MK Nepal Elected As New PM
Ex-general secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) Madhav Kumar Nepal has been elected prime minister of the Republic of Nepal on May 23. His name was proposed by President of Nepali Congress Girija Prasad Koirala, CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, parliamentary party leader of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Chairman Mahantha Thakur, President of Sadbhawana Party Rajendra Mahato and CP Mainali of CPN (Marxist-Leninist), among others, seconded the proposal. Speaker Subas Nembang declared Nepal unopposed as the prime minister saying he was doing so since no one else had filed their nomination for the post. In his address while proposing Nepal's name, Koirala emphasized on consensus, co-operation and unity. He also said that a high-level mechanism will guide the government and appealed the Chairman of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) Pushpa Kamal Dahal to join the mechanism. He expressed his surprise as to why the Maoists deviated and missed a historic opportunity of taking the peace process to its logical conclusion. Koirala added that blaming friendly countries would not serve any purpose. He questioned the Maoists´ intention of terming Nepal as a ´loser´, saying no one is a loser in the process of consensus, co-operation and unity. Khanal thanked the Maoists for allowing the election process to go ahead and expressed his hope that they would also join a "consensus" government. Mahato asked the big parties not to ignore the support of the smaller parties. Mainali said if Nepal had given his consent to implement last year´s 8-point agreement between the then Girija Prasad Koirala-led government and the three agitating Madhesi parties -- MPRF, TMDP and SP -- his party would not support the government. He said the 8-point pact was against the Interim Constitution. Myrepublica.com reports
Prachanda Terms New Govt ‘A Puppet’ '
Ex- Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda said, Friday, May 22, that it is quite possible the new coalition government will be a puppet of reactionaries and different power centers. Addressing the parliament, Dahal alleged the partners of the new UML-led coalition of engaging in a dirty game as they try to install a new government. Describing the exercise to form the new government as part of a 'counter-revolution', the Maoist chief said those "rejected by the people" are now being placed at the helm. The caretaker Prime Minister in his speech repeatedly questioned the morality of other political parties alleging them of not being able to stand for sovereignty, integrity and unity of the nation. Dahal, who spent most of his time criticizing other parties, said former allies betrayed him in the army chief episode. The parties, according to him, had agreed to take action against the army chief, but later they did a complete about face. Describing the President's decision to reinstate the army chief as being regressive and unconstitutional, he said the Maoist party would continue peaceful protests to restore civilian supremacy. Dahal also took a swipe at army chief Rookmangud Katawal, referring to the Rayamajhi Commission's report in which Katawal has been found guilty of suppressing the Janandolan-2. He said Katawal repeatedly challenged the elected government's orders. Furthermore, Dahal claimed the rumors of power capture by the Maoists were part of a conspiracy to derail the peace process and incite fresh conflict. He said he was ready to face action if the rumors of his party bringing weapons into the PLA cantonments to capture the state were proven. He made it clear that the Maoists would not run away from the peace process and the constitution-drafting process. In his speech, the outgoing Prime Minister also made indirect reference to Indian pressure that is believed to have played a role in bringing down the Maoist-led government. He said he tried to establish relation with India as required in the changed context and that the two neighbors should not be seen as "big brother-small brother" anymore and the relation between India and Nepal should be brought on a par. Compiled from reports
Blast In Church, Two Killed
Two persons were killed and over a dozen others wounded when a bomb went off at the Church of Assumption in Dhobighat on May 23. The deceased have been identified as Celestina Joseph, 14, a ninth grade student of St Mary's school and a resident of Betia, India and Deepa Patric, 30. The former died while being taken to the hospital and the latter died while undergoing treatment. 14 others who were injured are undergoing treatment at Alka Hospital, Jawalakhel and Patan Hospital. Situation of two is reported to be critical. The bomb went off at 9.15 am when as Saturday prayer was about to begin. There were about 150 people in the church when the bomb went off, an eyewitness who introduced himself as Gabriel told Nepalnews. Police said it was a low-intensity IED hidden underneath the seat in the prayer hall. Father Bogati, chief of the Assumption Church has condemned the incident. Damodar Gautam of World Hindu Federation also condemned the blast saying attacks on religious shrines were unfortunate. No one has officially owned up the blast. Involvement of Nepal Defense Army is suspected as pamphlets suggested that the group carried out the bomb attack. The little-known Hindu extremist outfit has mentioned various demands in the pamphlet including declaration of a Hindu nation, compulsory Sanskrit education till middle school, and public holidays on Hindu festivals. The same group is believed to have killed Father Joshn Prakash in Dharan last year. Compiled from reports
Currency Gains Make Gold Cheaper
Nepali currency recorded a robust gain against major convertible currencies, including the US dollar, as the currency market went topsy-turvy this week. This gain, coupled with a dip recorded in international gold prices, however, caused the bullion market to spiral downwards. Nepali currency gained Rs 3.48 vis-à-vis the US dollar over the week, as the currency market recorded major upheavals, with Forex dealers revising the rupee´s value upward as much as three times a day. The dollar was valued at Rs 76.17 on Friday. Nepal Rastra Bank, the country´s monetary authority, had fixed the exchange rate of a dollar at Rs 79.65 on Sunday, but domestic currency continued to gain throughout the week amid sharp gains made by the Indian currency, with which Nepali rupee is pegged. While the domestic currency gained more than two rupees against the dollar on Tuesday, it further strengthened on Thursday, when it was valued at Rs 76.45 per dollar. Likewise, Nepali currency recorded a sharp Rs 3.33 gain against the euro and also strengthened by 79 paisa against the pound sterling. The euro was exchanged at Rs 104.99 on Friday, while the pound sterling was valued at Rs 120.29 on the day. Going by the open market exchange regime, the rate may vary with commercial banks. The bullion market spiraled downward as the price of gold recorded a drop of Rs 51 per gram over the week. It traded at Rs 23,665 per 10 grams on Friday. Gold dealers attributed the decline to an upward valuation of Nepali currency, as well as a downward revision of international gold prices. According to Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers´ Association, gold was traded at Rs 24,175 per 10 grams on Sunday. However, subsequent to a sharp overnight gain by the Nepali currency, its price went down by more than Rs 1,000 over the next two days. Gold was traded at Rs 23,150 per 10 grams on Tuesday. The prices started to rise from Wednesday on account of the international price rally. The price of silver, on the other hand, recorded a slip of Rs 1 per 10 grams over the week. Silver was traded at Rs 367 on Friday. As Nepal fulfills its bullion requirements through imports, any fluctuation in the price of gold directly impacts domestic rates. Myrepublica.com reports END
Swine Flu Suspect Tests Negative
The woman who had been quarantined in suspicion of swine flu has tested negative to the H1N1 A virus. Kamala Shrestha, who was earlier misidentified as a Dubai denizen, was quarantined at Shahid Shukra Raj Tropical Hospital, Teku, in suspicion of swine flu after she showed common symptoms of the disease. Shrestha was returning home via India after performing a cultural show in Dubai. She was quarantined after she tested positive for influenza. A throat swab sample was sent to Bangkok to verify her exposure to the H1N1 virus. She was released after the test showed negative to swine flu. The special health desk set up at Tribhuvan International Airport by the ministry of health and population to prevent swine flu virus from entering Nepal has stepped up vigilance in the recent days. Compiled from reports
Defaulters Owe Banks Rs. 35b
Willful defaulters have not repaid more than Rs. 35 billion in loans to their banks. The amount of the outstanding debts is equivalent to one-fourth of the government's projected revenue collection for this year. Hari Roka, coordinator of the Willful Defaulter Action Monitoring Committee, said Friday that the committee had confirmed the amount of the outstanding loans which includes principal and interest. He added that it was receiving reports of additional defaults. The government had formed the committee four months ago under the coordination of Constituent Assembly member Roka in order to monitor the effectiveness of the action taken against defaulters and pursue more stringent proceedings against them. The committee has decided to initiate further investigation into defaulters associated with eight firms in the first phase before taking appropriate action against them, said Roka. The groups under investigation include the Amatya Group which owns the Fulbari and Mount Everest Brewery, the Rohit Group and the Laxmi Prasad Acharya Group who have not repaid their loans to Nepal Bank Limited (NBL). The loan defaulters associated with the Lalbani Group owe money to Rastriya Banijya Bank (RBB), and they are also under further investigation. The defaulters from Basuling Sugar and General Industries and Luna Nepal Chemicals and Fertilizers have not repaid their loans to the Agricultural Development Bank Limited (ADBL). The committee will study how the defaulters cheated banks, the role of the bank chiefs in giving loans and whether the delinquents willfully defaulted on them. "We will then initiate appropriate action against all the responsible persons," said Roka at a press meet to reveal the committee's progress. These defaulters have been put on the government's blacklist of 339 defaulters resulting in their bank accounts being frozen and their passports seized. Roka added that the committee was preparing a draft of a new bill which would enable state agencies to take more stringent action against defaulters and those responsible for providing loans to them. "We have also asked various government ministries and agencies to include a provision for extradition of loan defaulters who have fled abroad," he said. The committee has also moved to make court rulings made in Nepal applicable in India and other countries and vice versa, he added. He said that the committee would be writing to leaders of political parties not to participate in ceremonies organized by the defaulters. Compiled from reports
Banks Raise Deposits And Profits
The 25 commercial banks have boosted their deposits, net profits and lending in the third quarter of this year. The third quarterly report of the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the central monetary regulatory body, mentions that the national banks continue their positive growth amidst the global meltdown. The report says Nepal's commercial banks raised 27.35 percent more deposits, totaling Rs 502.55 billion including foreign currencies equivalent to Rs 50.87 billion, in the third quarter this year compared to same period last year. Last year they had collected only Rs. 394.62 billion. Government-owned Rastriya Banijya Bank collected largest amount (Rs 60.67 billion) followed by another state-owned Nepal Bank Ltd. (42.60 billion). However, the private Nepal Investment Bank is fast catching these two banks in terms of deposits. Similarly, loans and advances of the commercial banks increased by 31.44 percent, amounting to Rs. 356.46 billion against last year's figures of Rs. 271.19 billion. Nepal Investment Bank Ltd. was the largest provider of loans and advances, which provided Rs 34.41 billion, followed by Agriculture Development Bank, Nepal (ADBN) with Rs. 30.46 billion. The banks in total earned a net profit of Rs. 9.66 billion compared to Rs. 6.35 billion same period last year. RBB has earned highest net profit amounting Rs. 1.54 million, followed by Nepal Bangladesh Bank which posted net profit of Rs 939.22 million. Compiled from reports
Some Banks Are At Risk: Governor
The Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), Deependra Bahadur Chhetry, has stated that some of the banks have put deposits, the hard-earned saving of people, at risk and that the central bank could take tough steps against the banks at any time to safeguard the depositors´ interests. Chhetry, who was in Biratnagar to inaugurate the head office of Srijana Finance, however, did not disclose the names of the banks in possible trouble. Referring to the action the central bank took against Bank of Kathmandu, Governor Chhetry said that the NRB intervened because of the disputes among its board directors and because the board attempted to operate the bank as a private property. “Our sole aim behind the action was to protect the deposits of the people,” said Chhetry, elaborating that the new board formed by the central bank would hold the annual general meeting of the bank and form a new board of directors by the end of this fiscal year. Chhetry further stated that the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has unearthed yet another incident of financial embezzlement in another reputed bank. “The CIAA has already filed a misappropriations case against its promoters,” he stated, refusing to divulge the name of the bank. Inaugurating the new finance company, Chhetry also said that the government has taken a policy of supporting banks and financial institutions that have been established with an aim to invest in agro-based industries. Chhetry praised banks and business associations for positively supporting the government´s Youth Self-Employment Program (YSEP), but he noted that more than the expected number of applications for loans under the program had made managing the program difficult. He went on to say that youth employment was an issue directly linked to the country´s peace and security, and that supporting the YSEP could help create a more investment-friendly environment. He also said that the Rs 200,000 to be pledged under the program was not a grant--that individuals taking the money would need to pay back the loan to the fund. Compiled from reports
Gurkhas Win Settlement Rights
The British government announced a climbdown over settlement rights for Gurkha veterans, saying all of the Nepalese fighters who have served at least four years can apply to live here. The amended settlement guidelines, announced by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith in the House of Commons, were greeted by an explosion of applause and victory cries by Gurkhas and campaigners gathered outside parliament. Gordon Brown has "made a brave decision on behalf of the bravest of the brave," said Indian-born actress Joanna Lumley, who spearheaded the fight against residency restrictions on Gurkhas who retired before 1997. "This will be received in Nepal today with the greatest joy and gratitude," she added, standing in front of Gurkha veterans in wheelchairs wearing their service medals awarded by the British army. Under the outgoing rules, Britain would only grant residency rights to 4,300 ex-Gurkhas, falling short of demands that they be granted to all 36,000 Nepalese ex-soldiers who served with the British army before 1997. But announcing the new policy, Smith told lawmakers: "All former Gurkhas who retired before 1997 and who have served more than four years will now be eligible to apply for settlement in the UK. "On the basis of the figure of 10,000 to 15,000 main applicants that has been suggested by Gurkha representatives, I expect to be able to welcome these applicants and their families over the course of the next two years. "I'm making resources available... to do this and I'm making it clear there should be no time limit on these applications." The government was forced to change its stance after it suffered a defeat on the issue in a Commons vote last month. Smith said that after the defeat, ministers had undertaken to "respect the will of the House" and drawn up the new rules. She reiterated that Gurkhas who retired after 1997 -- when their base was moved from Hong Kong following the territory's handover from Britain to China -- already had the right to settle here and more than 6,000 had done so. Britain's border authorities have been instructed to process 1,400 outstanding applications from former Gurkhas "as a matter of urgency by June 11," she added. Successful applicants would be entitled to bring with them their spouses and dependent children under 18. An emotional Lumley said: "It is one of the happiest days of my life. This is a landmark day we will never forget." She said she remained a "daughter of the regiment" because her late father had fought with the Gurkhas. The star of the cult TV comedy "Absolutely Fabulous" has led the campaign, which has also been backed by the opposition Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. As public anger built over the government's original position, Brown agreed to hold a private meeting with Lumley over the issue. And amid extraordinary scenes, she ambushed Immigration Minister Phil Woolas in a TV studio after several veterans were told their residency applications had been rejected. About 200,000 Gurkhas fought for Britain in World Wars I and II and more than 45,000 died in British uniform. Around 3,500 Gurkhas currently serve in the British army, including in Afghanistan. Compiled from reports
Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Volunteers Arrived in Nepal
Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has dispatched seven new KOICA Volunteers to work in Nepal for two years. They arrived in Katmandu on May 28, 2009 and were welcomed by the Representative, Ms. Bok Hee Kim and other officials of KOICA Nepal Office at the Tribhuwan International Airport.
These new KOICA Volunteers will be assigned in different organizations namely District Education Office Nuwakot, Nepal Children’s Organization, Nepal Police School, Biswa Bhasa Campus, Panauti Technical School and Shanti Model Secondary School in Rupandehi will share Korea's experience and knowledge in Early Childhood Education, Taekwondo Instruction, Korean Language, Automobile and Computer education with the Nepalese people.
After their arrival they will undergo 8 weeks of local adaptation training organized by KOICA Nepal Office which focuses mainly on learning the Nepali history, language, cultures, lifestyle and visiting and staying in denizen homes.
Volunteer program is an important aspect of KOICA ’ s cooperation program in Nepal. Since 1990 KOICA has been dispatching about 20-35 volunteers annually to Nepal, and they are receiving positive feedback from the recipient organization as well as the local people and have been serving to support the friendship and cultural ties between Nepal and Republic of Korea. KOICA is responding to requests from many Nepalese organizations in various fields by increasing the number of KOICA volunteers to Nepal.
Total 31 KOICA Volunteers from different background are currently working in various governmental organizations and are engaged in fields such as nursing, medical technician, childhood education, computers, agriculture, automobile maintenance, social welfare, special education etc and are getting recognition and respect for their efforts and contributions.
