KATHMANDU - Embattled Nepalese King Gyanendra on Sunday suffered a further setback after a government committee recommended nationalisation of more of his palaces and private forests.The official Nepal Television reported that a ministerial committee recommended that the government nationalise five more palaces and eight forests King Gyanendra inherited from his predecessor. The palaces recommended for nationalisation include two retreats in the suburbs of the capital Kathmandu and a royal retreat in the tourist town of Pokhara, about 140 kilometres west of the Nepalese capital.
Additionally, E-Kantipur website belonging to NepalÂ’s largest circulating newspaper Kantipur also said eight forested areas covering 35,000 square kilometres dotted around the country will also be nationalised. The cabinet is expected to take a formal decision during the course of the week.
The latest development came just days after the Nepalese government formally announced the nationalisation of seven royal palaces. King Gyanendra was stripped off all powers following a mass movement in April 2006. An assembly formed after an election in November will decide whether Nepal remains a monarchy or becomes a republic.