Counting the stars

EDITORIAL

Days, weeks, months and years have passed, but the political parties have failed to achieve consensus despite harping all the time about it. It is sheer agony for the people who had waited for so long and are still waiting for the all inclusive democratic constitution. Even the Constituent Assembly (CA) elected to draft and promulgate the new constitution is defunct. The major political parties namely the UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and UDMF, among others, have failed the people

by lacking the urge to sort out the contentious

issues. Now, it may be futile talking about the contentious constitutional issues, because the focus is on breaking the present political stalemate. They had been unanimous on electing a new Constituent Assembly, but many decisions regarding it has to be agreed upon. It is unfortunate that whenever the leaders of the parties meet, they somehow veer off the topic of amending the Interim Constitution, fixing the date for the CA election, the assembly size and the formation of a national unity government. This is plain evidence of the lack of commitment and accountability of the leaders of all the major party leaders. It is quite irresponsible that they talk of finding solutions to the contentious issues, but they never dwell on them at all.

The elusive nature of the political leaders indicates their thirst only for power. The ruling coalition does not want to hand over power, while the outside parties want the government to quit. The UCPN (M) keeps on changing its commitment and stances at the slightest twitch of the muscle. In fact, if it had been sincere, the Maoist chief should have initiated serious talks on the formation of a national unity government. But, all he talks about is that his party would continue to head the government at all costs. Even on the agreed upon issues, the Maoists are backtracking as if doing the nation a favour. The NC and UML also are insisting on PM Baburam Bhattarai quitting. There seems to be no way that reason will entrench itself with such adamant stances. The political leaders ought to be ashamed of themselves as they have not yet been able to thrash out consensus even after the demise of the CA. The only agreement that has taken place is on going for a new CA election, but they are not coming closer on the other election-related issues.

Meanwhile, the President has been regularly exhorting the political parties to come to an agreement as soon as possible. Here, even the President’s exhortations have not created the necessary galvanisation of the political leaders. It seems that the leaders do not feel the pressure of such appeals and have become apathetic to the need for breaking the political impasse. Without the necessary impetus from the leaders, there seems to be no basis to think of any accord taking place among them. They have to think of their accountability to the citizens by doing the needful so that the constitution is drafted and promulgated by a new Constituent Assembly. By eluding the CA poll-related issues, they are exhibiting their utter disregard for the people, and, of course, accountability.

Zero waste

The collection and dumping of wastes started as far back as 1970, yet, garbage management leaves a lot to be desired. So it is with a certain amount of skepticism we greet the campaign which strives for zero waste Himalaya to preserve the Himalayan region. If things work out as per plan, the campaign is to start from next week in eastern Nepal. The concept is to produce the least amount of waste from the households and the living areas so that the environment is clean and healthy. As per the zero waste concept, the wastes are to be reduced, recycled and reused. This scheme would mean that around 90 per cent of the garbage would be utilized. The concept is indeed laudable and, if it works, the Himalayan region of Nepal would truly be free of wastes.

This campaign envisions completion in a period of five to eight years. For it to succeed, cooperation in the endeavour should be forthcoming from all.

The way wastes are being handled now is indeed shameful. At least, the people should learn to segregate the wastes into biodegradable and non-biodegradable ones to begin with so that the wastes do not go to waste.