The Red Star

THE RED STAR

Nepal’s National Magazine

Vol-2, No-6, March. 16 - 31, 2009

End of Transitional Period ?

Red Star reporter

Eleven months have been passed since the election of Constituent Assembly. Nine months since the declaration of Republic of Nepal and a few months since the formation of the Maoist-led government have been passed. The period of writing a new constitution has already been declared only for 2 and half years.

The members of Constituent Assembly are in the villages for collecting suggestions to write the new constitution. They are in the campaign to visit people door-to-door and requesting them for suggestions by providing them the sheets of questions. Big mass gatherings are being held even in the remote villages for the collection of oral suggestions. However, the analysts are complaining that the issue of drafting constitution and state restructuring is not given priority.

The demands of the Tharu, indigenous community have been addressed and people are in hopefully open their eye-lids. However, former king Gyanendra is in Delhi visit. The leader of the opposition party Nepali Congress, Girija Prasad Koirala and the leader of the coalition party UML Khadka Oli have visited India in the name of medical check.

Delhi visit of the status quo and regressive elements has roused the suspicion among Nepalese people. On the other hand, the issue of army-recruitment has not given good impact among the people and the issue has not been cool down. The Attorney General has publicly spoken that the issue of army-recruiting is the disobeying of the directive of the government. They are logically justifying that the illegal act of recruiting.

Indeed, there is struggle in between two different class, ideology and tendency about utilizing the transition period for their own interest. The regressive are trying to regain their 'lost heaven'. Delhi, visit of Former King Gyanendra is directly related with it and he is requesting Indian government for its helping hand. He has been the guest of the most disputed leader Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of GujaratState of India.

The senior most Leader of Unified CPN-Maoist Dr Baburam Bhattarai has said that "Former King Gyanendra is crying for help to declare his grand son a 'baby king'. He is crying for help with the regressive and status quo forces of Nepal'. GP Koirala is making a campaign against the Maoist-led government with the help of Indian leaders in Delhi. Anti-Maoist leader KP Oli is making campaign against the government after returning Nepal from Delhi. The Nepalese media have repeatedly published the new on the visit of Delhi even by the Nepal Army officers.

Has the transition period really ended? Most of the people and analysts are asking this question. The instability in the country and continuous interference of foreign power will not be in favour of Nepal and Nepalese people. The activities of anti-people power have clearly indicated the situation of inevitability conflict and encounter.

The movements inside the country along with the obstacles in the ongoing tasks of the government to address the aspiration and expectation of the people have provided a fertile ground for the outer intervention. The foreign reactionary powers of India and America are in search of opportunity to bring the Maoist-led government to anti-nation and anti-people treaty.

The analysts say, "The Indian government can take more benefit from putting Maoist-led government in power than replacing it from the power. It is a known fact that the Indian government is always taking disadvantages from the newly formed government; whether it is from revolution or people's movement. Now, India is hatching conspiracies to make a new anti-nation treaty through the creation of a big pressure. Because, India knows Nepali Congress or CPN UML can not run the government due to their lack of faith and minority vote."

'Army recruitment illegal'

14 March, Kathmandu : 'Recruiting Army' is a normal case, however it has been a big issue due to the ongoing peace process in Nepal. The case is still in debate even in the Supreme Court of the nation. On the account of debate Autorny General Raghavlal Baidhya said, "Army would have follow the directive of the government. In comprehensive Peace Accord, both the armies are not permitted to recruit. However, Nepal Army violated the agreement".

Autorney General Baidhya further stated that the interim constitution is not only the bundle of papers; rather it is the interim procurement to go into a new system. That should be followed by all".

Candidates Declared

14 March, Kathmandu : Unified CPN-Maoist has declared its candidates for the sub-election. The sub election is going to be held only in six vacant constituencies of the country.

The declared are Santosh Budha Magar from constituency No. 2 of Rolpa district; Krishna Bahadur Gurung from constituency No. 1 of Kaski district; Shiva Kumar Mandal and Bijaya Kumar Bishwas are contesting from the constituency No. 5 and 7 of the Morang district.

Winter Session from March 29

14 March, Kathmandu M Winter session of constituent assembly is going to be held from 29 March this year. As before, the procurement of the summer and winter session is in interim constitution 2007.

The decision has been taken after Prime Minister Prachanda visited the president Rambaran Yadav, Chief of Constituent Assembly Subashchandra Nembang had requested Prime Minister for the consultation about the winter session with President Yadav.

Negotiation succeeds, protests withdrawn

Red Star reporter

The government of Nepal and the representatives of the agitating groups have reached to the 6-point agreement. After the agreement, the agitating groups have withdrawn all the programs of protests.

The leaders of the agitating group had called for strike continuously since 13 days in the Terai region of Nepal. However, the strike had affected the whole nation. As the Tharu community were agitating, the other groups of minority and marginalized had also supported the agitation with their active participation. The communities wanted to be accepted their own distinguished and independent identities in their own land, Terai. The favourable environment was created after the address of Prime Minister Prachanda.

The seven major political parties made an agreement through the meeting of their high level mechanism before the involvement of the government in negotiating table because one of the alliance parties, Madheshi Janadhikar Forum was against the declaration the Southern plain land of Nepal as Terai. Rather, Forum was in its stand of 'Madhesh' instead of 'Terai', Madheshi Janadhikar Forum agreed with 6 point agreement.

The agreement reads, "The government of Nepal is clear about the distinguished identities of the indigenous, nationalities, Madheshi, Dalit, Muslim, minorities etc including the Tharu indigenous tribe of the Terai. The government has clearly addressed their demands and has assured that he demands will be fulfilled after the amendment of interim constitution and the concerned acts and laws.

In the presence of Prime Minister, the co-ordinator of government negotiation team and peace minister Janardan Sharma 'Prabhakar' and the convenor of Tharuhat Joint Struggle Committee Laxman Tharu, Convenor and General Secretary of Tharu National Liberation Front, Nepal Indrajit Tharu, Convenor of Tharu well being Assembly Rajkumar Lekhi and others have assigned in the 6-point agreement.

Successful VDIS program

The time of the Voluntary Disclosure of Income Scheme 2009 has ended. Thirty seven decarers have involved themselves within the boundary of 'Voluntary Disclosure of Income Scheme-2009'.

The government had informed the owners to bring the property they owned under VDIS. Government had ensured them not to investigate the source of property if they are under the scheme.

The government has collected 1.51 billion revenue and 15 billion property has got legality. The before parliamentary government had also started VDIS program, however, it had no been successful at that time.

The director of the internal revenue department, Kapil Dev Ghimire said, "To give tax is the identity of a civilized citizen and the government has provided the opportunity to be civilized." VDIS program is the responsibility to the nation.

In the past, there was conflict and political transition and the administration was weak. Disadvantages for it, the institutions, individuals and owners did not pay tax to the government. many people accumulated wealth from legal and illegal business. Some of them earned a big amount of money. The present government gave them opportunity to give 10 percent of the earned property to legalize their wealth.

The collected revenue will be invested in the field of construction and development. The internal revenue department has informed that 85 % of the industry-owners, traders and businessmen of Kathmandu valley have paid their VDIS.

The government is trying to take legal action over the property owners who are not involved in the program of VDIS.

China in favour of a New Treaty

C

hina wants a new treaty in the context of changed political situation in the neighbouring country Nepal. Spokes person of the Embassy San Ido says, "This treaty is only for the sake of China and Nepal and not for the other countries. It is only the friendship Treaty". He added, "We have provided the draft of the treaty to the government of Nepal, but many thing is to be discussed". The assistant foreign minister had provided the outline of treaty to the government of Nepal.

"We have always seen and want to see Nepal as a good friend", says San Ido. China has said that the relationship should be extended and strengthened up to mass-level. As a good neighbour, China wants to share the experiences, gained in course of the nation building process of China, with Nepal.

ANNISU (R.) elected uncontestedly

All Nepal National Independent Students Union (Revolutionary) has been elected in four of the Tribhuwan University affiliated educational campuses; Jaljala Campus of Rolpa district of western Nepal, Martyrs Memorial Multiple Campus of Ramechhap district of East Nepal, Lamjung Agriculture Campus of Lamjung district of mid Nepal and Harihar Sanskrit Campus of Arghakhanchi of mid Western Nepal.

Along with the victory of Revolutionary Students' the candidates are contesting in coming election of Chaitra 6 BS. There are more than 400 campuses and higher educational in institutions all over the country.

ANNISU (Revolutionary) has its stronghold in most of the campuses. However, the Union has said, "Each students' union should accept the existence and identity of each other. And the unions should compete in a harmonious environment".

Revolution is in Progress

Sacrifice is the energy of the revolution - Com. Mao

The People's War (PW), initiated in 1996, is still left to reach to the peak of the success. The best sons and daughters have sacrificed their lives for its success and accomplishment. The energy of the martyrs has brought the revolution up to here.

Unified CPN Maoist has just celebrated a week-long martyr-day. The Nepalese people have remembered their valour and warriors. Nepalese people are continuously irrigating the soil with their blood and soil since the movement again Rana Family rule, Panchayat System and the Parliamentary system. These sacrifice and martyrdom are being publicly celebrated in the Nepalese soil these days.

In Martyr Day, the people visited the families of martyrs, made wooden bridges, libraries and they were named after the names of the martyrs. The Nepalese people once again committed to sacrifice for further revolution. They indirectly requested the government to take action against the murderers.

Salute ! to the martyrs! Their sacrifice has inspired us to carry revolution to the goal. The real honour of the martyr is to continue the revolution.

Nepal Won 'Prime Minister Cup'

'Prime Minister Cup International Football Tournament' was won by the host country Nepal (Red) by 4-2 goals with Sri Lanka on Saturday. The Tournament has been won by Nepali (Red) team by defeating the Sri Lankan players in a penalty shootout.

Both the team couldn't hit ball inside the post for 90 minutes. To declare the winners, FIFA Referee and coaches have added 30 minutes. But in the additional time too, there was no goal between the players. Finally, at penalty shootout, Nepali players Biraj Maharjan, Raju Tamang, Sandeep Rai and Anil Gurung the ball and declared Nepal as a winner.

Sri Lankan players Sanjay Pradeep Kumara and E.B. Channa could not hit the ball inside the post. Their ball has flown above the post so that they could not win the tournament.

On Falgun, 22 the Tournament was inaugurated by Prime Minister Prachanda. And on the closing ceremony Information and Communication Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara was present. He distributed shield, Trophy and certificates to the winner and runner up team.

On the tournament, there were more than 20 thousand football lovers. There was a big security for players and coaches. Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal (Red) and (Blue) had participated in the match.

- Phanindra Phuyal

Report

Revolutionary Student's Union in election-war

T

he educated youth are now contesting election in the higher studies institutions. It is periodical election for Independent Students' Union (ISU). ISU is the umbrella union of all the students' union in Nepal. The students unions affiliated to different political parties and their different ideologies are in the field of competition.

First election in changed situation

This is the first contest among the students' unions after the declaration of republic of Nepal. The students' union of the different political parties are actively involved in the election field. However, the three main students' union are in intense and a tough competition, they are: All Nepal National Independent Students' Union (Revolutionary) ANNISU (R), All Nepal National Independent Students' Union (ANNISU) and Nepal Students' Union (NSU). Other students union are also in the field of election. However, the intense competition will be among the three big students' organizations.

Contest in Ideology

The contest is on the basis of ideology. The competition is not only the technical or organizational. It is the competition connected with ideology of their mother parties or political parties. ANNISU (R) is ahead than the other unions. The ANNISU and NSU are the old modeled unions that represent status quo. They both are same. However, ANNISU (R) has clearly stated its ideology and outline of making New Nepal including state restructuring.

Agenda of Transformation

The revolutionary educated youth are talking about the transformation of the society. They are talking about the restructuring with of educational sector with the entire restructuring of the state. The declared policies and programmes by the republican Maoist-led government are in the process of implementation. Revolutionary students are creating favourable enviornment for their implementation. Moreover, revolutionary students' are raising the question of restructuring of the independent students union according to the changed political situation.

Responsibility of educated Youth

Efficient manpower is the capital for the development of a country. The responsibility of changing the socio-economic condition of the nation, has fallen upon the shoulder of the youth. Unified CPN Maoist, as the progressive party, is making its effort for the transformation and youth has to bear the responsibility. Nepal is not in obligatory situation to import the efficient manpower from foreign countries if the educated youth are ready to bear the responsibility of transformation. The Revolutionary Students' Union [ANNISU(R)] is leading the agendas of educational transformation along with the entire transformation of the country.

Morning Shows the Day

Revolutionary Students Union [ANNISU(R)] is going to contest in a free and fair manner. The electin day is at the door. The students are labouring hard to make victorious to their own pannel in the election because the election is directly related with the issue of entire state restructuring and socio-economic transformation. The [ANNISU(R)] has been victorious uncontestedly in four of the campuses, affiliated to the Universities.

Tasks ANNISU (R.)

•Stoppage of phase out programme in PCL level from T.U.

•Cancellation of entrance-exam.

•Increase in education-budget after pressure.

•Implementation of Educational-reform programme.

•Cancellation of semester barrier system in PokharaUniversity.