FRONT PAGERS

Tussle ahead for party, government

After remaining ‘captive of indecisiveness’ for a long time, Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai expanded the cabinet. Koirala has added 16 members to the cabinet to the 16-member cabinet he had formed earlier. The present council of ministers has besides the prime minister, 16 minister, 8 state ministers and 5 assistant ministers.

There are rumours again why Bhattarai did not choose anyone as deputy prime minister. According to one rumour he was advised by party president Girija Prasad Koirala not to have a deputy prime ministers.

The inclusion of Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat in the cabinet as foreign minister is considered meaningful. Similarly, the leaving of Ram Chandra Poudel and Sushil Koirala out of the cabinet is viewed from different angles— both positive and negative. It is said Koirala had refused to say anything about the expansion of the cabinet, saying ‘it was the Prime Minister’s prerogative’.

But the Koirala camp has taken 16 of the members of the cabinet as Bhattarai loyalists, six as Sher Bahadur Deuba’s men and only 9 belonging to the Koirala camp.

Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Deuba is being considered the successor of Bhattarai, so Bhattarai has 22 members loyal to him in the cabinet.

Though Koirala is remaining quiet on the formation of the government, it is considered the reconstitution of the party’s Central Committee, which is imminent in the near future, could be ‘dangerous’ to Bhattarai, Deuba and Chiranjibi Wagle. By keeping quiet, Koirala has effectively shut the door for Bhattarai supporters to grumble for not being included in the party’s central committee, the highest decision making body of the party. Now, Bhattarai will be forced to say the reconstitution of the party’s central committee is the prerogative of the party president, like Koirala said the formation of the government is the Prime Minister’s prerogative.

Now, if the government spends all its energy to make a shield against the party, it will not surprising if the government fails to deliver anything to the people.

(Nepalipatra, July 2, Friday)

Govt. should bring out White Paper on Gorkhas

They will get nothing if they win, neither will they lose anything if they are lose. The Gorkhas are fighting at Kargil, but the government is shying from giving any information about the Gorkhas fighting in Kargil.

Though the Indian press and electronic media are full of stories of ‘bravery’, and they are miserly about the news on Gurkhas. So, India is not even fulfilling the minimum diplomatic duty of informing the government here. It looks as if the two countries do not have any diplomatic relations and the Gorkhas fighting for India in Kargil are stateless persons.

It is not that the government here does not know about the use of Gorkhas soldiers in Kashmir. But the silence is mysterious. The Nepalese people are even barred from the information on how many Gorkhas soldiers are there in the Indian army and if Nepal gets any revenue from letting the Gorkhas serve in the Indian army, and if yes how much.

It is even said that a large share of the amount received for letting the recruitment of the Gorkhas (for foreign armies) is being gobbled by a power centre. This earning money by selling its citizens has been going on since almost two hundred years back. Intellectuals here have begun to say the government must issue a White Paper on the Gurkhas serving in the British and the Indian Army.

It is also paradoxical that the government media are taking the conflict in Kargil very lightly, and they are even miserly in giving reports the conflict. Other newspapers here are also being swayed by sentiments.

There are reports that there are almost 5,000 Gorkhas deployed in Kargil sent under the command of Brigadier General Sovit Bahadur Thapa, and dozens of Gorkha soldiers have been killed. There were sent there are Border Security Force. But the Indian government has remained quiet on those Border Security Force.

Why Government here is quiet? Under the tri-nation agreement, both India and Britain should seek the prior permission of the Nepalese government before using them in any conflict through the liaison officers. The military attaches in New Delhi and London also act as liaison officers for the Gorkha soldiers. But the government here has remained silent as a stone on whether prior approval was sought.

Though Krishna Prasad Bhattarai became prime minister by the votes here, he knows he can not stand in power without the blessing from the South. So, it is clear he will not open his mouth on this issue. On this, the opposition parties in the parliament are also not far behind. Only some who have squeaked have done so for fear of losing their votes.

It is time now, when the Gorkha bloods are being spilt in Kargil and Kosovo, the parliament should seriously discuss on the broad issues of the Gorkhas. Otherwise the death of Gorkhas in foreign lands will not mean more than the death of a dog on the street.

(Nepalipatra, July 2, Friday)

Danger of landmines

Last October 28, two brothers and their younger sister fell prey to a landmine which they were innocently playing with. These three youngsters of a family hailed from Manthali in Ramechap district.

Fourteen year old Saila Shrestha dies on the spot and his younger brother Gyan Bahadur Shrestha lost an eye. The youngest pf the lot, sister Suntali Shrestha suffered from injuries all over her body.

Similarly, three adults died in Sipaghat of Sindhupalchowk district when they too unknowingly touched a landmine. In Rolpa also one person of Budha Magar caste was injured by a landmine.

The landmines had been planted by the Maoists to kill police personnel. However, innocent citizens have been hurt when they unknowingly detonate such hidden mines.

Convenor of Ban Landmine Campaign Nepal Chapter Purna Shova Chitrakar has expressed the view that the use of landmines is some sort of a human rights violation as it has killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people world wide.

According to UNICEF about 26,000 people are killed or maimed by landmines and amongst them 30 to 40 per cent are children.

As landmines don’t have any discretion on whom it kills, these deadly weapons kill more innocents than those who have been targeted. Also as the mines are active even after years after a war has been over, it kills till decades later.

In Nepal also, many innocents and children are falling prey to home made explosives. It is also felt the danger of landmines have increased since the Maoist movement started. As there is little awareness about such things there is even more danger of inocents getting hurt.

(Aajako Samachar Patra, Sunday, July 4)

Attempt to drag King in plane deal

The election-government’s attempt to buy a plane for the Royal Nepalese Army had died down after the change in the government as well as the change of the Chief of the Army Staff. But those agents trying to sell the plane are beginning to revive with His Majesty the King’s visit to England for medial check-up in the second week of July. They are trying to arrange the people of the company meet the king and influence him to buy the plane.

During the election time, the buying of the plane was prohibited by the election code. Still, the government’s decision to buy a British Aerospace’s Avro RJ 100 plane for the army had become an issue. When the deal was nearing completion the media had uncovered the irregularity involved in the deal. The plane was quoted to be priced at Rs. 280 million more than it was quoted last December and Rs. 560 million more than the market price. Aviation experts had also called the aircraft unsuitable for Nepal.

Economically, the four-engine aircraft consumes more fuel and its maintenance cost was also too high. Even the tender was not called for the purchase of the aircraft. Now, the attempt to revive the deal and drag the King in the deal is being looked meaningful curiosity.

(Prakash, June 28, Monday)

LTTE activists in Kathmandu

The Sri Lankan President Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga is coming on a state visit to Nepal on Monday (today). The people looking after the president’s security have started to panic when at such a time several LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) activists have been arrested in Kathmandu. LTTE is the terrorist organisation fighting for the liberation of an area in Northern Sri Lanka which is mainly dominated by Tamils.

The police have started to keep strict vigilance over suspicious people. It is because of security reasons that the scheduled programme of the president to visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka, Patan Durbar Square, Godavari have been cancelled.

President Kumaratunga also wanted to go to Lumbini, but after security personnel reported that adequate security could not be provided there, that trip of the President has also been cancelled.

The seven persons of Sri Lankan origin, who were arrested from London Guest House at Gongabu and Empire Guest House at Sundhara are being interrogated by the police at Hanumandhoka.

The police had started to watch over suspicious people right from last Sunday. When they followed seven suspicious persons after receiving information from some sources, they were ledt to the guest houses in Gongabu and Sundhara from where the seven were arrested. They had been changing hotels almost on a daily basis.

Soon after they were arrested, they identified themselves as Pakistani nationals. Then later after interrogation they called themselves people of South Indian origin but later when their passports and other documents were checked, it was found out that they were Sri Lankan citizens.

The police suspecting that they definitely are members of the LTTE, are now closely interrogating them. Those arrested had tried to explain that by getting forged Indian passports from a commission agent, they were trying to go to Europe. However the police haven’t believed this saying of the arrested.

As this has been a very sensitive issue, the police are not making any public comments. Those looking after the President’s security while here in Nepal, are fearing that there may be other such people hiding at different places in Kathmandu.

(Deshanter weekly, Sunday, July 4)

Workers of Samyukta Janmorcha missing

Workers of the Samyukta Janmorcha party Rajendra Wagle, Yadav Khanal, Kedar Shrestha, Ramchandra Uprety and Krishna lama have been missing since the last two weeks. Wagle, Khanal and Shrestha. Who hail from Gorkha district, but now are living in Chitwan, are learnt to be responsible workers of the party. As the police had been regularly coming to the homes of these people for asking questions, family members suspect that they have been abducted by the police.

Meanwhile, the dead body of Krishna bahadur Basnet, a teacher has been found. Basnet had been taken from a shop at Soti Pasal in Lumjung district after police had severely beaten him up.

One other person, Dev Raj Poudel, who had been taken along with Basnet, has still not been found. Local residents say that the police took them just because while under the influence of alcohol, they had shouted "We are Maoists".

(Deshanter weekly, Sunday, July 4)

UML, Masal ties to end

The ties among the CPN-UML, United People’s Front and the National People’s Front is on the verge of collapse. These three parties had formed functional alliance during the election. The Masal supported Rastriya Janmorcha has five seats in the parliament.

The UML has claimed that the Masal has won the seat because of the support of the UML. However, the two smaller parties are not ready to accept this, but said that if it was not for them the UML would not have won in the three parliamentary seats of Kathmandu and Siraha.

The relations has soured after the leaders of those two small parties called the UML of being a opportunistic party and accused the UML as a big fish trying to eat the small fish.

The UML has also criticised the roles played by Chitra Bahadur K.C. of Masal and Lilamani Pokharel of the United People’s Front.

(Jan Bhawana, June 28, Monday)

Fast onto death

Labourers and employees of Biratnagar Jute Mills, the oldest jute mill of the country, have started fast unto death unless their demand are met. They had started their protest with relay hunger strike. When the government ignored their demand, they choose this several method. (Saptahik Janasatta, Saturday, July 3)

Chand to change name of his party

As former prime ministers Marich Man Singh Shrestha and Kirti Nidhi Bista and former ministers Mukunda Basnet, Tulasi Subba, Keshar Bahadur Bista etc. have agreed to go along with Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Chand), leaders of that party have started initiation to change name, flag and election symbol.

Last Thursday, Mohan Pokharel, Sonam Tshering Sherpa, Bhairav Man Shrestha and Ram Kumar Shrestha were instructed for making necessary preparation in changing (party’s) name, flag and election symbol and report to the party. On Thursday, they visited Election Commission and consulted about procedures.

Although most central members are against changing the name of the party, but the high ranking officials of the party feel that the party has no future without changing the name and the designation of the party.

(Saptahik Janasatta, Saturday, July 3)

Case filed against MPs’ facility

On behalf of Swotantra Bichar Manch, Bharat Jungum has filed a case in the Supreme Court against ‘special allowance’ given to the ex-MPs saying that the provision was not practical and out of morale. According to the legal provision, MPs completing one term in the parliament get 50 per cent of their salary, those with two terms get 60 per cent and those with three or more terms will get 75 per cent of the salaries they were drawing as special allowance.

(Saptahik Janasatta, Saturday, July 3)

Maoists to launch Aggressive programmes

Nepali Communist Party (Maoists) is to come out aggressively against present government. On the other hand the government has taken the issues as the problem of terrorism instead of political problem, and the government thinks it can solve the problem by using force.

In last two weeks, 21 Maoists have been killed in clash between the Maoists and police. The police suffered no casualty. This may have also encouraged the government to use force.

(Saptahik Janasatta, Saturday, July 3)

Koirala camp shocked after cabinet reshuffle

In less than 24 hours of the expansion of the cabinet, groupism has started within the Nepali Congress.

Influential leaders of Koirala group like Sushil Koirala and Ram Chandra Poudel, who was previous with Bhattarai group, have decided to go against the government. Former Speaker Poudel feels that the prime minister has conspired against him (by not taking him in the government). It may be recalled here that Sushil Koirala and Poudel had agreed one year ago that Poudel would become the prime minister and Koirala would take over the mantle of the party.

Although Poudel’s dissatisfaction might be a big loss to the government but it has established Sher Bahadur Deuba as stronger leader of the second generation. Besides Koirala and Bhattarai, Deuba holds the majority in party parliamentary committee. But MPs not appointed as minister may join Sushil and Poudel groups.

(Ghatana-Chakra, Saturday, July 3)

Smuggling of fake Indian currency

Two years back, a finance company of Kathmandu found out that Rs. 500,000 worth of Indian currency out of six million at its disposition were fake. Now, not only people, banks are afraid of doing transaction in Indian currency. Five workers of Salim Miya Ansari of NCP (ML) were arrested during the election period with fake Indian currency. It is believed that one of the major causes of his defeat in election was fake currency. International Mafia gang are all out in making and distributing fake Indian currency.

Such currencies are printed in Dubai and Pakistan and comes Kathmandu by air from Dubai and Pakistan. The notes are then sent to various parts of Indian through via Nepal.

(Bishwodeep, Saturday, July 3)

How tender was opened? nobody knows

The tender process has come under fire following the decision of Keshab Sthapit, Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, to award the contract of managing solid waste of Kathmandu and Lalitpur to Kedia Group and India’s Excel Company.The tender was called for making compost fertilizer from solid waste.

Sources say that six parties had submitted tenders. But when the tender was opened, nobody was present. Similarly, opening of tender was not made public and it was awarded to Kedia and Excel.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sthapit has also asked for a land of 150 ropani for the establishment of the factory to manage the solid waste.

(Patrika, Friday, July 2)

Plan & Policies lack vision

Policy and programme of the present government does not show that it will gear up the country in positive direction. Though Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai had repeatedly said that he had clear vision for giving right direction to the country. But the experts say the policy and programmes is without vision and PM Bhattarai’s leadership has become a failure in the very beginning.

The policy and programme does not speak in increasing the salary of government employees or empowering women. It has also neglected NC’s manifesto.

(Patrika, Friday, July 2)

Pain of political appointment

Most of the public enterprises are sliding down because of the political appointments done immediately after the formation of new governments.

Now the cabinet has been expanded. The government has been considering changing the appointments done by past government. It is learnt that the government has been considering changing General Managers, Chairmen and Board of Directors of corporations and ambassadors and advisors in various ministries.

The political parties have been appointing their workers or persons close with their ideology in the name of political appointments in various important administrative posts. It can be said that some sort of culture of making changes at the higher administrative posts has been set up.

However, no political parties have considered on the effect made due to political appointments.

(Patrika, Friday, July 2)

Koirala wants to be PM again

The Bhattarai-led government of the Nepali Congress has completed its first month in power. On the first day of the second month, yesterday, the government made public its policies and programmes through royal address. By next one and half week, the government will announce its budget. Emphasis has been given in alleviating poverty and solving unemployment problem, but no concrete programme has been given.

However, the Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala has taken a policy of "wait and see." According to sources, he has been keeping a close watch on all activities of Prime Minister Bhattarai.

While the cabinet was formed for the first time, only two persons - Mahesh Acharya and Ram Baran Yadav- supposed to supporter of Koirala, were taken in the cabinet.

Again, while the cabinet was expanded two more persons of Koirala lobby- Tarini Dutta Chataut and Ram Krishna Tamrakar - were taken in.

However, all the persons appointed in the communication sector are anti-Koirala persons. Despite these, Koirala has remained silent with certain objectives. According to the agreement between them, Bhattarai will be given a free hand to run the government for a period of one year. Thereafter, Koirala will be prime minister. Koirala hopes that if he did not create trouble for a year, he will not be given trouble during his tenure also.

(Sarathi, Friday, July 2)

Killer milk in Kathmandu

Kathmandu valley consumes 400,000 litres milk per day. But this milk is not supplied by collecting milk from in and around Kathmandu valley. As the demand for mils has been increasing, it has been revealed that the government and private dairies have been earning money selling ‘adulterated and even contaminated milk’ to the consumers.

Eight years back, Dairy Development Corporation had earned thousands of rupees by doing business of power milk importing butter oil from India. It has been found that butter oil may cause cancer. Presently, the private dairies have been using butter oil while making milk.

(Sarathi, Friday, July 2)

Palanaswami carrying briefcase

Activities of Palanaswami, commission agent of India’s infamous chief minister Jayalalitha of Tamil Nadu state, has increased in Nepal following the formation of Nepali Congress government. He has been trying to bag the Nepal Tea Development Corporation. He has been visiting NC power centres and Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya carrying big gifts. He has already talked about commission with Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya.

It was only because of the public pressure, that the privatisation of Nepal Tea Development Corporation was stopped.

(Sambodhan, Friday, July 2)

Man Mohan Academy to be announced

To make President Man Mohan Adhikary’s memory and contribution long lasting, Nepal Communist Party (UML) is to set up Man Mohan Memorial Academy. Sadhana Adhikary, Adhikary’s widow, will become the patron of the Academy.

(Sambodhan, Friday, July 2)

ML launched Campaign

Nepal Communist Party (ML), which was badly defeated in the general election, is to start expansion and strengthening of the party. Party General Secretary Bam Dev Gautam is to take part in various programme scheduled to launch from today.

(Jana Dharana, Thursday, July 1)

Nepalese dying in Kargil increasing

Nepalese citizens dying in the India-Pakistan war has been increasing. It is estimated that the number of Gorkha soldiers who have died in Kargil, Tiger Hills and Drass regions has crossed 100. The number of Gorkha army under treatment in military hospitals of Chandigarh and New Delhi has crossed 350. But the Defense Ministry of India has kept all the figures secret.

According to an international source, India has deployed 24,000 ground troops and air force in Kargil. Among the ground troop, 16,000 are Gorkhas and remaining are Punjabi and Jats.

(Jana Dharana, Thursday, July 1)

It is worthless jumbo cabinet

"It is a jumbo cabinet. I like to say it jet cabinet. What to comment about such worthless cabinet/" said Palten Gurung of Nepali Congress who was elected unopposed from Manang district in the general election. It was believed that he would be taken in the cabinet. Unexpectedly he was thrown out. He says justice has not been done to him. "Moral of party and workers was heightened as I was elected unopposed. Now, there is a conspiracy against me," says Gurung.

(Shree Suryodaya, Thursday, July 1)

In the name of Space Time

Victims of Space Time Network has provided us additional information following a news publication on Space Time Network and its’ Chairman Jamim Shah. Accordingly, Space Time has been charging three time of the price of cable from customers. In the market, the cable is available at Rs. 10 per metre but the Network has been charging Rs. 30 per metre. Similarly, it has been collecting VAT from customers but has not deposited that in the government’s exchequer. While providing sub-lines it charges an addition fifty per cent of the amount to the customers.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that Jamim Shah has been planning to set up an airlines. Jamim Shah had requested with various airlines to take his as partner. It is because of his suspicious character, he was rejected.

(Shree Suryodaya, Thursday, July 1)