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VOL. 27, NO. 46, August 01 , 2008 (Shrawan 17 2065 B.S.)
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PRESIDENT DR. RAM BARAN YADAV OBSERVED the traditional 'Bhoto Jatra' of Rato Machhindranath, the deity of rain, at Jawalakhel in Lalitpur Saturday (Jul 26) evening. The President arrived at the function at around 5pm and stayed there for around half an hour. Nepal Army gave him guard of honor as he arrived at the venue. This was his maiden official public appearance since he assumed office as the first president of republican Nepal. Thousands of ordinary people had thronged to Jawalkhel to witness the Bhoto Jatra. Vice President Parmananda Jha, who courted controversy by taking oath of office in Hindi language, appeared at the chariot function in official dress, Daura-Suruwal. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, Chief Justice Kedar Prasad Giri, ministers and senior government officials were also present on the occasion. Prime Minister Koirala had observed last year's Bhoto Jatra which in previous years would be observed by the King. The Bhoto Jatra marks the end of the chariot procession of the rain God, which continues for several weeks around different parts of Kathmandu and Lalitpur.
AT A TIME WHEN VICE PRESIDENT Paramananda Jha's use of Hindi while taking the oath of office has sparked outrage and nationwide protests, a civil writ has been filed at the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday (Jul 25) demanding nullification of the oath taken by the Vice President. Advocate Bal Krishna Neupane filed the writ claiming that Vice President Jha's use of Hindi went against the legal provision in the interim constitution. The writ demands that the oath be scrapped and the Vice President take the oath again in Nepali. Vice President Jha had taken the oath of office and secrecy before President Dr Ram Baran Yadav amidst a ceremony at the Presidential residence in Sital Niwas on Wednesday. Clad in Nepali attire President Dr Yadav had taken the oath in the Nepali language while the Vice President, who was dressed in what seemed like an Indian lawmaker's outfit, translated the oath which was written in Nepali and said it in Hindi. The incident has sparked protests across the country.
THE FINANCE MINISTRY ON FRIDAY (Jul 25) released Rs 36 million to pay one month's (July 16-August 16) daily wage to the Maoist combatants living in cantonments. "The ministry has released funds for the daily wages of the combatants," said an official at the Office of the Central Coordination Committee for Cantonment Management. The government has been providing Rs 60 per person per day to over 19,000 Maoist combatants verified by the United Nations Mission in Nepal.
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The newly elected chairman of Constituent Assembly takes oath of office from the president |
FORMER SPEAKER AND CPN (UML) LEADER Subas Nemwang has been elected unopposed as the chairman of the Constituent Assembly (CA). Acting CA chairman K.B Gurung announced in Thursday's (Jul 24) session that Nemwang had been elected to the post unopposed. The meeting also passed an amendment proposal on the CA procedures. Nemwang was the sole candidate for the post. Fourteen political parties including Nepali Congress (NC) and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) had supported Nemwang for the post. UML, NC and MJF had reached an agreement last week according to which UML CA members voted NC and MJF candidates for the President and Vice President respectively while getting support for its candidate for the CA chair. Nemwang was the Speaker of the interim legislature parliament. He had been elected to the CA from Ilam-2. Meanwhile the newly elected CA chairman has urged all the political parties to work together so that the country would get a new constitution within the stipulated time. Speaking to journalists after the acting chairman Kul Bahadur Gurung announced his election to the post, Nemwang said the political impasse over the last three months has delayed the constitution making process. Stressing the need for cooperation among the political parties in the House, Nemwang also expressed hope that a new government would be in place very soon.
THE NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT of Nepal Dr. Ram Baran Yadav received congratulatory notes from far and near. British Queen Elizabeth has sent a message of congratulations to president Dr. Yadav. "My government and I look forward to continuing cooperation and excellent relations between our two countries. I wish you success in helping Nepal as it takes forward the important reform process. I send you and the people of Nepal my best wishes for the future," the message reads. Likewise, the President of India Pratibha Devisingh Patil has also sent a letter congratulating President Dr. Yadav on his election. "Your election as President represents a new chapter in Nepal's historic democratic transition. I am confident that Nepal would progress further on the path of peace, democracy and development," her message reads. "As a close friend and neighbor, India remains steadfast in its commitment to support Nepal in this critical transition. We attach the highest priority to further developing our close and multi-faceted relationship with Nepal. I look forward to working with you towards further strengthening the understanding and cooperation between our two countries," it further reads. The governments of China, United States, Pakistan, among others, have also sent similar congratulatory messages.
