Nepal issues currency notes without King’s image

Thursday, 27 September , 2007, 20:54
Kathmandu: Nepal's national bank on Thursday issued new currency notes of Rs 500 denominations without the King's name, image or any royal sign, in another symbolic downslide for the country's embattled monarchy.
In the new notes, the world's highest peak Mt Everest has replaced the King's image and the picture of the national flower, Rhododendron, has been printed on the place of the previous watermark of the crown.
"This is for the first time in the history of Nepal the paper note has been printed without any symbol of the monarch, his name or picture," an official at the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) said.
As part of the interim government's move to slice royal power, the NRB had issued new two-rupee coins without the King's name and any royal symbols for the first time in the country's history on September 5.
The central bank had printed two crore new currency notes of Rs 500 denominations in Indonesia's security press, the official said.
The king has been stripped off most of his powers and privileges after a mass movement in April 2006 that saw the end of his direct rule.
Nepal is scheduled to hold an election in November to choose a special assembly that will rewrite the country's constitution and decide the fate of the monarchy. The former rebel Maoists had been demanding that Nepal be declared a republic before the polls.

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India, Nepal to set up joint force to curb crime

New Delhi, Sept. 27 (PTI): India has expressed its concerns to Nepal on trans-border crime and fake currency racket at the just concluded Home Secretary level talks in Kathmandu, where it was agreed to soon set up a joint task force comprising members of security agencies from both sides.
"We have expressed our concern to Nepal on activities of criminal groups and militants and fake currency rackets during the talks yesterday," Home Secretary, Madhukar Gupta, said on his return from the Himalayan country.
Gupta said the first Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal in November came up for discussion with his counterpart, Umesh Mainali.
"We have told Nepal that whatever assistance is possible, India will be happy to extend to ensure peaceful polling," he said.
Gupta said it was decided that the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), a para-military force under the Union Home Ministry guarding the 1,751 km boundary with Nepal, and the Nepal Armed Police Force would have better coordination.
The Home Secretary, who called on Nepal Home Minister, K P Sitoula, during his two-day visit to that country, said it was also decided that the district magistrates on the Indian side of the border will coordinate with their counterparts on the other side for sharing information.
Sources in the Ministry said a salient feature of the the Home Secretary level talks was the decision to set up a joint task force to strengthen security along the border to control escalating crime. http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200709272033.htm