An informal meeting of the council of Ministers held discussions on the current political situation of the country and health condition of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

The meeting discussed about the ongoing talks with the Maoists and the situation of the country following the eight-point agreement with the Maoists.

The meeting also decided to send a greeting letter to the King on his birthday breaking the previous tradition of ministers visiting the Palace to greet His Majesty the King.

In the past years, the government used to form a birthday celebration committee under the chairmanship of Prime Minister and all ministers used to visit the royal Palace to express best wishes to His Majesty the King on his birthday.

Recently, the Nepal government had scrapped the provision of national holiday on the birthday of King Gyanendra that falls on, Friday.

From this year, only the officials working at the Narayanhiti royal Palace would get holiday on the day.

The decision comes in a row of decisions taken by the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) government to curtail royal powers and privileges. The reinstated House of Representatives in May this year had changed the name of His Majesty’s Government to Nepal government and made royal properties taxable.

Thursday’s cabinet meeting also agreed that Deputy Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli would present the policies and programmes of the government in the parliament on Sunday even if Koirala will not be able to present it due to his ill health.

Prime Minister Koirala has been admitted at Martyr Gangalal National Heart Center of Kathmandu from Monday after he suffered from respiratory complications. The octogenarian leader is being kept under oxygen support at Intensive Care Unit.

Doctors involved in his check-up have advised Koirala to remain in the hospital for two more weeks.

According to reports, members of the government talks team informed the cabinet about their informal talks with the Maoists held on Wednesday and issues discussed during the talks.

The meeting also expressed dissatisfaction over the Maoists’ act of extortion and abduction and their commitment to stop people’s court.