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LETTERS |
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LETTERS |
Common Plan First Whenever the subject of a fast-track link
between the capital and the southern plains comes up, we are swamped by a plethora of
views and recommendations ("Dream Or Reality?" SPOTLIGHT, August 23). Some
recommend the construction of a tunnel, while others suggest a Bagmati corridor road.
Still others advise the construction of a railway line. We are only wasting valuable time
by entangling ourselves in this multiplicity of ideas. We should bring all these
recommendations together and try to formulate a common proposal. A consensus plan would
help us step up pressure on the government to act and bolster our case for assistance from
international donors. Bikram Thapa Railway Is Better Kathmandu is a mountain-locked city, which
is the economic heart of the country. Without reliable access from the plains, where most
of the industries operate, economic progress cannot be assured. ("Dream Or
Reality?" SPOTLIGHT, August 23). My advice to our planners is that we should
construct a railway line to join Kathmandu with the terai because it would be far more
reliable and cheaper than a road in the long term. It would be more efficient both in
terms of time and money. We could easily link our railway system to the East-West highway
as well as the Indian railway network. Sitaram Dawadi Tough Language The Editor's Note in your last issue drew
my attention. It says, "...as long the whole region is plagued with the scare of
nuclear war, celebrating independence spending millions is nothing but a criminal
farce". Though the spirit of the language was right, the choice of words made it
sound hard-hitting. The manner in which you portrayed Indian hegemony was apt. The fact
remains that because of tensions between India and Pakistan, the whole region is affected.
India being the largest country of this region, should take steps to relieve the region of
its current misery. Sudhakar Basnet Incomplete Job The action taken by the Commission of
Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) last week produced ripples of hope among many
("Cautious Optimism", SPOTLIGHT, August 23). Twenty-two civil servants under the
Ministry of Finance are suspected of abusing their authority. Had the CIAA started its
strict actions from the political level, it would have won greater public respect.
Moreover, the whole empire of corruption would have been shaken to its roots. This limited
and low-level action cannot reach the core of the rot. The CIAA faces great challenges
ahead. Whether it can face them remains to be seen. Suraj Baral Why Delay? As India is Nepal's largest trade partner,
it would not be possible to increase our trade ignoring its concerns ("Friendly
Gesture", SPOTLIGHT, August 23). But India must not use this factor to blackmail
Nepal. India has always been assuring Nepal of full cooperation. But it has also been
raising obstacles whenever Nepalese products increase their market share in India. Last
time, it imposed various taxes such as the Special Additional Duty (SAD). After the visits
of His Majesty the King and the prime minister, India assured Nepal that it would waive
this duty soon. But what is its interest in delaying the removal of the SAD, which is
affecting Nepalese industries adversely. Such delays can hamper our weak economy
(specially in these tough days). Can't our friend feel the sensitivity of the Nepalese
economy? Hari B. Thapa Encouraging Dictator The Supreme Court's decision upholding the
prime minister's right to dissolve the lower house of parliament ("Politics Left To
Politicians", SPOTLIGHT, August 9) has indicated that his authority (to dissolve)
remains justified even if the security condition is grave. Interestingly, some
intellectuals and politicians, who had earlier criticized the prime minister's decision
have started changing their tone after the apex court's decision. Isn't there anyone who
sticks with his or her views? As such, the court's decision may encourage the prime
minister to become a dictator by enforcing the state of emergency before and during each
election. Prem Thapa Third Party Mediation The solution to the Bhutanese refugee
impasse appears as distant as ever ("From Pillar To Post", SPOTLIGHT, August 9).
The nearly 100,000 refugees languishing at different camps in eastern Nepal seem to be
losing hope of ever returning to their homeland. It is baffling that the two Himalayan
kingdoms have been unable to solve the problem even after a dozen rounds of
ministerial-level meetings. It is, therefore, natural to hear the refugee leaders talking
of third party (read Indian) mediation. Maybe it is time the mandarins at the Shital Niwas
gave a second thought to their policy in dealing with the problem. Ramesh KC |
Send your feedback to the
editor: spotligh@mos.com.np |
