Joint office to be opened for Pancheshwore DPR

 Nepal and India have agreed to open a joint project office involving high level technicians of both the countries for the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Pancheshwor multi-purpose project under the Mahakali Treaty.

The decision was taken by the 12 meeting of the joint commission. The meeting was held  from August 3 to 5 at New Delhi.

According to the spokesman oat the Ministry of Water Resources, Maheshman Shrestha there will also be branch offices at Ratnagiri,Purneshwore and Tanakpur of India to collect informations. The meeting agreed  to prepare the DPR of Pancheswore project, establishment of a hydro monitoring station at Rupaligadh and Purnagiri of India, the Slip way map of the site of the dam of Pancheshwore and the construction of roads to the project site among others.

According to Shrestha India wil provide the cost for the works at present and later HMG/N will bear some of the cost. Kishorebabu Aryal, Director General of the Power Development Centre had led the Nepalese delegation which also included Shital Babu Regmi of the Department of Irrigation, Sharada Prasad Sharma of Ministry of Water Resources and  and Purna Bhadra Adiga, special secretary at the Water Energy Commission.

(Aajako Samacharpatra, August 14, Saturday)

Ministers  beware!

Whenever there is economic recession in the country, smugglers and black marketers change their tactic to earn millions.

These are people who do not do any legal industry or business, but are involved in shady deals with the blessing of those in power. Among them is one Dipak Malhotra, a notorious smuggler. Malhotra is now involved in catching the ministers in his trap and blackmailing them afterwards.

It has been learnt that Malhotra is involved collecting girls who are willing to sell themselves through a woman called Meenakshi at a rented house in Min Bhawan in Lalitpur and then inviting ministers  and high government officials for ‘fun’ and drinks. According to a source, Malhotra takes pictures of the ministers secretly while they indulged in entertainment.

However, only Sharat Singh Bhandari, Minister for Youth, Sports and Culture has stumbled on Malhotra’s trap. Many other minister have declined Malhotra’s invitation to join the fun. But Malhotra says when Sharat comes, others will certainly follow. Others who are involved with Malhotra are Tahir Shah, Raju Manandhar, Lalit Gurung.

Now, Minister Bhandari has been caught in the web of Malhotra, he has been forced to give Malhotra the right to make and sale track suit bearing the logo of the 8th SAF Games.

Malhotra had organised  a meeting with Minister Bhandari at the resort in Kurintar along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway about one and half months ago. The meeting was also participated by some other smugglers and the discussion had revolved around smuggling of gold and other narcotic drugs through the airport. Even Malhotra has begun saying that Bhandari is making arrangement for the smuggling of gold with Amita Kapali, the Prime Minister’s  PA.

Minister Bhandari has been forced to keep quiet, and even doing what Malhotra tell him to do. Bhandari is even compelled to keep Malhotra in the Board of the SAF Games. The board also consist of prestigious persons like Anoop Shumsher Rana.

Meanwhile, if our minister are not beware of themselves, no one can help them from falling into the trap of Malhotra.

(Ghatana ra Bichar, August 11, Wednesday)

What more the Chief Secretary will do?

The cabinet, according to its August 12 decision, has promoted secretary at the Ministry of Law Tirtha man Shakya to the post of the chief secretary of the government. The post of the chief secretary had fallen vacant after Balaram Singh Malla resigned. Shakya got the promotion many because of the special initiative of Minister for General Administration Omkar Prasad Shrestha.

The new chief secretary is known for providing government’s secret decisions via fax and e-mail. This weekly had even published a news report last year on Shakya selling the government secrets. He used to use his driver one Hari Maharjan to send the secret decisions and documents through fax and e-mail. The cost of the fax and e-mail were paid by the Ministry.

After Shakya got a vehicle under the custom facility, he provided his government vehicle, Regd. No. 2974, to his family for use.

Similarly, he had nominated himself for a Development Lawyers Course in Sweden. The course was meant for a junior official. But because of him the nobody from Nepal got the opportunity to attend the course.

Not only that, he even took a fax of the Law Reforms Commission to his home. The CIAA had even demanded explanation from him and the secretary at the Law Reforms Commission Madanmani Dahal for the issue. But the issue was hushed with the help of CIAA secretary Karna Bahadur Chand.

Similarly, he used to draw Rs. 5,000 a month as an illegal chairman of the recruitment committee. He also used to draw the same amount as a translator examiner of the Records committee. He was also the legal advisor of the Melamchi Drinking Water Project from where he was getting a whooping US$ 2,000 a month.

(NavaAwaj, August 15, Sunday)

After blood, it is money

Money have been collected from Nepalese for the victims of Kargil. According to reports, several schools run by the Indians in Nepal, are collecting money from their students under the instruction of the Indian Embassy. Even students of a small classes have to pay at least Rs. 100.  Such includes include the Modern Indian School at Chovar, Delhi Public School, Dharan and Kendriya Vidhalaya. The students in those school include the children of high government officials, top officials of the army and other professionals. Some of the teachers in those schools are Nepalese too. The Modern Indian School alone has collected more than Rs.200,000 from its about 2,000 students.

According to a guardian, whose child studies in the Modern Indian School, the school authorities instructed all its students to bring donation for the victims of Kargil. All the parents and guardians paid the money fearing their children might suffer if they do not comply. Those schools even make the children to sing Indian national anthem.

May be Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, who has publicly called himself pro-India, may be pleased with the lessons on nation and nationalism the students learn in those school. If not, why has not he dared to do something about it.

(Jan Aastha, August 11, Wednesday)

Khum Bahadur sends back his security guards

Minister for Works and Transport Khum Bahadur Khadka has sent two  police security officers back to the police headquarters, saying  police IGP Achyut  Krishna Kharel spies on him through them.

Police, under the recommendation of the Central Security Committee, have been providing personal security to Prime Ministers Surya Bahadur  Thapa, Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Sher Bahadur Deuba, Girija Prasad Koirala, former Home Ministers Bamdev Gautam, Buddhiman Tamang, chief secretary, home secretary and Khum Bahadur Khadka after the restoration of democracy 9 years ago

Khadka security call sign was Quebec 61, while that of the UML’s General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal is Echo 60.

According to another report, the Royal Nepal Army has established a separate office  to look into the Maoist affair under No. 10 battalion at Chauni. Colonel  Baldev Mahat of the DMI operations of the army headquarters has been given the responsibility of the office. A white Maruti Gypsi with the registration no Ba. A. Gya 303  has also been provided to the office.

(Jan Aastha, August 11, Wednesday)

Maoists’ alternate govt, laughable

The central committee of the Maoists has recently taken some laughable decisions. The Maoists have, surprisingly, pushed forward a proposal of the abolition of the present ‘fascist and anti-national government’ and replacing it with a revolutionary people-oriented government of the nationalists and the communists. It would not have been surprising if such a call was made by a parliamentary party. The Maoists call for an alternative government is nothing but a joke.

Now, within a few days, the Maoists will  declare its leader Prachanda as the prime minister of its new revolutionary government. Prachanda has already been declared as the chief of the army of their so called military commission.

Such a government will be represented not only by the nationalist, such as Marichman Singh and Tej Bikram Shah, but separatist like Gopal Khumbu. However, no communist force will be involved in such a mock government. Only the Maoists will be representing the communist front.

The Maoists in a August 9 statement had called for such a government. But the paradox is that the call has not mentioned a word about the abolition of monarchy and the establishment of people’s republic.

The people are eager to look at such a government. This government will, however, end a political drama of the pro-Palace force, Marichman, Lokendra and Prachanda joining hand in hand.

(Budhabar, August 11, Wednesday)

PM Bhattarai’s second political defeat

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party has shown that a minority party, too, can make the bigger party follow it with sharp intelligence, political skill, co-ordinative approach long-visionary leadership. Its candidate Dr. Mohammed Mohsin was elected chairman of the National Assembly chairman.

RPP has only three MPs in the National Assembly. But RPP won the post of chairman with support from the ruling Nepali Congress and the main opposition Nepal Communist Party (UML). The reason of the RPP candidates victory is the political skill. Rabindra Nath Sharma of RPP played a crucial role in making Dr. Mohsin winner in National Assembly Chairman.

Meanwhile, voices are being raised that Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai has lost the moral and political right to stay in power following the defeat of his party’s candidate in the National Assembly election.

(Saptahik Janasatta, Saturday, August 14)

Resignation of PM and Home Minister demanded

The central committee meeting of the Nepali Congress held yesterday, indirectly demanded the resignations of prime minister and home minister.

  The central committee members accused that the government was unable to maintain peace and security in the country and solve the problem of Maoists.

  They also demanded the change of leadership in the government.

(Saptahik Janasatta, Saturday, August 14)

Govt. in minority in constitutional council

For the first time in several years the ruling Nepali Congress party is in minority in the constitutional council following the election of Dr. Mohammed Mohsin as the National Assembly Chairman. Now, it will have to take the consent of the main opposition NCP (UML) and the (RPP) while making appointments in constitutional bodies.

(Saptahik Janasatta, Saturday, August 14)

Chief Secretary’s appointment irregular

The nomination of Secretary of Law as the new chief secretary of the government is illegal. The cabinet last week appointed Secretary at the Ministry of Law Tirtha Man Shakya as the new chief secretary of the government. While transferring someone from the law service to administration service, requires the permission from the Public Service Commission. The government had sought the suggestion of the Public Service Commission to change the service of Shakya. But the Commission shifted the burden to the Office of the Attorney General. But the government made the decision before receiving any suggestion from the Attorney General’s office.

(Gatibidhi, Saturday, August 14)

505 Maoists killed

DIG Rajendra Bahadur Singh has informed that 505 Maoists have been killed in police action since the Maoists launched their campaign four years ago.

Similarly, property worth Rs. 11.46 million has been destroy and the Maoists have looted property worth Rs. 66.46 million. The police have also arrested 560 alleged Maoists on various charges.

(Gatibidhi, Saturday, August 14)

New civil servants act to misguide civil servants

The government has added some facilities to quieten the civil servants who are angry because of no increment in their salaries.

Both the civil servants organisation, Nepal Civil Servants Organisation and Nepal Civil Servants Association have launched their protest programmes.

The Association, which is close to the Nepali Congress party, has already started relay hunger strike since last Thursday demanding the fulfillment of their 15-point demands.

Another Organisation, which is said to be close to the CPN-UML, has also been collecting signature of the civil servants from all districts. The signature of 50,000 civil servants will then be presented to prime minister. If the government does not take positive response to their demands, it will also launch its protest programmes.

As per the civil servants act, salaries of the civil servants need to be adjusted in every second year considering the price index prepared by Nepal Rastra Bank. However, the cabinet on Thursday took some controversial decisions which has angered, rather quieten the civil servants.

The Civil servants were hoping an increment of salary from mid-August, but the cabinet increased the number of holidays for the civil servants. The decision also include cutting the provision of insurance, which has angered the civil servants more. However, the latest decisions of the cabinet violates the provisions of the civil servants act.

(Sanghu, Saturday, August 14)

Has govt. begun working?

Nepali Congress government under the honest Prime Minister has started taking decisions. People, who were critical of PM Bhattarai for his silence, have begun to change their opinion about the government after it took some people-oriented decisions this week. The civil servants are satisfied with the government giving priority to seniors while making promotions at the secretary level.

(Asan Bazar, Saturday, August 14)

Afghan group Arrested

The police recently arrested a group that used to send people abroad in the name of foreign employment. The group consisted of five Afghans and three employees of the Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation. The group was also found involved in drug dealing. This shows foreign nationals are slowly involving themselves in all illegal businesses including sending Nepalese abroad for employment.

(Asan Bazar, Saturday, August 14)

Should police make the law?

Intellectuals of the country are confused after hearing a news concerning the preparation of a draft bill on flesh trade by Nepal police with support of the American Embassy.

In general, police are authorised to implement the laws responsibly to maintain peace and security rather than making them. But, things are a bit confused when the law enforcing body is involved in making the laws. The police effort has raised a question about the duty and the responsibility of the police.

(Patrika, Friday, August 13)

Lacking of beauties?

 After a few years of wave of modelling and beauty contest, the country has been facing shortage of beautiful girls. The organisers of Miss World Nepal - Kathmandu Jaycees and The Hidden Treasure - have failed to find enough participants for this year’s Miss Nepal beauty pageant. Of the 12 who have applied till now, only 8 are selected. Now, they are making pleas to girls to participate in the pageant. Miss Pokhara will take part automatically, but they may have a hard time finding the other 14 eligible and willing contestants.

(Patrika, Friday, August 13)

 UML’s conspiracy in NA election

The UML foiled the conspiracy of the Nepali Congress to grab the chairman of the National Assembly. Four UML members voted for Dr. Mohsin of RPP at the last minute to elect him to the post. Had not Dr. Mohsin been elected, there was an agreement between NC and other smaller parties to elect NC’s Basu Risal to the post. This way the UML ploy of not letting the NC candidate to the post has succeeded.

(Patrika, Friday, August 13)

DSP killed In explosion

Deputy Superintendent of Police Kailash Chhetry died on the spot in an ambush set by the Maoists in Kotwada of Kalikot district. On police constable was also wounded in the incident.

  Chhetry with his team was in patrolling when the ‘pipe bomb’ was exploded. Chhetry is the highest police official to fall victim to the Maoist insurgency movement.

(Aaparanha, Thursday, August 12)

Sujata to disclose Gachhedar’s secrets

The rift between Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar, an influential leader of young generation within Nepali Congress and Sujata Koirala, daughter of Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala has increased further.

Sujata has begun washing Minister Gachchhedar’s dirty linen in public. She recently disclosed had taken Rs. 200 million from an Indian leader Sharad Pawar before the election.

  Congress activist says that a Congress worker Surya Bhusal was involved in dealing. The activist further says that Sujata will also be disclosing Gachchedhar’s other secrets soon.

(Aaparanha, Thursday, August 12)

Who is responsible?

Media has been commenting against National Planning Commission. Some of the party leaders have begun saying that country does not need the Planning Commission.

National Planning Commission Vice-chairman Prithvi Raj Ligal, forgetting his position, has been staying in seat challenging the government.

In the present session, the ruling party has to repeatedly apologize for mistakes occurred in statistics of the commission and Finance Ministry.

The data of the Planning Commission and Finance Ministry do not coincide. Who is responsibility for this ?

(Nepal Bani, Thursday, August 12)

Foreigners’ interest  in Maoists’ war

The people’s war launched by underground Nepal Communist Party (Maoists) is the subject of interest of foreigners too. The foreign press has started publishing news with priority. It seems that the Maoists people’s war has gone out of control of the government.

Recently, the Australian Television aired about 25-minute long feature on the Maoists’ People’s War. The television also said that the Maoists were increasing in Nepal.

(Khabarkagaj, Thursday, August 12)

Belgians arrested on drug charges

Two Belgian nationals, Riph Tely, passport No. E.V. 466403 and Marcvan Ram, passport No. E.B. 363388 have been arrested with drugs while trying to smuggle it via Kathmandu-Bangkok flight on August 7. Presently, both are under police custody.

(Sanghu, Saturday, August 14)