PM Prachanda attempts to woo Indian investors

Prime Minister Prachanda has made an attempt to woo Indian investors to invest in Nepal promising them receptive and home-like environment.

Urging the Indian investors to invest in hydropower, infrastructure, tourism and agriculture, he promised that a panel would be formed to bring in reforms in industrial policy. He also promised security and easy investment procedures.

Addressing a function by Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), in New Delhi, Monday, PM prachanda said, "(We will bring) receptive policies for foreign investment that would create a homelike environment for engaging in business."

Indian business community has been citing security concerns and labour problems, among others, as deterrents from investing in Nepal.

"The geo-proximity and close cooperative relationship between Nepal and India should help us realise the dream of being together and growing together," PM Dahal told the gathering.

PM Prachanda is currently in New Delhi on a five-day goodwill visit.

His visit has come at a time when Nepal's trade deficit with its largest trading partner India has surged to Rs 105 billion.

PM Prachanda meets with Indian PM Singh

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' held bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi, Monday evening.

The meeting took place in Hyderabad House, the office of the Indian Prime Minister.

Ahead of the talks, Nepalese officials had said that issues such as Kosi pact, 1950 treaty, trade and other bilateral issues would be taken up at the meeting.

PM Prachanda who reached New Delhi, Sunday, called on Indian president Pratibha Patil and met with Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and opposition leader Lal Krishna Advani apart from addressing a gathering of Indian business community, on Sunday.

During his meeting with Advani – whose party BJP had been skeptical about Nepal's transition from Hindu monarchy to secular republic – the Indian opposition leader assured about continued support to Nepal in the coming days.

Govt's policies and programmes approved

The policies and programmes of the government has been approved by the Constituent Assembly (CA), Sunday, by majority.

There were 17 different proposals seeking amendment in the government policies. Only two of them were withdrawn while others were defeated by majority votes including the one tabled by main opposition Nepali Congress (NC).

Earlier, Prime Minister Prachanda' had defended his government's policies and programmes at the CA meeting.

"We are here representing different ideologies but we have no option other than to identify commonalities of our interests," the prime minister said.

He claimed that 'though the policies and programmes were not as revolutionary as expected by the people,' it would open a lot of doors of opportunities.

He also urged opposition parties not to raise issue regarding the use of phrase People's Liberation Army (PLA).

"It is just a name given to Maoist combatants. And this name has been used by UNMIN during their registration also," he said, referring to the objections raised by NC.

He also briefed about his visit to India. He said that issues of treaties and agreements will be concluded based on national consensus and understanding

Prachanda consults with NC, UML leaders on his India tour

A day before he sets out for his first formal tour to neighbouring India as head of the government, Prime Minister Prachanda Saturday held a series of parleys with political leaders pertaining to the visit.

He held separate discussions with former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala and UML general secretary Jhala Nath Khanal.

Dahal went to Koirala's residence at Dhumbarahi in the afternoon, and discussed on how he could deal with New Delhi effectively regarding matters of national interest.

Emerging from the half-hour long meeting, the PM said he met Koirala to learn from his long experience as a Prime Minister. The NC leader is learnt to have advised Dahal not to go for any deal with New Delhi, and remain within the limits of a goodwill visit.

Earlier today, the PM had held consultation with UML leaders. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, UML general secretary Khanal said the Prime Minister's visit is basically aimed at consolidating the Nepal-India ties. "Although there are no specific agendas for the visit it will be important for improving bilateral relations," he said.

Foreign Minister Yadav, who is accompanying the PM to New Delhi, said several issues of bilateral interest would be discussed during the visit, but didn't specify the agendas.

Meanwhile, PM Prachanda also met Indian ambassador Rakesh Sood at the PMO in Singh Durbar and informed him about the issues his delegation would be raising while in Delhi.

Sood told reporters after the meeting that the two countries would discuss "all important issues including the demand for a review on 1950 Friendship Treaty, and the problem caused by Koshi dam" during the Nepali Prime Minister's visit.

Prachanda will leave for New Delhi on Sunday, leading a 30-member delegation comprised of foreign, water resources, communication and supplies ministers.

Major Changes in CPN Maoist Responsibilities

CPN-Maoist changes responsibilities of top Party leaders

CPN-M changes responsibilities of top leaders; Pasang is PLA chief
The crucial central secretariat meeting of CPN (Maoist) held Friday has reshuffled major responsibilities in the party.

According to the decision, deputy commander of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Nanda Kishor Pun 'Pasang' has been given full responsibility of the party's army.

The party had on the eve of election of the prime minister announced that party leaders elected to the Constituent Assembly would not have any attachment with PLA.
As such, the PLA chief Prachanda had shed off the 'uniform' after he was elected prime minister.

Similarly, the meeting shouldered responsibility of the party organisation department to another senior leader Mohan Vaidya.

Vaidya had been seeking the role of ad hoc party chairman since Prachanda was elected Prime Minister.

Post Bahadur Bogati has been given the responsibility of parliamentary affairs department while C.P. Gajurel will continue to look after party's foreign affairs department.

The meeting held at PM's official residence in Baluwatar also advised Prachanda not to sign any treaties or reach an agreement during his India visit.
Meanwhile, the Maoists have decided to hold central committee meeting ahead of Dashain festival next month.

Prime Minister Prachanda consults before visit to India on September 14th

Prime Minister Prachanda holding interaction with leaders of different political parties including the main opposition, Nepali Congress, at his office on his upcoming visit to India, on Thursday,

Prime Minister Prachanda today held an interaction with ten political parties - main opposition Nepali Congress included - seeking their feedback on the agendas of his impending visit to India.

Speaking at the interaction held at his office in Singha Durbar, Prachanda said it would be a goodwill visit to the southern neighbour. He revealed that there's no plan to sign any bilateral agreements with New Delhi.

According to Prachanda , the visit is basically aimed at further consolidating the traditional relations between the two countries, and build confidence. Saying that the government wants to collaborate with all the parties in the Constituent Assembly, the PM also underlined the need for political consensus on foreign policy and other matters of national interest.

At the interaction, leaders of some parties advised him not to compromise national interest while dealing with the Indian side regarding major bilateral issues. Some leaders are learnt to have suggested him to propose a review on 1950 Friendship Treaty while others asked him to discuss a solution to the tragedy caused by the Koshi dam in eastern Nepal as well as the border issues.

PM Prachanda is leaving for India on Sept 14 -- in what he describes as his first political tour to a foreign country

Govt's programmes and policies draw mixed reaction

Govt's programmes and policies draw mixed reaction

Leaders of the various political parties and business sector have given mixed reactions to the programmes and policies unveiled by the first government of republic Nepal Wednesday.

Talking to media persons after President Dr Ram Baran Yadav read out the programmes and policies at the legislative meeting of the Constituent Assembly, former vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission and leader of opposition party Nepali Congress Dr Narayan Khadka said many projects could be attained only in the long run.

Khadka said the projects likely to be completed in 20 years have been laid out like one-year's programme.

Senior Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba termed the programmes and policies as a long and tedious essay. He said NC is strongly opposed to terms like 'people's war' and People's Liberation Army' mentioned in the government's policy document-- instead of 'Maoist war' and 'Maoist army'. These terms do not figure in the Comprehensive Peace Accord and are thus objectionable, he said.

"There are many other things in which we will present our formal reaction during the debate," Deuba added.

NC general secretary K. B. Gurung said the programmes cannot to be implemented adding they are just to attract public sentiments.

Senior leader of CPN (UML), a coalition partner, Madhav Kumar Nepal descried the programme and policies as positive but opinioned that it would turn out to be fruitful only if the government effectively implements them. He, however, said the government failed to bring out as progressive programmes as had been unveiled by his UML's minority government a decade ago.

Another leader of the party Bharat Mohan Adhikari appreciated the programmes and policies saying this would pave the way for economic revolution in the country, after completing political revolution.

Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav said the government was determined to implement the programmes and policies.

Meanwhile, president of Federation of Nepali Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) Kush Kumar Joshi also welcomed the programmes and policies of the government saying the business sector is hopeful of all commitments implemented to begin the age of rapid economic changes in the country.

He said establishment of an' investment board' headed by Prime Minister and emphasis on public-private-partnership makes the business sector hopeful of the programmes and policies being implemented. He said most of the suggestions forwarded by the private sectors have been incorporated in the programmes and policies.

Cabinet approves govt policies and programmes

The cabinet, Tuesday, endorsed the government's policies and programmes to be presented at the Constituent Assembly on Wednesday.

According to government spokesperson and Minister for Information and Communication, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, the final policies and programmes was endorsed after accommodating 69-point suggestion by Maoists, 50-point suggestion by the UML as well as recommendations put forward by other coalition partners including Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF).

Mahara said the final text will have between 80 to 90 points. The text will be read out by President Dr. Rambaran Yadav at the CA.

Mahara informed that the document will be registered at the CA Secretariat on Tuesday itself.

The highlights of the text include the resolve to conclude the peace process; sort out the issue of army integration within three to six months, provide relief to the people, among others.