Over 6000 Pass The Korean Language Test
The results of the recently held Korean language test – as the first step to recruiting Nepali workers for jobs in South Korea – have been published. The Korean selectors have notified that 6772 have passed the language test. "This does not, however, mean that all of them will be eligible for job recruitment in South Korea. They will now have to undergo standard medical check-up following which their name will be enlisted in a roster," said Keshar Bahadur Baniya, director general of Department of Labor and Employment Promotion. "The Korean employers will choose workers they want from that roster," Baniya added. Over 31,500 people had appeared in the language test. Compiled from reports
School Operators Warned Not To Collect Exorbitant Fees
All Nepal National Independent Students' Union-Revolutionary (ANNISU-R), a Maoist-affiliated student wing, on Saturday (Apr 19), expressed serious concern about the collection of fees under different heads, including admission fee, by state-owned and private schools. The union said it was breach of the 19-point agreement reached with the union last year and it would take action against such schools that were charging exorbitant fees from the students and parents against the accord. "We request all government schools to admit students without charging any fee until the next government is formed and another provision is introduced to address the issue," said Lekhnath Neupane, the president of the union, at a press conference. He also requested the parents not to pay fees under any head. Private school owners had signed a 19-point accord with the union some 11 months ago. As per the accord, schools are not supposed to charge admission fee each year and not hike fees unilaterally. The union said the private schools have been fleecing students and parents. "The decision to hike the fees by private schools is against the agreement," Neupane said, adding, "We request all private schools to stop collecting additional fees immediately." The private schools had a few weeks ago decided to hike fees by 20 percent beginning this academic session. "We will be forced to fight against such schools if the problem persisted," he warned. However, Neupane clarified that his union would not go for physical action against such schools, but will opt for social and legal means to solve the problem. Neupane also urged the government to advertise vacancy for 62,000 teachers and hire them through free competition. The union demanded that the royal palace and the property of the royal family be nationalized and utilized for the development of education sector. Leading dailies report
BJP Hopes Nepal Govt Won't Be Anti-Hindu
Jittery over the win of Maoists in Nepal elections, India's main opposition party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has expressed hopes that Nepal won't be anti-Hindu. The BJP welcomed the results of the constituent assembly in a statement issued on Friday (Apr 18). The statement released after an extended meeting of the party's central office bearers said, "Till recently, Nepal was a Hindu nation and because it was a Hindu nation, it dealt equitably with its citizens belonging to other faiths. Now, Nepal is being declared a secular State. We hope that under the new dispensation, Nepal will not become anti-Hindu and anti-India." Compiled from reports
Indian Envoy Reassures India's 'Active Support' To Nepal
Indian Ambassador to Nepal Shiva Shankar Mukherjee has reiterated that India will continue to extend its support to the future CPN-Maoist led government. He also said that the Indian government is 'happy' with the political changes in Nepal. Talking to media persons at the TU Teaching Hospital where he had reached to enquire about the health condition of journalist Rishi Dhamala Thursday (Apr 17), Mukherjee said that since the Maoists have got the people's mandate, the new government to be formed under its leadership would have "full support" of India. "India respects the aspiration of the Nepalese people," he said, adding that his country would continue to help Nepal's peace process in the coming days also. The Indian envoy further said that
India has since long been wishing to see establishment of a sustainable peace and improvement of democratic values in Nepal, and expressed hope that the political parties would work in cooperation to ensure the smooth running of the government. Earlier Mukherjee had said that India will go by the wishes of the people of Nepal and "actively work" with whichever party forms the government in Nepal. Compiled from reports
MJF Ready To Support Future Maoist Govt: Yadav
Coordinator of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) Upendra Yadav has pledged support to the would-be government led by the CPN (Maoist). Yadav said this while addressing a function in Lahan of Siraha district on Wednesday (Apr 16). There has not been any deliberation within the party on whether to join the next government. The MJF chief also said that his party wants to improve the relationship with the Maoists. The two parties are at odds for quite a long time, and the relations worsened after 27 Maoist cadres were killed in a deadly massacre in Rautahat in March 2007 which, the Maoists claim, was incited by the MJF. Having received surprisingly positive results in the constituent assembly polls, the MJF has emerged as a major political force in Terai and appears to have gained a bargaining power as the future Maoist government will need strong coalition support. Compiled from reports
NC Cries Foul Over Election Violence And Irregularities; Decides To Accept Its Result
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The Nepali Congress (NC), which faced a stunning defeat in the recent Constituent Assembly (CA) election, has said that the elections were not held in peaceful and fearless environment. "Elections did not take place in easy atmosphere. There were pre-poll psychological intimidation, physical attacks, threats, booth capturing and even post-election intimidation in many places across the country," said Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, leader of NC, addressing a press meet, Thursday (Apr 17). He, however, said the party will accept the result due to larger concern for peace process. "We will actively carry out our duty towards peace process and constitution-making exercise," he said. Dr. Mahat also said that NC will not immediately walk out of the current government. "Our party president is the prime minister and is also working as acting head of state. He does not have the freedom to walk out of the government like other parties," he said. Dr. Mahat said that the formal decision of the party to remain in the government even after the first meeting of the constituent assembly will be taken after the central working committee meeting of April 24. The informal meeting of the Nepali Congress central working committee (CWC) members available in the capital held Thursday decided to hold its meeting on April 24 to discuss party's defeat in the polls. The party has asked its central committee members to attend the meeting compulsorily. The party has already asked the district committee to send the reports assessing the cause party's defeat in the polls. The central committee will review the past loopholes and chalk out strategies for future. Compiled from reports
Dismantle YCL: Nepal Advises Prachanda
The immediate past general secretary of the Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) Madhav Kumar Nepal has advised Maoist chairman Prachanda to dismantle Young Communist League (YCL), reports Kantipur daily. During his meeting with the Maoist chief, Nepal said that dissolving YCL and turning the Maoists into non-military organization would help the UML in continuing with its cooperation in the joint government. Prachanda and Dr. Baburam Bhattarai had met with Nepal, Thursday, to coax him to ensure that UML is a part of Maoist-led government to be formed after the Constituent Assembly (CA) meets. The daily quotes sources as saying that Nepal termed YCL and its anarchic activities as obstruction in such cooperation and coalition. He cited recent examples of vandalism of UML candidate's residence in Dang; atrocities in Dhading and urged Prachanda to dissolve such outfit and play role of the large party. Compiled from reports
A Lady Journo Eyes Everest Ascent
A lady journalist is preparing to scale the Mt Everest. Shaili Basnet, a journalist associated with Himal Khabarpatrika, who has completed training for mountain ascent, said, "I will be successful." She will be a member of the First Inclusive Women Everest Expedition. On Wednesday (Apr 16), the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) wished her all the success. Earlier, journalist Ang Chhiring Sherpa had become the first journalist to scale the world's highest mountain. Compiled from reports
Prachanda To Head New Govt, Says Ready To Talk To King
Maoist chairman Prachanda has said that he himself will lead the next government as per the people's mandate expressed through the election. "I will soon come before you by taking the reins of leadership of first republican government," Prachanda told voters of Kathmandu 10 constituency on Saturday (Apr 19). Meanwhile, he has said that in order to implement republic and to bring about graceful exit of monarchy, he is ready to talk to King Gyanendra. Prachanda informed that he has started initiatives by talking with other political parties and diplomatic missions. "The King will not be removed forcefully or dishonorably," Prachanda said, adding, "We have started talks with people close to the King." Incidentally, Prachanda and senior Maoist leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai had met with Kamal Thapa, president of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP-Nepal) - a pro monarchy party - on Friday. Prachanda also said that if the King accepts the people's mandate, he will not face any action for past activities and could engage in normal business or even politics. The Maoists appear aware about the wrong message any forceful eviction of monarchy could send inside and outside the country. "We can present another surprise to the world by holding talk with (the King) about removal. If needed, I myself am willing to hold formal talks with him," Prachanda told Kantipur. Meanwhile, Dr. Bhattarai has said that while removing monarchy, they could provide the outgoing King with economic, social and cultural rights and benefits. In an interview with Bahas talk program of Nepal Television on Saturday, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai said, "We want to bid farewell to the King in an honorable and respectful manner. He can be given economic, social and cultural rights." Dr. Bhattarai did not elaborate what kind of cultural rights could be given. But he hinted that the King could be provided with 'allowances.' Compiled from reports
