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National Reconciliation needed
Addressing a mass gathering at Baglung, PM Koirala said, "national understanding and reconciliation are required not just among political parties. There is also a need for the King to be included into such an environment. I have already requested His Majesty the King about this".
Koirala’s remarks comes at a time when disintegration of political parties is an increasing trend in Nepali politics. His speech in Baglung is also significant because of the Maoist insurgency in nearby areas.
He also called on the Maoists to lay down arms and include themselves in the democratic process. "Politics of violence has never been successful in the world", Koirala said. "I don’t think true Maoists resort to killing. I invite all Maoists to join the democratic process and contest elections".
New cabinet formed
As per the communiqué issued from the Narayan Hiti Royal Palace, the following new cabinet is formed :
Girija Prasad Koirala: Prime Minister, Palace Affairs, Defence, Foreign Affairs, Forest and Soil Conservation, Supplies.
Shailaja Acharya: Deputy PM, Water Resources
Minsisters :
Dhundiraj Shastri: Industry and Labour
Chiranjibi Wagle: Land Reforms and Management, Commerce
Govinda Raj Joshi: Home
Chakra Prasad Banstola : Agriculture
Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat: Finance
Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar: Works and Transport
Arjun Narsingh K.C.: Education, Housing and Physical
Planning
Bimalendra Nidhi: General Administration
Prakash Man Singh: Local Development
Mahantha Thakur: Information and Communications
K.B. Gurung: Health
Siddharaj Ojha: Law and Justice
OmkarShrestha: Parliamentary Affairs, Science and
Technology
Ananda Prasad Dhungana: Tourism and Civil Aviation
Purna Bahadur Khadka: Youth, Sports and Culture,
Population and Environment
Ministers of State :
Meena Pandey: Women and Social Welfare
Bhakta Bahadur Rokaya: Forest and Soil Conservation
Ram Bahadur Gurung: Supplies
Dip Kumar Upadhyaya: Finance
Devendra Kandel: Home
Rajdev Goit: Local Development
Bhakta Bahadur Balayar: Health
Amar Raj Kaini: Industry and Labour
Assistant Minister :
Kamala Panta: Women and Social Welfare
China for another cement factory in Nepal
Chinese vice minister Liu Shanzai has said that the government of Nepal should consider the provisions on the visa fee charged to Chinese nationals working in Nepal and the problem they face when removing machinery and equipment after the completion of projects.
Chinese vice minister said the price of the projects has increased due to the high visa fee for the Chinese nationals working mainly in the construction companies. There are taxation problems over Chinese goods which have created difficulties in boosting trade between the two countries and this was also discussed during the joint committee meeting, Mr. Liu said economic and trade committee meeting held in Kathmandu has been very practical and covered a wide range of topics including economic assistance, Chinese aided projects, equity and joint ventures, tourism, transport and other matters of mutual interest, he said.
Stating that there is the possibility of increasing joint ventures between the two countries and that China has very positive attitude about the industrial development of the Kingdom of Nepal, the vice minister said Chinese entrepreneurs are willing to establish a cement factory with a capacity of 250,000 to 300,000 metric tones per year and assist in the development of the agricultural sector. In reply to a question about the bilateral trade, he said compared to the friendly ties between the two countries the volume of trade is very low, amounting to about 67 million US dollars. But it had been increasing significantly during the last three years, he added.
Nepal’s import from China is about 58 million and export is about nine million US dollar. China has a strong desire to expand trade and maintain a balance not by decreasing the Chinese export but increasing the export from Nepal, he observed. China gives importance to the increase of trade between the two countries and in the future we will encourage Chinese businessmen to import more Nepalese products, he said.
Stating that the Chinese government has positive thinking about the opening of an air service in the western part of Nepal, a matter which was also raised during the meeting, he said it needs proper border inspection and transport system. During the eighth session of IGTEC the Chinese side agreed to provide an additional grant assistance of about Rs. 240 million to Nepal sports facilities project and about Rs. 3 million to non-governmental cooperation forum as a start-up fund.
Both sides expressed strong desire to further promote bilateral trade. For this the opening of new entry-exit points, removal of barriers for fairer trade and initiation of measure to develop balanced trade between the two countries have been discussed.
China Complant and the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries have infact, agreed to set up a cement factory with a annual capacity of 250,000-300,000 metric tons. Both sides agreed to renovate and expand Lumbini sugar mill, diversify and expand Hetauda textile industry, set up a joint venture construction company to undertake construction projects and build a tea processing factory. Shading International Economic and Technical cooperation group signed a letter of intent on joint production of agricultural machinery.
An understanding has been reached to provide technical assistance to B.P. Koirala memorial cancer hospital in Nepal, which is under construction with Chinese grant assistance. The two sides also agreed to add side drains and use cement concrete surface on the approach road to the Seti bridge of Kathmandu-Pokhara highway, and to provide spare parts for the maintenance of trolley buses.
UML not to join government
UML president Mr Manmohan Adhikary told the parliament that his party will limit the support of present minority government to avoid political instability in the country. Mr Adhikary clarified that they had dialogues with ruling party in joining the government, but at the moment UML have decided not join in this present moment.
One of the ‘KGB’ resigns
Forest Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka resigned from the cabinet of Girija government. As per his resignation letter tendered to the PM, he is forced to resign on the health ground. Our source in Kathmandu confirmed that the cause of resignation is political, mainly the objection of "Group of 36" with in NC. His Majesty the King has accepted his resignation and allocated Forest ministry portfolio also to the Prime Minister.
Dissatisfied Ministers taken oath of office
State Minister designated Amar Raj Kaini and Assistant Minister designated Kamla Pant have taken oath of their office in presence of PM Koirala in the later’s office at Singha Durbar, Kathmandu. Minister Kaini refused to take oath on protest of inclusion of KGB trio in newly formed cabinet of ministers. Similarly, Kamla Pant failed to attend oath taking ceremony due illness as per family source.
Enron sends fax to Koirala
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said that US energy giant Enron Renewable Energy Corp was still interested in the Karnali-Chisapani project. Addressing the NSU organised programme, Koirala disclosed that he had received a fax message from the American multinational informing him of their interest in Nepal. "It is unfortunate that your resumption of the office of Prime Minister coincided with our decision to pull out of the project," Koirala quoted the fax to be containing. "We are still interested in the implementation of the project."
Enron expressed its unwillingness to execute the project in a letter addressed to the government recently.
Prime Minister to make tough sanctions
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala told the House of Parliament that economic conditions of the country is in shambles and tougher sanction is imminent to bring it in control. Mr Korala said:
- No more tax free import of Pajero for
members of parliament
- Pajero imported by MPs must be used by themselves only.
- Government expenses must be immediately reduced by 10
percent on austerity measurement
- Travelling abroad of government delegation to be
minimised
- Irregularity of government accounts to be stopped
immediately
- Financial discipline to be adhered to strictly.
The Worlds oldest man passes away
Bir Narayan Choudhary, 141, the oldest citizen of the world passed away on 20 April. According to family sources Bir Narayan had been unwell for the past two weeks. He was suffering from high blood sugar and infection in one kidney. His grandson Kashi Ram says"Grandfather didn’t say anything about deterioration in his health in the morning when he woke up at seven am, at around 11.30 he asked for water after drinking which he closed his eyes
forever." Bir Narayan who wished to live upto 150 years had expressed his desire tohave parks and roads named after him few weeks before he died. He had told his family members to leave his dead body in Bagmati river. A request which his family has refused to oblige; but that they would cremate Bir Narayan as per the Hindu rites in the banks of river Koshi. Bir Narayan is survived by one son, two daughters, one grandson, one
granddaughter, six great grand sons, nine great grand daughters, three great-great grandsons and one great-great granddaughter. He was awarded Gorkha Dakshin Bahu 4th last year by His Majesty the King. Likewise, the government had given him 100 thousand rupees two months back. He was also felicitated by various organisations in eastern Nepal.
Ram Sharan Mahat in Australian police custody
Former Foreign Minister Dr Prakash Chandra Lohani raised query to the House in the parliament in a special time relating the arrest of Dr Ram Sharan Mahat in Sydney, Australia with hashish. Dr Lohani said Dr Mahat is arrested and now in police custody. In a reply with permission of the Speaker of the House, Dr Mahat told the House that his passport is not lost and said person must be some one with same name. However, he has requested the government for investigation.
MPs demand smuggling probe
The House of Representatives demanded formation of a probe committee to investigate the alleged involvement of political leaders in smuggling.
Earlier the National Assembly Chairman Beni B. Karki had ordered formation of such a committee to probe into the allegations that former finance minister RN Sharma and other political figures were part of a racket involved in gold smuggling.
The only thing to be decided was whether to form a judiciary or legislature committee and if the latter was chosen then should members of both Houses be included in such a committee. Bhim Rawal of Communist Party of Nepal (UML) asked fellow members to endorse the initiative taken by the Upper House. "We demand that such a committee be formed here too so that all the political figure involved in such rackets will be exposed," said UML Chief Whip Rajendra Pandey. RPP member Prakash Chandra Lohani suggested that a high level and powerful committee be formed to find the roots of the problems.
Dr Raghav quits
National Planning Commission Acting Vice Chairman Dr. Raghab Dhoj Pant announced his resignation from the post after briefing the press about the country’s current economic situation. Dr. Pant, who was appointed to the post of NPC Acting Vice Chairman November last year, had been nominated NPC executive member during the Sher Bhadur Deuba led Nepali Congress-Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal Sadbhawana Party coalition government
"I submitted my resignation to allow the government to introduce new dimension in the NPC," Pant explained the reason behind his resignation.
Mul Bhatta resigns
The Mul Bhatta of Pashupatinath temple has resigned from his post few days ago but after assurance of his security from the Royal Palace e has remained silent, a Bhandari Brahman who happens to be his colleague priest said seeking anonymity.
According to him there were talks among the priests that he has submitted his resignation to the Badagurujyu - the Royal priest."But , after returning from the palace, he has suggested us to stay calm", he said adding things are turning worse in the Mul Bhattas part and he has started visiting the palace frequently.
Because of the constant watchdog role played by the media for few months now and the new regulation brought forth by the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), his chances to swindle cash and assets bestowed by the devotees has come to a standstill. Meanwhile, a religious group called the Pashupati Sena has submitted a list of signatures of 103 MPs appealing the cancellation of the tradition of keeping Indian Mul Bhatta in the temple.
According to the tradition, Mul Bhatta for the temple of national deity Pashupatinath is brought from the south Indian state of Karnataka since the time immemorial.
US investors keen on Nepal
A 19-member delegation from the American Business Council, an association of US companies based in India, eyes key infrastructure sectors like; hydropower, telecom and agro-based industries for investment. The business delegation arrived in Kathmandu for a three-day visit.
The delegation led by President of Bechtel India Pvt Ltd E Jim Reinsch has shown its interest to invest in Nepal provided that there is sound business environment and consistent economic policies.
There is room for optimism, however, sound business environment is the major concern of investors, Reinsch said.
