CIAA grills Bista

Kathmandu: The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on Monday interrogated Kirtinidhi Bista, second vice-chairman of the king Gyanendra-led Cabinet, on charge of misusing state treasury to suppress the Jana Andolan II. Bista attended the anti-graft body a day after he was summoned by it based on the report of the high-level probe commission headed by Krishna Jung Rayaamajhi. The first vice-chairman of the king-led Cabinet Tulsi Giri and former Narayani Zonal Administer Prajapati Koirala also attended the CIAA on Monday. — HNS

Intellectual property

Kathmandu: Legal experts and practitioners on Monday stressed the need to protect intellectual property rights of creators. Speaking at an interaction to mark the ‘World Book and Copyright Day’ and ‘WTO membership Day of Nepal’, Bishwa Kanta Mainali, president of the Nepal Bar Association (NBA), said, “The original creation should be protected by the law.” Bhabi Shwor Gurung, executive member of the NBA, said, “Copyright is the most important factor to safeguard the creation of an author.” — HNS

Directives to govt

Kathmandu: The Parliamentary Agriculture and Cooperatives Committee on Monday directed the government to provide land to the landless former Kamaiyas as promised by the state when they were freed. Committee chairman MP Gopal Koirala directed Minister for Land Reforms and Management Jagat Bahadur Bogati, who was present during the meet, to resolve problems of the Kamaiyas who are yet to get land. — HNS

Indian aid for school

Pokhara: The Indian Embassy is to provide financial assistance to the tune of Rs 19.284 million for the construction of the primary wing of Bhadrakali higher secondary school in Pokhara-13, headmaster Kishor Datta Baral said. Baral, embassy’s first secretary MK Sinha and the executive officer of Pokhara sub-metropolis Surya Mani Poudel jointly signed the letter of agreement for the assistance last Friday. — HNS