Top Maoist leaders plan to lead marches at key points of the Nepal-India border as part of the party’s newly announced movement for ‘national independence’. The Himalayan Times reports:

As per the proposal, chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal would lead a team to inspect Kalapani-the most controversial India-Nepal-China border point, where Indian army is stationed; Vice Chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai will lead another rteam to Susta in Nawalparasi and Vice Chairman Mohan Baidya will go to Pashupatinagar in Jhapa.

Meanwhile, in response to issues raised by ex-Vice President Paramananda Jha’s invalidated decision to take the oath of office in Hindi, the government is seeking the support of other parties to pass a bill that will allow the president and vice president to take their oaths in any Nepali mother tongue. However, the bill has run into opposition from the Maoists, who don’t want the bill to have retroactive effect, and the Madhesi People’s rights Forum (MPRF), which wants the bill to identify a list of sanctioned languages. Republica reports:

Ruling political parties have decided to consult other political parties to garner support for the seventh amendment bill to the interim constitution that has been tabled in parliament.

“As amending the constitution is a serious matter, the government should not move ahead alone,” [Minister for Law and Justice Prem Bahadur] Singh reported the prime minister as saying.

According to chief whip of the CPN-UML Bhim Acharya, they decided to talk to the main opposition UCPN (Maoist) and other political parties about the matter. “We decided to endorse the the bill within a week if possible after talking to the Maoists and the small parties as well,” Acharya said.

In other news, expanded conservation efforts may take a toll on electricity generation. The Kathmandu Post reports.

The BNP [Bardia National Park] expansion and the Gaurishanker conservation area are likely to affect prospects of a dozen hydropower projects, including the 45-MW Bheri-Babai Multi Purpose Project and 456-MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydro Power Project (UTHEP), an official at the Ministry of Energy (MoE) said. The BNP expansion, the official said, will affect the execution of a 45-MW project, which can irrigate thousands of hectares in Bardia.