Well done

The Supreme Court (SC) has done away with the provision of pension for lawmakers which had enabled former MPs to enjoy a pension for more than four years. This  is indeed a welcome move and none can deny that the SC has done the right thing by annulling the provision. The money thus saved can now be better utilised for development activities. This apart, we can also see the decision as an excellent example of a beginning to curb rampant misuse of state fund for the benefit of corrupt leaders and to bring the tainted leaders back on track. Had the writ petition not been filed in SC, the ruling political party would perhaps never have done anything about it.

The SC verdict was delivered by a majority decision that stated "the provision of pension contravenes Article 67 of the Constitution  of  Nepal". Despite the huge outcry and condemnation from various quarters when lawmakers gave the pension unto themselves unanimously, the then Nepali Congress led coalition government went ahead with the now-abrogated special provision law against the spirit of the Constitution. The 1996 cabinet decision was a ploy on the part of Sher Bahadur Deuba to empty the nation's coffers to garner the support of lawmakers to sustain the fragile coalition.

This irresponsible move had only served to heighten the growing disillusionment against democratic values.

Even though critics had then pointed out the flaws in the pension provision, all political parties maintained a deafening silence. The court's decision has come as a severe slap in the face of those who had hitherto been devouring taxpayers' money, unashamedly. Though late, one of the integral organs of the state, the judiciary, has addressed the problem of greed among legislators very fittingly. This has not only added to the prestige and credibility of the Supreme Court, but also should contribute to restoring faith in the democratic process.

The issue of lawmakers' allowance and perks had generated controversy and resulted in anomalies. Lawmakers had then come under fire for their apparently insatiable greed. Nonetheless, they went ahead to establish the so called Pajero Culture. The charade even went on to absurd limits when some male lawmakers stooped to grab maternity allowances. This obviously could not go on. Therefore, it is good that the SC verdict should put an end to this unjustified facility.

Were it not for this verdict, the   national economy would have been compelled to bear the brunt of the pension hike in tune with the new salary scale, announced this year. Moreover, the nation  would have to sustain the burden of an ever- increasing number of lawmakers for an indefinite period. Thanks to the court, the burden has been eased. However, all the organs of the government must earnestly follow in its footsteps in order to preserve and promote democratic values. The fact that lawmakers are essentially representatives of the people cannot be distorted. In other words, they must remain the servants of the public and resist the practice of endorsing laws to serve their own interest. Given the socioeconomic status of the country, it cannot afford to grant luxurious incentives to politicians.

RNA : Loyal, commercial or exceptional ?

By Hitman Thapa

Recently, there has been a lot of discussion on the pros and cons of the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA). The people involved in these discussions have presented their views in a personalised manner suggesting hidden agendas that serve to guide their opinion. Many of the subject under review were found to be not only biased but distorted facts. This in turn has helped to confuse the public in matters related to the role and conduct of the prestigious armed force of our country.

This scribe hopes to rectify certain misconceptions and to put forward another perspective in this debate.

The assertion by a critic that RNA did not help the police in Dolpa must be considered amateurish at best. This also clearly displays total lack of understanding of the working procedures of the government. There are certain prescribed procedures that have to be followed before the army can be employed in situations where it may get involved in a fire fight. Deployment of the army without completing these formalities is not only contrary to the spirit of the constitution but also illegal. The RNA was unable to assist during the tragic events of Dunai and Lamjung because the local administration in general and the Ministry of Home Affairs in particular had, for reasons unknown, failed to do their  homework to get the army mobilized. Relating the events of the past like the Singha Durbar fire and the flight of Dr K I Singh to China to discredit the image of the RNA is equally in bad taste because the manner in which these events have been narrated is neither authentic nor historical.

Those "enlightened" people who are of the view that the RNA is a white elephant are either serving the intentions of an enemy or they have a long journey before they will be truly enlightened, if ever. The allegation that 7-8 billion rupees is spent on the army is a deliberate distortion which shows sheer ignorance on the part of the author. Our elected politicians probably pocket more money annually from the national coffers than what is allocated to RNA. With the advent of multi-party democracy, the Zone of Peace concept has been laid to rest forever and this should definitely be adequate reason for increasing defence spending. Quoting the assessment of Krishna Prasad Bhattarai on the staying power of RNA, accusing the RNA of helping the governments of India and the United Kingdom and minimizing the contributions of RNA in internal defence and development of the nation further highlights the bias and ignorance. To claim that private agencies and NGOs can better the RNA in emergency rescue and development work is almost synonymous to saying that the government can be better run if given on lease.

Critics must be given due credit for trying to expose that the priorities of  RNA are contrary to public expectations and totally mixed up in the present context. The RNA as an institution is still a disciplined, competent, capable and respected entity and it is totally unfair to lay the blame on it. What is being truly reflected is the quality of the leadership the RNA has at present and unfortunately this leadership seems to have more of a commercial instinct than a military one and an unsatiable avarice which is being displayed nakedly. Others have presented well in their noble attempt to defend the patriotism and contributions of RNA towards nation building but with every paragraph he deviated from his noble aim and ultimately ended up by drifting into the psychological realm of absolutist and utilitarian behaviour. They have narrated certain events in ways that cannot be considered objective. Whether this is deliberate or due to ignorance is equally perplexing when we take into account  their experience in RNA.

The claim that the RNA operation to suppress the Tibetan Khampas was totally successful may be partially true but it   does not expose the full story of this operation as it is not considered by many as a total success. The overall commander of the operation Brigadier General Simha Pratap Shah and battalion commander Lt Col Sachit Shumshere Rana were tasked to force the surrender of the Khampas in Mustang district but their attempt failed when the main leader of the Khampas, Wangdi broke their siege and bolted westwards towards Tinker Lipu in Darchula district. It was the exceptional competence of late Major General Aditya Shumshere Rana, the then commander of 4 Brigade that saved the day. Wangdi was effectively intercepted and killed at Tinker Lipu. Singha Pratap and Sachit Shumshere went on to become four star generals and army chiefs, but Aditya Shumshere was given premature retirement at the age of fifty while he was only a major general - so is the custom and tradition in RNA.

RNA has been doing other duties assigned to it satisfactorily, but the performance of its participation in UN peacekeeping operations has recently been clouded by the much publicized court martial presently going on, of a whole bunch of officers. The article in the weekly vernacular Jan Aastha of October 18, 2000, giving intricate details about this court martial has fully exposed the true story of the rampant commercialization of UN peacekeeping missions and this would be practically impossible if it did not have the blessings of the army leadership. Jan Aastha has also revealed these illegal activities that have been going on for quite some time while on UN duties and this malaise started over a decade ago. Although the newspaper has also boldly named individuals, who it alleges, were involved in what seems like daylight robbery, there have been no denials or objections from the army and all these people who have been named have risen to the rank of general in the army.

The tale of the Army Welfare Fund is equally fascinating as well as disturbing and this issue has also featured in a letter to your paper about a month back. Rumours that the interest from this 7 billion rupee fund has/is been/ being used to buy power and influence by the army leadership is gaining credence by the day. People who have been involved in internal army audits of this fund state that the bank statements of this fund indicating the interests paid by the banks is not made available during audits and the possibility of a sizeable difference in the interest paid by banks and what is reported in the audit reports is very likely. This mystery will only be solved if there is an impartial inquiry by a high level empowered body like the Parliamentary Accounts Committee. It must be noted that nobody is jealous of the Army Welfare Fund which was set up for the welfare of serving and retired personnel and their families, but if the interest from this fund is not being utilized for what it is intended, then it is indeed a serious matter which must be addressed immediately.

It  is also equally hilarious on the part of some observers to claim that the option of the Defence Ministry for a peaceful settlement of the Maoist problem should have precedence over Cabinet decisions. The hype of absolutist or utilitarian restraint in combat is not deemed fit for discussion at this point of time and particularly in internal security duties. A serious student of military science does not have to be reminded that the principle of minimum force is a paramount principle applied during most internal security duties. The extrajudicial killings and disappearance of individuals who have been taken into police custody must be addressed seriously by the government if it intends to give good governance. However, to forecast that the country may face international isolation at this stage is rather premature because if this were the case, Sri Lanka should have been isolated by the international community a decade back.

To sum up, the motives of these critics while presenting their views cannot be considered honest or noble because both have given partial and at times distorted versions of reality. The Nepali public definitely does not expect or deserve this especially under the guarantees of the present constitution. If ignorance was the root cause for their misinterpretation of  reality, they would be wiser to be more careful in future, but if they have a sinister hidden agenda in writing what they have, they must be censured. This scribe requests for constructive criticism from the critics about any inaccuracies or discrepancies in his article.

Deusi and beyond

By Geetanjali Lama

Finally (a yawn) Tihar is over. After being pleasantly surprised over finding The Kathmandu Post and one of my little articles covering a selroti ko nanglo, I've decided to declare.. tut! tut!...what has the world come to? So absorbed were we lately in chewing mutton, guzzling down aila and listening to Deusi Bhailo that we,  festival crazy mortals, even forgot to gargle out the remnants of last night's "chow residue".  Ever since the onset of festival,  we have been in a somnambulistic state,  gorging and regurgitating with the whole family and relatives through a maze of potato pickles and pan fried gizzard, gazing at the king and queen of hearts, wondering if Goddess Laxmi would favour us this time.

I remember, not too many light years ago, wrapped up in little saris and chaoubandi, we used to go for Bhailo, imitating  what my grandmother and her mother, did in their days. Singing and dancing to the tune of that little ditty which sang of birds that dwelt in rhododendron forests and listened to the songs of Manakamana and of birds that flew down from the hills and perched on the banks of Tista River. But gone are those days, this time Bhailo and Deusi were pretty "desi "for the little chits, who came to dance in my lighted verandah, were merrily shaking their hips over Bollywood chart busters and  plenty of Hritik Roshans and Karishma clones appeared. In addition, some even broke into lively "dandiya". Each one of them, outdoing the other in copy-catting the stars. Having finished, jiggling bountifully ,and even plentifully,  they blessed us for being generous with our purse strings and our cassette player. Some of them landed with an orchestra with their "what's this called" instruments, trailing across the living room to the garage. This gang belonged to a more sophisticated cultural group which had sent little cards with the announcement of their arrival time to  their reluctant host so that  they be better  prepared to stash away huge bucks, a generous amount of sel rotis ,a bottle of beer or two, amidst a warm and hospitable and friendly ambience. We saw some of our neighbourhood hoodlums flexing their muscles and banging  doors and gates, but this time it was better. For,  we had been  shrewd enough to cut the connection off the door bell, and we slept, letting them bang our gate to perdition and beyond.

All the groups blessed us, wished us and our yet -to -be- born descendants heaps of good luck, hoped they would prove their mettle by being doctors, engineers and, at least, teachers (writers were not included in this category). Some cursed us with relish for not  opening our gates. Some generous ones wished us a ten -storeyed building, a thousand kgs of gold and above all, the most divine Midas Touch ... pretty ambitious blessings... no?

There was a lot of mini skirts and "Sando Ganjee", this year ... Never mind,  I take this opportunity to thank them for blessing us  very generously and I , too, feel obligated to bless them .I wish them many more years of deusi and bhailo with reasonable clothing to face the next wintry "Deusi Bhailo", at least, a proper "deusi ditty" and not a "desi, dandiya deusi." I also pray that by next year they will have taken a refreshing course in " Disadvantages of banging  gates and learn to spit at   right places."

Is recent petroleum price hike justified ?

The Kathmandu Post and Mercantile Communications conducted a survey on "Is the recent petroleum price hike justified?" on the Net last week. Of the total 815 respondents, 63.1 percent (537) said "No", 34.1 percent said "Yes" and 2.8 percent said "they don't know."

We regret the inconvenience, if any, that may be caused on account of original names being kept back by some respondents.

This is the outcome of a monopolistic institute like NOC which has a history of increasing oil prices every year. Oil price hikes have never served the targeted objectives, rather fulfilled the petty interest of NOC guys. It is mysterious why other companies are not allowed to compete with NOC? For example, if other companies would like to sell better quality fuel, why can't they? Moreover, NOC is also responsible for air pollution in Kathmandu and Nepal. It is time to sue NOC for damage compensation for respiratory problems due to adultered fuel. The best answer would be to end the monopoly of NOC and let in competition.

- Surendra

The need for a price increase is artificial. It is intended to put more money in the profits of NOC. The people running it are greedy and will not allow competition because they know everyone will take their petrol products from others after years of abuse by NOC. Competition drives prices down which is good for  consumers.

- Lal

The "ration card" scheme  is a ploy to make the chamchas of  Girija rich. They will buy  kerosene  at 13 rupees a litre under the ration card system and sell it  at 26.

- Des Premi

This price hike is unfavourable for Nepalese because it is likely to bring inflation into the country. The price of kerosene is too much and there is controversy over how  to implement the subsidized  card system.

- Kamal

It is totally nonsense. It is not always necessary to increase price all the time (double this time), citing the case of price hike   in India. Just see what fools our Leaders are. Are they trying to please India or trying to give slow poison to the Nepalese?

- Basundhara

The government made a grave mistake by increasing the price of kerosene by an extra high percentage compared to others. Kerosene is mostly used by the poor for cooking and lighting. This decision is ruthless. It is quite obvious that all  ministers and almost all of their kith and kin do not use kerosene for cooking or lighting, because they use gas and electricity.

- Anonymous

It is a totally unjustified decision made by the government. The government should be sensitive towards consumers. Three litres of kerosene per family per month is  ridiculous. This rationed kerosene is not enough even for a single  person. Also, the price hike may lead to rampant deforestation. So, the government must change the decision.

- Ashok Raj Pokharel

In response to the international price increment of petroleum products, it is justifiable to do so in Nepal, but we have low income and the subsidy system is insufficient and unscientific. And the sufferers will be poor citizens, not the rulers.

- K Rupakheti

Nepal Oil Corporation is monopolizing the oil market. The government should be ready to open a free market by splitting the   corporation and allowing private parties into the oil market. Let various governmental, semi-governmental and non-governmental parties compete in the free oil market. This might adjust the price as per international prices.

- Roshan Shrestha

The world is at the mercy of OPEC. If USA and Europe cannot do anything, what can you expect from Nepal? She has no choice, but to   be played by the market.

- Pradeep Banskota

The price of petroleum products should not be set by government agencies and politicians. It may seem paradoxical but a poor country cannot afford to subsidize fuel. Prices must move with India's prices which in turn need to adjust to world prices quickly. This is a market process. What is particularly bad is that rigged low prices encourage the overuse of fuel. But subsidies, as usual, favour business, transport, and upper income groups, and not the poor. Excessive use of fuel or reliance on subsidized diesel and kerosene contributes to pollution. Nepal's energy is underpriced and the sooner prices tune to  market forces in a realistic way, the better for the economy.

- John Adams

One litter Kerosene at Rs 26.00. Poor Nepali, how can they  afford? Corrupted politicians they have huge money to buy costly petrol.

- A Nepali

The government has increased the price of kerosene as compensation for the loss it has to bear by giving subsidies to other petroleum products. I think the government should have increased the price of petrol and left the price of kerosene as it was. This would have been be in the interest of majority of Nepalis.

- Pratibha

The government of Nepal decided to increase new petroleum price without doing homework, whereas India is still in the process of cutting down the price.

- Kul Prasad  Bhattarai