Kathmandu, January 9:

A meeting today of the council of ministers that was chaired by King Gyanendra gave the nod

to the finance ordinance, which will come into effect from January 14. The six-month period of the previous finance ordinance expires on January 13.

Government sources said that the King, who is currently busy on an informal visit of the Eastern Development Region, flew intothe capital in the morning to chair the meeting. He returned to an army base camp in Sunsari in the afternoon after the meet, according to sources at the Prime Ministers’ Office.

The cabinet meeting also approved the Loan Appropriation Ordinance, National Debt Recovery Ordinance and Appropriation Ordinance along with the finance ordinance. Earlier today, the National Planning Commission’s 198th meeting held under the chairmanship of the King gave continuity to the financial policies and programmes approved by the last ordinance.