Suspended SSP Khadka released on bail after arrest

Following preliminary hearing on the Sudan scam (embezzlement of millions rupees while purchasing APCs) in the Special Court (SC), suspended Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shyam Bahadur Khadka is the fourth senior police officer to be sent to prison for his alleged involvement.

SSP Khadka, who was sent to the Dillibazaar jail on Sunday after he failed to deposit the bail amount of Rs. 7 million as sought by SC, has been released on Monday after he deposited the bail amount.

Earlier, the SC has conducted the first hearings of former Inspector General (IGP) Hem Bahadur Gurung, former Additional Inspector General (AIG) Deependra Bahadur Bista and former Deputy Superintendent of Police Dinesh Bahadur KC and has sought bail from them. Among these officials, former IGP Gurung is still in judicial custody as being unable to deposit a bail of Rs. 50 million.

According to Court Registrar Dheer Bahadur Chand, the Siddhartha Bank has arranged the bail amount for the release of SSP Khadka.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had filed a charge sheet against 34 police officials and two suppliers for misusing millions of rupees.

Municipalities increased by 41

During the budget speech in the legislature parliament on Friday, the government has declared 41 new municipalities across the country as per the recommendation from a panel led by Professor Dr. Surya Lal Amatya.  The recommendation was made a decade earlier.

With addition of 41 municipalities, the number of municipalities across the country has reached 99. The number of VDCs has reduced from 3915 to 3754.

Three municipalities that have been added in Kathmandu valley are Shankharapur in Sankhu area,Karyabinayak in Bhainsepati area and Champapur in Chapagaon area.

Other newly declared municipalities are:-

Panchkhal ( Kavre),  Chautara (Sindhupalchowk), Nilkantha (Dhading), Khairenitar, Dulegaunda and Bandipur in Tanahu, Gaidakot and Sunaul in Nawalparasi, Besisahar in Lamjung, Kusma in Parbat, Beni in Myagdi, Tamghas in Gulmi, and Sandhikharka in Arghakhanchi, Taplejung, Bhojpur, Phidim in Panchthar, Birtamod in Jhapa, Urlabari in Morang, Myanglung in Tehrathum, Diktel in Khotang, Katari in Udaypur, Kanchanpur (Rupnagar) and Mohanpur, Kalyanpur in Saptari, Ramnagar (Mirchaiya) in Siraha, Dhanushadham and Sakhuwa Mahendranagar in Dhanusha, Nigaul Gaushala in Mahottari, Hariaun in Sarlahi, Manthali in Ramechhap, Chandranighapur in Rautahat and Jitpur in Bara, Pyuthan, Salyan, Kohalpur in Banke, Mangalsen and Sanphebagar in Achham, Chainpur in Bajhang and Rajapur in Bardiya have also been declared municipalities.

In Karnali zone, municipality has been declared for the first time and it’s Chandanpur in Jumla

The panel has made the recommendations on the basis of interaction with various institutions and persons and taking into consideration factors such as non-agricultural occupation, population density, electricity and water, roads, education, health, communications, industries, business, mobilization of economic resources, district headquarters, and governmental and non-governmental programmes.

To be declared as municipality, at least Rs 1 million annual revenue should be raised  from internal resources in that area and  there has to be population of at least 20,000 in municipalities of the hilly and Terai region and 10,000 in municipalities of the Himalayan region.

Rajesh Hamal featured in US Embassy PSA for visa fraud awareness

The US Embassy Public Service Announcement (PSA) featuring Rajesh Hamal is recently released in Nepali media. The Embassy had selected Rajesh Hamal to convey the message that, no private organization can influence the issuance of US Embassy Visa. It is only the Counselor of the embassy who decide to issue the visa and nobody can influence his/her decision. It is another story that, Rajesh Hamal’s US visa application was rejected in January of 2009.

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Budget presented in parliament, question arise against its secrecy

After the government committed in writing to address the demands of Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM), the SLMM allowed the government to present the annual budget. Finance Minsiter Bharat Mohan Adhikari presented the budget of Rs. 384.9 billion for the fiscal year 2011-12 at the Legislature-Parliament, Nayabaneshower in Kathmandu on Friday. On Thursday, the budget speech was put off due to obstruction warnings from the SLMM.

The budget document has already been disclosed in various websites and newspaper before the budget speech was formally presented in the parliament.  Citing to this, lawmakers from the main opposition Nepali Congress (NC), Janashakti Party leader Prakash Chandra Lohani and other parites raised questions over the significance of presenting the budget and demanded the stoppage of the budget presentation.

NC leader and Finance Mnister Ram Sharan Mahat condemned the government for failing to maintain budget secrecy. The lawmakers demanded the formation of a parliamentary panel to investigate disclose and the resignation of Adhikari.

To give continuation to the budget speech, House Speaker Subash Chandra Nembang assured the leaders that he has taken the issue seriously and would be dealing with it responsibly.

Parliamentary special investigating committee has been formed with NC Chief Whip Laxman Ghimire as coordinator chief, and Kalpana Rana, Jaypuri Gharti, Post Bahadur Bogati, Bhim Acharya, Ramesh Lekhak and Hridayesh Tripathi as members for investigating the disclose.
Energy Minister Gokarna Bista said the budget was posted in the website as a tradition, after presenting it to the Spokesperson, it has not trespassed any secrecy. An investigating committee is unnecessary.

Former IGP Gurung in Custody, former AIG Bista released

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Hem Bahadur Gurung became the third police officer accused in the Sudan scam (embezzlement of millions rupees while purchasing APCs) to be sent to judicial custody. Gurung has been sent to Dillibazaar Jail on Thursday after he failed to deposit a bail of Rs. 50 million as demanded by the Special Court (SC).

The SC set his bail after conducting initial hearing on Gurung’s alleged involvement in the Sudan scam and after recording his statement. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had filed a charge sheet against 34 police officials and two suppliers for misusing millions of rupees.

During the preliminary study of the documents and hearings, it showed direct involvement of Gurung in approving the LC opened for the APC purchase despite then AIG Shyam Sing Thapa’s request not to release the amount for the purchase deal citing the low quality of APCs, according to statement of a full bench of special court led by Gauri Bahadur Karki.

Likewise, former AIG Dipendra Bahadur Bista, who was sent to Dilli Bazaar jail on Wednesday after failing to deposit a bail amount of Rs 10 million, was released. The SC has directed to release ex-AIG Bista after he deposited Rs 10 million bail.

Budget presentation put off

The presentation of budget at the legislature parliament scheduled for Thursday was put off at the last moment to avoid confrontation with the United Democratic Madhesi Front, said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari.

Earlier in the day, the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) threatened Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Adhikari that they will obstruct the budget speech in the House unless their concerns were addressed.

Sudan Scam: Former AIG Bista in Custody

Former AIG Dipendra Bahadur Bista, one of the accused police officials in the Sudan scam, has been sent to Dilli Bazaar jail as per the Special Court order after failing to deposit a bail amount of Rs 10 million,” said Court Registrar Dhir Bahadur Chand. He will remain there until he submits the bail amount.

The bail amount was sought after conducting hearing on ex-AIG Bista’s involvement in the scam on Wednesday by a full bench led by Special Court Chairman Gauri Bahadur Karki, members Kedar Prasad Chalise and Om Prakash Mishra. The preliminary findings show direct involvement of former police officer in the scam and no evidence yet to prove his innocence as stated by the Special Court.

He is the second police officer accused in the Sudan scam to be sent to judicial custody.  Earlier, suspended DSP Dinesh KC was sent to judicial custody after he failed to deposit bail amount of Rs. 35,00,000 on Sunday. Later on Tuesday, KC was released after depositing bail.

Nine players’ statutes will be erected

The statues of nine players will be built for their special contribution in the national sport. In the press meet organized by the Nepal Olympic Museum (NOM) in the Capital on Tuesday has informed that such decision has been made to honour the players for their contribution in the sport sectors.

As per the plan as quoted in RSS, the museum will build the statue of Bidhan Lama (first silver medal winner in Olympic game), Sabita Rajbhandari (first Bronze medal winner in Tequando in Asian games), Dipak Bista and Baikuntha Manandhar (Marathon player) who set the records in different national and international sport competitions.

Similarly, Jit Bahadur KC, Sangina Baidhya, Dal Bahadur Rana Magar, Ganesh Thapa and late Nar Shumsher JBR will also be honored by establishing their statues.

Sculptor Prem Maharjan of Lalitpur will construct the statues. The total project cost has been estimated to be Rs. 3 million. Sabita Rajbhandari, Bronze medal winner in Tequando in Asian games, has announced that she will provide Rs. 100,000 as assistance to establish the statues.

Rogina- Miss Tamang 2011

18 years old Rogina Ghising Tamang of Kavrepalanchok was announced Miss Tamang 2011 in the program organized in Kathmandu on July 9. The program was organized by Everest Fashion Home and Nepal Tamang Kala Sanskriti Kendra. First runner up went to Kriti Ghising Tamang and second runner up to Sarah Ghising Tamang.

The winner of the Fourth Miss Tamang Beauty Contest, Rogina, received Rs. 25,000 in cash, crown, and various gifts. Rogina, grade 12 student in management, was also awarded the Miss Photogenic title. First runner up, Kriti and second runner up, Sarah, received Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 10,000 in cash respectively along with crown and trophy.

Other title winners are:

Miss Talent –Karisma Tamang,

Miss Personality – Sarah Ghising Tamang,

Miss Best Smile – Kriti Ghising Tamang,

Miss Best Catwalk –Susma Bahu Tamang,

Best Hair – Jyoti Dong Tamang,

Miss Friendship – Geeta Glan Tamang,

Miss Decipline – Sunita Moktan,

Winner from online voting- Saraswoti Lopchan Tamang .

The choreography of the program was done by former Miss Nepal Jenisha Moktan. (Photo credit: Everest Fashion Home)

Precious jewellery, antiques found in safes

Two safes that were not opened on June 27 were opened on July 8 after keeping them under the protection of Nepal Army posted at the Basantapur Durbar Square for 11 days. Two “mysterious” safes were opened only after a committee formed under the Ministry of Culture (MoC) decided to unbolt them.
Three safes and a tank were found on June 27 during the renovation at Gaddi Baithak (kings’ living room) of the Hanuman Dhoka palace. One safe and a tank have been already opened on the same day.
The treasures found are gold jewellery used on antique idols of deities and sacred plates used while worshipping, five pairs of bows and arrows made of silver, eight gold masks of several Hindu gods and goddesses and wires and threads made of gold, bowls and glasses of silver and gold.
The team of representatives from the Department of Archaeology (DoA), the MoC, the Hanumandhoka Herchaha Adda, District Administration Office Kathmandu and people of Basantapur were present while opening.
The decision of giving this treasure’s ownership to which authority has not been made yet by the committee led by DoA Director General Bishnu Raj Karki. Karki said. “Until any decision is made, the property will be kept at the palace under the army’s security.”
The Guthi Sansthan, a government body that looks after all national religious affairs, has been claiming ownership of the treasure on the ground that the property is related to religion.

Cheating (under the skirts)

Don’t get the wrong message, it has nothing to do with sex (or such bodily parts!).

It is cheats hidden on the thigh. Boys do cheat and I don’t have any data to determine who are the better cheats in exams. Boys and girls alike, can cheat in normal ways but, girls have an unfair advantage of hiding cheats on their thigh and a male invigilator can’t even check there.

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Nepal won 11 medals in Summer Olympics

Nepal has won one gold, four silver and six bronze medals in the 13th Special Olympics World Summer Games held for athletes with intellectual disabilities in Athens of Greece from 25th June to 4th July 2011. According to Special Olympics World Summer Games Website, the list of Nepali team members who have won the medals is as below: -

Chairman of the Special Olympics Nepal, Dr Jyoti Sherchan had led the Nepali team in the Olympics game and returned back on Thursday.

Over 7,000 athletes, from 180 countries have participated in a total of twenty-two sports. The Special Olympics is organized in every four years. Altius Directory writes, the motto of the Special Olympics is, “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

22 Dhara-sculptures in Balaju Park, Kathmandu

When I was a little, we used to go to Balaju Water Garde park to bath. The Balaju Water Garden is known for its 22 stone waterspouts (hiti) carved in the shape of sea-dragons. The artistically designed traditional taps 22 Dhara (means 22 tap in Nepali) were fed by the Nagarjun Hill watershed, located in about five-kilometer northwest of Kathmandu City. But, due to urbanization and higher water demand in the valley, the taps are empty these days.

Now, these are only the beautiful sculptures – that are of no use.

The park also houses religious shrines, fishponds, and a replica of the statue of Budha
nilkantha. The swimming pool located inside the park is one of the few swimming public pools in Kathmandu.

Man accused of selling 400 women arrested

Kale Tamang, who is claimed to be involved in smuggling more than 400 women including underage girls to Indian brothels during 15 years period, was arrested by the District Police Office of Nuwakot a few days ago, state news agency RSS said. Locals from Ghyangphedi and Shikarbesi VDCs in Nuwakot have made such claim.

The District Police Office was searching Tamang of Ghyangphedi VDC-7 since three years. Quoting DSP Bal Krishna Thapa, RSS said Tamang has accepted of smuggling only seven women.

According to the District Police Office, there are 30 people in ‘most wanted’ list who are involved in human trafficking in the district. Police are in search of those absconding human smugglers, said Thapa.