‘Constitution amendment issue irrelevant for time being’

KATHMANDU, Aug 28: CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that he will discuss with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba about the issue in connection with the construction of high dam in Koshi River that was included in the joint press meet in India during PM Deuba’s trip.

Talking to media persons in Biratnagar on Monday, Chair Dahal said that the issue need not be included in the joint press meet. He added, “I will discuss with the prime minister in this connection.”

In his five-day state visit to India, PM Dueba and his counterpart Narendra Modi had agreed that the work on preparation of the Detailed Project Report for the Sapta-Kosi high dam and Sun-Kosi storage cum diversion scheme be expedited.

Dahal further said that the issue of constitution amendment was finalized for the time being but it might be discussed in the new parliament as the constitution is a progressive document.

Responding to the query of media persons regarding the issues of constitution amendment raised by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in his recent India trip, chair Dahal said that he was not formally informed in this regard but the issue has become irrelevant now.

On the occasion, Dahal also stressed on unity among three major parties to hold three tiers of elections and the implementation of the constitution as well.

The bodies are believed to have brought down the stream by the Saptakoshi River of those who drowned in a boat capsize accident in the river near Rampur Thoksila of Udayapur district some days ago. Of the bodies, identity of only one has been confirmed while police are working to identity the remaining two.

The deceased is Prem Bahadur Shrestha of Dungmana VDC-2 of Bhojpur district, according to the District Police Office, Saptari. Police said that identification of the bodies has been difficult as the bodies were decayed.

The Front made public its stance not to allow the rest of the works on the Saptakoshi High Dam by organizing a press conference in Itahari of Sunsari district.

Nepal has so far spent Rs. 9.4 million and India Rs. 660 million for the project which Indian government has been giving high priority. Study and research are still remaining because of obstructions made in different times.

Now target has been set to complete the DPR within two years by investing Rs. 24.9 million from Nepal and Rs. 1.4 billion from India. However, the Front has warned not to allow the rest of the works by using all kinds of force.

Front Central Vice Chairman Rajendra Kiranti said the Front has the policy of linking all the projects run by India in Nepal with national independence.

He said Nepalese are being cheated from such projects run in Nepal by India and the works of Saptakoshi project which is not in the interest of Nepalese, will be stopped at any cost in co-work with all stakeholders.

The Nepal-India High-Level Technical Team has been studying geography and other issues in Barahachhetra of Sunsari, Ahale of Dhankuta district and Mainamaini of Udayapur district.