Create Conducive Environment For Investment
With a large amount of remittance flowing inside the country and lack of conducive environment for investment liquidity has increased highly in Nepal (ECONOMY: Under Stress "SPOTLIGHT June 3"). In fact, this is one reason for the 'disturbingly growing inflation rate'. So, through this budget the government should bring out such policies that attract more and more investment so that the freezing money of Nepalese here and abroad can be utilized to increase production.
Raman Subba
Sat Dobato
Focus On Employment Generation
I have read the cover story this issue and would like to put my opinion regarding the upcoming budget (ECONOMY: Under Stress "SPOTLIGHT June 3"). While many argue that the royal take over on February 1 was a set back to democracy, many citizens of the country have also viewed it with some hope of relief. The upcoming budget is the first budget after the King's direct rule. As budget announcements are the manifestations of the government policies and programs, the intention and the ability of the government to address the problems of the people will be seen through this budget. Politically, the first priority of the nation is to restore peace. Likewise, financially the main problem of the country is high rate of unemployment. Although, the statistics shows the problem in a much reduced form, an alarmingly large number of people of the working age in this country are not employed, at least not satisfactorily employed. It does not show in official statistics because even if any one is not working, there is a trend to term them as 'farmers' in rural areas and 'students' (or something alike if they are older) in the urban areas. So, in my opinion, the first priority should go to generating employment opportunities extensively for the proper economic growth of the country. If the huge manpower of this country is properly used in some kind of productive sector everything else will slowly fall in place. In fact, I believe that even the problem of conflict will be largely mitigated by the generation of employment opportunities, because most of the youths who have entered into the rebels group is not because of their ideology, but because of the sheer frustration generated by unemployment, lack of opportunities, poverty etc.
Shreeya Khanal
Paknajole
Bring Out Relief Package
The number of people displaced from their homes and work because of the conflict is increasing (ECONOMY: Under Stress "SPOTLIGHT June 3"). Undergoing the plight of being a refugee in their own country, these people are getting virtually no relief from the government. It is an irony that most of these people were displaced either because they were some kind of representatives of the government (like government employees or the family members of security personnel). If the government is to win people's heart they should bring out packages to rehabilitate and give some relief to these people. Likewise, the government will also be able to mitigate the strength of the rebels if they can bring out effective programs to provide a safe landing and rehabilitate the people in the rebel's group who want to leave the insurgency and reestablish themselves in the society.
Prem Khadka
Lazimpat
Explore Newer Options
With the population of Kathmandu increasing day by day, the scarcity of water is bound to get worse in the coming years (WATER CRISIS: Never Ending Problem "SPOTLIGHT June 3). Not only the completion of the Melamchi project is far fetched, but also the water demand in Kathmandu will rise so much by then that there will still be scarcity of water. So, in order to address the problem of water in Kathmandu we should explore more options that are feasible and sustainable. We could, for example, try harvesting rainwater, recycling and reusing water through appropriate technology.
Nabin Shrestha
Chabahil
Harvest Rainwater
One of the feasible solutions to the water crisis in Kathmandu could be rainwater harvesting (WATER CRISIS: Never Ending Problem "SPOTLIGHT June 3). Kathmandu receives a lot of rainfall annually and it has been proved scientifically that rainwater is the purest form of water. The problem of water in Kathmandu will be solved even if a small fraction of the rainfall in Kathmandu is tapped. The only challenge is its storage. Delhi Municipal Corporation has recently passed a rule that no houses can be built without the system of rainwater harvesting in it. I think it is high time Kathmandu, too, started a similar mandatory provision to harvest rainwater in each house.
Resham Nyaupane
Kupondole
Don't Close Schools
It is a very sad thing that schools are closed time and again by the Maoists depriving thousands of students of their fundamental right to education (SCHOOLS CLOSED: Future Uncertain "SPOTLIGHT June 3). The rebels should understand that if the education of children is disrupted the future of the country will be totally devastated because these (children) are the people that the country would rely on in the future. In fact, even if the Maoists take over, don't they need educated people to run the country?
Hari Shakya
Patan
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