His Majesty felicitates

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KATHMANDU, Nov. 18: His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has extended cordial felicitations to His Majesty Qaboos Bin Said Al Said, Sultan of Oman, on the occasion of the National Day of Sultanate of Oman.

In a message, His Majesty has wished for the health and happiness of His Majesty the Sultan of Oman and for the progress and prosperity of the people of Oman.

His Majesty has also expressed the confidence that the friendly relations between the two countries would grow further in the years to come.

Similarly, His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has greeted Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of the Republic of Latvia, on the occasion of the Independence Day of Latvia.

In a message, His Majesty the King has, on behalf of the people and government of Nepal and on His Majesty's own, extended cordial felicitations and best wishes for the personal health and happiness of the Latvian President as well as for the progress and prosperity of the people of Latvia.

Congratulations

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KATHMANDU, Nov. 18: Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has also extended sincere congratulations to His Majesty Qaboos Bin Said Al Said, Sultan of Oman. On the occasion of the National Day of Sultanate of Oman.

In a message, Prime Minister Chand has wished for the Sultan's good health and happiness as well; as progress and prosperity of the people of Oman.

Likewise, Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has congratulated Andris Berzins, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Latvia.

In a message, Prime Minister Chand has wished good health and happiness to the Latvian Premier as well as progress and prosperity of the people of Latvia.

Curfew imposed in Sindhupalchok

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CHAUTARA, Nov. 17: The District Administration Office, Sindhupalchok has issued an overnight curfew order to be effective from 8:00 pm to 4:00 am everyday from November 17 to December 15.
The curfew order will be effective in all wards of Chautara VDC, Sano Sirubari VDC-2 to Pipaldanda VDC-2 and to Kubinde VDC-4.

Likewise, the order will also be applicable in the Sakhuwa, Jambu, Kukhuregaon, Maneswara VDCs and the adjoining region, Araniko Highway, Sunkoshi Bazaar, Lamosanghu, Khadichaur, Adheri and Balefi Bazaar.

Multiparty democracy best system: Mandal

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SIRAHA, Nov. 17: Deputy Prime Minister Badri Prasad Mandal has said as constitutional monarchy and multiparty democracy is the best system, everyone including the King, political parties and the people should become united to safeguard the system.

The Deputy Prime Minister made this remark while unveiling the statute installed at Chapararichok of Dhangadi VDC-1 of Siraha on the occasion of the 564th Memorial Day of Mahakabi Bidhyapati of Maithili language here today.

The general public has not yet enjoyed the fruits of democracy even after 12 years of its restoration as a result of absence of any programmes to uplift their economic standard, Mandal said, adding that the present government will soon begin giving subsidy in loans for the public and has introduced a package programme for the development of the agriculture sector.

Chairperson of the Vidhyapati Statue Construction Committee Khublal Chaudhary presided.

Meanwhile, giving directives to government office chiefs at Lahan, the Deputy Prime Minister said all office chiefs should beware of the present circumstances and give attention towards maintain security in their respective offices.

He also directed the office chiefs to carry out the work of the people visiting their offices with a cooperative feeling.

On the occasion, acting CDO of Siraha Bed Prakash Lekhak expressed commitment on behalf of all the employees to work as per the policy and programmes of His Majesty's Government.

Meanwhile in Biratnagar, Deputy Prime Minister and acting national president of Nepal Sadbhawana Party (NSP) Badri Prasad Mandal has said that the prime responsibility of the present government is to maintain law and order and foster a national consensus and good governance.

He made this remark while addressing a programme organised by the NSP Morang here today in his honour.

On the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Mandal said the present government is committed to His Majesty and Nepalese people and the post of Deputy Prime Minister is committed to them in the same manner.

His Majesty has honoured the people of the Terai region by entrusting the responsibility of Deputy PM to me, he said and called on all to contribute from their respective positions to making this post a dignified one.

Mandal further said the government is working to bring out a new programme in the near future to provide citizenship certificates smoothly and also a new programme on systematising the sale of seeds and fertiliser for the development of the agricultural sector.

He said as part of providing services to farmers and the general public, reform has been effected in the processes of repaying of loans and interest by farmers at the Agriculture Development Bank.

Decision on POL price-hike soon: Dr. Shrestha

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Nov 17: Minister for Finance Dr. Badri Prasad Shrestha has said that the government would take timely and appropriate decisions regarding price hike of petroleum products.

Talking to media people here today, he said that the government was doing the necessary homework to review the price of petroleum (POL) products.

The government is mulling over the price and involving private sector to import POL products. The decision would be made very soon, he said.

Hinting at the possibility of a price hike of POL products, Minister Shrestha said that there was a big difference in the price of petroleum products that need to be narrowed down and some effective mechanism should be introduced to discourage adulteration of kerosene and petrol.

According to Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), Nepal spends Rs 13-14 billion in importing various POL products each year.

Threat of bombs halts highway transportation

By Our Correspondent

DANG, Nov. 17: Transportation came to a complete halt on the East West Highway in Deukhuri Valley in Mid West Nepal for five hours Sunday after Maoists planted bombs and laid electric ambushes on the road.

The Maoists had placed these bombs at various points from Amiliya of Satbariya Village Development Committee (VDC) in Dang district till Samsergunj in neighbouring Bardiya district. According to the security forces, transportation came to a standstill on the busy highway from 10:30 in the morning till 3:30 in the afternoon.

The terrorists had planted gagri (water vessel) bombs, bucket bombs and booby traps along the highway, said Superintendent of Police (SP) of Dang district Purna Singh Khadka. "They also dug up the highway at different points and created road barriers by felling trees.

SP Khadka said that the security forces stationed in both Dang and Bardiya had begun working from 11 in the morning to defuse the bombs and clear the road blocks. The highway was reopened to traffic at 3:30 after the bomb disposal unit finally defused the powerful bombs.

Eight killed in Kathmandu bound bus mishap

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Nov. 17: Eight passengers were killed, seven of them on the spot, when a night bus, on its way to Kathmandu from Sarlahi fell into the Junge Khola (river) at Satkilo, Dharke, about 30 kilometres northwest of Kathmandu, in Dhading district today.

One more died while being brought to Kathmandu for treatment. Forty-two others were injured in the accident. The injured have been brought to Kathmandu for treatment.

Govt firm to revive ailing eonomy

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Nov. 17: Economists and industrialists accused the government of turning a blind eye to the major problems facing the country. They expressed apprehension as to how the government's new 'economic reform package and 38-point relief programme' would help address the current crisis.
The government has entirely failed to address the problem, they said. Former finance ministers and industrialists demanded that the government initiate work towards tackling the Maoist problem and maintaining peace and security.

Minister for Finance and Education Dr. Badri Prasad Shrestha reiterated the government's commitment to revive the ailing economy and maintaining peace and security.

Speaking to the media people at a programme organised by the Reporters Club, Minister Shrestha clarified that the government was just trying to give continuity to the programmes of the previous government in the form of a new package. "But we are trying to introduce measures to address the current economy and provide some relief to the needy people," he added.

"We are facing a credibility gap. We have failed to meet our commitment made during the meeting of Nepal Development Forum and London meet", he added.

Regarding the budget for the relief programmes, Minister Shrestha affirmed that the fund would be managed through intra-budgetary restructuring. He also informed that the government would gear up the process of privatising the public enterprises and intensify the cost controlling measures to rescue the economy.

Commenting on the reform package of the government, former Finance Minister Dr. Ramsharan Mahat termed its as an "imitation of the programme he introduced in the past."

There is nothing new, he said, adding, " The government should have introduced new programmes to boost the economy.

He emphasised that either the parliament be restored or general elections be held as early as possible for the consolidation of democracy.

Expressing sour remarks on the government's performance, another former Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikary said, "It has failed to address the exisiting problem. It is going to be out of track."
Adhikary also pointed out the need to take corrective measures to rectify errors while forming the new government a month ago.

Regarding the implementation of the new economic programmes, he said "The reform package is not the priority, the government should know its objectives."

Second vice president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) said that the government has to yet fulfilled its commitment to provide industrial security. The government should be serious about the vulnerability of the economy, he added.

Terrorists blast bombs at NEA office

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Nov. 17: A group of terrorists exploded bombs at the sub-station of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) at Minbhawan early Sunday morning, causing extensive damage to the transformer and office building. They also vandalised 13 vehicles parked in the compound. The attack came at 6:45 in the morning, but no one was injured.

According to the ward Police office at Baneshwor, a gang of about seven armed terrorists forcefully entered the NEA building and threatened the guard, Bishnu Prasad Bhetwal, at gunpoint not to make any noise. They then began vandalising the office. They also set fire to a vehicle, and smashed the window pane of the remaining 12.

They had tried to set fire to the other vehicles also by pouring kerosene over them, but they failed to catch fire. At the same time, some others planted a powerful bomb below the transformer.

The bomb exploded as soon as the terrorist ran away, and the blast made a hole in the transformer, causing the transformer oil to leak. Fortunately the transformer failed to explode, and a disaster was averted.

The blast, however, damaged the electricity control room, godown, office building besides shattering the windowpanes of a house nearby belonging to Ram Krishna Thapa.

In another terrorist act, the Maoists exploded two bombs at Jyoti Academy situated at Dhonlahiti of Lalitpur Saturday evening.

A group of about seven armed terrorists forcefully entered the school and threatened the guard at gun point. They then exploded powerful bombs in the admission room and computer room. The rooms have been totally damaged. The terrorists also hurled petrol bombs at four vehicles, including three school buses. One bus was completely burnt down and the others were damaged, but are repairable.
This is not the first time the Maoists have attacked private schools. A few months back, they had attacked Chandbagh School at Bansbari and Galaxy Public School at Gyaneswor in Kathmandu. Prior to that, they had exploded bombs at Elite Co-Ed., Kathmandu and Small Heaven School in Chitwan. Hundreds of public schools in the rural areas have been destroyed by the Maoists.

Meanwhile, another report said the Maoists exploded a powerful bomb in the Road Division Office of the Department of Roads at Bhaktapur and caused damage worth millions of rupees.

Nepal stresses King, parties unity to resolve issues

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KATHMANDU, Nov. 17: general secretary of the CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal has said that the country's serious problems should be resolved by the King and the political parties together at the highest level.

Talking to journalists at a programme organised by the CPN-UML Lumbini/Rapti Zonal Liaison Forum here today, he said the problems confronting the nation today should not be taken lightly. Drastic steps are needed to address those problems, he stressed.

Replying a query, he made it clear that his party would not join the government but extend co-operation and best wishes to the presented government if it was invested with the executive powers.

On the occasion, general secretary Nepal released 'Kaande Ghariko Yatra-Afnai Katha' a book of personal experiences by Kabita Poudel, 'Bhumigat Yatra Ka Bis Barsa', a political travelogue by MP Devendra Ghimire and 'Baicharik Bichalan Ko Bhumarima Maobadi Andolan' a political analysis by former MP Prakash Jwala.

Addressing the progamme, general secretary Nepal called on the comrades in the party to pen down their experiences and feelings.

MP Yuba Raj Gyawali, former MPs Jhalanath Khanal, Shankar Pokharel, Pradip Gyanwali and Bidya Bhandari, Bishnu Prabhat and a host of other party leaders and cadres expressed their views.

President of the CPN-UML Lumbini Zone Liaison Forum Babu Ram Devkota presided over the programme.