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VOL. 27, NO. 43, July11 , 2008 (Ashadh 27 2065 B.S.)
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THE CABINET MEETING, TUESDAY (July 1), decided to extend the term of United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) by six months. The term of UNMIN was going to expire on July 23. The cabinet has also decided to reduce the size of UNMIN. The government will need to request the United Nations formally for the extension of its tenure. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the cabinet is expected to endorse the name of 26 nominees for the Constituent Assembly membership. They have been nominated by nine different parties. Compiled from reports
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Along with 23 new members, Rajendra khetan (fourth from right) ,an industrialist, is also swor in by CA chair KB Furung |
A COMMITTEE FORMED TO REVIEW the salaries and allowances of government employees has recommended increasing their salaries by at least 20 percent in the forthcoming budget. The committee headed by chief secretary Bhojraj Ghimire has made the recommendations based on the report prepared by Pay Commission 2061, reports Kantipur daily. The committee has handed over its suggestions to the Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat on Thursday (July 3). If the government increases salaries as per this recommendation, it will need to bear additional expense of Rs 8 billion. At present, the government spends Rs 40 billion annually on salaries and allowances, which is 55 percent of the total revenue. The recommendation for pay hike has come amid spiraling rate of inflation, which is set to hit 10 percent this year.
THE TOURIST ARRIVAL BY AIR DURING THE MONTH of June has decreased by seven percent compared to same time last year. However, the figures released by Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) shows that visitor arrival to Nepal increased by six percent with a total of 177,163 visitors till June 2008. In the European market, Netherlands and Denmark recorded a strong increase by 20 percent and 35 percent respectively. Among the major tourist generating markets, UK and France registered a growth of 2 percent and 8 percent whereas USA and Spain had a negative growth of 7 percent each and Germany 31 percent. The Indian market recorded a negative growth of 8 percent. Nevertheless, this market alone contributed 52 percent in the total arrivals for June. In total, the Asian market registered a commendable upsurge in arrivals with a notable rise of 64 percent from Bangladesh, 73 percent from Pakistan, 46 percent from Sri Lanka and 42 percent from Singapore.
EX-CROWN PRINCE PARAS SHAH has left for Singapore where he is said to be planning to settle with his family. He left for Singapore by a Silk Air plane Tuesday (July 1) afternoon, accompanied by his brother-in-law Raj Bahadur Singh. There was no special security arrangement for the ex-Crown Prince when he arrived at the international airport. His wife Himani and three children will fly to Singapore in a few days, reports said. During his stay there, he will also find a school for his two daughters and a son.
SPECIAL COURT OF THE NEPAL ARMY has upheld the earlier decision of NA's general court to expel one of its personnel on charge of being 'lesbian'. According to Kantipur daily, Bhakti Shah, undergoing training at Bhaktapur Kharipati, has been expelled. NA's court of general inquiry had slapped such action on her along with 60-day in custody a year ago. She was accused of having relations with one of the female members in the camp. Blue Diamond Society had made an appeal at the upper authority of the NA for revision of the verdict. The Special Court cancelled the action to send her to custody for 60 days, which she had already undergone. The Supreme Court last year had asked the government to treat 'third sex' at par with others in all government facilities and services, recognizing their identity.
THE SWISS GOVERNMENT HAS PROVIDED a grant assistance of Rs 232.02 million to Nepal for two different projects. Country Director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in Nepal, Jean-Marc Clavel, and Krishna Gyawali, a Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, signed the aid agreement during a function at the ministry on Thursday (July 3). Out of the amount, Rs 162.02 million will be spent for controlling carbon emission from brick kilns in the Kathmandu Valley while Rs 70 million will be spent on a research on species of maize found in hilly region
