Premier Koirala’s Hundred Days In Office
Positive Line Of Action

By Prem N. Kakkar

THE government headed by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is completing its hundred days. Observers and those in the opposition look forward to commenting on the achievements of the first hundred days of any government. In fact for anyone to comment on this short span of time of the government functions may not be fully material but the tradition has existed. The period of time, though short, invites comments regarding that the government has done regarding the commitments made.

Priorities

The achievements of the period in general show the direction in which government priorities have been set and what steps have been taken to fulfill the promises made when the government is formed. The hundred days show the direction that is being taken by the government as regards the various national issues.

Mr. Koirala has for the fourth time become the Prime Minister, including this stint. This is a rare achievement for him personally speaking. For the general people, there is solace in the fact that a matured leader is heading the government and they want some action forthcoming to solve the various burning problems of the country.

On his assumption as the head of the government over three months back he had made the commitment to control violence, price hike and corruption in particular though other aspects too came under the ambit. The surge of enthusiasm that was seen in the initial phase still continues though in a different form.

It is but natural that people expect immediate achievements but that is not possible as to expect overnight miracles is not possible except in fairy tales. In fact, the aspirations of the people, since the advent of democracy ten years ago, have increased but prior to the May 1999 elections the political instability played a big role in economic stagnation. But situation after that showed bright prospects. Political stability has a significant role in leading the country forward on the path of prosperity. It allows the government to function smoothly without the number game or horse trading to come up as road blocks.

The country has much to do before prosperity can be achieved. In this regard Prime Minister Koirala has been forthright in expressing his views and the agenda. What has been achieved in the past three months cannot be the standard for gauging what can come in the days to come. And, in fact, much has been done on many fronts and measures are being initiated on others to see that the country gets on the right track as far as economic progress and the tackling of various national problems are concerned.

One important decision with far reaching consequence has been the reduction of the ministries from 26 to 21 as per the need for enforcing austerity measures.

The savings to the national exchequer will be quite significant. Though some may not agree that the reduction of ministries will do much but the reality has to be seen to be believed. The coming months will see the gains made in this regard.

An important thrust has been the budget for the fiscal year 2000/2001 which has come up with programmes that are the need of the hour. Almost all sections of the society have welcomed the budget, presented almost a month and half before the usual date, as far as the provisions that have been made. But they also feel that the important need is effective implementation so that the results tally with what is expected.

The raising of the salaries of the government employees is just one of the many facets. The salary hike, in fact, is limited to a fraction of the country’s population but it catches the eyes of the political leaders and also the people in general. This measure will give the civil servants a greater economic leeway and may be effective in combating corruption which is considered as gnawing at the social fabric. The general expenditures for the coming fiscal year have to studied in detail to see how earnest the government is. In this respect, there is no denying that there has been a departure from the past in seeing innovative measures being taken recourse to for the wellbeing of the people and national prosperity.

The government is cautious in its approach to resolving the many problems that confront. This is not because it cannot do so but because serious home task is essential if the decisions taken are to be based on solid grounds. Prime Minister Koirala is firm in his determination to check violence affecting some districts of the country. He has even made plans to visit the Maoist affected districts in the near future. This makes sense as a package of programmes for the people in the violence ridden districts will do much to usher in peace.

The government has initiated measures to tackle the various problems and criticism that nothing has been done has no grain of truth. Of course, if one wants instant results at the word ‘go’ that is impossible. Everything has to be set right before any step forward can be taken. In this regard at least the ground works are being strengthened so that the structure can be built.

Activities

Going by the initial spate of activities in the past hundred days there is no doubt that many achievements will be made in the coming days. Meanwhile, everyone should remember that something has been done so that there is sense to be happy. The people’s enthusiasm has grown unlike the accusations made by the opposition.

Correct Flaws For Sustainability

By Khilendra Basnyat

WITH the advent of the twenty-first century, the development dream of human beings, especially in developing countires like Nepal, is increasing. The dream referred here shows the urgency for raising the economic status of the people residing in comparatively underdeveloped countries.

Growth

Nepal has not achieved sustainable economic growth so far. This is obvious from the fact that during the last five fiscal years, economic growth fell to an average of 3.9 per cent from about 5.6 per cent registered on average of the years between the fiscal year 1991 and 1994.

Regarding agricultural growth, it has secured an average growth of 2.9 per cent, which is less than the population growth rate of about 2.5 per cent. The non-agricultural sector has shown a reduction of about 50 per cent on average during the review period compared to the previous average of 8.7 per cent.

The weak performance of national growth is the result of ssome tructural problems, which not only affected the domestic investment environment but also hindered the integration of domestic economy into the globalisation process.

Although the structural adjustment programme was started in 1995, there have not been any sustained and structural improvements in our country. Inherent weak fiscal consolidation, emerging new problems in the banking sector have all been responsible for hampering the economic growth processes. This has even raised concern on the sustainability of the government’s emphasised programmes such as poverty alleviation.

Our economy is undergoing stagnancy for the last few years. Corruption has been rampant and poverty pervasive. Today, the shortcomings of our development strategy and national polity need serious deliberation and introspection.

Some economists say that our economy is fast moving towards bankruptcy, which the government denies. Despite promises for improvement, the national economy has not gained strength.

In this age of globalisation, it is naive to conceive of an independent economy. Nor is it wise perhaps to fret at the alarming increase in national debt.

Our economy was liberalised in accordance with the surge of globalisation, expecting much progress in economic development.

It was expected that more foreign investors will be attracted and as a result Nepal’s competitive capacity will be enhanced. However, it did not happen so. Corresponding laws were formulated in order to attract foreign direct investment and promote joint ventures.

After liberalisation, import trade has been promoted but not export. In reality, the process of growing globalisation and regionalisation has given birth to competition among states. Consequently, powerful people are becoming affluent and weaker ones are being further marginalised.

Despite the adoption of liberalisation in our country, there is no clarity on the choice of options and trade-off between intersectoral and intra-sectoral priorities.

Although sound growth is essential to sustain the economy, growth alone does not guarantee equity and social justice. Therefore, our development demands growth with equity.

But economic and non-economic factors play a significant role while pursuing development policies. Principles of economy alone do not function. Since every society has its own speciality and features, so our development strategy should be adopted in consonance with national psyche.

In our old strategy, there was the absence of a link between priorities and policies. Although priorities were clear, the instruments selected to achieve these priorities failed to deliver. In the Nepalese economy there are three gaps that need to be balanced or minimised at least at present - income and expenditure, export and saving and investment.

The pattern of development and the structure of socio-economic relations should be planned in such a manner that they result in not only of appreciable increase in national income and employment but also in great equality in income and weatlh. Decisions as regards production, distribution, consumption and investment and in fact all important socio-economic relationships must be made by agencies informed by social purposes.

In order to rid the nation of the economic crisis it is presently facing and achieve a high economic growth rate, the nation should develop a culture of consensus.

No doubt, the government is committed to implementing the second phase of economic reform packages in the coming fiscal year. The reforms will cover such areas as banking sector, administration, civil service, further liberalisation of the fiscal sector, strengthening the role of private sector, creating good governance and so on.

It is said that Nepal’s country memorandum at the Nepal Development Forum meeting focussing on poverty alleviation received great appreciation from both bilateral and multilateral donors. It is therefore high time to implement development programmes to increase economic growth for which the government has to properly solve structural problems sequentially in order to enable the efficacy of reform processes it initiated in the past.

Since financial sector is the only way out to rid the nation of the poverty trap, financial sector reforms should be the first priority of the government. For this purpose, private sector’s cooperation is essential.

The financial institutions, industry and trade should target the poor rural populace and support the government’s poverty alleviation programme. A cautious approach has to be taken particularly in the banking sector programme projects to assist in this programme.

Correction

Since Nepal’s vision of development is economic sustainability, the Nepalese planners and development strategists including politicians, must learn to acknowledge the financial, technical and strategic mistakes of the past that have jeopardised the investment made by the nation. It is because the elements of sustainability, in case the vision is clear, lie on quick unders- tanding and the ability to correct flaws.

The Girls On Platform Shoes

By Uday Lama

IT is an eye catching scene the way girls step about on thick soled platform shoes. Especially those who are short and make every effort to look taller, even if wearing these causes a bit of discomfort and entails an awkward balancing act.

This trend is not just a passing one or about to phase out as many girls in Kathmandu are below average where height is concerned. Obviously, it amounts to a ruse by the use of a pair of shoes that add inches. Though it has an advantage, it only allows for a margin of safety.

But one may well ask what about the strain in carrying these footwear on the delicate structure of the arch, foot and ankle. Over a period of time it could cause a damage hard to manage. This fact is lost on those ready to take on the risks.

If a slip occurs while going about one’s business then it may find oneself sprawling on the ground and scraping the elbows and knees. Apart from the embarrassment it will leave one bruised and shaken. It would be much better to have the feet shod in sensible shoes. This would at least ensure the business of placing one foot forward without any hitches.

These shoes can have an ungainly effect on bodily posture and the way one carries oneself. Thus it should prompt one not to over do things by giving into a moment of satisfaction. The idea is to wear something that makes for easy and comfortable walking and not one that creates a sensation. This is not mere speculation but an objective way of looking; to be sure it has its own logic.

One’s height is one’s own and any deficiency in this regard should not deflate the ego. It certainly has its positive side and a case could be argued for it rather than otherwise. A fact supported by studies on the subject and a viewpoint accepted by many.

Maintaining height through artificial means is an attempt not likely to succed. It could backfire while provoking the opposite reaction. It is far better to appear natural and be content with what Nature has endowed.

Giving into a fad may well prove injurious and most probably has a downside to it. Striking out on one’s own could be the next best thing to do and any pressure to conform should be resisted. It is good to remember that an erect bearing will make for a taller appearance.

This requires only a little extra effort and is rather more attractive than clumping around. Because it means that the person is conscious and is only too aware of how weight should be distributed and carried around.

These shoes shift the centre of gravity making one lean forward.

It makes for a stooping figure that could be termed funny were it not for the fact that one has to compensate - the tug and pull.