Internal Political Developments

Nepal Army’s “Flexible” Proposal on PLA Integration in Controversy: The Chief of Army Staff General Chhatra Man Singh Gurung briefed the Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai about the Nepal Army's action plan on the integration process a couple of days before some controversy arose on the question along with the criticism made by the major opposition parties. Earlier, it was said that the Maoist-led government and the Nepal Army had reached consensus on almost all outstanding issues related to the integration of Maoist combatants in the national army.

According to reports, General Gurung, while briefing, is learnt to have expressed commitment to integrate 6,500 combatants in the proposed non-combat directorate and shorten the bridging and regular training for the combatants to be integrated in the Army. It was also reported that the Army’s new proposal was “flexible” on the issue of highest rank to be awarded to the combatants. Some of the newspapers even reported that the Army had shown flexibility to provide a position of brigadier general to settle the rank dispute. Along with General Gurung’s briefing, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and Maoist Supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal had held discussions with the chief of the Maoists' People's Liberation Army (PLA), Nanda Kishore Pun, and commanders of the seven PLA divisions on the issue on February 14, 2012 and came up with a conclusion saying that the Army's integration roadmap was “flexible and positive”. It is reported that the PLA commanders welcomed the Army's proposal to shorten the bridging and regular training courses.

Earlier, the Army had said that each of the combatants selected for lower ranks should complete a nine-month long training and those selected for officers should complete a 20-month training programme after the bridging course whereas the Maoists had stressed that the training period should not be longer than six months. The Army has said it will not accept 'unit-wise entry', but that combatants will be allowed to 'stay in groups.' As per the Army's proposal, 64 combatants will be given the rank of Major, 120 will be made Captains, 96 Lieutenants and 120 second Lieutenants in the new directorate. The Army has counted 1996 as the cut-off date on rank determination and argued that its cadets enrolled 17 years ago have so far only been given the rank of Major.

Apparently, the new proposal was the result of behind-the-scene discussions between the Army and the Maoist leaders close to party Chairman Dahal. The new development on the issue of army integration is aimed at strating the army integration process within the timeline of March 13, 2012 and make grounds for the formation of a national unity government. However, the major opposition parties seem to be against that development. "I cannot believe in what I have read in newspapers. If the Army's recommendation is true, this is highly objectionable," said Nepali Congress (NC) leader and Special Committee member Ram Sharan Mahat. "The Nepal Army has no authority to determine the number of combatants to be integrated. It should limit itself to define the norms of entry and test combatants' eligibility for serving the national army. Awarding of total numbers and ranks before testing the combatants' eligibility is like putting the cart before the horse," added Mahat. According to him, concession on training is against the spirit of the November 1, 2011 deal that calls for relaxation only on age, marital status and education. Also speaking at a program, Party of Nepal-United Marxist and Leninist (CPN-UML) leader and another member of the Special Committee Bhim Rawal claimed that the Prime Minister had publicised the proposal without discussing it in the Committee. He made it clear that the NA’s integration proposal brought without carrying out necessary homework and deliberations among the political parties would not be acceptable to them at any cost. Rawal also remarked that the proposal with determination of ranking and number without testing the ability of combatants is part of the conspiracy to form another army within NA and that would never be acceptable to his party. According to Rawal, Army should abide by the acts, laws and agreements. “We cannot accept recruitment of army without training and education,” he added.

Further, there appears to be a sharp division inside the Army Headquarters over the recent recommendation made by Gen Gurung. It has been learnt that second-in-command Lt Gen Gaurav Shumsher Rana, who will replace Gurung after his retirement, was also not taken into confidence while preparing the recommendations. Sources claimed the Army leadership is negotiating with the Maoist led government in order to create two additional top ranks--lieutenant general--within March 2012 which has been included in the General Gurung’s proposal. President Ram Baran Yadav reportedly expressed his displeasure with the new proposal during a meeting with Army Chief Gurung on February 16, 2012.

In the meantime, Nepal Army on February 18, 2012 officially took the ownership of the ‘new integration’ roadmap. However, the Army put an end to the speculation about the issue of highest rank to be awarded to the combatants—reiterating its earlier position—while offering further flexibility on bridging course. “The proposal is not intended to create additional positions of lieutenant general but it aimed at concluding the peace process by making tangible progress and resolving the structural rank determination,” Nepal Army statement avers. The Army Headquarters has said Gen Gurung, who had visited Shital Niwas to invite the President to attend the Mahashivarati and Army Day function, clarified the institutional position of the Army regarding the integration. According to the Army, the new proposal is an expanded version of the integration proposal submitted during the tenure of former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal. The Army has further said that its proposal is in response to a letter sent by the Ministry of Defence on February 9, 2012 calling for the execution of the army integration process. It has clarified that there will be no bulk or unit-wise integration of combatants. The NA has said its proposal recommends imparting training to combatants in its brigades and battalions that are located close to the cantonments.

Major Parties Divided on the Recommendations of State Restructuring Commission: Major parties are yet to reach a conclusion on procedures to debate the State Restructuring Commission’s reports which were submitted to Constituent Assembly (CA) Chairman Subas Nembang by Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai last week. It is said that the dispute between Maoists and non-Maoist parties over the amendment to the CA rules of procedures has made the entry of the reports in the assembly uncertain. The subcommittee led by Maoist lawmaker Amrita Thapa Magar is yet to forge consensus on the amendment to the CA Rules of Procedure. Four non-Maoist members want the reports to be referred to the Constitutional Committee after debate in the CA, while coordinator Thapa is in favour of referring them back to the CA Committee on the Restructuring of the State and Devolution of State Power.

As the issue of state restructuring has become one of the major hurdles to bring the constitution in the given time after the major political parties are sharply divided on it, President Ram Baran Yadav seems to be touched by the issue. Addressing a program organised by Kavre Chamber of Commerce and Industries President Yaday said that the nation should be united after the state restructuring process. He said that before being of any ethnicity, caste, or religion we are Nepalis first. President Yadav said that the state should be restructured in a scientific way, which would not hinder the integrity of the nation. In the meantime, Vice President of Nepali Congress, Ram Chandra Poudel said that the country was facing hard times because of the Maoist's advocacy for ethnic states. He also accused the State Restructuring Commission of proposing 11 provinces as per the Maoist's proposal of 14 provinces.

Democracy day: Official Holiday without Official Function: 7th of Falgun (February 19, 2012), is the day which marks the establishment of democracy in 1950 after the then Rana regime was overthrown. In fact it is the day that has been marked by programmes attended by the head of state, government officials and various dignitaries every year. However, in a surprise departure from time-honoured policy, the Maoist led government did not organise any official function to celebrate Democracy Day.

The main opposition Nepali Congress and UML came down heavily upon the government for cancelling the celebrations of Democracy Day. They have warned the government not to try to wipe out historical moments in the future. In a press statement on February 19, 2012, the NC condemned the UCPN (Maoist)-led government for calling off the Democracy Day celebrations. “This has shown that the current government is disloyal, anti-democratic, and tyrannical,” the statement read. “It is an important day achieved through the sacrifice of many martyrs. It is remembered by the people as one of the most important days in the history of the nation. It was a breakthrough for developmental works. This day has to be celebrated,” read the press statement. Another opposition party CPN-UML has also expressed displeasure for not observing the Democracy Day. It is said that Members of the Cabinet expressed displeasure on the matter. "I am surprised that such an important day was not officially celebrated," media quotes Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Dan Bahadur Chaudary as saying. However, Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai's Political Advisor Devendra Poudel said full-fledged democracy did not come on this day and that the 1950 struggle was only against the autocratic Rana rule. "The day has been remembered, as it was a public holiday," he said. He said "real democracy" was established only in 2008 after the monarchy was abolished. "As such, the government did not think it necessary to celebrate the occasion," he added.

Foreign Relations

Relations with India

PM Bhattarai in Patna: Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai visited Patna, Capital of Indian state Bihar, on February 18, 2012 to inaugurate a state-sponsored summit on Bihar--"Global Summit on Changing Bihar: Forging Partnership for Development". The prime minister, who flew to Patna on a chartered flight operated by the Nepal Army, was welcomed by Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar at Patna Airport. It is said that the prime minister wanted to learn how Bihar changed its face within five years of the Nitish Kumar-led government. During his visit to Patna, Prime Minsiter Bhattarai held bilateral talks with Patna Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The duo, according to reports, discussed a range of issues including the border dispute between Bihar and Nepal, development and bilateral cooperation. Also, the prospect of exploring cross-border water utilisation, chronic cross-border inundation and implementation of the Koshi Multi Purpose Project were on the agenda.

Addressing the inaugural of the Global Summit on Changing Bihar, Prime Minister Bhattarai remarked that Nepal harbours a feeling of “positive jealousy” about the rapid progress made by Bihar in a short period. Bhattarai added that his country is ready to work together with the Indian state. He remarked that border regions of all countries in south Asia remain undeveloped due to poor economic integration. He added Nepal is a strong advocate of such integration. Reading out his six-page long vision paper about the development, PM Bhatarai said that in the eyes of many Nepalis, Bihar is now a role model for the development, economic advancement and social inclusion.

In the meantime, Chief Minister of Indian state of Bihar Nitish Kumar has said that a well-planned and prioritised investment in agriculture, education and in maintaining law and order was a key to Bihar’s speedy growth in the last few years, and Nepal could replicate the model he has successfully put into practice. Speaking to Nepali journalists at his residence in Patna, the Chief Minister said he was visiting Nepal at the invitation of Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and the date of the visit would be fixed very soon. “I held discussions with the Indian Ambassador to Nepal this morning about my visit to Kathmandu. I am very happy about the upcoming visit,” he said. Chief Minister Kumar, however, suggested that the immediate priority for Nepal was to promulgate the new constitution, which he said, would open up a path to economic prosperity. According to him, a strong and vibrant democracy in Nepal is beneficial to India.

Nepal-India First Energy Minister-level Talks Concluded; Both the Countries Agreed to Expedite Pancheshwor: The first ever Nepal-India Energy Minister-level Joint Commission on Water Resources (JMCWR) concluded their meeting in New Delhi on February 16, 2012. Both countries have agreed to expedite the setting up of the Pancheshwor Development Authority (PDA) at the earliest. Setting up of the authority is crucial to the implementation of Pancheshwor Multipurpose Project, a vital part of the controversial Mahakali Treaty, which has been in limbo for nearly 16 years. It was also stalled due to the delay in approving the Terms of Reference (ToR) of PDA by the Indian side. At a joint press conference after the meeting, Indian Minister for Water Resources Pawan Kumar Bansal said both the sides have also agreed to complete the Detailed Project Report of Koshi High Dam Multipurpose Project and Sun Koshi Storage cum Diversion Scheme by February 2013. For this, JMCWR has decided to strengthen the Joint Project office with adequate logistics and manpower. Energy Minister Post Bahadur Bogati was leading a 22-member Nepali delegation for the talks.

It is also reported that India has agreed to gear up with the process of paying compensation for land and damage of crops due to Kosi barrage and Gandak Project. “This agreement is very important as the issue of compensation had been pending for the last 60 years,” media quote Irrigation Minister Mahendra Prasad Yadav as saying.

By Uddhab Pyakurel