August 9, 2015

KATHMANDU: Reiterating the United States’ call for a reconciliation between the palace and the political forces, US ambassador to Nepal, James F Moriarty today warned Nepal may inevitably slide towards a state of chaos.“The continuing division between the palace and the political parties only aids the Maoists,” Moriarty said. He was addressing a talk programme organised by the Nepal Council of World Affairs (NCWA) and the American Centre.“Unless the principles of freedom, civil rights and democracy once again take root through a process of true reconciliation among the legitimate political forces and the palace, the country will inexorably slide towards confrontation, confusion and chaos,” he said. Stating that the US will provide over $44 million to Nepal in bilateral developmental assistance, he said the regional stability would drive that support. “With a violent, ideological Maoist insurgency desiring to take over the state and then to export its revolution to peaceful neighbours, there is much to worry about,” he said.He also said Nepal could be just one of the many developing democracies around the world if it were not for the insurgency. “We hope that one day the Maoists, too, will become part of the political mainstream and give up arms,” Moriarty said.“Everyday the Maoists assail democracy through attacks... ,” he said, adding: “Maoists have done nothing to indicate that they are prepared to change and they do not abide by democracy.”

Govt can’t appoint Administrative Court judges: SC

August 9, 2015

KATHMANDU: Differing with the government, a full-court meeting of Supreme Court justices decided today that only the Chief Justice-headed Judicial Council — and not the government — is authorised to appoint judges in the Administrative Court. In a draft presented to the Supreme Court for approval, the government had proposed that it be given the authority to appoint judges in the Administrative Court.“Only the Chief Justice-headed Judicial Council — and not the government — is authorised to appoint judges in the court,” the full-court meeting said. Responding to the Apex Court’s request to empower the Administrative Court to hear cases of civil servants, the government had drafted the proposal. The apex court had urged the government to promulgate the law so that the former would not have to get engaged in minor cases. Stating that the draft was against the spirit of the 1990 Constitution, a participant said the justices had decided to urge the government to correct it.