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Kathmandu Saturday July 14, 2001 Ashadh 30, 2058.
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Bandh and our economy ?
Are Maoists serious about the situation of our
economy? I guess they are not. Had they been serious they would not have assaulted the
already impoverished Nepalese economy repeatedly. In recent years, the carpet and garment
industries, once lucrative, have already lost their market.
Now the tourism industry is the only means for
us to compete at the international level. It has a considerable contribution to the
national economy. I read yesterday that a day of bandh makes the total loss of Rs 700
million in this tiny kingdom in which the tourism industry has a share worth 49 million
rupees. More than 122,745 jobs in the tourism industry are hit even by one day shutdown.
Why are Maoists trying to impoverish this country? Are they poised to make Nepal another
Somalia or Afghanistan? Have they ever thought of the result of the daily bomb hoax in the
capital? The hotels are empty, domestic airlines, handicraft industry and several other
industries are reaching their nadir. I request Comrade Prachanda and Dr Baburam to be
serious before taking any further such moves.
Swashtika Sharma
Battisputali, Kathmandu |
