The government on Saturday announced cuts in the price of petroleum products. The price cut comes in the wake of sliding oil prices in the international market.
According to Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), the rate of petrol and diesel has been reduced by Rs 5 per litre from Rs 95 and Rs 70 respectively.
Aviation fuel will also be cheaper by Rs 5 with the rate fixed at Rs 95 per litre for domestic flights. However, no changes have been made in the price of cooking gas and kerosene.
This is the second price cut in less than two weeks. Earlier, the government had reduced the price of petrol by 5 rupees, aviation fuel by 7.96 rupees per litre and ended dual pricing for diesel. nepalnews.com mk Nov 01 08
Policemen in Indian state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) gang-raped two of the six Nepali women taken into custody from Gorakhpur railway station last Tuesday evening, the Kathmandu Post reported Saturday. The women were on their way to New Delhi from where they hoped to fly to a Gulf country for employment.
According to the report, five UP policemen took the women, who had reached Gorakhpur via Sunauli border town together with two Nepali youths, to Mallika Hotel situated near the station for ‘interrogation’ and later raped them.
Inspector General of Police in Gorakhpur area Harish Chandra Kasyap told the Post that the two guilty policemen have been suspended and action has been initiated against them. He said action will be taken against three other policemen involved in the case.
The Post also quoted M.P Sharma of Nepali Janadhikar Security Committee that the policemen had threatened to kill anyone who would dare to make public the incident and also demanded Rs 30,000 for the release of the women. nepalnews.com Nov 01 08
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon addressed a special meeting of the Constituent Assembly (CA) on Saturday and extended support to changes that have taken place in Nepal. He also pledged continued support for peace, democracy and development here.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
In his address, Ban lauded the role of the political parties in establishing peace and democracy, especially their ability to overcome political differences in critical times. He also called upon the parties and the coalition government to continue dialogue and stay united.
International support to Nepal, according to him, would depend largely on how quickly the peace process moves ahead.
Describing the structure of the CA as the most inclusive elected body in Nepal’s history, Ban highlighted the need to ensure inclusiveness while restructuring the state. “Constitution building is going to be extremely difficult as well as rewarding,” he noted.
The UNSG also expressed satisfaction over the formation of the special committee for army integration and called for early start of “integration and rehabilitation” of former [Maoist] combatants.
“I encourage the parties to ensure that it begins work as soon as possible,” added he.
The UNSG, who arrived here yesterday for a two-day visit, didn’t miss the opportunity to praise the role of the Nepal Army in UN peace-keeping missions around the world since past 50 years. He mentioned that Nepal is the fifth largest contributor of peace-keeping forces. Following the address, Ban answered queries from the CA members. He assured that the UN would continue assistance for development works, relief programmes and peace-building efforts through its various agencies present in Nepal.
Nepali Congress assistant general secretary and CA member Dr Ram Saran Mahat drew the attention of the UNSG over the lack of government efforts for the resettlement of people displaced during the conflict. Describing the displacement problem as a humanitarian crisis, Mahat said the UN should do something for the resettlement of the internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Likewise, Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party leader Hridayesh Tripathi voiced his party’s dissatisfaction for the proposed army integration. According to him, both Nepal Army and the People’s Liberation Army of the Maoists are not inclusive forces and that the integration process means nothing for Madhesis.
Answering the queries, Ban said army integration is the responsibility of the Nepal government and the political parties while the UN would be ready to extend support in the process by sharing its experience and the know-how.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon meets President Dr Ram Baran Yadav at Shital Niwas, the president’s office, on Saturday Nov 01 08. nepalnews.com/rh
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (center) speaking at a press conference.
Meanwhile, speaking at press conference at the end of his high-profile political consultations, the UNSG called upon the parties to begin the work of integrating the combatants as soon as possible and asked the government to “move quickly on the formal discharge of minors and disqualified combatants” from cantonments.
He added that the most immediate challenge ahead is to integrate and rehabilitate the Maoist combatants.
Responding to the questions by journalists, Ban said the UN would accept the participation of Maoist combatants as members in the peace keeping mission once they are integrated into national army and meet standards and criteria set by the UN system.
Appreciating the peace process in Nepal that earned international respect, he said the election to the CA is proof of Nepal’s remarkable progress and collective effort towards a new and better future.
He mentioned that the UN has released US$ 10 million aid through UN Peace Fund to be used for financing local peace-building programmes, help integrate former combatants and generate youth employment.
Citing that there are number of challenges before Nepal completes it peace process, the UNSG said people of Nepal have taken a stand for democracy and it would be especially inspiring for the entire world to see Nepal which has already made such difference in peace keeping for others, resolve its own conflict and achieve lasting peace at home.
He urged parties to look beyond party lines and address the aspiration and interest of the people, adding he was convinced by consultation with leaders here the parties will come to reconciliation for people’s interests.
Saying the peace process here is ‘Nepali-driven’, UNSG hinted at extension of the tenure of UNMIN to support political stability and peace building but added that this rests on the decision of the political parties and the government. He said the issue was discussed during his meeting with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today.
Earlier today, Ban met PM Dahal, President Ram Baran Yadav, Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav, CA chairman Subash Nemwang and Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala before addressing the special session of the CA.
After addressing the special CA meeting, Ban flew to Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, to observe the Buddhist landmarks there. He is scheduled to leave for Dhaka, Bangladesh, in the evening. nepalnews.com mk/ia Nov 01 08
The main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) has expressed dissatisfaction over the special committee formed to carry out the integration of army.
Stating that its formation violated the earlier political understanding, general secretary of NC, Bimalendra Nidhi accused the government of taking unilateral action.
“It is not for the government alone to decide about its terms of reference. The ToR should be formed through discussion,” Nidhi said.
On Friday, NC leaders Ram Chandra Poudel, Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat and Arjun Narsingh KC met with Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) general secretary Jhal Nath Khanal and senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal to make their positions clear vis-à-vis the committee, which is headed by UML leader and deputy prime minister Bamdev Gautam.
The NC has also raised objection at the inclusion of two members representing Maoists in the five-member committee. The NC has not yet nominated its member in the committee citing differences over its nature and composition. nepalnews.com sd Nov 01 08
The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has opposed the decision of the government to hike the minimum wage of workers.
Stating that the decision was made without prior consultations, the FNCCI has said that the industries are not in a position to provide the increased minimum wage.
The FNCCI has warned that it would not be able to implement the minimum wage, which it said, was fixed by the government ‘in a unilateral, and unscientific manner without considering the situation of industries.’
It has asked the government to reconsider the decision and initiate discussions with trade union and the federation to arrive at new decision.
The government had recently increased the minimum wage of workers from Rs 2100 monthly to Rs 4600 monthly. nepalnews.com sd Nov 01 08
Seven people have been injured in separate attacks by Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) cadres in Kaski and Chitwan districts on Wednesday.
Five persons belonging to Nepali Congress (NC) and Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) parties were beaten black and blue with bamboo sticks by YCL cadres in Pamebazaar in Kaski district.
The injured include Bam Bahadur Adhikary, Krishna Bahadur Adhikary, Min Bahadur Adhikary, Bharat Bahadur Adhikary and Narayan Bahadur Adhikary.
Likewise, in Madi of Chitwan district, two teachers of Someshwore High School were attacked by a group of people including YCL cadres. Teachers Ramnath Tiwari and Krishna Pathak were beaten in the school playground. They are being treated in Bharatpur hospital.
According to Pathak, a group of youths who were taking side of some rowdy students resorted to attacking them. nepalnews.com sd May 15 08
The Election Commission (EC) has asked candidates who have won two seats in the direct election at the recently held Constituent Assembly (CA) election to vacate one by June 8.
The EC has issued a statement saying that the candidates need to resign from one seat within 30 days of formal declaration of election results.
In the April 10 election, Maoist chairman Prachanda, Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum coordinator Upendra Yadav, its leader Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar and Maoist leader Dev Gurung had won from two seats each.
The candidates can vacate one of the two seats based on their choice. nepalnews.com sd May 15 08
Rajendra Kumar Khetan has been elected Chairman of Laxmi Bank Limited.
He was unanimously elected to the position by the bank’s 74th Board meeting held on 6th May 2008.
In the past his father late Mohan Gopal Khetan held that position till his demise.
Rajendra Kumar Khetan is also the Chairman of Khetan Group, which is one of the leading industrial and trading houses of the country.
He is also the Chairman of Everest Insurance Co.Ltd., Prime Life Insurance Ltd and Gorkha Brewery Pvt. Ltd. He also acts as the Honorary Consul of Portugal. nepalnews.com sd May 14 08
Speaker of the interim legislature Subas Nemwang has said that he does not see any obstruction in implementing republic.
“There is no obstruction in implementing the declaration of the democratic republic (through the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly). But since political discussions are going on in this issue, I do not want to reveal the exact procedures at this juncture,” he told Nepal Television, Wednesday.
Nemwang said that a committee to draft regulations to govern the CA proceedings could also be formed on the first meeting.
He hinted that the procedure of swearing in the members of CA could be held one day prior to the formal opening of the CA meeting.
The Prime Minister has summoned the CA meeting on May 28. nepalnews.com sd May 14 08
A senior Maoist leader has said that his party will not accept any constitutional change to make it possible for ousting the Prime Minister by a single majority of Constituent Assembly.
“The existing two-thirds provision regarding the Prime Minister should remain as it is. We are not in favour of amendment in the interim constitution,” senior Maoist leader Mohan Baidya ‘Kiran’ said, claiming that it will be ethically wrong for parties that had agreed to this constitutional provisional in the past to demand an amendment in the statute.
The Maoist leader also accused the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML of trying to create roadblock in the political process by setting conditions after failing to get popular mandate. “This shows their defeatist mentality,” he said speaking at the Reporters Club.
Baidya also made it clear that his party is not ready to accept GP Koirala as the first president of republican Nepal. “We respect Girijababu but we won’t accept him as prime minister or president. He should resign now and pave the way for political consensus.” nepalnews.com mk May 14 08