Briefs (Spotlight Weekly)

SPOTLIGHT family extends heartly greetings to Crown Princess Himani on the auspicious occasion of her 27th birthday

THE STATE-OWNED Radio Nepal has launched Jomsom F. M. to broadcast its programs for local audience in the remote northern district of Mustang bordering China. The District Development Committee of Mustang set up the station at the cost of Rs 361,411 (approx. 4500 USD) while the equipment were made available by Radio Nepal itself. Crown Prince Paras inaugurated the radio station amidst a function in Jomsom Tuesday. The Crown Prince, who is also the chairman of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC), also inaugurated the Mustang Festival and visited Marpha village-- well known for its apple production-on Wednesday.

THE ELECTION COMMISSION (EC) on Thursday has refuted a newspaper report that claimed that it had designated seven judicial service officers to work as election officers without the permission of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). In a statement, the EC termed the report as baseless and intending to malign a constitutional body like EC. The same day, Kantipur daily had reported that JSC, led by Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyay, had protested against what it said the Election Commission's act of selecting seven judicial officials without its consent. The JSC had recommended a total of 130 under-secretary level judicial staff to work as election officers, as per the law. But the Election Commission selected seven more officers (in addition to 130) on its own from the Office of the Attorney General, the report had said quoting unnamed sources. Interestingly, in a follow-up story, Friday's Kantipur daily reported that the Election Commission had "admitted its mistake" and had decided to cancel its decision of hiring seven officials from the AG's office allegedly under political pressure.

SIX MAJOR PARTIES IN THE country handed over a memorandum to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba at the latter's office at Singha Durbar Thursday demanding the government's clarification on whether it could provide adequate security during the forthcoming polls. Senior leaders of the parties including Nepali Congress and UML warned that the country would fall into a grave crisis if the elections could not be held as scheduled. They have also blamed the government of ignoring ten parties call to initiate peace process with the Maoist rebels to end the on-going violence in the country. "The Prime Minister, however, didn't tell anything with respect to our demands," said NC general secretary Sushil Koirala talking to reporters later.

THE FOUR-DAY central committee meeting of the CPN (UML) concluded here Thursday by concluding that free and fair elections were unlikely under the present circumstances in the country. According to SPACE TIME daily, the meeting criticized the government for "failing to provide adequate security in the run up to schools" and that elections could be held in no more than 12 out of 75 districts in the country at present. The party has also decided to seek a way out of the present stalemate in accordance with the country's constitution in case elections could not be held on November 13 this year.

OVER 300 TEMPLES IN THE only Hindu kingdom in the world are in dilapidated conditions, officials said. Kantipur daily quoted spokesman of Guthi Sansthan, Haribol Acharya, as saying that the state-owned agency neither had any plans nor resources to conserve the country's heritage. He said that most of these temples under danger were over 100 years old. Out of 700 temples of historical importance in the country, 200 are located within the capital valley. "The government owes us nearly Rs 250 million. Either it should pay us it's due or take the responsibility of conserving the country's heritage," he said.

THE NORWEGIAN GOVERNMENT has announced that it will provide financial assistance to Nepal government for the reconstruction of Jhimruk Hydropower Project that was destroyed by the Maoist insurgents six months ago. According to officials, the Norwegian government has agreed to provide grant assistance worth Rs. 200 million for the reconstruction process. The agreement came during a visit by the Nepalese delegation to Norway in the second week of September. The move is being seen as a step by the Norway government to move the privatization process of Butwal power Company forward. The BPC privatization process has been stalled due to non-operation of the Jhimruk hydro-power station.

THE COMMUNIST PARTY of Nepal (Unified Marxist and Leninist) has proposed to introduce the provision of referendum to deal with crucial issues of national importance provided the Maoists are committed to come in to the political mainstream. "Our party is positive with the Maoists' demand of holding referendum for constitutional assembly or constitutional amendment," Raghuji Pant, a member of the CPN-UML Central Committee, said here on Monday. However, UML expects Maoists not to disrupt the upcoming parliamentary election, as it will lead to the formation of the next parliament which could consider their proposal for the elections to the constitutional assembly.

On the occasion of the golden jubilee anniversary of the Nepal Scout, the Tri-Jyoti Scouts Troop associated with the Tri-Jyoti higher secondary school organized an Archery competition recently. The competition was participated by 224 students from 21 different schools of the valley. Trailokya Nath Upreti, senior educationist and chairman of the advisory council of the Nepal Scouts, among others, was present during the competition. The Tokha Valley Scout Troop. Pearls Scout Troops and Gyan Niketan Scout Troops bagged the first, second and third prize of the competition respectively.