OFF THE RECORD (Spotlight Weekly)

‘Every Time I See A Vehicle Emitting Thick Smokes, My Heart Cries’

— Bhakta Bahadur Balayar

MP Bhakta Bahadur Balayar is known for his decision to remove the polluting diesel-run three-wheelers from Kathmandu Valley when he was the Minister of State for Population and Environment during Bhattarai government. Balayar has been representing the far-western district of Doti ever since the restoration of democracy. He spoke to SPOTLIGHT about his present activities and his plans for future. Excerpts:

Now that you are no more a minister, how are you spending your days?
I am busy in projects involving the development of my district. In last one decade, Doti has seen many development in the field of electricity, road access, drinking water, telephone communication, schools and health posts. But still, poverty is widespread and unemployed people continue to go to India looking for jobs. To stop this trend, we need to have some industries there. Doti district is rich in medicinal herbs and recently a Canadian company has agreed to set up a herbal processing unit there. I hope by establishing such industries and promoting village tourism, the problems of the district can be solved.

What are your plans for the upcoming parliamentary session?
This time, MPs from the far-western districts have agreed to join hands in the parliament to press for the development of the region. A decade has passed since the restoration of democracy and yet there is no industry or university in the region. We will ask the government to employ positive discrimination while allotting development budget to this region.

What are your impressions about the environment of the country?
The environment related problems in the country are immense. From concerns of desertification to threats against biodiversity, the challenges are manifold. But during my tenure, I had taken some concrete initiatives to improve the environmental condition. Removing the diesel-run tempos was just a part of that initiative. I was planning to control the use of plastics, pollution from Himal Cement and regulate the 2-stroke motorbykes. I introduced the Nepal Mass Vehicle Emission Standard 2056, which was in line with Euro-I standard. The problem with Kathmandu Valley is that it is a bowl-shaped place from where the pollutants cannot easily escape. In the north of the valley, where there are the sources of river coming here, there are carpet industries that wash off their poisonous chemical dyes in river water and in the south of the valley, from where the wind blows, there is Himal Cement company that puffs pollution.

What do you think you missed to do during your tenure?
We were in the process of preparing a national report for the global mechanism to find solutions to problems of climate change and desertification. We were to present the report to UNEP in Bonn sometime in May. Likewise, I am concerned about the implementation of the National Mass Vehicle Emission Standard. Every time I see a vehicle with green sticker emitting thick smokes, my heart cries. The new minister has promised to continue the works initiated by the old government. I am sure he will keep his promise.

What do you feel after being left out in the present government despite having a good track-record?
First and foremost, I am an MP and I will continue my duty wherever I may be. I am concerned about the environment of the country and although I am not in the government I will continue to raise public awareness regarding environment.

Deuba Becomes Factional Leader

Deuba: Userping leadership ?

Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's recent activities shows that he is a man of no stand. He shifted from one camp to another in Nepali Congress party. Groomed by Koirala family, Deuba is now toeing the line of Krishna Prasad Bhattarai - a die hard anti-Koirala in the Congress. His friendship with Bhattarai's camp is understandable as Bhattarai projected him as an alternative leader. From a main opponent, former Prime Minister Deuba has now been reduced to a leader of a faction of Nepali Congress after he joined the demonstration organized by Prakash Man Singh - son of late Ganesh Man Singh. When Deuba contested the elections against Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala last month, he was applauded by his party colleagues as a lion-hearted leader. But, his hob-nobbing with Junior Singh has tarnishes his reputation otherwise.

Tea Party In Vogue

Tea party seems to be a popular phenomenon in Nepali politics. Although Nepali Congress is a pioneer party to start tea diplomacy, now it is everybody's favorite. Tea party has become popular with all major parties accepting it as a means to promote their own cause. From communist to Congress and prime minister to main opposition leader, all organize tea parties. Recently, former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba organized a tea party to show his strength against Prime Minister Koirala. CPN-UML leaders found death anniversary of late leader Manmohan Adhikary to organize a tea party.

How To Protect From UML's Black-list

CPN-UML's tea party was attended by politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats. At a time when UML is disclosing the list of corrupt politicians, attending the tea party organized by UML could reduce the possibility of one's name figuring in their black list. This could be the reason why there was a rush to shake hands with Pradeep Nepal, chief editor of the black-list, during the party.

Finally He Is Shutting Up

Former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai seems to be tired of joking with political leaders. This may be the reason why Bhattarai did not attend the recent tea party organized by CPN-UML. Instead of going to Balkhu, Bhattarai decided to stay at his Bhainsepati residence.

Shah Comes With Basanti

Veteran film producer Nir Shah is coming with his latest film Basanti based on the historic novel by Diamond SJB Rana. After Caravan and Chameli, the Nepalese audience will now have the chance of seeing another quality film in Basanti, which is scheduled to be released next month.