House obstructed for seven time in row

The Legislature-Parliament meeting was cancelled for seven straight time on Wednesday over war-ear land dealings.

The opposition parties – Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML – have said that they would not let the House session resume until the government scrapes the decision to legalise the land transactions made by the parallel government run by then rebel Maoists during the decade-long insurgency.

Before today, the opposition parties had already obstructed the House session six times.

Immediately after the start of the session, NC lawmaker Gopal Man Shrestha accused the government of tormenting the people by increasing the price of the petroleum products. Claiming that Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai himself was the leader of the Maoist parallel government, Shrestha said that Bhattarai unlawfully legalised his bad deeds abusing his power as the premier.

Likewise, UML lawmaker Shankar Pokharel said that even an anarchical rule would not be as cruel as the current government, which tried to deny the people’s Right to Information by hiding important government information. "Maoist leaders did not follow the seven-point deal signed between the political parties, which eventually led to the delay in peace process and constitution drafting process," said Pokharel.

Later, the lawmakers of the opposition parties left their seats which led Speaker Subash Nembang to cancel the session.

The next meeting of Legislature-Parliament has been called for Feb 5 at 1 pm

As Published on ekantipur

Cooking gas scarcity: locals take control of Himal gas

With the shortage of cooking gas—also known as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)—showing no sign of returning to normalcy, the short supply has left the people high and dry. 

The frustration of the price hike in petroleum products coupled with scarcity of fuel have led the locals to take matter into their own hands. 

Locals of Sallaghari took control of three vehicles loaded with Himal Gas at Sallaghari in Bhaktapur on Wednesday.

A Tata mobile with 280 gas cylinders was heading for the Capital from Kavre. General people stood in the middle of the road risking their lives to block the vehicle. However, the consumers have not taken any of LPG cylinders free of cost. They have paid Rs 1415 per cylinder. Some of them bought new gas cylinder. According to the vehicle staff, some of gas cylinders have been lost due to consumer clash.     

                                                   As Published on   ekantipur

Forest officers suspended for 'timber smuggling'

Chief of Area Forest Office, Gadhwa Amar Kanta Jha and Assistant Forest Officer Rajendra Raya Yadav have been suspended on the charge of involvement in forest depletion and timber smuggling in Deukhuri area of Dang.

The Ministry of Forests has sent a letter to District Forest Office, Dang stating that the duo has been suspended with effect from Tuesday through a secretary-level decision as per the Public Service Act 2049. 

There were reports that the two were involved in cutting of trees and smuggling in connivance with Chairman of the local Saljhandi Community Forest Consumers´ Group Sharada Chaudhary under the direction of Minister for Forests Mohammad Wakil Musalman. The two have been suspended on the recommendation of separate probe teams sent by the ministry and the Department of Forests.

The vice-chairman, secretary and treasurer of the consumers´ group have already been arrested and litigated on the charge of forest depletion while the District Forest Office has written to 13 other members of the committee to report to it. 

The forest office has also sought written explanation from Chaudhary who has gone to India.

The consumers have alleged that timber smuggling from the forest has been rampant under the patronage of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (Democratic) to which chairman Chaudhary is politically affiliated.

The investigation teams had found that 89 trees were cut from the forest and had estimated a claim amount of Rs 2.32 million for each involved.


As Published on My Republica

Dahal urges Koirala to resume House

UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday urged Nepali Congress (NC) President Sushil Koirala to remove the obstruction in the House. 

In a meeting held at Maharajgunj-based residence of Koirala, the Maoist chairman urged him to resume the Legislature-Parliament saying that the House obstruction has overshadowed the twin tasks of peace and constitution drafting.

The major opposition parties—Nepali Congress and CPN-UML—have been protesting in the parliament demanding the government withdraw its decision to legalise the transaction of land and properties made through the parallel government run by the then rebel Maoists during armed conflict. 

In response, Koirala reiterated that the decision should be scrapped. He alleged that the government has ruined the agreement with its decision to legalise the transaction of land and property at a time when the Maoists have yet to return the land and properties seized during the conflict as per the seven-point agreement 

After the meting, Dahal informed that they agreed to seek a package solution to all the contentious issues.

Following widespread protests after the government decision to legalise war-ear dealings, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, in a bid to take the agitating opposition into confidence, said the decision would not be implemented immediately. 

However, the opposition continued their protests demanding the government scrap the decision. They argued that the postponement of the decision would further create confusion. 

Source:-http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/02/01/top-story/dahal-urges-koirala-to-resume-house/348264.html

One killed in road mishap

A motorcycle rider has been killed when his bike collided head-on a stationed bus at Itahari-Dangighat road stretch of Sunsari along the East West highway on Tuesday night.

The motorcycle (Ko 10 Pa 173) collided head-on the bus (Na 3 Kha 9587) last night.

The deceased has been identified as Kedar Dangal of Itahari-4. He died on the spot.

Meanwhile, pillion rider Kishore Khatiwoda has been critically injured in the accident.

He has been undergoing treatment at the Nobel Hospital

Source:-http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/02/01/national/one-killed-in-road-mishap/348261.html

Oli bats for nat’l unity govt

CPN-UML leader KP Sharma Oli has accused Prime Dr Baburam Bhattarai of obstructing the formation of national consensus government.

Talking briefly to media persons in Kailali district on Monday, Oli said PM Bhattarai should step down at the earliest to pave a way for national unity government. Oli arrived in the district today to participate in a programme organized by the UML.

Oli further said people should be provided with right to information and charged the government for its effort to classify informations.

Chairman of the party Jhala Nath Khanal, Vice-chairman Bamdev Gautam, General Secretary Ishwor Pokhrel, leaders Oli, Bhim Rawal, among others, are scheduled to address the gathering at Dhangadhi of Kailali district this afternoon. RSS

Source:-http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/01/30/top-story/oli-bats-for-natl-unity-govt/348134.html

Maoists obstructing peace, constitution: NC Prez

Nepali Congress (NC) President Sushil Koirala on Monday alleged that the peace and constitution writing processes have been stalled due to the Maoists.

The NC leader said so talking to eKantipur after his meeting with visiting Norwegian Minister for Environment and International Development, Erik Solheim. “The Maoists should take the lead to end the political deadlock,” said Koirala. He opined that the seven-point deal signed among the major three political parties and the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha should be implemented.

He added that no other agreements would be signed with the Maoists apart from that (seven-point deal).

Solheim arrived here in the Capital this afternoon on a two-day official visit.

After his arrival, the Norwegian Minister met Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, Senior UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, among other leaders, and held discussions on peace and constitution.

Source:-http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/01/30/top-story/maoists-obstructing-peace-constitution-nc-prez/348145.html