Right Priorities

IN his replies to a wide range of queries raised in the House of Representatives in recent days and weeks, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba sought to assure the lawmakers Tuesday that the government was doing all it could in resolving the Maoist issue, promoting good governance and bringing in reforms in different spheres. He gave an extensive reply to lawmakers’ across-the-board concerns on subjects ranging from foreign affairs to the role of Royal Nepalese Army to Integrated Security and Development Programme to border issues. Governmental efforts at land reforms and steps taken to improve general administration and the country’s economy also figured in his statement. But what was indicated as being at the top of the government’s priorities was again the Maoist problem. Obviously referring to the ongoing efforts at resolving the problem, he said that it was imperative to give a peaceful outlet to the serious problems besetting the country at present. Resolution of the Maoist problem may be a dominant subject, but there is a multitude of other issues that the government has to deal with in a forceful manner. In this connection, Premier Deuba assured the lawmakers that the government had already started to bring in wider reforms in an institutional capacity in the existing laws related to good governance and curbing corruption. Indeed, the current session of parliament is expected to deliberate on several important bills that, if passed, would go a long way in promoting good governance and fighting one of the major public enemies in the form of corruption. Legislative efforts are under way also in promoting the rights and situation of women and children.

Among the more important steps that the government has taken over the recent past or those on the anvil relate to: extension of Integrated Security and Development Programme to additional districts, a monitoring and coordination unit on general administration reforms, formulation of long-term industrial perspective planning, plan to set up national information science centre to work as information-statistics bank, expansion of relations with different countries on foreign investment, committee to monitor, evaluate and rejuvenate ailing industries and exports promotion. The endeavours by the present government in different sectors of national life have been notable and they signal right priorities, but it will take time for the results to be visible. What needs to be stressed here is that the good steps already taken in different areas of governance require sustained, earnest follow-ups. The success of most of the labours in these areas hinge also on the degree of peace reigning in the country and the serious attention good governance promotion gets. It is against this background that Premier Deuba’s emphasis on resolution of the Maoist problem and efforts to promote good governance acquires a resonance.

Priorities Tourism

NEPAL is celebrating the 22nd World Tourism Day today (September 27) with the theme "Tourism a Tool for Peace and Dialogue among Civilizations". Coming as it does in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Centre and Pentagon, the theme, coincidentally, could not have been more apt. The theme wishes to draw the attention of all to tourism’s notable contribution to securing peace among peoples and to strengthening the interaction and cultural and trading links between civilizations. However, political developments and untoward incidents in the past few years have hardly been conducive for the growth of tourism in the country. To begin with, the numerous strikes and violent bandhs called by the different political parties time and again have cost the industry dear. Many a tourist has left with poor impressions about the country after they have had to stay indoors during those periods or even walk to the airport while returning home. The on-going Maoist insurgency portrays a rather grim picture of security in the Himalayan kingdom in the tourist generating countries. These political incidents apart, the frequent strikes by the employees working in the tourism sector itself have also taken a heavy toll of the industry.

For a country like Nepal, tourism goes much beyond building bridges between civilizations. Over the years, the tourism industry has come to stay as the backbone of the country’s economy. In Nepal’s socio-economic context, tourism is the most feasible industry that shows tremendous potential for more development, especially in the rural areas in generating employment opportunities and alleviating poverty. It is, therefore, essential that the industry is accorded its due priority by all. The tourism industry is very sensitive, and tourists tend to cancel their trips at the drop of a hat. This year has not fared well for Nepal’s tourism industry, reeling as it still does under the impact of the tragic incident at the Royal Palace on June 1. And just when tourism prospects were brightening up, the attacks in the US have dampened all hopes. While the perils are there, the tourism industry is also capable of rebounding as soon as situations improve. Certain incidents are beyond our control. But things we can do we must do. And improving the law and order situation is where we can begin from.