Nepali politicians neither could provide good governance nor could effect timely reforms in the cross socio-economy

-Rajendra Kumar Khetan, Executive Director, Khetan Group, Nepal

He is comparatively a new comer in the business/industrial sector but yet within a short span he has already been able to exhibit his strong presence in the concerned sector.

He is probably most vocal among the crowd of the many in the sector he is at the moment involved in exposing the menace of corruption that existed practically at all the levels of the Nepalese society including the higher political echelons and the bureaucracy.

He laments for this sorry state but frankly admits that at times it becomes more "economical" and less time consuming to get their "files" moved in lieu of miniscule under-table transactions. "We are thus compelled to do so", says the young and dynamic industrialist/businessman Rajendra Kumar Khetan.

Junior Khetan is the son of Mohan Gopal Khetan, a name quite familiar to the informed citizenry of this Himalayan Kingdom.

Rajendra was born in 1970 and is a Graduate in Commerce discipline.

At the moment Rajendra Khetan is the Executive Director of the Khetan Group, a well-known commercial big house of the country, which is basically an investment and management business group.

He is also the Honorary Consul of Portugal and is also a senator at the Kathmandu University.

His associations include, among others, the SECOND Vice President-- FNCCI , (Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce & Industry) ; PRESIDENT- NBCCI , (Nepal Britain Chamber of Commerce & Industry); EX.EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER--SAARC-CCI, (SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry) and had once the honor of being the judge for MISS NEPAL'96.
Apart from these, Rajendra Khetan is also the President of -Hisef Finance Ltd; Advisor -Board of Directors -Laxmi Bank Ltd and Member Board of Directors -Everest Insurance Co.Ltd.
He is the recipient of SILVER JUBLEE Medal of His Majesty's Accession To The Throne
'BIRENDRA AISHWARYA SEWA MEDAL' –2058; and LMF-MEDAL INT'L ROUND TABLE
He possesses the honor of being included in the entourage of HIS MAJESTY'S STATE VISIT TO CHINA '01and very freshly a member of the Prime Minister Deuba's official visit to India.

Last week I met this young man at a social gathering and wished to talk to him. His impressions are presented below-chief editor.

TGQ1: I have noted you Mr. Khetan blasting at the political and the bureaucratic sector of the country to have caused irreparable damage to the nation's industrial/business sector and hence the national economy. How would you justify your claims? Your comments please.

Mr. Khetan: Indeed I have been doing so for quite some time. The politicians and the bureaucrats are not serious over matters related to the betterment of the nation, more especially regarding the industry/business sector. For example, the law and the policies made so far have dual meaning and we are always at their mercy for taking the right decisions. The politicians have apparently their hidden agenda and the bureaucrats support them. On top of that, the politicians are divided and the nation's bureaucrats are pretty weak. Every single issue is being seen from political or financial angle. In such a situation how can the nation's economy develop which definitely requires suitable changes and timely reforms and warrants clear cut decision everyday. Though the economy has been liberalized but yet the requirement of bribe has not reduced. In my humble consideration, Corporate ethics and hidden transaction cannot go hand to hand.

TGQ2: You were one of the entourage member during prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's New Delhi trip. Mixed reactions have followed regarding the outcome of the visit. As a businessman how you assess the trip? If Deuba could bag gains then which were those sectors wherein Nepal gained substantially? Do you think that India henceforth will remain sympathetic towards Nepal's problems regarding Nepali products' entry into their vast market? How you would take up this matter? Your remarks please.

Mr. Khetan: We have come across one decade since trade with India is being given preference entry. This time it has become little narrow in terms of quota in some items. The value addition arrangement is anyway better for the nation. But with this, total quantitative and value of exports will not decrease. Since India and Nepal both are moving ahead with WTO pattern, the rationalization of rules of trade is equally, in my opinion, important. The Prime Minister's visit has given due thrust on 'icd', quarantine issues, decisions to be made through 'igc', tourism, water resources and investment.

So far India's sympathetic approach is concerned given the changing context, it may not be that very easy.

TGQ3: You talk of corruption. You blame that businessman are forced to corrupt the HMG officials to get your things done. I differ with your comments. I say if you don't pay, how could the officials press you to offer them under table amounts? Rather we in the media sector see that it is the business sector that corrupts others. How would you support your own opinions? Your comments please.

Mr. Khetan: If I don't pay, my work will not be done. This is very simple. I had the same problem with my life insurance company. For running business sometimes paying little is economical than facing the untold sufferings followed by hassle(s) and delay. It is here that we opt to compromise and hence I claim that we are "compelled" more often than not. Now it is becoming unsustainable and everybody is suffering with the menace of corruption. We must stop it here and we need support from lawmakers for initiating ethical business. Let's all be accountable and make everything transparent.

TGQ4: The business/industrial community can't escape from the existing nation's politics? How you assess the political situation in the country? What could be the cause that forced us to land in such an awkward situation? Who is to be blamed for all the current mess seen in the country? Also tell us what you would suggest the government and the Maoists insurgents given the fragile state of country's political situation. Talks of constitutional reforms are high on the agenda of the UML and a section of the congress. The laymen apparently have been denied their right to bring this matter to wider discussion prior to the effecting changes in the constitution.

Mr. Khetan: We lack in the nation an effective and dedicated leadership. After the people's movement in 1990 and thereafter, the politicians have totally failed and are responsible for today's critical stage of the state. They neither could provide good governance nor could bring about timely reforms in the cross socio-economy. We in the business/industrial sector are in sheer dilemma. We are definitely in awkward situation. The economy is "gloomy" and the fund requirements are ever increasing. What we are spending on security if would have been spent on insurgency affected areas, the problem would have been addressed. Now it is almost beyond control.

We as men involved in the business community feel that changes in constitution is a must to give people justice in terms of social upliftment. Also the Maoists insurgency must be brought to the main stream of national politics and the changes in the constitution must address all these. Hence I think there is a solution and the solution is through effecting timely changes in the constitution.

TGQ5: And at last, tell me Mr. Khetan, can Nepal exist without Foreign Aid? If yes, how? Can you suggest some effective measures to the government? Your exclusive comments please.

Mr. Khetan: The ultimate is trade but not aid. The aid and loans must go to such area(s), which can facilitate "productivity" or has a visible "financial" return. I think the solution to poverty is more employment and generation of revenue. This is possible through rapid and speedy industrialization and I see that for this cause " infrastructure investment" must be done from such grants and soft money. I think today's agenda is security and economic development and government should float minimum understanding between political parties and this should not, albeit, be touched by nation's day to day politics.

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