King should initiate consultations with political parties, constitutional experts and intellectuals for reviewing the 'situation'

-Krishna Joshi,Kathmandu

He was born in 1940 in Bhojpur district. He completed his school level education from Vidyodaya High School, Bhojpur. He later secured his Masters Degree in the discipline of Political Science from Tribhuvan University in the year 2034 B.S. Krishna Joshi obtained his Masters of Public Administration degree from the world famous American University, Lebanon, Beirut under USAID program.

Joshi served as a civil servant of the His Majesty's Government for uninterrupted twenty eight years and retired from the Nepali bureaucracy in 2049 BS that is three years after the restoration of the multiparty order in the country. During his tenure in government bureaucracy, Joshi was posted mostly in different remote districts and served there in different capacities.

To his credit, Joshi has written seven books including novels, poems and lyrics. Other than literature, he has written two books on Public Administration. His book on Public administration- SARBJANIK PRASHASHAN-ADHUNIK ADHYAN-was evaluated as a first class research book by T.U in 2037 BS. Presently this book has been prescribed at the MPA course of the T.U.

Interestingly, one student of Nepali literature of the T.U has completed his Masters thesis on Joshi's literary works and personality.

During government's service had traveled most of the districts of Nepal and some South Asian and Middle East countries.

Unquestionably, Joshi is considered to be a noted lyricist and litterateur of the country and some of his heart touching songs could be heard from various Radio Stations of the country.

Scholar Joshi during his free time prefers to study books penned by renowned novelists and poets such as Bal Krishna Sama , Dr. D.R Regmi and Shakespeare to name a few. He possesses a special preference for the novels of Banira Giri.

Last week, we approached this noted scholar, who is basically my nearest neighbor, for an exclusive interview to which he readily agreed. Below the results: Chief editor.

TGQ1: As a responsible citizen of the nation and a former bureaucrat, how you Mr. Joshi assess the functioning of this system since 1990? Have the people been delivered goods as promised by the champions of the multiparty order prior to the collapse of the erstwhile regime? Your comments please!

Mr. Joshi: Democracy is the best political system in the world which has no other alternatives. From the system and the word of democracy we understand every citizens are provided education, health, food and shelter, communication and other facilities which are directly concerned with the human lives. After the political change of 1990, people had dreamt of drastic changes in their lives. They had the confidence that after the advent of the system they will get every opportunities regarding education, food and others necessities easily. Political parties and political champions had promised s many things but very sad to say that the education system could not reach easily to the poor people; medical facilities became so limited and only very few rich people could afford it, so I'm not in a position to say that this system has delivered goods and other necessities to the people as per their needs. For example, people in the remote areas have not been able to get even rice, salt, sugar and kerosene oil-the basics for a family. I'm sure if the delivery system is not effective, the function of democracy could not be result-oriented and the slogan of good governance will become a simple rhetoric.

TGQ2: Economists say the country is on the verge of collapse. So is the law and order situation in the country. Even powerful donors have started hinting the government to perform or face consequences. For all these negative developments in the country, whom you Mr. Joshi think is to be primarily blamed? Is it the leaders or the lay men? Your comments please!

Mr. Joshi: The economic situation of the country is so weak that our development programs totally depend on foreign aids and donations. This is not only the problem of our country but it is a general trend of other developing countries also. Without foreign aids and donations it is sure that our country can't achieve the required growth. It is a reality. But foreign aids and donations are misused and pocketed b some powerful personalities, bureaucrats in the name of NGOs and INGOs. Thus the mushrooming growth and the formation of such non-governmental organizations in Nepal itself has become a source of corruption and the people have not been able to get direct benefits from the foreign aids and donations that perhaps has come for them. This is a very bitter truth.

On the other hand, the achievements of five years' plans are very frustrating. The growth of the non-audited and misused amounts that goes to the tune of billions and billions and the government's blind eyes towards the Auditor General's report has created people's dissatisfaction towards the functioning of the democratic system. In this situation, how can we say that our future is bright. Not only this but the democratic system has become not for the people but for a few ruling elite's, its leaders and men in the coterie. This has created complete negative feeling in the minds of the people towards the system now in place. If this negative feeling gets exploded, it will seriously damage the system. Whenever government and the administration do not become people oriented and remain passive for the nation's development, the people ever exhibit their positive attitude towards the government and the system. Such attitudes do not bode well for the future of the government and the system.

The deterioration has been solely due to the follies of the governing system.

TGQ3: The Maoists are observing the sixth anniversary of their People's War. At the moment, they have in their command a parallel "People's government"' in the West. What does this indicate? Also tell us whether this insurgency was a political issue demanding political solution or a terrorist problem demanding the use of force? Enlighten our readers also the main reason behind the insurgency growing so fast in number and in strength within five years of its declaration?/

Mr. Joshi: The Maoists are celebrating its sixth anniversary. Within this period so many ordinary people, police an civil servants have been killed. A sorrowful situation indeed. Whatever the system might be in a particular country, if the people in that country do not get employment, education, food and shelter and remain neglected for longer periods, they ventilate their feelings through such aggressive overtures. This is normal. Perhaps the Maoists insurgency in Nepal could be the result of such factors mentioned above. If the people are not able to get easily the items like food, shelter and employment according to their qualification, this kind of aggression will definitely occur. Such negative activities can't be solved through the use of guns and bullets. Is there any country where there is the absence of this kind of problem? Perhaps not. Which country has been able to solve this kind of problem in the world through the use of force?

Maoists have formed their own People's government in the far western region and the people of that region are being lured by the insurgents by providing the aggrieved parties with quick judicial decisions and serving the needed administrative penalties to the wrongdoers. The insurgents have been using spot punishment to those who exploit the poor in the area where they have formed their governments.

The fact is that our governing system could not be for the people and the political system could not be for all. If we could eliminate such weaknesses from the very patter of our system of governance, the insurgency will not grow in such a fashion as they are today.

Next important thing is that the processes of sharing of power and achieving ruling authority through corrupt practices seen in political parties have caused a total neglect of the pressing and the burning issues of the country from being addressed. Maoist's problem, I don't think is only a political problem. I think, it is a serious human problem and such human problems can be resolved by treating them as a human being.

TGQ4: The lay men, the intellectuals and other responsible quarters now conclude that if the present chaotic situation is not controlled on time, it might catapult in a civil war. They also conclude that the constitutional monarch can only be trusted at times of crises of this sort. However, the fact is that the King's hands are tied by the present constitution. What could be a way out constitutionally so that the King acts, intervenes and brings back the situation to its normalcy?

Mr. Joshi: People of the country are becoming poorer and poorer. On the other hand, the Maoists insurgency has already become very strong and active. This means the relationship between government and the people have become pretty weaker. This type of weak relationship between the establishment and the lay men might invite a sort of civil war as you have mentioned. Some people say civil war has already started in Nepal. In the meantime, the government has formed a separate Armed Police Force in the country. So we can easily speculate the internal law and order situation in the country. In such a situation, I would not go in favor of the constitutional monarchy intervening and doing some thing. I can only suggest the monarch should consult the ruling parties, other political parties, constitutional experts and intellectuals for reviewing the situation. If the fruits of political and economic development approach up to the general people, this kind of problem will come to an end. The ruling political parties have to concentrate their efforts in this direction and should deliver the good performance through good governance. Democracy does not mean only achieving political power, but it also means socio-economic development of the masses. The political actor should always keep the upliftment of the general masses in his mind.

TGQ5: Corruption is everywhere in Nepal. During Panchayat it was under the table, now it is above the table. The climax is Lauda air scandal, which has prompted the opposition to demand Koirala's outright resignation. Can they press the elected Premier to resign by force? How you look at it? Do you think some way or the other the Premier is involved in the scandal? Your remarks please!

Mr. Joshi: Corruption, corruption and corruption, everywhere there is corruption. But only in words and sound. Where is corruption? Who has done corruption? Who has been penalized for acts of corruption? No answer. Some serious actions were taken against corrupt people in the erstwhile Panchayat system. But not now. So, some times I wish to say if there is any corruption less country in the world, it is Nepal. When one is not found guilty and is not punished for his or her corrupt practices, how can one conclude that he or she is a corrupt person. We talk only of corruption, but can't prove. This means that it is just a hullabaloo only.

The present Lauda scandal has become a talk of the town. The RNAC chairman has been suspended and the concerned minister too has resigned. Now the demand of Premier's resignation is at its climax. I don't think that the leader and the Prime Minister of a majority party should resign simply because the opposition demands that. But it is equally the duty of the Premier that he should conduct fair and impartial investigation of the Lauda air scandal and bring the fact in a transparent manner and should not hesitate to punish the real corrupt practitioner of the said deal.

Headline | National | Letter | Editorial | 2nd Impression | International | Past |