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Parents of new Kumari overwhelmed

The parents of the new Kumari said Tuesday they were overwhelmed. "We are overwhelmed with joy," said Surendra Man Sakya and his wife, Reena. The new Kumari, Priti, was a nursery student at Raktakali Higher Secondary School in Chetrapati. She will have to abandon her school after selection as a goddess.

The new Kumari, who is three years old, is considered young by the standard of living goddesses who are usually five or above. Buddhist scholar, Subarna Shakya, told Nepalnews: "This is probably the seond or third time that this has happened." Kumaris are usually selected from a particular Kathmandu community, and should have no physical blemishes or deformities. They should also show no fear when spooked with scary objects in a darkened room as a part of the selection process, Shakya said. Nepal's new King Gyanendra is expected to officially pay his respects to the new kumari at Indra Jatra in Kathmandu on September 1 this year. nepalnews.com br July 10

Suspected Maoist rebels vandalize Indian school

A group of people suspected to be Maoist broke into Modern Indian School in Kathmandu and torched four vehicles parked in the premises of the school Monday night, police said.

The fire was put out with the help of school's security guards and police. Vehicles were partially damaged. No other damage was reported.

Supporters of Nepal Communist Party planted bombs in different parts of the valley and other parts of the country. nepalnews.com yl July 10

Maoist kill ruling party activist

Maoists Monday night abducted a teacher activist of the ruling Nepali Congress party and killed him by slitting his throat in Dang, the party said. He was identified as Narayan Salyai.

Nobody was injured when insurgents bombed or torched abandoned police posts at Rajghar in Morang district, Galayang in Syangjha district and a customs post in Nepalgunj Monday night, officials said.

Maoists also set ablaze a police post neat Thribhuvanbasti in Kanchanpur district in west Nepal this week, police said. nepalnews.com.br July 10

Nepal ranks 129 in HD index

Nepal ranked 129 out of 162 countries in the 2001 UN human development index (HDI) asessment as the kingdom steadily improved its ranking, a report released Tuesday said. The country's human poverty index (HPI) is 44.2 percent and ranks 77 out of 90 developing countries. Nepal is ranked 69 out of 72 countries in the technology achievement index.

Life expectancy  increased to 57.3 years from 43.3 years in 1970-75. Minister for Science and Technology Surendra Chaudhary released the report. nepalnews.com br July 10

New Kumari Selected

A new Kumari was selected at her official residence at Basantapur Square at 11.30 AM almost unnoticed Tuesday by residents of the city.

The goddess hails from a Sakya Buddhist family in Itumbahal, she is three years old. "I do not know her name. She is a goddess," said an old caretaker. "She was selected at an auspicious time after consultations with astrologers."

A small retinue of relatives and wardens carried the old Kumari in an open palanquin mounted on two bamboo poles to her parent's home in the city.

She retired after four years as a goddess at the age of 12. Kumaris must retire before puberty. Hindus and Buddhists, including the King receives blessings from her every year during Dasain.

Two lucky tourists clicked their cameras to record the departure. She was dressed in her usual red attire with her forehead painted red. nepalnews.com br July 10

Maoists continue attacks on police outposts

Maoists killed one policeman, injured seven and abducted 10 others in an attack on a police outpost at Dhobi in Ramechap district Monday night, police said quoting initial reports.

Maoist casualties were not available. Rebels decamped with a large cache of arms and ammunition as they destroyed the post.

In Kathmandu Valley, Maoists set ablaze six vehicles of Modern Indian School in the second attack on the school administered by expatriate Indians.

There was minor damage when rebels hurled a petrol bomb at the home of Minister of State for Supplies Krishna Prasad Shitaula in Chandragadi, Jhapa, Monday night, police said. nepalnews.com br July 10

Foreign promoters to be allowed majority share in joint venture banks

In a new policy initiative, foreign promoters will be allowed majority share holding in joint venture banks, Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat told parliament Monday.

Foreign promoters can now hold two thirds stake in such banks previously limited to 50 percent. Companies listed with the NEPSE will be delisted and penalized if they fail to make public audited statements within two years from the end of the fiscal year.

The IT sector will be developed as a priority sector. The Ministry of Science and Technology will co-ordinate with the Employment Promotion Council to train 50,000 youth. The IT park in Banepa will be completed within two years. The year 2003 was declared an export year. 
nepalnews.com br July 10

Nine Maoists killed

Nine Maoists, including five women, were killed in attacks on three police outposts in Lamjung, Gulmi and Nuwakot Friday and Saturday, rebels admitted in a statement Monday night.

Forty-one policemen were killed, five were injured in the shoot-outs and eight are still missing. The rebels escaped with a large cache of arms and ammunition. nepalnews.com br July 10

Finance Minister Dr. Mahat announces Rs.99.79 billion budget

Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat Monday presented to parliament a Rs.99.79 billion deficit budget for the fiscal year 2001-2 beginning mid July.

Rs.49.32 billion has been earmarked for regular expenditure and Rs.50.47 billion has been set aside for development. A deficit of Rs.25.42 billion will be met through increased taxes, internal borrowings, foreign loans and grants.

Mahat announced a special one percent internal security tax on imports to protect industries and businesses. He add this was temporary. The coming budget has increased by 19 percent overall as compared to the previous year, while regular expenditure has jumped 13 percent and development outlay by 26 percent.

Special road building projects will be implemented in five Maoist districts in west Nepal including Jajarkot and Bhajang next year. The VAT network will be extended to include hardware, electronics and other businesses, Mahat said.

Government investment in the social sector has jumped 27 percent in the coming budget. Ten highest paying tax payers will be honoured as commercial important persons (CIP) by getting special privileges at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

Home Ministry outlay increased by 2.16 percent while allocation for the Defence Ministry jumped by 9.17 percent. Utility services like the Postal Services Department will be privatized, Mahat said.

Professionals including doctors and engineers will have to maintain audited accounts from the coming fiscal year, Mahat said. A new three year project plan for development schemes has been
envisaged to provide continuity.

The budget aims to reduce poverty and unemployment, the Finance Minister said. 
nepalnews.com br July 9

Widow of Babu Chiiri to get Rs.10,000 monthly pension

The widow of Everest hero Babu Chiiri will get a monthly government pension of Rs.10,000 Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat told parliament Monday. His children will also get education scholarships.

Babu died on the 8848 metres high world's tallest peak while attempting his eleventh conquest of the peak this spring. Babu has a speed climbing record of Everest where he camped on the
summit for more than 20 hours. nepalnews.com br July 9

Maoists continue terror campaign

A Maoist died in an accidental explosion while trying to bomb a home of a police official at a village in Bara district Sunday, police said.

A rebel injured in a clash with police in Gorkha Friday died Sunday at a hospital in the capital.
Insurgents bombed the Surya Tobacco Company factory in Bara Sunday causing slight damage, police said. Nobody was injured when Maoists torched a police outpost at Bhimdunga in the outskirts of the capital Sunday night, locals said. 

The rebels are continuing their terror campaign ahead of a nation-wide strike Thursday to protest new regulations giving officials sweeping arrest powers to prevent strikes or other forms of protest.
nepalnews.com br July 9 

5.8 percent GDP growth registered  

Nepal posted a comfortable 5.8 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the fiscal year 2000/2001, a government economic survey report released Sunday said.

National consumer price index increased by 2.1 percent during the year. Cash crop production increased 7.3 percent but grain production slipped by 2.7 percent, the report said.

Tourism arrivals and duration of stay fell 9.10 percent. Forty-seven percent of 23.4 million people were underemployed. Balance of payment for the first six months of the current fiscal year was favourable at Rs.3,510 million because of increased exports and declining imports.

Controlling rising government expenditure, reducing poverty, increasing employment, agriculture productivity and broadening the tax net were some of the challenges for the government, the report said.

Finance Minister Dr.Ram Sharan Mahat presents the annual budget toparliament Monday. nepalnews.com br July 9

NOC, IOC sign oil accord

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) recently signed an  accord to import petroleum products for nine months from July 1 to March 31 2002, an official announcement said.

A new five-year agreement will replace the present accord when India decontrols POL product imports from April next year. Nepal will then supply India crude oil for processing and receive refined petroleum products instead of supplying refined oil to India under the present arrangement.

Nepal currently  imports 60,000  kilo litres of petrol, 350,000 kilo litres of diesel, 350,000 kilo litres of kerosene, 66,000 kilo litres of aviation fuel and 50,000 tonnes of cooking gas annually. nepalnews.com br JUly 9

Landslide kills three family members

A landslide triggered by  heavy monsoon rains buried three members of a family near the Nepal Tibet border in Sindhupalchowk, official reports said.

The mudslide swooped down a steep hill and buried Nima Sherpa and his two teenage sons. Their bodies were extricated from the rubble two days later by neighbouring villagers. 
nepalnews.com br July 9 

Seven killed in two accidents

Seven persons were killed in two accidents in Palpa and Jhapa Sunday, police said.

Five persons were killed and 10 others injured when a bus fell off a highway at Majhug village near Palpa. Two persons, including a cyclist, were killed when a bus and truck collided at Charpane Chowk in Jhapa, police said. nepalnews.com br July 9