BBC and Nepalese news reports that the Nepalese King's allowance has been "unceremoniously scrapped":
Nepal's government has stopped paying an allowance to King Gyanendra and other members of the Royal Family.
Nepal's government is determined to further reduce King Gyanendra's influence and status, and has made him pay tax for the first time.
There was simply no mention in this year's budget to his family's annual allowance. It has been unceremoniously scrapped.
It's encouraging to see a legislative body making bold moves. Could such a thing occur in Great Britain as well?
King Guyanendra has never been popular. Nonetheless, this is a strong move.
Since massive street protests forced King Gyanendra to withdraw from politics last year, he is no longer head of state or head of the army.
He is being forced to pay tax for the first time on his substantial private wealth, and the government also plans to nationalise the royal parks and palaces.
Another story says the amount was being cut.
A senior finance ministry said the king was becoming irrelevant, and that an annual budget to be presented to parliament later in the day would leave him with even less money from the impoverished Himalayan country's state coffers.
"The king has been stripped of almost all power and has no role, so the government has decided to slash his allowance," the official, who asked not to be named, told AFP.
In last year's budget, the royal household allowance was cut from 10.6 million dollars a year to around three million dollars.
"It will be cut further this year," said the official, without revealing a figure.
On the other hand, stories about the King's birthday party indicate that certain foreign countries (including the US) no longer support the King.
Ambassadors from countries including India, the United States and the European Union will be staying away.
'Royal ploy'
"The birthday party was suddenly considered as a royal ploy to taste the political clout of the king. Hence, rejection," the Kathmandu Post editorial said.
The US embassy spokeswoman said the ambassador would not be attending because "we saw no useful purpose".
"The future of the monarchy is for the people of Nepal to decide," Sharon Hudson-Dean said, signalling that Washington - previously seen as being supportive of the king - is no longer willing to stick its neck out for him.
Perhaps outside pressure plays no role, since King Guyanendra has been increasingly unpopular since he seized power after the previous King's tragic death.
At any rate, I can't help thinking about the royal family in the UK. Why should British taxpayers pay huge monies to the royalty? (As per the Civil List in each year's Budget. I guess the answer is because they are popular. But will this continue indefinitely? The Queen is one of the richest people in the world.
Then there is the American "royalty". Has anyone ever calculated the total wealth of the the Bush extended family?