ID :
11077
Sun, 06/29/2008 - 05:17
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/11077
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Gyanendra is gone but Nepal still pays for 'kings'
Kathmandu, June 28 (PTI) Even as the government in Nepal has moved fast to slash the various facilities enjoyed by deposed King Gyanendra, there are other 'Rajas' and monarchs in the Himalayan nation who continue to enjoy allowances from the state coffer.
Though the government has provided temporary accommodation to Gyanendra and his family on the outskirts of the capital, the interim authority has cut his allowances and various facilities soon after he left the Narayanhiti Palace on June 11.
However, there are four other small 'kings' and 'rajas' who continue to receive allowances from the state treasury, namely Salyan King Gopendra Bahadur Shah, Bajhangi King Binod Bikram Shah, Jajarkot King Prakash Bikram Shah and Mustange King Jigme Palbar Bista, according to The Kathmandu Post.
These 'Rajas' are successors of the kings of various principalities that were annexed by Prithvi Narayan Shah, the
ancestor of Gyanendra.
They are entitled to receive monthly allowances as well as other perks and facilities from the state under the 'Principalities Act 2017 BS', which is yet to be nullified though Nepal was declared a republic by the Constituent Assembly last month.
The Act has also provision for allowing 13 other small 'kings' including those of Bhirkut, Bajura, Thalahari, Galkot, Gulmi, Malneti, Dullu, Parbat, Nuwakot, Pyuthan Khumrikot, Darnali and Pyuthan to enjoy the title and receive monthly allowances as long as they live.
According to the Koushitoshkhana Office, which reimburses pensions to these dethroned kings, the government's account keeping office issued them pension books for paying their allowances.
Among 17 such 'Rajas' in Nepal, only four are currently receiving allowances from the government as some of them have died recently and some others did not accept it, officials said.
The allowances being provided to these 'kings' range from (Nepali Rupees) NRs 3,000 to NRs 7,000 per month. Mustange King Jigmi, being the most powerful among the 'Rajas' was accorded more privileges among all other 'rajas'. He has receives NRs 7,000 per month as allowances and could also keep staff in his personal service at government expense.
However, the government has initiated a move to suspend the allowances being provide to these 'monarchs'.
According to Kul Chandra Sharma, a senior government officer at the Koushitokhana Office they have decided to suspend the pension amounts from now onward, as Nepal has already become a republic.
"A proposal to this effect has been sent to Ministry of Finance," he added.
Though the government has provided temporary accommodation to Gyanendra and his family on the outskirts of the capital, the interim authority has cut his allowances and various facilities soon after he left the Narayanhiti Palace on June 11.
However, there are four other small 'kings' and 'rajas' who continue to receive allowances from the state treasury, namely Salyan King Gopendra Bahadur Shah, Bajhangi King Binod Bikram Shah, Jajarkot King Prakash Bikram Shah and Mustange King Jigme Palbar Bista, according to The Kathmandu Post.
These 'Rajas' are successors of the kings of various principalities that were annexed by Prithvi Narayan Shah, the
ancestor of Gyanendra.
They are entitled to receive monthly allowances as well as other perks and facilities from the state under the 'Principalities Act 2017 BS', which is yet to be nullified though Nepal was declared a republic by the Constituent Assembly last month.
The Act has also provision for allowing 13 other small 'kings' including those of Bhirkut, Bajura, Thalahari, Galkot, Gulmi, Malneti, Dullu, Parbat, Nuwakot, Pyuthan Khumrikot, Darnali and Pyuthan to enjoy the title and receive monthly allowances as long as they live.
According to the Koushitoshkhana Office, which reimburses pensions to these dethroned kings, the government's account keeping office issued them pension books for paying their allowances.
Among 17 such 'Rajas' in Nepal, only four are currently receiving allowances from the government as some of them have died recently and some others did not accept it, officials said.
The allowances being provided to these 'kings' range from (Nepali Rupees) NRs 3,000 to NRs 7,000 per month. Mustange King Jigmi, being the most powerful among the 'Rajas' was accorded more privileges among all other 'rajas'. He has receives NRs 7,000 per month as allowances and could also keep staff in his personal service at government expense.
However, the government has initiated a move to suspend the allowances being provide to these 'monarchs'.
According to Kul Chandra Sharma, a senior government officer at the Koushitokhana Office they have decided to suspend the pension amounts from now onward, as Nepal has already become a republic.
"A proposal to this effect has been sent to Ministry of Finance," he added.
