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| LETTERS |
Withdraw Tariff Hike Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has again raised the electricity tariff, taking it out of the reach of the common people ("Consumers Paying For Inefficiency", SPOTLIGHT, August 3). How long will the poor consumers have to pay the price of the inefficiency and mismanagement of the NEA and the misuse of resources by politicians? The people are losing faith in the NEA and the government. If the government is serious about public welfare, it must immediately withdraw the price increase. As you mention in your story, the NEA can raise resources in so many other ways. Why does it always have to squeeze the consumers? Nirmala Sharma Biased View I agree that the NEA had no alternative to raising the power tariff ("Consumers Paying For Inefficiency", SPOTLIGHT, August 3). How long can 85 percent of the population share the burden of the 15 percent of Nepalis who enjoy electricity facilities? There is no reason to give subsidies in a commodity like electricity, which is used by the well-to-do class of the population. I don’t understand why a party like CPN-UML, which claims to be the messiah of the poor, opposed a move to tax the rich class. The NEA needs to focus attention on properly using the additional revenue. Your story has not done justice to the NEA’s decision. Dharmaman
Shakya No Justification The NEA is pushing the country towards stagnation in power-sector development ("Consumers Paying For Inefficiency", SPOTLIGHT, August 3). If the monopoly of the NEA continues, Nepalese consumers will have to brace for further scarcity of power. Who knows when the NEA will raise the tariff again? At a time when the prices of most commodities are going down, is there any rationale in increasing the electricity tariff? Surendra Nepal Control Leakage Had the NEA formulated a plan to reduce electricity leakage, it would not have had to go on increasing the tariff ("Consumers Paying For Inefficiency", SPOTLIGHT, August 3). The NEA must go in vigorously to reduce leakage. As long as ministers, their relatives and supporters continue to misuse the resources of the NEA, the financial situation of the organization will not improve. Eventually, the NEA will again increase the tariff, citing same old reasons. The organization may get $50 million in loan from the Asian Development Bank after this price hike, but how long it can it avoid checking the misuse of funds. Ratna Awale Don’t Blame Donors I agree with the argument that it is not donors’ pressure but mismanagement within the government that is responsible for the power tariff increase ("Consumers Paying For Inefficiency", SPOTLIGHT, August 3). Leaders of all major political parties have been misusing the property of the NEA. The recent report of State Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives pointed to how politicians have been taking away dozens of vehicles from the NEA. Nepalese politicians must look at their own face before blaming donors for the tariff increase. Shekhar Gupta Deuba’s Second Innings At a time when the main opposition party is dictating the terms and condition the majority party should work under, I don’t think anyone can predict the longevity of the Nepal Congress government led by second-generation leader Sher Bahadur Deuba ("Deuba’s Second Coming", SPOTLIGHT, July 27). Had Deuba backed Girija Prasad Koirala when he was under attack from all opposition parties, the minority would not have prevailed. Whether Deuba likes it or not, his tenure will last as long as he enjoys the support of the main opposition party. Pradeep
Belbase Neighborhood Bully As a neighbor, India has never done any favor to Nepal ("Marchabar Controversy," SPOTLIGHT, July 27). In the last 50 years, India has only promoted politics of confrontation in the kingdom. Instead of helping to bring economic prosperity to Nepal, India is forcing Nepalis in border areas to flee their homes by triggering floods. Every year, India creates havoc among Nepalis living in the border areas. Whether it is in Gaur, Laxmanpur, Siraha or now in Lumbini, India seems to be making calculated efforts to harm the Nepalese people. If India really wishes the Nepalese people well, it must not repeat such actions. The Nepalese government is also responsible for this situation. Instead of going through diplomatic channels, Nepalese officials are using the media. I don’t think such activities will help Nepal find an amicable solution. Our officials must tell their Indian counterparts about the situation faced by the Nepalese people. Gagan Shakya |
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