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Kathmandu Saturday July 22, 2000 Sharawan 07, 2057.
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of the beat
What's
this ?
The
Home Minister says "no hike in electricity tariff" and NEA guys blame it all on
ADB, the Finance Minister says "no looking at agreement between NEA and ADB" and
the Minister of Power is mum.
So,
what signal is the govt trying to convey ? Will somebody enlighten us ? (JBR)
Snail-like
pace
Had heard of the legendary snail-like pace of bureaucracy, but it was only the
other day that one got to experience it first hand.
Had a
freelancing job and was supposed to get paid by TU finance section. The guy said,
"the cheque is not ready, come after three days." This happened three times. On
the fourth try, he said that was dated in the last fiscal year month of Asad and now that
cheque had to go the whole round again.
So
much for our bureaucrats who backdated the cheque as Asad and paid in Shrawan. A good way
of paying not to pay.
(SR)
Ode
to dog
No
one cares when a cow, Nepal's national animal, dies after devouring garbage in the heart
of the city. Not a single Hindu MP shows concern in the Parliament over the sad demise of
Laxmis. On the contrary, when a dog dies after eating plastic (an important ingredient of
garbage), MPs make hue and cry in the House: like Mahat and Tripathi and others did the
other day. So much so that the event makes headlines. Seems dogs have replaced holy cows
these days. If such scribes have guts, they should start taking home dog faeces and not
cow dung for Puja ceremonies and stuff. (LYNX)
The
cost of "no load-shedding"
So we
are to pay an additional 30 percent electricity tariff, that is, if the government has its
way. Or to put it differently, if Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and Asian Development
Bank can work wonders on the government. Well, there is also opposition to the move. Why
this move to hike the tariff? Very simple. Its plain economics, if economics can be so
straight forward. NEA has done away with weekly load-shedding. The price? 30 percent more.
If power cut ever occurs, you know who to blame.
(DKJ)
PM's
schedule
The
busy prime minister of a developing country must have a busy schedule. The stretching
problmes : Maoists, budget, new curriculums, poverty, electricity tariff hike, garbage and
many more. But the PM's choice is something different. He took two other minsters with him
to distribute certificate to hundreds of actors and spot boys of a box-office flop film.
Reasonable priority: The country's future lies behind the certificates.
(RM)
Mayor's
nose
The
mayor of Kathmandu has a very sensitive nose. He can't stand even the slightest smell that
is distasteful. When he saw garbage piling up at the crossroads, he went home. No way out.
It was following him there, too. Then he finally decided to visit his dream metropolis, in
Japan. He came back only when somebody told him in the mobile that the problem was solved
there. I wish all could escape the garbage problem like the mayor. Well, follow the
mayor's nose.
(RAJ)
Ke
garne?
Ask
your neighbour to lend support for social work. Chances are that he will shy away. Call a
nearby onlooker to help you lift a fresh accident victim fallen down on the street into a
taxi, it will be a rare case if one shows up. Embarrassing...isn't it? Again, shout for
support or backing to vandalize a public property like a garbage truck, every one in sight
turns up, that too with stones or bricks in hand. Surprised? Ke garne? Such is our plight.
(SSP)
MAHA
Kathmandu College
After
their major breakthrough in singing, the famous comedian duo of MAHA have finally found a
new career - disciplining college students. Their new venture's launching cermony was much
marked by the presence of many other Mahas in cineblitz -- the heroines. Ponder where all
the actors were?
Moreover,
wonder if MAHA ever noticed that their much publicized education instutition's banners
contained spelling mistakes -- Gahana Pokhari or Pokhri, let the public decide. (SJS)
Why
delay?
Supreme
Court the other day quashed Chakra's last gasp effort to stop the recounting (could be a
change of fate) and hence proved that it is very impartial when it comes to such things.
However, nothing so can be said about its other decision that postponed the date of
recounting by just over two weeks. Talks are rife that SC's move was a ploy to allow
Chakra to do all the necessary hanky panky. I also think two weeks is enough time for
that. (Ash)
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