July 07, 2006

At least nineteen persons went missing after a boat capsized in Kosi river near Prakashpur in Sunsari district on Friday (June 30). The boat carrying around 69 passengers capsized in the swollen river as it was crossing over to Srilanka island. The boat was carrying people who were returning from a wedding party. In fact, the boat was carrying the bride, the groom and relatives of the groom. They were all returning to the home of the groom. Local people, police and army personnel rescued 36 passengers including the bride and the groom immediately after the accident. Fourteen more passengers who were earlier thought to be missing came into police contact. They had swam to safety. Rescue efforts are continuing, according to Chief District Officer Sharda Bhakta Poudel. Leading dailies report.

Prachanda Withdraws His Comments Against Nepalese Army

Maoist chairman Prachanda has withdrawn his comment against Nepalese Army (NA). In an interview he gave to state-owned Nepal Television on Saturday (July 1), Prachanda said he regretted that his remarks made two weeks ago had unintentionally leveled charges against the entire army fraternity. Addressing a joint press conference in Baluwatar two weeks ago, Prachanda had accused that the NA had done nothing for the country except ‘kill the people and rape the women.’ In his interview, Prachanda clarified that he did not intend to accuse the whole army. “I feel there were some weaknesses in that remark. It seemed like a blanket accusation against the whole NA. I want to say I am sad over this,” he said, adding that he wanted to say that a section within the NA had such attitude. “Majority of soldiers are sons and daughters of common people and they do not have such objective. I am sad over the use of words. I want to withdraw those words,” he said. Kantipur daily reports.

Rana Admits He Advised The King To Be Active

Talking to reporters after he furnished his replies to the Rayamajhi commission, former army chief and secretary of Raj Parishad Satchit SJB Rana conceded that he had advised the King to assume active role. “It was our duty to make the King active,” he said referring to the activities of Raj Parishad, which had organized region-wide meetings urging the King to sideline the parties and become active in politics since October 4, 2002. Rana, however, refused to own up any responsibility in the repression against People’s Movement. The Rayamajhi commission had summoned Rana, former Law Minister Niranjan Thapa, suspended Additional Inspector General of Nepal Police Krishna Basnet and suspended AIG of Armed Police Force Rabi Raj Thapa for interrogations on Friday. Meanwhile, Sharad Chandra Shah, former advisor to the King, returned to Kathmandu from Bangkok on regular flight on Saturday. Earlier, reports claimed he had fled the country for good. Shah is wanted by the Rayamajhi commission for interrogation. Leading dailies report.

‘Lay Down Arms First’: Moriarty To Maoists

The American Ambassador James Francis Moriarty met with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter’s residence in Baluwatar on Saturday (July 1) on the eve of his trip back to Washington. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Moriarty said that America wants to see the Maoists lay down their arms before they join the interim government. He said that the US assistance could be affected if an organization in the terrorist list joins the government without renouncing violence. When asked if he was leaving for Washington for specific purpose, Moriarty said he was going on a vacation. Compiled from reports.

Yechuri Meets With PM Koirala And Prachanda

Sitaram Yechuri, leader of Communist Party of India (CPI-Marxist), met with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at latter’s residence on Friday (June 30). Talking to reporters after his meeting with PM Koirala, Yechuri said he found the health situation of Koirala has improved a lot. He said he also brought with him best wishes from India and Indian people towards Nepal and Nepali people. He held discussions over issues such as eight-point pact with Maoists and arms management. Asked to elaborate whether he discussed the issue of UN’s involvement regarding arms management of the state and the Maoists, Yechuri said: “All those issues figured during the meeting,” and added: “It is up to the Nepali people how they would like to manage arms of the rebels and the state. What India could do is to express its goodwill and best wishes for Nepal’s stability.” Asked to comment on US Ambassador to Nepal James F. Moriarty’s statement that the Maoists should lay down arms before Constituent Assembly poll, Yechuri said: “It will be good for the world that a sovereign country takes its own decision independently.” Yechuri also met with Maoist chairman Prachanda and leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai. He said he found the Maoists committed to the eight-point pact. Leading dailies report.

Prachanda Proposes Merging Command Of Two Armies

Prachanda has proposed merging the command of Nepalese Army and Maoist army after the formation of interim government. “Whoever is the Prime Minister will be the supreme commander of the two armies,” he said, during an interaction with central officials of Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ). During his interactions with leaders of political parties, he is said to have proposed forming a joint committee of generals of the two armies. Prachanda added that if the two sides agree, the armies can be managed by Nepalese themselves and there would be no need to invite foreigners. Meanwhile, he clarified that Maoists do not want to have “October revolution.” Referring to remarks made by US ambassador James Moriarty, he, however, hastened to add that the revolution would take place if the Maoists are pushed. Prachanda told FNJ officials not to suspect the Maoists on their commitment towards press freedom. Kantipur daily reports.

Dr. Giri Refuses To Shoulder Blame Of Repression

The high-level commission formed to probe allegations of repression against people’s movement has started interrogating former ministers in the royal regime. On Tuesday (June 27), the commission summoned former vice chairman of Council of Ministers Dr. Tulsi Giri and former ministers Badri Mandal and Nikshya SJB Rana. Talking to reporters after his interrogation, Dr. Giri said he was not responsible for the repression. “Nobody wants to kill people just like that. In course of agitation and movement, there were some problems and the government of the day had to take some actions,” he said. Likewise, Mandal said the blame for the deaths of 21 people during the people’s movement should go for concerned security bodies. He added that while “there was a probe over the deaths of these people, nobody was talking about who should be held responsible for the deaths of 13000 Nepalis.” Former health state minister Nikshya SJB Rana also refused to shoulder any such blame. “I was fully focused in health ministry-related activities,” he told reporters. The commission is expected to summon more former ministers and key royal advisors in the coming days. Leading dailies report.

Speakers, MPs Take Fresh Oath

Speaker of the house of representatives Subas Nemwang and all the MPs took fresh oath in the parliament on Wednesday (June 28) expressing allegiance to the God, parliamentary proclamation and mandate of the people’s movement. However, Prime Minister, deputy prime ministers and ministers have not taken the oath of office. Reports say the PM did not come due to health reasons. After taking oath himself, Speaker Nemwang administered the oath to MPs of both House of Representatives and Upper House including former ministers in royal cabinet and nominees of the King at the Upper House. Sources at the Parliamentary Secretariat said the PM and ministers could take oath on July 2. Likewise, the House will call senior government staff, army and police officials and judicial service officials except judges to take oath of office. As per the parliamentary proclamation, anyone refusing to take the oath of office will be removed from his/her post. Leading dailies report.

One Fourth Of Budget Spent On Road Development

The government could spend only one fourth of what it had allocated on the development of roads in the country in the current fiscal year. This was due to obstruction in development programs by conflict. According to the Department of Road, out of the allocated budget of Rs 5 billion, only Rs 1.24 billion could be spent. Currently, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and DfID are supporting/funding road construction in different parts of the country. The government is also mobilizing its resources for road construction. This year the government had aimed to construct 244 km of road but only 30 km could be completed excepting the ones constructed by the army. “Due to Maoist problem, contractors did not have the environment where they could work,” said Durga Prasad KC, director general of the department. Kantipur daily reports.

Tariff Change Results In Losses

The changes in the custom tariff made by then Minister of State for Finance Dr. Roop Jyoti has resulted in losses to the tune of Rs 2.5 billion. Dr. Jyoti who was the minister in the royal cabinet had changed the tariff and excise six months ago. According to Ministry officials, the reduction in custom tariff resulted in losses of Rs 1.5 billion while the reduction in excise resulted in losses of Rs 700 million. During January ordinance, Dr. Jyoti had reduced tariff for 130 products. Majority of these products were of interest to Jyoti Group of Industries. The reduction in tariff for spare parts of motorcycles benefited Syakar Company while the reduction in tariff for television, cotton fibre and mixed polyester benefited Jyoti Spinning Mills. Dr. Jyoti has huge stakes in the Jyoti Group of Industries. Although he had claimed that reduction of tariff would result in increased imports, his move has turned out to be a failure. Meanwhile, Ministry officials are engaged in homework to ‘undo’ the mistake in the forthcoming budget. Kantipur daily reports.

Each Nepali Owes The World Rs 13,000

In a startling revelation, Auditor General Gehendra Nath Adhikari said that the foreign debt has now crossed Rs 324 billion, which works out to the tune of Rs 13,000 per head, calculated on the basis of current population put at just over 23 million. Adhikari revealed that the cumulative fiscal irregularities have crossed Rs 28 billion. The irregularities of the current fiscal year alone have been put at Rs 7 billion. Adhikari said that there are over 7000 tax assessment files pending since past 40 years. Clearing the files, he said, would have accrued Rs 520 million to the state exchequer. There are also about 14 state-owned enterprises which are in the red and thus a liability to tax-payers. So much so, that the loss adds up to over 300 percent of the paid up capital in each case. Adhikari also traced the rise in expenditure allocated to the royal palace. The budget for the royal family has shot up to Rs 680 million from Rs 120 million prior to 2002. The Himalayan Times daily reports.