LETTERS (Spotlight Weekly)

Ensure Transparency

The central bank and the Ministry of Finance must make transparent each step they take toward handing over the management of Rastriya Banijya Bank and Nepal Bank Limited to private hands on lease ("Banks On Hire", SPOTLIGHT March 30-April 5). Any attempt to cloud the process would result in a fiasco. Past incidents suggest that the authorities would try to make the process as less transparent as they possibly can. That would be unfortunate. If this process lands in controversy, the ultimate losers would be the two banks themselves.

Sudhir Bista
Hattisar

Reform Necessary

Time is running out if we want to save the two biggest banks of the country ("Banks On Hire", SPOTLIGHT, March 30-April 5). Instead of squandering our latest chance to reform the banks, everyone concerned should make honest efforts to improve them. As we have already lost precious time in introducing much-needed reforms, we must not waste any more time. Capable foreign clients should be given the responsibility to improve the management of these banks.

Sandeep Shrestha
Bangemuda

No Guts

It is absurd that the government has chosen to accept a loan to sell the management of its banks ("Banks On Hire", SPOTLIGHT, March 30-April 5). As the bank employees argue, the real reform would be to bring to book the culprits who are responsible for landing these institutions in their present mess. Does the government have the guts to take action against the so-called business houses that are trying to default on their loans? If so, there is no need to hand over the management of the banks to anybody else.

Deepak KC
Jhamsikhel

Money Matters

Your cover story indicated that any serious damage to the Rastriya Banijya Bank and Nepal Bank Limited would result in a financial meltdown in the country ("Banks On Hire", SPOTLIGHT, March 30-April 5). If that is the case, not a single moment must be lost in improving their situation. The country cannot afford to allow these two banking pillars to deteriorate further. Whether through management contract to foreigners, total privatization or anything else, the authorities must do something to prevent a catastrophe.

Suman Baidya
Patan

No Official Dispute

Our attention has been drawn to your write-up on the constitutional debate ("Question Of Jurisdiction", SPOTLIGHT, March 30-April 5). It is not at all true that the attorney-general has had any personal or official dispute with Mr. Bal Ram KC, who went on automatic retirement after completion of his tenure.

Office of the Attorney-General
Kathmandu

Moderation Is Better

I want to make some comments on your article on changing food habits ("Changing Taste", SPOTLIGHT, March 23-29). I guess the main theme of the article was about the growing fast-food habits in Kathmandu. My concern, however, has to do with your discussion regarding diet and health. Your story gives the impression that eating meat is harmful — without any qualification. It does not discuss differences within animal products, red and white meat, etc. At least, that’s how I read it, and I don’t think we can make absolute statements like that. I also find the analogy of meat products being a slow-moving vehicles very misleading. It might have been more appropriate to talk about saturated fat and cholesterol in this context since you get saturated fat from plant products as well (oil, vegetable ghee).

Of course, I’ve nothing against vegetarian diet. In fact, I myself limit meat consumption. However, if a person is strictly vegetarian (especially vegan), they better make sure that they’re receiving adequate nutrients, especially proteins and calcium since plants are low on them. In addition, Vit. B-12 is found only in animal products. I personally think that it’s more important to ensure that your diet is balanced and the key issue may be moderation. Moreover, meat consumption is mostly a problem in the West and not in countries like Nepal. The bottom line is that there are people who choose to be vegetarian for strictly health reasons, and I think your article may mislead them.

Kalyan Pande
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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