Khanal buys time till Aug 13

Vows to step down if no tangible progress on peace front by then

Tika R Pradhan

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal today said he was ready to step down on August 13 if he failed to ensure that major tasks of peace process would be completed by August 31.

At a press conference organised at his official residence in Baluwatar about an hour after he administered oath of office and secrecy to new ministers, Khanal said his government’s significance would end if the parties failed to conclude major tasks of peace process and forge consensus by August 13. “It will be my political and moral duty to step down if we fail to conclude the major tasks of peace process by August 13,” said Khanal.

Khanal urged his coalition partner the Unified CPN-Maoist and the main opposition Nepali Congress to take his appeal seriously and start working to conclude the remaining tasks related to peace process. The prime minister conceded that there had been no tangible progress on peace front and that the parties had failed to implement a number of agreements signed in the last four years.

He said the tasks of determining modality, number, rank harmonisation, standard norms and rehabilitation package for Maoist combatants should be completed at the earliest.

On today’s Cabinet reshuffle, Khanal said it was the prerogative of the prime minister to induct new members into the government whenever he wanted and added that it was also the right of the coalition partners to demand change of ministers.

Khanal, however, tried to come clean today saying he had been attacked from within his party and by others. The prime minister did not miss the opportunity to lash out at NC for obstructing House proceedings. “I don’t think NC can justify its move to obstruct the House when the five-point deal is under the purview of the parliamentary monitoring committee,” said Khanal.

He added that going for yet another majority government would do no good to country and that the parties must think over the issue seriously.

The prime minister earlier today had administered oath of office to 10 ministers at Shital Niwas in the presence of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav. UML leaders had boycotted the ceremony to protest Khanal’s move.

New faces in govt

From UCPN-M

• Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha

• Minister for Information and Communications Post Bahadur Bogati

• Minister for Health and Population Lokendra Bista

• Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Pampha Bhusal

• Minister for Land Reforms and Management Hisila Yami

• Minister for Science and Technology Lekhraj Bhatta

• Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Jayapuri Gharti

• Minister for Industry Mahendra Paswan

• Minister for Youth and Sports Onsari Gharti

From MJF-N

• Minister for Commerce and Supplies Bijaya Kumar Yadav

(Published in The Himalayan Times on August 2, 2011)