Investing In Children
PRIME Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba reiterated the commitment of His
Majesty’s Government to do everything possible for the overall improvement of
children in Nepal and materialise child rights enshrined in different international
instruments. Speaking at a function organised by Save the Children US to release the
global report on the health condition of newly born infants in Kathmandu the other day,
Prime Minister Deuba said that as children shape the future of the nation, their proper
upbringing is the prime responsibility of the present generation in order to ensure better
and brighter future of the society and the country. The Prime Minister has rightly said
that the investment in children today is the investment for the development of the nation
and the society. If children are not well brought up and educated, the country cannot
expect a prosperous future. Thus, it is imperative to invest more in health, education and
other areas that help all round growth and development of children. Nepal has expressed
its commitment both at national as well as international level for the development of
children and protect and promote the rights and welfare of children. It has enacted and
implemented several laws concerning protection and promotion of the rights of children. As
such, His Majesty’s Government has accorded high priority to the welfare and
development of children. Several national and international non-governmental organisations
and donors too have been supporting Nepal’s efforts to ensuring rights and
development of children. As a result, there have been some changes and improvements in the
condition and status of children in Nepal. However, Nepal is still one of those countries
where status of children in terms of health, education and growth and development is
poorest and lowest in the world. More than 50 per cent children in Nepal are deprived of
education and other opportunities enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the
Child, although the government provides free education in schools. Even those who enrol in
grade one drop out before completing grade three. The statistics show that there are
estimated 2.6 million child workers, which is almost 40 per cent of the total population
of children in Nepal. The report on the health condition of the newly born infants has
painted a bleaker picture of Nepalese children. It shows that infant mortality in Nepal is
relatively high, which continues to worry those working in the field of child health.
Thus, it is imperative for all to work together for the improvement of health of infants
in order to ensure better future of our country.
Not So Sugary
SWEET sugar gets ever so often into not-so-sweet public controversy in this
country. It doesn’t have to be the eve of major festivals for sugar to do the
vanishing act. That can happen anytime. Quite regularly, consumers are hit hard by the
non-availability of sugar in the market. Real or artificial shortage of sugar hits the
market fairly frequently. It is during these times that dealers and retailers across the
country go wild with sugar prices. Retailers whisper that, yes some sugar is available,
but at an increased per kg price. Consumers are given the choice of going without sugar or
buying the same at the just-increased rate, though no justification for making it dearer
comes forth. The story is repeated many times over a year. But come Dashain, invariably
sugar gets into not-so-sugary controversy. Because massive amount of sugar is consumed in
the country during Dashain and Tihar, when sweetmeats have to be made and there is a
general consumer splurge.
To its surprise, the Public Accounts Committee of the House of
Representatives, investigating the state of sugar supply on the eve of Dashain, found that
government does not have a well-thought-out strategy to ensure adequate supply of sugar
and other essential goods. It has done well to direct the government and the Ministry of
Industry, Commerce and Supplies to carry out a study on the state of demand and supply of
sugar and make appropriate arrangements for its regular supply. It also found out that the
National Trading Limited did not have any clear policy on whether to purchase sugar
directly or through competition from among companies run by the Indian government. Nor was
the list of the Indian companies trading in sugar updated. Nor was any priority given to
calling tenders in the purchase and supply of sugar. All this shows that ad-hocism
prevails in the purchase of sugar. No wonder this affects the supply of sugar in the
country. In order that sugar scarcity and hoarding does not recur, the sound directives
from the Public Accounts Committee must be followed up with action. The policy on sugar
import and supply must have the overall objective of reaching sugar to the consumers at
the cheapest rate possible at all times, during Dashain or other seasons. |
