Girija's Dictatorship: Money To The Maoists And The Congress

Govt hands over Rs 92.5 million as salary for PLA NepalNews The government, on Thursday, handed over a cheque of Rs 92.5 million to Information and Communication Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara following refusal by the Maoists to go ahead with the second stage verification unless they received monthly salaries to their People's Liberation Army (PLA) combatants ...... The money was handed over by the Combatants Monitoring and Management Committee at the rate of Rs 3000 a month per PLA member. ..... The money would be handed over to PLA members in 28 cantonments through local construction committees and the receipt of the same would be provided to the Committee. Second-phase PLA verification likely to be canceled

Maoist Money: Number One Threat To Free, Fair, Fearless Elections

The Nepal Sarkar has so far given Rs 200 million to the Maoists. And it has decided to give about Rs 100 million to the Maoist victims, which is code for Nepali Congress workers. Who are they kidding? That is election money for the Maoists and election money for the Nepali Congress.

If Girija had been proactive and prompt in his response to the Madhesi Movement and had done after three days what he finally did after 21 days, we might still have had elections in June.

This money - Rs 3000 per month for the Maoist combatants - will not go to the combatants. It might go to them and then go right to the Maoist party. This is election money.

There are three key issues that the constituent assembly will have to settle: monarchy, army, federalism. The Nepali Congress has exhibited a singular lack of vision on all three.

The most offensive part of this money deal is that it is not the act of the parliament. The decision should have been made by the parliament. And there should have been a parliamentary committee to oversee that the money is being well spent and that book keeping is being done. Instead the money goes from a Congress minister straight to one man, Mahara. That is highly irresponsible.

If the Nepal Sarkar is paying salary to the Maoist combatants, the Nepal Sarkar should bring the Maoist army totally under the Defense Ministry. Salary should be disbursed to the Maoist combatants like salary gets disbursed to the Nepal Army soldiers. The payment has to be one month at a time, directly from the Nepal Sarkar to the individual combatant. And there has to be an explicit agreement that the Maoist party may not take any decision to order the combatants to give that money to the party. That is money to the individual, for their pocket money, for their families, for their individual needs.

If this money goes from the Nepal Sarkar to Mahara to the Maoist combatants to the Maoist party, then we are going to have sham elections. With that much money, a political party can overshadow the election process.

Madman Prachanda, Hindenburg Girija
Peace Process At Risk
Maoist Money: Number One Threat To Free, Fair, Fearless Elections
Youth Communist League: Prachanda's Brown Shirts
Tie The Bell: Elections In November
Goal Is Ideological Fusion, Not Mainstreaming Maoists
Mainstreaming The Maoists: Various Scenarios
MPRF: A Few Scenarios

In The News

Maoists need not suspect us: Adhikary NepalNews on Wednesday, the UML delegation held separate meetings with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, opposition leader Lal Krishna Advani and Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
Maoists vehemently deny link with ULFA
ULFA shifts its bases to Nepal: Indian reports
YCL controversy echoes in parliament though arrest of wanted businessman Sitaram Prasain was a good work, the YCL had no legal authority to do so. Only the police can take accused persons under control
Prachanda smells rat in Indian advice to UML Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh reportedly advised the visiting delegation of Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) to forge stronger cooperation with Nepali Congress (NC) ..... a game to 'finish' Maoists. ... Prachanda warned that any move to spoil eight party unity by promoting two-party unity will result in a terrible accident. .... also blasted 'rumours of coup in Asar,' and said that such coup would not be successful even if it actually materialises.
India stresses on NC-UML unity special emphasis on NC-UML unity after analysing Maoists' recent activities. ..... unity between two largest constituents of seven party alliance – NC and UML – will put pressure on Maoists to transform into democratic force. ..... the UML side raised issues like implementation of Mahakali treaty and repatriation of Bhutanese refugees
Madheshi Tigers' strike hits Terai life Normal life in the eastern Terai region was affected for the third straight day Wednesday due to the three-day Terai strike announced by the Madheshi Mukti Tigers.
JTMM-Jwala captures former CJ’s land former Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya in Siraha district. .... The two JTMM factions have intensified their campaign to seize the lands of political leaders and landlords in Terai for some time now. .... Few days earlier, the JTMM-Goit had captured Nepali Congress chief whip Ananda Dhungana's land in Mahottari.
1007 VDC’s will be connected by telephone within 10 months: Mahara he would make the ministry under him ‘paper-less’ within three years time and develop it as a ‘model ministry’. ..... the government would set up at least one phone line in every polling booth by the time of the constituent assembly polls and also extend its support to the media to publicize about the constituent assembly polls. ..... as per the plan to install telephones in all remote villages, all 1007 Village Development Committees (VDC) which are yet to get connected by telephone will have a phone line within ten months. ...... realize the slogan of ‘mobile sets in everyone’s hand and internet in every home’
Civil Society organises sit in to exert pressure on the government

Prachanda throws weight behind YCL action; Mahara warns of fissures in 8-party unity NepalNews Prime Minister Koirala’s remarks that the YCL had degenerated into being “young criminal league” ...... Prachanda even went on to say that Koirala is the “leader of criminals”. ..... The Maoist chairman also announced his plan to expand the YCL’s organisational base twofold, by adding 250,000 members in the next four months. .... the Maoist chairman revealed that Indian sandalwood smugglers had offered Rs 10 crore to his party, but his party denied it. ...... PM's views sprung out of “criminal mentality”..... Govt preparing second amendment of constitution The draft second amendment also includes provisions such as allowing the Electoral Constituency Delineation Commission (ECDC) to review its report; abolishing monarchy by two-third votes of the parliament if it is found conspiring to derail CA elections; and introduction of no trust motion against Prime Minister and its approval by two-third majority ....... yet to reach broad understanding regarding actual type of electoral system and how to hold the Proportional Representation-based system to vote one-half of CA members
UML chief meets Indian PM Nepal had an hour-long meeting with Dr Singh at the latter’s resident in Delhi’s 7 Race Course ....... KP Oli and Bharat Mohan Adhikari, who are accompanying Nepal in New Delhi, were also present ..... to meet with Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat, Indian Communist Party leader AB Bardhan, Janata Dal (United) chief Sharad Yadav and Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shanker Menon
Maoist cadre shot dead in Rautahat Krishna Mohan Shah, district coordinator of the Maoist youth wing, the Young Communist League (YCL), was found dead ..... Abhaya, the district commander of JTMM-Jwala, telephoned local media persons, claiming responsibility for the murder. ..... On Monday, another JTMM faction led by Jaya Krishna Goit had gunned down a Maoist cadre in Bara district.
Minister Nepal says YCL will lead Maoists to downfall; YCL protests PM’s comment Describing the Maoist aligned Young Communist League (YCL) as a ‘criminal outfit’
Industrialists close down Birgunj to protest Monday’s killing
JP Gupta severs ties with MJF Jay Prakash Prasad Gupta, a central member of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) .... Gupta, a leader of the Nepali Congress Democratic, Tuesday said he had left the forum as it had ignored the agendas raised during the Terai movement. ..... the MJF had sidelined the issues like the demand for fresh census in Terai, scrapping of the constituency delineation commission's report, self determination of the Terai in 'new Nepal' ....... After Upendra Yadav registered the forum with the election commission, as a political party, to contest the constituent assembly polls, Gupta has been critical of Yadav. ... The MJF-affiliated Terai Student Front has already announced its separation from the forum
Rayamajhi Commission absolves the King, says Shrestha recommended exonerating King Gyanendra since he 'cooperated with the agreement' after the People's Movement.
Industrial Security Force to be formed soon
NRNA Europe meet in October 15 European countries ..... London .... Germany, Belgium, Poland, Ireland, Russia, Netherlands, Austria, United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Ukraine, Cyprus, Norway and France ....... President of the NRNA ICC Dr Upendra Mahato and other senior officials would attend this strategic meeting.

Prasai’s abduction draws PM’s wrath NepalNews
We are not against foreign capital, says Prachanda "There are concerted efforts to portray our party as being anti-foreign investment and anti-foreign capital. This is not true. We want to develop national capital and national industries. But we are not against foreign investment." ..... "We are not against foreign capital but we are against foreign hegemony," he said, adding that his party's refusal to receive commissions and its attempt to refuse to accept all kinds of conditions imposed by donors had ruffled the feathers of such elements. ...... He also said that his party does not stand against private property. "Some accuse us of trying to distribute poverty. But we want to distribute prosperity," he claimed.
Goit's men gun down Maoist cadre in Bara; indiscriminate firing kills one in Birgunj
YCL hands Prasai over to police
Second-phase PLA verification uncertain as Maoists set new 'condition' the Maoist side insisted that the government should first of all implement its decision to provide a monthly salary of Rs 3000 to each combatant and other facilities.
Water shortage grips Kathmandu Valley

King becoming active in cahoots with police, army: Sherchan Kantipur
NC warns JTMM, YCL
एकीकरणमा समय लाग्छ' आफूलाई गिरिजाबाबुले पार्टीको साधारण सदस्यताबाटै निष्कासन गरेकाले अर्को पार्टी गठन गनर्ु परेको उल्लेख गर्दै उनले एकीकरण अत्यन्त जरुरी भएको बताए ।

YCL abducts Prasai NepalNews
Poudel cautions against restructuring state on ethnic lines He also blamed the Maoists of giving continuity to their atrocities and brutalities and directed the public and the police administration to take firm steps to check what he called the undesirable activities of the Maoists. He further added that the first phase of talks with the Madheshi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) was a success.
Maoists to launch month-long Terai agitation beginning from June 7. The MNLF is led by Forest and Soil Conservation Minister Matrika Yadav. ..... demanding autonomous Madhes region, revocation of Electoral Constituency Delineation Commission (ECDC) report, federal system, declaration of republic and right to self determination ..... five-member struggle committee ..... led by Maoist MP Mahendra Paswan. ..... they will hand over memo to District Administration Offices, Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on June 7; mass mobilisation in Terai from June 7 till July 4; hold mass meeting on June 19; picket DAOs on June 24 and picket Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar on July 4. ....... the MNLF plans to hold torch-lit rallies on July 8 and impose Terai bandh on July 9.
MPs object Maoist atrocities
NC condemns activities by JTMM and YCL

Congress unification will depend on Koirala’s behaviour: Deuba NepalNews he accused the NC leadership of dillydallying in this process. ..... Despite claims that they were seriously trying to unite the two parties before the constituent assembly polls, the top leaders have not yet started formal discussion on the matter.
Unruly activities of Maoists continues unabated members of the Maoist affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) attacked a vehicle that was carrying the leaders of the Nepali Congress (NC) at Ganeshsthan in Nuwakot ...... residents of Bhawang VDC in Rolpa district arrived at the district headquarters Libang on Saturday seeking security after the Maoist cadres indiscriminately beat them
Rights activists increasingly attacked, threatened: Report
Only CA polls can establish durable republican order: PM

Understanding reached on one half of MJF demands NepalNews agreement reached on one half of the 26-point demands put forth by the Forum. ... forming State Restructuring Commission; declaring those killed during Madhes agitation as martyrs; providing compensation to families of the dead; and providing relief and treatment to those injured during the agitation. ...... carry on dialogue to seek help of UN technical team in their further talks; drop charges against MJF leaders; ensure access of Madhesis, Dalits, women, Janjatis and backward people to all organs and levels of the state; and proportionate distribution of resources ....... returning seized properties by the Maoists; ensuring industrial security and declaring date for Constituent Assembly elections soon. ...... "Issues like autonomous Madhes province, right to self determination and census will be taken up on next round of talks" ...... The talks had continued from 2 pm till 9:30 pm on Friday at the meeting hall of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) in Janakpur amid tight security. Future talks are expected to be held in Birgunj and Biratnagar...... Ram Chandra Poudel ... Upendra Yadav ...... Sitanandan Raya, Mohammed Nasir Siddiqui and Kishor Biswas
Nepal supports refugees' movement: Home Minister
Refugees halt ‘Long March’ for 15 days the Indian officials assured that their central government would react to the refugees’ concern within 15 days
Nepal bandh affects normal life called by various ethnic groups led by Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NFIN). ...... The ethnic and lingual groups have been observing Jestha 18 (June 1) as Black Day in memory of a ruling by the Supreme Court nine years ago to ban the use of local language as formal language in local bodies.
Protest by Newa Republic Front
Bandh and its affect on porters
India to blame for refugee impasse: former SAARC secy. general India's unflinching support to the Bhutanese monarch and his regime.
US official satisfied with decision to fix new polls date
Eight parties agree to hold CA by November third week
Parliament sees rush of business
IOC gets Rs 1 billion, normal supplies from Tuesday
Stick with previous pact on monarchy, says US official
Party leaders heading for New Delhi
Government urged to form land commission
Congress CWC discusses unification drive, 8-party agendas
MJF presents 26-point demands MJF's general secretary Ram Kumar Sharma, the demands include issues such as restructuring of state, formation of commission to implement state restructuring, inclusion of Madhesis in all organs of state, federal system of governance, proportional representation, withdrawal of charges against leaders of MJF, compensation to those injured during Madhes agitation and other problems of Terai. ....... the issues of proportional representation, and federal system with right to self determination were still being discussed.
Taskforce agrees to ask ECDC to review its report
Bomb explosion at Maoist party office
Nepal-Sri Lanka air link being mulled

India Is Wrong On Bhutan

One refugee killed as Indian police open fire; Home Ministry urges restraint NepalNews Indian police opened fire to prevent them from crossing Mechi bridge ...... at least 100 Bhutanese refugees were injured when Indian police used force to prevent them from crossing the Mechi Bridge on the Nepal-Indian border on the second day of their 'Long March' to Bhutan.
Indian police impede refugees' "Long March" The refugees staged sit-in at the bridge after they were stopped by Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB) of India. India deployed a huge contingent of SSB to prevent refugees from crossing into India.

2007: The Year Of The Revolution In Bhutan
Bravo Moriarty
Moriarty Should Take His Offer Directly To The Bhutani Refugees
Tek Nath Rizal And The Bhutani Hostage Crisis
Solve The Bhutani Refugee Crisis: Send Them West

People from Nepal do not need paperwork to go into India. I would think the same is true for Bhutan. People from Bhutan can come into India, and from there they can go into Nepal.

I think the democracy activists in the Bhutani refugee camps have to get smart and not rely solely on being confrontational.

Democrats in West Bengal and Bihar should come to the rescue. Forget the Mechi bridge. Get out of Nepal any way you can, go into India, from there go over to Bhutan. It makes no sense to think of the Mechi bridge as the only way out of Nepal.

But the whole deal has to be thought through. Much logistics come into play.

What is the idea? You get 100,000 plus Bhutanis out of the refugee camps in Nepal into India. From there you get them into Bhutan. In Bhutan they engineer a replay of Nepal's April Revolution and shut the country completely down unless an all party government is formed to hold constituent assembly elections in Bhutan. The gameplan has to be something like that. The Nepalis already inside Bhutan have to be organized for the purpose.

It would make no sense to not think this thing through completely. Think all steps. Otherwise you just end up getting stuck at the Mechi bridge. Or you end up with tens of thousands of Bhutanis stranded in India. Or you end up with a demoralized population inside Bhutan.

En route to Bhutan, people are going to have to eat. Funds have to be raised to that effect. Indian democracy activists and human rights organizations must come to the rescue.

Shame on the government of India.

India's mishandling Bhutan is the reason why there is so much unrest in India's northeast. Delhi disrespects the sentiments in the northeast. Its fundamentally undemocratic attitude towards Bhutan shows why India is not a global power like it deserves to be. Delhi showers unconditional love on a dictator king because he agrees to be a semi-colony of India. That is not forward thinking.

Indian politicians like Chandrashekhar and VP Singh have to come out for Bhutan like they came out for Nepal.

Major Indian Support For Democracy In Nepal (February 28, 2005)

How the Indian establishment acts towards the democracy movement in Bhutan will tell us if or not India will become a global superpower any time soon. It is India more than America that is better positioned to spread democracy across the Arab world. Exporting democracy has to become a major pillar of India's foreign policy.

Al Qaeda Strikes India, Wants Hindu-Muslim Riots

Democracy comes from inside the human heart. It does not come from America. The Buddhist republics thousands of years ago were the earliest democracies ever on the planet. Buddhism and monarchy do not go together.

The ethnic Nepali Bhutani democracy activists and leaders have to be resigned to the fact that the future president of Bhutan will likely not be one of them. They are 10-20% of the population. Democracy has to be more than a tool for ethnic rights for the ethnic Nepalis. Democracy has to be presented as the need for all Bhutanis.

After Bhutan, Burma is next.

In The News

Bhutan again votes for tradition as mock poll ends Reuters India, India
Bhutan holds second mock elections in presence of Indian observers DailyIndia.com
As Bhutan holds trial-run election, refugees demand to return home Globe and Mail The mock election, which began a month ago with four dummy parties running on imaginary manifestos, boiled down to a straight fight between the Druk (Thunder Dragon) Yellow Party and the Druk Red Party. ...... The Yellow Party stands for the preservation of tradition and values while the Red Party advocates industrial development. ..... The gate at the Indian end of the bridge was closed as troops sealed the border and stepped up security. ..... 17 years after being expelled for protesting against discrimination and in favour of democracy. ..... Thinley Penjore, leader of the exiled Druk National Congress, a party of refugees ...... In Bhutan, the ethnic Nepalese who stayed face widespread discrimination and have to obtain security clearances for jobs and places in schools for their children ...... Thousands have been barred from voting ...... a threat of bomb attacks by the Bhutan Tiger Force, the militant wing of the Bhutan Communist Party, a Maoist rebel group born in the camps in Nepal in 2003. ........ "The elections are anything but fair, and Bhutan will see more trouble as the refugees attempt a comeback seriously," said Laxman Rai of the Human Rights Organization of Bhutan.
HAD IT NOT BEEN INDIA, THE REFUGEES WOULD NOT HAVE LANDED IN NEPAL Telegraphnepal.com, Nepal
Curfew in Bhutan refugee camp as tension escalates NewKerala.com
UCAN: Bhutan’s only Buddhist convert yearns to bring Catholicism ... Catholic Online, CA
Shakira rocks Bhutan, as Shangri-la embraces modernity NewKerala.com, India
Shakira rocks Bhutan, as Shangri-la embraces modernity Malaysia Sun
Shakira Rocks Bhutan, As Shangri-la Embraces Modernity NEWSPost India
Bhutan's royal astrologers plan for 2008 elections NewKerala.com, India
Bhutan : Situation Of Ethnic Nepalis Gorkhapatra, Nepal
Bhutan votes in election dummy run Aljazeera.com, UK
Productivity slump benefits neighbours Calcutta Telegraph, India
Northeast at a glance Calcutta Telegraph
Hard currency limit raised to US $ 3000 Kuensel, Buhutan's National Newspaper, Bhutan
US unveils plan for migration of Bhutan refugees Gulf Times, Qatar

We've respected Koirala for his international image, says Dr. Bhattarai NepalNews "during daytime Baluwatar is surrounded by pro-palace elements and ambassadors" and, therefore, he said, "all decisions have to be taken at night when they are asleep."
NC constitutes task force, congress unification process starts Divided from the past five years, the unification process started after NC constituted a three-member task force to search the prospect of party unity with NC-D.
NT to launch 3G mobile services
NTA recommends full mobility to CDMA phones
Second stage verification to begin from mid-June
Another refugee dies in police firing; curfew in Beldangi; UNHCR urges restraint

YouTube

Tenzin Tsundue in NYC, March 10, 2007 Part I
Tenzin Tsundue in NYC, March 10, 2007 Part II
Tenzin Tsundue in NYC, March 10, 2007 Part III

Tenzin Tsundue Talk 03.20.2007 Part 1
Tenzin Tsundue Talk 03.20.2007 Part 2
Tenzin Tsundue Talk 03.20.2007 Part 3
Tenzin Tsundue Talk 03.20.2007 Part 4
Tenzin Tsundue Talk 03.20.2007 Part 5
Tenzin Tsundue Talk 03.20.2007 Part 6
Tenzin Tsundue Talk 03.20.2007 Part 7
Tenzin Tsundue Talk 03.20.2007 Part 8
Tenzin Tsundue Talk 03.20.2007 Part 9
Tenzin Tsundue Talk 03.20.2007 Part 10
Tenzin Tsundue Talk 03.20.2007 Part 11
Tenzin Tsundue Talk 03.20.2007 Part 12
Tenzin Tsundue Talk 03.20.2007 Part 13









Bhutan / เรื่องจริงผ่านจอ 1
Bhutan / เรื่องจริงผ่านจอ 2
Bhutan / เรื่องจริงผ่านจอ 3

2007: The Year Of The Revolution In Bhutan

Refugees plan 'Long March' to their homeland Bhutanese refugees are planning to go on a "Long March" from Monday. ..... On the first day, 15,000 refugees – out of 106,000 – of all the seven camps will be heading towards Bhutan by crossing the Mechi bridge into India . ..... at the call of National Front for Democracy (NFD-Bhutan) ..... The local eight party leaders have decided to help the refugees by accompanying them up to the mid-point of the bridge – which separates Nepal and India. Likewise, representatives of Indian MPs and civil society will receive them at that point. The refugees plan to enter Phuntsoling town of Bhutan by walking across Jayagaon of India. ....... Balram Poudel, vice president of NFD, they are planning to make the agitation decisive ...... Indian security forces are learnt to have stepped up security in the border area and has deployed security personnel on high alert

Bravo Moriarty
Moriarty Should Take His Offer Directly To The Bhutani Refugees
Tek Nath Rizal And The Bhutani Hostage Crisis
Solve The Bhutani Refugee Crisis: Send Them West

It is high time all democratic political parties in South Asia expressed solidarity to the democracy movement in Bhutan. Looks like the Bhutani refugees are finally getting to take the lead. The solution will not come out of government level talks between Nepal and Bhutan. The regime in Bhutan is fundamentally opposed to justice and democracy. A regime that engaged in ethnic cleansing is not a regime that can be trusted.

I don't think the Indian security forces have the option to stop the refugees. The refugees, on their part, have to be ready for the eventuality, and should cross the border in human wave after human wave.

Local Indian democrats must chip in and help to the fullest.

2007 should become the year when Bhutan becomes a democratic republic. Jingme has to be ousted.

Nepal received Indian help for its democracy. Now is payback time. We have to help the Bhutanis in all ways possible. All moral and logistical help has to be provided.

This movement has to be fought the smart way. Base stations have to be established in all Indian towns by the Bhutani border. Logistical help goes a long way.

2006: Nepal
2007: Bhutan

On to a democratic republic in Bhutan.

• Dismantle The Two Armies
• To: The Kathmandu Media
• Chitralekha Yadav: Speaker
• Zimpundit: Zimbabwe
• Undercurrents Of A Counter-Revolution
• Maoist Posturing
• Madhav Nepal
• डा. कटक मल्ल: सुन्दर, शान्त र शिष्ट नेपालको निर्मा...
• The Revolution Is Very Much On
• Victory
• Reciprocate The Maoist Ceasefire Immediately
• Army Under Parliament, Now
• Mero Sansar Video Clips 7
• Declare Constituent Assembly On First Day Of Parli...
• Maoist Reaction To Democratic Victory: Not Right
• Madhesi Rights: Total Equality
• ितमीले देखाइ िदयौ
• 18 Days Of April Revolution: Victory
• Kiran Nepal
• Cobb To Leahy
• Protests
• Kiran Nepal, Dinesh Wagle
• Brian Cobb: Savagery on the Roof of the World
• Nepal Has Hit The World Headlines
• Home Minister: Bamdev Gautam
• King Of India
• My Most Controversial Blog Post To Date: On Madhes...
• Protests
• King's Address: Old Wine, Old Bottle
• Dinesh Wagle, Kiran Nepal In Town
• House Revival Through Supreme Court Decision
• कर्फ्यु तोड्न आह्वान गर्नेले
• Could Girija Be President?
• Sanjaya Parajuli In Brooklyn
• Checkmate
• Protests
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• Solidarity Rally DC
• Smugglers, Sadists, Sycophants Have Infiltrated Th...
• Why The International Community Needs To Get Behin...
• April 20: March Onto The Palace, End The Monarchy
• Constituent Assembly: Still The Meeting Point
• जाउलो खाएर क्रान्ित गर
• Chand, Marich Man, Pashupati, Thapa, All Panches
• Protests
• The Art Of War, Bruce Lee
• Mero Sansar Video Clips 6
• End Of Ceausescu
• 30 Minutes With Amrit Bohra
• Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, Irrelevant
• जनआन्दोलनको कार्यक्रम
• Monarchy's End: A Few Scenarios
• Video Blogging
• Aire Gaire Natthu Khaire Pahadis
• क्रान्ितलाई नबुझ्नु, बुझ पचाउनु
• Protests
• Henry Shepherd: Open Source
• Baburam Bhattarai: Lokatantric Ganatantra Ko Prasa...
• Gongabu Massacre
• Get The Police On Our Side
• Brian Cobb, Brave Man
• Hamro Nepal, Latest
• Interim President: Madhav Nepal
• UN Rally
• First ANTA NYC Event, Times Square Marriott
• No Room For Monarchy In The 21st Century: King
• Protests
• Zero Tolerance Policy Towards Monarchy
• Nepali Congress Or Praja Parishad
• Protests
• Friday Rally
• INSEC Report
• Malaria, Polio, Monarchy
• Hamro Nepal: Draft Constitution
• Alliance Is Mad At You
• Mike Veer: Has Nepal's Orange Revolution Begun?
• The King Set To Declare Date For Elections
• Protests
• Nepali Mandir
• ये तो क्रान्ित है
• Mero Sansar Video Clips 5
• Happy New Year 2063
• Interim Constitution, Revolutionary Parliament
• Shoot At Sight Order: Dead End For The King
• Protests
• Constituent Assembly: 300 Seats Of Roughly Equal P...
• Crime, Organized Crime, Terrorism, State Terrorism...
• The Police, The Army Need To Stop Following Illegi...
• April 8: New Year
• BBC Calls
• NYC Rally Photos: Arnico Panday
• April 9
• April Revolution: Document Every Atrocity
• Protests
• The Fascists In Kathmandu
• Final Act: Disobey The Curfew
• Himal Survey
• April 6,7,8,9, April 16,17,18,19, April 26,27,28,2...
• Even If The Worst Fears About The Maoists Are True...
• Write To Bush, Condi Before Possible Clampdown

In The News

Eight-party meet inconclusive NepalNews on the CA polls date and the issue of republic ..... the Nepali Congress, NC (Democratic) and Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandi Devi) failed to put clear views on those issues. ....... the election date, electoral system and the deadlock in the interim parliament ..... differences grew on the UML’s proposal for proportional voting system. ...... separate meetings of the central working committees of the NC and the NC (D) today decided to go for mixed electoral system
UML for proportional voting system; NC, NC (D) stick to mixed system mixed voting system is the best system for representing the interests of different sections. ..... The NC also suggested the Nepali month of Mangsir (November-December) as the best time for CA polls.
Maoists, NC-D cadres clash leaves 13 injured, 2 critical At least 13 persons were injured, 2 seriously when Maoists and Nepali Congress (Democratic) activists engaged in a scuffle in Simikot, the headquarters of Humla district, Sunday following an argument in an all party meeting participated by representatives of the Maoist party and civil society, among others. ..... Maoists resorted to violence and pelted stones at the venue while the talks was in progress
MJF's report gives party clean chit in Gaur incident the March 21 Gaur incident has pointed out that the Maoist aligned Madhesi National Liberation Front (MNLF) and local administration were to blame for the carnage that took place, giving the MJF a clean sheet .... denies there were any incident of rape and that the weapons used during the incident had ‘no sharp edges’ ..... chaired by former Supreme Court judge Baliram Kunwar Singh and comprised of two other members -- Surendra Mishra and Lal Babu Yadav. ....... “An MJF programme was in full swing when cadres of the MNLF detonated bombs, explosives, and fired shots creating havoc among the programme participants. It was difficult to point out who killed whom in such a stampede,” the reports said and added “as the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (Jwala Singh) and the Terai Cobra have already claimed responsibility for the incident, it is clear that the MJF is not guilty.”
Maoists storm RPP gathering in Parbat suddenly 50 -60 YCL cadres barged into the hotel room and started thrashing us

MJF ready to negotiate if charges are dropped against its cadres NepalNews Welcoming the decision of the cabinet to form a judicial commission to probe alleged atrocities committed during Madhes agitation, president of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) Upendra Yadav has said that he is ready to negotiate with the government if charges against MJF workers and leaders are dropped and their security guaranteed. ...... He made these remarks at Jaleshwore of Mahottari district on Saturday. ..... Yadav also accused the government of floating Chure Bhawar Ekata Samaj – which has demanded separate Chure Bhawar region within Madhes – to counter it.
Police nab three Maoist activists
YCL washes off its hand from stoning incident
Cabinet forms commission to investigate terai unrest
Interaction on the Fuel Supply

Proposed Constitution

Preamble

1. Nepal is a federal republic, a total, transparent democracy, with the sovereignty resting with the Nepali people.

Article 1: The Legislative Branch

1. There is to be a lower house, the Pratinidhi Sabha, with 300 members, and a upper house, the Rajya Sabha, with 100 members. Members of the Pratinidhi Sabha are to be directly elected through constituencies demarcated such that the largest has a population not more than 5% of the smallest, geographically in close approximation to a circle or a square, and protected from partisan gerrymandering by an autonomous Election Commission. The constituencies need to respect the state boundaries. In the Rajya Sabha each party's representation will be in direct proportion to the votes earned. Any party that earns at least 1% of the votes will be represented in the Rajya Sabha. The entire Sabha is dissolved en masse when its term nears expiration.
2. Private and public sector media entities wanting to cover live the proceedings in the parliament may do so.
   
3. For the upper house, each party submits lists of names before the election. At least every third name on the list must be female.
   
4. All matters of national importance are to be decided by the national parliament through a majority vote unless otherwise stated. Parliamentary procedures are to be laid out or revised with a 60% vote margin.
5. The legislatures are to elect their Speakers and Deputy Speakers. The legislatures shall assemble at least once every four months, and as often as necessary. The Speaker does not get to vote in the parliament.
   
6. No parliamentarian may be arrested while the parliament might be in session except for felony charges. Their speech in parliament is protected from any and all oversight, legal and otherwise.
7. A simple majority of the parliament will pass the budget. The annual budget is tabled by the President.
   
8. All bills must be posted online in three languages - Nepali, Hindi and English - for at least one week before they may be voted upon.
9. All regional and international treaties that Nepal might enter into will have to pass a 60% majority in the parliament.
10. Political parties may not engage in fund-raising activities. Instead each national party, described as those that garnered at least 1% of the votes in the previous nationwide parliamentary elections for the upper house, will get an annual sum that will be directly proportional to the number of votes it earned. That money is to be used for party-building and electioneering activities. Details of expenses are to be posted online in the three languages to the last paisa on at least an annual basis.
    
11. Tickets for all elections are distributed by parties through democratic methods involving members at or below the said level in their respective organizations.
    
12. The Election Commission puts in place ceilings as to election expenditures. Independent candidates may not raise money, but may spend their own money that may not exceed the amount of the party candidate spending the most money. Once elected independent candidates may not join a national party for at least one year.
13. A party may not charge its members more than Rs 60 a year.
    
14. Every person on the state's payroll - elected officials, bureaucrats, judges, police, army personnel, teachers, health care workers - is to submit a Family Property Statement, to be posted online and archived and updated annually. Upon exiting the public sector, they may discontinue the practice, but the archives will remain, and the updates will resume should the individuals re-enter public service.
15. Details of all expenses incurred by the state, to the last paisa, are to be posted online in the three languages. All contracts offered by the state to the private sector are to be bid for in a similar transparent manner from beginning to the end. All job applications and promotions in the public sector are to be similarly handled in a transparent manner.
16. All formal political deliberations at all levels of government in the long run and at the state and federal levels in the short run are to be posted online in as real time as possible in the language that was used at the venue. Efforts are to be made to make the same available in Nepali, Hindi and English. All votes are to be similarly made public.
    
17. Every elected official at all levels of government is to get a decent monthly salary.
18. Anyone above the age of 18 is a legible voter. Members of the Pratinidhi Sabha will have to be at least 22 years of age, and that of the Rajya Sabha at least 25 years of age. The terms of members of the two bodies shall last four years. All elected officials are to have been citizens.
19. Acts of impeachment require a vote of 65%. This constitution can be amended by the same vote margin.
20. The parliamentarians may not increase their salaries in a way that might affect the members of the existing class. The same applies to the salaries of members of the cabinet.
21. The parliament may create, merge and dissolve ministries, agencies and commissions as necessary.
    

Article 2: The Executive Branch

1. The President is directly elected by the people. If a candidate not earn 50% of the votes, a second round is to be held within a month of the first when the two top candidates contest. The President serves a five year term.
   
2. A candidate has to be a citizen and at least 30 years of age.
   
3. The President may elect members to the Cabinet that might or might not be members of the parliament. But if a MP get into the cabinet, that parliamentary seat goes vacant.
   
4. The President makes nominations to the Supreme Court and other constitutional bodies like the Election Commission (EC) and the Commission to Control Corruption (CCC) - both of which are autonomous - to be confirmed by a 60% vote in the parliament. The commissioners serve 6-year terms.
5. Nepal does not have an army.
   
6. The central bank is to be autonomous, and the governor, to serve a six-year term, is to be appointed by the President, subject to a 60% vote in the parliament.
7. All appointments made by the President, except for his or her personal staff, will need a majority vote in the parliament for confirmation, unless otherwise stated.
8. The President signs bills passed by the parliament. The President may also be the originator of bills to the parliament.
   
9. The President may send back a bill passed by the parliament. But if the parliament send it back to him with a 65% vote, it has to be signed.
   
10. If the President not respond to a bill within 10 days of it having been sent, it is to be assumed signed.
11. Eash state is to similarly elect a Governor.
    

Article 3: The Judiciary Branch

1. The judiciary will reflect the composition of the government, from village/town to state to the national level. Towns and cities with more than 25,000 people will be served with more than one court, the number to be decided through a formula by the state government. There will be a layer between the village/town and the state levels, the Appeals Court. The system is to be peopled like the civil service, on merit.
2. The President makes nominations to the national Supreme Court. The Governor makes nominations to the State Supreme Court. Both are subject to their respective parliaments for 60% of the vote. Justices to the Supreme Court are to serve to the age of 65 or upto their voluntary retirement.
3. The state and national Supreme Courts interpret the constitutionality of laws passed by the parliaments when thus challenged, but such interpretations may be overturned by the parliaments through a 65% vote.
4. The parliament, federal or state, may not diminish the salary of a sitting judge.
   

Article 4: The States

1. The country is to be divided into states as shown in the map above. Each state is to have a unicameral parliament. One constituency for the federal lower house is to become two for the state parliament.
   
2. It is for each state to design the formation and functioning of its component town/city governments. The village units are to be called Grampalika, the town units are to be called Nagarpalika, and the city units Mahanagarpalika, and will form the third layer of government. Village/town/city elected officials are to be at least 20 years of age.
3. Mayors for towns and villages are to be directly elected. Each directly elected official for an executive position must have secured at least 50% of the votes cast.
   
4. The judicial and law enforcement services are to be operated as a meritocratic, inclusive civil services by the states and the federal government.
   
5. The federal government will directly transfer 5% of its annual budget to the five poorest states measured by per capita income. This does not prevent further federal expenditures on those states.
6. The income tax structure is to be as follows: 50% federal, 30% state, 20% village/town/city. The income tax is to be collected by the federal government, and funds transferred by the same to the other levels of government as per this formula, and is to be gradually phased in where none might be getting collected now.
7. The federal revenue from all sources other than income tax is also to be similarly allocated. 50% stays at the federal level, the rest goes to the states in proportion to each state's population. Each state is also to send out 30% of its non income tax budget directly to the village/town/city in direct proportion to the population of each.
   
8. The education system shall follow a tri-lingual policy up to Class 10, beyond which it is for each individual institution to decide on their own as to the language of instruction. The first language is to be the student's first language, the second language is to be Nepali. For those for whom Nepali might be their first language, the student may choose any language spoken in Nepal. The third language is to be English, the contemporary global language of science and commerce. This policy applies to schools in both the private and the public sectors. The language of instruction for all other subjects to Class 10 will be a decision to be made by the individual school board for the public schools and by the owners of the private schools: it is to be one of the three - Nepali, Hindi, and English - or a combination. Other languages spoken in Nepal may also be added to the list after an autonomous, federal Education Commission decides that enough educational material is available in the said language.
   
9. It is for the state parliaments to decide on the use of a second local language as the language of government at the state and local levels. In some cases, even a third language may be allowed.
   
10. Nepali is to be the language of government across the country.
    

Article 5: The Individual

1. The individual is the most important component of the state and is to be protected and celebrated. The Universal Declaration Of Human Rights is the bedrock of this constitution.
   
2. Every person has a birth right to freedom of speech, freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of religion, a right to a speedy, public trial, and a right to privacy, a protection from unreasonable searches and seizures. No person may be tried and punished for the same crime twice. No person will be compelled to testify against themselves. No person will be deprived of life, liberty or propety without due process of law. Private property may not be taken for public use without due compensation. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended. No ex post facto law shall be passed. No warrants are to be issued, except upon probable cause, and should specifically describe the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. A person charged with a crime is to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his or her favor, and is to have the Assistance of Counsel for his or her defence.
3. Every person born in Nepal is a citizen of Nepal. But this does not prevent people not born in Nepal from seeking Nepali citizenship.
4. Every person is equal under the law. Any law that might conflict with that fundamental premise will become null and void as soon as this constitution takes effect.
5. No person shall be taxed more than 40% of their income by all levels of government put together. Those in the bottom 40% income brackets are not to pay any direct taxes.
6. No business may be taxed more than 30% of its profits, and businesses in the bottom 30% income brackets will not pay any direct taxes. All business expenses are tax write-offs.
7. The sales tax may not exceed 10% and is to be collected by the state.
8. Elections at all levels are to be organized on Saturdays.
9. No citizen of age may be barred from voting for whatever reason except when they might be serving time.
10. It is a stated goal of the state to make possible lifelong education for every person in the country through creative partnerships between the private and public sectors, and through creative uses of the internet, FM and other technology. The state shall also attempt to provide universal access to secondary education and primary health care, free of cost. The secondary education provision applies to people in all age groups.
    
11. The state shall attempt to provide universal access to micro-credit to all in the bottom 40% income brackets, not all of it by the public sector.
    
12. All persons that might enter into agreements, either in the private or the public sector, to access credit will have the option to declare bankruptcy as a last resort, but such declarations may stay on that person's credit record. Money owed by an individual, as opposed to by a business or a corporation, may not be passed on to the next generation. Indentured servitude is an illegal form of collecting money owed by an individual or family. Money owed may not be paid for through manual labor. Any person, group or organization, lending money on interest, the total of which is larger than Rs 20,000, to be indexed to inflation as calculated every five years and rounded to the nearest thousand, is to register as a small business owner, and will be subject to taxation and regulation.
13. All educational institutions, public and private, must have at least 10% of its students on need-based full scholarships. Institutions may also opt to have 5% on such full scholarships, and 10% on need-based half scholarships, or 5% on full, 6% on half, and 6% on one-third scholarships. But at no time should the proportion of full scholarships dip below 5%.
14. Employees of the state in the education and health sectors will be paid salaries that are at least 10% larger than to those with similar qualifications serving in other fields.
15. An accurate, scientific census is to be conducted every 10 years, and scientific projections are to be made for the intervening years.
    

Proposed Constitution (February 7, 2007)
प्रस्तािवत संिवधान (Full page version) (November 15)
Proposed Constitution (November 14)
Interim Constitution, Revolutionary Parliament (April 8)
Proposed Republican Constitution 2006 (January 1)
Proposed Constitution (December 19)
Proposed Constitution (November 17)
Proposed Constitution (September 3)
Proposed Democratic Republican Constitution (August 12)
Janata Dal Constitution (August 8)
Proposed Constitution (June 18)
Reorganized UN, Proposed Constitution, Methods (May 30)
Proposed Constitution (May 3)
Shortcut To A New Constitution, Shortcut To Peace (April 8)
This Inadequate, Improper, Insufficient 1990 Constitution (April 4)

3 Layers, 15 States, No Army, 100,000 Bureaucrats Total, Much FDI

Nepalese Civil Service is overstaffed with large crowds of unskilled, unproductive staff at the lower levels. Peons alone are estimated to number 27,000 out of a total of 97,000 Civil Servants (Nti, 1991). Highly qualified and talented candidates are not attracted to the civil service (Joshi, 1989)
[PDF]Wielding the Bureaucracy for Results: Reorienting the Nepalese ...File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
Nepal. Introduction. THIS PAPER is mainly concerned with analyzing the issues accompanying the reorganization. of the Nepalese bureaucracy and recommending ... unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/EROPA/ARPA-JulDec1997-Uprety.pdf

Current Scenario:
Civil Servants: 100,000
Soldiers: 90,000
Maoist Soldiers: 30,000
Police: 40,000

I would suggest the following.

15 States

I went from three to eight states, now I am going to 15. But in the three and eight state scenarios, there were four layers of government. In the 15 state scenario, there are three layers. So this is a simpler model and hence better.

3 Layers

Federal, state, village/town, that is all we need. We don't need to have districts. Federalism is a more efficient form of government than the unitary form. What that means is the total number of people on state salary in a federal structure should be less than what we have now.

Geographic, Not Ethnic Names To The 15 States

That might make sense.

Federal Level: Bicameral Parliament

100 seats in the upper house, through proportional election. Any party that secures 1% of the votes is a recognized national party and will be state funded. No rules will be made as to what kind of parties can be registered, and what kind can not be registered. As in, it is okay to have a Janajati Party, it is okay to have a Dalit party.

The lower house should have 300 seats out of constituencies of roughly equal population.

State Level: Unicameral Parliament

One seat for every 50,000 people. One constituency for the federal lower house should be two at the state level.

Directly Elected President, Governor, Mayor

The winning candidate must get at least 50% of the votes. In some cases, a second round will have to be held between the two top candidates.

And of course each state will have a judiciary.

Each village and town will have a council, its legislative.

Abolish The Two Armies

This is a tough decision that has to be made. All those 120,000 soldiers will have to be absorbed by the private sector of the economy.

Restructuring The Federal Bureaucracy

Each state will have its own ministries. They better be few in number and they better be small. But you can not have the existing federal ministries and just add on top of that at the state level. Many federal bureaucrats will lose their jobs just like the 120,000 soldiers. They will have to be transitioned into the private sector. They should be provided with help.

Dual Citizenship For The NRNs, FDI-Friendly Policy Regime

Most of the relief that will come to the people will happen in the private sector. We are too preoccupied with state restructuring. At most the state employs 200,000 Nepalis. Nepal is 27 million people. What about the rest of the population?

Here all the government has to do is get out of the way and let the private sector grow the economy. It is sheer stupidity to not allow for dual citizenship. To my mind, the provision for dual citizenship is something that has to be done right away, so NRNs can start investing in the country.

In The News

Cabinet forms commission to investigate terai unrest NepalNews the cabinet also decided to ratify the decision of the eight-party regarding the cancellation of the report presented by constituency delineation commission

UML, Maoists blame Koirala for the deadlock NepalNews During the meeting between chairman Prachanda and Dr Baburam Bhattarai of the Maoists and UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal at latter's residence, the leaders concluded that PM Koirala must shoulder all responsibilities for causing deadlock in the peace process and delaying the constituent assembly polls. ...... announcement of republic through the parliament.
Prachanda urges YCL to improve Prachanda has asked them to involve only in popular activities. ..... while their activities like curbing smuggling, road building and urban management were laudable, their actions against government offices and individuals have drawn criticism
NEMA points out pre-requisites for credible polls improvement in the security situation, formulation of all electoral legislations and re-delimitation of the electoral constituencies. Govt to release Rs 120 million to help conflict victims The money will be spent to provide relief as well as rehabilitation facilities to the victims
NC has not developed model of federalism: Sujata her party has not developed a specific model on federalism yet, but work has begun on how Nepal should be after being restructured. ..... three models of governance – centralized, decentralized and distributed.
NC-D president Sher Bahadur Deuba talking to reporters at TIA before his departure for China

No compromise on security, says PM NepalNews Adding to the voices of Madhesi agitators, the general secretary of Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) Madhav Kumar Nepal has asked Home Minister Krishna Sitaula to step down. ..... Sitaula should not have been re-appointed as Home Minister given the demands by Madhesi agitators for his resignation ..... Even a section of MPs within Nepali Congress (NC) have been demanding for Sitaula's resignation.
Nepal demands Sitaula's scalp
YCL meet on to review its activities The meeting began on Tuesday evening after Maoist chairman Prachanda asked the YCL leaders to mend their ways and control unruly activities. Prachanda is the chief coordinator of the organisation. ..... the YCL office in Balaju.
Congress leaders spit venom at YCL
Prachanda to confer with ADB; PM asks him to comply with Bank's condition
IOC cuts petro supply again, nation set to face fuel crisis

Serial blasts in Janakpur NepalNews Cadres of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM-Jwala Singh) have exploded crude bombs at around one dozen places in Janakpur city on Tuesday night. Reports say that between 9 and 10 pm, sounds of explosion were heard in bus park, Janaki chowk, campus area, Ladobela, and Pesiya Bazaar. ..... Rajan Mukti, a central member of JTMM-Jwala Singh phoned media outlets owning up the responsibility of blasts in Ladobela and Pesiya Bazaar. According to Nepal Samacharpatra daily, he claimed that the bombs were exploded to protest the visit by UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal. Nepal is currently in Janakpur to attend cadres' training programme.
Maoists, NC meet to end deadlock Prachanda demanded release of money allocated for Maoist combatants at a time while Koirala said the government would release the money on a monthly basis. ..... Koirala also informed Prachanda about the government decisions taken yesterday regarding daily allowance to the PLA members and construction of camps for combatants before the monsoon. ...... Prachanda urged Koirala to call an eight-party meeting immediately to sort out the political deadlock and in response, Koirala assured to hold the meeting soon after consulting other leaders in separate meetings.

Koirala, Deuba discuss party unity, political issues NepalNews Deuba is learnt to have asked Koirala to speed up the process for party unification by forming a task force entrusted with full authority. ..... Koirala recently told veteran Congress leader KP Bhattarai that he was ready to accept Deuba as the senior vice president after unification
Eight parties not serious about CA polls: RJP chief
Forest Minister Yadav to ‘expose’ sandalwood smugglers
JMCC to fix second-phase verification date Thursday
Govt declares Bista martyr
We can step down from govt anytime, says Gurung
Peoples’ Consent in Ratification of New Constitution

Each PLA combatant to get Rs 3000 per month Over one billion rupees has already been provided to the Maoist party for the upkeep of 31000 PLA combatants.

Ministerial committee holds emergency meeting on cantonment mngt NepalNews