Mature Decision

MUCH to the relief of most of the people, the two days of bandh called by the nine Leftist factions was called off at the last minute. The people are apprehensive of this crippling form of protest, not only because it could result in violence, but also because of the immense inconvenience that bandhs cause for the ordinary public. This time, not one, but two days of bandh had been called by the nine small factions of Leftist parties, to protest against the petroleum price hike that had been implemented by the government. There is no doubt, the people had been hit hard by the significant spurt in the price of this basic fuel. However, it is questionable whether the disruptive activities carried out by the protesters is beneficial for the nation. Yet, the compromise struck the other day, after an all-party meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel, is a welcome development. A consensus was reached to reduce the price of kerosene from Rs. 26 per litre to Rs. 22 and the nine Left parties in turn agreed to withdraw the two days of bandh. However, Deputy Prime Minister Poudel warned that though the burden on the people will decrease to some extent, the country will have to bear additional financial expenditure.

Another positive development after the meet, is the decision to form an all-party committee under the chairmanship of the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies to submit a report within one month after studying the present pricing structure and management of Nepal Oil Corporation. The committee will study the entire aspects of oil purchasing process to management and also recommend measures for storage of petroleum products. There is no doubt that it is very necessary to make transparent all activities of the Nepal Oil Corporation, the only body that imports and distributes petroleum products in the country. The general people had started to express concern over the way the government agency was using the monopoly it enjoyed in the import and pricing of petroleum products in the country. If the deals and transactions of the Corporation are made transparent, then all doubts would be erased. Meanwhile, the present compromise, more than being taken as a victory for any one side, should be taken as a mature political consensus, in the interest of the people and the nation. Such understanding will contribute in resolving many other challenges the nation faces at present.

Lack Of Laws

EVERY citizen in a democratic society has the right to know what the government and other organs of the state are doing. Keeping oneself informed of the goings-on at the governance level helps him her form informed opinion and thus better participate in the various democratic exercises. While this ensures better participation in the development processes, it also helps to keep those entrusted with the governamence business on their toes. That is why right to information is so much emphasised in any democratic society. It has been ten years since Nepal has had its second tryst with democracy with a multi-party system in place. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990 is a remarkable document in many respects including its clear enunciation in this regard too. Freedom of expression and right to information are clearly mentioned in the document. Article 13 and 16 clearly uphold these two basic rights. Such constitutional clarity is striking as many constitutions in the developed world itself are not that specific. The constitution-framers obviously thought it wise to tuck them in such a specified manner so as not to leave any ambiguity on this front.

Sadly, though, the constitution has been honoured neither in letter nor in spirit on this front. Ten years have passed since 1990 and the country still doesn’t have a right to information Act. Speakers at a symposium on Constitutional Guarantee on Freedom of Expression and Publication organised the other day were of one opinion that lack of laws had hindered the citizen’s right to information. They were critical of the very slow progress in bringing a relevant bill for passage in the parliament. By not having an Act that safeguarded the press’s right to information, media sector was suffering. In this vacuum, the media have not been able to bring out the relevant information from governmental and non-governmental agencies and thus do its bit to promote transparency and accountability. For a newspaper or a radio reporter to get to the bottom of the truth, his or her digging skills have to be backed by a legislation that calls for the officials to divulge matters of public importance that directly or indirectly affect the citizens of the country. Only then can media fulfil its role of informing the public with correct and unalloyed information. This should be as clear as daylight to those responsible for bringing in the right to information Act. The only unanswered question is when will they do the needful to make the Act a reality.