VOL. 25, NO. 40, June 16 2006 (Ashadh 02, 2063 B.S.)

With the intention of focusing on the peace talks, the leaders of the seven parties have decided to temporarily suspend the ongoing session of the parliament. At the meeting of the top leaders of the seven parties on Sunday (June 11), a decision was reached regarding the suspension. The parliament would be suspended after a few days after it forms various parliamentary committees. Reports say the parliament could be recalled for budget presentations few weeks later. “We made the decision to focus on peace talks,” said Madhav Kumar Nepal , who had proposed for the suspension of the parliament after forming special committees of the parliament. Nepal added that he has proposed holding of constituent assembly elections by October and framing new constitution by April next year. The decision to suspend the parliamentary session has been welcomed by the Maoists who have been demanding its dissolution. “By deciding to suspend the parliamentary session, the seven party leaders have shown that they feel the public hatred towards this parliament,” said Krishna Mahara, Maoist talks coordinator, adding, “If the peace talks is to reach any conclusion, this parliament must be dissolved.” Leading dailies report.

Home Minister Meets With Prachanda

Home Minister and chief government negotiator Krishna Sitaula flew to Sickles in Kaski district to meet with Maoist chairman Prachanda on Sunday (June 11). Sitaula went to Sickles where he held discussions over the ongoing peace process, parliament, constituent assembly and similar other issues with Prachanda, his deputy Baburam Bhattarai and Maoist talks coordinator Krishna Mahara. In fact, Mahara took Sitaula to Sickles. Mahara said that Sitaula and Prachanda held two-hours of one-on-one meeting. Sickles is situated in the Annapurna trekking route, which is some eight hours of walk away from Pokhara. Compiled from reports.

Koirala Expands Cabinet, Sherchan Is Made Second DPM

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala expanded his cabinet inducting a new deputy prime minister, a cabinet-rank minister and a state minister. President of People’s Front (PF) Amik Sherchan has been named as second Deputy Prime Minister with charge of Health and Population Ministry’s portfolio. Leader of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP-Anandidevi) Hridayesh Tripathy has been appointed as the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies whereas leader of Nepali Congress (Democratic) Gyanendra Bahadur Karki has been made Minister of State for Water Resources. This is the fourth expansion of Koirala cabinet, which is now 20-member strong. Meanwhile, NC (D) and UML have been dissatisfied with the appointment of Sherchan as DPM. Whereas UML believes that appointment of second DPM would give a negative message to the people, NC (D) believes that its Minister Gopal Man Shrestha also deserves to be elevated to the DPM level. Both the parties have, however, not made their dissatisfaction public. Kantipur daily reports.

“Demand For House Dissolution Inappropriate”: Koirala

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that the Maoist demand for the dissolution of the House of Representatives is inappropriate. Talking to journalists upon his return from four-day visit to India , PM Koirala said, “This can be finalized through the talks with them. But I feel it is inappropriate to dissolve the parliament that had been restored after hard struggle. Anyway we are ready to discuss this issue.” Replying to a question that the Maoists seem interested to join the interim government, Koirala said, “We are also interested to induct them. But this also has to go through a definite process (of talks).” Koirala termed his visit as very successful. On a historic welcome accorded to him by New Delhi , Koirala said it was an honor to the success of people’s movement in Nepal . PM Koirala has also invited Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to visit Nepal . Leading dailies report.

Parliament Regulations Passed

The House of Representatives has passed its regulations further cutting the powers of the King. The regulation proposed by Narayan Man Bijukchhe was passed by the MPs with some amendments. The regulation removes the norm of “king in parliament.” From now onwards, no royal seal is required to finalize any bill passed by the parliament. Instead, Speaker could finalize the passed bill and send to the cabinet. The tradition of King presenting the annual programs and policies of the government has also been ended. Instead, Prime Minister would do so. The parliament would hold hearings to finalize the appointments in constitutional, judicial and diplomatic agencies. A separate law would be framed to provide for the process of proclaiming heir to the throne. Meanwhile, the regulation has tried to avoid the controversial issue of Supreme Court judges having to take oath of office in the parliament. The regulation states that the Special Committee of the parliament would make necessary provision for the taking of oath of chief justices, SC judges, members of judiciary council, appellate court judges and district judges. Leading dailies report.

Maoists To Raise Rs 50 Million Donation In Chitwan

The Maoists have announced that they would raise ‘donations’ amounting to Rs 50 million within a month from Chitwan district. They have asked for 50 percent of salaries from top-level government officials and have asked for donation between Rs 100,000 to Rs 1 million from different offices. The Maoists claim they need the money to feed their military and hold mass meetings. “Please provide us your support as we have been assigned to raise Rs 50 million by the party circular,” a government employee quoted the Maoist demand letter as stating. Kantipur daily reports.

Oath Controversy Emerges

The proposed provision in the parliamentary regulation that calls for the judges of the Supreme Court (SC) to take oath of office before the parliament has stirred a controversy with many judges of the apex court believing that it would invite anarchy. An influential judge of the SC Anup Raj Sharma – who was known for the SC decisions regarding the dissolution of Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC) and allowing FM radios to air news – has indirectly opposed the proposed move by the parliament. “I am sure that the parliament is not intending to replace one dictator with another,” he said, adding, “I do not believe any free judiciary-loving MP would have such intention.” He added that if, indeed, the parliament chooses to adopt the provision, a judge would have two options at hand, “Either he would meekly concede to new provisions or he would vacate his position. Anybody is free to make his individual choice.” Reports say SC judges have had informal discussion over the proposed provision in which majority of them opposed the move. However, president of Nepal Bar Association (NBA) Shambhu Thapa stated that the judges and chief justice should take oath before the people of Nepal . He also cautioned the MPs against making unwarranted comments against judiciary. Supporting the recent decision by the apex court to release ex-ministers of royal cabinet, he accused that the charges leveled against them by the government were erroneous. Kantipur daily reports.

Prachanda Critical Of Supremacy Of Parliament

Maoist chairman Prachanda has criticized the move by the parliament to term itself supreme and has warned that if the country moved ahead in this direction that could invite bloodshed. He claimed that the seven parties were indulging in petty issues rather than entering into the main agenda of peace. Giving direct interview to Kantipur Television in an eastern village in Chitwan, Prachanda said, “The parliament should have been dissolved immediately after holding talks with us and the interim government should have been formed.” He said such interim government should have included representations from the seven parties, Maoists and civil society. “But there seems to be a grave conspiracy in the move towards making the parliament supreme,” he said. He also accused that Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s visit to India was also a part of that conspiracy. “It would be disastrous for the country if there is a move to present the parliament as the supreme by inviting the PM and giving money to the government,” he said, adding, “What we are saying is lets bring assistance after reaching an understanding through dialogue first.” He said he held telephone conversation with PM Koirala before the latter’s visit to New Delhi . He added that while republic was already established in the hearts of Nepalese people, the seven parties were not working as per the people’s wishes. When asked if the talks were stalled, Prachanda said, “Not exactly stalled but it is indeed surprising why the seven parties are not showing enough zeal to enter into the main agenda of peace.” He also accused the parties of trying to take all the credit of the people’s movement. Prachanda was also strongly against moves to restore local bodies. He said, “If that happens, there would be bloodshed in the country, there would be conflict in villages.” The interview was telecast by Kantipur Television at 9 pm on Thursday (June 8). Kantipur daily reports.

SC Upholds Govt. Decision On Sending Workers

The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the government instructions to the Moondrops Manpower Agency to suspend its process of sending workers to South Korea . The bench comprising chief justice Dilip Kumar Poudel and judge Tahir Ali Ansari has stated that the government’s decision could not be revoked for the time being. Ten days ago, another SC single bench of judge Pawan Kumar Ojha had ordered government not to implement its decision. However, the latest SC order has overturned that court order. Because of growing controversies in the process of sending workers to South Korea , the government has decided to take over the process itself. Nepal Samacharpatra daily reports.

Transporters Vandalize Office Of Siddharthanagar Chamber Of Commerce

Truckers and transporters have vandalized the office of Siddharthanagar Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bhairahawa on Sunday (June 11). They were enraged because the businessmen and entrepreneurs associated with the chamber have organized strike opposing the transport token and syndicate system imposed by them. Meanwhile, the chamber has announced that all businesses, industries, institutes and market in Bhairahawa area will be closed down for indefinite period till proper actions are taken against the vandals. Leading dailies report.

Maoists Open Liaison Office For Their Sister Organizations

Maoists have opened a liaison office for eight of its sister organizations in the valley. The office located at Kopundole will have contact points for All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF), All Nepal Women Organization – Revolutionary, All Nepal Teachers’ Organization, Nepal National Intellectual Organization, Tamang National Liberation Front, Madhesi Liberation Front Nepal, Newa National Liberation Front and Nepal Dalit Liberation Front. Earlier, All Nepal National Free Students Union – Revolutionary had opened its office in Bagbazar. A member of Maoist talks team Dev Gurung inaugurated the office. Leading dailies report.

Task Force Formed To Amend Foreign Employment Act

A task force headed by Director General of Labor and Employment Promotion Department Uddhav Prasad Baskota has been formed to prepare a draft of new foreign employment act that would amend the existing one. The nine-member task force comprises representatives from various ministries and organizations. The task force would submit its draft within a month to the Foreign Employment Advisory Board. The new act aims to make the foreign employment sector transparent, less expensive, safe and honorable. Nepal Samacharpatra daily reports.