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VOL. 27, NO. 22, February 08, 2007 (Magh 25 2064 B.S.)
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GREEN NEPAL PARTY HAS DEMANDED TO FORM A neutral government to hold the CA election. In its recent working committee meeting, the party condemned all highhanded acts. Government established by Janandolan II has declared itself all powerful and hence has ignored the demand of other parties to form neutral government to conduct CA polls as per democratic practices. GNP holds the SPA responsible for increase in regional, communal and criminal politics due to their short sightedness and incompetence. It said due to negligence of leading parties, the CA election was postponed twice in the past. The party doubts whether the election could be held on date set for 10th April looking at the deteriorating law and order situation. GNP feels that people are scared of rising incidence of murder, violence, maladministration, scarcity and foreign interference. Issued by party chairman Kuber Sharma, the press statement said to end the destabilization in the country the GNP party insists on holding election as per schedule. For that leaders of seven parties mush show sincerity and magnanimity to dissolve the present nominated interim parliament and cabinet and form neutral government together with parties outside the government and parliament.
PRIME MINISTER GIRIJA PRASAD KOIRALA has said he is ready to meet all the just demands made by disgruntled Madhesi parties if they show readiness to take part in the forthcoming constituent assembly election. "I want to tell the Madhesi friends that they just need to become ready to participate in the elections, then it will be for me to meet all the just demands they are raising," Prime Minister Koirala said addressing a function organized to inaugurate the new block of Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre in Kathmandu Tuesday (Jan 29) afternoon. Stressing that only dialogue can resolve the Terai problem, the Prime Minister also urged the Terai groups to come to the negotiating table. He said he was fully committed to hold the CA polls on time. This was Koirala's first public appearance after two weeks of complete bed rest due to bad health. During his 10-minute long speech at the function, the Prime Minister also blamed the media for the negative hype about his health condition recently and said that he was hale and hearty now. Sources said the octogenarian Prime Minister, who has been suffering from multiple health complications for a long time, attended the function despite the advice of his doctors for complete rest for a couple of days more. Meanwhile, with the construction of new block in the hospital at the estimated cost of Rs 120 million, it will be able to serve 180 in-patients – up from current 80 patients.
THE FIRST MONTH OF THE YEAR 2008 has revived the hope of expanding tourism industry with increasing inflow of tourists in the country. In January, tourist arrival has increased by around 13 percent compared to the same month last year, up by 2,895 numbers. According to Nepal Tourism Board, although the month saw decline in the arrivals from India (-12.2 percent) and Sri Lanka (-12.5 percent) that dragged down the total arrivals from SAARC region by 7 percent, the European and North American markets have registered robust growth of 33.1 percent and 34.3 percent respectively. Chinese tourist arrival increased by 96.8 percent, South Korean by 5.1 percent, Thai by 23.2 percent and Malaysian by 12.1 percent. Korean market contributed more than 10 percent in the total arrivals and it is due to direct flight between Kathmandu and Seoul, NTB said. In contrast, Japanese market is down by 15.3 percent, which could be due to irregular air service of national flag carrier, NAC, to Japan, the board said. European markets have shown positive growth this month, except Austria (-7.5 percent). The UK registered 33.9 percent growth, France 78.5 percent, Germany 4.5 percent, Spain 28.5 percent, and Netherlands registered 36.5 percent growth in tourist arrival showing increased consumer confidence towards this destination, the board said.
THE DAILY POWER CUT INCREASED to eight hours from current six hours beginning Friday (Feb 1). The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has said that it had to increase the hours of load shedding since the Kulekhani powerhouse needs to be repaired. According to Sher Singh Bhat, chief of Load Dispatch Center of NEA, there is total demand of 10 million units of power everyday in the country. The NEA is experiencing shortfall of 2.4 million units. The shutdown of Kulekhani for around two weeks for repair and maintenance will further cut NEA's supply capacity by 300,000 units. As per new schedule, every household faces 8 hours of load shedding for three days and 7.5 hours for three days while each of them can enjoy one day without any power cut.
THE GREEN NEPAL PARTY PRESIDENT PUSP LUINTEL recently met with Simon Hughes, the president of the Liberal Democrats of the United Kingdom. He discussed issues of mutual interest, situation in Nepal and about GNP.
