaandolan II but everyone was unanimous that the progress till date has been far from satisfactory. A Nepali Congress cadre from Damauli, Tanahun had come all the way from Gongabu to Tundikhel to pay respect to Maharjan, a UML cadre, and then went to Bishnudevi Ghat at the side of Balkhu river in Tinthana to take part in the funeral procession. "I have come to pay respect to a fellow warrior," said Tulsi Prasad Ghimire, 38, a priest who once used to live in Satungal and now works in a private firm in Thamel. "We had taken part in Jananandolan II responding to the call of political parties hoping that peace and good governance would be established. But we have yet to achieve it," added Ghimire. Newari cremation Maharjan was cremated at Bishnudevi Ghat as per the traditional Newari custom. His 10-year-old son Bikesh and father Krishna, 68, jointly lit the funeral pyre with hundreds of onlookers around. Gubhajus, traditional Maharjan priests, will carry out the post crematory rites for 12 days as per the Maharjan tradition. His elder daughter Binita, 13, elder brother and two younger brothers, a younger sister and other close relatives paid their last respects just before the pyre was lit. A few of his comrades even offered the revolutionary red salute but everyone present their struggled to control their emotions when daughter Binita insisted in vain to look at her dear father´s face for one last time. Maharjan´s children, including the eight-year-old younger daughter Bipana, are too young to understand politics and the significance of a martyr. But the least the leaders can do is to create an environment wherein the children can feel proud of their father´s sacrifice. "The leaders should take inspiration from Maharjan´s three years of suffering and the ultimate sacrifice and write the constitution on time and establish lasting peace in the country," Tulsi Prasad Ghimire opined. 23 injured in April 2006 movement receiving allowances Altogether 23 persons, who were injured during Janaandolan II, have been entitled to government allowances. The government formed after Janaandolan II had constituted a committee to assess the level of injuries to provide cash relief and monthly allowances to the victims. Officials at Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction said those identified with 70-100 percent injuries are being provided a monthly allowance of Rs 4,000, whereas those with 50 - 69 percent injuries are entitled to Rs 2,000. The Madhav Kumar Nepal-led government has recently decided to increase the monthly allowance to those with over 70 percentage injuries to Rs 10,000 and Rs 6,000 to those with 50 - 69 percent injuries a month. A cabinet meeting held on September 26, 2006 had decided to provide up to Rs 950,000 as relief to the family of those with over 70 percent injuries and Rs 450, 000 to the families of those with 50 - 69 percent injuries. Additionally, the government has also made arrangements for providing scholarships to the children of those killed and those receiving over 50 percent injuries. While the government annually provides Rs 24,000 for university level, Rs 18,000 for secondary level and Rs 12,000 for primary level education of the children of those killed and 100 percent injuries, the children of those with 50-69 percent injuries have been receiving Rs 20,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000, respectively for university, secondary and primary level education. 70 percent to 100 percent injured during Janaandolan II 1. Umesh Kayastha Banepa-2, Kavre 2. Rabin Shrestha Chhampi, Chapagaun-1, Lalitpur 3. Rajendra Prasad Bhairata (Yadav) Saptari, Badgama-2 50 percent to 69 percent injured 1. Padam Lama Samundradevi-9, Nuwakot 2. Anjan Kumar Shrestha Butawal-6, Rupandehi 3. Ramesh Bal Kapilakot-3, Sindhuli 4. Ranjana Rana Ghartichhap-8, Kavre 5. Naina Bahadur Sewa Prapcha-5, Okhaldhunga 6. Subash Pathak Nuwakot-2, Sundaridevi 7. Dil Kumar Sherpa Khakelung-9, Taplejung 8. Gesh Bahadur Rana Swara,1, Gorkha 9. Bikram Kapali Banepa-5, Kavre 10. Jung Bahadur Shahi Syuna-4, Gorkha 10. Shiva Hari Rimal Ratnapuri-9, Bara 11. Sahadev Sedhain Jiwanpur-6, Dhading 12. Dambar Dutta Panta Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur 13. Ram Bahadur Bishwakarma Harisiddi-9, Lalitpur 14. Paramananda Bhatta Chandani-6, Baitadi 15. Shyam Mali Dhapakhel-2, Lalitpur 16. Ramesh Prasad Sharma (Upadhyaya) Birgunj-15, Parsa 17. Shanti Prasad Sharma (Sapkota) Chandragadhi-3, Jhapa 18. Gokarna Tiwari Hetauda-8, Makawanpur 19. Bishnu Prasad Parajuli Charpane-9, Jhapa premdhakal@myrepublica.com http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13629 KATHMANDU, Jan 4: The meeting of the Special Committee on supervision, integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants did not take place after the Maoist representatives were not available for the meeting scheduled for Sunday, Prime Minister´s Press Advisor Bishnu Rijal said in a statement. [break] But the Maoist representatives and a knowledgeable source told myrepublica.com that there was no meeting at all on Sunday. “We had on Saturday told the chief secretary to call a meeting on Tuesday as we would be busy on Sunday due to the central committee meeting of our party,” said Janardan Sharma, a Maoist representative in the committee. “There was no meeting of the committee on Sunday.” A statement issued by prime minister´s aide Bishnu Rijal blames Maoists for deferral of special committee meeting that sources said was never scheduled for Sunday. According to Sharma and the source at the committee, the prime minister had on Saturday asked the chief secretary, who is the member secretary of the committee, to call a meeting on Sunday. But the Maoist representatives told the chief secretary that they would be busy in the ongoing central committee of the party and suggested the chief secretary to call the meeting on Tuesday. The chief secretary had then apprised the prime minister of the Maoist request, which the latter immediately accepted. “I had called the meeting of the Special Committee for today [Sunday] but they [the Maoist representatives] did not come,” Rijal quoted the prime minister as telling President Dr Ram Baran Yadav on Sunday about the Maoist non-cooperation to the government on the peace process. The prime minister called on Yadav Sunday evening to brief him on his recent China visit. “It is baseless to say that the meeting was called for Sunday,” Sharma said. The meeting of the Special Committee has been put off time and again though it was supposed to be held every Sunday after the Maoist representatives did not turn up in the scheduled meetings on one or another pretext. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13621 KATHMANDU, Jan 3: Lawmakers, particularly from the Madhes-based parties, have registered a proposal for revision of the bill for the seventh amendment of the interim constitution tabled by the government at the legislature-parliament. [break] The main opposition UCPN (Maoist) party, which has been objecting to the government´s plan to make the bill retro-active effect, didn´t register any amendment. The government had tabled the amendment proposal to end the controversy surrounding oath-taking in Hindi by Paramananda Jha as the vice president. His oath-taking was nullified by the Supreme Court. The new amendment will allow the president and the vice president to take oath of office and secrecy in any of the mother tongues spoken in Nepal. If endorsed by a two-third majority, Jha will have to take a fresh oath to assume office of the vice president. Lawmakers Sarita Giri, Atmaram Prasad Sah, Sunil Prajapati, Vishwendra Paswan, Dol Bahadur Karki and Sunil Prajapati registered separate proposals for the amendment of the constitution. Registering the proposal, Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) lawmaker Atmaram Prasad Sah demanded that the amendment bill be made retroactive legalizing the oath-taking in Hindi by Jha. “The new amendment will be effective since the fourth amendment,” states Sah´s proposal. The interim constitution was amended for the fourth time on May, 2008. Jha was elected as the vice president on July 19, 2008. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13618 DHANGADHI, Jan 3: A parliamentary team that inspection disputed border areas from Susta to Tanakpur has concluded that India has encroached upon the border and that the Nepalis living in the border region are facing atrocities from the Indian side. [break] The team also recommended the government to signing the strip map with India only after the entire mapping of the border is finalized. It claimed that the map prepared by the Nepal government in September 2007 for agreement between the two sides is faulty. Speaking at a press meet in Dhangadhi Sunday, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on International Relations and Human Rights Padamlal Bishwakarma said the team found thousands of bighas of land encroached upon by India. He also said the people have been facing atrocities from Seema Suraksha Bal from India and in some places there is no presence of the state. The team has recommended the government adding up security posts on the border to reduce encroachment and provide relief to the people from Indian atrocities. The team also said in its finding that loss and shifting of main pillars and change of course by some rivers are some of the reasons that have made it easier for the Indian side to encroach upon Nepali territories. The team opined that the strip map should be prepared on the basis of 1860 BS map. "The entire Susta has been encroached upon. The people´s basic rights have been taken away," Bishwakarma said. The team members also pointed that many VDCs in Banke and Kailali districts are submerged during monsoon as the Laxmanpur and Kailashpuri dam gates, respectively, are shut by India during that time. On the other side, while India is supposed to release 1,000 cusec of water from Sarada barrage for irrigation on the Nepali side, it releases only 300 cusec. Bishwakarma said that even though the rivers are common, India takes 90% of water for irrigation purpose. He also said that in Kanchanpur, pillar number 200 is missing and 195 number pillar has fallen apart. He said the Pyara Lake in Kanchanpur, which is known for its beauty and tourist attraction, is now totally under Indian control. He also informed that after Mohana river swept Pillar No 706 in Bhajani 9 Kusumghat, some 58 families have been displaced after India encroached upon the land there. Similarly, at Kauwa Kheda of Lalboji, the pillar has been shifted 30 m inwards Nepal. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13602 KATHMANDU, Jan 3: The Supreme Court on Sunday ordered the government not to implement the latter´s December-24 decision promoting Major General Toran Jung Bahadur Singh till next Sunday when the court is scheduled to hold a discussion on whether to stay Singh´s elevation. [break] The court order means that Singh, who faces human rights violations charge, cannot work in his capacity as lieutenant general till Sunday, said Advocate Govinda Bandi. Singh began his work as lieutenant general from December 27. "Let the decision on promoting the defendant [Toran] not be implemented till Sunday," Chief Justice Anup Raj Sharma said in his ruling in response to a writ petition against Singh´s promotion. Sharma further ordered the government and Singh to send their lawyers to take part in the discussion on Sunday. A division bench hears the case. The bench will either continue the stay order issued by Sh