Well Done
Your cover story on government polices and programs is very analytical and timely (Thrust on Polls SPOTLIGHT July 13). It is a very wise decision of the government just to thrust upon the elections for Constituent Assembly. Although the country has been facing many problems in the development sector, the present government cannot spend money to deal with them. Despite your efforts to analyze the events carefully, I found many lacunae in the story. You need to assess the government policies and programs critically so that readers like us benefit. I hope you do that in the future.
Umesh Gurung,
London Via e-mail
Frustrating Negligence
After reading the cover story on the policies and programs of the government (Thrust on Polls SPOTLIGHT July 13), it was very frustrating to see government's negligence towards country's development issues. In a country where more than 30 percent of population still live below the poverty line, one cannot justify undermining the development sector.
Manisha Sharma
Balaju
Experiments after Experiments
The article "Democracy in Experiment" depicts that the interim constitution is controversial because it restricts certain fundamental rights of people (Democracy in Experiment SPOTLIGHT July 13). It is ironic that some articles provide despotic power to eight parties despite proclamation of people as sovereign and executive power holder. For example, prime minister who is supposed to be elected by people can be appointed by political consensus of eight parties. The country is ruled at the whims of eight parties instead of elected representatives, which is clearly reflected in the constitution. As the constitution doesn't respect fundamental rights, many people have already defied it. Even the eight party leaders do not act according to it. Prachanda's claim that Nepal can be declared republic from legislative parliament disregards constitution. The constitution mentions that the fate of monarchy can only be decided after the CA poll. In our country there is a tradition of disregarding constitutional values. In a country where even the prime minister doesn't abide by the constitution what can we expect from other people. Unless all people respect constitutional values and constitution also recognizes fundamental rights of people, Nepalese constitutions will always be controversial however good they are made.
Abhadesh Shrestha
Jyatha, Kathmandu
Good Interview
The interview of Dr. Ram Hari Aryal is very pertinent at a time when Nepalese population is growing fast. The growth rate of 2.5% will be a major problem in the future because it becomes difficult to manage a large population. At the same rate the population will double in thirty years. A serious question has arisen. Is such a large population sustainable to small nation with limited resources like ours? The government has decided to bring a population master plan. It is a very positive step forward.
Ashish Rai
Lagankhel
Corruption Woes
The corruption allegation on the governor of the central bank has aggravated the frustrations of the finance minister as the financial reform program has been thrown off track. Major donors agreed to provide budgetary support on this reform program. This has sent a very wrong message to the international community. On whose behalf CIAA has been working?
Sabina Malla
Via-email
Too Much Expense
Expenditure on the CA poll is extravagant. Such high expenses on the CA polls seem to be unnecessary. This year, the main focus of the budget should be on peace, reconstruction and inclusive development. Although the pace of spending has not increased, the demand for spending has increased. This shows that the money allocated has not been used properly. This year also a huge amount of money allocated for the local development cannot be used properly as the mechanisms to manage the local bodies are yet to be formulated. It seems obvious that this year also the budget will be full of controversies.
Brij Kumar Gupta
Biratnagar via-email
