Nepal

Government decision not to fund animal sacrifice stops festival

Government decision not to fund animal sacrifice stops festival Kathmandu - Parts of Kathmandu were tense on Saturday after one of the major festivals was halted over a government decision not to give money for animal sacrifice which is part of centuries-old tradition.

Thousands of people from Newar community, considered the original inhabitants of Kathmandu Valley, gathered outside the royal palace in old part of the city early Saturday morning accusing the government of trying to wipe out their culture.

Nepal government budget focuses on infrastructure building, relief

Nepal FlagKathmandu  - Nepal's Maoist-led government presented its first annual budget since abolishing the monarchy on Friday, focused mainly on infrastructure building and social development.

Finance Minister Babu Ram Bhattarai, who is the second highest- ranking Maoist leader, delivered a 236-billion-rupee ( about 3.2 billion dollars) budget, which was widely interpreted as being populist in nature.

"The government has given priority to education, employment generation, health and judicious distribution of economic gains to remove economic inequality," Finance Minister Bhattarai said.

14 killed, 26 injured in Nepal bus accident

Kathmandu, NepalKathmandu, Sept.

Nepal Govt to announce budget of Rs 240 billion

Kathmandu, Sept 19: The Nepal government is expected to announce a budget of about Rs 240 billion for the fiscal year 2008-09 here today.

Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai will present budget at Constituent Assembly at 4 p. m. today.

During a discussion with the representatives of 25 political parties represented in the Constituent Assembly here on Thursday, Bhattarai has said that the government has targeted at developing the sectors of agriculture, water resources, tourism, private investment, peace process, health, education and manpower production.

“The government has put emphasis on double digit growth within the next three years,” he added.

Nepalese minister resigns after leading land grab

Kathmandu - Land Reforms Minister Matrika Yadav resigned Friday amid a growing dispute over a land grab by former Maoist rebels that he led and that threatens the future of Nepal's Maoist-led government.

Yadav, who is a Maoist central committee member and an ethnic Madhesi from southern Nepal, submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

It followed the Maoist central committee's orders for Yadav to publicly apologize for the use Tuesday of armed Maoists to reclaim disputed land that was guarded by police in the Siraha district, about 300 kilometres south-east of Kathmandu.

Passenger bus plunges into river killing 14 in central Nepal

Kathmandu - At least 14 people were killed and dozens of others injured Friday morning when a passenger bus fell into a swollen river after veering off a mountain highway, police said.

The bus plunged about 150 metres off the road at Mahadevbesi of Dhading district, about 70 kilometres west of the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, and plunged into the fast-flowing Trishuli River.

Most of the victims, which included two Indian nationals, died before rescuers could reach the area. Police said another 38 people were injured and rushed to hospital. Many are in serious condition.

Police said many of the victims died when they were trapped inside the mangled wreckage of the bus.

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