Appeal For Aid

THOUGH it is easy to picture the amount of time and energy that the government must be spending on the huge task of containing terrorism on an emergency footing, other fronts of governance must at the same time receive governmental attention. Various development works throughout the country must not be allowed to flounder. A number of programmes, designed to address the people’s problems, were announced by the administration of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba soon after he formed the government earlier this year. They have to be given a further push toward a logical conclusion. That the government is committed to advance various economic programmes and promote good governance even while the security agencies try to neutralise the Maoist terrorism was amply underscored by Mr. Deuba when he briefed representatives of donor countries and international donor agencies Monday on the current security situation and the economic programmes being undertaken. Naturally, in undertaking the programmes that the government has planned requires resources, which even in the best of times are limited, and which are now even more inadequate what with the massive job of mobilising all security agencies to fight terrorism. Mr. Deuba’s appeal at the meeting, thus, for more assistance from donor countries and agencies in carrying out development and construction works must be seen in the light of a sense of urgency to mobilise increased resources to carry out what it has set out to do. Simply put, resources are tight, and the government has to find ways to marshal more funds from various sources including the country’s development partners.

While the search for new funds are natural, resources are generated also by avoiding overspending and going for austerity. Mr. Deuba told the bilateral and multi-lateral donors representatives that the government was adopting frugality, reducing unnecessary expenses, working out spending priorities and launching administrative and fiscal reforms. This must have struck the right chord among the donors, for increased emphasis on fiscal discipline would be the first and foremost thing to do in making a judicious use of the available resources. The response from the donor representatives has been positive. Their categorical statement that peace and stability were indispensable for the country’s social and economic development and that development programmes need to be given continuity is something the government can take heart from. While their pledge for continued cooperation is reassuring, they should consider with sympathy and understanding Mr. Deuba’s appeal for more assistance as the government’s efforts at combating terrorism and poverty together to achieve both peace and development deserve solid backing.

Private Sector Counts

THE news that the first phase of the expansion works at the Gongabu bus terminal in Kathmandu has been initiated by a private company after the signing of the agreement with the Kathmandu Metropolitan Corporation comes as a welcome move in an attempt to see that active private sector participatison in development efforts does take place. It is a 45-year agreement under which the works are being carried out for providing more reliable safety services for the incoming as well as the outgoing passengers. This is just one in the series of moves to see private sector participation in every type of development activities. In fact, unlike in the past when the government had the sole responsibility of providing various services and production units, the private sector agencies have come into being. This augurs well for the country as a whole. The stress on making the private sector partners in development works came into being with the government’s policy of a liberal policy. It has been in existence for quite some time. It may be worthwhile mentioning here that many industries or service providers from the private sector are doing better as compared to the government owned corporations. But, herein, the privatisation drives and the recent decision to scrap four loss making government owned corporations are right moves. If a corporation goes on making losses every year, the obligation on the government is to support it financially and that can be done only at the cost of public money which is not desirable.

In an age when rapid developments have taken place in technological innovations and there is more trained manpower to tackle the complex development activities, the government by encouraging the private sector has done the right thing. In doing this, the government has made it clear that everyone is a participant in the development process. This has proved to be a stimulus for more productive output. The fruits of such decisions are to be shared among the enterprising lot. It also provides for the services and goods to be within the reach of everyone. The monopoly aspects are also taken care of. The example of the import, distribution and sale of sugar is a case in point. Still, not everything is well so the government has to be more forthcoming in giving a greater boost and encouragement to the private sector. Of course, the tourism industry is basically run and managed by the private sector itself and they have achieved remarkable results. Therefore, it is plain that government-private sector partnership will be more fruitful in the days to come and this can raise no doubt among the people, entrepreneurs and others.