CA extends term of Questionnaire Committee by five days

5 Feb, Kathmandu : The meeting of the Constituent Assembly (CA) held today has extended the term of the Proposal Drafting Committee by five days. 

Dahal asked not to soften stance

KATHMANDU, MAR 08 - UCPN (Maoist) leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal is under pressure to stick to the opposition stance of identity-based federalism and inclusive electoral system. The opposition front is in favour of a 10-province model with identity-based federalism. On the electoral system, the alliance advocates more proportional representation than direct election of legislators.

In a meeting of the 30-party alliance that Dahal leads, fringe parties cautioned him on Sunday that dialogue could be a strategy of the ruling parties to weaken their street agitation.

Cross-party talks began on Saturday after a hiatus of six weeks with the top four forces agreeing to decide the contentious issues of constitution writing through consensus.

Leaders of the parties opposed to the majority process of constitution writing urged the Maoist leader not to adopt “unnecessary flexibility” on the disputed issues of the constitution writing process.

The meeting concluded that CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli’s absence from Saturday’s dialogue demonstrates “a lack of sincerity on part of the ruling parties to draft the new statute on the basis of consensus”.

Preliminary talks between the ruling and opposition parties on Saturday entrusted top leaders of the four major political forces to seek a compromise on the contentious issues.

According to opposition leaders, the Nepali Congress appears positive about writing a new national charter in consensus while the UML continues to be rigid.

When Dahal briefed the bloc that wrapped up its first phase of agitation recently about the ongoing discussions, the allies advised him not to be too optimistic.

Dahal reported that he found Prime Minister Sushil Koirala in particular responsive to the opposition demands. Dahal stressed that the opposition front should engage in talks for the next few days as they seemed promising.

“If there is no consensus within a couple of days, we should unveil the second phase of street protest,” Dahal told the meeting. Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar urged Dahal and other parties to maintain calm and be part of the negotiations. He was of the view that the parties should not spoil the atmosphere for talks with provocative moves.  The opposition front on Sunday formally decided to attend the meetings of parliamentary committees. On Saturday, the UCPN (Maoist) had decided to send lawmakers to sessions of the House committees.

“We have requested the ruling parties to demonstrate utmost flexibility on the contentious issues,” said Prem Bahadur Singh, spokesman for the 30-party alliance.

BRB takes U turn, says Delhi trip not for seeking Indian intrusion

Hardly have a few days passed while addressing a program in New Delhi, the Maoist leader Baburam invited India to intervene in the internal matters of Nepal, granting an interview with a local newspaper, he in a surprising manner claims that he had not landed in New Delhi to seek India’s support.

U turn.

Observers in Nepal firmly believe that India needs no invitation to intervene, what Baburam has done is he has forwarded an open invitation to the goliath in the south to ruin his own country.

Is he from Gorkha or Hariyana?

How history will judge Baburam’s power ambition that is inciting him to take to the dangerous course he is taking is not going very difficult to predict?

Or is it his excessive inferiority complex that guides his mind and soul?

“I have not come here to seek India's support. I wanted to acquaint myself with the political changes taking place in India and apprise the Indian leadership of the developments there. Framing of the constitution and success of the peace process is also in India's interest. If the peace process fails, it will go against India's interest. I wanted to update the leadership here on what is happening in Nepal, to seek the views of our friends in India,” he said in an interview with the economic times.

Seeking suggestions from the declared hostile country.

Baburam on Monday addressing a program had urged his mentors seated in New Delhi to use official and unofficial channels to help Nepal complete the peace process.

He also claimed that Nepal could turn into a vortex of conflict it India leaves Nepal unattended.

He had also claimed that what happens in Nepal will have some impact in India.

Quiet Dinner diplomacy: SB Thapa takes dramatic initiatives in Nepal

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party former Chairman Surya Bahadur Thapa organized a “quiet” dinner meeting of Nepal’s republican leaders at his private residence in Maligaun, Kathmandu, Friday.

The meeting was organized on the occasion of Fagu Festival and the invitees were all except Kamal Thapa.

Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Nepal chairman Upendra Yadav informed that media that no serious discussion between the leaders took place during the meeting. However, at the onset while welcoming the leaders Thapa stressing the need to resolve disputes in consensus warned the attending leaders that the nation was on the verge of a failure.

Thapa also advised the leaders to shun their petty personal and party interests in order to resolve the crisis faced by the nation.

Prime Minister Sushil, Pushpa Kamal, KP Oli, Sher Bahadur, Upendra Yadav, Mahanta Thakur and Bijaya Gacchedhar were invited at the dinner among others.

India has become sensitive then, it could be guessed now. The dinner comes close on the heels of BRB extending open invitation to India for screwing Nepal.

Thapa may land Delhi any time soon, is is talked in Kathmandu political circuit. 

Dahal frustration begins, says ruling parties not serious

Pushpa Kamal Dahal of Unified Maoists complains that there clearly lacks seriousness among the leaders of ruling parties as regards talks with the opposition parties to resolve disputes on issues of constitution drafting.

Wasting time but pocketing monthly salaries!

“We are holding talks with the leaders of ruling parties since Saturday,” he said and continued, “But, I do not see seriousness to resolve disputes among the ruling party leaders.”

He made the remark while addressing a program held at the party headquarters in Koteshwar, Sunday.

“They invited us for talks. We went there. None of the UML leaders who are busy raising constitutional issues were present at the meeting,” he said while complaining about the absence of UML Chairman KP Oli in the Saturday meeting held at the Prime Minister’s residence.

Chairman Pushpa Kamal while suspecting ill motive behind the invitation for talks by the ruling parties said, “Perhaps they wanted the protest undertaken by the opposition to become feeble.”

“They will have to bear with serious consequences if they continue with the ill motive,” he threatened.

He also informed that Sunday morning Prime Minister Sushil Koirala had talked to him over telephone again to urge the opposition for talks.

“We will wait until Monday,” he said and continued, “If nothing positive comes out from the ruling parties we will declare our new protest programs on Tuesday.”

Nepal: Control your emotions, Bijaya suggests Prachanada

Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gacchedhar of Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Loktantrik has advised Chairman Pushpa Kamal of Unified Maoists to control his emotions.

At a meeting between the leaders of the agitating opposition alliance, held at the Unified Maoists Parliamentary Secretariat, Sunday all the Madhesi leaders including Gacchedhar had advised Pushpa Kamal not to let his emotions mislead him.

They also told him to take control of himself and avoid taking emotional decisions.

First to speak at the meeting was Pushpa Kamal who told the opposition leaders that he has begun suspecting the motive behind invitation for talks offered by the ruling parties to the opposition leaders.

He said, “KP Oli is sick. Madhav Nepal was not informed of the meeting. The Nepali Congress leaders are out of the capital.”

“They are not serious,” he said.

Gacchedhar while advising Pushpa Kamal to control his emotions said, “You should stop making death remarks. You should not forget that you represent the alliance now.”

First ever Budhanilakantha festival to be organized

Kathmandu, March 9: The first ever Budhanilakantha festival is going to be organized at Budhanilakantha located at the northern outskirt of Kathmandu from April 10.

According to Jayaram Thapa, Chairperson of the Budhanilakantha Area Development Committee (BADC), the festival is believed to promote this town of religious and cultural significance.

Chairperson Thapa was also optimistic that the maiden fair would also boost tourism in the town which has a famous Budhanilakantha temple with a stone idol of Lord Bishnu in a sleeping posture.

Thapa claimed that the festival with the slogan- Our Budhanilakantha, Beautiful Budhaniakantha: Let’s Go Budhanilakantha – is going to be a unique celebration as it is featuring myriad of activities such as cycle rally, health camp and blood donation, sanitation programme and a musical night on the eve of Nepali new year on April 14.

The festival, which is scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Sushil Koirala at 11 am, will see a closing with cultural troupes performing.

More Nepali students left in lurch in St Lucia

KATHMANDU, MAR 08 - The number of Nepali students smuggled to St Lucia, a tiny eastern Caribbean nation, with “made-up” enrolment at Lambirds Academy in Gros Islet could be at least twice that was previously reported.

The Post has learnt that at least 10 education consultancies in Kathmandu, Bharatpur and Biratnagar had sent a minimum of 70 students to the Island nation for diploma in hospitality and tourism at the academy for the February intake. Ramesh Luitel (name changed), who was initially enrolled to the Academy and later shifted to Monroe College, said 18 students have returned to Nepal so far. As many as 60 Nepalis are still stranded there, he added.

“I sought transfer to another college after seeing the condition of Lambirds Academy. It looked nothing like a college. It was being operated on the second floor of a rented house with a supermarket on the first floor,” Luitel told the Post over telephone from St Lucia. Luitel, like other Nepali youths, had signed up for the February intake.

It could not be independently confirmed whether the academy has been permitted by St Lucian authorities to run the courses. The transnational human trafficking racket, claiming to arrange credit transfers to colleges in the United States after one year of study or job in the island, has been found to have swindled a large number of students.

“Some have paid up to Rs2 million believing that they would land in the US. The students are awaiting the verdict of the St Lucian court,” said Bhimsen Shrestha, executive director of Topper’s Academy Foundation.

According to St Lucia News Online, police there have so far charged Iftekhar Ahmed Shams, Koushal Kumar Batukbhai Chadasama, Ashwin Kanji Patel and Gurjeet Singh Vilkhu in relation with the scam and kept some 60 people of Asian origin under watch.

Reports claim that senior officials including the wife of an ex-minister have been linked with the racket.

A court hearing is due on March 11. Luitel said the stranded students from Nepal and the Philippines hope for reimbursement from the college following the court verdict.

Education consultancies involved in the scam say they mistook the academy for a genuine one after the racket provided them all the documents including approval letters from St Lucian authorities--one allegedly signed by the minister for education.

Subash Humagain, chief executive officer of Kathmandu Multiconsult based in Baneshwor, said he found the academy suspicious after sending one student there.

“I doubted his intentions when he rejected college fees through an international draft. So I suspended the process of other students,” said Humagain.

In a mail written to Humagain, Dr Shams, the “dean” of Lambirds Academy, has said they “do not have any problem to take the international drafts from the students but it takes six weeks to transfer the money to our account after deposit.”

Pawal Kumar Shah of Excellent Consultancy said 11 students who went through his firm are “safe”. “I’m in touch with them. They are awaiting the court hearing,” said Shah.

Concerned consultancies in Nepal have informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the “trouble” faced by the students. They said they have appealed for help.

Top Nepali officials responded that they would investigate into the matter.

“My office will tell the authorities concerned to take against the consultancies involved in the scam and do whatever we can in favour of the stranded students.

The consultancies in Nepal themselves should be held accountable for what happened as they sent the students without proper cross-verification and authentication,” said Chief Secretary Leela Mani Paudyal.

Agents in Nepal confirmed to be involved in the scam

1. Excellent Int’l Educational Institute

2. Kathmandu Multiconsult

3. Learn Care Educational Consultancy

4. Perception Consultancy

5. Progressive Learning Centre and Engineering Concern

6. Significant Education Consultancy

7. Toppers Academy Foundation  

8. Euro Immigration

9. Visa Abroad Consultancy

10. Black Grain Solution Pvt Ltd

Posted on: 2015-03-09 08:31

CTEVT to provide free of cost education to Chepang students

Bhaktapur, March 9: The Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) has decided to provide free vocational education to dalit students of Karnali zone and the students from the Chepang community across the country, said member secretary at the CTEVT, Dr Ramhari Lamichhane.

Prior to this, CTEVT has been providing such vocational education to the underprivilegedchildren in Terai regions.

Under this special scholarship scheme, students will be provided cost-free education in nursing, general medicine, civil engineering, among other academic programmes.

Some 800 students were provided such facility last year and 400 more would be included from this year, CTEVT sources said.

Such programme was launched for the Muslim and dalit students since 2066/067 BS andhas been extended to include the Chepang students this year.