5 June #506 11 - 17 June 2010 16 pages Rs 30

GOOOOAAAAL? BILASH RAI

oving the goalposts, foul more goal-oriented strategic of the men in shorts. play, refereeing blunders play that will dominate the TV This is not to grant our Lifetimes World Cup Special M and own goals. Will our screens of the world for the politicians yet another Stick up our World Cup politicians ever achieve the month to come. opportunity to fritter away our tiesheet or take it with goals the Nepali people set for In fact, football fans across collective future. The you to the many them? As the wrangling drags on, the country are sure to expend excitement of South Africa’s impromptu sports bars it’s all too easy to turn away in much of their mental energies achievement will not mask the around town. Yes, we can disgust and towards the rather debating the rights and wrongs failure of our own. tell you where to go. 2| 11 - 17 JUNE 2010 #506 PUBLISHER’S NOTE

30 per cent, and very soon businesses are going to start to be relatively robust, but even the financial sector is LIFE SUPPORT going belly-up. feeling the strain of the real estate bubble and the drop Yet the biggest irony is that one of the world’s poorest in remittances. Capital flight has made things worse as Politics has pushed everything else off the countries imported Rs 45 billion worth of gold last year. Nepalis snap up apartments in Hong Kong instead of headlines. We don’t worry about what we don’t see, We all know the nuggets and ornaments were destined Hatiban. but Nepal’s deepening economic crisis is much more for the Indian market. The trouble is that the payment for There is no quick fix. These are structural worrying than the political disarray. the exported gold didn’t really come back to Nepal, but problems that have built up over decades. But we have No doubt the two are interlinked. Political stayed abroad. By the time Rastra Bank banned gold to start by cutting imports and increasing revenue. We stability is a prerequisite for investment, economic imports earlier this year, it was too late. can ensure higher earnings from tourism, revive growth and sustained development. Chronic The reason for the crisis is simple: we are spending remittance flows and increase exports. We may have to economic stagnation, on the other hand, can only beyond our means. The import bill for petroleum, vehicles contemplate cutting imports of luxury items and have a corrosive impact on politics and fuel future and gold has surged and will probably be nearly double injecting liquidity into the market to bring down interest instability. that for last year. But exports are down sharply from last rates. We shouldn’t repeat last year’s mistake of Financial analysts are still debating whether to year and revenue from remittances is stagnant. Nepal’s delaying the budget by six months. call the country’s current cash flow problem a balance of payments deficit will exceed Rs 20 billion this There is one short-term measure to rescue the full-blown ‘crisis’ or just a ‘crunch’, but for ordinary fiscal year. economy and it is one we can take immediately: Nepalis semantics don’t really matter. Jobs are One of the reasons the country’s economy hasn’t resolve the political stalemate. harder to get, even employment abroad has shrunk, collapsed completely is because it is on life-support due sugar and other basic items cost nearly double as to the Indian rupee peg. The shortage has already created much as last year. The cost of financing for a black market for Indian notes. But lift the peg and we companies that have borrowed from banks is up could see Zimbabwe-style hyperinflation. Banking used The intellectual dilemma anarchist behaviour. The with this illogical line of democratic-minded civil society existing order could not be leadership, especially that of argument is surprising. Only a leaders. changed without a protracted GUEST COLUMN Pushpa Kamal Dahal, suffers party that has the support of a Nepal’s intellectual class can revolutionary war. That is what Mohan Bikram Singh from a careerist approach that is majority in parliament can lead be divided into three groups: Marxism-Leninism taught us. undermining the people’s real the government, according to the those who support the Maoists But there is another Marxist- interests as well as the peace Interim Constitution that the out of an ignorant nostalgia for Leninist line that says: “The he misguided policies of process and the constitution. Maoists themselves helped write. revolution, those who have either objective conditions must be the Maoists are not just an The reason the Maoists get The UML-led government got to been bought, coerced or right before an armed struggle is T obstacle to the country’s away with a lot of this is because power constitutionally because threatened to support them, and launched in any country.” In political evolution, they are progressive intellectuals and the the Maoists lost the support of the royalists who see a other words, an armed struggle putting Nepal’s future in media haven’t really understood their coalition partners. The convergence of interest with the can be an extremist blunder. jeopardy. where the Maoists come from and Maoists then tried to get to power Maoists. Somewhere within these A party that has to rely on The Maoists are neither three groups are intellectuals who counter-revolutionaries and communists nor bourgeois have joined the Maoists not opportunists for support is itself democrats. They represent Why can’t the Maoists and the because they identify with their weak and can crumble at any neither Marxist-Leninist-Maoist intellectuals who support them ideology but because they have moment. The Maoists should thought nor national capitalism. dreams of getting into realise that what they see as They are suffering an identity understand what joining the government or high positions. ideological solidarity from the crisis and are drifting towards constitutional porcess means? Such behaviour, of course, is intellectual class is actually social fascism. If this trend not uniquely applied to the undermining them. It is only persists, we won’t be making have a tendency to tolerate, via the streets, but failed and are Maoists: we have seen the Nepali when the Maoists realise they progress towards a dictatorship excuse or wish away their now threatening to restart their intelligentsia sucking up to the have taken the wrong turn in of the proletariat and we will excesses. This is the why the rebellion. NC or UML in the past. Lately we history, that once you join a not see a new people’s Maoists have got a free ride in If you have abandoned armed see even respected and democratic process there is no revolution: we will drift towards hoodwinking the mass public struggle and joined a independent analysts supporting turning back to violence, that the a non-revolutionary fascist with their populist slogans of constitutional process, you have erroneous Maoist policies and party will make progress and be dictatorship. people’s liberation and to use due process to get into actions, and the reason could be a honest with itself. The extreme ‘leftist’ ideology egalitarianism. government. Even more lack of intellectual clarity. Engels and the war the Maoists waged For a long time the Maoists surprising than the Maoists not once said: “In general, Mohan Bikram Singh is the was a mistake and it was have been saying they will not let understanding this is the traditionalist thinkers latch on to General Secretary of the Nepal unsuccessful. But even after they a constitution be written until inability of our so-called wrong beliefs.” Communist Party (Masal). abandoned their armed struggle, they can lead the government. intellectuals to grasp it. This is For example, the Maoists Translated from a longer version they haven’t been able to shed That a large section of the not to say that there aren’t started their armed struggle in in Himal Khabarpatrika, their extremist tendencies and intelligentsia has played along credible, independent and 1996 because they thought the 30 May-14 June.

ON THE WEB www.nepalitimes.com On the blogs FREE PRESS? z Political gossip masquerading as aid policy, political will and nepalitimes.com/blogs I agree with Lal’s statement (‘Complicity analysis. There was never any doubt government commitment. The journalism’, #505) that state-owned media the CA term would be extended. All the technology alone was not the answer, East West are the least biased media compared to the members and parties had too much to it was marrying it with affordable Kunda Dixit tries to visit the Korean free press. Every state has the compulsion lose and nothing to gain by not delivery and the follow-up mechanism DMZ, but gets to support the national agenda and national extending it. The Maoists thought that of organisations like BSP. Hats off for rejected development. You can compare with those by playing a game of ‘chicken’ they showing us there are other things who hold cross media ownership could extract some concessions from happening in Nepal other than politics (Radio+TV+Newspaper+Online) who the other parties. No political issues that are far more important! could incorporate their personal business have been resolved by extending the Thomas G Weekly Internet Poll # 506 agenda rather than the national agenda. CA. It is business as usual for another Which of the following cares most about Sijan year and the same ‘drama’ will be re- LIGHTEN UP! Nepal and the Nepalis? enacted next year. We are not just looking for cheaper Total votes: 4,654 NON-RESOLUTION jange alternatives, we are looking for z It is nice to find Prashant moving from alternatives (‘The age of Teraism to Nepalism (‘Resurrection, WHAT A GAS enlightenment’, #505). Solar power is deconstructed’, #505). His vision has Congratulations to Nepali Times for better than no power. Importing broadened now. This is an indication of his covering such an unglamorous subject thermal power from India? Give me a maturing journalism and analysis. I want to (‘Biogas moves up’, #505). Nepal is break. The only reason we are even see his comments on other communities in indeed a model for other countries in talking solar is because our netas Nepal. propagating biogas, and it is proof of have bungled completely on hydro. Weekly Internet Poll # 507. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com bb what can be achieved with sustainable May Q. World Cup or Politics?

Publisher: Kunda Dixit | Editor: Rabi Thapa Design: Kiran Maharjan | Marketing: Sambhu Guragain, Subhash Kumar, Arjun Karki [email protected] | Subscription: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Hattiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu | Tel: 01-5250333/845 Fax: +977-1-5251013 [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | www.himalmedia.com | Printed at Jagadamba Press 01-5250017-19 11 - 17 JUNE 2010 #506 OP-ED|3

KIRAN PANDAY Losing ground

non-Yadav OBCs and Tharus is a Maoist violence, radicalism and PLAIN SPEAKING pointer to how there will be even anti-Indianism as stumbling more forces in the future. These blocks towards any Prashant Jha parties are also top-heavy and understanding with them. The the egos of all leaders cannot be unstated reason is also the reconciled within a single party conflicting social bases of n May 28, top Madhesi framework. Madhesi parties (largely upper leaders could be seen But the India-encouraged and intermediate castes) and the O strolling around outside split in the MJF last year was a Maoists (extremely backward the CA complex. Senior TMDP turning point. It shrank the castes, Dalits, landless, janjatis leaders went to the nearby Beijing Madhes’ bargaining power and pahadis) in the Tarai. Roast Duck restaurant for a bite. drastically, and led to India’s real or perceived MJF’s Jai Prakash Gupta, widespread popular leverage over Madhesi parties has Sadbhavana’s Anil Jha, and disillusionment in the Tarai. It also harmed its standing in TMDP’s Jitendra Sonar were also resurrected the conservative Kathmandu power politics. NC, chatting with journalists about social forces of the region. Note UML and even the Maoists do what could happen. Others were that most ministers from MJF(D) not quite see the point of sitting on the lawns or in the in this government had nothing engaging with Madhesi leaders makeshift canteen. to do with either of the Madhes when the sense is that Madhesi The absence of Madhesi movements, are implicated in parties will toe the Indian line. leaders in negotiations that massive corruption cases, come By and large, this is a correct would determine the future of from feudal ‘jamindari’ assessment. A Madhesi leader the country was striking. It was backgrounds, and only joined told an Indian official recently, symbolic of the steady erosion of Madhesi politics before the only half-jokingly, “We have put Madhesi political strength. elections to cash in on popular all our issues in a basket and Madhesi parties complain sentiment. handed it to you. Now it is your this is because the ‘pahadi The second reason is that responsibility. Once you have parties’ have monopolised Madhesi parties have been dealt with the Maoists, address decision-making. Their exclusion subsumed under the ‘national’ those as well!” from the now-defunct High Level Maoist-non Maoist polarisation, Support from India helps Madhesi parties and individual leaders in many ways, and is Madhes leaders have no one based on the extremely strong and dense links between India to blame but themselves for and the Tarai. But the resulting lack of autonomy has its pitfalls. their lack of a role The Madhes is but a card for India in its larger strategic Political Mechanism is cited as which has been framed as a objective of having a friendly proof of the Kathmandu mindset. battle between authoritarianism regime in Kathmandu. The dip But the whining is pointless. and democracy. ‘Madhes issues’ in violence by armed groups in No one willingly shares power in have been relegated to the the Tarai since Madhav Nepal politics. Power has to be created. background. took over is not a coincidence Madhesi parties did that in 2007 MJF(D), TMDP and and reflects how India will use, and 2008 through agitations. Sadbhavana see NC and UML as or defuse, Madhesi forces They exercised power after the natural allies in the fight to according to its convenience. elections with their impressive preserve democracy. Upendra As the controversy over the numbers. If they are not seen as Yadav’s MJF feels the ‘save next PM sharpens, there is a worthy of even consultations democracy’ rhetoric is a trap to buzz in Madhesi circles about now, they should reflect within block political change and how it is their turn to lead since about what has changed. impose a 1990s-type system. It the top three have failed. Mahant The first reason for the dip in views the Maoists as natural Thakur’s name as a compromise their relevance is the continued allies in the quest for federalism candidate has been floated. fragmentation of Madhesi parties. and inclusion. Privately, even Nothing can be ruled out in This is natural, given the top TMDP leaders admit that the Nepali politics, but he or some heterogeneous social structure of Maoists are more supportive of other Madhesi leader would the Madhes. No one party has their agenda, as seen in CA have stood a far greater chance if sought to build a broad-based committee deliberations and they had been more pro-active, alliance; the under-representation their federal map, which has a united, autonomous, and of Madhesi Dalits, Muslims, Madhes province. But they cite connected to their roots. 4|NATION 11 - 17 JUNE 2010 #506 Connectivity and growth

brand was to position Ncell as a part of a big international group of leading mobile operators, owned by a leading European telecommunication company, TeliaSonera. The message is that we are here for Nepal, we are a reliable and committed industrial investor, bringing much-needed Leading European communication services to the people living here. However, telecommunications although we are part of an company TeliaSonera international group, striving to recently rebranded Mero implement and maintain all the Mobile to Ncell. Nepali relevant international standards of Times spoke to Spice fair and equal business practices, Nepal CEO, Pasi employee and customer treatment, Koistinen. Excerpts: we are at the same time a company with a strong local Nepali identity that respects the local culture, traditions and heritage.

Customers have a lot of complaints about connectivity and the quality of mobile phone services in Nepal. Why are services still below international standards? Over the past year, Ncell has dramatically improved its network Nepali Times: What is the We also feel privileged to expect the present growth rate of offers the fastest and easiest quality. We have extended our business rationale for your contribute to Nepal’s economic mobile penetration to plateau? access to the Internet. network to cover about 60 per cent investment in the Nepali telecom growth. Ncell was the second When Ncell was established in of Nepal’s population, a major market at a time when most largest taxpayer in Nepal in 2009. 2004, mobile penetration in Nepal What was the strategy behind the leap in the country’s foreign investors are not very Every 10 per cent increase in was under 10 per cent. Now we Ncell rebranding and has the telecommunication industry. We optimistic? mobile penetration in a estimate it to have passed response fulfilled your are continuously working on Pasi Koistinen: As with the case of developing country drives a 20 per cent. Growth will be faster, expectations? improving connectivity and I a rapidly growing business player, 1.2 per cent increase in GDP but it will take some time until the We recently rebranded Mero believe our customers have been TeliaSonera needs to spread its growth. Telecommunication market is saturated. Penetration Mobile to Ncell, though our experiencing this. Building mobile wings. Where better than services drive growth, will to a large extent depend on previous brand was very young. communication infrastructure countries with low penetration and competitiveness and the mobile network expansion The rebranding has revitalised our requires sizeable investment, so good growth prospects? Nepal has transition to a knowledge-based efforts. We believe that people in image and increased the energy we are making improvements a sizeable and young population, society. The mobile infrastructure Nepal are in need of and enthusiasm of our employees. gradually according to our low fixed-line and mobile we are building in Nepal, using communication services, It has also been a fresh change for business plan. However, I believe penetration, and good prospects state-of-the-art technology from especially in remote rural areas, our customers. Ncell, its colour, that with our latest efforts, we for economic growth. We are a globally renowned vendors, will and that more people will be logo and the whole outlook have already have very good network long-term strategic investor, and serve Nepal and its citizens and willing to use our services as we generated the desired curiosity quality and in-network look decades ahead. TeliaSonera also help make Nepal a more expand our network. Penetration and expected feedback. The connectivity. And we are in invested in Kazakhstan after the competitive economy. in Nepal will be mainly driven by response has been very continuous talks with our industry collapse of the Soviet Union voice traffic for now, but we also rewarding, and our purple colour partners in Nepal and abroad to and now has a billion dollar What is the potential size of the expect mobile data to take off, has set the trend for the country’s improve inter-network business there. Nepali market and when do you because the mobile network fashion. The idea behind the new connectivity. 11 - 17 JUNE 2010 #506 OP-ED|5 The partisan press THIS WEEK He may be a newsagent, but Deep Sah has seen and heard enough to recognise that independent journalism is merely an ideal

The boom in media has not repeatedly threatened. Sah FOURTH ESTATE been without problems. There is a dismisses all that with a shrug severe shortage of trained and pronounces: “Janakpur C K Lal personnel. Publishers are still Today isn’t free of shady opaque about funding sources. transactions. Its politics consists Journalists work for a pittance. of serving the establishment.” JANAKPUR—Until the mid- Most publications do very little Sah is no less scathing in his nineties, only the registration to hide their political criticism of the newspaper run clerk in the CDO Office knew the inclinations. The best person to with the support of the family of names of newspapers published judge the tilt of local newspapers Rajeshwar Nepali, veteran is often the hawker who has to journalist and freedom fighter of from this town. In those days, KIRAN PANDAY papers were like calling cards of push them to separate sets of 1950s vintage. In his analysis, their owners, who used their loyalists. Jagaran Daily is merely an Testing bombs publications to advance business Deep Narayan Sah has been apologist for Indian interests in Three people were arrested on Thursday in connection with a interests. selling newspapers at Janak Nepali politics. He also car bomb explosion in Basundhara, Kathmandu. Seven people With very little advertising Chowk for the last 40 years. He dismisses Mithila Dot were injured and the windows of a nearby hospital shattered other than government notices, has seen editors cowering in front Com, Tarai Times, Tahalka Dot when a socket bomb went off in a car on Tuesday morning. A the main source of revenue for of the anchaladhises of the Nepal, Janakpur previously unheard of group called Swatantra Nepal Dal local newspapers used Express, Mithilanchal claimed it had triggered the blast as a ‘test case’. In a to be official grants Bishesh, Naya Mithila statement, the group said it was protesting the year-long from the information and Hamari Awaj as extension of the Constituent Assembly. ministry and mouthpieces of OHCHR extension business unofficial doles from The government has extended the term of the UN Office of the bureaucrats, police manipulators, Pahadi High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal but with a officers and politicos. communalists, narrowed mandate that means the closure of its field offices. A prominent ambitious The decision was made after prolonged discussion with bookseller remembers intellectuals, local OHCHR headquarters in Geneva. This is the fifth term how entrepreneurs administration, high- extension for the UN agency. “The OHCHR will not have would beg him to caste militants, the access to privileged or confidential information of the display their papers, Maoists and the fixers government,” said Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat about the knowing full well that of construction cabinet decision, adding that “The human rights situation has nobody was going to contracts, respectively. been improving. It is an indication that the presence of the OHCHR will not be necessary once its extended term pick up a copy. The He may be a expires.” purpose of the exhibit newsagent rather than would be to impress a media analyst, but Dr Who? people who came to Sah has seen and After 19 days in captivity the executive director of BP buy Hindi or English heard enough to Memorial Cancer Hospital Bhaktaman Shrestha was freed on Indian dailies. recognise that Saturday. Shrestha said he was dropped off in Dhading after The pattern of independent being moved around blindfolded for the entire period. No media consumption journalism is merely ransom was paid or any other conditions fulfilled. Shrestha changed irrevocably an ideal. Freedom of said his captors were members of (yet another previously with the Madhes the press cannot unknown group called) the Nepal Hindu Janata Party. Some Uprising in 2006. guarantee that the political parties have questioned Shrestha’s version of events because said group has yet to make a public statement about Most ‘national’ media are free of all the kidnapping. On Wednesday, the Nepal Police commercial, political newspapers began to spokesperson said his department was about to release a be perceived as pro-Pahadi and Panchayat era. He has watched or cultural interests. It merely comprehensive report on the kidnappers, and hinted the police anti-Madhes. Local publications some journalists act like orderlies ensures that all those with account was going to differ from Shrestha’s. increased their print run and for officers of the security forces. adequate means are not denied an began to attract some advertising. He has observed politicians opportunity to compete in the Desperately seeking The popularity of FM radio, too, handing out cash. He doesn’t like marketplace of ideas. What is true As the nation looks for a compromise candidate to lead a helped enhance the prestige of to talk about all that. But he pulls in Janakpur holds true for the rest national unity government, each party is trying to claim the some papers as journalists often no punches when asked about the of the country. post of prime minister, and each party has multiple worked across several mediums political loyalties of the The media stands to play an contenders. Although it has publicly stated that Chairman and emerged as regular stringers publications he sells. even greater role in the political Pushpa Kamal Dahal will lead the government, the Maoist party’s central committee meeting says they should also be for national and international The first local daily to acquire contestations of the future. This open to new candidates. CPN-UML and NC say they will not top category classification from could be why investors are broadcasters. accept Dahal as the prime minister, and NC says it is also In addition to half a dozen the Press Council of Nepal was willing to bear huge losses and ‘willing’ to lead a new government. Although Prime Minister FM broadcasters, at least nine Janakpur Today. Uma Singh, a hold on to their niches. With the Madhav Kumar Nepal has said he will step down, it is still daily newspapers are now journalist associated with this increasing complexity of the uncertain when he intends to do so. published from Dhanusha newspaper, was hacked to death cutthroat competition within the district alone. Their circulation by suspected Maoists in January media, the responsibility of figures are still closely guarded last year. In early March this year, media watchdogs will only grow secrets. But unlike in the past, its publisher Arun Singhania was heavier. For observers less almost all these dailies can now gunned down in the middle of experienced than the venerable be bought from newsstands at the town. Editor of the paper and newsstand owner of Janak Chowk, sfd ;fgf ] 7nf" ] eGg ] x'“b}g . kl;gfsf ] s'g} bus depot, the railway station or local BBC Nepali Sewa reporter keeping an eye on the media will /ª / hft klg x'“b}g . sfd u//] vfg nhfpg ' klg market streets. Brij Kumar Yadav has been be more challenging than ever. x'Fbg} . rf]/]/, 9fF6/,] 5n/,] n'6]/ vfg kf ] nhfpgk5' { . hf ] hxf “ /x/] hg' sfd u5 { pm To;df} /dfpgk5' { uf/a} ugk5'{ { / ;dlkt{ eP/ ugk5'{ { . sfd g } zlQm xf,] elQm xf ] / dlQm' xf ] . sfdsf ] OHht u/f,}+ kl;gfsf ] ;Ddfg u/f }+ .

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Turning 10 SDB for women Making Himal Power Limited (HPL) marked the tenth Siddhartha Development Bank announced a year of its successful operation of the 60MW ‘Khasi deposit’ scheme for women, allowing Khimti I Hydropower Project. The company also them to open an account with a minimum announced a merit-based annual scholarship in deposit of Rs 500. The bank provides 8 per work work Dolakha and Ramechhap for a talented girl to cent annual interest along with a one-year attend Lincoln School in Kathmandu for three subscription to Nari magazine. Depositors will years. HPL has supported schools in Dolakha also get a 50 per cent waiver on a locker and Ramechhap districts as well. system, a free ATM card, e-banking, SMS services, free accident insurance worth Rs STRICTLY BUSINESS 100,000 and a 25 per cent discount at the Ashutosh Tiwari Kathmandu Revolving Restaurant. Dabur’s goals Uttam Maskey from Narayanghat won the n the course of interacting with managers, entrepreneurs and monthly bumper prize of a SONY BRAVIA 32” management students as a lecturer, I encountered three LCD TV for Dabur Real’s ‘Score the Real I recurring themes that seem to be bothering most people who Goal’. Jay Prakash Tandukar won a SONY run, manage or work in businesses or public enterprises in Nepal. Khimti I is the first private sector project BRAVIA 22” LCD TV as the highest correct under a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer SMS sender for week 9. Dabur’s ‘Score the Organisational governance: It’s an open secret that most (BOOT) scheme. It has generated over four Real Goal’ campaign started on April 30; for a private companies are not good at the practice of corporate billion units of electricity. After the completion of chance to win, identify the ‘Real Ball’ and governance, which is about how effectively a company is directed another ten years, half of the Khimti I project will SMS to 5004. be handed over to Nepal Electricity Authority for and controlled for results. Rastra Bank has laid down some a symbolic one rupee. governance guidelines for banks. But corporate governance does New CG models not get much play elsewhere in the economy. Instead of hoping Skoda Yeti CG Mobiles lauched two new models: C763 that non-financial companies will someday see the light and (CDMA) and D990(CDMA + GSM). C763 is a improve by themselves, it’s better to expect that increased Morang Auto Works introduced full touch screen mobile equipped with a music competition will force them to improve in all areas, including Skoda Yeti, a compact SUV, in player, bluetooth, and a digital camera. D990 is governance, or force them out of the market. the Nepali market. Named after a dual SIM slot phone with a QWERTY The same, however, cannot be said of public or semi-public the mystical snowman, Skoda keypad, equipped with a 1.3 MP Camera, FM, enterprises such as Nepal Oil Corporation, Nepal Tourism Board or Yeti is designed for off-road driving bluetooth, internet modem and Java. They are Nepal Telecom. Senior managers who have served for many years with the comfort of driving on the road. Powered priced at Rs 8,690 and Rs 9,790 by a 1.8 TSI 4 cylinder with a 118 kw (156bph) respectively, and come with warranties and a petrol engine, it comes equipped with a generous free 1 GB memory card. quota of standard equipment. The SUV is priced An ecosystem of support at Rs 4.9 million and comes in 14 different colours. Top boss is needed if businesses BOSS Magazine announced the Seventh Stay cool BOSS Top Ten Business Excellence Awards and public enterprises on Tuesday, honouring the who’s who of LG introduced another product in its medium- are to flourish large Home Appliances segment, an LG Air conditioner with inverter compressor technology. complain bitterly that the tendency of politicians to flout rules to Unlike conventional AC appoint heads as per their whims and party-political cooling systems, the requirements is destroying many of these entities. Moreover, such inverter technology in LG’s air conditioners is arbitrariness has meant that public enterprises function more like energy efficient. The company claims the new unofficial centres of mass employment for party cadres. technology can reduce electricity bills by As such, there’s a hunger among public sector employees to 44 per cent, which makes it economical and understand how they can get governance right at their efficient. organisations.

Negotiating with unions: Everyone knows that opening up a Pepsi Mania large-scale industrial unit is risky in Nepal, not necessarily Arpan Basnet from Morang and Dhane Thapa Nepal’s business fraternity. CEO of NTB because of price or quality issues, but because of politically from Narayanghat won this week’s lucky draw of Prachanda Man Shrestha, Kamal Gyawali of charged labour problems that will crop up sooner rather than later. a 32” Samsung LCD TV with Pepsi Football Kist Bank and Om Raj Bhandari of Comfort Yet most managers remain ill-trained on aspects of labour Mania. The promotion will continue till 11 July. Housing were conferred with the best CEO laws, and on ways of negotiating with labour unions. Even when Two Samsung 32” LCD TVs will be won every awards. Lun Karandas Chaudhary of week in addition to Nokia mobile phones, Timex Chaudhary Group was recognised with the they want to get information on this, there is not much of a wrist watches, T-shirts, key rings and posters of Lifetime Achievement award. knowledge platform or network to plug into for advice and footballers. The next lucky draw will be held at contacts. This gap became clear as senior managers, who one might Pizza Hut, Darbar Marg, on 13 June. The grand think would be informed, asked me many questions on how prize winner will take home a Hero Honda Colourful trip unions could be tamed so staff members are focused on Karizma ZMR at the end of the promotion. Asian Paints organised ‘Colourful Meet 2010’, production and results rather than political rallies. a three-day trip to Pokhara. Dealers and their Instead of merely requesting, time and again, the political Everest gives families from various locations across Nepal parties to rein in their militant labour unions, entities such as attended the meet. Fun games, a lucky draw, FNCCI and CNI should recast their own role. They should be On the occasion of the second anniversary of live entertainment programs, dancing and a helping upgrade their members’ negotiation skills while educating EBL Bhaktapur Branch, Everest Bank Limited stay at Fulbari Resort were the attractions. them about the good and the bad that unions can do in donated a hydrocholator machine to Siddhi Budhaitya Mukherjee, General Manager of organisations. Memorial Foundation, Bhaktapur. The machine is Asian Paints Nepal, participated with company used for physiotherapy. Siddhi Memorial employees. Foundation runs Siddhi Memorial Hospital and Entrepreneurship: Every new bank says that it exists to help Siddhi Shaligram Briddhashram with the entrepreneurs. But entrepreneurs argue that the banks are so heavy donations it receives. RK Ummat, CEO of the Ninja unveiled on daunting paperwork and light on advisory support that most bank, handed over the hospital equipment to Kawasaki Ninja 250R was officially launched say no thanks to banks. International financial agencies, usually Shyam Sundar Dhaubadel, founder of Siddhi on Wednesday at Soaltee Crowne Plaza. The staffed by those in MBA suits who have never run a live, breathing Memorial. business themselves, take the approach of clinging on to one or two entrepreneurs, only to write about them as success stories for Mega Sipridi headquarters at a later date. Missing from both approaches is an understanding that Sipridi Trading, the authorised dealer of Tata entrepreneurship does not exist in vacuum. It needs an ecosystem Motors in Nepal, is organising an 18-day Sipridi of its own, a network of financiers, lawyers, accountants, mentors Mega Exchange Camp, an exposition of Tata vehicles along with and apprentices. Helping develop that ecosystem, over a period of an exchange years, is unglamorous and unrewarding work. But as in Silicon facility. On the spot Valley or in Boston, doing just that is the first critical step finance will be towards ensuring that the entrepreneurial species can flourish available for the purchase of new vehicles. The 250cc sports motorbike was introduced by HH in Nepal. camp will kick off in Nepalganj on 10 June, and Bajaj and is available in stylish lime green Nepali entrepreneurs are hungry for networks, contacts and tour Butwal, Pokhara, Narayanghat, Birganj, and ebony black colours. At the event, the advice that they can trust and skills they can pick up. They are Dharan, Biratnagar and Birtamod, concluding in bikes were handed over to the first five not interested in just another lecture on the importance of Kathmandu on 27 June. customers to have made a booking. entrepreneurship. LIFE TIMES 11 - 17 JUNE 2010 #506 7

AFP Dreams come true

SURESH NEUPANE

fter a wait of four years, kick-off is Africa. A new international airport north Nigeria, which have all gone through African teams, well known for regular here. At precisely 7.45pm Nepali time of Durban and 10 new stadiums of 56,000- growing pains since independence, will take upsets. A today, South Africa and Mexico will capacity to host 64 matches along with the opportunity to rejuvenate their And Nepal? We may be be light years face off in the opening fixture of the 19th other investments (such as a high-speed rail nationhood and improve regional relations. away from qualifying, but the World Cup World Cup at the Soccer City Stadium in link) have cost the state $3.7 billion. This As for who will end up hoisting up the has become a festival to rival any other. The Johannesburg. Even for the nation that is in addition to the $800 million spent by FIFA World Cup Trophy, the usual suspects football craze here will feed on the incredible successfully hosted the 1995 Rugby World FIFA. It is estimated that tourism and loom large. Brazil fancies its chances of range of promotions by companies such as Cup and the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup, business receipts will earn the South winning the event for the sixth time, but Coca-cola, Pepsi, LG, Carlsberg and Samsung, 2010’s FIFA World Cup is seen as a unique African economy close to $4 billion, perennial dark horses Spain are considered with some lucky so-and-sos going all the opportunity not only to thrust itself into boosting growth from 3% to 3.5%. by many the real favourite this time around, way to South Africa. Restaurants and hotels global prominence, but also to honour the The global event will also influence the having won all 10 of its qualifying matches. will entertain the rest of us with massive entire African continent. future of the African continent’s economies, Stars such as Argentina’s Messi, Portugal’s screens and stores are all stocked up on This momentous event has materialised social development and politics. Ronaldo, and England’s Rooney will no football jerseys. Nepali football lovers may as a result of three years of hard work and Participating nations such as South Africa, doubt give their fans plenty to hope for, live in Nepal, but their hearts will be in massive investment on the part of South Algeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and and there’s no dismissing the dangerous South Africa for the next month.

Men with balls A billion condoms? Believe it or not, the South African government is making arrangements for 1,000,000,000 condoms for the duration of the FIFA World Cup. This is ten times the supply made available during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver this year. Is it the weather? Whatever it is, the South African state’s prescience has meant that in this country where almost 12% of the population has HIV/AIDS, those visitors worried about their team will have to worry about one thing less.

KIRAN PANDAY 8|LIFE TIMES

WORLD CUP

Sports Bar, the only sports bar in town boasts a 109-inch screen with surround sound and the usual cocktails and drinks menu. Cover charge is Rs 500, but that will mean you won’t have to worry about loadshedding. Kamaladi, 4438017

Rox Bar, watch the matches on the big screen at the bar and drink special cocktails prepared just for the occasion. For the sophisticates among you. Hyatt Regency, Bouddha, 4491234

Imago Dei, relaxed and friendly, it will be projecting the games with a 250-watt sound system. Seats only 50 so come early and stay on. Lazimpat, 4442464

Buzz Café, will kick off the World Cup with a barbeque in the gardens and special cocktails from 3pm on Friday. Baluwatar, 4429903

The Factory, a special chef is being flown over to create a menu corresponding with the countries battling it out. There will be games, prizes and pitchers of beer. Thamel, 4701185

House of Music, the opening ceremony will be followed by music from Monkey Temple, while the first game is shown on the terrace. Terrace/ lounge/music/football: expect lots of options. Thamel, 9851075172

1905, it’s also about the food at 1905 in Kantipath, which will feature a special menu throughout the World Cup with country-themed food or snacks. Expect margaritas, empanadas, and good old-fashioned beans and sausages. Kantipath, 4225272

Cinnamon Lounge, spacious lounge with a menu featuring grilled meat of various kinds. For the hungry man in you. Jhamel, 5521339

Vesper Café, a well-stocked bar and an airy patio to cool off during the intervals, and intense cheering. Jhamel, 5548179 11 - 17 JUNE 2010 #506|9

EVENTS

Syeda Farhana Exhibition, photographs by Bangladeshi artist, writer and filmmaker Syeda Farhana, whose work is entirely conceptual, exploring ideas of the movement of people in very personal and sensitive ways. Saturday 12 June, 9.45am, The Bakery Café, Sundhara

Tavern Tales, a reading from The Oriental Casebook of Sherlock Holmes by Ted Riccardi, Professor Emeritus at Columbia University. Sunday 13 June, 5pm, Quixote’s Cove, Jawalakhel

In Between Uncommon Factors, yet another exhibit by Kathmandu University’s BFA graduates, in which Sheelasha Rajbhandari explores the relation between uncommon factors. Runs till 14 June, Nepal Art Council, Babar Mahal

Geometrics, an exhibition of paintings about the intuitive responses of elements, geometry and colours in Thangkas by American artist Piero Passacantando. Opens Sunday 13 June, 11am-6pm, Siddhartha Art Gallery, Babar Mahal Revisited, 4218048

Movie screening: Summer Food friends Interlude, Swedish director Ingmar Bergman’s film f Café Mitra was already ingredients locally available in spices and ingredients. How about deals with a ballerina’s renowned as a foodie haven Kathmandu to concoct some the use of cumin in the Eggplant et first love, and a I grace of owner Kunal Lama’s deft excellent dishes. He starts al mousse and the fresh mango subsequent tragedy, which sticks with her throughout culinary touches, the last few shopping for organic on salsa with the terrine? If that life. Friday 11 June, Wednesday evenings with Chef Saturday, plans his menu and doesn’t do it for you, the thyme 3.30pm, Docskool, Mohit have been the icing on the works hard from Sunday to cream in the truffle torte should! Gaurighat, 4471104 cake. On these warm summer Wednesday, and with what Chef Marut Sikka, the great nights, guests have been treated to results. Indian food consultant, has Putaliko Ghar, a Nepali adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s a four course set extravaganza of There are only two choices per adapted local items to bring about House, which has seen more than 180 performances in Nepal, culinary delights. course (and a vegetarian extra for some of the best contemporary India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Denmark and Norway. Starts Friday It is always interesting to see a the mains), but diners face tough dishes in India. Now, thanks to June 4 (everyday except Mondays) 5.30pm, Gurukul, Old Nepali with global experience try choices. Gazpacho or Fennel and Kunal and Mohit, Kathmandu Baneswor to make an impact back in Nepal. Potato soup? Eggplant, Beetroot seems to have found its own Chef Mohit worked in London and and Yoghurt Mousse or Smoked glocalized gastronomical niche. Saturday’s Farmer’s Market, a weekly farmers’ market that is different from all the other farmers’ markets in town with lasagne, Washington DC and earned fame Salmon and Red Snapper Terrine? Chef Mohit is taking off next week, pies and Mediterranean treats along with organic fruits and as one who can make desserts that Chicken Leg or Roast Pork? Once but the Wednesday sagas will vegetables. Every Saturday, 9am to noon, 1905 Restaurant, melt in your mouth. Back home, you make your decision, you can be back. Kantipath he has tried to bring the best of marvel at the clever use of local Foodie beed 10|HAPPENINGS 11 - 17 JUNE 2010 #506

KIRAN PANDAY CLEAN RIDE: Goma Dulal, a quadriplegic, inaugurates the Spinal Injury Electric Vehicle Rally from Maitighar Mandala to Sangha, Saturday, World Environment Day.

KIRAN PANDAY SHELL SHOCK: A girl looks out after a socket bomb destroyed a car in Basundhara, Kathmandu, on Tuesday. Four people were injured and windows of neighbouring buildings, including Ishan Bal Nursing Home, were shattered.

KIRAN PANDAY TREE PEOPLE: People from various districts rallied for the 4th National Convention of the Federation of Community Forest User Groups, Tuesday

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA COME DANCE WITH ME: A Magar chundi dance in Betanigaun during a trip organised by Gorkha Tourism along the Manakamana to Gorkha trekking route. Homestays are planned in the future.

WEEKEND WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL

The monsoon is well on its way, even if it is not quite the early bird we predicted it would be because of the effect of cyclone Phet. The westerly jet stream is weakening, and the Bay of Bengal arm of the monsoon is creeping up to the Himalaya. This should bring us heavy rains over eastern Nepal by Friday. The Kathmandu Valley should be getting its first precursor showers by the weekend, and it will start chucking down in earnest sometime next week.

KATHMANDU

FRI SAT SUN

6 6 6 27-20 27-21 26-20 11 - 17 JUNE 2010 #506 NATION|11 p POLITICALLY CRACKED Indu Nepal

hen Germany hosted the FIFA World Cup W football tournament in 2006, there was no iPhone. Twitter was just preparing its launch. Books were only made of paper, and middle-aged folks had yet to discover, let alone join, Facebook. Starting today, more than a billion people around the world will hear the sound of the vuvuzela, the South African plastic horn, as the World Cup hogs the fibre optic networks like nothing has done before. For the first time in history, coverage of this worldwide event will be delivered through live 3D, HD television, online streaming and mobile technologies, surpassing traditional media outlets like Blow your own trumpet television, radio and newspapers. A lot can change in four years. And events like these become not The world has made giant strides since 2006, how about us? just an excuse for wearing bright nylon jerseys and drinking, but the White House.” As the population had no voice or voting and multi-racial elections. Most wonderful that will be if also milestones for measuring country’s former President Thabo rights, think this was possible? Nepalis will hear of the supporting proxies can be so technological, political and social Mbeki has said, South Africa Did Nelson Mandela envision tournament through special much fun (Go England!). We got a progress. hopes the tournament will be this day when he walked out of advertising campaigns by noodle peace agreement soon after Fabio The biggest story this year, another Mandela moment, “when Robben Island prison in 1990? companies, even if they are Cannavaro kissed the World Cup unless the United States wins the Africa stood tall and resolutely Today, South Africa carries the delivered to their villages by trophy in 2006, and abolished the cup, will be about the host. Until turned the tide of centuries of mantle of pride for the entire mules. monarchy subsequently. But do 1994, the World Cup hadn’t even poverty and conflict.” continent, as it welcomes the For those of us who like we have anything to show for the been televised in South Africa. More than 300,000 football world to Africa. indulge in self-reflection, South years since, beside the utter This year, it has spent billions of fans from around the world will Here in Nepal, the World Cup Africa’s experience is not about political disarray and the dollars building world class arrive in South Africa this week. fanfare will be centred on urban when Nepal, or South Asia for proliferation of MSG-laden ramen stadiums for the multi-national Thirty-two teams and 736 players areas, as when my father bought that matter, will host the games. brands? Perhaps the South event that Archbishop Desmond will play in 10 venues across the his first television for the World Nor is it about when our team Africans can lend us their Tutu described being as country. Did anyone living under Cup in 1994, the same year South will make it to the games, vuvuzelas to wake us up from “important as Obama getting into apartheid, when 90 per cent of the Africa held its first democratic although just imagine how this slumber. 12|INTERNATIONAL 11 - 17 JUNE 2010 #506 Rethinking poverty reduction

JOMO KWAME SUNDARAM well as decent work, while governments should have enough policy and fiscal space to enable them to play a proactive role and to NEW YORK – Last year, FAO announced that provide adequate universal social protection. the number of hungry people in the world The last three decades also saw the increased over the last decade. In 2008, the divorce of social policies from overall World Bank announced a significant decline development strategies as a consequence of in the number of poor people up to the year the drive for smaller government. National 2005. But if poverty is defined principally economic development strategies were in terms of the money income needed to avoid replaced with donor-favored poverty- hunger, how can announcements such as reduction programs, such as land-titling, these be reconciled? micro-credit, and ‘bottom of the pyramid’ In Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, marketing to the poor. poverty and hunger remain stubbornly high. Such fads have not succeeded in International agencies estimate that more significantly reducing poverty. This is not than 100 million people fell into poverty as to deny some positive consequences. For a result of higher food prices during 2007- example, micro-credit has empowered 2008, and that the global financial and RSS millions of women, while important lessons economic crisis of 2008-2009 accounted for have been learned from such schemes’ design an increase of another 200 million. Delayed The most important lesson is the need government and reliance on the market led and implementation. job recovery from the global downturn for sustained rapid growth and structural to precipitous declines in public Unfortunately, poverty remains endemic, remains a major challenge for poverty economic transformation. Governments need infrastructure investment, particularly in with more than a billion people going hungry reduction in the coming years. to play a developmental role, with agriculture. This not only impaired long-term every day. There are also growing fears that The mixed record of poverty reduction implementation of integrated policies growth, but also increased food insecurity. climate change will more adversely threaten calls into question the efficacy of designed to support inclusive output and Advocates of economic liberalisation the lives of the poor. conventional approaches. Countries were employment growth, as well as to reduce policies cited the success of the rapidly The United Nations’ biennial Report on advised to abandon their national inequality and promote social justice. industrialising East Asian economies. But the World Social Situation, entitled development strategies in favour of Such an approach needs to be none of these economies had pursued Rethinking Poverty, makes a compelling case globalisation, market liberalisation, and complemented by appropriate industrial wholesale economic liberalisation. Instead, for rethinking poverty-measurement and privatisation. Instead of producing sustained investment and technology policies, and by governments played a developmental role by poverty-reduction efforts. For the world’s rapid growth and economic stability, such inclusive financial facilities designed to supporting industrialisation, higher value- poor, ‘business as usual’ has never been an policies made countries more vulnerable to support them. In addition, new and added agriculture and services, and acceptable option. the power of the rich and the vagaries of potentially viable production capacities need improvement of technological and human international finance and global instability, to be fostered through complementary capabilities. The author is United Nations Assistant- which has become more frequent and severe developmental policies. Structural transformations should Secretary-General for Economic Development. due to deregulation. By contrast, the insistence on minimal promote full and productive employment as Project Syndicate, 2010 11 - 17 JUNE 2010 #506 NATION |13

Ex-combatants pass the time playing carom in a They were meant gazebo littered with to be freedom communist paraphernalia. Maoist party indoctrination fighters, but they invades every corner of have neither Walled in their lives, giving them no opportunity to begin their transition to civilian life. physical nor mental freedom TEXT and PHOTOS BENJAMIN BROWN in CHITWAN

fter spending almost a week in Chitwan’s Shaktikhor cantonment, talking with members of the PLA’s 3rd Division, one thing is clear: their indoctrination A runs deep. Talking about what they want from the overdue peace process and constitution, they seemed literally incapable of straying from the party line. One platoon commander appeared unaware that he was using ‘we’ instead of ‘I’, even though our conversation was focused on his wishes for the future. As an Armed Police Force inspector told me in Kathmandu, integration is not a matter of numbers or physical standards, but changing the mentality of combatants. “They must entirely change their mentality to be effective,” he said. What happens to the PLA mentality once the PLA is dismantled? As I talked to them, the ex-combatants told me about their rigid schedule, which includes daily exercise, shifts at guard stands, and ‘cleaning time’. The schedule has been designed simply to keep them busy, and the watch duties are next to useless, as no one is threatening to go anywhere, never mind come in. The inhabitants of Shaktikhor can be seen relaxing, watching TV, and sleeping with the help of a fan, fruitlessly trying to hide from Chitwan’s unrelenting summer heat. While they boasted of their strict schedule and harsh camp rules, all other structures felt like a façade to show outsiders that they are staying busy. Stuck in UN cantonments, unable to talk about their desires or come and go as they please, it seems that the Three PLA members walk through the cleared jungle that has been their home for ‘freedom fighters’ of yesterday are no longer free. They simply wait for their leaders to the past four years. The cantonment rests between fertile valley grounds and dense determine their future. Chitwan jungle.

A PLA member stares at the camera during one of his watch duties. Along with his A Maoist gun pointing at the Nepali flag is symbolic of what the PLA fought for. But fellow ex-combatants, he has little to do but wait. little has changed for the ex-combatants since they entered the camps four years ago. 14|FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 11 - 17 JUNE 2010 #506 “Time not Dangerous waters lives every year trying to cross the dangerous waters of the Mahakali river on a weak and unstable hand-operated ripe yet” ropeway. The issue of constructing a bridge across the river has been raised during Nepal-India border meetings but like most agreements, it is yet to be implemented. An interview with NC spokesperson Arjun Narsingh KC, “We have been requesting the Dristi, 8 June government to construct at least one suspension bridge in this area, but in vain,” says Mangal Singh Dhami, a Dristi: Though the CA tenure has been extended, teacher from Sunsera. At present there the political deadlock has not been resolved. NICK MEYNEN are three suspension bridges across the Arjun Narsingh KC: The extension has laid a foundation Mahakali in Darchula district, in Khalanga, Dattu to make a fresh start towards forging a consensus and Chitranga Thapa in Kantipur, 5 June and Joljivi. But for the locals from rural Darchula moving ahead. But the time has not matured enough for an it takes a day to get to any of the bridges and the agreement. ropeway is the only alternative. Everyday Shankar Dutta of Sunsera crosses the “I have used the ropeway many times to go to What is preventing them from forging a consensus? Mahakali river on a rickety ropeway to get to the Sunsera,” says assistant CDO Dhan Prasad Maoist fighters in cantonments and the weapons they neighbouring town of India in search of work and Poudyal Sharma, adding that there have been possess are the obstacle. The Maoists are not ready to put comes back the same way in the evening with his agreements to build two more bridges at Tigdam down their guns just yet. A party that has weapons cannot earnings. Crossing over a bridge would mean a and Huti. Although the state government of India be a democratic force. The Maoists want to affect opinion whole day’s walk so instead he uses the has agreed, the central government is yet to give through force. A constitution should not be written under ropeway, knowing that a little mistake could the go-ahead. Funds for a bridge at Huti have been the shadow of guns. cost him his life. set aside in this year’s budget but no work has At least two locals from Darchula lose their been started. The Maoists have been demanding the resignation of Madhav Kumar Nepal. Resignation of the PM is Costly cabinet not a problem. He has Sagar Pandit in Nayapatrika, 8 June time and again urged the political parties to reach an agreement so that he PM Madhav Kumar Nepal’s jumbo cabinet has spent more than what was allocated in this year’s can resign. He should not budget. Rs 75 million has been expended on salaries, fuel and travel expenses for 43 cabinet leave the post and push members in the last 10 months. This amount is twice the budget allotted by the government. the country into Initially, the government had allotted Rs 40 million for the cabinet but an additional Rs 60 uncertainty. There million was requested within five months. should be a guarantee that the past commitments will be implemented and the constitutional calendar should be finalised, then Pass the budget he can resign.

Are you saying the PM won’t resign unless the Editorial in Karobar, 9 June year has caused inflation, which is on the rise. Maoists accept the package deal? We have not been able to achieve the expected Why should he? The package deal is to ensure the peace economic growth rate, which is why we have had process and constitution writing. It is not only the This year too, the budget is likely to be affected a double digit inflation rate for three consecutive commitment we are looking for but the implementation of by the ongoing political wrangling over power. years. Policymakers should keep in mind how the commitments. The budget delay will have a difficult life has been as a negative impact on the result. Is a Maoist-led government acceptable to the NC if country’s economy. The There are ways to object to the Maoists accept your package deal? Maoist-led government was government policies and This opens an avenue for forging a consensus. A consensus unable to present the budget programs in parliament. These leadership is one that is acceptable to all. How can we accept and its plans and policies due objections can be discussed in Maoist leadership in government if the party still possesses to a delay in forming a new parliament, but it is weapons and fighters? government after the CA undemocratic for the Maoists elections. The UML-led to say that they will not let Is NC claiming the post of PM then? government budget that the budget pass. The budget Concluding the peace process and constitution writing are followed was also delayed by session was supposed to have the real issues. NC will cooperate with a government five months due to the Maoist started on 8 May for the without NC if it ensures peace and PLA integration. NC will obstruction of the parliament, and failed to bring budget to be presented on 9 July. The Maoists not hesitate to take up the responsibility if all other the expected results. Many programs were not should well know what difficulties a budget political parties approve of our leadership. But our priority implemented. delay can cause. An agreement should be reached now is not the government, but constitution writing. Protracted political conflict tends to increase on passing the budget while politics is negotiated regular administrative expenses while freezing at the same time. Who leads the government the development budget. The deficit budget every should not matter to economic development. 11 - 17 JUNE 2010 #506 CONSTITUTION 2010|15 So far, so ok

KIRAN PANDAY The CA got some important things done, but the most heated battles are yet to come

DHRUBA SIMKHADA (Constitutional Committee, 10 Constitutional Committee z addressing concerns about ethnic and thematic committees and 3 z receipt of 7 thematic committee regional identity administrative committees) reports by the Constitutional he 28th of May, 2008, was a z first collation of public opinion on the Committee (only three have been Instead of forging ahead with the drafting momentous day for Nepal. The first new constitution submitted so far) process, the politicians continue to T meeting of the Constituent z preparation of preliminary drafts by z second collation of public opinion wrangle over who should succeed Assembly (CA) declared Nepal a ‘Federal the thematic committees z preparation of the constitution bill Madhav Kumar Nepal. Constitution Democratic Republic’. But much that z proposal of a 14-province model by the z passing of each article of the writing is still not a priority, despite the followed that bold and historic declaration State Restructuring and Power Sharing constitution on the basis of last-minute extension of a fortnight ago. has been muddied not only by the Committee consensus as far as possible, if not by The song remains the same: integration ambitions of the political parties that make a 2/3 majority of CA members first, or a national government? up the CA, but also the many contentious CA Chairperson Subhas Nembang z signature by all CA members and issues that have arisen in the last two claims ‘80 per cent’ of constitution writing verification by the CA Chairperson According to NC central committee years. has been completed, and many other leader and CA member Man Mohan political leaders agree. But the reports of Much of the delay in the submission of Bhattarai, we need to officially put an So what has actually been accomplished, the thematic committees are like thesis the thematic committee reports can be end to the ‘gun-loving culture’ by and what does the CA have to deal with in papers that haven’t yet been submitted for attributed to disputes related to: disbanding the parallel army of the the year’s extension that it has been peer review. Contentious issues have not Maoists. Only then, according to granted? yet been discussed, only compiled and z fundamental principles of the new Bhattarai, can we embrace peace and give stored in lawmaker Agni Kharel’s Report constitution constitution writing some momentum. Two years of the CA have passed, during Study and Suggestions Committee. It may z type of political system to be adopted But Maoist politburo member Janardan which the following tasks were completed: be the remaining 20 per cent that is the z basis of federal structures and Sharma insists that Madhav Kumar’s most difficult. The tasks that remain province models resignation has to precede a timetable z declaration of the republic include: z structure of the judiciary and its for concluding the peace process z election of a president and a vice- independence and forming a national consensus president z preparation of the preliminary z management/integration of Maoist government. The clock is ticking z formation of 14 committees constitutional draft by the ex-combatants once more. F 16 350 days for new constitution new for days 350 meeting was so secret that the In fact, the BRB and MKN missing, and so on and so forth. in Lainchaur but KPS was secret hideaway, the NC all met BRB secretly met MKN at a top So, KPO met JNK, PKD met RCP, about who met whom and where. the normal when the only news in You know the country is back to D-Day. countdown is 350 days to go for have been reset and the new Hong Kong market. So, the clocks and other paraphernalia at the to sell off donor-funded clothing 19,000 or so ex-ladakoos, and get Rs 3,000 levy on each of the make billions from the monthly the cantonments because they comrades don’t want to disband the party. Which is also why the source of money for because it is such an important to let it lapse and the Baddies because it was too embarrassing extension: the NC and UML because all 3 needed a CA they word they said. The only reason clear that none of the 3 meant a leaders of the 3 parties it is now national broadshits | agreed to agree agreement between the 3 breakthrough 3-point ifteen days after the AK SIDE BACK FG was is is promoting Com Cloudy and why and not resign now. Which is Makunay to tell him to stay put his Ideologue-in-chief met from usually reliable sources that BRB, especially after he heard more and more suspicious about Com Awe-inspiring is getting All this comes at a time when guard him to Melamchi and back. two pickups full of Sasastras to Sindhupalchok APF had to send paranoid about security that weapon”. PKD is now so discharge of an automatic was caused by the “accidental party’s official explanation that it doesn’t believe even his own Pistachio Palace last week that he spooked by the gunfire at the Chairman Bhayanak was so counter-alliances. guessing about alliances and arsenal that are all part of the the press in off-the-record leaks secret meetings are divulged to in Kumaripati. Comrade Maharjan’s living room is that they didn’t meet in where they met. All we know fraternity still hasn’t sniffed out investigative journalism hound dogs of the Nepali Information about these top Chairman Supremacist Chairman designed to keep rivals keep to designed FG psywar should replace him. decide within themselves who because the other parties can’t Macoonay will continue to be PM long and short of it is that gone off into a deep sulk. So the integration committee that he has for not including him in the Pasang is so ticked off with PKD backing him, and in fact Gen that all four PLA commanders are confidence comes from the fact himself as PM. Com Krishna as alternatives to Laldhoj’s newfound FG common: they can’t even come Royalists public. believed it, and said so in comrades in the party hierarchy disinformation that not even such implausible existent Hindu group. This was pinned the blame on a non- extricate themselves, they the newspaper’s van. Then, to Chitwan pyromaniacs set fire to exposed the link to Cloudy, shake him down. When Nagarik and the abduction was staged to moolah from local fundraising, Good Doc The Maoists and really have a lot in lot a have really CDO Regd No 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No 09/066/67 was skimming off skimming was aware that the seemed to be comrades Chitwan Shrestha. The Bhaktaman kidnapping of the Shrestha and Ram Hari the murder of incidents like end up in was going to movement Baddie within the warlordism the criminal sooner or later We knew that 11 - 17 JUNE 2010 2010 JUNE 17 - 11 announced. even before they have been annual awards, the dominated National Film Bored’s refused to take the Maoist- Kollywood celebrities who have awards is spreading. Now it’s The trend of turning down a tall blonde beefeater. out of their way to schmooze with ceremony in Namche while going ambassador during the awards snubbing a brown Hindu Everest Marathon organisers also abuzz with rumours of the wavelength. The cocktail circuit is Korean envoys are on the same planet where the South and North probably the only place on the their owncountries in revolutions staging about communism so much they were in, and that if they love last week about which continent reminded their Euro counterparts enough and diplomatically ambassadors have finally had It looks like the Asian people all the time. both think they can fool all the up with a believable fall guy, and ass(at)nepalitimes.com FG FG #506 NOSCARS ? Thisis how ,

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