Kathmandu, Sept 19: The Nepal government is expected to announce a budget of about Rs 240 billion for the fiscal year 2008-09 here today.

Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai will present budget at Constituent Assembly at 4 p. m. today.

During a discussion with the representatives of 25 political parties represented in the Constituent Assembly here on Thursday, Bhattarai has said that the government has targeted at developing the sectors of agriculture, water resources, tourism, private investment, peace process, health, education and manpower production.

“The government has put emphasis on double digit growth within the next three years,” he added.

Kathmandu - Land Reforms Minister Matrika Yadav resigned Friday amid a growing dispute over a land grab by former Maoist rebels that he led and that threatens the future of Nepal's Maoist-led government.

Yadav, who is a Maoist central committee member and an ethnic Madhesi from southern Nepal, submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

It followed the Maoist central committee's orders for Yadav to publicly apologize for the use Tuesday of armed Maoists to reclaim disputed land that was guarded by police in the Siraha district, about 300 kilometres south-east of Kathmandu.

Kathmandu - At least 14 people were killed and dozens of others injured Friday morning when a passenger bus fell into a swollen river after veering off a mountain highway, police said.

The bus plunged about 150 metres off the road at Mahadevbesi of Dhading district, about 70 kilometres west of the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, and plunged into the fast-flowing Trishuli River.

Most of the victims, which included two Indian nationals, died before rescuers could reach the area. Police said another 38 people were injured and rushed to hospital. Many are in serious condition.

Police said many of the victims died when they were trapped inside the mangled wreckage of the bus.

Kathmandu, Sept 18 : Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ described his India visit as successful today.

He was addressing a press conference at Tribhuvan International Airport on his arrival in Kathmandu today. The Prime Minister said his visit has laid the foundation for a new forward looking bilateral relationship by injecting new dynamism in tune with current political realities.

Prachanda said both the sides have agreed to review, adjust and update the 1950 Treaty of Friendship and other agreements.

Kathmandu- Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Thursday ended his five-day official visit to India by describing it as a success.

Speaking to journalists in the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, after wrapping up his trip, Dahal, who is popularly known as Prachanda, said the visit had given a new dimension to relations between the two neighbours.

"India has assured us of necessary support in the country's peaceful transition into the new era," the former Maoist guerrilla leader said.

New Delhi, Sept 16 : Water Resources Minister of Nepal Bishnu Prasad Poudel met his Indian counterpart Professor Saifuddin Soz here today.

During the meeting Prof. Soz assured him of full cooperation of Government of India in the common endeavor to tackle various problems in the water management for the benefit of the people of the two countries.

Both the ministers held a detailed review of various water resources projects. They agreed that the field work of Saptkosi High Dam Project should be expedited to complete Detailed Project Report (DPR) early.

Poudel has assured that the Nepal Government would provide necessary cooperation including security to the field staff to complete the task in the minimum possible time.