News In Brief
On February 18, 2009, the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MPPW) issued a notice inviting the expression of interest in the feasibility study on a Mechi-Mahakali Electric Railway. Deadline given for submitting the expression is March 01, 2009. The MPPW is considering starting off the feasibility study on June 01, 2009. The estimated total length of the proposed railway is 1, 200 km reported Nepalnews.com Feb 18 09.
On February 19, 2009, the full bench of the Supreme Court of Nepal squashed the case filed by Freedom Forum for the writ of habeas corpus of the Reporters’ Club Chief Rishi Dhamala stating that he was arrested with the charge of illegal transportation of arms and ammunition; so, the Chief District Officer has the authority on such cases and everything was done following the laws; there is no need for the Supreme Court interfering in this case. The police arrested journalist Dhamala on February 3, 2009.
On February 19, 2009, Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai took an inspection tour to the Central Bank of Nepal called Nepal Rastra Bank, and encouraged the bank managers in taking strong actions against the bank-loan defaulters. The Ministry of Finance published the list of 339 defaulters giving the names of three generations.