eKantipur writes

CPN-UML has started collecting suggestions from the stakeholders about the issues to be included in the new constitution.

The UML Statute Draft Taskforce on Sunday consulted experts and officials representing Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN).

On the occasion, NEFIN officials suggested the UML to build a federal structure primarily based on ethnicity and language.

They further advised the UML to consider geographical, regional and population factors as the basis for the federal setup.

Moreover, the officials drew the UML’s attention towards the problems that may arise in future if ethnicity not considered principle factor for federalism.

Saying that the parties’ nature is still monopolistic, they also expressed their doubt on effectuation of the federal set up.

Meanwhile, the UML had committed to enter federal mechanism in its Constituent Assembly election manifesto, however, had not presented any clear bases for it.

eKantipur writes

Minister for Foreign Affairs Upendra Yadav said Nepal's foreign policy has degraded in recent years due to lack of professional diplomats at diplomatic missions abroad.

"As the government decided to send non-professionals with political influence to diplomatic missions, Nepal's foreign policy has degraded," said Yadav while talking to journalists in the capital.

When asked whether the new government would call back such diplomats, Yadav replied that the government has yet to think in this regard.

The government should seriously think about how to uplift diplomatic efficacy, promote Nepal's diplomatic role abroad and utilize it for the benefit of the country, he added.

Earlier, during a staff briefing at the Foreign Ministry, officials also complained that appointment of non-professionals in diplomatic missions had affected the country's foreign policy as they failed to play proactive role.

In response, Minister Yadav expressed commitment to give priority to career diplomats rather than to political appointees.

MPRF dirty linen made public

Intra-party differences within Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF), a constituent of the Maoist-led government, has now gone public.

The difference surfaced here in Birgunj following an interview given by Karima Begum, a Constituent Assembly (CA) member representing the party from Parsa Constituency-1, in a local newspaper and an FM radio.

Begum has alleged that party chairman Upendra Yadav nominated ministers only from his coterie, denying representation to minorities and marginalized groups in the cabinet.

She also accused party chairman Yadav of receiving Rs 2 million each to nominate CA members under the proportionate electoral system.

In an interview aired at a local FM Sunday, Begum charged that Chairman Yadav had inducted ministers only from the eastern part of the country and promoted the concept of regionalism. She also claimed the current government will not last long as it has failed to ensure inclusiveness in terms of caste, creed, gender and geographical region.

Meanwhile, MPRF Parsa District Committee has initiated disciplinary action against Begum for speaking against the party Chairman.

Coordinator of District Disciplinary Committee Pradip Yadav has sought clarification within three days from Begum, alleging that she had breached the party's statute.

RSS writes

President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, according to the recommendation of the Prime Minister under Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2063 BS, has called Fourth Session of the Constituent Assembly to be begun form September 5, 2008, Friday, at 3:00 p.m. at International Convention Center, Naya Baneshwor.
Constituent Assembly Secretariat has urged all Members of the Assembly to be present at the meeting at the stipulated time and place on the date.

The Himalayan Times writes

A delegation of 17 senior government officers left for a two-week visit to India on Sunday to study aspects of federalism.
The visit is organised by the government of India through New Delhi-based Indian Institute of Public Administration -- a premier institute engaged in training civil servants.
The delegation includes Dr Uday Raj Sharma, secretary of Nepal Trust, Shri Sushil Jang Bahadur Rana, secretary of the Election Commission, nine joint-secretaries and six under-secretaries of various ministries and departments.
The visit has been arranged in response to a request from the government of Nepal, Indian embassy said in a statement.
The delegation will visit New Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry and meet senior government leaders, parliamentarians and officials to get a closer look at India's federal system along with its dimensions -- ranging from legislative to judicial, administrative, financial and developmental federalism.
They will also visit the parliament and state legislatures, Supreme Court and High Courts and hold interaction with India's Election Commission, Finance Commission, Planning Commission and Inter-State Council. The delegation will also visit the Lal Bahadur Shashtri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie.
The government of India will expand opportunities for study and exposure visits to Nepali civil servants in various focus areas so as to reinforce the friendly, professional and close relations between the bureaucrats of the two countries, the embassy said.

Nepalnews writes

President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav is in Sunsari to inspect the flood-affected
areas in the district, on Monday.

President Yadav is accompanied by senior government officials.

He will seek information regarding the relief and rescue efforts being
carried out in the region. He will also carry out aerial inspection of the
flood-hit areas in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Sunsari District Administration Office has informed that around
35,000 people have been 'affected' by the flood resulting from the
breakdown of embankments in Saptakoshi river.

Nepalnews writes

Narayan Man Bijukchhe has been re-elected as the president of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP).

The fifth general convention of the party has elected 17-member central working committee.

Bijukchhe has been leading the party since last three decades.

Nepalnews Writes

The CPN (Maoist) is leading the government but its People's
Liberation Army (PLA) personnel continued to face torture and inhuman
treatment in the cantonments.

At least seven PLA
men fled the fourth division cantonment at Hattikhor of Nawalparasi
district, indicating that they have not been treated well by their
seniors in the camps.

According to reports, one
fleeing PLA member Deepak KC, who came in contact with media persons
secretly in Damauli on Sunday, said senior members in the cantonment
torture combatants excessively mentally and physically.

He said they fled the camp while on night duty and reached Damauli Saturday on foot.

KC told media persons that six other personnel have left for Kathmandu to contact the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN).

He also claimed 1,000 out of 2,800 PLA members in the cantonment had already left the camp and more are planning to do so.

Nepalnews writes

The Himalayan Times writes