What does the king want now? FROMTHE NEPALI PRESS Palace wheels Samay, 18 May At the height of People’s Movement II, the palace was demanding funds for a special car for the king, worth about Rs 1 million. On 18 April, the Ministry of Finance received a letter from the palace saying that the king needed a mine-proof car to tour the rough roads of the districts. Even after the palace lost its authority following the successful janandolan, palace officials did not stop pressuring the ministry to release the funds. Initially the budget unit was rushing to release the money but it has now kept the request pending. King Birendra used only two cars all his life but this king is demanding new cars left and right at a time when poverty remains a major problem. In the last three years, cars worth about Rs 370 million have been imported for the king’s use, including a Rolls Royce and Jaguar. Many are now wondering what luxury model is on the king’s shopping list today–we should know in a few months.