Indian Ambassador to Nepal Shiv Shankar Mukherjee called on Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Thursday and discussed issues of mutual interest.

A press statement issued by Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said ambassador Mukharjee congratulated the Prime Minister on the assumption of the august office at this crucial juncture in Nepal’s history and expressed confidence that Nepal will successfully address all challenges under Koirala’s leadership.

Ambassador Mukharjee also called on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs KP Sharma Oli, Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Minister for Finance Dr Ram Sharan Mahat and Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives Mahant Thakur and discussed with them the current situation in Nepal.

Ambassador conveyed his good wishes to the Ministers for success in discharging their responsibilities and reiterated India’s readiness to contribute to lasting peace, stability and prosperity in Nepal to the best of its ability and resources, the statement adds.

The expedition members toasting upon return to the advanced base camp (6400 m) after submitting. Source: Mountain Experience Pvt. Ltd.

The team members are Nepalese Phurba Tashi, Son Dorjee, Dorji Somam Gyalson and three Tibetans Ta Shi Ping Tso, Denzeong and Ta Shi Tsenzong.

According to Mountain Experience Pvt. Ltd, which sent the expedition, Phurba Tashi climbed the peak for the tenth time. Likewise Son Dorjee climbed the peak for the third time, Dorji Somam Gyalson climbed for the fifth time, Ta Shi Ping Tso, climbed for the fourth time,Denzeong climbed for the third time and Ta Shi Tsenzong climbed for the second time.

Visiting Norwegian Minister for International Development, Erik Solheim, has said his government has no ambition whatsoever to play a major role in Nepal.

Addressing a press conference at Lalitpur on Friday upon the conclusion of his four-day long visit to Nepal, Solheim made clear that Norway did not look for any major role in the proposed peace process in Nepal as was the case in Sri Lanka.

He, however, said Norway supports the process in which the government will be in the driving seat. “The government will sign a peace process with the Maoists. We are a small part of the international community and will be at the disposal of the government to start peace process with the Maoists.”

The Minister indicated that Norway might be interested if it was called for by both the parties as a witness or in some kind of monitoring of ceasefire. He did not elaborate.

The visiting minister said as a close neighbour, India will (continue to) take a leading role in Nepal. Elaborating on his statement, Solheim said heartland of China is very far from Nepal while heartland of India is very close. Whatever happens in Nepal may not affect the lives of Norwegians but in India it will do, he added.

Saluting the People Power in Nepal, Solheim recalled how similar power had resulted into peaceful change in the governments in many European countries over the past few years when people decided to take their destiny in their own hands. “Nepali people have shown that they not only want democracy, but also peace. We are here to pay tribute to the Nepali people,” he said.

He said the visiting Norwegian team had extensive discussions with senior government officials and political leaders in Nepal. He said he did not have an audience with His Majesty the King during the visit.

Nepal is now entering into a phase where it will have the most interesting experiment in democracy in the whole world. That will include restructuring of the Nepali state to include those who have been marginalized, said Solheim.

He further said there was no disagreement among the international community regarding latest political developments in Nepal. “We will support the constitutional process here,” he said. He also advised Nepalis to choose whatever advice foreign experts and professors may offer them in the days to come (regarding Constituent Assembly elections) and reject which ever is not suitable in the Nepali context.

Referring to the experiences of Sri Lankan peace process, Solheim said it could take much longer than what you think in the beginning. “But you should not lose this sense of optimism,” he added. Responding to another query, Solheim said whether to retain constitutional monarchy or go for a republic, it was up to the Nepali people to decide. “We will support whatever the Nepali people decide,” he added.

The Norwegian minister said he had not come up with any new aid package to Nepal this time around. He, however, said Norway had already decided to waive the aid cut announced in the aftermath of the last year’s royal takeover. “Nepal may now need some support for immediate needs. Regarding long term development assistance for major projects, we will have to wait until the new government makes its priorities clear,” he added.

The Minister said that the Norwegian government had made no specific decision with regard to resuming its assistance to the much-talked about Melamchi Water Supply Project. Norway is one of the lead donors to the multi-million dollar project that aims to pump in water from Melamchi river in Sindhupalchok district to Kathmandu valley through nearly 27 km long tunnel.

In July 2005, Norway had announced termination of its financial assistance to the Melamchi project since it considered developments in Nepal after February 1 as a serious setback to multi-party democracy. The termination would cost the Melamchi project US$ 28 million committed for the crucial 26.5-km diversion tunnel from Melamchi river to Sundarijal. Norway had also cut-back its financial assistance to Nepal by US$ 2.25 million (nearly 10 percent of its total annual assistance) committed for the year 2006.

Norway is one of the major bilateral donors to Nepal with an annual outlay of around 25 million US dollars.

The Government of Japan has approved the utilization of the counterpart fund of NRs. 286,021,000 for the implementation nine projects, on the request made by His Majesty’s Government of Nepal.

A press statement issued by the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu said the Government of Japan has approved seven projects in the agriculture sector. The projects will be implemented by various agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.

Likewise, it has approved one project each in irrigation and in forestry sectors to be implemented by the Ministry of Forestry and Soil Conservation and Ministry of Water Resource respectively.

“Japan has extended assistance in the field of watershed management around the Pokhara area through a participatory approach,” the statement said.

“The counterpart fund was established through the financial assistance extended by the Government of Japan to increase agriculture production under KR2. His Majesty’s Government of Nepal has procured fertilizer through this assistance, and sold it in the domestic market. The amount collected from selling the fertilizer was deposited as a counterpart fund.

The fund can be utilized for implementing various social and economic development projects through consultation between the two governments,” the statement adds.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has said the number of child workers has gone down around the world, including in Nepal, over the last four years.

A report entitled, “The end of child labour: Within reach” publicized by ILO said the number of child labourers employed worldwide fell from 246 million to 218 million between 2000 and 2004 and expressed confidence that the worst forms of child labour can be eliminated in 10 years.

Speaking at the report release ceremony, Pracha Vasuprasat, office in-charge of the ILO, said, “Despite all problems in Nepal, the report shows Nepal has made improvement in reducing the worst forms of the child labour among the Asian countries.”

He informed that the number of child labour decreased by 1.6 percent annually in Nepal. He informed that the number of child labourers declined to 1.83 million in the year 2003/04 as compared to 1.98 million of the year 1998/99. “Of the 127,143 working in the worst form of child labour, 14,533 have been withdrawn during the period,” he added.

The number of labourers aged 5-17 years in hazardous works decreased to 126 million in 2004 as opposed to 171 million in the previous estimate.

“Latin America and the Caribbean are making the greatest progress – the number of children in work has fallen by two-thirds over the last four years with just 5 percent of children now engaged in work. Least progress has been made in sub-Saharan Africa where population growth, HIV/AIDS infection and child labour remain alarmingly high,” the report said.

According to the report, political commitment through the adoption of coherent policies in the areas of poverty reduction and basic education and human rights is central to the progress made by countries, both past and present, in combating child labour.

Despite considerable progress in the fight against child labour, the report also highlights important challenges, particularly in the agriculture sector, where seven out of 10 child labourers work. Other challenges include addressing the impact of HIV/AIDS on child labourers, and building stronger links between child labourers and youth employment concerns.

The report calls for greater national efforts, involving organisations representing employers and workers, as well as governments – the partners that make up the tripartite ILO.

Speaking at the report release programme, participants stressed the need of unity among all stakeholders, governmental and non-governmental organizations to reduce the child labourer from the country.

Doctors, students and employees of the Kathmandu Medical College (KMC) have demanded investigation into the shooting of Dr Hemang Dixit, principle of the medical college, on Thursday.

The doctors, students and employees carried out a protest rally this morning in the capital in protest of the shooting. The rally that began from the KMC premises at Sinamangal moved past Old Baneshwor, Dilli Bazaar and ended at Singha Durbar.

The group also met Home Minister Krishna Sitaula and submitted a memorandum, urging the government for an independent investigation and action against the guilty, officials at the KMC said.

Two unidentified assailants on a motorbike fired on Dr Dixit at Dilli Bazaar at around 9:00 a.m. yesterday. Reports said the pillion rider had shot at the 69-year-old pediatrician from a pistol. He was shot in the neck.

The assailants are on the run while the reason behind the incident remains unknown.

Dr Dixit who is undergoing treatment at the KMC is said to be out of danger.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the government to take action against Madhav Bahadur Thapa, Senior Superintendent of the Armed Police Force (APF), for giving ordering the security forces to use excessive force on pro-democracy demonstrators in Gongabu, Kathmandu, on April 11.

The NHRC today wrote to the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers recommending for stern action SSP Thapa of the Valley APF, who was the commanding officer during the Gongabu incident, ordered his men to shoot at the protesters without issuing warnings. A press release issued by the commission said that investigation into the incident established that use of excessive force on the demonstrators was in violation of the section 6(1) of Local Administration Act 2028 B.S.

The NHRC statement said the security officials under Thapa’s command provoked the agitators by falsely claiming that the firing from inside APF AIG Rup Sagar Moktan’s house at Gongabu was by the Maoists and that the security commanders failed to take under control the security person who opened fire at the demonstrations.

SSP Thapa failed to pay summon at the NHRC office but he appeared only after the commission sent a second letter to the APF headquarters to send him for inquiry, the statement said.

Citing Thapa’s confession that excessive force was used on the demonstrators and that he could not properly observe his duty, the commission recommended stern action against him as per the Armed Police Force Act-2048 B.S. The commission also asked the government to identify the security person who opened fire from inside AIG Moktan’s residence.

Several dozen people including one photojournalist and some medical volunteers were severely injured when security forces indiscriminately opened fire on the demonstrations, charged batons and fired teargas shells.

The government on Friday has constituted a high level Judicial Commission to probe into atrocities committed by the security personnel and officials of the royal regime against pro-democracy demonstrators across the country and recommend actions against them.

A meeting of the council of ministers on Friday decided to constitute a five-member Commission under the chairmanship of former Justice at the Supreme Court, Krishna Jung Rayamajhi.

Names of other members of the Commission are yet to be announced.

Talking to reporters after the meeting of the council of ministers at the Prime Minister’s residence at Baluwatar Friday evening, Minister of Finance Dr Ram Sharan Mahat said details about the scope and structure of the Commission will be made public on Sunday.

The newly government was under tremendous pressure to try and book the culprits responsible for suppressing the people’s movement 2006.

At least 19 people lost their lives and thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators were injured across the country during the three-week-long demonstratons.

After initial hitches, the council of ministers is likely to be expanded next week, according to the leaders of the Seven Party Alliance (SPA).

Talking to Nepalnews, UML standing committee member Bam Dev Gautam said the council of ministers will be expanded as soon as the constituents of the SPA complete their internal homework.

According to Gautam, the SPA has agreed to form the cabinet of up to 17 members. H edenied reports that there had been differences within the CPN (UML) over the issue of allocation of portfolios.

UML standing committee member, Pradip Nepal, resigned from his post last week citing policy differences over the formation of the new government.

Gautam, however, dismissed Pradip Nepal’s statement saying that there was no policy difference with regard to the formation of the new cabinet.

According to reports, UML was demanding either Home or Defense portfolio in the coalition government. In the seven member cabinet announced early this week, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala holds defense portfolio while his party colleague, Krishna Sitaula, has been assigned with the home portfolio.

Even Nepali Congress leaders were said to be dissatisfied with the appointment of new ministers. They said they came to know about the appointments only from the state-run Radio Nepal. An NC leader, however, tried to downplay the differences.

“Hundreds of thousands of people took to the street, thousands were injured and 19 people were killed fighting for people’s sovereignty. So, the question of who gets the ministerial portfolio is irrelevant in the wake of people’s sentiments,” said Arjun Nasingh KC, central committee member of the NC.

“There was no dispute in the NC regarding the name of the candidates to join the government although some members have expressed reservation over the process,” he added.

Pari Thapa, a senior leader of People’s Front Nepal– one of the constituents of the SPA– said that his party was yet to decide about its participation in the council of ministers.

“The mandate of the people’s movement is to form an all party government and the SPA members are busy in their internal meetings to decide the issue,” he added.

The SPA is government is under tremendous pressure to deliver the goods and move quickly towards holding constituent assembly elections as promised by it earlier.

Thousands of activists took out rallies in different parts of the country cautioning SPA leaders not to engaged in the row over ministerial berths.

In Kathmandu, an unruly crowed manhandled UML lawmaker, Pradip Gyawali, at the gate of Singha Durbar.

Pari Thapa of the PFN said it would be unfortunate if the SPA could not arrive at consensus on preliminary issues like forming of a cabinet. “We have to move very fast and we don’t have luxury to get bogged down by such issues,” he added.

Despite such claims, the SPA leadership and the newly formed government continue to be under public scrutiny regarding their performance.

Leaders of political parties have said that the government and the House should be alert and work to fulfil the people’s demand of holding election to a constituent assembly and punishing those involved in suppressing the pro-democracy movement of the country.

Speaking at an interaction in the capital on Wednesday, General Secretary of Nepali Congress Ram Chandra Poudel said recent political developments have proved that Nepal’s politics still lack a leader of statesmanlike stature.

“The House of Representatives should learn to accept a democratic culture,” he said, adding leaders should be moved by the demands of the masses.

Dr Minendra Rijal of NC (Democratic) said that the political parties are going through tough times as they have to prove in front of the people that they are worthy of trust.

He also said that the management of arms belonging to the Maoist could be a major problem.

UML leader Pradip Gaywali said there was a gap in the activities of the House and level of people. “The House should respect the demands of the people,” he said, adding that the parties had been successful in the movement but failed to manage its results.

According to him, UML had demanded the home and defence ministries as it wanted to form a commission to punish enemies of democracy and wanted to ensure that the mistakes of the Mallik Commission were not repeated.

Lilamani Pokharel of the Peoples’ Front Nepal said the people’s awareness of politics was a step ahead of that of the political leaders.