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.
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