LETTERS (Spotlight Weekly)

Elusive Stability

Less than a year after the majority government of Nepali Congress has been in office, there are already signs of instability (Government Under Stress Spotlight February 4). Earlier, it was said that instability in Nepalese politics was due to coalition governments but even though the present government enjoys majority in the parliament, the elusive stability still haunts. It is because our politicians still lack maturity to deal with the system of multi party democracy, that the country has to suffer the fits of instability.

Bharat Sharma
Gaushala

Will NC Divide?

The recent political happenings point to the ominous future for the ruling Nepali Congress party (Spotlight February 4). Ever ridden with factional squabblings, NC has further landed into serious trouble following the recent resignation by Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya. It is feared that one of the oldest democratic parties of the country may disintegrate because of factional disputes.

Binaya Thapa
Bagbazar

About Emission Standard

Your cover story " Cleaning Environment" (January 21-27, 2000) is interesting and informative as it lays bare some of the recent developments after the announcement by the government of Nepal Vehicle Mass Emission Standard (2056). The introduction of the Nepal Vehicle Mass Emission Standard is a bold move by the government and reflects its commitment to tackle the worsening air pollution in cities of Nepal specially in Kathmandu valley. Despite such genuine interests of the government, the new standard which is almost similar to Euro I standards suffers from some inconsistencies which may be manipulated by the vehicle dealers in their favor.

While the government has previously banned two-stroke motorcycles in Nepal from September 1999, the new standard allows two-stroke motorcycles to run in Nepal except in Kathmandu, Pokhara and the Lumbini areas on condition that they meet Euro I standards. This provision looks ridiculous. It is like expecting a limping man to run 100 meters in 10 seconds since it is very difficult for two-stroke motorcycles to meet the Euro I standards. Another point is while other vehicles that meet Euro I standards are allowed to run in the valley, why should we discriminate against two-stroke motorcycles if they can too meet Euro I standard?

The point 22 of the notice issued by Ministry of Environment and Population regarding the Nepal Vehicle Mass Emission Standard allows for 99 per cent custom duty waiver and VAT exemption if the displaced diesel Vikram tempo owners import petrol micro-buses on condition that they be converted into CNG, LPG or LNG in Nepal. Since it is possible that vehicle dealers import petrol micro-buses with all those lucrative incentives and go on ignoring the conversion process, this point needs to be reviewed further and tightened up (we are all aware of the fact that once vehicles are in, it is very difficult to drive them away from the country).

Similarly, the 22-point notice does not state explicitly that a vehicle owner needs to present a certificate of conformity of production besides a certificate of type approval. However with constant pressure from Martin Chautari , the Ministry of Population and Environment later issued a notice emphasizing that the vehicle dealers should present both certificates. It is noteworthy that most of the vehicle dealers who claim that their micro-buses meet the Nepal Vehicle Mass Emission Standard (2056) have not submitted both certificates.

Martin Chautari
Thapathali, Kathmandu

Unjustified Attacks

Apropos your cover story "Government Under Stress" (Spotlight February 4) it seems there is a calculated campaign aimed at dislodging Bhattarai government. It is true that the present government led by Krishna Prasad Bhattarai has not been able to deliver its promises, but the fault does not lie with the government alone. Since the day one, a section of Nepali Congress party in close collaboration with different elements have been trying hard to prove its inefficiency. It is therefore required that such unjustified attacks are stopped if we are to expect any good moves from the government.

Kamal Sharma
Thapathali