Giving brief remarks after the meeting, deputy secretary general Pascoe said he suggested that all political parties of Nepal should go together to bring the peace process to a logical conclusion.

            It is realized that political parties themselves are opting for creating trouble in the smoothly moving peace process of Nepal, he said, adding he has asked all political parties to move ahead with national unity.

            The agreements to this effect were signed between the Government of Nepal and the Asian Development Bank at the Ministry of Finance, Kathmandu, today.

            The project covers three main categories; energy access, clean energy and capacity building with seven components; facilitating access to clean energy, energy access quality enhancement, clean energy improvement, supply-side energy efficiency improvement, energy efficiency in lighting, renewable energy for street lighting and capacity building.

            Similarly, the major project activities include construction of Middle Marshyangdi-Damauli-Marshyangdi TL, construction of second circuit of Butwal-Kohalpur TL, construction and expansion of Chapali and Matatirtha grid sub-stations, installation of capacitor banks, construction of primary distribution sub-stations and switching stations. Similarly, rehabilitation of two small-scale hydropower plants, distribution of about 1 million CFLs, installation of 1000 solar and solar-wind streetlights, and providing expert services to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). This project will support the Government of Nepal's long term vision to provide universal coverage using grid-based and off-grid supplies by 2027.

            According to a press release issued by the Finance Ministry today, the agreement was signed by Finance Secretary Rameshwor Prasad Khanal on behalf of the Government of Nepal, and Country Director of ADB, Kathmandu, Barry Hitchcock. On the same occasion, the project agreements related to the Project were signed by Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority Dr. Jivendra Jha, and ADB country Director Hitchcock. RSS

            Facilitating an orientation to the district level cadres of the party at NAST Hall, Lalitpur today, Chairman Prachanda further said the entire rank and file of the party was devoted to making constitution on time.

            The national and foreign elements were maneuvering against peace process, federalism, democracy, republic and religious secularism, he said, directing the cadres to move ahead being aware.

            He urged the cadres to be ready for joint struggle if the peace process and constitution building were foiled. RSS

            This demand was raised by the Network of Suppressed and Dalit Communities along with autonomy as the Dalit population in these four districts was in second position.

            The Dalit leaders here have demanded declaration of Sarbajit State by incorporating Parbat, Baglung, Myagdi of Dhaulagiri and Pyuthan district of Rapti zone, in the name of Bhagat Sarbajit Biswokarma, who for the first time raised Dalit movement in Nepal.

            The network at a talk programme on ‘declaration of federal state with Dalit autonomy in Dhaulagiri’ today demanded this for their ethnic identity.

            Dalits have proposed a Salaha federal state incorporating  Siraha and Saptari districts of eastern Nepal and ‘Bhul’ state incorporating Doti, Achham, Kalikot, Dailekh and Jajarkot districts of far-west.

            These districts have also a considerable number of Dalit population.

            Air security will be discussed in the conference to be held on March 13, it is learnt.

            Minister Bhandari is scheduled to return to capital on March 15. RSS

            Tharu Welfare Council, Nepal Democratic Tharu Association, Tharu Youth Council, including other organizations of Tharus have jointly announced to launch agitation from March 13 with the main theme of "One province we do not accept, two provinces we do not understand and multi provinces we do not abandon".

            General Secretary of Tharu Welfare Council Raj Kumar Lekhi said they announced agitation to ensure the rights of indigenous nationalities of Tharu communities, Muslim, dailt and minorities.

            He accused the state of neglecting Tharu communities, which consist fifty per cent of the total population of the country living in Terai region by delineating 12 provinces in hill and mountainous region.

            Chairperson of the Nepal Autonomous Tharu Association Kamal Chaudhari alleged the leader of political parties of hatching conspiracy to reduce the two provinces allocated for Tharu communities to one. RSS

            Senior journalist Harihar Birahi was conferred on Gopaldas Journalism Award while Radio Sagarmatha on Code of Conduct Award, and Seemanchal Maithili daily on Journalism Prize Based on Ethnic Language. Similarly, Mohan Duwal, Editor of Janamat Weekly, published from Kavrepalanchowk, has been awarded with Literary Journalism Award.

            Similarly, columnist Govinda Bartaman has bagged the Literary Column Writing Journalism Prize, while Publisher of Morning Bell daily of Kailali and RSS stringer, Logsari Kunwar with Women Empowerment Journalism Prize.

            Gopaldas Journalism Award, and Code of Conduct Journalism Prize carry the purse of Rs 40,0000 each along with the letters of honor while the award based on ethnic language and that provided to litterateur Duwal carry Rs 30,000 each. Moreover, the remaining two carry Rs 20,000 each.

            Also honored with the best employee award were Radheshyam Adhikari, Bishnu Sharma Lamsal, Rameshwor Parajuli and Manoj Mandal of the Council.

            Speaking at the programme, Chief Justice Sharma said the authoritarian country first attacks press and then the judiciary. The country, suppressing freedom and judiciary, can not exist, he added.

            He was also of the opinion that fair journalism could be flourished if the code of conduct was followed strictly.

            Similarly, Minister Pokhrel said the media, experiencing severe assaults, has rendered impacts in civil society as well.

            He expressed his concern that media did not write his views fairly. The media can not be thriven if the news is not made based on facts, he warned.

            Also speaking on the occasion were FNJ General Secretary Poshan KC, award recipient Birahi, Kunwar, Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Communication, Sushil Ghimire, founder of the Prize and Council Chairman Narayan Prasad Sharma and Member Kishor Shrestha and General Director of Information Department, Shreedhar Gautam.

            The award recipient Birahi stressed the need that government, judiciary and civil society should protect journalism, as it is being replaced with violence. Another award winner Kuwar recalled his plight that he lost his teeth all because of his writing against corruption.

            The annual report of the Council was made public on the occasion. (Audio Clip Included) RSS

            Issuing a press release here today, the Ministry said the government deserved right to receive details, including name, age, address and photo of the combatants on which basis only it could be claimed that the amount provided to Maoist combatants has reached to the rightful beneficiaries.

            The data that among 4,008 combatants proved disqualified during the verification of Maoist fighters by UNMIN, only 2394 took part in the discharging process and rest 1,614 had already deserted cantonments on their wish has been public.

            It is said that there is no condition to claim that the verified-combatants are sheltering in the cantonments.

            The Ministry has also asked the UNMIN to furnish true information regarding the number of Maoist combatants, as it would not be justifiable to provide amount in the name of the combatants who are not in cantonments. RSS

            At a picnic programme organized here today by All Nepal Women Association, Kavre and UML Department of Women on the occasion of International Women Day, Defense Minister Bhadari irked the UNMIN for not providing the data of Maoist combatants even on demand by the government, saying UNMIN has not shown cooperative gesture to the government.

            She claimed the government has to bear unnecessary financial burden when UNMIN ignored the act of enlarging the real number of Maoist combatants to 25,000 from 4-5000.

            It was rumored that secret information were demanded with UNMIN even when the government demanded true information, she alleged, adding the government should have real data of combatants when the government has taken all responsibility for their supervision and accommodation.

            Maoists have misused tens of million rupees in the name of combatants, she claimed, adding the government could not give money in the name of deserters and those who are not in cantonments.

            She argued that the constitution should be framed in the stipulated time for peace and prosperity in the country.

            Asserting that Maoists are oriented towards capturing the state power, she further said there is possibility that the country may witness chaos and instability when Maoists ascended to the government.

            Association, Kavre chairperson Ram Maya Shrestha presided over the programme. RSS

            Similarly, the meeting decided to award Dipak Bista with the national honor for he achieved gold medal in Tae Kwando in four consecutive South Asian Games (SAG). A purse of Rs 1 million would be provided to him, according to Spokesperson of the government, Shankar Pokhrel.

            Moreover, the players injured in an accident in course of the SAG would be provided treatment.

            Spokesperson Pokhrel added that other decisions of the Council of the Ministers were, the establishment of general consulate in Hetauda, strengthening of the special security plan, and adjustment of the rank of the non-ranking employees in the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation. RSS

            He said the CPN-UML was capable in making a prosperous Nepal by drafting a people-oriented constitution focusing on peace process, and added extending time for constitution-making will not be possible.

            Inaugurating the sixth district convention of the CPN-UML District Committee in Dhunche today, he called on the people to join UML, which has already earned popularity. While directing party workers, he called for moving ahead by forgetting differences within the party.

            Oli asked what the reason was to kill UML Rasuwa’s leader Bhimlal Hirachan, and noted that killing cadres will not kill the great ideology of CPN-UML.

            Indicating the Maoists, he said his party brought the Maoists from the jungle to correct path, and added that he had not criticized them but had reminded them to act rationally.

            At the programme presided over by CPN-UML District Convener Chhowang Tenjing Tamang, four cadres who had made incomparable contribution to the party, and the party’s best committee the Timure Village Committee were honoured and given away prizes. RSS

            The Federation has stopped sale of gas from February 25 saying the NOC could not supply enough gas.

            Consumers have been facing great trouble from the stoppage of sale of cooking gas.

            The talks failed as the NOC could not guarantee the supply of enough gas in writing, said Federation Chairman Gyaneswor Aryal.

            The next meeting for talks will be held at 9:00 am Monday. RSS

            The party regulation-2066 was passed after a wide discussion in the meeting presided over by party chairperson Jhalanath Khanal.

            Next meeting would take place at 8 AM on Wednesday, according to party source. RSS

            Making public the decisions made by the central committee meeting occurred in the central office in Sanepa for the last three days, the Forum (Democratic) took decision to play interfering role in the national politics. The decisions were made public by organizing a press conference.

            On queries by journalist as what do mean by interfering role, Chairperson of Forum (Democratic) Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar said, "Madhesi parties would do that which the three big parties have not been able to do. Three parties should abide by what we will put forth. In this sense, our role will be interfering".

            He added his party would play leading role to promulgate new constitution and end the persisting political deadlock.

            Constitution could not be promulgated without the adjustment of arms and armies, leader Gachchhadar claimed, adding the army integration would be undertaken in complacent with the policy of "one arm, one combatant'. RSS

            Film producer and main character of the film Nawal Khadka expressed grief over the state's act of banning the film, which has reflected national feelings and sentiments.

            The film has incorporated the issue of distribution of more than 2.5 million citizenship certificates, encroachment of Nepali territory by Indian side and the bitter experiences Nepal people have come across.

            The state should lift ban on the film to keep intact the history of courageous Nepali people, he added.

            Film director Dayaram Dahal stressed that the state should make environment to have the film screened at the earliest, since it has attempted to reflect the grievances and compulsions of Nepali people in a symbolic way.

            Musician Mani Thapa said it is a serious blow against democracy and freedom of people to restrict the show of the film made on the issue of nationality.

            Chairperson of the Film Association Ramesh Budhathoki said the state has opted for crushing creativity and innovation in film sector.

            Artist duo, Yuba Raj Lama and Ashok Sharma underlined that the state should protect the films made on true story. RSS