KATHMANDU, JUN 29 - Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, Kamal Thapa , has said that the election held in only free and fair atmosphere would result in true people's mandate and help in strengthening people's sovereignty.

Addressing a programme organised by the party to welcome newcomers, Chairman Thapa pointed out for the need of unity among the nationalist forces to end growing foreign interference.

Further, he said none could thwart the CA polls as the people's enthusiasm has grown positively towards election .

As many as 70 persons from different parties entered the RPP-N.Chairman Thapa welcomed them in the party. RSS

BIRATNAGAR, JUN 29 -
Senior CPN-UML leader KP Sharma Oli has said that none could obstruct the Constituent Assembly election s slated for November 19.

Talking to media persons in Biratnagar on Saturday, leader Oli said Nepal Army would be mobilised in the election to hold it in a peaceful atmosphere.

Election would not be thwarted merely because of some few parties objecting to it, he said, adding only election could institutionalise the democracy.

If we fail to hold election on the slated date, the country would face bigger crisis, he said and urged all parties not to make any decision that hinders electoral process.

Responding to a query, leader Oli said that the High Level Political Committee formed to hold the election could not be dissolved till the election was held. There would be no compromise on election government, he stressed.

On a different note, he said his party had no dispute about its general convention. RSS

KATHMANDU, JUN 29 - UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal met Chairman of the Interim Election Council Khil Raj Regmi at the latter's residence in Baluwatar on Saturday and discussed the issues related to the forthcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) elections.

On the occasion, Chairman Regmi said that the government would move ahead with the ongoing preparations of the CA election and urged Chairman Dahal to extend full support to the government saying that he was the leader of the biggest political party.

Dahal's aide Shiva Khakurel said that Chairman Dahal took Chairman Regmi's views very positively and expressed commitment that his party was ready to extend full support to the government in the electoral process and give political outlet to the country.

Saying that his party was already fully devoted to the election preparations, former Prime Minister Dahal expressed his belief that the government should not have any hindrances in carrying out the election on the slated date.

The meeting between the two also discussed about the ways to woo the disgruntled political parties on the election process so as to ensure the CA polls.

KATHMANDU, JUN 29 - Unified CPN (Maoist) Vice Chairman Baburam Bhattarai has said that he is ready to quit the party vice chairman post if need be. Bhattarai opined that everybody should make sacrifice for strengthening the party.

Former Prime Minister Bhattarai’s statement comes at a time when controversy has surfaced in the party over the party portfolio after several leaders staked claimed to plum party position s.

Many party leaders have expressed their displeasure over the proposal floated by party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal regarding party position and promotion at the ongoing Central Committee meeting.

‘Everybody should make efforts in consolidating the party by making sacrifices,” said Bhattarai,” I am ready to relinquish party vice chairman post if need be.”

The UCPN (M) CC meeting has been protracted following controversies over several party position s.

KATHMANDU, JUN 29 - Barely three months after joining from CPN-UML , UCPN (Maoist) Central Committee (CC) member Ram Chandra Jha has announced to quit the Maoist party too if he was not elevated to the level of UCPN (M) office bearer.

Speaking to BBC Nepal Sewa on Friday, Jha announced to quit the party expressing dissatisfaction over Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal's proposal to elevate him the party Standing Committee (SC). 'I will not remain active in politics. I will stay quiet and resign from the CC," he said. Office bearer, also known as party headquarter, is a powerful portfolio in the UCPN (Maoist).

Jha revealed that the party had agreed to appoint him in the office bearer if its size expanded beyond five. "I was told that I would be selected in the SC if only five members were selected in the office bearer. However, if that number exceeded beyond five, they had assured me to induct in the office bearer," Jha said. "But the chairman had proposed for nine-member office bearer and proposed my name in the SC. I am not satisfied by this decision," Jha said.

KASKI, JUN 29 -
CPN-UML General Secretary Ishwor Pokharel has said that the nation should head for election only after addressing the dissenting parties .

He ruled out the possibility of Constituent Assembly elections prior addressing political demands and concerns of the parties opposing the polls .

Speaking at a press meet organised by Press Chautari Nepal in Kaski on Saturday, leader Pokharel suggested all the parties to show maximum flexibility to hold CA polls on the slated date.

"The nation should move ahead by addressing political issues, elections can not be held by ignoring to incorporate dissenting parties ," Pokharel said.

He said parties should make attempts to make all the opposing parties including the Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum to participate in the upcoming polls .

Also on the occasion, Pohkarel said the UML party has been heading in unity following the announcement of CA polls date.

He said cadres have been deployed nationwide for the preparation of the polls . He also ruled out the possibility of drafting democratic constitution if the UML fails to bring majority in the CA polls .

KATHMANDU, JUN 29 -
Farmers across the nation have been marking Asar Pandra , known as Ropain Diwas, by planting paddy in their fields on Saturday.

Asar 15, which usually falls on the last days of June, is observed as National Paddy Day and the celebration includes singing of traditional Asare bhaka, dancing, splashing mud at each other and a feast of beaten rice and curd popularly known as ‘Dahi-Chiura’.

The day has a significant meaning in the country as paddy accounts for a larger portion of agricultural production in the country.

KATHMANDU, JUN 29 -
The Nepal Army seized 650 kilo grams of red sandalwood from Rasuwagadhi on Saturday morning.

The truck loaded with red sandalwood reached Rasuwagadhi, passing from six check posts of Langtang National Park and Nepal Police.

According to LNP assistant warden Buddhi Pathak, the NA team found red sandalwood in the parked truck during a regular checking.

Meanwhile five persons have been arrested in this connection.

KATHMANDU, JUN 28 - President Ram Baran Yadav has said that all the political parties should participate in the election to the Constituent Assembly (CA) to strengthen the Federal Democratic Republic.

Talking to media persons at the VVIP lounge of Tribhuvan International Airport upon his arrival from Japan on Friday, President Yadav said that all parties should go for election by narrowing down their differences as only four-and-half months remain for the election slated for November 19. President Yadav had gone to Japan for medical checkup and treatment.



He said the second CA should be formed as per the aspirations of the people and that democracy and republic should be strengthened from the elected body.

The President expressed his belief that the future of the country would be ensured through the CA election .

Saying that there was no alternative to institutionalise democratic republic for political stability, development and prosperity, President Yadav called on everyone to unite and move ahead for the overall welfare of the country patching up differences.

Also on the occasion, President Yadav expressed sadness over loss of lives and properties by floods and landslides at different parts of Far-Western Region.

Extending condolences to those who died in the disaster, the President expressed his sympathy towards the bereaved families.

KATHMANDU, JUN 28 - Kantipur Daily journalist Anmolmani Poudel has been awarded with the Madan Bhandari Education Award, established by the Madan Bhandari Memorial College starting this year.

Amid a programme organised here in Kathmandu on Friday, culture expert Satya Mohan Joshi and founder of the College and CPN-UML Vice-Chairperson Bidya Bhandari, jointly gave away the award to journalist Poudel. The award carries a purse of Rs. 25,000.

A committee was formed under the coordination of former Vice- Chancellor of the Tribhuvan University Dr. Kamal Krishna Joshi with President of the Federation of the Nepali Journalists Shiva Gaunle and College Chief Chaitanya Sharma as the other members of the committee who selected the winner.

The award was given away on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of the College and 62nd birth anniversary of former UML General Secretary Madan Bhandari .



Also during the programme, leader Bhandari said that the state should increase investment in education sector and stressed on the need of political stability for educational development.

KATHMANDU, JUN 28 - The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has initiated investigations into the property of 200 high-ranking government officials including Inspector General of Armed Police Force Kosh Raj Onta .

Along with Onta, SSP Shyam Kaji Kunwar, SSP Chirinjivi Adhikari, SSP Shyam Kaji Kunwar and Gopal Man Shrestha have come under the CIAA scanner .

Likewise, the anti-graft body has brought Nepal Police DIG Pratap Singh Thapa, Ramesh Bikram Shah, SSP Sanjaya Singh Basnet and DSP Hira Bahadur Giri under its investigation. The CIAA informed that bank lockers of the officials under investigations have been closed.



List of civil employees under scanner

Armed Police Force:

IG Kosh Raj Onta , SSP Chirinjivi Adhikari, Shyam Kaji Kunwar and SP Gopi Man Shrestha.

Nepal Police:

DIG Pratap Singh Thapa, DIG Ramesh Bikram Shah, SP Sanjaya Singh Basnet and DSP Hira Bahadur Giri.

Nepal Telecom:

General Manager Digambar Jha, Rajendra Nakarmi, Ambar Sthapith, Purushottam Khanal, Dipesh Acharya, Kumar Prasad Sharma, Sudhir Prasad Aryal, Anil Acharya and Madan Sharma, Bhagwan Man Singh Pradhan, Pradeep Thakur, Niraj Adhikari, Chandra Mohan Jha, Dev Narayan Yadav

Energy Ministry: Moti Kunwar

Foreign Employment Department: Bhawani Thapa, Bishnu Hari Upadhyay and Bishwabandhu Regmi

Nepal Oil Corporation: Wati Raj Poudel, Rabin Chandra Adhikari, Rabin Kumar Sharma, Birendra Goit and Mukunda Prasad Ghimire

CTEVT: Ramesh Kumar Bakhati, Dev Chandra Devkota, Narendra Shah, Bishnu Koirala, Raju Khadka and Yam Prasad Bhurtel

Home Ministry: Uddhav Timilsina Bhajang, Gopal Parajuli Ramechhap, Deepak Pokharel Jhapa

Transport Management Office: Bipin Kumar Lal Karna Lal Karna Lalitpur, Bhim Prasad Gautam Itahari, Kirti Ballav Poudel Lalitpur, Rajesh Panthi Lalitpur, Jeewan Acharya Parsa, Khushilala Karna Janakpur

Department of Survey: Sumant Jha Parsa

Tribhuvan International Airport: General Manager Dinesh Shrestha

Revenue Administration: Kul Prasad Chudal Lalitpur, Tulsi Sedai Dharan, Dharmendra Mishra Butwal, Indra Dhungana


Debt Recovery Tribunal: Dhirga Raj Mainali Baneshwor

Nepal Electricity Authority: Bigyan Prasad Shrestha, Bimal Gurung, Roshan Agrawal, Bajra Bhushan Chaudhary, Ganesh Prasad Raj, Hom Bahadur KC, Haribir Silwal, Bodh Raj Dhakal, Deepak Upadhyay, Maheshwor Lal Shrestha, Chirinjivi Poudel, Ram Chandra Poudel and Sher Singh Bhat

Medical Council: Anil Kumar Jha, Manohar Pradhan, Nila Mani Upadhyay

Engineering Council: Saligram Singh

Nepal Telecommunications Authority: Bijaya Thakur

Urban Development: Kameshwor Prasad Singh Biratnagar

Irrigation Ministry: Sita Ram Yadav, Himalaya Poudel, Thal Bahadur Tamang

Agriculture Ministry: Lekhnath Acharya

Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited: Rabindra Nepal, Lila Dhakal

Civil Aviation Authority: Director General Tri Rantna Manandar and Pushpa Raj Shakya

Agricultural Development Bank: Sagar Chandra Joshi

Land Revenue Office: Badri Bahadur Karki Dillibazaar and Thakur Prasad Niraula Jhapa

KATHMANDU, JUN 28 - President Ram Baran Yadav has arrived here in the Capital after receiving medical treatment from the University of Tokyo Hospital in Japan on Friday.

The president landed here at Tribhuwan International Airport at 12.30 this afternoon.

President Yadav was discharged from the Hospital on Wednesday following completion of several tests conducted upon him by the doctors of the Tokyo-based Hospital.

The doctors involved in his medical-check up had said that his health condition was normal and that he has no such symptoms of cancer .

The reports of all the medial tests conducted on his health were found to be normal.

The president had undergone comprehensive medical tests including colonoscopy, endoscopy, CT scan, PET scan, X-rays and other blood tests at the Tokyo-based hospital.

President Yadav was admitted to the Hospital on June 18 after doctors involved in his treatment back home had advised him to fly abroad for further medical diagnosis and tests.

JOHANNESBERG, JUN 28 -
Nelson Mandela 's health improved overnight and although his condition remains critical it is now stable, the South African government said Thursday. One of the former president's daughters said he is still opening his eyes and reacting to the touch of his family even though his situation is precarious.

The report that the health of the 94-year-old anti-apartheid leader had taken a turn for the better came amid a growing sense in South Africa that Mandela was approaching the end of his life. Well-wishers have delivered flowers and messages of support to the Pretoria hospital where he is being treated, and prayer sessions were held around the country on Thursday.

President Jacob Zuma's office said in a statement that he received the encouraging update from the medical team that is treating Mandela. Zuma had canceled an international trip on Thursday, instead visiting Mandela for the second time in two days.

"I canceled my visit to Mozambique today so that I can see him and confer with the doctors," Zuma said in the statement. "He is much better today than he was when I saw him last night."

In April, Zuma gave an overly upbeat assessment about Mandela's condition. At that time, state television broadcast footage of a visit by Zuma and other political leaders to Mandela's home. Zuma said at the time that Mandela was in good shape, but the footage showed him silent and unresponsive, even when Zuma tried to hold his hand.

Mandela, who was imprisoned for 27 years during white racist rule and became president in all-race elections in 1994, was taken to a hospital on June 8 for what the government said was a recurring lung infection.

Zuma urged people to pray for Mandela, and continue with their work and daily activities even while he is hospitalized.

The president's office said it was disturbed by what it called rumors about Mandela's health and appealed for respect for the privacy and dignity of the former leader. Unconfirmed reports about Mandela have swirled on social media and other forums.

Mandela's condition is acknowledged to be grave. He is on life support systems, according to a few television networks that quote anonymous sources, and presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj has declined to confirm or deny those reports.

Makaziwe Mandela, one of Mandela's daughters, echoed the criticism, saying foreign media coverage of her father's illness had become intrusive, particularly at the Pretoria hospital where many journalists have gathered.

"There's sort of a racist element with many of the foreign media, where they just cross boundaries," she said in the SABC interview. "It's like truly vultures waiting when a lion has devoured a buffalo, waiting there for the last carcasses. That's the image that we have, as a family."

She said: "We don't mind the interest. But I just think it has gone overboard."

In comments posted on the SABC web site, Makaziwe Mandela said "anything is imminent" because her father, referred to affectionately by many South Africans as "Tata," or "Father," is in a very critical state.

"I want to emphasize again that it's only God who knows when the time to go is," she said. "So we will wait with Tata. He's still giving us hope by opening his eyes, he's still reactive to touch, we will live with that hope until the final end comes."

Beginning a trip to Africa, President Obama said in Senegal on Thursday that his thoughts and prayers were with South Africans and in particular the Mandela family. He said he was inspired, as a law school student in the early 1990s, to see Mandela step forward after decades of imprisonment to help deliver democracy in a spirit of reconciliation with his former captors.

"It gave me a sense of what is possible in the world when righteous people, when people of good will, work together on behalf of a larger cause," said Obama, who described Mandela as a personal hero.

"And if and when he passes from this place, one thing I think we'll all know is that his legacy is one that will linger on throughout the ages," Obama said.

BARDIYA, JUN 28 -
Kanchhu Tharu of Daulatpur VDC-2 in the district was working on his farmland when a flood from the Karnali river raged the village a week ago. “The flood washed away the farmland though we were able to move to a safer place,” he said.

Local residents said around 67.7 hectares of farmland in the area was swept away by the flood that hit Daulatpur and Patabhara VDCs the most. The flood also destroyed food grains as well as other valuables and swept away livestock, causing a huge loss to local farmers.

Parbati Sonaha of Murgahawa said she was finding it hard to manage two square meals a day for her family after all their food grains were destroyed in the disaster. Dipak Tharu of Murgahawa said the situation may go from bad to worse if the government does not provide relief immediately.

Meanwhile, flood victims padlocked the Daulatpur VDC office, protesting the government’s “failure” to distribute relief materials and rehabilitate flood -hit families. The flood victims are reported to be taking shelter in their relatives’ houses.

Local people accused the authorities concerned of being apathetic towards their plights.

Indian side asked to expedite work

NAWALPARASI: The Narayani river has continued eroding riverside land after the construction work of spurs of the Gandak embankment was obstructed due to monsoon. Local people said the river has eroded around 101 hectares of land this year. They accused the Indian side, which is responsible for repair and maintenance of the embankment, of delaying the work instead of completing it during the winter season. Meanwhile, Chief District Officer Keshabraj Ghimire inspected the site on Wednesday and directed Indian contractors and technicians to expedite the work. (PR)

BIRGUNJ, JUN 28 -
CPN-UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal has urged people not to harbor any doubts regarding the Constituent Assembly polls slated for November 19.

Addressing a training programme organised by the UML Parsa on Friday, he said there was no problem holding fresh CA election on the date declared by the government as it has been set in consultation with and the consent of the major political parties.

Leader Nepal said that now there was no alternative to holding the CA election and expressed his hope that the parties opposing the election would ultimately have to come on board and participate in the election .

Nepal, also the former prime minister, ruled out any possibilities of revival of monarchy in the country as it was limited in the pages of history. RSS

BAGHDAD , JUN 28 - Bombs exploded in busy coffee shops and at other targets across Iraq late on Thursday, killing at least 22 people, police and medics said.

In north and south Baghdad, two blasts tore through cafes where scores of young men had gathered to watch a televised football match, killing eight people, police and medical sources said.

Two other explosions killed 10 people in coffee shops in the city of Baquba, about 50 km (30 miles) northeast of Baghdad, police said.

Another bomb exploded near a cafe in the town of Jbela, 65 km (40 miles) south of Baghdad, killing three, and a "sticky bomb" attached to a car killed a civilian in Iskandariya, 40 km (25 miles) south of Baghdad, police said.

Violence has grown in Iraq since the start of the year, claiming more than 1,000 people in May alone, making it the deadliest month since the sectarian bloodletting of 2006-07.

Insurgents, including al Qaeda's Iraqi affiliate, have been recruiting from the country's Sunni Muslim minority, which feels sidelined following the U.S.-led invasion that toppled former dictator Saddam Hussein and empowered majority Shi'ites.

Sectarian tensions have been inflamed by the civil war in Syria, which is fast spreading into a region-wide proxy war, drawing in Shi'ite and Sunni fighters from Iraq and beyond to fight on opposite sides of the conflict.

The latest bombs struck as Iraqis celebrated moves by the U.N. Security Council towards ending sanctions imposed on Baghdad more than two decades ago after former President Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990.

KATHMANDU, JUN 28 -
The four major political parties have asked the Election Commission ( EC ) to withdraw some ‘harsh’ provisions in the election code of conduct that the EC has proposed for the upcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) elections. The parties argue that the provisions may affect the elections scheduled for November 19.

In discussions with election commissioners on Thursday, top leaders of the UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) stood against the provisions, while they said the November polls must be held on the basis of the code of conduct prepared for the 2008 CA elections.

UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, NC Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel, UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, who also heads the High Level Political Committee (HLPC), met the EC officials on poll preparations and the challenges involved.

The top leaders said the new provisions will ‘worsen’ the election environment by inviting fresh dispute among the parties. The proposed code of conduct provisions say a person’s candidacy can be cancelled if s/he is found violating the election standards. The provisions also say candidates must disclose their property details before filing candidacy, while they have made collecting donations through the banking system and submitting the details to the EC after the elections mandatory.

The code also bars wall-chalking, face painting, putting up banners and use of loudspeakers, helicopters and chartered planes during poll campaigns.

“They (top leaders) were not happy with the provision of a candidate having to declare the property details and they feared that the code could widen the differences among the parties.

“They, however, welcomed the increment in the election expenditure ceiling for individual candidates,” Chief Election Commissioner Neel Kantha Uprety said.

This time around, the EC has allowed each candidate contesting under the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) electoral system to spend Rs 1 million in the poll campaign, while the ceiling in the 2008 elections was a maximum of Rs 459,500 for FPTP candidates and Rs 50,000 in the proportional representation system.The UCPN (Maoist) and Madhes-based parties have been opposing the election code from the very beginning, particularly the ban on the use of helicopters and the provision to disclose the property details.

Responding to the concerns of the parties, the commissioners on Thursday told the leaders that the parties and the government are the final arbiters when it comes to endorsing the proposed code ‘formed to hold free and fair elections.’

So far, the EC has registered over 12 million of the estimated 15.4 million

voters, while it is in the process of verifying applications filed by 139

political parties for registration.

“Despite the provisions in the code of conduct , we found the election commission well prepared and committed to holding the November polls. We are fully satisfied with the preparations,” NC Vice-president Poudel said, emerging from the meeting.

BELO HORIZONTE, JUN 27 -
Brazil 's players wept with joy inside the stadium, and Brazil ian protesters were sprayed with tear gas outside it as the country's soccer team reached the Confederations Cup final despite another wave of mass demonstrations on the streets.

Brazil beat neighbor Uruguay 2-1 on an 86th-minute header from Paulinho. The hosts, seeking their third straight Confederations Cup title, will play the winner of Thursday's semifinal between World Cup-European champion Spain and Italy.

The championship game is Sunday and protests already have been announced for Maracana Stadium.

As thousands of anti-government protesters clashed with police nearby, inside Mineirao Stadium, Brazil was inconsistent, but good enough.

''It's a new team and this is going to help us grow for the World Cup,'' Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar said. ''We know that we can face a very difficult opponent (and win).''

Diego Forlan could have put Uruguay ahead in the 14th minute, but Julio Cesar dived to his left to stop Forlan's low penalty kick after Brazil ian defender David Luiz was called for tugging the shirt of Diego Lugano. Only four of eight penalties kicks in the tournament have been successful.

Brazil took the lead in the 41st. Neymar brought down Paulinho's high ball, and goalkeeper Fernando Muslera saved Neymar's attempt. The loose ball trickled across the penalty area, and Fred scored despite scuffing his shot.

Edinson Cavani took advantage of sloppy defending to tie the score three minutes into the second half, intercepting Thiago Silva's pass to Marcelo after a poor clearance by David Luiz.

Paulinho scored the winning goal when he got away from Martin Caceres at the back post and beat Muslera from 4 yards with an open header after the goalkeeper came off his line.

''We are not ready yet,'' Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said. ''We have to go through this, through all these situations so we can grow and evolve ... and reach the World Cup in better shape.

''What I have to show them is the progress that they made. This is how I make them self-confident.''

Outside the stadium, protesters' anger was directed at the government and police. Inside, the animosity was directed from the start at Lugano, the Uruguay captain who enraged Brazil ian fans on the eve of the match by accusing Neymar of diving.

Slack defending helped Uruguay as several chances to clear the ball out of danger were wasted. Thiago Silva's pass to Marcelo was easily intercepted by Cavani, who scored past Cesar.

However shoddy the work of Brazil 's defenders, the quality of the forwards started to shine through as the game became feisty, with five yellow cards awarded. Neymar exchanged taunts with Uruguay's Alvaro Gonzalez before sarcastically blowing him a kiss.

But Neymar helped ensure Brazil had the last say as he floated a corner kick into the penalty area that Paulinho rose above Caceres to meet and head into the net.

''It was an even match, maybe we even had more chances than Brazil , but football is like this,'' Uruguay striker Luis Suarez said. ''In the end, they found a way to win.''

Security was high at the semifinal as protesters, in part angered by the billions of dollars spent on World Cup preparations, targeted this high-profile match in the latest in a series of demonstrations in Brazil during the tournament. They were met by tear gas and rubber bullets during clashes with police, but the match itself was unaffected by the protests.

KATHMANDU, JUN 27 -
Miffed at what they termed “political statements” and recent activities of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Neel Kantha Uprety, the High-level Political Committee ( HLPC ) has decided to discuss the matter with the CEC.

A meeting of the cross-party mechanism formed to facilitate the functioning of the Khil Raj Regmi-led government on Wednesday accused Uprety of  making “political statements” and acting tough on the election code of conduct, electoral laws and voter rolls by going “beyond his jurisdiction.” Of late, Uprety has been urging the major political parties to bring all poll-opposing parties on board and present the report of the Constituency Delimitation Commi-ssion by mid-August if the November 19 polls are to be held. The parties have also objected to the EC’s time-bound action plan for the elections.  “The main function of the Election Commission is to hold the elections on November 19. It should consult with the government or the parties if it has problems with the election preparations,” UCPN (Maoist) Vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said. General Secretary of the Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Loktantrik Jitendra Narayan Dev said the parties were concerned over Uprety “interfering in others’ work instead of doing his job.”

He accused Uprety of approaching Chairman of the Interim Election Government Khil Raj Regmi to transfer EC Secretary Narayan Gopal Malego after the announcement of the poll date. “We want to know why the experienced secretary was replaced with a new one,” Dev said.

The Cabinet last Tuesday replaced Malego with the secretary at the Auditor General’s Office, Narendra Dahal.  CEC Uprety, however, brushed off the accusation. “I have not done anything but create an environment conducive to holding the polls,” he said. Uprety said the EC only gave a nod to the government’s recommendation to transfer Malego. “They are free to inquire with individuals involved in this process,” he said.

As HLPC coordinator Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar chaired the meeting on Wednesday, leaders from the UCPN (Maoist) and the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha expressed serious concerns over the recent remarks made by Uprety and over the poll code of conduct proposed by the EC. Nepali Congress and CPN-UML leaders also agreed to meet Uprety after Maoist leaders insisted that the issue should be raised with him.

According to sources, the “strong” election code of conduct that the EC has proposed has not gone down well with the political parties. The code bans use of chartered helicopters and planes for election campaigning, wall-chalking, use of banners, face painting and forced donations, among other things.

“The provision to bar the parties from collecting donations without official receipt is impractical, while many other provisions are timely and relevant,” said UML leader Agni Kharel.

In the HLPC meeting, the Maoist leaders objected to Uprety’s attempts to personally reach out to the poll-opposing parties, including the Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist.

“Commissioners are constitutional and can talk of issues related to the elections,” Uprety, however, said.

The EC has been holding consultations with stakeholders concerned on the code of conduct. In a meeting with the EC on Tuesday, Maoist leader Khim Lal Devkota expressed reservations over the proposed code of conduct. Devkota insisted the 2008 code of conduct be followed this time too.

Even after the promulgation of election laws, the Maoists and the Madhes-based parties have been advocating for the revival of the previous electoral provisions and code of conduct.

“The EC, especially the Chief Election Commissioner, is complicating the procedures by introducing new conditions one after the other. We feel he is either against the elections or is guided by certain political parties,” said Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party Vice-chairman Hridayesh Tripathi.

“We re-appointed him [Uprety] as the EC chief by honouring his experience, but we are at a loss as to why he is ousting experienced civil servants. Why is he imposing unnecessary provisions instead of holding the elections on the basis of the pervious code of conduct,” said Tripathi.

KATHMANDU, JUN 27 -
A probe committee of the Home Ministry has recommended sacking one of its under-secretaries found involved in the manipulation of tender specifications of the National ID Card Project.

An internal probe conducted by the ministry found that Anil Dutta, the under-secretary at the National ID Management Centre, was directly involved in manipulating some specifications of the bid document.

“He made a serious mistake by manipulating some specifications of the bid documents. Hence, we have decided to sack him from the civil service and in this regard, we will soon write to the Public Service Commission, seeking its nod for his removal,” a senior Home Ministry official told the Post.

The Home Ministry has suspended him for six months until a final decision is taken.

“We had sought a clarification from Dutta. We have recommended the minister and the Home Secretary to take strong action against him, which means sacking him from the job, as his

clarification failed to satisfy the probe panel,” a senior official at the Home Ministry said.

Home Secretary Nabin Ghimire confirmed that the probe panel had recommended sacking Dutta. “However, I have not taken a final call on whether he should be sacked or not,” he said.

A ministry-level decision is first required to execute this recommendation, for which, Home Minister Madhav Ghimire has already given a go-ahead.

Under the aegis of the Home Ministry, the National Identity Card Centre had invited an international bid to introduce the NID, which will cost $117 million in the first phase. A total of $8 million for the first phase will be funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The pilot project aims to distribute 110,000 IDs in that phase.

The multi-million dollar project invited controversy after a group of bidders lodged a formal complaint at the Prime Minister’s Office, the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) and the ADB over the tender document.

The internal probe found that the specifications were prepared in a way that suited the experience and qualification of one German company, Gemalto.

MoHA sources said the specifications approved by the home ministry-level meeting and the one that appeared in the global tender notice did not match.

After competing bidders cried foul over tender specifications being ‘manipulated,’ the Home Ministry has made some amendments in the documents.

Though the probe panel has recommended Dutta’s removal, the ministry is still undecided on whether to go ahead with the global tender that was prepared by a team of experts, including one hired by the ADB.

“The entire bid should be reviewed because some specifications were inserted on behalf of one particular bidder. Dutta’s involvement in the matter means that there are some serious flaws in the bid documents,” the Ministry official said.

The competing bidders have expressed reservations over the inclusion of features in the bid document such as submitting proof of ‘intergraf certification’ which is only used in Europe. They have also demanded removing the provision that says the bidder should have over 10 years of experience in handling and supplying of laser-engraved polycarbonate cards.

“We do not want the Machine Readable Passport saga repeated, where several specifications were changed under the influence of a certain bidder. This process should go on smoothly without it being dragged to any controversy, while donors’ and public money should not be embezzled,” the official said.

BANKE, JUN 27 -
Although the country lacks legislation to recognise surrogate birthing, there are couple s who have opted the process to become parents and some women rights activists say it is high time the government authorises surrogacy.

A group of women rights activists has arrived in Banke to conduct a study on surrogacy that they believe would act as an impetus to form policies and regulations on surrogate birthing.

Surrogacy is a process where a woman carries and delivers a child for another woman who cannot conceive. The procedure requires transferring of the test tube-developed embryo from the couple to the uterus of the surrogate mother.

According to Laxmi Neupane of Women Human Rights Defenders’ Network, they have information on at least five cases of surrogate birthing and that they plan to meet the couple s concerned.

Surrogacy is legal in the US, Australia, India and European countries, Neupane said, adding that their study is aimed at giving legal status to the practice and aiding the authorities in formulating different regulations and policies pertinent to the issue.

The rights activists also met health professionals and doctors to learn about cases of surrogate birthing.

“We know that there already are couple s with children born out of surrogate mothers. These couple s do not come out in public due to social stigma attached to women who are infertile. The same can be said of those women willing to carry children for another couple ,” Sarita Dahal of Women’s Rehabilitation Centre said. “In our study, we are also discussing the positive and negative aspects of legalising surrogacy in the country.”

The activists involved in the study believe surrogacy is a suitable alternative for infertile women and couple s wishing to have children of their own and that the government should give legal recognition to the practice.

In 2011, the Kathmandu District Court settled the country’s first surrogacy-related lawsuit, although the case was related to inheritance rights of the surrogate child.

It was learnt then that many childless Nepali couple s went to India where surrogacy is legally recognised.

HARIDWAR, JUN 27 -

Ten days after flashfloods ripped through major pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand state of India, there are no signs of many Nepalis who are reported missing there.

Relatives of more than two dozen missing persons have started visiting various police stations for final inquiry and to report disappearance.

“We hear that they will not issue death certificates if we do not report the disappearance cases to the police. So we have decided to approach the Dehradun police tomorrow and report our cases,” said Krishna Chalise of Kathmandu.

The trio is out of contact for the last 11 days along with other Nepali pilgrims—Devnarayan Sharma, Hiradevi Chalise, Netra Prasad Poudel, Bishnukala Poudel,

Ramkala Upadhyay and Ishwaradevi Lamsal—whose relatives are also planning to report the missing cases on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand Information Centre has reported that inclement weather has affected rescue work. Thirty-one Nepalis are said to be stranded in Badrinath. Thirteen other Nepalis are said to be stranded in Pandukeshwor and Guptakashi.

KATHMANDU, JUN 26 - Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar has said that they are ready to summon a roundtable conference as demanded by the CPN-Maoist if the latter shows readiness to participate in the upcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) polls slated for November.

“We are ready to exhibit utmost flexible to conduct CA polls on November 19. If Baidya Ji agrees for polls, we are ready to call for a meeting of the parties represented in the dissolved CA and take up all the issues,” said Gachhadar, who is currently the coordinator of the High-Level Political Committee, speaking at the Reporter’s Club in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

He, however, ruled out the possibility of holding a roundtable of all parties in the current sitution.

The former Home Minister made it clear that the government was ready to bring all the political parties in the High Level Political Mechanism. He added that the government was to address the rightful demands put forth by the poll- opposing parties.

“However, the CPN-Maoist demand of scrapping the election procedure is unacceptable and impractical,” he said,” We cannot hold talks regarding that.”

Furthermore, he said that the proposed polls for Nov. 19 would go ahead even if some parties did not come to the election fold.

"The nation cannot be taken hostage just because some parties do not agree to join polls," Gachhadar said.

KATHMANDU, JUN 26 - Former finance ministers have suggested that the government should focus on the implementation of the new budget rather than limiting on papers.

They floated such suggestions during a meeting summoned by the Finance Ministry Shankar Prasad Koirala on Wednesday to seek inputs for preparing budget for the fiscal year 2070/71. They suggested that the government should not dream of a high growth rate given the slow capital expenditure, increase in business loss and poor exports compared to huge imports.

Sharing their past experiences, the former ministers attributed the lack of accountability on the part of ministries to the weak implementation of the budget .

Former Finance Minister and Nepali Congress leader Ram Sharan Mahat maintained that the major problem in the country was lack of good governance and but not investment. "It is positive that the government has prioritised energy, irrigation and development of infrastructure in the new budget but it should be specific in its detail plans," Mahat said. “It is high that the government brought those willing to come under the purview of tax.”

Noting that only private sector has invested in tourism business, Mahat suggested that the government should also consider investing in tourism by constructing an international cricket ground to initiate for the same.

Former finance minister Prakash Chandra Lohani said the problems would not be resolved just by allocating budget in various sectors. He stressed on the need for ensuring the expenditure for the same. He also drew the government's attention towards installing solar lights to illuminate the streets of Capital.

Likewise, former finance minister and CPN-UML leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari said that the budget should address the declining education sector. "Fifty-eight percentage of students failed the SLC examination. It is time for the government to examine the money spent in education sector,” said UML leader Adhikari.

Also on the occasion, former finance ministers Mahesh Acharya, Madhukar Shumsher Rana, Surendra Panday and Roop Jyoti also put forth their suggestion to be included in the new budget . They suggested that the government should bring in programmes that would be commonly agreed by leaders of all the political parties.

The former ministers advised the government to formulate infrastructure plans for promoting agriculture, tourism and industrial sector.

KATHMANDU, JUN 26 -
Four major parties of the High Level Political Committee have expressed dissatisfaction over Chief Election Commissioner Neel Kanth Uprety's recent remarks on election preparations.

The leaders of the major political parties have accused Uprety of giving political statement by defaming the parties.

A meeting of the committee on Wednesday decided to reach out to the disgruntled political parites to persuade them to participate in the Constituent Assembly (CA) polls.

The cross-party committee has also decided to convene a meeting with Uprety and to take up the issue.

“The EC should focus on its work so as to hold the Constituent Assembly polls on Nov 19. It is not supposed to give political statements,” said UCPN (Maoist) Vice Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha, emerging from the meeting.

“The EC should consult with the government or parties, if any problem regarding the elections arises, ” he added.

Likewise, the HLPC has charged the the top leaders of major three political parties--UCPN (M) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala and CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal--with the responsibility to hold talks with the poll-opposing parties including the CPN-Maoist.

GAUCHAR, INDIA, JUN 26 - Paramilitary soldiers on Wednesday recovered 20 bodies from a steep hillside in northern India where a helicopter crashed while on a mission to rescue people stranded in monsoon floods, the country's air force chief said.

The helicopter crashed late Tuesday when its rotor blades hit the hillside while returning with survivors of flooding and landslides that have killed more than 1,000 people and washed away thousands of homes, roads and bridges since mid-June in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand.

Soldiers using ropes reached the crash site early Wednesday and found the bodies of 20 people, including five air force crew members, Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne told reporters.

The helicopter's cockpit voice recorder was recovered and an inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the crash, Browne said.

Some 45 aircraft have been used in rescue and relief operations, but intermittent rain and dense fog have dogged the efforts since Sunday.

Troops on Wednesday were trying to rescue about 5,000 people who remained stranded in the towns of Badrinath and Harsil 10 days after torrential rains triggered the flooding and landslides.

Browne visited the hill town of Gauchar, the center of the rescue and relief operations. He assured flood survivors that helicopters would rescue everyone stranded in Uttarakhand despite the bad weather.

Hundreds of thousands of Hindus make the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage to four temple towns in Uttarakhand each year, usually returning home before monsoon rains in July make the mountainous area much more treacherous, but unprecedented heavy rains fell around mid-June this year and caught many by surprise.

About 92,000 people from hundreds of villages and towns hit by the floods have been rescued. Landslides and floods flattened entire towns, roads were washed away and communication links snapped, cutting off many people and necessitating air rescues.

LONDON: Angelina Jolie and hubby-to-be, Brad Pitt are reportedly planning to add to their brood and have two more children.

The pair, who has three adopted and three biological children right now, apparently wants to have one more biological child and adopt another little girl from Jordan, the Sun reported.

A source told the publication that the soon-to-be married couple's attitude towards kids is the more the better and that once you have several, a few more makes no difference.

The insider asserted that the 'Salt' star has been particularly touched by the situation in Syria and wants to adopt a child from Jordan to do her bit to help.

The source insisted that the twins, Knox and Vivienne, are now four and the duo has agreed that it's time for more kids.

The insider told the tabloid that the Hollywood stars are crossing their fingers that they'll bring their next child home soon, but they both want one more biological child so the actress is eating a diet rich in potassium.

MUMBAI: An Indian sessions court on June 24 held that the offence of ‘culpable homicide not amounting to murder’ under IPC had been made out against Bollywood actor Salman Khan in a 2002 hit-and-run case and rejected his appeal challenging a Magistrate’s order invoking this charge.

Sessions Judge UB Hejib dictated the order in an open court. Under the provision‚ the actor might be awarded 10 years imprisonment and is triable by a sessions court.

However‚ in a twist to the case‚ the Bandra Metropolitan Magistrate‚ after examining 17 witnesses‚ had brought forth the more serious charge of culpable homicide against Khan and transferred it to a sessions court for re-trial.

Advancing his argument against invoking the grave charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder (section 304 part II IPC)‚ his counsel Ashok Mundargi pleaded that the Magistrate’s order was “erroneous‚ bad in law and contrary to evidence on record.”

The Magistrate‚ he contended‚ had failed to appreciate that the actor had neither the intention to kill people‚ nor the knowledge that his rash and negligent driving would kill a person and cause injury to four others.

Public Prosecutor Shankar Erande while opposing Khan’s appeal said the Magistrate had rightly invoked the charge of culpable homicide as he had committed a serious offence.

The court fixed July 19 for commencement of the retrial.

Erande argued that a prosecution witness Ravindra Patil (now deceased)‚ a police bodyguard deployed for the actor’s security and accompanying him at the time of the accident‚ had warned him not to drive rashly as it could lead to a mishap. Yet‚ Khan drove at a great speed‚ the prosecutor contended further submitting Khan was drunk and his blood sample revealed 60 mg alcohol which was beyond the permissible limit. He said Khan had the knowledge that his act of rash driving might result in death of people in accident.

One person was killed and four others were injured when the Land Cruiser allegedly driven by Khan ran into a group of people sleeping on the pavement outside a bakery in suburban Bandra in the wee hours on September 28‚ 2002.

RAJBIRAJ, JUN 26 -
A husband allegedly poured acid in the genitals of his wife on the charge of "talking" with another man on Tuesday.

Badri Maya Bishwakarma, 30, of local Mahuli, Bakdhuwa VDC Ward No. 7, was admitted to the Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital after suffering the acid attack at the hands of her husband . Krishna Bahadur Bishwakarma.

The victim said that her 48-year-old husband poured acid into her private parts while she was sleeping at their house and then fled.

Local women had collected Rs 5000 and got Badri Maya admitted to the local Unique Hospital. She was later referred to the Zonal Hospital.

Krishna Bahadur had married her 13 years ago after his first wife divorced him. They have an 11-year-old daughter and a five-year-old son.

A complaint has been filed at the Mahuli Police Post against offender Krishna Bahadur and a search has been mounted for him, said the police. RSS

NUWAKOT, JUN 26 -
Nuwakot district remained closed for the second consecutive day on Wednesday due to the general strike called by the locals of Bidur Municipality Ward No. 6.

The irate locals have called a district-wide banda since Tuesday in protest against the government’s move to settle the landslide victims of local Kimtang to Khampa Camp in the municipality.

Normal life in the district headquarters Bidur has been crippled due to the banda since Tuesday. The general strike has hit life in the neighbouring district Rasuwa as well.

Transport, schools, colleges and markets are closed due to the general strike called by the Bidur Municipality Save Khampa Camp Land Struggle Committee.

The locals´ protest comes after the District Natural Disaster Rescue and Relief Committee last Friday proposed the land at Khampa Camp at Chandipokhari as an alternative land for relocating the Kimtang landslide victims. It is said 408 families in Kimtang have been displaced due to a huge landslide. RSS

KATHMANDU, JUN 26 -
Stressing that China remains a long-term partner in Nepal’s political stability and prosperity, visiting State Councillor of China Yang Jiechi on Tuesday said China is with the Nepali people in every step they take and is keen to see them share China’s prosperity.

“I thank you Acting President Jha, and all our distinguished friends from all parties for your presence, for your excellent friendship. It is a handshake over the Himalayas…An embrace over the Himalayas…Our friendship is here to stay and our cooperation is here to roll from Day 1, Day 2 and to eternity,” Yang said.

Wrapping up his third visit to Nepal, he said, “I am here to tell our Nepali friends that China is with you in every step of your way.” He was addressing a huge gathering at Hotel Soaltee after opening the China-aided Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project on Tuesday.

Vice President Paramananda Jha thanked the Chinese side for its long-term assistance to Nepal.

Top leaders of major political parties, government ministers, senior bureaucrats, chiefs of security agencies, business leaders and members of think tanks were present while Yang concluded his two-day Nepal visit. The visit saw the signing of two agreements for the establishment of the Nepal National Armed Police Force Academy at Matatirtha in Kathmandu and for logistical support for the Election Commission for the upcoming elections.

however, it was the Ring Road project that got most political attention from the Chinese side, which saw it a milestone in Sino-Nepali ties. Started in 1978, the 27-km Ring Road is Nepal’s first four-lane road and one of the country’s major infrastructure projects. Delivering his speech eloquently in English, Yang described Nepal-China bilateral relations as a “comprehensive cooperative partnership...which is time-tested and age-old.”

“The famous Nepali architect Araniko built the fantastic white pagoda in Beijing a long time ago and it is still tall and high,” he said, stressing on the symbolism of the 13th century work of art as the long-lasting friendship between the two countries.

“Yet I believe that we are now at another turning point of our friendship and cooperation. We have successfully convened the 18th party congress and there is a change of government in China. But what has not changed is the deep solid, friendship, and cooperation between China and Nepal,” Yang said.

“Our President Xi Jinping has said very firmly that we want this cooperative and comprehensive partnership to continue to develop for a long time to come and to rise to a new height,” he said.

KATHMANDU, JUN 26 -
The government’s ambitious programme aimed at improving school-level education has fared poorly in districts where it is being piloted.

The multi-million dollar School Sector Reform Programme (SSRP), funded mainly by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, is being piloted in five districts—one each in all the Development Regions since 2009.

However, despite the huge investment, none of the five districts—Dhankuta, Rasuwa, Kapilvastu, Banke and Dadeldhura—managed to attain the pass percentage equal to the national average in the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examinations this year. While the national average rate stood at 41.57 percent this year, the average success rate of the five districts is just 25.84 percent, a fall by seven percent as compared to last year.

The five districts’ average pass percentage in 2012 was just 32.54 against the 47.16 percent national average. The rate has continued to slump in the last four years. While the national average was 64.19 percent in 2010 and 55 percent in 2011, the average result of the districts stood at around 46 and 38 percent respectively.

The SLC results in the individual districts in question portray a gloomy picture. This year, Dhankuta’s average rate was 25.2 percent, Rasuwa 39.34 percent, Banke 29.16 percent, Kapilvastu 31.14 percent and Dadeldhura 23.8 percent.

A three years’ evaluation report shows that the pass percent in Banke fell by 14 percent, while Dadeldhura witnessed a 12 percent slump.

The SLC exam success rate has gone down by a staggering 21 percent in Dhankuta, 28 percent in Rasuwa and 17 percent in Kapilvastu.

The estimated cost of the six-year reform programme, which will continue until 2014, stands at US $2,635.

The main objective of the project is to improve school level results by increasing children’s access to quality education. It also plans to improve the success rate of students in community schools that have been faring poorly.

“The consistent fall in the SLC success rate shows that there is a problem in the programme,” education expert Bidhya Nath Koirala said. He blamed the automatic promotion system until grade seven, “lack of responsibility” on the part of the political parties and laxity in monitoring on the part of the Education Ministry for the “failure” of the programme.

However, Education Ministry officials have a different view on this. They claim that as the SSRP has a number of objectives, the poor show in the SLC exams does not mean that it is a total failure. The programme aims to bring about overall reforms in school level education—infrastructure development, teachers’ training, extra curricular activities, availability of reading materials.

“I agree that the SLC results reflect on the programme’s performance, but that is not the only way to gauge the SSRP’s success,” deputy spokesperson at the Ministry Roj Nath Pandey said.

HARIDWAR, JUN 26 -
The number of Nepalis missing in the Uttarakhand flooding in India could surpass the estimated figure of 300, as the names of many working in the disaster-hit areas are not on the roster of missing persons.

Thousands of Nepalis, mainly from western Nepal, were working in Uttarakhand as porters, palanquin bearers and manual labourers. A majority of those reported missing in the June 16 disaster are pilgrims visiting the Hindu shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.

Him Bahadur Khadka, who hails from Sankha VDC-4 in Rukum, has been working as a palanquin bearer in the area for the past 10 years. He said around 7,000 Nepalis had procured permits to work as palanquin bearers  this season.

“I cannot imagine how many survived and how many were caught in the flood. Around 100 of our friends got swept away while trying to get across a river,” Khadka said. He claimed that the Nepali authorities have not shown any concern about the migrant workers who might be missing in the disaster.  Kul Bahadur BK, a native from Darmakot village in Salyan, said out of the 50 people from his village working as palanquin bearers, only him and a fellow villager, Lal Bahadur BK, returned home. “I witnessed many of my villagers and other Nepali friends drown in the floodwaters,” said Kul Bahadur.     The Nepali Embassy in New Delhi has submitted the names of around 100 missing Nepali migrant workers to the Uttarakhand Emergency Operation Centre.

It is learnt that at least 12,000 Nepalis were working in the flood-affected areas as porters and palanquin bearers.

Meanwhile, the Banke District Administration Office (DAO) has reported that 1,264 Nepalis have entered the country through the Jamunaha border point in the past four days. All of them arrived from Uttarakhand in the wake of the flooding.

Among them, only eight persons were pilgrims, while the remaining were migrant workers, said Basanta Kainijiya of the DAO.

KATHMANDU, JUN 25 - The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has directed the officials of concerned ministries to lay emphasis on the rehabilitation of the victims of floods and landslides.

Secretaries of various government ministries marked their presence in a meeting convened at the PM’s Office in Singha Durbar on Tuesday to review the distribution of relief package s to those affected by floods in Far and Mid-Western regions of the country.

Acting Chief Secretary Krishna Hari Baskota directed the secretaries to work responsibly to ensure effective supply of relief package s and rehabilitation of the flood victims .

Secretaries at the Home Minister, Finance Ministry, Urban Development, Physical Infrastructure and Transportation, Health and Irrigation have been given special direction during the meting.

Secretary Baskota urged the secretaries to work according to the Cabinet decision of June 21 and provide a financial relief of Rs 35,000 each to the families rendered homeless and expedite the work of reconstruction and rehabilitation.

According to the PMO, at least 39 people have been killed, 17 gone missing and seven injured due to floods and landslides in Darchula, Baitadi, Dailekh, Doti, Humla, Kalikot, Palpa, Jumla, Achham, Kanchapur, Rupandehi, Bajhang, Mustang, Pyuthan, Surkhet, Kailali, Dolpa, Dadeldhura, Bardiya, Siraha and Salyan districts.

Likewise, around 578 houses have been completely damaged and 1057 houses have been partly damaged due to the rain-induced disaster. A total of 2194 families and 6879 people have been affected by the disaster.

The government has dispatched 20,000 chlorine tables and 2100 bottles of chlorine for purifying water to the flood-ravaged districts including Darchula, Baskota informed. He added that public toilets are being built in the areas.  Likewise, the government has dispatched 500 quintals of rice, 230 quintals of rice, 280 kg flattened-rice, 5 quintals of lentils and 500 litres of oil.

KATHMANDU, JUN 25 -
Afghan security forces have put down a militant gun and bomb attack near the presidential palace, in one of the most secure areas of Kabul.

Officials say four insurgents and three security guards died. The Taliban say they carried out the attack.

President Hamid Karzai was in the palace, but the target appears to have been the nearby Ariana hotel, which houses a CIA station.

This is the latest in a string of attacks on Kabul in recent months.

Most recently a suicide bomber in the capital targeted a prominent Afghan politician on 18 June, just hours before Nato formally handed security responsibility to the Afghan forces.

With this attack the Taliban infiltrated one of the most heavily-guarded areas of the capital, with several key buildings such as the defence ministry and Nato headquarters located very close by.

The Afghan Taliban have showed no sign of abating their assault on security targets, despite last week's announcement that they had set up an office in the Gulf state of Qatar for peace talks.

In another attack on Tuesday, at least 10 civilians, including eight woman were killed when a roadside bomb hit their vehicle in Afghanistan 's southern Kandahar province.

President Karzai raised strong objections to the Taliban office, saying the flag and nameplate initially erected at the building showed they were trying to portray themselves as a government-in-exile.

Officials say the High Peace Council, the Afghan government body set up to lead peace efforts, would not take part unless the talks process was "Afghan-led".

News conference

The attack near the presidential palace, in the central district of Shash Darak, began at about 06:30 local time (02:00 GMT).

The militants initially targeted the palace's eastern gate - a few hundred metres from the actual building - where dozens of journalists had gathered for a news conference with Mr Karzai scheduled for 09:00

The BBC's Bilal Sarwary, who was among the crowd of journalists, says they were forced to run for cover as bullets flew overhead.

The journalists heard several explosions, and reports said grenades were being thrown. Tolo TV reported as many as 14 blasts.

Our correspondent says the area around the palace, which is patrolled regularly throughout the day by special forces and intelligence agents, is now under lockdown.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a text message: "A number of martyrs attacked the presidential palace, defence ministry and the Ariana Hotel."

The Ariana Hotel is known to house a CIA station.

Kabul's police chief, Ayub Salangi, said the attack was brought to an end just under two hours after the first shots were fired.

Four attackers wearing uniform and carrying fake ID cards began the attack, with one blowing himself up, a defence ministry spokesman told the BBC. They were eventually killed by private security forces attached to the hotel.

The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force, whose headquarters is also not far from the scene of the attack, wrote on Twitter that the Afghan National Security Forces had led "the response efforts".

Last week, Afghan forces assumed security responsibility for the whole of the country for the first time since the Taliban government was ousted in 2001.

International troops will remain in Afghanistan until the end of 2014, providing military back-up when needed.

KATHMANDU, JUN 25 - Visiting Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi met Chairman of Interim Election Government Khil Raj Regmi at the latter's office in Singha Durbar on Tuesday.

Two agreements were signed during the meeting between Jiechi and Regmi. As per the Bilateral Framework Agreement, Chinese government will provide Rs 150 million (10 million Yuan) to the Nepali side for Constituent Assembly election. Likewise, a further Rs 3.06 billion will be provided to set up an Armed Police Force (APF) training academy.

Matters including expansion of the Kathmandu Ring Road, execution of the West Seti Hydroelectricity project, were also discussed during the meeting.

Also during the meeting, Chairman Regmi reaffirmed that Nepal was firmly committed to the One China policy and that the territory of Nepal would not be allowed to be used for any activities against China.

Regmi also informed the Chinese State Councillor that efforts were on towards making the elections free and fair through talks and cooperation, and towards bringing all the political parties on board the election process.

Extending gratitude for the cooperation China has provided to Nepal's socio-economic development as well as for the peace process and the Constituent Assembly election, Regmi expressed belief that this cooperation would be continued in the days ahead.

Yang is also set to open the Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project on Tuesday. Yang is the highest level foreign dignitary to visit Nepal after the formation of the Interim Election Government.

In keeping with the new Chinese policy of having good relations with parties across the political spectrum, Yang will also meet top leaders of major political parties and take stock of the latest political situation in Nepal.

He is a well known Nepal hand in Beijing and looks after foreign policy issues as State Councillor. He earlier visited Nepal in 2008 in the capacity of the Foreign Minister.

Jiechi, along with his delegates, arrived here in Kathmandu on Monday afternoon on a two-day official visit to Nepal.

 


Chinese delegation visits Bhaktapur

The visiting Chinese delegation observed various historic and cultural monuments and heritage sites here today.

The delegation visited the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the National Art Museum, the fifty-five windows Palace, Sundhara and other adjoining paces near the Durbar Square area.

Former Mayor of Bhktapur Municipality Prem Suwal welcomed the members of the delegation by presenting them the traditional Bhadgaunle cap. The team observed the area for about an hour.

LONDON, JUN 25 -
Rafael Nadal was on the receiving end of a monumental Wimbledon upset for the second straight year on Monday, being dumped out of the tournament before its opening day was through.

Little known Belgian Steve Darcis was Nadal's conqueror on Court One, ripping through their clash in straight sets, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (10-8), 6-4, and condemning the 12-time Grand Slam champion to his first-ever defeat in the first round of a major.

"Nobody was expecting this," Darcis said in a television interview. "Rafa did not play his best tennis today. I think if you start to focus on him it is tougher. I tried to focus on myself and what I had to do and I think I did great today."

Just two weeks removed from winning the French Open for a record eighth time, Nadal was brought crashing back down to earth as Darcis, ranked 135th in the world, clinched the first and second sets in tense tiebreakers, then broke early and held his nerve to secure the third.

The stunning events provided Day 1's most captivating storyline, and erased the possibility of a mouthwatering quarterfinal between Nadal and Roger Federer, the man he beat in one of Wimbledon's greatest ever matches – the 2008 final.

Nadal's seeding of No.5 was a result of his time off tour to fix injury issues and was criticized by former players such as John McEnroe as it put him, Federer and home favorite Andy Murray all in the same half of the draw.

Yet evidence is growing that either Nadal is no longer the same force on grass as the version that lifted the trophy in 2008 and 2010, or that people have worked out that he is not unstoppable on the surface.

Twelve months ago is was Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic who figured out the puzzle in a gripping five-set, second-round match that went deep into the evening on Center Court. Back then, Rosol played the match of his life, and Darcis produced the same here.

After the loss, Nadal was asked about how he felt physically – specifically his knee that forced him to sit out seven months – but said now isn't the time to talk about that.

"The only thing I can say today is to congratulate Steve Darcis," Nadal said.

Big serving, ferocious ground strokes and a smattering of luck was what was needed for the 29-year-old journeyman, who has only once reached the third round of a major event, to get the job done.

As with any upset, a lack of belief was the greatest obstacle to overcome. Darcis suffered a wobble when serving at 4-3 up in the third, but staved off a break point and clinched the game with a gutty serve-volley.

Nadal's pedigree speaks for itself, a player who is not only a superstar of his generation but one of the all-time greats and one of only a handful of men to win each of the majors.

But for all his experience, tenacity and supreme shot-making ability, Nadal, who was 34-0 in the first round of major tournaments heading into Monday's match, just didn't have an answer here. The tiebreakers could have gone either way but the third set break was Darcis' most telling blow.

A couple of sloppy forehands, struggles with the first serve, and the Belgian had the lead. His serve, just like Rosol's last year, was imperious, and Nadal, one of tennis' great returners, simply could not get into it.

Darcis wrapped it up with an ace, looked to the skies and sunk to his knee and with Wimbledon 2013 just hours old, its biggest shock was already in the books.

NEW DELHI: A sessions court today held that the offence of 'culpable homicide not amounting to murder' under IPC had been made out against Bollywood actor Salman Khan in a 2002 hit-and-run case and rejected his appeal challenging a Magistrate's order invoking this charge.

Dictating the order in an open court, Sessions Judge U B Hejib ruled that Salman would face the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Under the provision, the actor might be awarded ten years imprisonment and is triable by a sessions court.

However, in a twist to the case, the Bandra Metropolitan Magistrate, after examining 17 witnesses, had brought forth the more serious charge of culpable homicide against the 47-year-old actor and transferred it to a sessions court for re-trial.

Advancing his argument against invoking the grave charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder (section 304 part II IPC), his counsel Ashok Mundargi pleaded that the Magistrate's order was "erroneous, bad in law and contrary to evidence on record."

The Magistrate, he contended, had failed to appreciate that the actor had neither the intention to kill people, nor the knowledge that his rash and negligent driving would kill a person and cause injury to four others.

Public Prosecutor Shankar Erande while opposing Salman's appeal said the Magistrate had rightly invoked the charge of culpable homicide as he had committed a serious offence.

The court fixed July 19 for commencement of the retrial.

Erande argued that a prosecution witness Ravindra Patil (now deceased), a police bodyguard deployed for the actor's security and accompanying him at the time of the accident, had warned him not to drive rashly as it could lead to a mishap.

Yet, Khan did not pay heed and drove at a great speed, the prosecutor contended.

The prosecutor submitted that Khan was drunk and his blood sample revealed 60 mg alcohol which was beyond the permissible limit. He said Salman had the knowledge that his act of rash driving, more particularly after taking drinks, might result in death of people in accident.

Moreover, the actor is familiar with the topography of the area as he stays close to the scene of the accident.

As such, he was fully aware that people sleep on the footpaths in that locality, the prosecutor said.

One person was killed and four others were injured when the Land Cruiser allegedly driven by Khan ran into a group of people sleeping on the pavement outside a bakery in suburban Bandra in the wee hours on September 28, 2002.

MUMBAI: Ranveer Singh, who has films like Lootera and Ram Leela lined up for release, says an actor can survive in the industry only because of his versatility and acting abilities, not on persona.

“I am happy that I am able to make a mark. I want to continue doing good work. It is about delivering and being consistent and taking steps forward, showing versatility and variety in what you do,” Singh said in an interview.

“I think that only one who is an all rounder, a good actor and delivers good performance can last. Gone are that days of surviving on persona, I think versatility and acting prowess contribute to the longevity in acting career in modern climate of Indian cinema,” he added.

Though Singh is just two films old, but he has a strong fan following. “I made a strong start and I knew that was important. I knew I would not get chances as I am not from the industry. I knew I had to make an impression. It was like do or die situation,” he said.

Singh thinks a lot of good work is coming his way because of the potential that people saw in him from his first film.

The actor became the talk of the town also for his alleged link-ups with co-stars Anushka Sharma, Sonakshi Sinha and Deepika Padu-kone. “I don’t say anything... I am generous with my compliments (on females). I tend to see the beauty in everyone. I don’t hold back in expressing my feelings. “I think that’s why these traits of me being tagged as flirt are talked about, which is fine. It is not my own doing, I don’t try to perpetrate it,” Singh said.

But he has problems with tags of all kinds.

“I have problem with tags, be it flirt or casanova. When you tag somebody, you are defining and limiting those people. Whoever you are assigning... Each person is complex and infinite. By tagging it is like putting them in a box. I don’t think it is right,” he added.

KATHMANDU, JUN 24 - CPN-Maoist Chairman Mohan Baidya has ruled out the possibility of conducting the election to the Constituent Assembly (CA) by obstructing the core ideology of the People’s War. He said that obstructionist politics was dominant in the UCPN (Maoist) just like in the CPN-UML and Nepali Congress.

“Our party is ready for talks if the ongoing election procedure is halted and all the parties and stakeholders are invited for dialogue,” said Baidya, speaking at a programme in Kathmandu on Monday. He reiterated his party’s stance that the 11-point agreement and 25-point proposal on removing the constitutional hurdlers signed among the major four parties should be scrapped and that the incumbent non-partisan government led by Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi should be replaced by a partisan one.

The hardliner leader warned that they would promulgate constitution from the streets by virtue of movement if the major parties went ahead with the CA election disregarding the pleas of the disgruntled parties.

While saying that his party is not totally against the idea of election, Baidya said that his party will be forced to come up with stern protest programmes if the trend of obstructionist politics continued in the days ahead.

KATHMANDU, JUN 24 -
Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi is arriving in Kathmandu on Monday afternoon on a two-day official visit to express Chinese support to and solidarity with the ongoing political as well as election processes.

Towards that end, two agreements will be signed during his visit—one with the Election Commission, where China will give Rs 155.50 million/10 million RMB for the November polls, according to Madhav Ghimire, the Minister for Foreign and Home Affairs and Yang’s counterpart during the visit.

Ghimire and Yang are set to hold delegation-level talks on Monday evening.

 Another agreement will be signed to set up an Armed Police Force (APF) training academy, where China has agreed to grant Rs 3.06 billion.

During his visit to Nepal last year, former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao had exchanged notes on Chinese assistance in building the academy.

Yang is also set to open the Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project on Tuesday. Yang will be the highest level foreign dignitary to visit Nepal after the formation of the Interim Election Government. He will be meeting Vice President Paramananda Jha, Government Chairman Khil Raj Regmi and Cabinet ministers.

In keeping with the new Chinese policy of having good relations with parties across the political spectrum, Yang will also meet top leaders of major political parties and take stock of the latest political situation in Nepal. He is a well known Nepal hand in Beijing and looks after foreign policy issues as State Councillor. He earlier visited Nepal in 2008 in the capacity of the Foreign Minister.

KATHMANDU, JUN 23 -
Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala said on Saturday that his party would not accept the UCPN (Maoist) proposal to form an autonomous Madhes state covering 11 districts, calling the idea inappropriate.

The statement comes at a time when the UCPN (Maoist) is in internal talks to form the state following pressure from the party’s Madhesi leaders in order to “address the aspirations of the Madhesi people”. The proposal is aimed at winning the support of Madhesi people in the upcoming election. Speaking at a programme in Sundarijal, Kathmandu on Saturday, Koirala said the NC would stand for multiple provinces in the Tarai.

“No matter what states they make as part of their election strategy, we will not approve a single autonomous Madhes state in the new federal set-up,” said Koirala. The NC is pitching for at least five states in the Madhes if the parties agree on more than 10 provinces in total. The Maoist party is preparing to carve out the state by covering Mithila, Bhjopura and Awadh states as part of their election campaign. NC President Koirala made it clear that his party would like separate states in the plains. UCPN (Maoist) Madhes in-charge Haribol Gajurel said the party was prepared to form the state and they were working on responsibilities to be assigned to leaders.

The proposed state will include Dhanusha, Mahottari, Siraha, Sarlahi, Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Nawalparasi, Kapilvastu and Rupandehi districts. The party’s Central Committee, slated to meet next week, may endorse the proposal. Gajurel said they were discussing the idea with some Madhes-based parties.

KATHMANDU, JUN 23 - Khil Raj Regmi -led interim government is preparing to make public its major achievements during its 100 days at the helm. Regmi government was formed on March 14.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the government is all set to make public its achievements amid a press conference at Singha Durbar today at 4 PM.

The interim election government was formed under the Chairmanship of sitting Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi after the major parties failed to strike agreement within themselves over the government leadership.

The interim government has already announced the election for November 19 and the ordinance required for the CA election has already been promulgated.

BAITADI, JUN 23 - Nepali Congress General Secretary Prakash Man Singh has claimed that the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections will be held on November 19 even if the disgruntled parties refuse to participate in it.

Speaking at a press meet organised by Press Union in Baitadi district on Sunday, the NC leader said the elections will be held on the slate time as the Election Commission (EC) has already published the election calendar. He said the parties were compelled to form the government under the sitting Chief Justice due to lack of constitutional way out to end the deadlock. He added that the nation would be held hostage due to the protests by certain parties.

“There is not alternative for parties including the CPN-Maoist to joining the elections by being responsible,” said leader Singh. “The elections will be held under the current government led by Khil Raj Regmi because of the constitutional obligation.”

He said that the election CA is the only way to end the long-drawn political deadlock. “The peace process will not be completed without drafting a democratic constitution,” said the NC leader. “Everyone should strive for election campaign.” Singh arrived here in Baitadi to inaugurate the NC district convention.

TANSEN, JUN 23 -
A body of a youth has been found in Tansen in Palpa district on Sunday morning.

The body was found near a place called Ghumti at Tansen- 4 under Palpa -Ridi road section.

The person has been identified as Meg Bahadur Kumal, 40, of Mankot VDC- 7 of Gulmi district, said the District Police Office Palpa .  Kumal was living in Tansen- 7 for the past sometime. RSS

MUMBAI: Having a star actor-filmmaker like Aamir Khan as her husband doesn’t give Kiran Rao reason enough to either cast him in a movie or compete with him at the box office. The Dhobi Ghat director will be content if “different kinds” of movies can co-exist with the “changing” star system in filmdom.

“I don’t think I will ever be able to give competition to Aamir. Different kinds of films don’t need to compete‚” Rao‚ who had teamed up with Khan in her directorial debut‚ told IANS.

Rao‚ who has Khan’s constant support‚ isn’t too much into calculating the box-office figures‚ but believes that when “some films earn INRs 100 crore‚ it’s good for small films like ours (mine)‚ because it strengthens the industry and more money comes in.”

She doesn’t feel her movies and Khan’s films are “necessarily competitive”.

“I only hope that everybody continues to make different kinds of films‚” added the filmmaker‚ who is inclined towards non-commercial and offbeat scripts.

She is glad the star system in the Hindi film industry is changing.

She feels that it will still take time‚ but “(now) people don’t necessarily go (to cinemas) because there is a star in the film. I don’t think the star system‚ which existed 15 to 20 years ago‚ still exists.”

After working with Khan‚ one of Bollywood’s top four Khans — the others being Shah Rukh‚ Salman and Saif in Dhobi Ghat‚ does she plan to cast him in a commercial project in the near future?

“I don’t‚” she replied promptly‚ adding‚ “Because I do cinema that excites me. I don’t even watch many huge films. I don’t go to the cinema every weekend. I watch selective cinema and want to make my kind of films. I don’t judge cinema on its box-office success.

“I would never make a film because I think it’s going to be a box-office success. I don’t know if I have it in me to make a Dhoom or Dabangg. But never say never‚ I can’t say no‚ but it’s unlikely.”

Incidentally‚ Aamir stars as the antagonist in Dhoom 3!

Rao and Aamir married in 2005. Together they raise a son named Azad‚ born through a surrogate mother.

These days‚ Rao is busy promoting Anand Gandhi’s Ship Of Theseus‚ which she is presenting. A critically acclaimed film at international film festivals‚ Ship of Theseus is releasing on July 19.

The movie is about human values and features three characters — an experimental photographer‚ an ailing intellectual monk and a stock broker.

She admitted a film like Ship of Theseus is not for the box office. “It’s so small‚ such an unusual‚ challenging film to make. You would not be able to compare it with a commercial film.”

“The box office in an arthouse film is always going to be small. We have to face this and overcome this. So‚ we overcome that by keeping the marketing cost low‚” she added.

Rao didn’t deny that movies which click at film festivals don’t necessarily mint money well at the box office. She says “it’s not a myth”.

“Films that go to festivals are made with a different style and different cinematic language‚ which often the mainstream audience is not used to‚” she said.