The eastern town of Biratnagar remains largely closed due to protests organised by UML-aligned Youth Force against the killing of a 17-year-old student Anuj Thapa, a Youth Force supporter, Thursday morning.

Marketplaces remain largely closed in the town from this afternoon while some schools have also been shut due to the protests. Youth Force has accused the Young Communist League (YCL) cadres of killing him.

Thapa, a 7th grader at Gograha Higher Secondary School in Pokhariya, was stabbed to death by unidentified persons this morning.

No arrests have been made so far in connection with the murder, reports quoting local police officials said. nepalnews.com Apr 02 09

Long queues continue to be the common sight at major refilling stations in the valley as the efforts to ensure smooth supply of petroleum products have not reaped any fruit.

The shortage of fuel scarcity has once again dealt severe blow to ordinary consumers as the Federation of Petroleum Products Transporters has gone on strike since Sunday demanding the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) scrap the new provision under which tankers more than 20 years old have been prohibited from carrying oil It has also demanded that Indian tankers be banned from transporting oil.

However, the NOC, the state-run monopoly in supply of petroleum products does seem to be in no mood to acquiesce to the demands of petroleum transporters.

The NOC on Wednesday came up with warning to label the agitation fuel transporters as terrorists if they continued with their protest corroborates the above mentioned fact.

“If they (petroleum transporters) continue to obstruct smooth supply of petroleum products, NOC will recommend to the government to enforce the Essential Services Act (ESA) and label them as terrorists,” said Digambar Jha, executive director, NOC.

The NOC also informed it distributed 185 kiloliters (KL) of petrol, 405 KL of diesel and 95 KL of kerosene in Kathmandu Valley in its bid to ease the fuel supply.

Nevertheless, as a huge chunk of private retailers are flatly denying opening their shutters, consumers have been facing great difficulties to buy petroleum products from a limited number of distributors.

Moreover, as the corporation has not been able to import and transfer stocks of fuel since Sunday, this is bound to deepen the shortage of fuel in days to come.

The agitating transporters have also threatened to continue with their strike unless their demands are met. As such, the possibility of more acute fuel crisis in near days has only augmented.

“The perennial onset of fuel shortage speaks volumes on the pathetic state of consumer rights in the country. And, it is really depressing to get constantly devoid of essential commodities like fuel,” lamented Bhaskar Koirala, a commoner. nepalnews.com April 2 09

The United Kingdom has pledged a financial assistance of around 20 billion
rupees to Nepal for the next three years.

UK Minister for International Development Mike Foster announced the aid packages at the end of his three-day tour on Thursday.

British International Development Minister Mike Foster (L) releasing the three-year Country Business Plan of Department for International Development (DFID) at a programme in Kathmandu at the end of his three-day visit to Nepal Thursday, Apr 02 09. nepalnews.com/rh

British International Development Minister Mike Foster (L) releasing the…
This package is aimed at addressing the impact of the global economic downturn on Nepal by helping to increase economic growth and make it easier for business to invest to create many new jobs.

The assistance is intended to give more than two million people better access to work and basic services, such as education and hospitals, by building new roads across the country.

Additionally, Foster announced an extra 4 m pound to help 285,000 people affected by drought and conflict in the remote Western Hills of Nepal.

While speaking at the launching of the three year plan in Kathmandu, Foster said, “The UK is always ready to lend support to Nepal to protect the fragile peace process apart from restoring, rebuilding and renewing the country after the conflict.”

Foster meets Koirala, DPM Gautam

Earlier today, Foster held separate parleys with Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala and Deputy Prime Minister Bam Dev Gautam on the final day of his trip to Nepal.

Nepal’s current peace process and drafting of new constitution topped the issues of discussion during both the meetings. Foster met Koirala at the latter’s Maharajgunj residence while the meeting with DPM Gautam, who is also the acting Prime Minister, took place at Singha Durbar.

The NC president conveyed his concern to the British minister over “growing impunity, attacks on press freedom and attempts of the Maoists to weaken democracy”, Koirala’s aide Dr Suresh Chalise, who was present at the meeting, said.

Speaking to reporters after his meeting with the British minister, DPM Gautam said the discussion dwelled mainly on the peace process, current security situation and constitution-drafting process.

At the meeting, Gautam explained that there were some problems in maintaining security situation, but the problems would be tackled through consensus among the political parties.

Foster also pledged the British government’s help in maintaining law and order and concluding the peace process.

Foster arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday to unveil the three-year development plan of the Department for International Development (DFID). During his stay in Nepal, he also visited far and mid-western districts and some Maoist cantonments. nepalnews.com Apr 02 09

Two Terai-based parties have submitted their views on the new constitution to the constitutional committee Thursday proposing provisions for executive prime minister and ceremonial president.

Chairman of Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP) Mahanta Thakur said the new constitution should guarantee an autonomous Madhes province while Sadbhawana Party (SP) chairman Rajendra Mahato said his party agrees with terminology that denotes southern regions like Madhes, Tharuhat, Kochila, Mithila, Lumbini etc.

Thakur did not mention the number of states that Nepal should have while Mahato proposed for three states – Himal, Pahad and Terai.

Both the parties proposed for executive prime minister elected by Lower House and ceremonial president elected by Upper House, Lower House and State Assemblies.

TMLP proposed a 300-member Lower House out of which 240 are directly elected, 40 reserved seats for backward classes and 20 nominated by government. The party sought fresh nationwide census before finalising delineation of constituencies.

Both the parties proposed for two national languages like Madhesi Janadhikar Forum. They said Hindi and Nepali should be used as common official language and the states must be given authority to decide on use of regional languages at local level.

TMLP demanded change in national flag and legal guarantee for group entry for Teraians into the national army. SP demanded citizenship and all other rights and privileges for those foreigners married to Nepalese citizens.

Other smaller parties are also in line to submit their views for the new constitution as today is the last day to submit respective party views to constitutional committee. nepalnews.com ia Apr 02 09

The Unified CPN (Maoist) leaders have agreed to hand over Sujit BK, the president of Rupandehi district committee and central committee member of its sister organisation YCL, to the court.

The CPN (UML) has accused BK of the murder of Prachanda Thaiba. Thaiba was shot dead last Thursday in Butwal.

Talking to journalists on Wednesday, Maoist spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma said when somebody is accused of a crime he should present himself in the court irrespective of whether he is guilty or innocent.

The party will instruct the accused to present himself at the court, Sharma said. Youth Force had called off the ongoing strike in Rupandehi in protest of the murder after district leaders of the Maoists agreed to facilitate in presenting BK at the court.

The UML has alleged Maoists have kept BK at a PLA cantonment preventing the police from arresting him. BK has denied the charges and said he is in contact with the party. nepalnews.com Apr 02 09

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said his Nordic trip has been fruitful and its impacts would be felt soon in Nepal.

Talking to Nepali journalists at his hotel in Oslo before leaving for Finland on Wednesday, PM Dahal said his Norwegian counterpart Stoltenberg had pledged to increase assistance to Nepal in areas of hydropower, education and peace process.

The PM has asked Stoltenberg to construct either a hydropower project, a polytechnic institute or develop power grids in Nepal as a gift during its transitional phase.

Dahal informed the government would present a framework of a suitable statute on investment in hydropower sector at the ongoing session of the parliament so that the works on the proposed 600 MW Tamakoshi III hydropower project can commence as soon as possible.

SN Power, a Norwegian government utility had received license to carry out feasibility study of Tamakoshi III on March 4.

The PM said he would request Finland to overhaul the Biratnagar based 39 MW thermal plant so that it could be operated on full capacity. The thermal plant was established with Finnish aid. nepalnews.com Apr 02 09

Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai on Wednesday said that the government will present four papers during the upcoming Nepal Development Forum (NDF) meet. The meet is slated to take place from May 12 to 14.

Finance Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai (c) speaking in a press conference to highlight the Nepal Development Forum meeting to be held in Kathmandu from 12th-14th May, Apr 01 09. nepalnews.com/rh

Finance Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai (c) speaking in a press…
“While interacting with the donors, the government papers will be chiefly focused on Nepal’s development strategy, economic restructuring, foreign aid policy and its effectiveness and opportunities for private sector investment,” said Dr Bhattarai.

Three areas that the NDF will focus on include encouraging donors to assist Nepal in its priority areas for the implementation of Nepal’s development strategy prepared for the transition period, fostering more understanding between the government and the donors and chalk out a policy to develop Nepal as a preferred investment destination.

According to the minister, the theme of the NDF will be “The basis of New Nepal: Peace and socio-economic transformation”.

“The government will carry out massive consultations in five different districts from east to west,” he said, adding, “Nepal has long been relying on foreign aid. But, this time, the country needs external assistance to lessen its dependence on the same in future.”

Some 40 bilateral and multilateral donors apart from five Export-Import banks from various countries will take part in the NDF meet. nepalnews.com Apr 02 09

CPN (UML) has called off the ongoing strike in Rupandeshi district after an agreement during an all party meeting in the district Wednesday evening.

The party has decided to continue the other protest programmes and resume general strike if the guilty is not arrested by April 7.

Due to the strike, transportation had halted and markets and offices had remained closed in the district since last Friday. The strike was called in protest of the killing of Prachanda Thaiba, district member of UML’s sister organisation Youth Force.

UML has claimed Sujit BK, district chairman of Maoist affiliated YCL was involved in the Thaiba’s murder. Thaiba was shot dead in Butwal Thursday night as he was returning home. nepalnews.com Apr 01 09

Leaders of seven political parties – five ruling and two opposition parties – met on Wednesday in an attempt to forge consensus to conduct the normal business of the legislature parliament. However, they could not arrive at an understanding.

Emerging from the meeting at Singha Durbar, acting Prime Minister Bamdev Gautam, who called the meeting, said the discussion was focused on allying the misunderstanding among the parties and resume normal proceedings of the House, but no conclusion could be reached.

He said the government has requested the parties to stop protests and allow the bills session of the parliamentary run smoothly.

Nepali Congress vice-chairman Ram Chandra Poudel said that for creating favourable political climate the government should implement the nine-point commitment made by the Prime Minister months earlier, and take action against those behind the murder of a UML cadre in Butwal.

Similarly, Maoist spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma maintained that the protest programmes and disruption of parliamentary business could affect the peace process as well as the preparations for drafting the new constitution.

The second sitting of the legislative parliament on Tuesday was adjourned till Saturday without entering into its regular business. During the special hour, lawmakers of most parties criticised the Maoists over the Butwal murder case and their reactions on the recent Supreme Court ruling on the retirement of Nepal Army generals. nepalnews.com mk Apr 01 09

Related News

Separate fires that spread in Tikuliya and Bishahariya villages Wednesday afternoon have gutted at least 150 houses in Saptari district.

The fire has rendered some four dozen families homeless and destroyed property estimated to be worth NRR 12 million.

Fire started about 1 pm today from a fire-hearth. It was spread quickly due to a windy weather.

Fire brigades and police were deployed to control the fire. The fire had not come under control till evening, Wednesday. nepalnews.com Apr 01 09