Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Nepali Congress Needs A Convention


Girija Needs To Retire

He is past retirement age. He is not capable of hectic day to day work. After the country gets a new constitution, he will be in no position to run for president. It is in the best interests of the party that someone else succeed him now so that the party has a figure to project during the presidential election.

If Girija can not remain in active politics for the next seven years, he should retire now. That will be in the best interests of his party.

No Unification Without A Convention

A convention would be the best way to unify the two Congress parties. The party is reborn each convention. Everyone has to renew their membership. And so the members of the two parties would start at the bottom, and let the chips fall where they may.

The two factions show no signs of coming together otherwise.

The Mantra Is A Federal Republic

Unless the Congress factions become one and the unified party is strongly for a federal republic, the Maoists have a strong chance of emerging the largest party in the constituent assembly. Should that happen, Prachanda will be in a strong position to stake his claim for the presidency in the constituent assembly. I am for ballot power. If Prachanda harnesses it, so be it. But if I were the Congress, I would be worried.

Republic Now

The line that it is for the people to decide what they want to do with the monarchy just does not hold water. The Congress will have to take a clear stand. And that clear stand better be a republic. That is the groundswell sentiment withing the Congress itself.

New Party President

Girija's retirement will leave a wide open field. I hope there are several contestansts, and they each come forth with a plank each, a set of new ideas for the country and for party reform.

Sher Bahadur Deuba is an obvious candidate. Ram Chandra Poudel might be another. Shailaja Acharya might jump in. I hope Bimalendra Nidhi runs. If he does not win, he would be the most obvious candidate for party vice president. You need a Madhesi face up there for a party that's base is primarily in the Terai.

This might end up being the first time when the party truly has an election for president. The first generation's hold on the party has been too strong to allow for an open competition during the previous rounds.

I think each candidate will come out for a federal republic, but each will have to get much more specific in terms of the map they will likely propose for that federalism. That will spark a necessary discussion in the country at large.

Democracy is not a symphony, it is a cacophony.

Breakthrough (October 31)

In The News

UN intends to respond promptly; Annan calls all sides to maintain the momentum of peace process NepalNews
India positive for the release of Maoist leaders: DPM Oli
Constitution Day will not be celebrated today
Retiring SC Justice defends his verdict on Mahalaxmi Sugar Mill case, says he is proud of his verdict
Patan Appellate Court orders NRB to stop action against NBBL
Monarchy is virtually under suspension, PM will be de facto head of state: Prachanda
SPA, Maoist agreement foundation for new Nepal: PM Koirala
We will have to see the actions of the Maoists now, says Moriarty
India, US welcome SPA, Maoist agreement
Speaker says agreement has not addressed sovereign rights of citizens
Leaders hail the deal as historic harbinger of peace
Student hurt in ANNFSU, ANNISU (R) clash at RR Campus
SC orders authorities to review transport fares
Oli to cut short his India tour
US condemns Maoist intimidation
Indian government says it had no role in inviting Prachanda
Nepal deal welcomed by India Financial Express, India
Nepal heading toward permanent peace after latest peace ... People's Daily Online, China
Nepal Maoists and Democracy: From A Protest Venue United We Blog, Nepal
Rebel Maoists to join Nepal government in landmark peace deal Haveeru Daily, Maldives
NC to Go to CA Polls with Own Agenda: Poudel Himalayan Times
Maoists to join Nepal government Hindu
Has a Secret Deal Been Made in Nepal? OhmyNews International, South Korea
Nepal govt, Maoists clinch peace deal The Daily Star, Bangladesh
Embattled town welcomes Nepal truce BBC News, UK

History Made Kantipur
Wednesday's accord will carve out roadmap for new Nepal: Prachanda
Maoist million mass meet cancelled
US, India welcome SPA-Maoist accord
'SPA-Maoist accord foundation for new Nepal'
UN envoy welcomes milestone accord, Moriarty more guarded
Maoists' lodging demand irks capital residents
India, Nepal keen to develop hydel potential
Locals up against Maoist demand for hospitality
IT Park fails to draw private sector interest
BALUWATAR TALKS: Government, Maoists reach historic agreement
US, NHRC condemn Maoist excesses
One injured after Maoists open fire
Oli meets Indian industrialists, visit cut short
माओवादीविरुद्ध नगरवासी
लामा मुक्ति मोर्चाको राष्ट्रिय सम्मेलन
सर्वदलीय समझदारी र नेपालको भविष्य
डेमोक्रेटको चुनावी उदय
न्यायपालिकाको सक्षमता र स्वतन्त्रता
समझदारी लगत्तै सेयर बजार तात्यो

Full text of the decisions of the SPA-Maoist summit meeting:

Respecting people’s aspiration for democracy, peace and progress expressed through repeated historic people’s movement and struggles since 1951,

Reaffirming commitments to the 12-point and 8-point agreements, and 25-point code of conduct between the seven parties and the Maoists along with other agreements, understandings, code of conducts and letter sent to the United Nations stating similar perspectives by the Maoists and the Nepal government,

Pledging for progressive restructuring of the state by resolving prevailing problems related with class, ethnicity, regional and gender differences,

Reiterating commitments to competitive multiparty democratic system, civil liberties, fundamental rights, human rights, complete press freedom, rule of law and all other norms and values of democratic system,

Guaranteeing the fundamental rights of the Nepalese people to cast their votes in the constituent assembly polls without any kind of fear,

By putting democracy, peace, prosperity, progressive social and economic transformation, independence, integrity, sovereignty and prestige of the state in the centre-stage and to implement the commitments made by both the sides to hold the election to constituent assembly by mid June 2007 in a free and fair manner, the following decisions have been taken from the meeting of the top leaders of the seven parties and the Maoists today, November 8, 2006.

I. Relating to the implementation of the past agreements

  1. Implement all the agreements, understanding and code of conduct signed earlier - fully, sincerely and strongly

  2. Form a high-level commission to investigate and publicise the whereabouts of citizens stated to have been disappeared by the state and the Maoists in the past

  3. Accelerate the process of returning the houses, land and properties confiscated in the past. Ensure the environment so that displaced people would be able to return to their villages. For this purpose, committees would be formed in districts comprising representatives from both the sides. Complete all these works within one month.

  4. Make public announcement regarding the withdrawal of all accusations and charges levelled by the state at the leaders and the cadres of the CPN (Maoist) and release all political prisoners from both the sides.

II. Relating to management of arms and army

In order to hold the elections to constituent assembly in a peaceful, free and fair environment and for democratisation and restructuring of the Nepali Army as per the feelings expressed in 12-point agreement, 8-point understanding, 25-point code of conduct and 5-point letter sent to the United Nations, the following works would be carried out:

Relating to Maoist army

  1. As per the commitments expressed in the letter sent to the United Nations by the Nepal government and the Maoists on August 9, the combatants of the Maoists would be sent to following cantonments. The United Nations would do the necessary verification and monitoring of them.

Main camps would be in the following places

1. Kailali, 2. Surkhet, 3. Rolpa, 4. Palpa, 5. Kavre, 6. Sindhuli 7. Ilam. There would be three smaller camps located in the periphery of each of these main camps

  1. All the arms and ammunitions would be securely stored in the camps except those needed for providing security of the camp after the Maoist combatants are sent to the cantonments. They will be put under a single lock system and the concerned side would keep the key of this lock. For the UN to monitor it, a device with siren as well as recording facility will be installed. When there is need to examine the stored arms, the UN would do so in the presence of the concerned side. Prepare the details of technology including camera for monitoring as per the agreement among the Nepal government, the Maoists and the United Nations.
  2. On completion of cantonment of the Maoist combatants, Nepal government would take up the responsibility for providing ration and other facilities to them
  3. The interim cabinet would form a special committee to carry out monitoring, integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants
  4. Make arrangement for the security of the Maoist leaders as per the agreement with the Nepal government

Relating to Nepali Army

  1. The Nepali Army would be confined to the barracks as per the commitments of the letter sent to the United Nations. Guarantee that its arms would not be used for or against any side. Keep similar quantity of arms of the Nepali Army in the store, seal it with single-lock system and give the key to the concerned side. For the UN to monitor it, a device with siren as well as recording facility will be installed. When there is need to examine the stored arms, the UN would do so in the presence of the concerned side. Prepare the details of technology including camera for monitoring as per the agreement among the Nepal government, the Maoists and the United Nations..

  2. The cabinet would control, mobilise and manage the Nepali Army as per the new Military Act. The interim cabinet would prepare and implement the detailed action plan of democratisation of the Nepali Army by taking suggestions from the concerned committee of the interim parliament. This includes works like determination of the right number of the Nepali Army, prepare the democratic structure reflecting the national and inclusive character, and train them on democratic principles and human rights values

  3. Continue the works of the Nepali Army such as border security, security of the conservation areas, protected areas, banks, airport, power house, telephone tower, central secretariat and security of VIPs.

III. Relating to the subjects of the interim constitution

1. Relating to interim constitution

  1. Finalise the interim constitution presented by the interim constitution drafting committee as per the agreements reached today

  2. The reinstated House of Representatives would promulgate the interim constitution and the newly formed interim legislature would endorse it.

2. Relating to the monarchy

  1. No rights on state administration would remain with the King

  2. Bring the properties of the late King Birendra, late Queen Aishwarya and their family members under the control of the Nepal government and use it for the welfare purposes through a trust.

  3. All properties acquired by King Gyanendra by the virtue of him being the King (like palaces of various places, forests and conservation areas, heritage having historical and archaeological importance) would be nationalised.

  4. Determine the fate of the institution of monarchy by the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly through simple majority vote.

3. Relating to interim legislature (parliament)

  1. The interim legislature would be unicameral of the following type:
  1. There would be 209 members of the seven parties and others who are members of the present lower and upper house (excluding those who opposed the people’s movement). Since the Left Front does not have its representation in the current parliament, its representation in the interim parliament would be determined based on understanding.

ii. 73 members from the side of the Maoists

iii. 48 members from among the sister organisations and professional bodies, oppressed ethnic communities and regions and political personalities (to be nominated based on understanding)

(total number : 330)

But those who stood against the people’s movement would not be given membership in the interim parliament.

  1. The reinstated House of Representatives and National Assembly would be dissolved once the formation of the interim parliament is complete.

  2. The people’s government, people’s court run by the CPN (Maoist) would be dissolved on the day of the formation of the interim parliament.

  3. Run the interim parliament as per the political understanding

4. Relating to interim government

  1. Form the interim cabinet as per the understanding

  2. Determine the work division and structure of the interim parliament as per understanding

  3. The interim government would work as per the aspiration of the people’s movement, political understanding and culture of cooperation

5. Relating to judiciary

  1. Follow the norms and values and concept of the independent judiciary

  2. Make the judiciary committed to the aspiration of the people’s movement, democracy and interim constitution

  3. Institute a constitutional court to finalise disputes regarding the constituent assembly

6. Relating to constitutional bodies

  1. A new constitutional council will be formed that will include the Prime Minister, Chief Justice and the Speaker of the interim parliament, which will recommend appointments at the constitutional bodies. Such appointments will be based on specific criteria.

  2. The appointments in the Election Commission will be completed on the basis of understanding.

7. Relating to local bodies

  1. Interim local bodies will be formed in district, city and village level on the basis of agreement between the seven political parties and the Maoists.

8. Relating to citizenship problem

  • Distribute citizenship to all Nepalis who have been deprived of their citizenship certificate before the election of the constituent assembly

  • Considering mid-April 1990 as the base (cut off) year, all Nepalese citizens who were born before that date and have been continuously living in Nepal since then will be provided with citizenship certificate.

  • Other provisions regarding citizenship will be according to the provisions mentioned in the law.

9. Regarding the election of the constituent assembly

  • The interim cabinet will be given the authority to ascertain the date to hold the election of the constituent assembly by mid-June 2007.

  • The election of the constituent assembly will be based on mixed electoral system. 205 members will be elected through First-Past-The-Post system. 204 members will be elected as per the proportional representation system on the basis of votes won by the political parties. A law in this regard will be made after consultation with the Election Commission.

  • While appointing the candidates, the political parties should ensure proportional representation of oppressed groups, region, Madheshi, Women, Dalit and other groups.

  • 16 members will be nominated by the interim Council of Ministers from among distinguished persons.

  • The total number of members of the constitutional assembly will be 425.

  • Nepalese who are 18 years or above at the time when the interim constitution is promulgated will be eligible to vote.

  • Monitoring of the election of the constituent assembly will be done by the United Nations.

10. Structure of the state

  • To end discriminations based on class, ethnicity, lingual, gender, cultural, religion and region and to deconstruct the centralised and unitary structure of the state and to reconstruct it into an inclusive, democratic and forward looking state.

  • A high level commission will be formed to suggest on the restructuring of the state.

  • Final decision regarding the restructuring of the state will be made by the constituent assembly.

11. Directive principles of socio-economic transformation

  • To end all forms of feudalism, a common minimum program will be prepared for socio-economic transformation on the basis of mutual agreement and they will be implemented.

  • Formulate policies to implement scientific land reform program by doing away with the feudal land ownership.

  • To adopt policies that will protect and promote national industries and resources.

  • To ascertain the rights of the citizens on sectors like education, health, shelter, employment and food security.

  • Policies will be adopted to provide land and socio-economic security to backward groups like landless, bonded labourers, tillers, Haruwa-charuwa and other such groups, which are socio-economically backward.

  • To adopt policies to take strict actions against the people who have worked in government positions and have amassed huge amount of properties through corruption.

  • Prepare a common development concept that will help in socio-economic transformation of the country and will also assist in ensuring the country’s prosperity in a short period of time.

  • Follow policies ascertaining the professional rights of workers and increase investment on sectors like promoting industries, trade and export and increase employment and income generating opportunities.

IV. Relating to the management of the conflict victims

1. Provisions will be made for providing proper relief, respect and resettlement for the family members of the people who have died due to the conflict and for the ones who have been disabled.

2. Provide relief to the family members of the people who have been disappeared on the basis of the report presented by the investigation commission.

3. Carry out special programs to rehabilitate the people who have been displaced due to the conflict; to provide relief in case of destruction of private and public properties; and to reconstruct the destroyed infrastructures.

4. Conduct investigation about those who were involved in gross violation of human rights at the time of the conflict and those who committed crime against humanity. Form a high level Truth and Reconciliation Commission to create an environment for social reconciliation.

V. Miscellaneous

1. A high-level committee will be formed as per understanding to monitor if the agreement have been implemented.

2. The government will take action against anyone involved in acting against the code of conduct, agreement and laws.

3. At the time of the election of the constituent assembly, the political parties will be free to present their policies regarding republic, socio-economic transformation, referendum, election system and other such issues in which an agreement has not been reached now.

VI. Time Schedule

1. To conclude comprehensive peace agreement between Nepal government and the CPN (Maoists) by November 16, 2006

2. That all the Maoist combatants would gather into the camps by November 21, 2006 as stated in 2(1) and store the arms. The United Nations would do their verification and monitoring.

3. As stated in 2(5), the Nepali Army would remain confined in barrack by November 21, 2006 , keep the specified number of arms in the store and the United Nations would conduct its monitoring.

4. To complete the interim constitution by November 21, 2006

5. To promulgate the interim constitution by November 26, 2006 , establish the interim legislature and dissolve the House of Representatives and National Assembly

6. Form the interim cabinet by December 1, 2006

Signatories:

Prachanda
Chairman, CPN (Maoists)

Girija Prasad Koirala
Prime minister and president of the Nepali Congress

Madhav Kumar Nepal
General secretary of CPN (UML)

Sher Bahadur Deuba
President of Nepali Congress Democratic

Amik Sherchan
Deputy prime minister and chairman of People’s Front Nepal

Bharat Bimal Yadav
Vice president of NSP (Anandi Devi)

Narayan Man Bijukchhe
President of NWPP

C. P. Mainali
Chairman of Left Front

November 8, 2006

Note of dissent by the UML

Agreeing for the implementation of the subjects stated above as all other parties have agreement on those, our party has following differences:

1. The UML believes that the issue of whether to keep the monarchy or not should be determined through the referendum along with the election to constituent assembly

2. The UML believes that it would be most democratic to adopt the proportional system for election to the constituent assembly.

दस्तावेज
शिखर बैठकका निर्णय
नेपाली जनताले २००७ साल पहिलेदेखि हालसम्म पटक-पटक गर्दै आएका ऐतिहासिक संघर्ष र जनआन्दोलनमार्फत लोकतन्त्र, शान्ति र अग्रगमनका पक्षमा प्रकट भएको जनादेशको सम्मान गर्दै, सात राजनीतिक दल र नेकपा -माओवादी) बीच सम्पन्न १२ बुँदे समझदारी, ८ बुँदे सहमति र २५ बुँदे आचारसंहिता लगायत नेपाल सरकार र नेकपा -माओवादी) बीच सम्पन्न सबै सम्झौता, सहमति, आचारसंहिता र संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघलाई प्रेषित समान धारणाको पत्राचारप्रति पूर्ण प्रतिबद्धताको पुनर्पुष्टि गर्दै, देशमा विद्यमान वर्गीय, जातीय, क्षेत्रीय, लैंगिक समस्याहरूलाई समाधान गर्दै राज्यको अग्रगामी पुनर्संरचना गर्नुपर्ने संकल्प गर्दै, प्रतिस्पर्धात्मक बहुदलीय लोकतान्त्रिक शासन व्यवस्था, नागरिक स्वतन्त्रता, मौलिक अधिकार, मानवअधिकार, पूर्ण प्रेस स्वतन्त्रता तथा कानुनी राज्यको अवधारणालगायत लोकतान्त्रिक मूल्यमान्यताप्रतिको पूर्ण प्रतिबद्धतालाई दोहोर्‍याउँदै, नेपाली जनताको भयमुक्त वातावरणमा संविधानसभाको निर्वाचनमा सहभागी हुन पाउने आधारभूत अधिकारको प्रत्याभूति गर्दै, लोकतन्त्र, शान्ति, समृद्धि, अग्रगामी आर्थिक-सामाजिक परिवर्तन तथा देशको स्वतन्त्रता, अखण्डता, सार्वभौमिकता र स्वाभिमानलाई केन्द्रमा राख्दै २०६४ साल जेठ महिनाभित्र स्वतन्त्र र निष्पक्ष रूपले संविधान सभाको निर्वाचन सम्पन्न गर्ने दुबै पक्षको प्रतिबद्धतालाई कार्यान्वयन गर्न आज मिति २०६३ साल कात्तिक २२ गते सात दल र नेकपा -माओवादी) का शीर्ष नेताहरूको बैठकबाट निम्न लिखित निर्णयहरू भएका छन् ।

१. विगतका सहमतिहरूको कार्यान्वयन सम्बन्धमा
-क) विगतमा गरिएका सबै समझदारी, सहमति र आचारसंहितालाई पूर्णरूपले, इमान्दारितापूर्वक र कडाइका साथ कार्यान्वयन गर्ने गराउने ।
-ख) विगतमा राज्य र माओवादी दुबै पक्षबाट बेपत्ता पारिएका भनिएका नागरिकहरूको सम्बन्धमा छानबिन गरी स्थिति सार्वजनिक गर्न उच्चस्तरीय छानबिन आयोग गठन गर्ने ।
-ग) कब्जा गरिएका घरजग्गा सम्पत्ति फिर्ता गर्ने कार्यलाई तीव्रता दिने । विस्थापितहरू घर फर्किने वातावरणको सुनिश्चितता गर्ने । यस निम्ति जिल्ला-जिल्लामा दुबैपक्ष सम्मिलित समिति गठन गर्ने । यी सबै कार्यलाई एक महिनाभित्र पूर्णता दिने ।
-घ) राज्य र नेकपा -माओवादी) द्वारा राजनीतिक नेता तथा कार्यकर्ताहरूमाथि लगाइएका सबै आरोप र अभियोगहरू फिर्ता भएको सार्वजनिक घोषणा गर्ने र दुबैतर्फका राजनीतिक बन्दीहरूलाई तुरून्त रिहा गर्ने ।

२. सेना र हतियार व्यवस्थापन सम्बन्धमा
संविधानसभाको निर्वाचनलाई शान्तिपूर्ण, निष्पक्ष र भयरहित वातावरणमा सम्पन्न गर्न र सेनाको लोकतान्त्रीकरण तथा पुनर्संरचना गर्न विगतमा भएका बाह्र बुँदे समझदारी, आठ बुँदे सहमति, २५
बुँदे आचारसंहिता र संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघलाई पठाइएको पाँच बुँदे पत्रको भावनाअनुरूप निम्न कामहरू गर्ने ः

माओवादी सेनाको सम्बन्धमा ः
१. २०६३ साल साउन २४ गते नेपाल सरकार र नेकपा -माओवादी) को तर्फबाट संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघलाई पठाइएको पत्रमा व्यक्त प्रतिबद्धताअनुसार माओवादी सेनाका लडाकुहरू निम्नलिखित स्थानहरूमा अस्थायी शिविरहरूमा सीमित रहने । संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघद्वारा उनीहरूको प्रमाणीकरण र अनुगमन गर्ने ।

मुख्य शिविरहरू निम्न स्थानहरूमा रहने छन् ः
१. कैलाली, २. सुर्खेत ३. रोल्पा, ४. पाल्पा, ५. काभ्रे ६. सिन्धुली, ७. इलाम । मुख्य शिविरहरू वरिपरि ३/३ वटाका दरले सहायक शिविरहरू रहने छन् ।
२. माओवादी सेनाका लडाकुहरू शिविरमा रहेपछि शिविरको सुरक्षार्थ चाहिने हातहतियार र गोलीगठ्ठा बाहेक अन्य सबै हतियारहरू शिविरभित्रै सुरक्षित भण्डारण गर्ने र एकल ताल्चा लगाई चाबी सम्बन्धित पक्षले नै राख्ने । सो ताल्चा लगाउने प्रक्रियामा संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघको निगरानीका लागि उसको रेकर्ड, साइरनसहितको संयन्त्र सम्मिलित गर्ने । भण्डारण गरिएका हातहतियारहरूको आवश्यक जाँच गर्नु पर्दा संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघले सम्बन्धित पक्षको रोहवरमा गर्ने । क्यामरा अनुगमन लगायत यस सम्बन्धका अन्य विस्तृत प्राविधिक विवरण संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघ, नेकपा -माओवादी) र नेपाल सरकारका सहमतिले तयार गर्ने ।
३. माओवादी सेनाका लडाकुहरू अस्थायी शिविरमा बसिसकेपछि उनीहरूको रसदपानीलगायत अन्य आवश्यक व्यवस्था नेपाल सरकारले गर्ने ।
४. माओवादी सेनाका लडाकुहरूको रेखदेख, समायोजन र पुनस्र्थापना निम्ति अन्तरिम मन्त्रिपरिषद्ले विशेष कमिटी बनाएर काम गर्ने ।
५. माओवादी नेताहरूको सुरक्षा व्यवस्था सरकारसँगको सहमतिले गर्ने ।

नेपाली सेनाको सम्बन्धमा ः
६. संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघलाई प्रेषित पत्रमा व्यक्त प्रतिबद्धताअनुसार नेपाली सेना ब्यारेकभित्र सीमित
रहने । उसका हातहतियारहरू कसैको पनि पक्ष या विपक्षमा प्रयोग नहुने कुराको प्रत्याभूति गर्ने । माओवादी सेनाका तर्फबाट भण्डारण भएका हतियारको बराबरी संख्यामा नेपाली सेनाले पनि आफ्ना हतियारहरू सुरक्षित भण्डारण गर्ने र एकल ताल्चा लगाई चाबी सम्बन्धितपक्षले नै राख्ने । सो ताल्चा लगाउने प्रक्रियामा संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघको निगरानीको लागि उसको रेकर्ड, साइरनसहितको संयन्त्र सम्मिलित गर्ने । भण्डारण गरिएका हातहतियारहरूको आवश्यक जाूच गर्नुपर्दा संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघले सम्बन्धित पक्षको रोहवरमा गर्ने । क्यामरा अनुगमनलगायत यस सम्बन्धका अन्य विस्तृत प्राविधिक विवरण संयुक्त राष्टूसंघ, नेपाल सरकार र नेकपा -माओवादीको सहमतिले तयार गर्ने ।
७. नेपाली सेनाको नियन्त्रण, परिचालन र व्यवस्थापन नयाँ सैनिक ऐनबमोजिम मन्त्रिपरिषद्ले
गर्ने । अन्तरिम मन्त्रिपरिषद्ले राजनीतिक सहमति र अन्तरिम व्यवस्थापिकाको सम्बन्धित समितिसमेतको सुझाव लिएर नेपाली सेनाको लोकतान्त्रिकरणको विस्तृत कार्ययोजना तर्जुमा र कार्यान्वयन गर्ने । यसअन्तर्गत नेपाली सेनाको उपयुक्त संख्या, लोकतान्त्रिक संरचना, राष्ट्रिय र समावेशी चरित्र निर्माण गर्दै लोकतन्त्र र मानवअधिकारको मूल्यद्वारा सेनालाई प्रशिक्षित गर्नेलगायतका कामहरू गर्ने ।
८. नेपाली सेनाले गर्दै आएका सीमा सुरक्षा, आरक्ष, निकुञ्ज, बैंक, विमानस्थल, विद्युतगृह, टेलिफोन टावर, केन्द्रीय सचिवालय, विशिष्ट व्यक्तिहरूको सुरक्षा लगायतका कामहरूलाई निरन्तरता दिने ।

३. अन्तरिम संविधानको विषयवस्तुबारे
१. अन्तरिम संविधानबारे
-क) अन्तरिम संविधान मस्यौदा समितिद्वारा प्रस्तुत अन्तरिम संविधानलाई आज भएका सहमतिका आधारमा पूर्णता दिने ।
-ख) पुनस्र्थापित प्रतिनिधिसभाद्वारा अन्तरिम संविधान जारी गरिनेछ र नवगठित अन्तरिम विधायिकाले उक्त संविधानलाई अनुमोदन गर्नेछ ।

२. राजतन्त्रबारे
-क) मुलुकको शासन व्यवस्था सम्बन्धी कुनै पनि अधिकार राजामा रहने छैन ।
-ख) स्वर्गीय राजा वीरेन्द्र, रानी ऐश्वर्य र निजहरूका परिवारको सम्पत्ति नेपाल सरकारको मातहतमा ल्याई ट्रष्ट बनाएर ट×्रष्ट हितमा प्रयोग गर्ने ।
-ग) राजाका हैसियतले राजा ज्ञानेन्द्रलाई प्राप्त भएका सबै सम्पत्तिहरू -जस्तै ः विभिन्न स्थानका दरबारहरू, वन तथा निकुञ्जहरू, ऐतिहासिक र पुरातात्विक महत्वका सम्पदाहरू आदि) राष्ट्रियकरण गर्ने ।
-घ) राजसंस्था कायम राख्ने वा नराख्नेबारे संविधानसभाको पहिलो बैठकद्वारा साधारण बहुमतले टुंगो लगाउने ।

३. अन्तरिम व्यवस्थापिका संसद बारे
-क) अन्तरिम व्यवस्थापिका निम्न प्रकार एक सदनात्मक संसद हुनेछ ः
-अ) सात राजनीतिक दल र अन्य दलका हाल प्रतिनिधिसभा र राष्टिूय सभाका निर्वाचित सदस्यहरू समेत गरी २०९ जना -जनआन्दोलनको विपक्षमा रहेकाहरू बाहेक) । संयुक्त बाम मोर्चाको वर्तमान संसदमा प्रतिनिधि नभएको हुँदा सहमतिका आधारमा मनोनयन गरिने ।
-आ) नेकपा -माओवादी) को तर्फबाट ७३ जना
-ई) जनवर्गीय तथा पेशागत संगठन, उत्पीडित जाति तथा क्षेत्रका प्रतिनिधिहरू र राजनीतिक व्यक्तित्वहरूबाट ४८ जना -सहमतिको आधारमा मनोनीत गर्ने)
कुल संख्या ३३०
तर जनआन्दोलनको विपक्षमा रहेकाहरूका अन्तरिम व्यवस्थापिकामा रहने छैनन् ।
ख) अन्तरिम व्यवस्थापिकाको गठन भएपश्चात् पुनःस्थापित प्रतिनिधिसभा र राष्ट्रिय सभा भंग हुने
ग) अन्तरिम व्यवस्थापिका-संसद् गठन भएको दिनदेखि नेकपा -माओवादी) को नेतृत्वमा रहँदै आएका जनसरकार, जनअदालत लगायतका सत्तासम्बद्ध सबै निकाय भंग हुने ।
घ) अन्तरिम व्यवस्थापिका राजनीतिक सहमतिका आधारमा सञ्चालन गर्ने ।

४. अन्तरिम सरकारबारे
क) सहमतिका आधारमा अन्तरिम मन्त्रिपरिषद् गठन गर्ने ।
ख) अन्तरिम मन्त्रिपरिषद्को संरचना र कार्यविभाजन आपसी सहमतिबाट तय गर्ने ।
ग) अन्तरिम सरकारको सञ्चालन संयुक्त जनआन्दोलनको भावना, राजनीतिक सहमति र सहकार्यको संस्कृति अनुरूप गर्ने ।

५. न्यायपालिकाबारे
क) स्वतन्त्र न्यायपालिकाको अवधारणा र मूल्य मान्यतालाई अनुसरण गर्ने ।
ख) न्यायपालिकालाई जनआन्दोलनको भावना, लोकतन्त्र र अन्तरिम संविधानप्रति प्रतिबद्ध बनाउने ।
ग) संविधानसभासम्बन्धी विवादहरूको निरूपण गर्न संवैधानिक अदालतको गठन गर्ने ।

६. संवैधानिक अंगहरूबारे
क) प्रधानमन्त्री, प्रधानन्यायाधीश र अन्तरिम व्यवस्थापिकाका सभामुखसहितको नयाँ संवैधानिक परिषद्को व्यवस्था गरेर यसमार्फत संवैधानिक अंगहरूको नियुक्ति लगायतका विषयहरूमा सिफारिस गर्ने व्यवस्था मिलाउने । नियुक्तिहरू गर्दा निश्चित मापदण्डलाई आधार बनाउने ।
ख) सहमतिको आधारमा निर्वाचन आयोगलाई पूर्णता दिने ।

७. स्थानीय निकायहरूबारे
क) सात दल र नेकपा -माओवादी) को सहमतिले जिल्ला, नगर र गाउँस्तरमा अन्तरिम स्थानीय निकाय गठन गर्ने ।

८. नागरिकता समस्या सम्बन्धमा
क) संविधानसभाको निर्वाचनअगावै नागरिकताबाट वञ्चित सबै नेपाली नागरिकहरूलाई नागरिकताको प्रमाणपत्र वितरण गर्ने ।
ख) २०४६ साल चैत्र मसान्तलाई आधार वर्ष मानी त्यसभन्दा अगाडि नेपालमा जन्म भई निरन्तर स्थायी बसोबास गर्दै आएका सबै नेपाली नागरिकहरूलाई सरल ढंगले नागरिकताको प्रमाणपत्र वितरण गर्ने व्यस्था गर्ने ।
ग) नागरिकता प्राप्तिसम्बन्धी अन्य व्यवस्था कानुनमा उल्लेख भएबमोजिम हुने ।

९. संविधानसभा निर्वाचन सम्बन्धमा
क) आगामी २०६४ जेठभित्र संविधानसभाको निर्वाचन सम्पन्न गर्ने गरी मिति तय गर्न अन्तरिम मन्त्रिपरिषद्लाई अधिकार प्रदान गर्ने ।
ख) संविधानसभाको निर्वाचन मिश्रति प्रणालीको आधारमा गर्ने । २०५ सदस्य उम्मेदवारलाई मत दिने 'पहिलो हुने निर्वाचित हुने' प्रणालीअनुसार र २०४ सदस्य पार्टीलाई मत दिने समानुपातिक निर्वाचन प्रणालीअनुसार निर्वाचित हुने । यस सम्बन्धमा निर्वाचन आयोगसँग छलफल गरेर कानुन बनाउने ।
ग) दलहरूले उम्मेदवारहरूको सूचीकृत गर्दा उत्पीडित जाति, क्षेत्र, मधेसी, महिला, दलित
लगायत अन्य वर्गसमेतको समानुपातिक प्रतिनिधित्व गराउनुपर्ने ।
घ) राष्ट्रिय जीवनका महत्त्वपूर्ण व्यक्तिहरूमध्येबाट सहमतिका आधारमा अन्तरिम मन्त्रिपरिषदबाट मनोनीत हुने १६ जना ।
ङ) संविधानसभाको कुल संख्या ४२५ कायम गर्ने ।
च) अन्तरिम संविधान जारी हुँदाका बखत १८ वर्ष पुगेका नेपाली नागरिक मतदाता हुने ।
छ) संविधानसभाको निर्वाचनको अनुगमन संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघद्वारा गराउने ।

१०. राज्यको ढाँचाबारे
-क) वर्गीय, जातीय, भाषिक, लैङ्गकि, सांस्कृतिक, धार्मिक र क्षेत्रीय भेदभावको अन्त्य गर्न राज्यको वर्तमान केन्द्रीकृत र एकात्मक ढाँचाको अन्त्य गरी राज्यको समावेशी, लोकतान्त्रिक र अग्रगामी पुनर्संरचना गर्ने ।
-ख) राज्यको पुनर्संरचनाका लागि सुझाव दिन एक उच्चस्तरीय आयोगको गठन गर्ने ।
-ग) राज्यको पुनसर्ंरचनाको अन्तिम टुंगो संविधानसभाले लगाउने ।

११. आर्थिक-सामाजिक रूपान्तरणबारे निर्देशक सिद्धान्तहरू
-क) सामन्तवादका सबै रूपहरूको अन्त्य गर्ने आर्थिक-सामाजिक रूपान्तरणको न्यूनतम साझा कार्यक्रम आपसी सहमतिले तय गरेर लागू गर्दै जाने ।
-ख) सामन्ती भूस्वामित्वको अन्त्य गर्दै वैज्ञानिक भूमिसुधार कार्यक्रम लागू गर्ने नीति तय गर्ने ।
-ग) राष्ट्रिय उद्योगधन्दा र साधनस्रोतको संरक्षण र प्रवर्धन गर्ने नीति अनुसरण गर्ने ।
-घ) शिक्षा, स्वास्थ्य, आवास, रोजगारी र खाद्य सुरक्षामा सबै नागरिकको अधिकार स्थापित गर्ने नीति लिने ।
-ङ) सुकुम्बासी, कमैया, हलिया, हरवाचरवा लगायतका आर्थिक-सामाजिक रूपले पछाडि परेका वर्गलाई जग्गालगायत आर्थिक-सामाजिक सुरक्षाको व्यवस्था गर्ने नीति लिने ।
-च) सरकारी लाभको पदमा रहेर भ्रष्टाचार गरी अकूत सम्पत्ति आर्जन गर्नेहरूउपर कडा कारबाही गरी दण्डित गर्ने नीति लिने ।
-छ) देशको आर्थिक सामाजिक रूपान्तरण एवं न्यायका साथै देशलाई छिटो समुन्नत र आर्थिक रूपले समृद्धशाली बनाउन एक साझा विकास अवधारणा निर्माण गर्ने ।
-ज) श्रमिकका पेसागत अधिकारको सुनिश्चितता गर्दै उद्योगधन्दा, व्यापार, निर्यात प्रबर्द्धन आदिको लागि लगानी गरी रोजगारी एवं आयआर्जनका अवसरहरूको व्यापक वृद्धि गर्ने नीतिअनुसरण गर्ने ।

४. द्वन्द्वपीडितहरूको व्यवस्थापन सम्बन्धमा
१. सशस्त्र द्वन्द्वको क्रममा मारिएकाहरूको परिवारलाई तथा यस क्रममा घाइते भई अपांग र अशक्त भएकाहरूलाई उचित राहत, सम्मान तथा पुनःस्थापनाको व्यवस्था गर्ने ।
२. छानबिन आयोगको प्रतिवेदनको आधारमा
बेपत्ता भएकाहरूको पीडित परिवारलाई राहत उपलब्ध गराउने ।
३. सशस्त्र द्वन्द्वको क्रममा विस्थापितहरूको पुनःस्थापना गर्न, नष्ट भएका निजी तथा सार्वजनिक सम्पत्तिहरूको हकमा राहत प्रदान गर्न तथा ध्वस्त संरचनाहरूको पुनर्निर्माण गर्न विशेष कार्यक्रम सञ्चालन गर्ने ।
४. सशस्त्र द्वन्द्वको क्रममा मानव अधिकारको गम्भीर उल्लंघन गर्ने तथा मानवताविरूद्धको अपराधमा संलग्नहरूको बारेमा सत्य अन्वेषण गर्न र समाजमा मेलमिलापको वातावरण निर्माण गर्न आपसी सहमतिबाट उच्चस्तरीय सत्यनिरूपण तथा मेलमिलाप आयोगको गठन गर्ने ।

५. विविध
१. सबै सहमति र सम्झौताहरूको कार्यान्वयन भए नभएको अनुगमन गर्न सहमतिले एक उच्चस्तरीय संयुक्त अनुगमन समिति गठन गर्ने ।
२. आचारसंहिता, समझदारी-सहमति, सम्झौता तथा कानुनविपरीतका गतिविधि एवं कामकारबाही
गर्ने जोकसैलाई पनि सरकारले कारबाही गरी दण्डित गर्नेछ ।
३. गणतन्त्र, आर्थिक-सामाजिक रूपान्तरण, जनमतसंग्रह, निर्वाचन प्रणालीलगायत अहिले साझा सहमति कायम हुन नसकेका विषयहरूमा पार्टीहरू संविधानसभाको निर्वाचनको क्रममा आआफ्ना नीति र मतअनुसार प्रस्तुत हुन स्वतन्त्र हुनेछन् ।

६. समय तालिका
१. नेपाल सरकार र नेकपा -माओवादी) बीच विस्तृत शान्ति सम्झौता २०६३ कात्तिक ३० गतेसम्म गर्ने ।
२. उल्लेखित २-१) बमोजिम २०६३ मंसिर ५ गतेभित्र माओवादी सेनाका लडाकुहरू हातहतियारसहित निर्धारित शिविरमा जम्मा भइसक्ने र हतियार भण्डारण गर्ने । संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघद्वारा उनीहरूको प्रमाणीकरण र अनुगमन गर्ने ।
३. उल्लेखित २-५) बमोजिम २०६३ मंसिर ५ गतेभित्र नेपाली सेना व्यारेकभित्र सीमित रहने, निर्धारित हातहतियार भण्डारण गर्ने र त्यसको अनुगमन संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघले गर्ने ।
४. २०६३ मंसिर ५ गतेभित्र अन्तरिम संविधानलाई पूर्णता दिने ।
५. २०६३ मंसिर १० गतेभित्र अन्तरिम संविधान जारी गर्ने, अन्तरिम व्यवस्थापिकाको गठन गर्ने र प्रतिनिधिसभा र राष्ट्रियसभाको विघटन गर्ने ।
६. २०६३ मंसिर १५ सम्म अन्तरिम मन्त्रिपरिषद्को गठन गर्ने ।

प्रचण्ड गिरिजाप्रसाद कोइराला
अध्यक्ष, नेकपा -माओवादी) प्रधानमन्त्री
तथा सभापति, -नेका)
माधवकुमार नेपाल
महासचिव, नेकपा -एमाले)
शेरबहादुर देउवा
सभापति, नेका -प्रजातान्त्रिक)
अमिक शेरचन
उपप्रधानमन्त्री
तथा अध्यक्ष, जनमोर्चा नेपाल
भरतविमल यादव
उपाध्यक्ष, नेसपा -आ.)
नारायणमान विजुक्छे
अध्यक्ष, नेमकिपा
सीपी मैनाली
अध्यक्ष, संयुक्त वाममोर्चा
२०६३ कात्तिक २२ गते

एमालेको भिन्न मत
माथिका निर्णयहरूमा अन्य सबै दलहरूको सहमति भएकाले कार्यान्वयनमा जाने कुरामा सहमत हँुदै हाम्रो पार्टीको निम्नबमोजिम भिन्न मत रहेको छ ।
१. राजसंस्था राख्ने वा नराख्ने भन्नेबारेमा संविधानसभाको निर्वाचनसँगसँगै जनमतसंग्रह गर्नुपर्छ भन्ने नेकपा -एमाले) को भिन्न मत रहेको छ ।
२. संविधानसभाको निर्वाचनको निम्ति समानुपातिक प्रणाली नै अपनाउन सबैभन्दा लोकतान्त्रिक तरिका हुन्छ भन्ने नेकपा -एमाले) को भिन्न मत रहेको छ ।
माधवकुमार नेपाल
महासचिव
नेकपा -एमाले)

Language Policy And University Of Pennsylvania


Dear Paramendra,

I'm interested in maintaining a conversation on this issue, but not sure
how often I can do so. I erred in thinking that English could be a/the lingua franca in Nepal, because I didn't know that it wasn't taught until so much later. Switzerland is probably not a good model for Nepal, also for the reason that Nepal has so many languages (like INdia) and it would seem to me that a 2 or 3 language formula might not make speakers of some of the languages spoken way up in the mountains happy. I'm also wondering whether "Hindi" is the right language for the Terai; I seem to remember that Maithili is more widely spoken, and in INdia, at least, Maithili speakers don't want to have anything to do with Hindi, or at least they didn't use to. Do you know the American linguist Selma Sonntag who has done some work on the Terai? She's at Humboldt State U. in California, and a member of this list. Her email is sks1@humboldt.edu

I also would hope that you would join this listserv, so you could get the
benefit of the thoughts of many other people who think about these issues a lot.

Best,
HS


Two things to add:

(1) My tri-lingual policy for Nepal is not Swiss inspired. I first wrote it down in 1993 while working to launch a political party in Nepal. It is internal, as in imagined. I recently studied the Swiss situation, though, after someone pointed it out to me. I don't think Switzerland has a good model for Nepal to follow though. There is too much balkanization. There has to be standardization in education, with the emphasis on Maths and Science. You want to take cultural pride only so far. The primary task of the education is to prepare the kids for their economic futures.

(2) My "Language Policy" was written months ago. If Google Alerts only now sent it to you, I must say their crawlers are rather slow, especially when it was posted on Google property, Blogger.


Hi Harold. Thanks for your elaborate feedback. Allow me to blog it.

http://demrepubnepal.blogspot.com/2006/08/language-policy.html

I will have to disagree about English becoming the lingua franca in Nepal. My language policy only applies to the 10th year in school. Beyond that it should be for the market forces to decide. And if English spreads, so be it. I think the people should be making their own best decisions.

I think Hindi will also stand strong as will Nepali.

How about we engage in a back and forth, to be displayed at my blog?

And thanks for sending out my Language Policy blog entry to your listserv. I would be curious to know what kind of discussion that arouses.

Language is going to be the trickiest issue as Nepal works to write itself a new constitution. Religion is easy. You declare the country a secular state, as all democracies by definition have to. But language?

Maybe you will help me shape up the policy proposals I have been espousing. Your academic background will be a lot of help.

I also request you help me generate some discussion on this in your academic community:
http://demrepubnepal.blogspot.com/2006/01/proposed-republican-constitution.html

Thanks. And look forward to talking more.

PS. I lived near U Penn during the summer of 1999, near the movie theater, when I was with Chaitime.com, my dip in the dot com mania. I think you have a beautiful campus. I especially remember liking this enclosed, green space. When you are there, it is like you are not in the city no more.


(In reply to)

Your blog...
Harold F. Schiffman haroldfs@ccat.sas.upenn.edu
Saturday, November 4, 2006 11:58:20 AM
To:paramendra@yahoo.com

Dear Paramendra,

I discovered your blog on Nepal and language policy since I have a google alert on "language policy" sent to me daily, and I operate a listserv on language policy (lgpolicy-list@ccat.sas.upenn.edu) for the Consortium for Language Policy and Planning http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/plc/clpp/

I'm interested in your proposals for a democratic lg. policy for Nepal, based on the model of Switzerland. I would like to point out a couple of things, however. I once worked in a hotel in the French canton of Valais (way back almost 50 years ago) and my purpose was to improve my French. I had just spent a year in Germany learning German.

When I arrived in the area, and started working, I discovered that there were (1) almost no French speaking people working at the hotel--almost all were either German Swiss, other German-speakers (Austria), Italian guest-workers, an English woman married to the German-Swiss manager of the hotel, and one Romanche-speaking woman who spoke good French.

Though as you point out all Swiss are required to study another Swiss language in school, the lingua franca in the country tends to be ENGLISH, and that's because the French Swiss learn standard German, which the Swiss Germans don't like to speak. In the hotel situation with the guest workers, a lot of Italian was spoken, also. My goal of learning French there was not exactly enhanced. OUtside the hotel, in the town, people did speak French, but I didn't have much contact with them.

So I think the Swiss model as applied to Nepal might end up with the same thing--English would become the lingua franca, just as it is to a large extent in India. South Indian don't speak much Hindi, so English has to serve.

Anyway, it's nice to see your proposals. I have forwarded your blog to our listserv today.

Yours,

H. Schiffman

Harold F. Schiffman

Professor of Dravidian Linguistics and Culture
Dept. of South Asia Studies
805 Williams Hall Box 6305

University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6305

Phone: (215) 898-5825
Fax: (215) 573-2138

Email: haroldfs@ccat.sas.upenn.edu
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/

On The Web

Language Policy Web Site
Language Policy
language policy website
CMMR: Language Policy & Language Rights
Language Policy Page
LING 540: LANGUAGE POLICY
Southwest Center for Education Equity and Language Diversity ...
Language policy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
language policy
Language futures Europe
iLoveLanguages - Your Guide to Languages on the Web
BBC - Languages - Homepage
BBC World Service | Languages
yourDictionary.com.Comprehensive and Authoritative Language Portal
Language Tools
Language - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ethnologue, Languages of the World
Languages in the Yahoo! Directory
The Human-Languages Page
UNESCO | Education - Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Education
TLHomepage

Cultural and linguistic diversity
American Scientist Online - Explaining Linguistic Diversity
Linguistic Course Description
Cultural and Lingusitic Diversity
NCTE - Diversity
EUROPA - Education and Training - Action Plan Promoting language ...
Measuring Linguistic Diversity on the Internet: UNESCO-CI
Foundation For Endangered Languages. Home
RNLD: Resource Network for Linguistic Diversity Home Page
[PDF]
Measuring linguistic diversity on the Internet; 2005
[PDF] Responding to Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Recommendations ...
Cultural and linguistic diversity - The issues - Bullying. No way!
Linguistic diversity and classroom management Theory Into Practice ...
[PDF] What are we referring to when we speak about linguistic diversity ...
EUROPA - Languages - Linguistic Diversity
Linguistic Diversity and Language Theories
[PDF] Draft WGIG Issue Paper on Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
1996 Census results: Linguistic diversity

Monday, November 06, 2006

Kul Chandra Gautam: Home Trip


Not too late
“There is a spirit of solidarity and shared objectives.”

I made a short visit home to Gulmi over Dasain. The message from Gulmi could very well be a message from any of the other 74 districts of Nepal.

Despite the conflict and suspension of many development activities, there has been steady progress in basic education. Enrolment in primary and secondary schools is increasing constantly. There is growing enrolment of girls in schools.

As more children complete primary education, parents are anxious to see them continue to secondary. Many communities have applied for upgrading of their schools to lower-secondary and secondary plus schools, and as they wait, they’ve mobilised local resources to hire additional teachers and build more classrooms.

But, to the considerable frustration of local officials and parents, even after many years the government has not approved the upgrading, accreditation, and funding of a large number of public schools.

At health centres and sub-health posts, government-supplied essential medicines meet less than half a year’s requirements for most communities. This annual allocation needs to be doubled.

The people of Gulmi welcomed the budget announcement that annual block grants for VDCs will be doubled to Rs 1 million. But no directives for the use of these funds have been issued yet. One hopes the Maoists will not seek to take advantage of these additional resources, and that they will be used for effective delivery of basic social services at the community level.

The absence of elected local bodies is a major constraint in the smooth functioning of development activities. But there is a spirit of solidarity and shared objectives. There is heightened awareness of their rights among women and dalits, and acceptance by local communities of their increased participation in development activities.

In part this is thanks to Maoist awareness-raising. Had the Maoists not resorted to extortion, violence, and high-handed behaviour, some of their progressive ideas and actions would have won them genuine, lasting popular support. It is not too late for them to change their ways, focus on their positive, progressive social agenda, and abandon violence, intimidation, and extortion to regain genuine public support and retain it, even if that means a temporary loss of power and influence.

I had not visited my ancestral village for the past six years, and was afraid that Gulmi would be politically polarised. But I was pleasantly surprised to find people continuing to behave cordially as good neighbours. The Maoists and army, who came from outside the village, brought fear and distrust to the community.

People are still afraid of the Maoists. They deeply resent, but tolerate, their extortion. A small number of unarmed Maoists can intimidate large numbers of villagers because of the lurking threat of arms. Minus that threat, people seemed confident that they can work things out among themselves in a democratic, participatory manner.

This has important and hopeful lessons. It is to be assumed that the Nepal Army will remain in the barracks during peace time. The Maoists could stop appointing outsiders and rely on local cadre, who have to live in peace and harmony with their neighbours.

Beyond peace and democracy—as a result of them—people expect rapid improvements in their lives. Nepal must urgently begin to prepare an ambitious post-conflict reconstruction and development plan that can galvanise broad national consensus and international support.

In The News

Summit meeting adjourned, will resume on Tuesday morning NepalNews
Baluwatar meeting continues, leaders claim they are narrowing down differences leaders of seven parties and the Maoists engaged in series of bilateral, trilateral and multilateral consultations. ..... the issue of arms management has been 'almost settled' as per the understanding to have single lock system in the Maoist cantonment with UN technology installed to monitor it ....... interim constitution, interim legislature and interim government.
Prachanda meets with Koirala, others; discusses political package Maoist supremo Prachanda met with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala in the presence of UN secretary general’s personal representative to Nepal, Ian Martin, at Koirala’s official residence in Baluwatar ...... The Maoists would keep some weapons with them for the security of the weapons storage ...... On monarchy, Prachanda said the first meeting of the constituent assembly would settle this issue.
Today’s summit meeting will be decisive: Ananta
DPM Oli meets with Indian PM, foreign minister
Parliamentary sub-committee recommends to nationalise King's excess land in excess of the ceiling fixed by the law. ..... also asked the government to nationalise and set up a trust to take care of the land late King Birendra and his family members owned. ..... The Act Regarding Land, 1977, states that a person can own 25 ropanis in Kathmandu, 10 bighas in Terai and 70 ropanis in hilly districts. Moreover, one can own five ropanis in Kathmandu valley, one bigha in Terai and five ropanis in hilly districts for housing purpose. ..... also recommended that the government scrap the name of the royal family members as tenants from the Guthi land held by the royalty. ..... Gyanendra and his kin have been occupying 50,926 ropanis of land in 14 districts. ...... the royal family members have encroached public lands. ..... also suggested that some forest areas owned by the royal family should be converted into national parks and reserves and rest should be handed over to the local communities in the form of community forests.
NC for nationalizing traditional properties of the King The meeting of Central Working Committee (CWC) of Nepali Congress has decided to nationalize "all traditional properties except personal assets" of the King. ...... Koirala reiterated that his party favored letting the ceremonial monarchy continue until the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly (CA) decides its fate
Terathum businessmen protest Maoist 'extortion'
Home Ministry directs police, CDO to check Maoists' disruptive activities
Govt, UNHCR to conduct census of Bhutanese refugees
Prachanda meets PM Koirala; claims breakthrough on arms management
Nepal Janatrantik Party starts donation drive in far western Nepal the Nepal Janatrantik Party, which recently announced to raise arms to protect monarchy, has started collecting donations in the far western region. ....... A few days ago, the NJP sent letters to 27 businessmen of Banbas in India, demanding Rs 50,000 from each of them.
RPP factions fight over party name and flag
Belgian FM meets PM Koirala; ‘Belgium is ready to assist Nepal’
Summit level talks to be held soon: DPM Sherchan
Parliamentary democracy system can include all, says PM Koirala

Pancheshwar project: India, Nepal to hold talks NDTV.com, India 6000 MW Mahakali-Pancheshwar hydel power project ...... The project has seen very little progress since an agreement on it was signed by the two countries nine years ago. .... Besides generating large amount of power, the project will also help irrigate about 10 lakh hectares of land in India and one lakh hectares of land in Nepal. ..... storage-cum-hydro power project on Rapti river called Nau Mure
Nepal arms deal with rebels ready-leader Reuters AlertNet, UK
Canadian architects to micro-finance low-income housing in Nepal Canadian Architect, Canada

No reduction in corruption: TI report Kantipur As last year, Finland, Iceland and Switzerland bagged the top spots as the countries with the least corruption. Meanwhile, Haiti brought up the rear in the corruption index as the world's most corrupt country. In the subcontinent, Bhutan came out cleanest while Bangladesh was declared the most corrupt. According to the index, Pakistan and Bangladesh have more corruption than Nepal.
Prachanda to make his first public address in 25 years
Businessmen protest Maoist diktat, shut down Myaglung bazaar
Locals rendered homeless due to army camp
US offer ‘not in favor of refugees’
ँराजनीतिक मुद्दा सुल्भिmयो’ सहमतिमा लकअपमा रहेका दुवै पक्ष्ाको हतियार संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघले अनुगमन गर्ने र त्यसको साँचो कसैले छोए संघको अनुगमन टोलीसमक्ष घन्टी बज्ने व्यवस्था गरिएको उनले बताए । 'अन्तमा हामीले बनाएको कोठामा हतियार राखी एकल ताल्चा लगाउने, त्यसको साँचो जनमुक्ति सेनाको कमान्डरले राखी संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघले अनुगमन गर्ने र साँचो खोल्न खोजे राष्ट्रसंघको 'मोनिटरिङ टोली' समक्ष घन्टी बज्ने प्रणालीमा हामी सैद्धान्तिक सहमतिमा पुग्यौं ।' दुवै पक्ष अन्तरिम विधानमा राजालाई अधिकार र स्रोतविहीन बनाएर राख्ने र राजतन्त्रको भविष्य संविधानसभा पहिलो बैठकबाटै गर्ने सहमति भएको प्रचण्डले बताए । प्रचण्डले 'जनमतसंग्रहको कुराले जनतामाझ अन्योल आउने अवस्था देखेकाले' संविधानसभा पहिलो बैठकबाटै राजतन्त्रको टुंगो लगाउनेमा सहमति भएको बताए । उनले अन्तरिम संसद्मा प्रतिगमनमा लागेका बाहेक वर्तमान संसदका सबै सदस्यलाई राख्ने र माओवादीलाई पनि कांग्रेस र एमाले बराबरै सिट संख्या दिने सहमति भएको पनि बताए । 'हतियारमा ताला लगाउँदा' शत्रुले आक्रमण गरे भने के गर्ने भन्ने कार्यकर्ताको जिज्ञासामा उनले 'चाबी अरूलाई नबुझाई आफैंसँग रहने भएकाले यस्तो अवस्था आए हतियार झिकेर लड्ने' बताए ।
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