NEWS TEXT OF DATE 5th July 2008 EVE ENGLISH NEWS
(NATIONAL NEWS ONLY)

26 CA MEMBERS NOMINATED

The meeting of the Government of Nepal, Council of Ministers on July 4 nominated the 26 vacant positions of the CA .The members are :

1. Indra Maya Gurung (Gorkha)
2. Kamala Pant (Gorkha)
3. Chandra Lal Meche (Jhapa)
4. Jagat Bahadur Tajpuriya (Jhapa)
5. Jagya Bahadur Shahi (Dailekh)
6. Dabal Bahadur Shah (Bajura)
7. Narayan Kaji Shrestha (Gorkha)
8. Nima Lama (Manang)
9. Nilambar Acharya (Kathmandu)
10. Padma Jyoti (Kathmandu)
11. Pasang Sherpa (Taplejung)
12. Bhagawati Chaudhari (Sunsari)
13. Shila Katila (Kavrepalanchowk)
14. Bhupendra Chaudhari (Saptari)
15. Mahantha Thakur (Sarlahi)
16. Mahesh Chaudhari (Dang)
17. Akwal Ahmad Shah (Kapilvastu)
18. Rajendra Kumar Khetan (Kathmandu)
19. Radhe Shyam Adhikari (Kathmandu)
20. Bishwo Nath Upadhyay (Kathmandu)
21. Sher Bahadur Pahari (Makwanpur)
22. Shyam Sundar Gupta (Rupandehi)
23. Sabina Baram (Gorkha)
24. Sushil Chandra Amatya (Lalitpur)
25. Hari Lal Thapamagar (Dadeldhura)
26. Hari Rokka (Khotang)


CA MEETING POSTPONED TILL MONDAY

The Constituent Assembly (CA) meeting scheduled to take place this afternoon has been postponed till 11:00 am Monday following the announcement of the Terai parties that they would continue to disrupt the session, opposing the supplementary constitution amendment bill prepared by the government.

CA members who had gathered at the CA hall were informed about the postponement through a notice. The government was expected to introduce the bill in today's meeting.

Leaders of three Terai parties - Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party and Sadbhawana Party - had met earlier today, deciding to continue their protest. They said the supplementary bill failed to address their demands.


MADHESI PARTIES DISSATISFIED WITH SUPPLEMENTARY BILL

constituents of the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), who had signed an agreement with the government on February 28, have expressed dissatisfaction over the issues included in the draft of the supplementary amendment bill.

Accusing the major parties of betraying them, the UDMF’s constituents--- Madhesi Peoples Rights Forum (MPRF), Terai-Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) and Mahato-led Nepal Sadbhawana Party- (NSP-M) --- have decided to continue their struggle in the Constituent Assembly (CA) and the streets.

A meeting of the Madhes-based parties held in the capital today has demanded that the agreements forged with the government in the past must be implemented through the CA.

Emerging from the meeting, MPRF Coordinator Upendra Yadav charged that the decision taken by the government on Friday was a conspiracy to insult the Madhes-based parties.

The Madhesi lawmakers will boycott the CA meet until the demands are met, Yadav informed.

PROTESTING THARUS CLASH WITH POLICE

At least half a dozen people were injured in police baton-charging during a protest of indigenous Tharus against the 'one Madhesh' demand in the capital this afternoon.

One protester was critically injured in the police action at Naya Baneshwor Chowk. Both the protesters and the police pelted stones at each other.

The agitators chanted slogans against the police crackdown as well as the Terai parties that have been demanding a single Madhes province. Tharus have also opposed the decision of the government to introduce a supplementary constitution amendment bill in the Constituent Assembly (CA) to address the demands of the Terai parties.

The protest rally began from Koteshwor and converged into a gathering in front of the CA building at Naya Baneshwor.Leaders of the Tharu Welfare Assembly, which organised the protest, said that single Madhesh was unacceptable to indegeneous Tharus. He also warned of serious consequences if their voice is not heard.

President of Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NFIN), Pasang Sherpa said all the indigenous communities would support the movement launched by Tharus.

Addressing the Gathering, CA members and Indigenous community leaders said that a single Madhesh was acceptable in no circumstance.

UML CA member Santa Chaudhary declared that if the demands are not met, she would resign from the CA and join the protest movement of Tharus.

MINISTER MAHARA

Minister for Information and Communications, Krishna Bahadur Mahara has said huge challenges posed to changes in economic and social sectors for progressive transformation of Nepali society though the monarchy had been abolished.

Inaugurating the seminar on ‘Two work-policies of education: total reform and change,’ organized in Lalitpur today by All Nepal Teachers’ Organization, Newa State Committee, Minister Mahara said foundation of new Nepal would be based on change in education sector.

Stating that country’s social and economic development would not be possible in the absence of total change in education sector, he said his party is on the side of education policy that would provide people with easily accessible education.

Leader of CPN (UML), Pradeep Gyawali said education should be established as people’s fundamental right.

NP Saud of Nepali Congress said the government should increase investment in education.


THREE KIDS OF A DALIT FAMILY DIE AFTER CONSUMING POISONOUS MUSHROOM

Three children of a Dalit family in Palpa's Bhuwanpokhari VDC have died after consuming poisonous mushroom.

Chandra Bahadur Pariyar, Nama and Yam Bahadur Pariyar, who were taken ill, after consuming mushroom brought from the jungle last evening, died Saturday morning.

Reports said two other members of the family who, too, had consumed the mushroom curry, are undergoing treatment at Mission Hospital in Tansen.

Other details of the tragedy were not immediately available.


TIMBER DESERTED AFTER COMMITTEE DISPUTE

More than 3000 cubic feet timber has been stranded in Katari in the forest for the last one year following the dispute among the officer bearers of the Community Forest Users’ Committee at Bagaha of Triyuga Municipality-8.

A Bagaha local Lokesh Katuwal said some of the timber in the forest was stolen as none paid attention to it.The dispute arose on whether to permit contractor or consumers to sell the timber.

The locals have been lambasting the office bearers after the timber was being smuggled.
The District Forest Office, Udayapur had permitted cutting of trees last year

NINE COMMUNITY FORESTS IN RISK OF EROSION

Nine community forests around Khairenitar VDC of Tanahu district are in risk of erosion by the Seti River every year.

Shukla, Kimaldanda, Malebagar, Sisneri, and Potakari among others are on the verge of erosion.

Five ropanis of land in the Postak Community Forest has already been eroded by the Seti River, said Mukti Timalsina, Secretary of the Community Forest Users’ Federation.

The locals have expressed plight after the District Development Committee ignored constructing embankment in the River to control erosion.

DOCTOR ABDUCTED IN SAPTARI

Former director of the Eastern Regional Directorate of Public Health in Biratnagar, Dr Mahananda Mishra, was abducted from Saptari today.

Reports quoting family sources said that a gang kidnapped him from Mainakadariya, Saptari, this morning.

No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping yet while police said an operation has been launched to rescue him.

Seven party meeting, Cabinet endorsement, and Madhesi protest

The cabinet has passed the supplementary amendment bill, and will bring it before the CA today for endorsement.

The meeting of top leaders of seven political parties, held yesterday at Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction, had decided that Government of Nepal would present such a bill in the Constituent Assembly to amend Article 138 of Interim Constitution of Nepal 2063 BS.

Three other allies - People's Front Nepal, United Left Front and Nepal Workers and Peasant Party, however, opposed the decision saying that such a provision in the interim constitution will lead to the disintegration of the nation.

They disagreed with the draft of the supplementary bill stating sufficient time was not given to discuss the phrase to be used in the supplementary bill.

Nepali Congress vice president and peace minister Ram Chandra Poudel said the disagreement among the seven parties will be settled by the CA after the bill is tabled in it.

Likewise, UML general secretary Jhal Nath Khanal informed that the constitution will have a provision mandating the State Restructuring Commission to take into consideration the agreement reached with the coalition of the Terai based parties, federation of the indigenous nationalities, joint struggle committee of the indigenous groups and federal republican national front while deciding the federal structure of the country.

The Madhesh based parties, on the other hand, have expressed their discontent with the passage of the supplementary bill by the cabinet. Anil Jha of Sadbhawana party  told Radio Nepal that they are not decided yet on whether they would continue obstructing the CA proceedings.

Meanwhile, the cabinet has also decided to nominate 26 CA members as per the list submitted by the nine parties.

The cabinet also decided to transform the Shital Niwas – which currently houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – into presidential palace.

PARLIAMENT POSTPONED AGAIN

The CA meeting in the capacity of legislature-parliament continued to be postponed once again yesterday after three Madhes-based parties disrupted the proceeding.

The CA members of the parties picketed the rostrum and chanted slogans. It is the eighth day that the meeting has been disrupted.

They have been demanding to amend the constitution for the fifth time by ensuring one Madhes one province and in-group induction of the people from Madhes communities in the Nepal Army.

Normal life in several Terai districts has been hit hard by a bandh called by indigenous Tharus and fringe political outfits based in Terai in protest against the demand for 'single Madhesh province.

Market places, schools and colleges have been closed down in main towns of Terai while buses and trucks remain off the highways, reports said. Eastern Terai districts like Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari saw partial effect of the bandh.

Tharus organised a demonstration in Butwal of Rupandehi district, chanting slogan against the 'one Madhesh' demand and the parties espousing it. Effect of the bandh was also seen in mid and far-western districts like Dang, Banke, Bardiya and Kailali.

Tharuhat State Council, Chure-Bhawar Ekta Party, Nepal Loktantrik Samaj Dal and few other organizations came together to enforce the stirke in a protest against the continuous obstruction created by three main Terai parties in the Constituent Assembly.

Minister for forest and soil conservation Matrika Prasad Yadav has stressed that it is the people who should decide on the issue of 'one madhes, one province'.

Addressing reporters in a program organized yesterday in Birgunj, Minister Yadav said by giving power to madhesis it is not necessary that the country will be disintegrated.

In a response to his earlier action of locking a local development officer in a toilet, Minster Yadav said he has started an effort to remove corruption from the country. He also urged that everyone should work against corruption.

Prime Minister and Nepali Congress (NC) president Girija Prasad Koirala has said the current deadlock is the result of political parties not being committed to their moral values.

Talking to leaders of four minor parties in Baluwatar yesterday, Koirala said the parties are gradually losing their moral responsibilities to serve the nation and the people.

Leaders of CPN (Unified), Tamsaling Party, CPN (Marxist) and Nepal Sukumbasi Party met Koirala and handed over a memorandum demanding rethink in price hike in petroleum products.

The PM, on the occasion, asked Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat to look into alternatives to reduce the POL prices.

This four day conference has been organized with the view of discussing various issues related to AIDS such as its prevention, treatment and care of AIDS affected people. The conference was inaugurated by Minister for Health and Population Girirajmani Pokhrel.

Current statistics show that in Nepal, 11 thousand 8 hundred and 35 people are affected by AIDS and 1 thousand 8 hundred and 72 of them are under medical treatment.

However, general speculation has it that there are 70 thousand HIV-AIDS affected people in the country and in whole of South –East Asia approximately 4 million are affected by HIV-AIDS and 2 million 5o thousand of them are in India alone.

The chiefs of public corporations have said they have started works towards implementation of the code of conduct at their respective corporations.

Chiefs of the public corporations participating at an interaction on implementing the professional code of conduct at the public corporations organized by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) in Kathmandu yesterday said that a committee has also been formed for implementing the code of conduct.

At the interaction, joint attorney at CIAA, Dilliraman Acharya presented a working paper on the code of conduct in which he has stressed on the need of implementing the policy points in different clauses of the Good Governance Management and Implementation Act, 2008.

Senior leader of Nepali Congress and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said the Social International has shown keen interest on how Nepal would cope with challenges for fundamental rights, rule of law, independent judiciary and liberty after the change in the country.

While returning home after taking part in 23rd Meeting of Socialist International, held recently at Athens of Greece, Leader Deuba told the journalists at Tribhuvan International Airport that the Social International believed that the Maoists would accept democratic socialism as they have entered into the parliamentary stream.

Leader Deuba also said if the Constituent Assembly adopts the system of mathematical majority his party would sit in opposition and if there would be power sharing his party should get the presidentship.

Leader Deuba further said problems of Madhes should be resolved through talks and Madhesi parties should also be included in the talks.

Student unions affiliated to big three parties - CPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN (Maoist) - and other fringe parties have concluded that the demand for "One Madhesh Province" raised by Terai-based parties is illegitimate and that it will prove to be counter-productive for the Madhesi people themselves.

A meeting of eight students' union held in the capital yesterday called on the government to address the demands raised by Terai-based parties through the new constitution. Similarly, the students' unions also asked the Madhesi parties not to disrupt the CA session.

NEWS TEXT OF DATE 4th July 2008 EVE ENGLISH NEWS
(NATIONAL NEWS ONLY)

Seven party meeting

The meeting of seven party has approved the draft of the supplementary bill through which the interim constitution will be amended, to fulfill the demands raised by the Madhes-based parties.

The approval was made during a meeting of the SPA held at the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction in Singhadurbar
However, three minor allies - People's Front Nepal, United Left Front and Nepal Workers and Peasant Party opposed the decision saying that such a provision in the interim constitution will lead to the disintegration of the nation.

They have disagreed with the draft of the supplementary bill stating sufficient time was not given to discuss the phrase to be used in the supplementary bill.

Nepali Congress vice president and peace minister Ram Chandra Poudel said the disagreement among the seven parties would be settled by the CA after the bill is tabled in it.

The supplementary amendment bill will be passed by the cabinet, and will then be brought before the CA for endorsement.
According to UML leader Bhim Rawal, the meeting agreed to finalise the draft including the phrases which will act as the basis for all the agreements forged between the government and the Madhesis, indigenous and marginalised groups in the past.

Likewise, UML general secretary Jhal Nath Khanal informed that the constitution will have a provision mandating the State Restructuring Commission to take into consideration the agreement reached with the coalition of the Terai based parties, federation of the indigenous nationalities, joint struggle committee of the indigenous groups and federal republican national front while deciding the federal structure of the country.


PARLIAMENT POSTPONED AGAIN

The CA meeting in the capacity of legislature-parliament has been postponed today again after three Madhes-based parties disrupted the proceeding.

The CA members of the parties picketed the rostrum and chanted slogans. It is the eighth day that the meeting has been disrupted.

They have been demanding to amend the constitution for the fifth time by ensuring one Madhes one province and in-group induction of the people from Madhes communities in the Nepal Army.

The meeting has been postponed till 3:00 pm tomorrow.

Terai districts shut down in protest against 'one Madhesh' demand

Normal life in several Terai districts has been hit hard by a bandh called by indigenous Tharus and fringe political outfits based in Terai in protest against the demand for 'single Madhesh province.

Marketplaces, schools and colleges have been closed down in main towns of Terai while buses and trucks remain off the highways, reports said. Eastern Terai districts like Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari saw partial effect of the bandh.

Tharus organised a demonstration in Butwal of Rupandehi district, chanting slogan against the 'one Madhesh' demand and the parties espousing it. Tharus have been saying that single Madhesh province is not acceptable for them.

Effect of the bandh is also seen in mid and far-western districts like Dang, Banke, Bardiya and Kailali.

However, there were no reports of violence during the bandh.

Tharuhat State Council, Chure-Bhawar Ekta Party, Nepal Loktantrik Samaj Dal and few other organisations came together to enforce the bandh in a protest against the continuous obstruction created by three main Terai parties in the Constituent Assembly demanding constitutional gyarantee of 'autonomous Madhesh province' and 'group entry' of Madhesis into the Nepal Army.

The Terai parties - Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party and Sadbhawana Party - have disrupted eight consecutive meetings of the CA to exert pressure on the major parties to agree on their demands.

Students protest 'One Madhesh' demand'

Student unions affiliated to big three parties - CPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN (Maoist) - and other fringe parties have concluded that the demand for "One Madhesh Province" raised by Terai-based parties is illegitimate and that it will prove to be counter-productive for the Madhesi people themselves.

A meeting of eight students' union held in the capital today called on the government to address the demands raised by Terai-based parties through the new constitution,. They are of the firm opinion that this demand can't be accepted under any circumstances.
Similarly, the students' unions also asked the Madhesi parties not to disrupt the CA session as they have been doing from the past some time, saying that it would only create obstacles in the formation of the new government

DEUBA RETURNS HOME

Senior leader of Nepali Congress and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said the Social International has shown keen interest on how Nepal would cope with challenges for fundamental rights, rule of law, independent judiciary and liberty after the change.

While returning home after taking part in 23rd Meeting of Socialist International, held recently at Athens of Greece, Leader Deuba told the journalists at Tribhuvan International Airport that the Social International believed that as the Maoists have entered into the parliamentary stream they would accept democratic socialism.

Leader Deuba also said if the Constituent Assembly adopts the system of mathematical majority his party would sit in opposition and if there would be power sharing his party should get the presidentship.

Leader Deuba further said problems of Madhes should be resolved through talks and Madhesi parties should also be included in the talks.

MINITER YADAV

Minister for forest and soil conservation Matrika Prasad Yadav has stressed that it is the people who should decided on the issue of 'one madhes, one province'.

Addressing reporters in a program organized today in Birgunj, Minister Yadav said by giving power to madhesis it is not necessary that the country will be disintegrated.

In a response to his earlier action of locking a local development officer in a toilet, Minster Yadav said he has started an effort to remove corruption from the country. He also urged that everyone should work against corruption.

Ministry of health and population- AIDS conference

The third AIDS conference organized by Ministry of Health and Population has begun from today.

This four day conference has been organized with the view of discussing various issues related to AIDS such as its prevention, treatment and care of AIDS affected people. The conference was inaugurated by Minister for Health and Population Girirajmani Pokhrel.

Current statistics show that in Nepal, 11 thousand 8 hundred and 35 people are affected by AIDS and 1 thousand 8 hundred and 72 of them are under medical treatment.

However, general guess suggest that there are 70 thousand HIV-AIDS affected people in the country and in whole of South –East Asia approximately 40 lakh are affected by HIV-AIDS and 25 lakh of them are in India.


Koirala believes parties have forgotten morality

Prime Minister and Nepali Congress (NC) president Girija Prasad Koirala has said the current deadlock is the result of political parties not being committed to their moral values.

Talking to leaders of four minor parties in Baluwatar this morning, Koirala said the parties are gradually losing their moral responsibilities to serve the nation and the people.

Leaders of CPN (Unified), Tamsaling Party, CPN (Marxist) and Nepal Sukumbasi Party met Koirala and handed over a memorandum demanding rethink in price hike in petroleum products.
The PM, on the occasion, asked Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat to look into alternatives to reduce the POL prices.

JEEP ACCIDENT–17 PASSENGERS INJURED

Seventeen passengers were injured when the jeep they were traveling in skidded off the road and fell ten feet down at Majhkot-6 in Tanahun district this morning. The jeep was heading towards Bhimad from Bantar, Ghiring.

Five seriously injured passengers were rushed to the Gandaki Zonal Hospital for treatment while the passengers who received minor injuries are undergoing treatment at the primary health post, Bhimad, the District Police Office, Tanahun stated.

Police have arrested jeep driver Khem Bahadur Thapa and initiated necessary action against him.
 

Finance minister

The government is preparing to introduce a bill to the CA on the budget of the fiscal year 2065-066 as the regular budget can not be come up due to delay in formation of a new government.

Finance minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat informed that the regular budget of the fiscal year can not be introduced due the current political situation.

He further informed that approval has already been taken from the six parties' meeting for this. The finance minister also apprised that the economic growth of the fiscal year is expected to rise by 5.6 percentages.

NEWS TEXT OF DATE 4th July 2008 MORN ENGLISH NEWS
(NATIONAL NEWS ONLY)

Three political parties – meeting

The meeting of the three major political parties though it had neared the agreement has been postponed until 8 a.m. today.

The meeting held at the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction yesterday with the objective of forging consensus on important political issues including Terai-Madhesi demands is expected to  arrive at the final consensus by making general amendment to the use of terminology and language.

CPN (UML) general secretary Jhalanath Khanal said the meeting neared consensus on proceeding for formation of autonomous states by keeping in mind the aspirations of the people of Madhesi, indigenous nationalities and backward regions.

He expressed belief that today's meeting will finalize the topics to be sorted out by carrying out home work with extensive thinking for reaching a common understanding.

Leaders of different political parties have expressed their hope that new government would be formed within a week by ending political stalemate.

In the discussion program, organized in Kathmandu by SAFMA Nepal, they said difficulties arose because of disputes in interim constitution amendment and power sharing.

General Secretary of CPN (UML), Jhalanath Khanal alleged that some parties tried to drive the country towards division by demanding one-Madhes-one-province. He, however, stated that the Madhes could be developed in the form of autonomous province.

He stressed that outlet for political problems should be found in Constituent Assembly by holding talks with all powers, including Chure Bhavar Unity Society, Federation of Nationalities, Linbuwan, Khumbuwan, Tamsaling and Tharuhat.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has congratulated President of the United States of America, George W Bush, on the occasion of the Independence Day of the United States.

In the interaction program on the role of Khas Kshetri in Constituent Assembly, organized in Kathmandu yesterday by the Society, Assemblyperson Purnabahadur Khadka stressed the need for unity among communities.

NEWS TEXT OF DATE 3rd  July 2008 EVE ENGLISH NEWS
(NATIONAL NEWS ONLY)

CA MEETING POSTPONED

The CA meeting in the capacity of the legislature-parliament has been postponed after the Madhes-based partied disrupted the proceeding today.

The CA members of the Madhesi People's Rights Forum, Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party, and Sadbhavana Party chanted slogans picketing the rostrum immediately after the meeting began.

They demanded to guarantee the whole Madhes a single province and the in-group induction of the Madhesi people in the Nepal army.

Today is the 7th day the meeting disrupted. The meeting would be held at 11:00 am tomorrow.

THREE-PARTY MEETING ON

A meeting of the three major political parities held to resolve current political deadlock regarding demands raised by Madhesi has ended after it nearly reached conclusion.

Emerging after the meeting, Gen Secy of the CPN-UML, Jhalanath Khanal informed that the three parties had almost reached conclusion regarding the demands of autonomous Madhesh province and other related issues.

Similarly, Minister of Peace and Reconstruction, Ram Chandra Poudel informed that the matter would be resolved through consensus and that the meeting would be continued tomorrow also.

13 Parties

Various 13 parties representing in the Constituent Assembly has said that new problems have arisen because of the major parties' failure to forge a consensus. The parties have urged the major parties to resolve the problems through the CA.

The 13 parties have expressed their disagreement towards the meeting being held among the top parties to resolve the issues raised by the Madhesi parties. They have demanded the resolution of issues by forging consensus among all the parties representing in the CA.

Issuing a joint press release today, the 13 parties have expressed their disagreement towards the disruption of the CA meeting. They also expressed their concerns accusing the big parties of ignoring the fringe parties.

MAOISTS FORUM MEETING

The leaders of CPN Maoists and Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum held a meeting today to discuss on the demands raised by the Terai based parties.

Talking to the journalists after the meeting, co-ordinator of the Forum, Upendra Yadav informed that the Maoists are positive towards their demands.

The meeting, held at Maoists Constituent Assembly party office Singhadurbar, was chaired by CPN Maoists chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda", Dr. Baburam Bhattarai and Mohan Bhaidya "Kiran"; and Upendra Yadav, Bijay Gachadhar and Jay Prakash Gupta from the Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum.

MAOISTS MUST BE READY TO GIVE FAIR SHARE TO OTHER PARTIES

Senior UML leader K.P. Sharma Oli has said the Maoists must be ready to allocate power fairly to the political parties.

Speaking at the Reporters' Club today, Oli said the UML was not ready to give up all the state power voluntarily to the Maoists as they had not obtained majority in the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections.

He also blamed the Maoists for causing delay in the government formation by refusing to accept the Nepali Congress candidate as the first president of the country. Oli made it clear that there had not been any agreement between the UML and the Maoists on giving the UML the post of president.

He even claimed that the UML has the best candidate for the post of Prime Minister. Talking about the demands of Madhesi parties, Oli said the demands were not justified given the fact that there was diversity in Terai.

SWITZERLAND AID

The Swiss Government has provided a grant assistance of over 232 million rupees to reduce the pollution from Brick Kiln and research on maize production.

According to reports, agreement to this regard has been signed between the Swiss government and Government of Nepal in Ministry of Finance today.

POWELL CALLS ON PM

US ambassador to Nepal Nancy Powell called on Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and discussed Nepal's current political situation, this morning.

The current deadlock over the Terai parties' demand and formation of new government chiefly figured during the discussion held at Koirala's Baluwatar residence, it is learnt.

The US envoy is said to have expressed worry over the political deadlock and emphasised that the parties should be able to resolve it at the earliest.

She is to fly to Washington after a few days to brief top US officials on Nepal situation.

RS 250B BUDGET FOR NEW FISCAL YEAR

At a time economic experts and the National Planning Commission have suggested the government for not more than 190 billion rupee budget in the new fiscal year, a senior Maoist leader has projected an over Rs 250 billion budget for the country.

Dr Baburam Bhattarai, speaking at an interaction programme organised in the capital, said if the budget could not be presented as per the plans and policies of his party, the Maoists would remain out of government.

Dr Bhattarai said unless the current micro economic system of the country is restructured, development process in the country will not begin.

Dr Bhattarai said the new government will bring drastic change in the spending of regular and development expenditure. Current regular expenditure stands at 70 percent while development expenditure remains at 30%

NO BIRD FLU IN NEPAL

Nepal has not witnessed bird flu so far but it is vulnerable, according to the information imparted in a programme organized by the Department of Livestock in Kathmandu today.

Regarding this problem, Nepal Government has banned import of poultry and poultry-related goods from India and China, which have been already gripped into its hazard.

It is reported that all livestock quarantine offices and check posts were kept in high-alert to avoid the outbreak of bird flu. He also urged all to inform if any disease seen in the poultry or died suddenly.

Three-party meeting fails to break deadlock

A meeting of the key leaders of the three main parties - CPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) - which was expected to break the deadlock over the Terai parties' demands, has ended inconclusively last evening.

The three parties appeared nowhere close to resolving their differences over the Terai parties' demand for 'autonomous Terai province' and 'group entry' of Madhesis into the Nepal Army.

At the meeting, the Maoist side emphasised that there should be a "package solution" to the demands of Madhesis as well as others including Dalits and indigenous groups whereas the UML reiterated that 'one Madhes' demand cannot be met and that issues like this could only be decided by the Constituent Assembly.

Nepali Congress, on the other hand, remains undecided on the issues raised by the Terai parties.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' said the major parties were now working to reach consensus on a package solution so that it left no room for groups other than Madhesis to come forward with their respective agendas.

Saying that the demand for 'group entry' of Madhesis into the army needed to be defined clearly, chairman Prachanda said the real need is to make the army an inclusive institution.

The top leaders of the three parties are to meet today ahead of the Constituent Assembly sitting.

No end yet to CA stalemate

The meeting of the CA held in its capacity as the legislative parliament was disrupted by Madhes-based parties for the fifth consecutive day yesterday.

Yesterday's CA session was put off after the Madhesi lawmakers started chanting slogans and picketing the rostrum.

The Madhesi CA members have obstructed four consecutive CA sittings in a week, demanding constitutional guarantee of 'autonomous Madhes province' and 'group entry' of Madhesis into Nepal Army.

Next sitting of CA is scheduled to take place today.

Tharu – Movement

Thirteen organizations affiliated with Tharu Welfare Assembly, releasing a press statement here yesterday , have condemned that some political parties holding meeting at some corner are attempting to hatch Madhes by making Constituent Assembly a helpless shadow.

 They have stated that the parties are engaged in political give and take by stalling the Constituent Assembly and  alleged that indigenous people were categorized as Madhesi in Interim Constitution to crush their identities.

Budget will be brought by new govt, says Bhattarai

Senior Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai has said the annual budget will be presented by the new government and that his party is pushing for an amendment in the constitution to incorporate a provision that will allow the government to bring budget programme after the start of the fiscal year.

The Maoist leader also argued that the current caretaker government has no right to prepare the annul budget.

According to him, the detailed budget programme could be brought a couple of months after a provisional budget is presented at the end of this Nepali month.

Leader Bhattarai also said the interim constitution would be amended to include such provision.

 On the occasion, Minister Bhusal apprised the British minister on Nepal’s contemporary political development including the formation of new government through building of consensus among major political parties.
 

British envoy meets CJ

British envoy to Nepal Dr Andrew Hall has called on the Chief Justice Kedar Prasad Giri to discuss Chief Justice's recent visit to the UK.

According to the statement issued by the British Embassy yesterday, in the meeting, Dr Hall reiterated the UK's strong support for the work of the Supreme Court in upholding justice and human rights.

Dr Hall also encouraged the judiciary to play an active role in the constitution writing process to ensure that judicial independence is guaranteed. Ambassador Hall also asked all parties to respect the decisions of the apex court.

Meanwhile, British Minister Sahid Malik has stated that he was very attached to Nepal and keen in supporting it and assured continued help on behalf of the British government.

Deuba elected vice President of si

 The 23 rd  Congress of the Socialist International (SI) held from June 30- July 2 in the Greek capital Athens has elected Nepali Congress leader and ex-Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Dueba as its vice President for a term of four years.

 He will be representing Asia there.

 SI has more than 160 socialist and democratic political parties of the world's 120 countries as members.

 The meeting also re-elected President George Papandreou and General Secretary Luis Ayala to their respective posts, the Nepali Congress Central Office said.

Deteriorating security situation in border area

 National Human Rights Commission has stated that security situation in Terai and specially in Indian border area got deteriorated even after Constituent Assembly election and urged the government to strengthened the security arrangement.

 Occurrence of incidents including looting and extortion has increased and employees working in civil service and other organizations got frightened as they were given ultimatum by armed groups to leave Terai within few days it is reported.      Spokesperson of the Commission Gouri Pradhan said the NHRC urged all parties to respect people’s rights to live in free and fearless manner, to engage in profession of their choice and to move and settle within the country freely.

National Aids Conference from 4 July

 The 3^rd National AIDS Conference is to be organized in Kathmandu with the slogan, 'Access for All' to the control and treatment of AIDS and other services to it.

 The aim of organizing the 4-day national conference is to make an effective outline of the national policy and programmes regarding the AIDS by scrutinizing the weakness of the past programmes.

Nepal Government, Ministry of Health and Population, and HIV/AIDS and STD Control Centre will jointly organize the conference while some 21 non-governmental organizations including Global Fund, USAID, UNAIDS and World Health Organization (WHO_will provide monetary assistance to organize the conference.

 There are some 70,000 HIV victims in Nepal. Among them, 1,857 are the children under 14.

Nepal team comes out first

A Nepali karate team from the eastern region has won the first place in the International Karate Championship held in Guahati of Assam, India.

NEWS TEXT OF DATE 2st July 2008 EVE ENGLISH NEWS
(NATIONAL NEWS ONLY)

Three parties meet

The parties' meeting held this evening regarding the Madhes- based parties' demands has failed to arrive at consensus.

The meeting held at the PM's official residence in Baluwatar among the three major parties CPN Maoist, NC and UML has decided that the demands forwarded by the Madhes based parties would be finalized by the CA if the major parties did not arrive at consensus by tomorrow.

Earlier today, the meeting of the top leaders of the three largest parties--- CPN-Maoist, CPN-UML and Nepali Congress (NC) --- scheduled to finalise the draft of a supplementary bill introduced to address the demands raised by the Madhes-based parties for the statute amendment had ended without a decision today

The meeting held at the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction has agreed to take the decision after consulting with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala today, the leaders participating in the meeting said.

Emerging from the meeting, Maoist chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal informed that the UML and the Maoists have been maintaining that the statute amendment should guarantee the right to autonomous provinces for all ethnic groups and marginalised communities as per the agreements forged with all the groups including the Madhes-based parties.

UML Gen. Sec Jhalanath Khanal said the leaders also arrived at the conclusion that all demands and spirits of the Terai people should be incorporated and the army needs to be made more inclusive rather than group-wise recruitment.
CA session put off till Thursday 3pm

The meeting of the Constituent Assembly held in its capacity as the legislative parliament was disrupted by Madhes-based parties for the fifth consecutive day today.

Today’s CA session was put off after the Madhesi lawmakers started chanting slogans and picketing the rostrum.

The CA session was adjourned till Thursday 3pm since the Madhesi lawmakers turned a deaf ear to CA chairman Kul Bahadur Gurung’s request to let other CA members to speak. The Madhes- based parties have also forwarded conditions to address the agreements reached with the government last year


PRIME MINISTER GIVEN INVITATION OF SAARC SUMMIT IN COLOMBO

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has received invitation to attend the 15th Summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which is being held on 2-3 August in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama handed over the invitation letter on Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse's behalf to the Prime Minister Koirala today.

Foreign Secretary Gyan Chandra Acharya said even a discussion on mutual help was held between the PM and Foreign Minister Bogollagama at Baluwatar.

Similarly, another invitation letter to the Foreign Minister was handed over to Foreign Secretary Acharya.

Budget will be brought by new govt, says Bhattarai

Senior Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai has said the annual budget will be presented by the new government and that his party is pushing for an amendment in the constitution to incorporate a provision that will allow the government to bring budget programme after the start of the fiscal year.

The Maoist leader also argued that the current caretaker government has no right to prepare the annul budget.

According to him, the detailed budget programme could be brought a couple of months after a provisional budget is presented at the end of this Nepali month.

Bhattarai also said the interim constitution would be amended to include such a provision.

British envoy meets CJ

British envoy to Nepal Dr Andrew Hall has called on the Chief Justice Kedar Prasad Giri to discuss Gir's recent visit to the UK.
During the meeting, Dr Hall reiterated the UK's strong support for the work of the Supreme Court in upholding justice and human rights, a statement from British embassy said.

Dr Hall also encouraged the judiciary to play an active role in the constitution writing process to ensure that judicial independence is guaranteed.

The ambassador also asked all parties to respect the decisions of the apex court. Brititish Minister Malik while stating that he was very attached to Nepal and keen in supporting it, assured continued help on behalf of the British government and queried about the formation of consensus government in Nepal.

MINISTER BHUSAL CALLS ON MALIK

Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare, Pampha Bhusal, who is on a visit to the United Kingdom called on Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State for the Department for International Development (DFID) Shahid Malik at the Malik’s office in London yesterday.

On the occasion, Minister Bhusal apprised the British minister on Nepal’s contemporary political development including the formation of new government through building of consensus among major political parties.

HSEB- PERMANENT AFFILIATION

Meeting of the Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB), held yesterday, decided to give permanent affiliation to those higher secondary schools, being operated across the nation meeting the certain criteria.

No higher secondary school has got the permanent affiliation so far and had been demanding the board for such affiliation

There altogether 1,661 higher secondary schools across the nation. Some of the criteria required for the permanent affiliation are, number of students, pass percentage, formation of the management committee, at least post- graduate principal, infrastructures and other necessary provision set by the Board.

NATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE FROM 4 JULY

The 3rd National AIDS Conference is to be organized in Kathmandu with the slogan, 'Access for All' to the control and treatment of AIDS and other services to it.

The aim of organizing the 4-day national conference is to make an effective outline of the national policy and programmes regarding the AIDS by scrutinizing the weakness of the past programmes.

Nepal Government, Ministry of Health and Population, and HIV/AIDS and STD Control Centre will jointly organize the conference while some 21 nongovernmental organizations including Global Fund, USAID, UNAIDS and World Health Organization will provide monetary assistance to organize the conference, it is said.

There are some 70,000 HIV victims in Nepal. Among them, 1,857 are the children under 14

3 PARTY MEETING

The three major parties have decided to hold consultations with Madhesi parties jointly this morning.

The meeting of the three parties – Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoists – held at the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction ended, last evening, agreeing to hold joint meeting with Madhesi parties.

They have not reached to any decision regarding the demands of the Madhesi parties for incorporating the Madhes autonomous province and collective recruitment of Madhesis in national army in the proposed bill to introduce fifth amendment of the constitution.
The MJF coordinator Upendra Yadav, instead, held a separate meeting with UML leaders on Monday afternoon.

MADHESI PARTIES DISRUPT CA PROCEEDINGS

The legislative session of the Constituent Assembly could not proceed yesterday as well, as Madhesi CA members shouted slogans and demanded implementation of agreements reached between the government and the Madhesi parties. It was the fourth day that the session had disrupted.

When the chairperson of the session, Kul Bahadur Gurung, tried to start the CA session, members elected from Madhes resorted to sloganeering and prevented the session from the start.

They demanded the implementation of all agreements concerning Madhes and declaration of Madhes as a separate autonomous region.

The meeting of CA will sit again today.

'One Madhesh' demand is a threat to national integrity, says Khanal

CPN (UML) general secretary Jhal Nath Khanal has described the 'single Madhesh province' demand of Terai-based parties as a threat to national integrity.

Speaking at a press conference organised at the UML headquarters in Balkhu, General Secretary Khanal said 'the one Madhesh one province' demand is a game to disintegrate the nation.

Describing the obstruction created by Madhesi parties in the Constituent Assembly proceedings as a violation of the agreement reached between the government and the United Democratic Madheshi Front few months earlier, the UML chief claimed that the government had not agreed to amend the constitution to incorporate the issues that were agreed upon.

Khanal said, the Medhesi parties are showing sheer disrespect to indigenous nationalities and Dalits living in Terai by raising the 'one Madhesh' demand He further added that multiple provinces could be established in the Terai plains.

General Secretary however, expressed confidence that the stalemate in the Assembly would end within 2-3 days as the parties were into serious discussion on the issue.

Earlier yesterday, inaugurating the seminar on ‘Future work-direction of Trade Unions in Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal”, organized by Nepal Trade Union Federation in Kathmandu, General Secretary Khanal said new constitution would not be formulated in the absence of unity among three major political parties.

General Secretary also said though CPN (Maoist) has the responsibility to lead the new government, it must move ahead in unison with other political parties.


NC FORMS COMMITTEE TO AMEND PARTY STATUTE

A meeting of the Nepali Congress parliamentary party held yesterday in Singha Durbar formed a seven-member committee to amend party’s statute with the coordination of party General Secretary Bimalendra Nidhi.

According to the information given by Central Member of the party, Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, the committee also includes Nara Hari Acharya, Ramesh Lekhak, Pushpa Bhushal, Surya Man Gurung, Maha Nepali and Mohammed Siddhiki.

The meeting which will continue for four days has not selected parliamentary party leader.

Central Member Dr Mahat said the new committee was formed to meet the points to the meeting of the constituent assembly as the earlier statute only served the parliamentary meeting. Dr Mahat further added that the leader of the parliamentary party will be elected after framing the new statute.

MORANG ACCIDENT

4 people have died in a truck accident in Belbaari section of Mahendra Highway in Morang. According to our correspondent, they died after an Indian vehicle hit the truck.

Both truck and the Indian vehicle have been taken under police custody.

SIX PARTIES AGREE TO RESOLVE CA DEADLOCK

The three major parties and Terai based parties have agreed to incorporate the earlier agreements made with the government in the constitution.

The meeting of the three parties from the ruling alliance – Nepali Congress (NC), Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) and Maoists – and the three Madhesi parties – Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP) and Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) –reached the decision this morning.

The six parties have agreed to introduce a supplementary amendment bill along with the fifth amendment bill to resolve the deadlock at the Constituent Assembly.

The supplementary bill will address the demands of the Madhesi parties who have been obstructing the CA meeting asking for the incorporation of Madhes autonomous province, among others, in the constitution amendment bill.

The parties have formed a team to draft the bill which includes Bimalendra Nidhi of Nepali Congress, Dev Gurung of CPN Maoists and Bhim Rawal of CPN UML, according to our correspondent Naresh Phuyal. The bill will be finalized by today.

The CA meeting will also take place later in the afternoon.


RE 1 DONATION FOR CA MEMBERS

Meanwhile, Civil society members and Federation of Nepali Journalists, Dhankuta branch, have sent 601 Rupees to Constituent Assembly members on behalf of the people in Dhankuta.

The amount was sent as a symbolic protest against the disruption of CA meetings.


JOURNALIST ATTACKED

A group of youths have physically assaulted executive editor of Udaypur Post fortnightly Sanchar Kiranti, while he was covering the Gaighat bazaar bandh yesterday.

The Federation of Nepali Journalist, Udaypur branch, has condemned the attack and sought action against the assailants.

The attackers had also looted a digital camera from Kiranti. The bandh was after a clash between two groups on the final day of tender registration for three road construction projects in Udaypur.


BLAST ON IOM PREMISES

An unidentified gang detonated three bombs on the premises of International Migration Organisation in Damak of Jhapa last night.

The blasts caused minor damage to the office and security has been tightened after the incident, according to the police.

The organization is involved in resettling Bhutanese refugees to United States, which vows to take some 60,000 as a gesture to end the two-decade long crisis.


FOUR KILLED IN MORANG JEEP MISHAP

Four persons were killed when a jeep carrying pre-wedding procession from Sikkim collided with a truck at Dangihat of Morang district last night.

Five other persons injured in the accident are being treated in Dharan.


HIGHWAY OBSTRUCTION

With the beginning of monsoon and rain-triggered landslides, the Siddhicharan Highway of Katari - Okhaldhunga has been obstructed.

There is no alternative foot track and passengers are forced to cross the landslide portion of the highway on their own by putting their lives at risk.

The highway caters to people of Okhaldhunga, Khotang and Solukhumbu.


SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SHOT DEAD IN MORANG

Principal of Don Bosco Boarding School of Morang district John Prakash has been shot dead by a criminal gang last night.

A gang of four to five Indian criminals shot him dead, according to the district police office in Morang. The gang also detonated bombs while fleeing.

John is a permanent resident of Kerala in India. He was involved with the school for the past nine years.
 

NEWS TEXT OF DATE 1st July 2008 MORN ENGLISH NEWS
(NATIONAL NEWS ONLY)

3 PARTY MEETING

The three major parties have decided to hold consultations with Madhesi parties jointly this morning.

The meeting of the three parties – Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoists – held at the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction ended, last evening, agreeing to hold joint meeting with Madhesi parties.

They have not reached to any decision regarding the demands of the Madhesi parties for incorporating the Madhes autonomous province and collective recruitment of Madhesis in national army in the proposed bill to introduce fifth amendment of the constitution.

The MJF coordinator Upendra Yadav, instead, held a separate meetin