Nepal king 'still to get money'

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The government of Nepal has said that it will continue to financially support the country's unpopular King Gyanendra.

Its budget, which was published last week, made no reference to the royals' annual allowance.

But the finance minister later said that money for the royal family would be channelled through the prime minister's office.

While the king's annual allowance has been scrapped, he and his family will receive more than $300,000 this year.

Lost popularity

That is a tenth of what they received last year, but still much more than many people would like.

Prachanda - the chairman of Maoist former rebels who have recently joined the governing alliance - was especially livid.

Popular protests swept Nepal last spring

He said the country should be taking things away from King Gyanendra and certainly not giving him anything back.

Other Maoists describe the decision to fund the palace via the prime minister's office as a deception.

Since massive street protests forced the king to withdraw from politics last year, he has lost popularity and power.

He is no longer the head of state or head of the army.

He now pays taxes on his considerable private wealth and the government says it will nationalise his parks and palaces.

But he still has influence and clearly some friends in government.