Kathmandu, November 26, 2007

With just three days left for the resumption of the adjourned winter session of the parliament, three major political parties today started fresh political consultations to find a consensus on the issues of republic, electoral system and new date for the twice-stalled constituent assembly election.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala held separate consultations with leaders of the CPN-Maoist and the CPN-UML at his residence in Baluwatar. Senior Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai, who accompanied Maoist boss Prachanda, said they theoretically agreed that the “mistrust” among the seven parties must be overcome first to create environment for holding the CA polls.

“We proposed the PM that an agreement on early declaration of a republic and electoral system must be reached on a package,” Dr Bhattarai said, adding the package deal included effective management of the Maoist camps, adjustment of the PLA as per the arms management pact, settling the cases of disappearances and implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Accord. Dr Bhattarai said today’s talks ended positively.

On Jimmy Carter’s publicised road map for a consensus among the concerned parties, Dr Bhattarai said Carter’s road map was “more progressive” than NC’s. On the issue of republic, Carter has suggested that “a republic is created in Nepal by the interim parliament to be confirmed by newly elected assembly.”

End of ennui: Man gets promotion after 30 yrs

Rastriya Samachar Samiti

Kathmandu, November 26, 2007

Ram Chandra Poudel, who worked for 30 years as a Nayab Subba of the civil service (head assistant level) in the same place, same office, same room, chair and table, that too, in the same level, has finally become able to leave it all behind.

The Government of Nepal has promoted him to section officer of gazetted third class level of the General Administration group on Friday. There are many who have retired from the post of Nayab Subba after long service, but in the case of Poudel, he was in the same room of the same office and same chair for the past 30 years in the same level.

This promotion is the first of its kind in the country, it is learnt. He was appointed Nayab Subba in 2035 BS at the Western Regional Forest Directorate at Pokhara- 1. Poudel graduated 21 years ago in geography from TU; he is also a graduate of economics and law.

A resident of Dhikurpokhari VDC -7 Kaski, Poudel said although he joined the office which was then called Gandaki Dhaulagiri Circle Office, it has already been promoted to Western Regional Forest Directorate.

He received Rs 370 when appointed and saw 18 Forest Directors so far and was always a confidante of all, friendly, disciplined and hardworking.