Security For Development

PRIME Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand said that development activities would by no means be affected because of any security problem. Speaking at a meeting of the National Development Problem Resolution Committee at the National Planning Commission in Kathmandu the other day, Prime Minister Chand assured that security would not pose a problem in the implementation of development projects. Concerns have been raised from various quarters including the planners and policymakers over the delay in the implementation and completion of projects due to security problems. Their worries and concerns are based on the present situation as many development projects have been severely affected because of the violence and terrorism being perpetrated by the Maoists. This is an unfortunate situation for Nepal as it has been struggling hard to speed up the pace of development. Development activities should not be affected. If the nation falls, no Nepali citizen can escape. All responsible citizens must realise this fact and act accordingly. However, the Maoist terrorists have targeted development projects and have already destroyed several development infrastructures. This is in no way at the interest of the nation and the people. Against this background, the Prime Minister's commitment and assurance to provide security for development projects carries a special significance. It clearly indicates that His Majesty's Government is, committed to maintain law and order, improve security system and protect the lives and property of the people. His Majesty the King, while constituting the present Council of Ministers, had entrusted the government with five clear responsibilities, including restoration of security and peace in the country and the government has already taken a number of measures to improve security and provide better services to the people. Security forces have been accordingly mobilised. As a result, there has been a marked improvement in the security situation in the country. In an effort to provide better services to the people, His Majesty's Government has recently constituted seven Public Service Monitoring and Inspection Committees, whose duty is to monitor the serivces being provided by the concerned government agencies and make it more efficient and effective. These sincere efforts of the government to provide a sense of security to the people and expedite the pace of development have been well received and appreciated by the people as well as the international community. However, some political parties appear to be indifferent to the problems of the people and are making unnecessary noise in the capital. Today's need is to go to villages where people are suffering and extend helping hands to them. Moreover, the efforts of the government can be more effective only when all sectors, including political parties and the civil society honestly and actively support and work in unison.

Say Bye To Plastics

POLLUTION has been one of the biggest problems faced by the capital city for years. Increasing population coupled with the rising number of vehicles plying along the roads and haphazard settlements are regarded to be the main causes behind the increasing pollution in the city. Garbage heaps consisting mostly of plastics scattered here and there and almost 'dead' rivers carrying city sewerage instead of fresh water indicate how grave is the problem of pollution in Kathmandu. Though efforts have constantly been made to improve the deteriorating city environment, the outcome is hardly satisfactory. Instead, it seems the situation is going from bad to worse. The Kathmandu Valley reportedly produces 400 metric tons of waste everyday but lacks a systematic mechanism to dispose the garbage properly. Against this backdrop, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has given priority to the environment issues in its annual budget announced the other day. As per a news item carried by this daily, KMC claimed that it had retained its earlier objective of making Kathmandu City neat and clean, healthy, systematic and environmentally pleasant.

Undoubtedly, the past efforts of the KMC to improve the city's environment were encouraging. The denizens have also felt this. And this time the KMC has added yet another encouraging programme-to make the city a 'plastic free zone'- to improve the city's environment. Obviously, plastic is one of the key pollutants for it takes decades to get decayed in the environment. Also plastic covers the largest part of waste. As such, the KMC's new plan, if implemented effectively, will be very useful to improve the city environment. By making the city people use jute or paper-bags instead of plastic bags, the city can easily be developed as a 'plastic free zone'. Likewise, an organic fertiliser station, well-equipped slaughterhouses and electric cremations that KMC is planning to establish will surely help improve the city environment. Besides, emphasis should be given to create gardens, keep the rivers clean and renovate all the historical monuments, both big and small, so as to give a good look to the city.