Fruitful
Outcome
THE government successfully
faced the challenge posed by the main opposition party, the CPN (UML), in
the special session of the House of Representatives. The session had been
called at the request of the UML, which had registered a resolution in the
House, against the price hike announced by the government on goods like
diesel, kerosene and electricity. However, during a voice voting on
Wednesday, the amended motion of the ruling party was passed in the House
and the resolutions of the opposition parties were rejected. Earlier,
speaking to the MPs in the House, Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai
had quite clearly explained why the government had been compelled to
increase the price of the essential commodities. Like he said, it is sure,
that the present government, which was formed with the mandate of the
Nepalese people, did not willingly want to put an extra burden on those
very same people who supported it. Instead it wants to work for the
economic upliftment and welfare of all the citizens of the country. PM
Bhattarai quite succinctly explained that "the recent price hike
decision was not taken by the government, but by the compelling
situation".
Yet, that this issue, which
was of major concern to the people, was discussed in the House, was a
positive political development. More than a question of who won or lost,
it is encouraging that both the ruling party and the opposition parties
have shown serious interest in minimising the effects of the escalation in
the price of commodities of daily use. Quite rightly, Speaker of the House
Taranath Ranabhatt opined that this special session could be called the
beginning of a new and positive tradition which has been set to solve the
problems of the people. In the past, it may be recalled that special
sessions were called only to oust a government. For now, the government
must see to it that unscrupulous elements don't take advantage of the
government decision and create artificial price hikes in the market.
Furthermore, with efficient management of the government corporations and
also the introduction of income and employment generating programmes, the
impact of the recent price hikes can be cushioned. It can be hoped the
government will work towards this with the cooperation of the opposition
parties.
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