Encouraging Scheme
THE hills in Mid-Western Nepal house some of
the poorest districts of the Kingdom. The biggest problem is the difficult terrain and
thus the lack of proper roads. Because of this difficulty, other facilities like health,
education and communication facilities have also not reached these remote places. So
naturally, the people living in this area are among the most impoverished in the country.
It is not surprising that some dissatisfied elements, wanting to start a violent political
campaign, chose to initiate their terrorist activities in these districts. Not only did
they have the advantage of being able to hide in the inhospitable terrain, but they were
also able to lure the poor people who had few options for a better life. However it is a
very encouraging development that His Majesty’s Government is now implementing a
basket fund programme on the basis of all party consensus in the five districts of Rolpa,
Rukum, Kalikot, Jajarkot and Salyan. Speaking at a press meet the other day, Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister for Home and Local Development Ram Chandra Poudel informed that the
government is initiating this programme to raise the social and economic conditions of the
people in these districts.
Virtually everyone has agreed that the
present terrorist activities being carried out by the Maoists, cannot be stopped through
force alone. Yes, the people of these districts have to be given a sense of security,
therefore the presence of more security personnel is essential. But at the same time, it
is far more pragmatic to reach development and prosperity to the people there, so that
they will not be lured in any way to anti-national activities being carried out by the
insurgents. If the people in general in these districts prosper, the insurgents will
automatically be isolated. The government has also done well by allowing the local level
bodies to utilise the funds according to their own needs. The C entre, with the help
of local and international NGOs will only play the role of a monitor. The consensus among
all the political parties for this sort of a development activity is also encouraging. It
can be hoped everyone will sincerely work to make this programme of the government
successful and contribute in eradicating poverty and violence in these remote districts.
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