PM set new record in tea party expense   
  BIMAL GAUTAM --Myrepublica

KATHMANDU, Nov 16: In a blatant violation of austerity measures announced by his own government, Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai has surpassed his predecessors again by spending the highest amount of money for a tea party he hosted two weeks ago.

Only recently, Bhattarai had set a new record by appointing a record number of aides (44) for his secretariat.

According to a knowledgeable source within the PM´s Secretariat, about Rs 2.7 million was incurred for his tea party, which was attended by nearly 9,000 invitees. PM Bhattarai hosted the tea party at his official residence at Baluwatar on the occasion of Dashain, Tihar, Chhath, Eid and Nepal Sambat new year collectively.

According to the source, the Prime Minister´s Secretariat had issued the highest ever number of invitations --- 12,000--- to guests ranging from ministers, heads and members of various constitutional bodies and leaders of various political parties to diplomats, ambassadors, chiefs and deputy chiefs of various missions in Nepal, CA members, government employees, journalists, businessmen, civil society leaders, human rights activists, and chiefs and deputy chiefs of leading NGOs and INGOs, among others.

"Nearly Rs 2.7 million was spent on the PM´s tea party," divulged the source close to the PM, on condition of anonymity, adding, "The total cost incurred in the party covers expenses on food items and the cost of other arrangements."

The austerity measure issued by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) under direct instruction from PM Bhattarai does not allow the government to print large numbers of invitation cards and host any party out of state coffers for large numbers of guests.

Following the measure, ministers had not printed greeting cards during Dashain and Tihar festivals.

"Currently, officials working at the PM´s Secretariat are mulling how to reimburse the bill of about Rs 2.7 million," said the source, adding, "Expenses incurred on functions organized by the PM have to be reimbursed by state coffers. However, the PM´s aides are in confusion whether to submit the bill at the PM´s office, fearing possible information leakage."

Some of the PM´s aides had attempted to submit the bill at the PM´s office.

"However, they haven´t submitted the bill at the PM´s office, saying that consultations with officials concerned before seeking reimbursement would be better," the source added.

The tea party hosted by Prime Minister Bhattarai was a continuation of a practice observed by past prime ministers including Sher Bahadur Deuba, Girija Prasad Koirala and Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal.

Items served to guests included a piece of banana, jerry, mini-samosa, laddu, sweets, some nimkee and cold drinks, among other things. "A single packet cost Rs 300," said the source.

Another source informed Republica that the PM was advised to invite only a small number of guests. "Inviting a large number could send a negative message,” the PM´s well-wishers had advised, according to the source. However, the PM´s wife, Hisila Yami, had pressed officials to invite a large number.

According to a source close to the PM, most of the invitees were from the Newar community.

Former prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal had issued 6,000 invitations and incurred Rs 500,000 in cost for his tea party while Pushpa Kamal Dahal had issued 4,000 cards and incurred nearly Rs 300,000. 
 

regarding mantrimandal bistaar. He had no other choice.

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Wow very easy answer to one's ineptness.   Coalition government was even before baburams. prachanda had coalition government, Madhav nepal, jhal nath khanal all was in coalition government. None made such a big mantrimandal.


It is  not only mantrimandal, but sallhakar of baburam that is around 30-40 who gets similar income and previlages. How is that acceptable.

What do you guys think about Hello Sarkar program and swift enforcement of the complaints that comes to 1111?

Hello Sarkar is Maoists' Radio Program. Period.

 Is it? So, are only maobadis allowed to call? I did not know that. What about the emergency no. 1111? Do they only listen to maobadi's complaints?

 If Ujjains Shrestha's family makes call in hello sarkar, will they get justice?

 I dont know. I don't answer those calls. I am here in the US. On a serious note, I doubt Ujjan's family will get justice. I know that's not fair but hey it is Nepal. The whole royal family got massacred and nothing happened. I think they will be compensated financially. But I doubt Baburam will retract the decision. If he does, I admit that it would be in his best interest( can't say the same about his cohorts) and he would be people's PM again.

 I am glad you have finally come to sense that it is not fair. But, i believe Ujjain shrestha's family should get justice and Baburam should not be the one to block it.

 Vasudev, I never commented upon the wisdom of reaching this decision. I was just commenting on its legality. When I said it is not fair, now I am discussing the wisdom of reaching this decision. We have to realize what is possible and what is not? I was being practical when I said, we can solve this situation ASAP and continue to tackle other national problems. I thought our nation had gained some momentum on peacemaking and I did not want to lose it.
  Vasudev, do you think retraction from this decision is the only way out for Baburam or is there anything else he can do to the Ujjan family to redeem himself?