Pragmatic Programme
NEPAL has a difficult topography. This has
directly affected the development of many districts, which are in the hilly or mountainous
regions. By comparison, such districts are very much less developed than other districts,
that have easier access to transport and other facilities. In recent years, the situation
in some such backward and remote areas have been further aggravated with the starting of
an insurgency by the Maoist rebels. The insurgents have taken full advantage of the
remoteness of the areas and the poverty of the people there. With such a situation
prevailing, it is indeed a pragmatic step on the part of the government to initiate an
Integrated Development Programme (IDP) specially aimed at some of the worst insurgency-hit
districts. Speaking at an all-party meet organised at Khalanga of Jajarkot district the
other day, Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel, who is also looking after the
portfolios of the Prime Minister, quite correctly assessed that the IDP will be
implemented in Rukum, Rolpa, Salyan, Jajarkot and Kalikot districts, and it is aimed at
freeing these districts from "constraints and deprivation". Deputy PM Poudel
however, quickly assured the local leaders that the present programme is not directed
against the spirit of local autonomy.
Meanwhile, it must be remembered that all the
Nepalese struggled immensely for democracy to be established in the country. Quite
correctly, they assumed that in a democratic set-up, all the people would have immense
opportunities to enjoy the fruits of development. However, the present violent campaign
waged by the so- called Maoists, seems to have closed the doors to such opportunities.
Therefore to counter the unproductive and even damaging activities of the insurgents,
there is no doubt the best weapon is taking different development projects to these areas
and uplifting the living standards of the local residents there. It is encouraging that
the present IDP programme of the government has rightly given priority to facilities like
transport, agriculture, health and education, which facilitates a person to live a normal
life. It is the duty of all to ensure the success of the IDP programme, so that the
politics of violence is eradicated from those districts and also the overall prosperity of
the poor people living there is effectively ensured.
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