Positive Linings Now
POVERTY has been one of the major problems faced by Nepal for a long, long time. In spite
of many programmes and projects to alleviate poverty, the majority of the people still
have not been able to get out of the vicious cycle of the unavailability of basic
facilities that any normal human being needs to lead a normal life. Because of poverty,
many people just cannot afford education, and because of the lack of education they do not
have access to gainful employment. As a result of inadequate income, they are not able to
afford many other basic needs like health care, nutritious food, good housing and clothes
among others. Moreover, with rampant corruption and increasing terrorist activities, the
problems have become worse. The authorities too have had to concentrate on security
aspects to maintain law and order and it has been unfortunate that a huge chunk of the
budget meant for development works has had to be spent for security purposes. Experts have
quite rightly pointed out that poor governance and a weak decentralisation mechanism have
contributed to poor industrial output. Due to poor governance there has been less
accountability and this has also negatively affected the economic performance at the
national level.
There is no doubt, lack of vision, shirking of
responsibility by political leaders and bureaucrats and increasing incidents of corruption
contributed in stunting the economic growth in the country. Because of setbacks among
leaders and policy makers, the poor of the country suffered even more. The projects funded
by donor nations and agencies, meant to help the poverty stricken Nepalese, also suffered.
According to a report, even such a broad based economic programme like the World Bank
funded Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility, meant to enhance economic growth through
liberal economic policies and increased private sector participation, failed to achieve
the desired goals. This was not good for Nepal, which like its South Asian neighbours, had
been trying to provide economic relief to the people. Like already mentioned above, the
twin problems of terrorism and increased corruption in recent years, exacerbated matters
more. The recent move by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority, to
initiate action against corrupt politicians and bureaucrats is a welcome move, which has
been well taken by the suffering people. It can be hoped, with the formation of a clean
government and tough action against the corrupt, the country will see better times in the
near future.
Other Story
|
