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Kathmandu Friday September 28, 2001 Ashwin 12, 2058.
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Kimathanka customs
It was interesting to read about the legacy
of Kimathanka customs and its Rs 71 revenue
in 18 years (TKP, September 25, 2001). During a visit to Bhot Kohola area in 1999, I was
surprised to see the Kimathanka Custom’s signboard hanging on a padlocked house at
Gola, about 3 days walk south of the border village. Out of curiosity, I made enquiries
and this is what local informants had to say about the customs office. During a visit to
Kimathanka village, the late King Birendra called the local leader and enquired what the
local people needed most? The Pradhan Pancha petitioned in his broken Nepali:
"Sirkar, we need a Bhandar", meaning a foodgrains store. The Royal entourage
scribe heard Bhansar and noted accordingly. The very next year a customs office was opened
instead of a grain depot to the amazement of the local residents.
This points to a couple of deficiencies of
our government and its performance. Firstly, it shows that mountain residents have little
influence over the government to change even the most obvious mistakes that affect their
lives. Secondly, our government has no ability to evaluate, adapt and improve its
functioning. Public money sinking institutions such as the Kimathanka Customs survived
despite the change from an autocratic Panchayat to a multi-party democratic system. What
is scary is how many more such institutions continue to exist unquestioned because of
bureaucratic inertia.
Lhakpa Norbu Sherpa
Maharajgunj, Kathmandu |
