Broadsheet papers published in Kathmandu on Monday have given priority to a host of issues on their front pages. Almost all of them have given space to news about the Indo-Nepal Eminent Persons’ Group’s decision to take up the issues of managing the open border between the two countries.
Important
Nepal-India friendship treaty won’t remain in status quo
Following a meeting of the Indo-Nepal Eminent Persons Group formed to review the entire gamut of bilateral ties, in Kathmandu on Sunday, members of the Nepali delegation say that the 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty between the two countries will not ‘remain is status quo’. Kantipur quotes Dr Bhekh Bahadur Thapa, coordinator of the Nepali side, as saying that the group will submit a common report after nine months. In its six-column story, The Kathmandu Post says,” The fifth meeting of the bilateral Eminent Persons Group has agreed to recommend regulating the Nepal -India border for controlling illegal activities on both sides without causing inconvenience to the general public and travellers.” The Himalayan Times also says that the ‘1950 treaty will not remain the same’. It says the next EPG meeting will take place in New Delhi from November 11-12.
Court stays Khadka’s ouster
Almost all newspapers have given space to news that former NOC boss Gopal Khadka, who was fired by the government after a parliamentary committee accused him of embezzling billions of rupees over the procurement of land to build storage facilities. Republica says the Supreme Court has issued an interim order against the government’s decision to sack Khadka. The Himalayan Times, in its four-column story, quotes Supplies Minister Shiva Kumar Mandal as saying that the Ministry will now penalise Khadka in some other way now that the court has stayed his sacking. Naya Patrika, meanwhile, claims that the government fired Khadka without seeking any clarification from him to ‘make his case stronger’. The report claims that the Supreme Court has set many precedents on the sacking of public officials, and it has always favoured the ousted official when the person in question has not been given the opportunity to submit a clarification.
Laws passed for presidential election

The Himalayan Times in its lead story for the days says Parliament has passed a bill related to the election of president and vice-president. According to the report, an electoral college comprising 884 members (334 members of the joint federal Parliament and 550 members of the provincial assemblies) will elect the president and vice-president. The new law has given different weight to votes in different levels. A weight of 79 has been assigned for the federal MPs and 48 for provincial lawmakers.
Deuba undecided on fate of Maoist ministers

Prime Minister Deuba has not taken any decision on the fate of the Maoist Centre ministers who are in his Cabinet, says The Himalayan Times. The Kathmandu Post says the Prime Minister’s party is mulling over inducting the Kamal Thapa-led RPP into the Cabinet. It quotes a source as saying that the Prime Minister will not sack the Maoist ministers until October 22, the day nominations are to be filed for the elections. He might reshuffle his Cabinet after the nominations are filed.
Ignored
Dr KC warns of protest against judiciary

Republica says that Dr Govinda KC, who is in his 13th hunger strike demanding reforms in medical education, has warned of stern protest against the judiciary as it has started issuing orders in favour of corruption-accused individuals ( a veiled reference to Gopal Khadka).
Interesting
Indian ‘shooters’ arrested in Kathmandu
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Naya Patrika says two Indian nationals have been arrested in Kathmandu by Nepal Police’s Special Bureau. The two people, believed to be sharpshooters, were arrested in Jorpati. Police said they were arrested on extortion charges. The report says that Indian shooters have been active in Nepal and their involvement has been found in cases where hi-profile Muslim leaders have been made targets.