No progress in peace process worries Prez

REPUBLICA
KATHMANDU, March 21: President Dr Ram Baran Yadav has expressed his worry over lack of progress in the peace process and asked Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal to take initiatives to give impetus to the process.

Concerned over the fast approaching May-28 deadline for completion of the peace process and constitution drafting, the president voiced his concern during his meeting with Khanal in Shital Niwas on Sunday.


“Though there has been some progress in constitution writing, there has not been any progress in the peace process,” a Shital Niwas source quoted the president as saying to the prime minister. “The time to complete the process is very short.”

In response, the prime minister told the president that he was trying his best to forge consensus among the political parties to take the peace process ahead.

“The prime minister told the president that efforts are underway to finalize a common minimum program and thus give final shape to the government. He also told the president that works were underway to prepare a time-bound plan of action for integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants,” Surya Thapa prime minister´s press advisor quoted prime minister as saying.

President Yadav also expressed his concern over the delay in cabinet expansion. Though he was elected prime minister on February 3, the prime minister has not been able to give full shape to his cabinet. Similarly, the management of over 19,000 combatants has remained stagnant since the former combatants were brought under the command and control of the Special Committee in January.

“The president asked the prime minister to take all parties on board,” the source told Republica on condition of anonymity.

The president is also scheduled to meet Speaker Subas Nembang, top leaders of political parties to urge them to expedite works on peace process and constitution drafting.

The president also expressed his displeasure over rampant deforestation in various parts of the country and asked the prime minister to take immediate measures.

Concerned over the country´s economy, the president asked the prime minister to consult economists before introducing a supplementary budget. The government under pressure from the prime minister is currently making preparations to bring a supplementary budget.

“The current budget was brought just three months ago. Is a new supplementary budget necessary,” the president asked the prime minister, according to the source.

In the evening, Prime Minister Khanal, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhesi People´s Rights Forum Chairman Upendra Yadav held a meeting in their bid to give final shape to the government, prime minister´s advisor Thapa said.

“The talks will bear fruit in a couple of days,” he said.