Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal is having another bad day. Today, his party compared his government to ‘expired medicine’, writes Republica:

Ruling CPN-UML leaders have fiercely advocated for and against the government at the party´s ongoing central committee (CC) meeting.

Several CC members demanded that the central body come up with an alternative to the present coalition, while some leaders defended the government.

Yogesh Bhattarai, who is believed to be close to party Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, urged not to waste further time supporting the present coalition government. “Backing this coalition in the name of UML leadership and hoping for results from this government is just like expecting cure from outdated medicine,” Bhattarai said at the meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala is also fanning this fire. Kantipur writes:

Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala has threatened to quit the government if CPN-UML does not change its working style. “CPN-UML is leading the government as if it belongs to one party,” she said. “Nepali Congress has already decided to quit the government if it doesn’t change its practices.”

Further to the reports on Thursday, the government has decided to halt the payments to Maoists combatants temporarily. The Himalayan Times reports:

Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Rakam Chemjong said Friday the salaries and allowances the government is providing to the PLA fighters would be stopped for some time citing unchecked misuse of the funds.

Minister Chemjong , while on his way to home distirct, Dhankuta, told the media in Biratnagar that the government wants to ensure the genuine combatants get the money in person without any misuse of it in the process.

The government is looking into paying the individuals combatants directly, Republica writes:

As per the guideline, the government has to pay the soldiers directly. But the money is said to be misused by the UCPN (Maoist), which takes a lump sum from the state. The combatants are entitled to a monthly salary of Rs 5,000 per head and also a daily food allowance ranging from Rs 72-110.