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Kathmandu Saturday November 04, 2000 Kartik 19, 2057.
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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.
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